Attached files

file filename
EX-32.2 - CFO CERTIFICATION FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 - Hilltop Securities Holdings LLCdex322.htm
EX-21.1 - SUBSIDIARIES - Hilltop Securities Holdings LLCdex211.htm
EX-31.2 - CFO CERTIFICATION FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - Hilltop Securities Holdings LLCdex312.htm
EX-23.1 - CONSENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP - Hilltop Securities Holdings LLCdex231.htm
EX-32.1 - CEO CERTIFICATION FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 - Hilltop Securities Holdings LLCdex321.htm
EX-31.1 - CEO CERTIFICATION FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 - Hilltop Securities Holdings LLCdex311.htm
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

 

[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended June 25, 2010

OR

 

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

For the transition period from             to             

Commission file number 000-19483

SWS GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

   Delaware    75-2040825   
   (State or other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer   
   incorporation or organization)    Identification No.)   
   1201 Elm Street, Suite 3500, Dallas, Texas    75270   
   (Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)   

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (214) 859-1800

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

  Title of Each Class    Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered   
 

Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share

   New York Stock Exchange   

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes              No     X    

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  

Yes              No     X    

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes              No             

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.             

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

 

Large accelerated filer                   Accelerated filer     X    
Non-accelerated filer             (Do not check if a smaller  reporting company)      Smaller reporting company             

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

    Yes              No     X    

The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates on December 31, 2009 was $353,385,000 based on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock, $12.10 per share, reported on the New York Stock Exchange on December 31, 2009. For purposes of this computation, all officers, directors and 10% beneficial owners of the registrant are deemed to be affiliates. Such determination should not be deemed an admission that such officers, directors or 10% beneficial owners are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant.

As of August 27, 2010, there were 32,538,782 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.10 par value, outstanding.


Table of Contents

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement to be used in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be voted at the Registrant’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held November 18, 2010 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Table of Contents

SWS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO 2010 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

PART I

     
  

Forward-Looking Statements

   1

Item 1.

  

Business

   2

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   18

Item 1B.

  

Unresolved Staff Comments

   24

Item 2.

  

Properties

   24

Item 3.

  

Legal Proceedings

   25

Item 4.

  

Reserved

   25

PART II

     

Item 5.

  

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   25

Item 6.

  

Selected Financial Data

   28

Item 7.

  

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

   29

Item 7A.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   64

Item 8.

  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   64

Item 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   65

Item 9A.

  

Controls and Procedures

   65

Item 9B.

  

Other Information

   66

PART III

     

Item 10.

  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

   66

Item 11.

  

Executive Compensation

   67

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

   67

Item 13.

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

   67

Item 14.

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   67

PART IV

     

Item 15.

  

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

   68
SIGNATURES    70
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    F-1


Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

From time to time, we make statements (including some contained in this report) that predict or forecast future events, depend on future events for their accuracy, or otherwise contain “forward-looking” information and constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities legislation. Such statements are generally identifiable by the terminology used such as “plans,” “expects,” “estimates,” “budgets,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “projects,” “indicates,” “targets,” “objective,” “could,” “should,” “may” or other similar words. By their very nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions that may not materialize or that may not be accurate. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results, which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results may differ materially as a result of various factors, some of which are outside of our control, including:

 

   

the interest rate environment;

 

   

the volume of trading in securities;

 

   

the liquidity in capital markets;

 

   

the volatility and general level of securities prices and interest rates;

 

   

the level of customer margin loan activity and the size of customer account balances;

 

   

the demand for housing in Texas and New Mexico and the national market;

 

   

the credit-worthiness of our correspondents, counterparties in securities lending transactions and of our banking and margin customers;

 

   

the demand for investment banking services;

 

   

general economic conditions, especially in Texas and New Mexico and investor sentiment and confidence;

 

   

competitive conditions in each of our business segments;

 

   

changes in accounting, tax and regulatory compliance requirements;

 

   

the ability to attract and retain key personnel; and

 

   

the availability of credit lines.

Our future operating results also depend on our operating expenses, which are subject to fluctuation due to:

 

   

variations in the level of compensation expense incurred as a result of changes in the number of total employees, competitive factors, or other market variables;

 

   

variations in expenses and capital costs, including depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges incurred to maintain our infrastructure; and

 

   

unanticipated costs which may be incurred from time to time in connection with litigation, regulation or other contingencies.

Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements include those factors discussed in this report in the sections entitled “Item 1. Business,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Overview,” “-Risk Management,” and “-Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and those discussed in our other reports filed with and available from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). All forward-looking statements we make speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except as required by law, we undertake no obligations to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date on which they were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

-1-


Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

We are a diversified financial services holding company focused on delivering a broad range of investment banking, commercial banking and related financial services to individual, corporate and institutional investors, broker/dealers, governmental entities and financial intermediaries. We are the largest full-service brokerage firm headquartered in the Southwestern United States (based on the number of financial advisors).

For purposes of this report, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “SWS” and the “company” mean SWS Group, Inc. collectively with all of our subsidiaries, and references to “SWS Group” mean solely SWS Group, Inc. as a single entity.

SWS Group is a Delaware corporation and was incorporated in 1972, and its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Our principal executive offices are located at 1201 Elm Street, Suite 3500, Dallas, Texas 75270. Our telephone number is (214) 859-1800 and our website is www.swsgroupinc.com. We do not intend for information contained on our website to be part of this Form 10-K. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the public reference room.

The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we (together with other issuers) file electronically. The SEC’s Internet site is www.sec.gov. We make available free of charge on or through our website our annual, quarterly and current reports and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with or furnish it to the SEC. Additionally, we voluntarily will provide electronic or paper copies of our filings free of charge upon request.

Our principal brokerage subsidiary, Southwest Securities, Inc. (“Southwest Securities”), is a registered broker/dealer and a member of the NYSE. It is also a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”), and other regulatory and trade organizations.

Southwest Securities provides integrated trade execution, clearing and client account processing to over 170 financial service organizations, which includes correspondent broker/dealers and registered investment advisors in 31 states, Canada and Europe. Southwest Securities serves individual investors through its private client group offices in Texas, New Mexico, California, Nevada and Oklahoma and institutional investors nationwide. Southwest Securities also extends margin credit and lends securities and manages and participates in underwriting equity and fixed income securities. For the fiscal year ended June 25, 2010, revenues from Southwest Securities accounted for approximately 72% of our consolidated revenues.

We currently operate one other broker/dealer subsidiary which is registered with FINRA. SWS Financial Services, Inc. (“SWS Financial”) contracts with over 300 individual registered representatives (who are FINRA licensed salespersons) for the administration of their securities business. While these registered representatives must conduct all of their securities business through SWS Financial, they may conduct insurance, real estate brokerage or other business for others or for their own accounts. The registered representatives are responsible for all of their direct expenses and are paid higher commission rates than Southwest Securities’ registered representatives to compensate them for their added expenses. SWS Financial is a correspondent of Southwest Securities.

SWS Group purchased M.L. Stern & Co., LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiary Tower Asset Management, LLC (collectively, “M.L. Stern”) after the close of business on March 31, 2008. Substantially all of the operations of the M.L. Stern broker/dealer were transferred to Southwest Securities in December 2008 and are operating as separate offices of Southwest Securities’ private client group. Tower Asset Management, LLC ceased business operations on June 30, 2009 and was dissolved effective June 30, 2010.

 

-2-


Table of Contents

We offer full-service, traditional and Internet banking through Southwest Securities, FSB (the “Bank”). The Bank is a federally chartered savings bank organized and existing under the laws of the United States. The Bank conducts business from its main operational facilities and headquarters in Dallas, Texas and 16 banking center locations in Texas and New Mexico. In 2003, SWS Banc Holdings, Inc. (“SWS Banc”) was incorporated as a wholly- owned subsidiary of SWS Group in the state of Delaware and became the sole stockholder of the Bank in 2004. The Bank’s one subsidiary, FSB Development, LLC (“FSB Development”), participates in the development of single-family residential lots. Currently, FSB Development has no investments.

The annual consolidated financial statements of SWS are prepared as of the close of business on the last Friday in June. The Bank’s and M.L. Stern’s annual financial statements are prepared as of June 30th.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

In fiscal 2010, we operated through four business segments. The segments are managed separately based on the types of products and services offered and their related client bases. The segments are consistent with how we manage our resources and assess our performance. See Note 25 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report for information regarding the revenues, income (loss) and total assets of each of our business segments.

Clearing. We provide clearing and execution services for other broker/dealers (predominantly on a fully disclosed basis). Our clientele includes general securities broker/dealers and firms specializing in high volume trading.

In a fully disclosed clearing transaction, the identity of the correspondent’s client is known to us and we physically maintain the client’s account and perform a variety of services as agent for the correspondent. Correspondent firms are charged fees based on their use of services according to a contractual schedule.

Our services are tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients. We currently support a wide range of clients, including discount and full-service brokerage firms, direct access firms, registered investment advisors and institutional firms. High-volume trading firms trade actively on a proprietary basis or provide services to those customers who trade actively on a daily basis. As of June 25, 2010, Southwest Securities provided clearing services for four high-volume trading firms. The nature of services provided to the customers of high-volume trading firms and the internal costs necessary to support them are substantially lower than the standard correspondent costs and services. Accordingly, fees for services to these correspondents, on a per trade basis, are discounted substantially from the fees normally charged to other customers.

In addition to clearing trades, we tailor our service to meet the specific business needs of our clearing clients and offer such products and services as recordkeeping, trade reporting, accounting, general back-office support, securities and margin lending, reorganization assistance and custody of securities.

The terms of our agreements with our correspondents define the allocation of financial, operational and regulatory responsibility arising from the clearing relationship. To the extent that the correspondent has available resources, we are protected against claims by customers of the correspondent arising from actions by the correspondent; however, if the correspondent is unable to meet its obligations, dissatisfied customers may attempt to recover from us.

Retail. The Retail segment includes the sale of retail securities, insurance products and managed accounts.

Retail Securities. We act as securities broker in the purchase and sale of securities, options, commodities and futures contracts traded on various exchanges or in the over-the-counter market through our employee registered representatives or our independent contractor arrangements. We also extend margin credit on a secured basis to our retail customers in order to facilitate securities transactions. Through our insurance subsidiaries, we hold insurance licenses in 43 states in order to facilitate the sale of insurance and annuity products by our financial advisors to retail clients. In most cases, we charge commissions to our clients, in accordance with our established commission schedule. In certain instances, varying discounts from the schedule are given, generally based upon the client’s level of business, the trade size and other relevant factors. Some of our registered representatives also maintain licenses to sell certain insurance products. Southwest Securities is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a non-guaranteed introducing broker and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”). Southwest Securities is a fully disclosed client of two of the largest futures commodity merchants in the United States.

 

-3-


Table of Contents

Our financial advisors work with their individual clients to create investment portfolios based on the client’s specific financial goals and tolerance for risk. We provide access to fee-based platforms and a wide array of products and services including access to investment management programs that can be tailored to the individual client relationship to enhance the financial advisor’s business and benefit his or her clients.

At June 25, 2010, Southwest Securities employed 202 registered representatives in 21 retail brokerage offices (two located in each of Dallas and Houston and one located in each of Austin, Georgetown, Longview, Lufkin, Plano, San Antonio and Southlake, Texas; one located in each of Oklahoma City and Norman, Oklahoma; one located in Santa Fe, New Mexico; one located in each of Beverly Hills, Monterey, Rancho Bernardo, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco, California and one located in Las Vegas, Nevada). In addition, at June 25, 2010, SWS Financial had contracts with 307 independent retail representatives for the administration of their securities business.

Insurance. Southwest Financial Insurance Agency, Inc. and Southwest Insurance Agency, Inc., together with its subsidiary, Southwest Insurance Agency of Alabama, Inc., (collectively, “SWS Insurance”) hold insurance agency licenses in 43 states for the purpose of facilitating the sale of insurance and annuities for our registered representatives to their retail customers. We retain no underwriting risk related to the insurance and annuity products that SWS Insurance sells.

Managed Accounts. Through the Managed Advisors and Accounts department of Southwest Securities, we provide advisors with a wide array of products and services to enhance and grow their advisory business. The “Partner” program can be tailored to the individual client-relationship, providing the flexibility that we believe is key to an advisor’s success. Other products available include “Premier Advisors,” which gives an investor access to approximately 75 of the world’s leading institutional money managers at competitive rates; and “Advantage,” which offers an advisory service designed to assist investors with identifying a strategic asset allocation strategy using mutual funds and exchange traded funds (“ETF”) and developing a plan to work toward their long-term financial goals. The “Global Tactical Allocation” (“GTA”) is a strategy using ETFs and mutual funds using a tactical strategy. This strategy actively adjusts a portfolio’s allocation mix based on a view of the markets over the next 12 months by over/underweighting underlying asset classes to determine the appropriate asset allocation mix in consideration of current market conditions.

Margin Lending. We extend credit on a secured basis directly to our customers, the customers of correspondent firms and the correspondent firms themselves in order to facilitate securities transactions. This credit, which earns interest income, is known as “margin lending” and is conducted primarily in our clearing and retail segments. We extend margin credit to correspondent firms only to the extent that such firms pledge their own (“proprietary”) assets as collateral. Our correspondents indemnify us against margin losses on their customers’ accounts. Since we must rely on the guarantees and general creditworthiness of the correspondents, we may be exposed to significant risk of loss if correspondents are unable to meet their financial commitments should there be a substantial adverse change in the value of margined securities.

In customer margin transactions, the client borrows money from us to purchase securities or for other purposes. The loan is collateralized by the securities purchased or by other securities owned by the client. Interest is charged to clients on the amount borrowed to finance margin transactions at a floating rate. The rate charged is dependent on the average net debit balance in the client’s accounts, the activity level in the accounts and the applicable cost of funds. The amount of the loan is subject to the margin regulations (“Regulation T”) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, FINRA margin requirements, and our internal policies. In most transactions, Regulation T limits the amount loaned to a customer for the purchase of securities to 50% of the purchase price. Furthermore, in the event of a decline in the value of the collateral, FINRA requirements regulate the percentage of client cash or securities that must be on deposit as collateral for the loans.

In permitting clients to purchase on margin, we are subject to the risk of a market decline, which could reduce the value of our collateral below the client’s indebtedness. Agreements with margin account clients permit us to liquidate clients’ securities with or without prior notice in the event of an insufficient amount of margin collateral. Despite those agreements, we may be unable to liquidate clients’ securities for various reasons including, but not limited to, a thin trading market, an excessive concentration or the issuance of a trading halt.

The primary source of funds to finance clients’ margin account balances is credit balances in clients’ accounts. We generally pay interest to clients on these credit balances at a rate determined periodically. SEC regulations restrict the use of clients’ funds to the financing of clients’ activities including margin account balances. Excess customer credit balances, as defined by SEC regulations, are invested in short-term securities segregated for the exclusive benefit of customers as required by SEC regulations. We generate net interest income when there is a positive interest rate spread between the rate earned from margin lending and segregated short-term investments and the rate paid on customer credit balances.

 

-4-


Table of Contents

Institutional. The Institutional segment is comprised of businesses serving institutional customers in the areas of securities borrowing and lending, public finance, municipal sales and underwriting, investment banking, fixed income sales and trading and equity sales.

Securities Lending Activities. Our securities lending business includes borrowing and lending securities for other broker/dealers, lending institutions and our own clearing and retail operations. These activities involve borrowing securities to cover short sales and to complete transactions in which clients have failed to deliver securities by the required settlement date and lending securities to other broker/dealers for similar purposes.

When borrowing securities, we are required to deposit cash or other collateral or to post a letter of credit with the lender, and we generally receive a rebate (based on the amount of cash deposited) or a fee calculated to yield a negotiated rate of return. When lending securities, we receive cash or similar collateral and generally pay interest (based on the amount of cash deposited) to the other party to the transaction. Generally, we earn net interest income based on the spread between the interest rate on cash or similar collateral we deposit and the interest rate paid on cash or similar collateral we receive.

Securities borrowing and lending transactions are executed pursuant to written agreements with counterparties that generally require securities borrowed and loaned to be marked-to-market on a daily basis, excess collateral to be refunded, and deficit collateral to be furnished. Collateral adjustments are made on a daily basis through the facilities of various clearinghouses. We are a principal in these securities borrowing and lending transactions and are liable for losses in the event of a failure of any other party to honor its contractual obligation. Our management sets credit limits with each counterparty and reviews these limits regularly to monitor the risk level with each counterparty.

The securities lending business is conducted primarily from Southwest Securities’ New Jersey office using a highly specialized sales force. Competition for these professionals is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain these securities lending professionals.

Investment Banking and Public Finance. Our investment banking and public finance businesses earn investment banking revenues by assisting corporate and public entity clients in meeting their financial needs and advising them on the most advantageous means of raising capital. Our public finance and municipal sales and underwriting professionals assist public bodies in originating, syndicating and distributing securities for municipalities and political subdivisions. Our corporate finance professionals arrange and evaluate mergers and acquisitions, offer private placements of securities with institutional and individual investors, assist clients with raising capital, and provide other consulting and advisory services.

Our syndicate department coordinates the distribution of managed and co-managed corporate equity underwritings, accepts invitations to participate in competitive or negotiated underwritings managed by other investment banking firms and allocates and merchandises our selling allotments to our branch office system to institutional clients and to other broker/dealers.

Southwest Securities maintains a corporate finance branch office in Dallas, Texas and public finance branch offices in Austin, Dallas, Longview, Plano and San Antonio, Texas; Irvine and Cardiff, California; Hillsdale, New York; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami Beach, Florida and Monroe, Louisiana.

Participation in corporate and municipal underwritings can expose us to material risk due to the possibility that securities we have committed to purchase may not be sold at the initial offering price. Federal and state securities laws and regulations also affect the activities of underwriters and impose substantial potential liabilities for violations in connection with sales of securities by underwriters to the public.

Fixed Income Sales and Trading and Equity Trading. Our fixed income sales and trading group specializes in trading and underwriting U.S. government and agency bonds, corporate bonds, municipal bonds, mortgage-backed, asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities and structured products. We discount our commissions substantially on institutional transactions. The clients of our fixed income group include corporations, insurance companies, banks, mutual funds, money managers and other institutions. Southwest Securities has fixed income offices in Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Ft. Lauderdale and North Palm Beach, Florida; Encino, Irvine and San Francisco, California; Fairfield and Westport, Connecticut; Evergreen, Colorado; Bloomfield, New Jersey; Memphis, Tennessee; New York, New York and Richmond, Virginia.

 

-5-


Table of Contents

Our equity trading department focuses on providing best execution for equity and option orders for clients. We also execute institutional portfolio trades and are a market maker in a limited number of listed securities.

Banking. We offer banking services to local businesses through 14 full-service banking centers located in Arlington, Austin, Benbrook, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Garland, Granbury, Houston, Southlake and Waxahachie, Texas as well as 2 full-service banking centers located in Albuquerque and Ruidoso, New Mexico. We specialize in two primary areas, business banking and mortgage purchase. Our focus in business banking includes commercial lending, commercial real-estate lending, small business (“SBA”) lending and residential construction lending. We originate the majority of our loans internally, and we believe this business model helps us develop a more valuable franchise.

The Bank offers a full array of deposit products, including checking, savings, money market and certificates of deposit. As a full-service lender, the Bank offers competitive rates and terms on business loans, as well as a full line of consumer loans. Customers have access to comprehensive Internet banking services and online bill payment. The Bank provides interim construction lending to builders throughout the North Texas market. The Bank offers commercial and commercial real estate loans as well as residential mortgages through conventional and government loans, primarily in Texas and New Mexico.

Our mortgage purchase division purchases participations in newly originated residential loans (1-4 families), from various mortgage bankers nationwide. The loans are pre-committed for sale to the secondary market and remain on the Bank’s books for an average of 10-20 days. Approximately 98% of the loans are written to the standards of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae, and the rest are A credit jumbo loans. As of the date of this report, the Bank had 92 customer/originators across the nation. Although the Bank is exposed to credit risk before the loans are sold, there is no recourse to the Bank once the sale has closed.

GROWTH STRATEGY

Regional Focus. Our retail brokerage and banking businesses focus on the Southwestern United States and we seek to grow these businesses primarily in the Southwestern United States. We believe our current focus on the Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco markets will provide a good base to expand across the Southwest. We enjoy a competitive advantage in these target markets as our tailored customer service and regional expertise allow us to more effectively capitalize on the high growth potential in these regions.

 

   

As a full-service brokerage firm headquartered in the Southwestern United States, we are well positioned to take advantage of the recent outflow of financial advisors from branches in the region. We believe our historical ability to recruit and integrate highly productive brokers provides us with a unique opportunity to increase our scale across the region in the current economic climate.

 

   

We believe our banking customers value the high level of personalized customer service that we offer. Our bankers are well known in their local business communities and have large networks of contacts, business relationships and local community ties that help them understand the needs of our banking customers. We believe the customer relationships in our lending business are strengthened because we have the same geographic footprint as many of our customers.

Revenues by Source

We operate in four business segments: clearing, retail brokerage, institutional brokerage and banking. For more information about each of these business segments, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” below. See also Note 25 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal years ended June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008 included under Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 

-6-


Table of Contents

The following table shows our revenue by source for the last three fiscal years (dollars in thousands):

 

    

2010

  

2009

  

2008

         Amount          Percent        Amount          Percent        Amount          Percent

Net revenues from clearing operations

           $ 10,584    3%            $ 11,541    2%            $ 13,951    3%
                             

Commissions:

                 

Listed equities

     324         3,473    1%      5,575    1%

Over-the-counter equities

     38,758    9%      32,032    7%      36,545    8%

Corporate bonds

     33,270    8%      60,486    12%      18,549    4%

Government bonds and mortgage-backed securities

     15,397    4%      14,222    3%      10,111    2%

Municipal bonds

     51,138    12%      51,150    11%      21,644    5%

Options

     2,542         2,023         1,976   

Mutual funds

     12,063    3%      10,126    2%      12,981    3%

Other

     3,968    1%      5,491    1%      3,987    1%
                             
     157,460         179,003         111,368   
                             

Interest

     156,063    37%      211,873    44%      281,422    59%
                             

Investment banking fees:

                 

Corporate

     2,197         793         4,239    1%

Municipal

     15,721    4%      13,980    3%      16,392    3%

Taxable fixed income

     6,834    2%      2,872    1%      1,205   

Other (trading and other)

     1,256         622         414   
                             
     26,008         18,267         22,250   
                             

Advisory and administrative fees:

                 

Money market funds

     275         6,248    1%      5,798    1%

Managed account fees

     7,485    2%      9,847    2%      7,038    1%

Other

     2,065         2,020    1%      2,431    1%
                             
     9,825         18,115         15,267   
                             

Net gains on principal transactions:

                 

Equity securities

     1,878         2,217         2,519    1%

Municipal securities

     22,305    6%      12,753    3%      2,792    1%

Corporate bonds

     8,819    2%      10,206    2%      2,548    1%

Government issues

     8,535    2%      9,724    2%      1,593   

Other

     (176)         (69)         (799)   
                             
     41,361         34,831         8,653   

Other:

                 

Insurance products

     12,163    3%      9,457    2%      12,950    3%

Other security accounts fee revenue

     2,814    1%      2,619         2,974   

Floor brokerage

     1,016         1,077         1,146   

Non-interest bank revenue

     371         1,524         4,051    1%

Regulatory fees

     462         378         2,275   

Other

     4,100    1%      (3,008)         1,220   
                             
     20,926         12,047         24,616   
                             

Total revenue

           $ 422,227    100%            $ 485,677    100%            $ 477,527    100%
                             

 

-7-


Table of Contents

COMPETITION

We encounter intense competition in our businesses. We compete directly with securities firms and banks, many of which have substantially greater capital and other resources than we have. We also encounter competition from insurance companies and financial institutions in many elements of our businesses.

The brokerage entities compete principally on the basis of service, product selection, price, location and reputation. We operate at a price disadvantage to discount brokerage firms that do not offer equivalent services. We compete for the correspondent clearing business on the basis of service, reputation, price, technology and product selection.

Competition for successful securities traders, stock loan professionals and investment bankers among securities firms and other competitors is intense, as is competition for experienced financial advisors. We recognize the importance of hiring and retaining skilled professionals so we invest heavily in the recruiting process. The failure to attract and retain skilled professionals could have a material adverse effect on our business and on our performance.

The Bank also operates in an intensely competitive environment. This environment includes other banks, credit unions, nonbank lenders and insurance companies. There have been numerous new entrants into the Bank’s market area over the past few years. The competition ranges from small community banks to trillion dollar commercial banks. As with the securities industry, the ability to attract and retain skilled professionals is critical to the Bank’s success. To enhance these activities the Bank utilizes SWS for assistance in recruiting and educational programs. The Bank competes for community banking customers locally based on reputation, service, location and price. The Bank also competes nationally through its purchased mortgage loan division.

REGULATION

We operate in the financial services industry as, among other things, a securities broker/dealer, a registered investment advisor and a bank. As a result, our businesses are highly regulated by U.S. federal and state regulatory agencies, self-regulatory organizations and securities exchanges, and, to a lesser extent, by foreign governmental agencies and financial regulatory bodies.

We are also under the jurisdiction of the SEC and are subject to the disclosure and regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as administered by the SEC.

We are a legal entity separate and distinct from our banking and non-banking subsidiaries. Our principal sources of funds are cash dividends paid by our subsidiaries, capital contributions from the sale of our securities, investment income, and borrowings. The Bank has a policy to remain “well-capitalized.” Federal laws limit the amount of dividends or other capital distributions that a banking institution can pay. The Bank must obtain prior approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”) before it can pay dividends to us.

Due to the current economic crisis, many new regulations and statutes have been proposed or passed into law that contain wide-ranging proposals for altering the structures, regulations, and competitive relationships of financial institutions operating and doing business in the United States.

On July 21, 2010, the President of the United States signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). The Dodd-Frank Act aims to restore responsibility and accountability to the financial system by significantly altering the regulation of financial institutions and the financial services industry. Most of the provisions contained in the Dodd-Frank Act will have delayed effective dates. Full implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act will require many new rules to be issued by federal regulatory agencies over the next several years which will profoundly affect how financial institutions will be regulated in the future. As portions of the Dodd-Frank Act are implemented, we will continue to monitor and evaluate its impact on our operations. However, the ultimate effect of the Dodd-Frank Act and its implementing regulations on the financial services industry in general, and on us in particular, is uncertain at this time.

 

-8-


Table of Contents

The Dodd-Frank Act, among other things:

 

   

Establishes the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an independent organization within the Federal Reserve dedicated to promulgating and enforcing consumer protection laws applicable to all entities offering consumer financial products or services.

 

   

Establishes the Financial Stability Oversight Council, tasked with the authority to identify and monitor institutions and systems which pose a systemic risk to the financial system, and to impose standards regarding capital, leverage, liquidity, risk management, and other requirements for financial firms.

 

   

Abolishes the OTS and transfers its functions to other federal banking agencies as follows:

 

  ¡  

Functions of the OTS related to the supervision of savings and loan holding companies and their subsidiaries (other than depository institutions) will be transferred to the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”);

 

  ¡  

Functions of the OTS related to federal savings associations will be transferred to the OCC; and

 

  ¡  

Functions of the OTS related to state savings associations will be transferred to the FDIC.

 

   

Enhances supervision of large bank holding companies (companies with total consolidated assets greater than $50 billion) and other large nonbanking financial companies.

 

   

Changes the base for FDIC insurance assessments.

 

   

Increases the minimum reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund from 1.15% to 1.35%.

 

   

Permanently increases the deposit insurance coverage amount from $100,000 to $250,000.

 

   

Directs the Federal Reserve to establish interchange fees for debit cards pursuant to a restrictive “reasonable and proportional cost” per transaction standard.

 

   

Limits the ability of banking organizations to sponsor or invest in private equity and hedge funds and to engage in proprietary trading.

 

   

Removes trust preferred securities as a permitted component of a holding company’s Tier I capital, subject to certain exceptions and a phase out period.

 

   

Grants the U.S. government authority to liquidate or take emergency measures with respect to troubled nonbank financial companies that fall outside the existing resolution authority of the FDIC, including the establishment of an orderly liquidation fund.

 

   

Increases regulation of asset-backed securities, including a requirement that issuers of asset-backed securities retain at least 5% of the risk of the asset-backed securities.

 

   

Increases regulation of consumer protections regarding mortgage originations, including originator compensation, minimum repayment standards, and prepayment consideration.

 

   

Establishes new disclosure and other requirements relating to executive compensation and corporate governance.

 

   

Increases transparency of non-hedging derivative trading activity, with the goal of limiting speculation and increasing accountability in the commodities and derivatives (including swaps) market.

 

   

Removes the prohibition on paying interest on demand deposit accounts.

 

-9-


Table of Contents

Regulation of the Securities Business. The securities industry in the United States is subject to extensive regulation under federal and state laws and regulations. Our U.S. broker/dealer subsidiaries are registered as such with the SEC and with FINRA. Self-regulatory organizations such as FINRA have also enacted rules (which are subject to approval by the SEC) for governing the industry Securities firms are subject to regulation by state securities commissions in the states in which they conduct business. Southwest Securities and SWS Financial are registered in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Southwest Securities is also registered in Puerto Rico. Federal and state authorities, as well as state regulatory authorities, have the power to undertake periodic examinations of our securities broker/dealer operations for the purpose of assuring our compliance with the applicable rules and regulations.

The regulations to which broker/dealers are subject cover all aspects of the securities business, including the manner in which securities transactions are effected, net capital requirements, recordkeeping and reporting procedures, relationships and conflicts with customers, the handling of cash and margin accounts, sales methods and conduct, experience and training requirements for certain employees, the conduct of investment banking and research activities and the manner in which we prevent and detect money-laundering activities. As a policy matter, the regulatory framework of the financial services industry is designed primarily to safeguard the integrity of the capital markets and to protect customers, not creditors or stockholders. Legislation and changes in rules promulgated by the SEC and by self-regulatory organizations or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules often directly affect the method of operation and profitability of broker/dealers. The SEC and the self-regulatory organizations may conduct administrative proceedings that can result in censure, fine, suspension or expulsion of a broker/dealer firm, its officers or employees.

Our broker/dealer subsidiaries are subject to the SEC’s net capital rule (Exchange Act Rule 15c3-1). Generally, a broker/dealer’s net capital is net worth plus qualified subordinated debt less deductions for non-allowable (or non-liquid) assets and other operational charges. The SEC and FINRA impose rules that require notification when net capital falls below certain predefined criteria. These rules also dictate the ratio of debt-to-equity in the regulatory capital composition of a broker/dealer, and constrain the ability of a broker/dealer to expand its business under certain circumstances. If a firm fails to maintain the required net capital, it may be subject to suspension or revocation of registration by the applicable regulatory agency, and suspension or expulsion by these regulators could ultimately lead to the firm’s liquidation.

Compliance with the net capital requirements may limit our operations requiring the intensive use of capital. Such rules require that a certain percentage of our assets be maintained in relatively liquid form and therefore act to restrict our ability to withdraw capital from our broker/dealer subsidiaries, which in turn may limit our ability to pay dividends, repay debt or redeem or purchase shares of our outstanding common stock. Any change in such rules or the imposition of new rules affecting the scope, coverage, calculation or amount of capital requirements, or a significant operating loss or any unusually large charge against capital, could adversely affect our ability to pay dividends or to expand or maintain present business levels. In addition, such rules may require us to make substantial capital contributions into one or more of our broker/dealer subsidiaries in order for such subsidiaries to comply with such rules, either in the form of cash or subordinated loans made in accordance with the requirements of the SEC’s net capital rule. As of June 25, 2010, Southwest Securities had regulatory net capital, as defined by Exchange Act Rule 15c3-1, of $133.6 million, which exceeded the amounts required by $127.7 million. However, the amount of such net excess capital may change dramatically within short periods of time.

Our broker/dealer subsidiaries are required by federal law to belong to the SIPC, whose primary function is to provide financial protection for the customers of failing brokerage firms. SIPC provides protection for clients up to $500,000, of which a maximum of $250,000 may be in cash.

Our broker/dealer subsidiaries must also comply with the USA PATRIOT Act and other rules and regulations designed to fight international money laundering and to block terrorist access to the U.S. financial system. We are required to have systems and procedures to ensure compliance with such laws and regulations.

Certain activities of some SWS subsidiaries are regulated by the CFTC and various commodity exchanges. The CFTC also has net capital regulations (CFTC Rule 1.17) which must be satisfied. Our futures business is also regulated by the NFA, a registered futures association. Violation of the rules of the CFTC, the NFA or the commodity exchanges could result in remedial actions including fines, registration restrictions or terminations, trading prohibitions or revocations of commodity exchange memberships.

 

-10-


Table of Contents

Banking Regulations. We are subject to the extensive regulatory framework applicable to savings and loan holding companies as well as federal savings associations and insurance agencies. This regulatory framework is primarily intended for the protection of depositors, the Federal Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), and the banking system as a whole, rather than for the protection of stockholders and creditors.

As a savings and loan holding company, we are subject to regulation by the OTS. The Bank is subject to regulation and examination by the OTS (its primary federal regulator). The OTS has broad authority to prohibit activities of holding companies, federal savings banks, their non-banking subsidiaries, directors, officers and other institution affiliated parties (such as attorneys and accountants) that represent unsafe and unsound banking practices or that constitute violations of laws or regulations. The OTS can assess civil money penalties for violations of law, OTS orders, written conditions or written agreements with the OTS, as well as certain activities conducted on a “knowing and reckless” basis, if those activities caused a substantial loss to a depository institution. The penalties can be as high as $1.375 million for each day the activities continue.

The Dodd Frank Act transfers the functions of the OTS (other than consumer protection) as they relate to the Bank to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), and as they relate to us, to the FRB. The transfer of functions from the OTS will be effective one year after the date of enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act (known as the “Transfer Date”). However the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the OCC, the OTS and the FDIC, may extend the Transfer Date up to an additional six months. Effective ninety days after the Transfer Date, the OTS will be abolished. Bank management is actively analyzing the potential impact of the Dodd-Frank Act.

In July 2010, the FDIC voted to revise its existing Memorandum of Understanding with the primary federal regulators to enhance the FDIC’s existing backup authorities over insured depository institutions that the FDIC does not directly supervise. As a result, the Bank may be subject to increased supervision by the FDIC.

With very limited exceptions, we may not be acquired by any company or by any individual without the approval of a governing bank regulatory agency. That agency must complete an application review, and generally the public must have an opportunity to comment on any proposed acquisition. Without prior approval from the OTS, we may not acquire more than five percent of the voting stock of any savings institution. If we engage in activities that go beyond the permissible activities of a financial holding company, we will not be permitted to participate in the FDIC’s Debt Guarantee Program (“DGP”), which is described in more detail below. The Dodd-Frank Act restricts a bank that is the subject of a formal enforcement action or a memorandum of understanding with respect to a significant supervisory matter from converting its charter, subject to certain exceptions.

The Bank is subject to OTS capital requirements. Federal statutes and OTS regulations have established four ratios for measuring an institution’s capital adequacy: a “Tier I (core) capital” ratio — the ratio of an institution’s Tier I capital to adjusted tangible assets; a “Tier I risk-based capital” ratio — an institution’s adjusted Tier I capital as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets; a “total risk-based capital” ratio — the percentage of total risk-based capital to total risk-weighted assets; and a “tangible equity” ratio — the ratio of tangible capital to total tangible assets.

Federal statutes and OTS regulations have also established five capital categories for federal savings banks: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. The federal banking agencies have jointly specified by regulation the relevant capital level for each category. An institution is defined as well-capitalized when its risk-based capital ratio is at least 10.00%, its Tier I risk-based capital ratio is at least 6.00%, its Tier I (core) capital ratio is at least 5.00%, and it is not subject to any federal supervisory order or directive to meet a specific capital level. As of June 30, 2010, the Bank met all capital requirements to which it was subject and satisfied the requirements to be defined as a well-capitalized institution – the Bank’s risk-based capital ratio was 12.2%, its Tier I risk-based capital ratio was 11.0% and its Tier I (core) capital ratio was 8.7%. The federal bank regulatory agencies may set capital requirements for a particular banking organization that are higher than the minimum ratios when circumstances warrant.

The Dodd-Frank Act imposes capital requirements on savings and loan holding companies and requires the Board to mandate that any bank holding company or savings and loan holding company serve as a “source of financial strength” for any subsidiary that is a depository institution. The federal banking agencies have one year after the Transfer Date to issue joint final rules related to the source of financial strength requirement. “Source of financial strength” is defined as the ability of a company that directly or indirectly owns or controls an insured depository institution to provide financial assistance to such insured depository institution in the event of the financial distress of the insured depository institution. Once these rules are finalized, as a savings and loan holding company, we will be required to be a “source of financial strength” for the Bank.

 

-11-


Table of Contents

Bank regulators are required to take “prompt corrective action” to resolve problems associated with insured depository institutions whose capital declines below certain levels. Federal banking agencies are required to take various mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions that are “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the banking regulator must appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized.

In the event an institution becomes “undercapitalized,” it must submit an acceptable capital restoration plan. The capital restoration plan will not be accepted by the regulators unless, among other requirements, each company having control of the undercapitalized institution guarantees the subsidiary’s compliance with the capital restoration plan up to a certain specified amount. Any such guarantee from a depository institution’s holding company is entitled to a priority of payment in bankruptcy.

The aggregate liability of the holding company of an undercapitalized depository institution is limited to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s assets at the time it became undercapitalized or the amount necessary to cause the institution to be “adequately capitalized.” The bank regulators have greater power in situations where an institution becomes “significantly” or “critically” undercapitalized or fails to submit a capital restoration plan. However, the guarantee can be limited for a holding company that is a “functionally regulated affiliate” of the depository institution, such as a holding company that is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC, if the functional regulator of the affiliate objects. For example, the OTS could require an SEC registered broker/dealer holding company for an undercapitalized federal savings bank to guarantee the bank’s capital restoration plan, subject to the limitations summarized above and subject to an objection from the holding companies functional regulator, the SEC.

An undercapitalized institution is also generally prohibited from increasing its average total assets, making acquisitions, establishing branches or engaging in any new line of business, except under an accepted capital restoration plan or with FDIC approval. The prompt corrective action regulations also establish procedures for downgrading an institution to a lower capital category based on supervisory factors other than capital.

The FDIC insures the deposits of the Bank up to the applicable maximum in each account, or up to $250,000 per account, as implemented by the Dodd-Frank Act. FDIC deposit insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

Following a systemic risk determination, the FDIC instituted the FDIC Liquidity Guarantee Program on October 14, 2008 to strengthen confidence and encourage liquidity in the banking system. The FDIC Liquidity Guarantee Program has two parts, the Transaction Account Guarantee Program (“TAGP”) and the DGP. Eligible entities continue to participate unless they opted out on or before December 5, 2008. For the DGP, eligible entities are generally U.S. bank holding companies, savings and loan holding companies, and FDIC-insured institutions. Under the DGP, the FDIC guarantees senior unsecured debt, including mandatory convertible debt, of an eligible entity issued on or after October 14, 2008 and not later than October 31, 2009. The guarantee is effective through the earlier of the maturity date or June 30, 2012 for debt issued before April 1, 2009. The guarantee on debt issued on or after April 1, 2009, will expire on the earlier of the maturity date, the mandatory conversion date for mandatory convertible debt or December 31, 2012. The Bank and SWS Group elected to participate in the DGP; however, neither the Bank nor SWS Group has issued any debt covered by the DGP. Accordingly, there is currently no cost to the Bank or SWS Group for electing to participate in the DGP.

Under the TAGP, the FDIC will provide full FDIC deposit insurance coverage for non-interest-bearing transaction deposit accounts, Negotiable Order of Withdrawal accounts paying less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%) interest per annum, and Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts held at participating FDIC insured institutions. Participating institutions pay an assessment on the balance of each covered account in excess of $250,000. The assessment rate for the period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 will be either 15 basis points, 20 basis points or 25 basis points, depending upon the Risk Category assigned to the institution under the FDIC’s risk-based premium system. Any institution participating in the original TAGP that wished to opt-out of the TAGP extensions from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 was required to submit its opt-out election to the FDIC on or before November 2, 2009 (for the first extension) or on or before April 30, 2010 (for the second extension). The Bank participated in the original TAGP and opted-out of both extensions; therefore its participation ended on December 31, 2009. Coverage under the TAGP is in addition to and separate from the coverage available under the FDIC’s general deposit insurance rules. While the TAGP unlimited deposit provisions are set to expire December 31, 2010, the FDIC’s general deposit insurance limit ($250,000 per account, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act) will pick up where the TAGP left off.

 

-12-


Table of Contents

Effective January 1, 2007, the FDIC modified its system for setting deposit insurance assessments to maintain the DIF. In addition to the capital and supervisory factors of the former system, assessment rates under the new system will be determined by an institution’s examination rating and either its long-term debt ratings or certain financial ratios. The federal deposit insurance reform legislation also increases the amount of deposit insurance coverage for retirement accounts, allows for deposit insurance coverage on individual accounts to be indexed for inflation starting in 2010, and provides the FDIC more flexibility in setting and imposing deposit insurance assessments.

On February 27, 2009, the FDIC Board of Directors met to (i) approve an amended restoration plan for the DIF that extends from five years to seven years the time horizon for raising the reserve ratio for the DIF up to 1.15 percent, (ii) adopted an interim rule imposing an emergency special assessment on all insured depository institutions on June 30, 2009 to be collected on September 30, 2009 (with the possibility of additional special assessments thereafter), and (iii) adopted a final rule implementing changes to the risk-based assessment system and setting new assessment rates beginning in the second quarter of 2009.

Pursuant to this final rule, base assessment rates will range from 12 to 45 basis points, but giving effect to certain risk adjustments in the FDIC’s rule issued on February 27, 2009, assessments may range from 7 to 77.5 basis points. Changes to the risk-based assessment system include increasing premiums for institutions that rely on excessive amounts of brokered deposits to fund asset growth, increasing premiums for excessive use of secured liabilities, including Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, lowering premiums for smaller institutions with very high capital levels, and adding financial ratios and debt issuer ratings to the premium calculations for banks with over $10 billion in assets, while providing a reduction for their unsecured debt.

In addition, all FDIC insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC at an annual rate of approximately 1.14 basis points of insured deposits to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, an agency of the federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the Savings Association Insurance Fund. These assessments will continue until the Financing Corporation bonds mature in 2017 through 2019.

On May 22, 2009, the FDIC adopted a final rule imposing a 5 basis point special assessment on each insured depository institution’s assets minus Tier I capital as of June 30, 2009. The amount of the special assessment for any institution will not exceed 10 basis points times the institution’s assessment base for the second quarter 2009. The Bank’s special assessment amount was $708,808 and it was collected on September 30, 2009.

On November 12, 2009, the FDIC Board of Directors voted to require insured depository institutions to prepay their estimated quarterly risk-based insurance assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011 and 2012. The prepaid assessment, along with the Bank’s regular third quarter assessment, was paid on December 30, 2009. For the purposes of estimating the Bank’s assessments for the fourth quarter of 2009, and for all of 2010, 2011, and 2012, and calculating the amount that the Bank prepaid on December 30, 2009, the Bank’s assessment rate was its total base assessment rate in effect on September 30, 2009. The FDIC Board of Directors also increased the annual assessment rates uniformly by 3 basis points beginning in 2011. As a result, the Bank’s total assessment rate for purposes of estimating its assessments for 2011 and 2012 will be increased by an annualized 3 basis points beginning in 2011. The Bank’s total base assessment rate in effect on September 30, 2009 was 15.54 basis points and its prepayment amount was $8.2 million. Unlike the special assessment, which the FDIC collected on September 30, 2009, the prepayment was recorded as a prepaid expense and will not immediately affect the Bank’s earnings. Finally, the FDIC Board of Directors also voted to extend the DIF restoration period from seven to eight years. The Dodd-Frank Act increased the minimum reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund from 1.15% to 1.35%. The Dodd-Frank Act also broadens the base for FDIC insurance assessments. Assessments will now be based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution during the assessment period.

 

-13-


Table of Contents

On October 14, 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a capital purchase program which would inject $250 billion of capital into the banking system through the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”). Management determined it was not in the best interest of the company to participate in the TARP.

On March 23, 2009, the Treasury Department announced the details related to its Public Private Investment Program (“PPIP”) to address the problem of legacy assets – both real estate loans held directly on the books of banks and securities backed by loan portfolios. To address the challenge of legacy assets, the Treasury Department – in conjunction with the FDIC and the FRB – used $75 to $100 billion in TARP capital and capital raised from private investors on a dollar-for-dollar basis to generate $500 billion in purchasing power in the PPIP to buy legacy assets. The Treasury Department also announced that the PPIP has the potential to expand to $1 trillion over time. Management continues to monitor and study opportunities related to the PPIP.

Numerous regulations promulgated by the FRB as amended from time to time, affect the business operations of the Bank. These include regulations relating to equal credit opportunity, electronic fund transfers, fair credit reporting, fair debt collection, service members civil relief, collection of checks, insider lending, truth in lending, truth in savings, home ownership and equity protection, transactions with affiliates, and availability of funds. Under FRB regulations, the Bank is required to maintain a reserve against its transaction accounts (primarily interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing checking accounts). Because reserves must generally be maintained in cash or in non-interest-bearing accounts, the historical effect of the reserve requirements is to increase the Bank’s cost of funds. The Financial Services Regulatory Relief Act of 2006 authorized the Federal Reserve banks to pay interest on reserves, subject to regulations of the FRB, effective October 1, 2011. However, the EESA changed the effective date for this authority to October 1, 2008.

The Bank is subject to regulation by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (the “Bureau”), established by the Dodd-Frank Act as an independent entity within the Federal Reserve, which will be given the authority to promulgate consumer protection regulations applicable to all entities offering consumer financial services or products, including banks. The Bureau has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”) includes provisions that give consumers protections regarding the transfer and use of their nonpublic personal information by financial institutions. In addition, states are permitted under the GLBA to have their own privacy laws, which may offer greater protection to consumers than the GLBA. Numerous states in which the Bank does business have enacted such laws.

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 directed the federal banking agencies and the Federal Trade Commission, among other requirements, to issue joint regulations and guidelines regarding the detection, prevention and mitigation of identity theft, including special regulations requiring debit and credit card issuers to validate notifications of changes of address under certain circumstances. The final rules require each financial institution that holds any consumer account or other account where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of identity theft, to develop and implement an Identity Theft Prevention Program for combating identity theft in connection with new and existing accounts prior to November 1, 2008. The Bank implemented an identity theft policy and program, an information security and privacy policy, as well as interagency guidelines on identity theft detection, prevention, and mitigation.

The Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act and rules and regulation of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC Rules”) include numerous provisions designed to fight international money laundering and to block terrorist access to the U.S. financial system. We have established policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act and the OFAC Rules.

The Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), requires that the Bank help meet the credit needs of the communities it serves, including low-to-moderate-income neighborhoods, while maintaining safe and sound banking practices. The primary federal regulatory agency assigns one of four possible ratings to an institution’s CRA performance and is required to make public an institution’s rating and written evaluation. The four possible ratings of meeting community credit needs are outstanding, satisfactory, needs to improve, and substantial non-compliance. In the most recent examination, we received a “Satisfactory” CRA rating from the OTS. The Bank has committed $5,000,000 to two investments in limited partnership equity funds as a cost effective way of meeting its obligations under the CRA. As of June 30, 2010, the Bank has invested $3,000,000 of its aggregate commitment to the two funds.

 

-14-


Table of Contents

Transactions between the Bank and its nonbanking affiliates, including us, are subject to Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act. In general, Section 23A imposes limits on the amount of such transactions, and also requires certain levels of collateral for loans to affiliated parties. Affiliate transactions are also subject to Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, which generally requires that certain transactions between the Bank and its affiliates be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the Bank, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with or involving other nonaffiliated persons. The FRB’s Regulation W codifies prior regulations under Section 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and interpretive guidance with respect to affiliate transactions. The Dodd-Frank Act amends the definition of “affiliate” in Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act to include “any investment fund with respect to which a member bank or an affiliate thereof is an investment advisor.” This amendment will not be effective, however, until July 21, 2012 at the earliest.

The restrictions on loans to directors, executive officers, principal stockholders and their related interests (collectively referred to herein as “insiders”) contained in the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O apply to all insured depository institutions, their subsidiaries and holding companies. These restrictions include limits on loans to one borrower and conditions that must be met before such a loan can be made. There is also an aggregate limitation on all loans to insiders and their related interests. These loans cannot exceed the institution’s total unimpaired capital and surplus, and the OTS may determine that a lesser amount is appropriate. Insiders are subject to enforcement actions for knowingly accepting loans in violation of applicable restrictions. The Dodd-Frank Act amends the statutes placing limitations on loans to insiders by including credit exposures to the person arising from a derivatives transaction, repurchase agreement, reverse repurchase agreement, securities lending transaction, or securities borrowing transaction between the member bank and the person within the definition of an extension of credit to an insider. This amendment is not effective, however, until July 21, 2012 at the earliest.

Subject to various exceptions, savings and loan holding companies and their affiliates are generally prohibited from tying the provision of certain services, such as extensions of credit, to certain other services offered by a holding company or its affiliates.

The federal financial regulators, including the OTS, recently published the final rule implementing the registration requirements of the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, or SAFE Act. The SAFE Act is effective October 1, 2010. The SAFE Act requires mortgage loan originators who are employees of regulated institutions (including banks and certain of their subsidiaries) to be registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (the “Registry”), a database established by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators to support the licensing of mortgage loan originators by each state. As part of this registration process, mortgage loan originators must furnish the Registry with background information and fingerprints for a background check. The SAFE Act generally prohibits employees of a regulated financial institution from originating residential mortgage loans without first registering with the Registry and maintaining that registration. Financial institutions must also adopt policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the SAFE Act.

Although our lending activities expose us to some risk of liability for environmental hazards, we do not currently have any significant liabilities for environmental matters.

From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies. These initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation could change banking and brokerage statutes and our operating environment in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. We cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the impact that it, and any implementing regulations, would have on our financial condition or results of operations. A change in statutes, regulations or regulatory policies applicable to us or any of our subsidiaries could have a material effect on our business.

 

-15-


Table of Contents

INSURANCE

Our broker/dealer subsidiaries are required by federal law to belong to the SIPC. SIPC provides protection for clients up to $500,000 each with a limitation of $250,000 for claims for cash balances for all of our broker/dealers. Southwest Securities purchases insurance which, when combined with the SIPC insurance, provides unlimited coverage for Southwest Securities and SWS Financial in certain circumstances for securities held in clients’ accounts with a $100 million aggregate limit.

The Bank’s deposits are insured by the DIF, which is administered by the FDIC, up to applicable limits for each depositor. The FDIC’s DIF is funded by assessments on insured depository institutions, which depend on the risk category of an institution and the amount of insured deposits that it holds. The FDIC may increase or decrease the assessment rate schedule on a semi-annual basis.

EMPLOYEES

At June 25, 2010, we employed 1,142 individuals. Southwest Securities, SWS Financial and SWS Insurance employed 931 of these individuals, 202 of whom were full-time registered representatives. In addition, 307 registered representatives were affiliated with SWS Financial as independent contractors. The Bank employed 211 of these individuals at June 30, 2010.

CUSTOMERS

As of the date of this report, we provided full-service securities brokerage to approximately 43,000 client accounts and clearing services to approximately 149,000 additional client accounts. No single client accounts for a material percentage of our total business.

As of the date of this report, we provided deposit and loan services to approximately 106,000 customers through the Bank and its subsidiaries, which included approximately 95,900 Southwest Securities’ customer accounts. No single customer constitutes a material percentage of the Bank’s total business.

TRADEMARKS

We own various registered trademarks and service marks, including “Southwest Securities,” “SWS,” “SWS Financial,” “Southwest Securities, FSB,” and “SWS Group,” which are not material to our business. We also own various design marks related to logos for various business segments.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following table lists our executive officers and their respective ages and positions at August 31, 2010, followed by a brief description of their business experience over the past five years. Each listed person has been appointed to the indicated office by our Board of Directors.

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position

        James H. Ross

   60    Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer

        Kenneth R. Hanks

   55    Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

        Stacy M. Hodges

   47    Executive Vice President

        John L. Holt, Jr.

   47    Executive Vice President

        Daniel R. Leland

   49    Executive Vice President

        Richard H. Litton

   63    Executive Vice President

        Jeffrey J. Singer

   41    Executive Vice President

        W. Norman Thompson

   54    Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer

        Paul D. Vinton

   61    Executive Vice President

        Allen R. Tubb

   56    Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

James H. Ross was appointed to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and as Interim Chief Executive Officer of SWS Group on August 18, 2010. He has served as Executive Vice President since November 2004 and, in September 2007, was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Securities. Mr. Ross served as the Director of the Private Client Group at Southwest Securities from March 2004 to March 2008. He has served as Chief Executive Officer of SWS Financial since March 2004. Mr. Ross came to Southwest Securities in 2004, to head the Private Client Group’s brokerage office in downtown Dallas, Texas. Prior to coming to Southwest Securities, Mr. Ross was with UBS Paine Webber, where, from April 1991 to December 2003, Mr. Ross held various positions from financial advisor to branch manager. He began his securities industry career in 1975.

 

-16-


Table of Contents

Kenneth R. Hanks was elected Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer in August 2002 and has served as Executive Vice President since June 1996. He served as Chief Operating Officer from August 1998 to August 2002. Mr. Hanks was the Chief Financial Officer from June 1996 to August 1998 and has been a Director of Southwest Securities since June 1997. Mr. Hanks served in various executive capacities at Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc., a financial services company, from 1981 to 1996, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He serves as an arbitrator with FINRA and formerly served as a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers’ (“NASD”) District 6 Business Conduct Committee. Mr. Hanks also currently serves on the Board of Directors and is the chairman of the Audit Committee of PMFG, Inc., (Peerless) which designs and manufactures a wide range of separation filtration equipment and environmental systems for the reduction of air pollution.

Stacy M. Hodges has served as Executive Vice President since February 1999. She served as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer from August 1998 to August 2002. Ms. Hodges was Controller from September 1994 to August 1998. Ms. Hodges served as Director of Southwest Securities from June 1997 to August 2002 and has served as Chief Financial Officer of Southwest Securities since June 1997. Prior to joining Southwest Securities, Ms. Hodges was a Senior Audit Manager in the Financial Services division of KPMG LLP. Ms. Hodges is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of CPAs.

John L. Holt, Jr. has served as Executive Vice President since November 2007 and was elected Chief Executive Officer of the Bank in September 2007. He has served as President and member of the Board of Directors of the Bank since July 2003. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Holt served in various positions at Compass Bank from Regional Executive to Executive Vice President. Previously, Mr. Holt was with Bank of America where he directed all banking activities for more than 50 banking centers throughout Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. Mr. Holt is currently a member of the board of directors and serves on the audit and finance committees of the Texas Banker’s Association.

Daniel R. Leland has served as Executive Vice President since May 2007. Mr. Leland was also Executive Vice President from February 1999 to September 2004. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Securities from August 2002 to September 2004. He also served as Executive Vice President of Southwest Securities from July 1995 to August 2002 and was re-elected in February 2006. Mr. Leland began his career at Barre & Company in June 1983 where he was employed in various capacities in fixed income sales and trading before becoming President of Barre & Company in 1993. Mr. Leland has been an arbitrator for the NASD and is a past Vice Chairman of the District 6 Business Conduct Committee. He also serves as a board member of the Regional Bond Dealers Association.

Richard H. Litton has served as Executive Vice President and Executive Vice President of Southwest Securities for the Public Finance Division since July 1995. Beginning in September 2006, he became primarily responsible for the entire municipal securities product area of Southwest Securities. Previously, Mr. Litton was President of a regional investment bank and headed the Municipal Group in the Southwest for Merrill Lynch. Mr. Litton served on various advisory committees for the Texas House of Representatives’ Financial Institutions Committee, is past member and director of the Municipal Advisory Council of Texas and currently serves on the Municipal Executive Committee and the Municipal Legal Advisory Committee of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA.”)

Jeffrey J. Singer was elected Executive Vice President in November 2008. He is also an Executive Vice President of Southwest Securities and heads its corporate finance business. From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Singer was President of Levantina USA, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Spain’s Grupo Levantina, the largest global producer of granite and marble materials. Prior to joining Levantina USA, Inc. in 2005, Mr. Singer spent his entire career working in the corporate finance sector for major investment banking firms such as Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Citigroup’s investment bank and Dillon Read (now part of UBS, Inc.).

W. Norman Thompson has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer since January 1995. Mr. Thompson was associated with Kenneth Leventhal & Co. (now a part of Ernst & Young LLP) in various capacities ranging from Audit Manager to Senior Consulting Manager from 1987 to 1994. Previously, Mr. Thompson was an auditor with KPMG LLP from 1981 to 1987. In the capacities he held with both Kenneth Leventhal & Co. and KPMG LLP, he was heavily involved in information technology auditing and consulting.

Paul D. Vinton has served as Executive Vice President since November 1998 and as Senior Vice President of Southwest Securities since June 1995. Mr. Vinton was associated with Stephens Inc., an investment bank, in various capacities from 1993 through 1995. Mr. Vinton has been employed within the securities industry since 1972 with various firms dealing primarily in operational, clearance and settlement activities. Mr. Vinton has served on various industry group boards including, most recently, the Depository Trust Company Settlement Advisory Board.

 

-17-


Table of Contents

Allen R. Tubb was elected Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in August 2002. He joined SWS as Corporate Counsel and Secretary in October 1999. From 1979 to 1999, Mr. Tubb was employed with Oryx Energy Company and its predecessor Sun Exploration and Production Company in various capacities including Chief Counsel, Worldwide Exploration and Production. Mr. Tubb is a member of the Texas Bar Association.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business, reputation, financial condition, operating results and cash flows can be impacted by a number of factors. Many of these factors are beyond our control and may increase during periods of market volatility or reduced liquidity. The potential harm from any one of these risks, or others, could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from anticipated future results. Some risks may adversely impact not only our own operations, but the banking or securities industry in general which could also produce marked swings in the trading price of our securities.

RISKS SPECIFIC TO OUR INDUSTRIES

Our business has been and may continue to be materially and adversely affected by financial market conditions and economic conditions generally. Our business is materially affected by conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally around the world. Since mid-2007, and particularly during the second half of 2008 and continuing in 2010, the financial services industry and the securities markets generally have been materially and adversely affected by significant declines in the values of nearly all asset classes. Concerns about financial institution profitability and solvency as a result of general market conditions, particularly in the credit markets, may cause our clients to reduce the level of business that they do with us. Declines in asset values, the lack of liquidity, general uncertainty about economic and market activity and a lack of consumer and investor confidence have negatively impacted, and may continue to negatively impact, our business.

Our financial performance is highly dependent on the environment in which we operate. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, high global gross domestic product growth, stable geopolitical conditions, transparent and efficient capital markets, liquid markets with active investors, low inflation, high business and consumer confidence and strong business earnings. Slowing growth, contraction of credit, increasing energy prices, declines in business or investor confidence or risk tolerance, increases in inflation, higher unemployment, outbreaks of hostilities or other geopolitical instability, corporate, political or other scandals that reduce investor confidence in capital markets and natural disasters, among other things, can affect the global financial markets. In addition, economic or political pressures in a country or region may cause local market disruptions and currency devaluations, which may also affect markets generally. In the event of changes in market conditions, such as interest or foreign exchange rates, equity, fixed income, commodity or real estate valuations, liquidity, availability of credit or volatility, our business could be adversely affected in many ways.

Overall, the business environment for the past two to three years has been extremely adverse and there can be no assurance that these conditions will improve in the near term. For the remainder of 2010, it is expected that adverse economic conditions and the recession will persist, causing a continuation of the unfavorable economic and market dynamics experienced in 2008 and 2009, and possibly leading to a further decline in economic and market conditions. These conditions have had, and will continue to have, a direct and material impact on our results of operations and financial condition because performance in the financial services industry is heavily influenced by the overall strength of economic conditions and financial market activity.

Our ability to access capital markets is dependent on market conditions and our credit standing, which could change unfavorably. Factors that are significant to the determination of our credit worthiness or otherwise affect our ability to raise financing include the level and volatility of our earnings; our relative competitive position in the markets in which we operate; our product diversification; our ability to retain key personnel; our risk profile; our risk management policies; our cash liquidity; our capital adequacy; our corporate lending credit risk; and legal and regulatory developments. A deterioration in any of these factors or combination of these factors may lead rating agencies to downgrade our credit ratings, thereby increasing our cost of obtaining funding. Additionally, market conditions can be unfavorable for our industry causing banks and other liquidity providers to reduce or limit credit to our industry segment. This could cause an increase in the cost of funding new or existing businesses.

 

-18-


Table of Contents

Our revenues may decrease if securities transaction volumes decline. Our securities business depends upon the general volume of trading in the U.S. securities markets. If the volume of securities transactions should decline, revenues from our securities brokerage, securities lending and clearing businesses would decrease and our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow would be materially and adversely impacted.

Market fluctuations could adversely impact our securities business. We are subject to risks as a result of fluctuations in the securities markets. Our securities trading, market-making and underwriting activities involve the purchase and sale of securities as a principal, which subjects our capital to significant risks. Market conditions could limit our ability to sell securities purchased or to purchase securities sold in such transactions. If price levels for equity securities decline generally, the market value of equity securities that we hold in our inventory could decrease and trading volumes could decline. In addition, if interest rates increase, the value of debt securities we hold in our inventory would decrease. Rapid or significant market fluctuations could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Real estate market fluctuations, both residential and commercial, and specifically in Texas, could adversely impact our banking business. We are subject to risks as a result of fluctuations in the housing and commercial real estate markets. Our loan customers may fail to repay their loans according to the terms, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to assure repayment. Such loan losses could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Texas currently has an oversupply of finished vacant housing and commercial real estate properties that will take some time for the market to absorb. This oversupply may result in a deterioration of our loan portfolio. Though mortgage rates remain attractive and unemployment in Texas remains lower than in many other regions of the country, significant fluctuations in mortgage rates and high rates of unemployment could also adversely affect our loan portfolio. A prolonged downturn in the housing and commercial real estate market could have a significant adverse affect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Government actions to stabilize credit markets and financial institutions may not be effective and could adversely affect our competitive position. The U.S. Government has enacted legislation and created several programs to help stabilize credit markets and financial institutions and restore liquidity, including the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the Federal Reserve’s Commercial Paper Funding Facility and Money Market Investor Funding Facility and the FDIC Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLGP”). Additionally, the governments of many nations have announced similar measures for institutions in their respective countries. There is no assurance that these programs individually or collectively will have beneficial effects in the credit markets, will address credit or liquidity issues of companies that participate in the programs or will reduce volatility or uncertainty in the financial markets. If these programs fail to have their intended effects, it could have a material adverse effect on the financial markets, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, access to credit and the trading price of our common stock. Additionally, we expect to face increased regulation of our industry as a result of the government programs listed above and other legislation. Compliance with such regulation may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities. We also may be required to pay significantly higher FDIC premiums because market developments have significantly depleted the insurance fund of the FDIC and reduced the ratio of reserves to insured deposits.

Current levels of market volatility are unprecedented and could adversely affect us. The stock and credit markets have been experiencing volatility and disruption for more than two years. In some cases, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, we could experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to access capital and on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

 

-19-


Table of Contents

The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect us. Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. We have exposure to many different counterparties and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including brokers and dealers, commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, and other institutional clients. As a result, defaults by, or even speculation about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the receivable due us. Any such losses could be material and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

We are subject to risks relating to litigation and potential securities law liabilities. Many aspects of our business involve substantial risks of liability. In the normal course of our business, we have been subject to claims by clients dealing with matters such as unauthorized trading, churning, mismanagement, breach of fiduciary duty or other alleged misconduct by our employees. We are sometimes brought into lawsuits based on actions of our correspondents. As underwriters, we are subject to substantial potential liability for material misstatements and omissions in prospectuses and other communications with respect to underwritten offerings of securities. Prolonged litigation producing significant legal expenses or a substantial settlement or adverse judgment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Misconduct or errors by our employees or entities with which we do business could harm us and is difficult to detect and prevent. There have been a number of highly publicized cases involving fraud or other misconduct by employees in the financial services industry in recent years, and we run the risk that employee misconduct could occur at our company. For example, misconduct could involve the improper use or disclosure of confidential information, and error could involve the failure to follow or implement procedures, either of which could result in regulatory sanctions and serious reputational or financial harm. It is not always possible to deter misconduct or errors and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in all cases. Our ability to detect and prevent misconduct or errors by entities with which we do business may be even more limited. We may suffer reputational harm for any misconduct or errors by our employees or those entities with which we do business.

Failure to comply with the extensive state and federal laws governing our securities and banking operations, or the regulations adopted by several self-regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over us, could have material adverse consequences for us. Broker/dealers and banks are subject to regulation in almost every facet of their operations. Our ability to comply with these regulations depends largely on the establishment and maintenance of an effective compliance system as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance personnel. We could be subject to disciplinary or other actions due to claimed non-compliance with these laws or regulations or possibly for the claimed non-compliance of our correspondents. If a claim of non-compliance is made by a regulatory authority, the efforts of our management could be diverted to responding to such claim and we could be subject to a range of possible consequences, including the payment of fines and the suspension of one or more portions of our business.

Our clearing contracts generally include automatic termination provisions which are triggered in the event we are suspended from any of the national exchanges of which we are a member for failure to comply with the rules or regulations thereof. Compliance with capital requirements could limit our ability to pay dividends or may impede our ability to repurchase shares of our capital stock. In addition, today’s economic and political environment calls into question the present regulatory structure and the laws and rules enforced thereunder. As such, it is likely that the rules and regulatory structure with which our business must comply will change. While the nature and scope of these regulatory changes cannot be predicted, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Our business and prospects, including our ability to attract and retain clients and employees, may be adversely affected if our reputation is harmed. Our business is subject to significant reputational risks. If we fail, or appear to fail, to deal appropriately with various legal, regulatory or business issues, our reputation, business and prospects, including our ability to attract and retain clients and employees, could be seriously harmed. This could be the case not only in situations involving actual violations of law but also in circumstances where no laws have been violated. Our reputation could be harmed in many different ways, including as a result of perceived or actual failure to address conflicts of interest or ethical issues; failure to comply with legal or regulatory requirements; allegations of money laundering; violation of privacy policies; failure to properly maintain client and employee personal information; failure to maintain adequate or accurate records; allegations of unfair sales and trading practices; and improper identification of the legal, reputational, credit, liquidity and market risks inherent in our products. Publicity of a failure to appropriately address these issues could result in litigation claims or subject us to enforcement actions, fines and penalties and cause us to incur related costs and expenses. Legal liability or regulatory actions as a result of negative publicity could in turn cause significant additional reputational harm.

 

-20-


Table of Contents

RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMPANY

We are required to take certain actions pursuant to our current memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with the OTS, and lack of compliance could result in additional regulatory actions. As described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the Bank is subject to a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, with the OTS. Under the terms of the MOU, the Bank has agreed to take various actions to improve the Bank’s capital position and profitability, among other requirements. The OTS has established higher minimum capital ratios for the Bank than the regulatory minimums. While management is committed to addressing and resolving the issues raised by the OTS and has already initiated corrective actions to comply with various requirements of the MOU, no assurance can be given that the OTS will find the Bank’s compliance plan satisfactory, or that the Bank will not be subject to further supervisory action by the OTS. The Bank may be required to raise additional capital to assure compliance with mandated capital ratios and to support continued growth of the Bank. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, there can be no assurance of our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital if and when needed, our ability to comply with applicable capital requirements and to further expand our operations through internal growth or acquisitions could be materially impaired. The MOU subjects the Bank to a number of additional operating restrictions. If the Bank is unable to comply with the MOU, the OTS could take additional actions, including initiating formal enforcement actions, which would have an adverse effect on our business.

Our securities business is subject to numerous operational risks. We must be able to consistently and reliably obtain securities pricing information, process client and investor transactions and provide reports and other customer service to our clients and investors. Any failure to keep current and accurate books and records can render us liable to disciplinary action by governmental and self-regulatory authorities, as well as to claims by our clients. If any of our financial, portfolio accounting or other data processing systems do not operate properly or are disabled, or if there are other shortcomings or failures in our internal processes, people or systems, we could suffer an impairment to our liquidity, a financial loss, a disruption of our businesses, liability to clients, regulatory problems or damage to our reputation. These systems may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of events that are wholly or partially beyond our control, including a disruption of electrical or communications services or our inability to occupy one or more of our buildings. In addition, our operations are dependent upon information from, and communications with, third parties, and operational problems at third parties may adversely affect our ability to carry on our business.

Our business is significantly dependent on net interest margins. The profitability of our margin lending business depends to a great extent on the difference between interest income earned on margin loans and investments of customer cash balances and the interest expense paid on customer cash balances and borrowings. The earnings and cash flows of the Bank are also dependent upon the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning assets such as loans and securities and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowed funds.

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could affect the interest we receive on loans and securities and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings. Such changes could also affect our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits and the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities. If the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and other investments, our net interest income, and therefore our earnings, could be adversely affected. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and other borrowings.

Our margin lending, stock lending, securities execution, bank lending and mortgage purchase businesses are all subject to credit risk. Credit risk in all areas of our business increases if securities prices decline rapidly because the value of our collateral could fall below the amount of indebtedness it secures. In rapidly appreciating markets, credit risk increases due to short positions. Our securities lending business subjects us to credit risk if a counterparty fails to perform. In securities transactions, we are subject to credit risk during the period between the execution of a trade and the settlement by the customer.

 

-21-


Table of Contents

Our banking group is exposed to the risk that our loan customers may not repay their loans in accordance with their terms, the collateral securing the loans may be insufficient, or our loan loss reserve may be inadequate to fully compensate us for the outstanding balance of the loan plus the costs to dispose of the collateral. Our mortgage warehousing activities subject us to credit risk while mortgages are purchased and held for resale.

Significant failures by our customers, including correspondents, or clients to honor their obligations, together with insufficient collateral and reserves, could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, the profitability of our banking segment could decrease. Our loan customers may fail to repay their loans according to the terms, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to assure repayment. Such loan losses could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. We make various assumptions, estimates, and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we rely on a number of factors, including our own experience and our evaluation of economic conditions. If our assumptions prove to be incorrect, our current allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, and adjustments may be necessary that would have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

The Bank’s mortgage, residential construction commercial real-estate and commercial lending businesses are dependent on the general health of the Texas economy. The Banks’ residential construction, commercial real-estate, commercial and mortgage lending businesses are dependent on the general health of the Texas economy. A significant downturn in the Texas economy could adversely affect these lines of business, and consequently our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Deteriorating credit quality, particularly in commercial, construction and real estate loans, has adversely impacted the Bank and may continue to adversely impact the Bank. Beginning in fiscal 2009, the Bank began to experience a downturn in the overall credit performance of its real estate loans held for investment, as well as acceleration in the deterioration of general economic conditions in Texas and other areas of the United States. This deterioration, as well as increases in Texas unemployment levels, worsened in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. These conditions have caused increased financial stress on many of the Bank’s borrowers and have negatively impacted their ability to repay their loans. Real estate collateral values also continued to decline in fiscal 2010. Due to these factors, the Bank significantly increased its loan loss reserves in fiscal 2010.

We expect credit quality to remain challenging and at elevated levels of risk at least throughout calendar 2010. Continued deterioration in the credit quality of the Bank’s real estate loan portfolio could significantly increase nonperforming loans, require additional increases in loan loss reserves and elevate charge-off levels. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s capital, financial condition and results of operations.

We depend on the highly skilled, and often specialized, individuals we employ, particularly certain personnel in our loan production, private client group, securities lending and trading businesses. Competition for the services of these employees is intense, and we cannot guarantee that our efforts to retain such personnel will be successful. We generally do not enter into employment agreements or noncompetition agreements with our employees. Our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow could be materially impacted if we were to lose the services of certain of our loan production, private client group, securities lending or trading professionals.

We face strong competition from larger firms. The financial services business is intensely competitive and we expect it to remain so. We compete on the basis of a number of factors, including client relationships, reputation, the abilities of our professionals, market focus and the relative quality and price of our services and products. Many of our competitors have a broader range of products and services, greater financial and marketing resources, larger customer bases, greater name recognition, more professionals to serve their clients’ needs and better established relationships with clients than we have. These larger competitors may be better able to respond to industry change, compete for skilled professionals, finance acquisitions, fund internal growth and compete for market share generally.

 

-22-


Table of Contents

The industry in which we compete has undergone a period of consolidation. We face intense competition for the clients that we serve and the products and services we offer. There has been significant consolidation as financial institutions with which we compete have been acquired by or merged into or acquired other firms. This consolidation may continue. Competition is based on many factors, including the range of products and services offered, pricing, customer service, brand recognition, reputation and perceived financial strength. Consolidations may enable other firms to offer a broader range of products and services than we do, or offer such products at more competitive prices.

We face liquidity risk, which is the potential inability to repay short-term borrowings with new borrowings or assets that can be quickly converted into cash while meeting other obligations and continuing to operate as a going concern. Our liquidity may be impaired due to circumstances that we may be unable to control, such as general market disruptions or an operational problem that affects our trading clients, depositors, third parties or ourselves. Our ability to sell assets may also be impaired if other market participants are seeking to sell similar assets at the same time. Our inability to borrow funds or sell assets to meet maturing obligations would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

We depend on our computer and communications systems and an interruption in service would negatively affect our business. Our businesses rely on electronic data processing and communications systems. The effective use of technology allows us to better serve clients, increases efficiency and enables firms to reduce costs. Our continued success will depend, in part, upon our ability to successfully maintain and upgrade the capability of our systems, our ability to address the needs of our clients by using technology to provide products and services that satisfy their demands and our ability to retain skilled information technology employees. Significant malfunctions or failures of our computer systems or any other systems in the trading process (e.g., record retention and data processing functions performed by third parties, and third party software, such as Internet browsers) could cause delays in customer trading activity. Such delays could cause substantial losses for customers and could subject us to claims from customers for losses, including litigation claiming fraud or negligence. In addition, if our computer and communications systems fail to operate properly, regulations would restrict our ability to conduct business. Any such failure could prevent us from collecting funds relating to customer transactions, which would materially impact our cash flow. Any computer or communications system failure or decrease in computer system performance that causes interruptions in our operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Our computer systems and network infrastructure could be vulnerable to security problems. Hackers may attempt to penetrate our network security which could have a material adverse effect on our business. A party who is able to penetrate our network security could misappropriate proprietary information. We rely on encryption and authentication technology licensed from third parties to provide the security and authentication necessary to effect secure transmission of confidential information. Advances in computer capabilities, discoveries in the field of cryptography and other discoveries, events or developments could lead to a compromise or breach of the algorithms that our licensed encryption and authentication technology uses to protect such confidential information. We may be required to expend significant capital and resources and engage the services of third parties to protect against the threat of such security, encryption and authentication technology breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Security breaches or the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability which could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Our portfolio trading business is highly price competitive and serves a very limited market. Our portfolio trading business serves one small component of the portfolio trading execution market with a small customer base and a high service model, charging competitive commission rates. Consequently, growing or maintaining market share is very price sensitive. We rely upon a high level of customer service and product customization to maintain our market share; however, should prevailing market prices fall, the size of our market segment decline or our customer base decline, our profitability would be adversely impacted.

Our existing correspondents may choose to perform their own clearing services. As our correspondents’ operations grow, they often consider the option of performing clearing functions themselves, in a process referred to as “self clearing.” As the transaction volume of a broker/dealer grows, the cost of implementing the necessary infrastructure for self-clearing may be offset eventually by the elimination of per transaction processing fees that would otherwise be paid to a clearing firm. Additionally, performing their own clearing services allows self-clearing broker/dealers to retain their customers’ margin balances, free credit balances and securities for use in margin lending activities. Significant losses to self-clearing could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

 

-23-


Table of Contents

Several of our product lines rely on favorable tax treatment and changes in federal tax law could impact the attractiveness of these products to our customers. We offer a variety of services and products, such as Individual Retirement Accounts and municipal bonds that rely on favorable federal income tax treatment to be attractive to our customers. Should favorable tax treatment of these products be eliminated or reduced, sales of these products could be materially impacted, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

Strategic investments or acquisitions may result in additional risks and uncertainties in our business. We intend to grow our core businesses through both internal expansion and through strategic investments and acquisitions. To the extent we make strategic investments or acquisitions, we face numerous risks and uncertainties combining or integrating the relevant businesses and systems, including the need to combine accounting and data processing systems and management controls, and to integrate relationships with clients, vendors, and business partners. Acquisitions pose the risk that any business we acquire may lose clients or employees or could under-perform relative to expectations.

Risk management processes may not fully mitigate exposure to the various risks that we face, including market, liquidity and credit risk. We continue to refine our risk management techniques, strategies and assessment methods on an ongoing basis. However, risk management techniques and strategies, both ours and those available to the market generally, may not be fully effective in mitigating our risk exposure in all economic market environments or against all types of risk. For example, we might fail to identify or anticipate particular risks that our systems are capable of identifying, or the systems that we use, and that are used within the industry generally, may not be capable of identifying certain risks. Some of our strategies for managing risk are based upon our use of observed historical market behavior. We apply statistical and other tools to these observations to quantify our risk exposure. Any failures in our risk management techniques and strategies to accurately quantify our risk exposure could limit our ability to manage risks. In addition, any risk management failures could cause our losses to be significantly greater than the historical measures indicate. Further, our quantified modeling does not take all risks into account. As a result, we also take a qualitative approach in reducing our risk. Our more qualitative approach to managing those risks could prove insufficient, exposing us to material unanticipated losses.

Insurance Risks. Our operations and financial results are subject to risks and uncertainties associated with the increasing costs and regulatory changes related to our use of a combination of insurance, self-insured retention and self-insurance for a number of risks, including, without limitation, property and casualty, workers’ compensation, general liability, and the company-funded portion of employee-related health care benefits. While the nature and scope of increasing costs and regulatory changes cannot be predicted, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

We receive from time to time written comments from the staff of the SEC regarding our periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act. There are no comments that remain unresolved.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our executive offices and primary broker/dealer and banking operations are located in approximately 192,000 square-feet of leased space in an office building in Dallas, Texas. The lease expires in 2020. Our other office locations are leased and generally do not exceed 28,000 square feet of space. We conduct our clearing operations primarily at the Dallas headquarters, and our securities lending activities are conducted from our offices in Old Bridge, New Jersey and New York, New York.

We have 21 retail brokerage offices with 11 in Texas, six in California, two in Oklahoma, one in New Mexico, and one in Nevada. In keeping with management’s goal to become the leading brokerage firm in the Southwest, we plan to expand our offices throughout the region.

 

-24-


Table of Contents

We have 12 public finance branch offices, with five in Texas, two in California and one in each of New Mexico, North Carolina and Florida. In addition, public finance has an additional branch in each of New York and Louisiana for which SWS does not maintain an office. We have 15 fixed income branch offices, three in California and Florida, two in Connecticut, and one branch in each of Texas, Illinois, Colorado, New Jersey, Tennessee, New York and Virginia. Our corporate finance office is located in Dallas, Texas. We also have a disaster recovery site in Dallas, Texas covering our brokerage and banking operations.

The Bank leases branch offices in Arlington, Austin, Benbrook, Downtown Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Garland, Houston, Park Cities and Southlake, Texas, and Albuquerque and Ruidoso, New Mexico. The Bank leases the land and owns the non-operational drive-in facilities located in central Arlington, Texas. The Bank owns its banking facilities in Granbury, Waxahachie and South Arlington, Texas.

The company has developed business continuity plans that are designed to permit continued operation of business critical functions in the event of disruptions to our Dallas, Texas headquarters facility as well as critical facilities used by our major subsidiaries. Our critical activities can be relocated among our normal operating facilities and our North Dallas business recovery and disaster recovery center. Our North Dallas facility houses redundant securities and bank processing facilities adequate to replace those found in our primary data center. Our disaster recovery plans are periodically tested, and we participate in industry-wide tests within the securities industry.

Management believes that our present facilities are adequate for the foreseeable future, exclusive of expansion opportunities.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the general course of our brokerage business and the business of clearing for other brokerage firms, we have been named as defendants in various pending lawsuits and arbitration proceedings. These claims allege violation of various federal and state securities laws. The Bank is also involved in certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe that resolution of these claims will not result in any material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 4. RESERVED

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER

MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Stockholder Matters

Market for Common Stock. Our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “SWS.” At August 27, 2010, there were 289 holders of record of our common stock and approximately 5,700 beneficial holders of our common stock. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low market prices for the common stock and the cash dividend declared per common share:

 

June 27, 2009 to June 25, 2010        1st Qtr.            2nd Qtr.            3rd Qtr.            4th Qtr.    

Cash dividend declared per common share

   $      0.09      $      0.09      $      0.09      $      0.09  

Stock price range

           

High

   $    15.62      $    15.06      $    12.80      $    12.45  

Low

   $    12.25      $    11.00      $    11.41      $      9.17  
June 28, 2008 to June 26, 2009    1st Qtr.    2nd Qtr.    3rd Qtr.    4th Qtr.

Cash dividend declared per common share

   $      0.09      $      0.09      $      0.09      $      0.09  

Stock price range

           

High

   $    22.52      $    21.08      $    19.29      $    17.13  

Low

   $    12.90      $    10.01      $    11.88      $    11.77  

 

-25-


Table of Contents

Stock Repurchases. The following table provides information about purchases of common stock by SWS during the quarter ended June 25, 2010:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period    Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)
   Average
Price
Paid per
Share
   Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans
   Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet  Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans ( 2)

3/26/10 to 4/30/10

   4,384    11.66    —      500,000

5/01/10 to 5/28/10

   196    10.56    —      500,000

5/29/10 to 6/25/10

   —      —      —      500,000
       
   4,580    11.61    —     
       

 

     

(1 ) All of the 4,580 shares of common stock repurchased during the three-month period ended June 25, 2010 were acquired from grantees in connection with income tax withholding obligations arising from vesting of restricted stock grants. These shares were not part of our publicly announced program to repurchase shares of common stock.

(2 ) On August 20, 2009, the Board of Directors approved and announced a plan authorizing the company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market for an 18-month period beginning August 20, 2009 and ending February 28, 2011.

Dividend policy. The company expects to continue paying cash dividends. However, the payment and rate of dividends on the company’s common stock is subject to several factors including operating results, financial requirements of the company, and the availability of funds from the company’s subsidiaries, including the broker/dealer subsidiaries, which may be subject to restrictions under the net capital rules of the SEC and FINRA; and the Bank, which may be subject to restrictions by federal banking agencies.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

Restricted Stock Plan. On November 12, 2003, our stockholders approved the adoption of the SWS Group, Inc. 2003 Restricted Stock Plan (“Restricted Stock Plan”). In November 2007, the stockholders of SWS Group approved an amendment to the Restricted Stock Plan to increase the number of shares available thereunder by 500,000. The Restricted Stock Plan allows for awards of up to 1,250,000 shares of our common stock to our directors, officers and employees. No more than 300,000 of the authorized shares may be newly issued shares of common stock. The Restricted Stock Plan terminates on August 21, 2013. The vesting period for awards is determined on an individualized basis by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. In general, restricted stock granted to employees under the Restricted Stock Plan is fully vested after three years, and restricted stock granted to non-employee directors vests on the one year anniversary of the date of grant. At June 25, 2010, the total number of shares outstanding was 277,309 and the total number of shares available for future grants was 383,972.

Deferred Compensation Plan. On November 10, 2004, the stockholders of SWS Group approved the 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan, the effective date of which was January 1, 2005, for eligible officers and employees to defer a portion of their bonus compensation and commissions. The deferred compensation plan was designed to comply with the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. Contributions to the deferred compensation plan consist of employee pre-tax contributions and SWS Group’s matching contributions, in the form of SWS Group common stock, up to a specified limit.

 

-26-


Table of Contents

The assets of the deferred compensation plan include investments in SWS Group common stock, Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”) common stock, and company-owned life insurance (“COLI”). Investments in SWS Group common stock are carried at cost and are held as treasury stock with an offsetting deferred compensation liability in the equity section of the consolidated statements of financial condition. The deferred compensation plan limited the number of shares of SWS Group common stock that may be issued to 375,000 shares. On November 17, 2009, the stockholders of SWS Group voted to increase the authorized number of shares of SWS Group common stock available for issuance under the deferred compensation plan from 375,000 shares to 675,000 shares. The number of shares of SWS Group common stock available for future issuance under the plan was 323,805 at June 25, 2010. Investments in Westwood common stock are carried at market value and recorded as marketable equity securities available for sale. Investments in COLI are carried at the cash surrender value of the insurance policies and recorded in other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

For the fiscal year ended June 25, 2010, approximately $16.2 million, with a market value of $15.0 million, was invested in the deferred compensation plan. At June 25, 2010, funds totaling $3.2 million were invested in 216,295 shares of our common stock. Approximately $2.6 million of compensation expense was recorded for participant contributions and employer matching contributions related to the deferred compensation plan in fiscal year 2010.

The trustee of the deferred compensation plan is Wilmington Trust Company.

Stock Option Plans. There were no active stock option plans at June 25, 2010. All current outstanding options under the SWS Group, Inc. Stock Option Plan (the “1996 Plan”) may still be exercised until their contracted expiration date occurs. Options granted under the 1996 Plan have a maximum ten-year term, and all options are fully vested. See Note 1(r) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

The following table sets forth certain information concerning all equity compensation plans approved by our stockholders as of June 25, 2010.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 25, 2010

 

Plan category   

Number of
securities to be

issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options and rights

   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options and rights
   Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
the first column)

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

   637,293 (1)               $    11.41(2)             707,777 (3)         
            

Total

   637,293                     $   11.41               707,777            
            

 

  

(1) Amount represents 420,998 shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted under the 1996 Plan and 216,295 stock units credited to participants’ accounts under the deferred compensation plan (see descriptions above). The stock units credited to the participants’ accounts under the deferred compensation plan are not included in the weighted average exercise price calculation.

(2) Calculation of weighted-average exercise price does not include stock units credited to participants’ accounts under the deferred compensation plan.

(3) Amount represents 323,805 shares available for future issuance under the deferred compensation plan and 383,972 shares available for future issuance under the Restricted Stock Plan. The 1996 Plan expired on February 1, 2006. Thus, there are no longer any shares available for issuance. All options outstanding under the 1996 Plan may still be exercised until their contracted expiration date occurs.

 

-27-


Table of Contents

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected financial data presented below for the five fiscal years ended June 25, 2010 have been derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements as audited by our independent registered public accounting firm. The historical financial data are qualified in their entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, and other financial information contained in this report.

The following items, all of which impact the comparability of the data from year-to-year, should be considered: (i) the sale of certain assets of FSB Financial, LTD (“FSB Financial”) in the third quarter of fiscal 2006 and (ii) the declaration on November 30, 2006 by our Board of Directors of a 3-for-2 stock split effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend. Additional items that should be considered are included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -Events and Transactions.”

 

     (In thousands, except ratios and per share amounts)
     Fiscal Year Ended
        June 25,   
2010
      June 26,   
2009
      June 27,   
2008
      June 29,   
2007
      June 30,   
2006

Consolidated Operating Results:

              

Total revenue

       $ 422,227        $ 485,677        $ 477,527        $ 470,898        $ 391,618

Net revenue (1)

     366,971      381,621      301,631      273,615      252,944

Net income/(loss) from continuing

operations

     (2,893)      23,631      30,854      37,507      28,637

Net income from discontinued operations

               17      102      12,696

Extraordinary gain, net of tax of $571

               1,061          

Net income/(loss)

     (2,893)      23,631      31,932      37,609      41,408

Earnings (loss) per share – basic( 2)

              

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

       $ (0.10)        $ 0.86        $ 1.12        $ 1.38        $ 1.09

Income from discontinued operations

                         0.48

Extraordinary gain

               0.04          

Net income/(loss)

       $ (0.10)        $ 0.86        $ 1.16        $ 1.38        $ 1.57

Earnings (loss) per share – diluted( 2)

              

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

       $ (0.10)        $ 0.86        $ 1.12        $ 1.37        $ 1.08

Income from discontinued operations

                         0.48

Extraordinary gain

               0.04          

Net income/(loss)

       $ (0.10)        $ 0.86        $ 1.16        $ 1.37        $ 1.56

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic( 2)

     30,253      27,429      27,502      27,220      26,380

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted( 2)

     30,253      27,509      27,602      27,444      26,565

Cash dividends declared per common share

       $ 0.36        $ 0.36        $ 0.34        $ 1.30        $ 0.95

Consolidated Financial Condition:

              

Total assets

       $ 4,530,691        $ 4,199,039        $ 5,118,251        $ 5,074,585        $ 4,657,851

Long-term debt (3)

     99,107      111,913      95,194      66,989      37,341

Stockholders’ equity

     383,394      340,357      323,006      306,447      289,472

Shares outstanding

     32,342      27,263      27,196      27,492      26,592

Book value per common share

       $ 11.85        $ 12.48        $ 11.88        $ 11.15        $ 10.89

Bank Performance Ratios:

              

Return on assets

     (0.8)%      0.2%      0.6%      1.3%      1.5%

Return on equity

     (9.1)%      2.6%      6.8%      15.3%      16.1%

Equity to assets ratio

     9.2%      8.5%      8.4%      8.2%      9.6%

 

(1) Net revenue is equal to total revenues less interest expense.

 

(2) Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (paid or unpaid) are treated as participating securities and are factored into the calculation of EPS.

 

(3) Includes Federal Home Loan Bank advances with maturities in excess of one year.

 

-28-


Table of Contents

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

We are engaged in full-service securities brokerage and full-service commercial banking. While brokerage and banking revenues are dependent upon trading volumes and interest rates, which may fluctuate significantly, a large portion of our expenses remain fixed. Consequently, net operating results can vary significantly from period to period.

Our business is also subject to substantial governmental regulation and changes in legal, regulatory, accounting, tax and compliance requirements may have a substantial impact on our business and results of operations. We also face substantial competition in each of our lines of business. See “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Item 1. Business-Competition,” “-Regulation” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

We operate through four segments grouped primarily by products, services and customer base: clearing, retail, institutional and banking.

Clearing. We provide clearing and execution services for other broker/dealers (predominantly on a fully disclosed basis). Our clientele includes general securities broker/dealers and firms specializing in high volume trading. We currently support a wide range of clearing clients, including discount and full-service brokerage firms, direct access firms, registered investment advisors and institutional firms. In addition to clearing trades, we tailor our services to meet the specific needs of our clearing clients (“correspondents”) and offer such products and services as recordkeeping, trade reporting, accounting, general back-office support, securities and margin lending, reorganization assistance and custody of securities.

This segment generates revenues primarily through transaction charges to our correspondent firms for clearing their trades. Revenue is also earned from various fees and other processing charges as well as through net interest earnings on correspondent customer balances.

Retail. We offer retail securities products and services (equities, mutual funds and fixed income products), insurance products and managed accounts through the activities of our employee registered representatives and our independent contractors. As a securities broker, we extend margin credit on a secured basis to our retail customers in order to facilitate securities transactions. This segment generates revenue primarily through commissions charged on securities transactions, fees from managed accounts and proceeds from the sale of insurance products as well as net interest income from retail customer balances.

Institutional. We serve institutional customers in the areas of securities borrowing and lending, public finance, municipal sales and underwriting, investment banking, fixed income sales and equity trading. Our securities lending business includes borrowing and lending securities for other broker/dealers, lending institutions, and our own clearing and retail operations. Generally, we earn net interest income based on the spread between the interest rate on cash or similar collateral we deposit and the interest rate paid on cash or similar collateral we receive. Our public finance and municipal sales and underwriting professionals assist public bodies in originating, syndicating and distributing securities of municipalities and political subdivisions. Our corporate finance professionals arrange and evaluate mergers and acquisitions, conduct private placements, participate in public offerings of securities with institutional and individual investors, assist clients with raising capital, and provide other consulting and advisory services.

Our fixed income sales and trading group specializes in trading and underwriting U.S. government and agency bonds, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed, asset-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities and structured products. The clients of our fixed income group include corporations, insurance companies, banks, mutual funds, money managers and other institutions. Our equity trading department focuses on providing the best execution for equity and option orders for clients. We also execute institutional portfolio trades and are a market maker in a limited number of listed securities.

 

-29-


Table of Contents

This segment generates revenues from the net interest spread on stock loan transactions, commission and trading income from fixed income and equity products and investment banking fees from corporate and municipal securities transactions.

Banking. We offer traditional banking products and services. We specialize in two primary areas, business banking and mortgage purchase. Our focus in business banking includes commercial lending, commercial real-estate lending, small business lending and residential construction lending. We originate the majority of our loans internally and we believe this business model helps us build more valuable relationships with our customers. Our mortgage purchase division purchases participations in newly originated residential loans from various mortgage bankers nationwide. The Bank earns substantially all of its income on the spread between the rates charged to customers on loans and the rates paid to depositors.

The “other” category includes SWS Group, corporate administration and SWS Capital Corporation. SWS Group is a holding company that owns various investments, including common stock of U.S. Home Systems, Inc. (“USHS”). At June 26, 2009, SWS Group also owned NYSE Euronext, Inc. (“NYX”) common stock, which was sold in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

Business Environment

Our business is sensitive to financial market conditions, which have been very volatile over the past two years. As of June 25, 2010, equity market indices reflected an average increase from a year ago with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (the “DJIA”) up 20%, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) up 17% and the NASDAQ Composite Index (“NASDAQ”) up 21%. The DJIA closed at 10,143.81 on June 25, 2010 up from 8,438.39 on June 26, 2009 but substantially below the close of 11,346.51 on June 27, 2008. Additionally, the average daily volume on the NYSE declined during our fiscal 2010, decreasing 5% over the same period last fiscal year. Despite the current positive direction in the equity markets, the economic environment is challenging, with the national unemployment rate at approximately 9.5% at the end of June 2010, slightly down from the high of 10% at the end of December 2009. The FRB reduced the federal funds target rate to 0 - 0.25% on December 16, 2008 and has not yet begun increasing rates. Most economists do not expect the federal funds rate to increase significantly during the remainder of calendar 2010.

The disruptions and developments in the general economy and the credit markets over the past two years have resulted in a range of actions by the U.S. and foreign governments to attempt to bring liquidity and order to the financial markets and to prevent a long recession in the world economy. For example, the U.S. government provided capital to rescue the operations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”) while allowing Lehman Brothers (“Lehman”) to fail. For more details regarding some of the actions taken by U.S. and foreign governments, see the discussion under “Item 1. Business-Regulation.”

Investors initially responded to the volatile markets with a flight to quality which, in turn, reduced yields on short-term U.S. treasury securities and produced a dramatic reduction in commercial paper issuance. Investors are slowly moving back to higher yielding investments, but this has been a slow progression.

Unemployment and tight credit markets continue to create an unstable economic environment, and there is no guarantee that conditions will not worsen again. All of these factors have had an impact on our banking and brokerage operations

Brokerage: On the brokerage side of the business, volatility in the credit and mortgage markets, low interest rates and reduced volume in the stock markets continue to have an impact on several aspects of our business primarily related to valuation of securities, liquidity and depressed net interest margins.

 

-30-


Table of Contents

Valuation of Securities

In order to take advantage of attractive tax-free yields, we began investing in certain auction rate municipal bonds in the spring of 2008. At the end of fiscal 2010 and 2009, we held $22.3 million and $23.9 million, respectively, of auction rate municipal bonds, which represented one security and 17% and 26% of our municipal obligations portfolio at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, respectively. This security is an investment grade credit, was valued at 95.7% of par at June 25, 2010 and was valued at par at June 26, 2009, and yielded less than 1% per year for both periods. While management does not expect any reduction in the cash flow from this bond, the disruption in the credit markets has led to auction failures. We currently have the ability to hold this investment until maturity. While we expect the issuer of this bond to refinance the debt when interest rates rise, there can be no certainty that this refinancing will occur. We believe valuation of this bond at 95.7% of par at June 25, 2010 appropriately reflects a discount for the current lack of liquidity in this investment. See additional discussion under “Critical Accounting Policies-Fair Value.”

Our customers own $3.7 million in auction rate bonds as well as approximately $21.5 million in auction rate preferred securities. We did not actively market these securities to our customers or classify them as cash equivalents on our statements to our customers. We do not underwrite auction rate securities or serve as the remarketing agent for any of these securities.

We trade mortgage and asset-backed securities on a regular basis. We monitor our trading limits daily to ensure that these securities are maintained at levels that we consider to be prudent given current market conditions. These securities are priced using a third-party pricing service and we review the price monthly to ensure reasonable valuation. At June 25, 2010, we held mortgage and asset-backed securities of approximately $27.4 million included in securities owned, at market value on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Customer margin balances have also been negatively impacted by the volatile equity markets, which reduces the net interest we earn on customer accounts.

We have one investment in a venture capital investment partnership that we account for using the equity method of accounting, which approximates fair value. This venture capital fund invests in small businesses in various stages of development and that operate in a variety of industries. After several years of losses, during fiscal 2010, we recorded a gain of $1.3 million on this investment. At June 25, 2010, we valued this investment at $2.3 million.

Liquidity

Dislocation in the credit markets has led to increased liquidity risk. All but $50 million of our borrowing arrangements are uncommitted lines of credit and, as such, can be reduced or eliminated at any time by the banks extending the credit. While we have not experienced reductions in our borrowing capacity, our lenders have taken actions that indicate their concerns regarding liquidity in the marketplace. These actions have included reduced advance rates for certain security types, more stringent requirements for collateral eligibility and higher interest rates. All of these actions have had a negative impact on our liquidity. Should our lenders take additional similar actions, the cost of conducting our business will increase and our volume of business could be limited. To address this liquidity risk, on January 29, 2010, we entered into a $50 million committed credit facility with a national bank, with unsecured borrowing capacity of $15 million. As of June 25, 2010, we have not borrowed under this facility.

The volatility in the U.S. stock markets also impacts our liquidity through increased margin requirements at our clearing houses. These margin requirements are determined through a combination of risk factors including volume of business and volatility in the U.S. stock markets. To the extent we are required to post cash or other collateral to meet these requirements, we will have less borrowing capacity to finance our other businesses.

Net Interest Margins

Historically, the profitability of the brokerage business has been dependent upon net interest income. We earn net interest income on the spread between the rates earned and paid on customer and correspondent balances as well as from our securities lending business. With interest rates at historically low levels, the spread we are able to earn is depressed, primarily from the extremely low yields on our assets segregated for regulatory purposes portfolio. Additionally, the spread in our securities lending business has declined. Lastly, because the yield on money market funds have declined significantly, revenue sharing arrangements with our primary money market fund sweep providers have been substantially reduced. We do not expect any significant changes in these dynamics until short-term interest rates begin to rise.

 

-31-


Table of Contents

We have taken actions to mitigate the impact of the margin contraction by renegotiating arrangements with our clearing customers, changing the mix of our assets segregated for customers’ portfolio and developing new business in our securities lending portfolio. Despite these actions, profits from net interest remain depressed.

Bank: The prolonged depressed economic environment has had a significant impact on our banking business. The impact is focused primarily in two areas: (i) deterioration in the loan portfolio, specifically the commercial real estate portfolio and (ii) heightened regulatory review. The Bank has experienced deterioration in its real estate loan portfolio for the past 24 months. This deterioration was initially limited to the Bank’s residential construction portfolio. However, as the recession lengthened, deterioration in credit quality began to appear in the Bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio. This deterioration accelerated in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 as North Texas banks began to experience more significant economic problems from the continuing recession, such as significant declines in property values, reclassification of criticized assets to classified assets, increased charge-offs and continuing declines in banking industry statistics. Criticized assets are assets that reflect developing adverse trends and classified assets are assets that reflect well defined weaknesses. In addition, unemployment, both nationally and in Texas, remains at elevated levels causing continuing economic distress.

Appraisals received in the last half of fiscal 2010 also exhibited more conservative valuation methodologies than in prior periods which adversely affected collateral values. In addition, capitalization rates, defined as net operating income divided by cost or value of the property, increased significantly in a flat interest rate environment, resulting in overall lower collateral valuations. These lower valuations resulted in increased write-downs of our real estate owned (“REO”) properties from $1.1 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 to $5.5 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

The deterioration was further evidenced by the progression of criticized assets to classified assets. Classified assets increased significantly during fiscal 2010 from $81.0 million at June 30, 2009 to $191.8 million at June 30, 2010, a 136.8% increase. Total charge-offs for fiscal 2010 were $26.3 million of which 93.1% were real estate related. Non-performing assets increased by $37.6 million from $56.1 million at June 30, 2009 to $93.7 million at June 30, 2010, or 5.3% of total assets.

Banking industry national statistics revealed a decrease in charge-off rates but an increase in delinquency rates which may evidence continued deterioration in the industry. The most recent data published by the Federal Reserve indicated real estate charge-off rates for real estate loans decreased from 2.88% in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009 to 2.20% in the first calendar quarter of 2010. Charge-off rates for total loans decreased from 3.08% in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009 to 2.88% in the first calendar quarter of 2010. Banking industry national delinquency rates increased for real estate loans from 9.69% in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009 to 10.18% in the first calendar quarter of 2010. Total loan delinquencies increased from 7.43% in the fourth calendar quarter of 2009 to 7.49% in the first calendar quarter of 2010.

After consideration of all of these factors, the Bank determined that a $45.1 million loan loss provision was required for fiscal 2010, bringing the Bank’s loan loss allowance to $35.1 million or 3.0% of loans held for investment at June 30, 2010. We expect the allowance to be at elevated levels until non-performing assets begin to decline. Stabilization of non-performing assets and loss levels are largely dependent on the North Texas economy and employment levels. Until employment levels improve in North Texas, we do not expect meaningful improvement in the credit quality of our loan portfolio.

To address the deterioration in the Bank’s real estate loan portfolio, management has taken actions to reduce the level of problem assets and has established strict limits on new lending, including restrictions on originating certain types of loans. Actions taken include restricting lending for certain loan categories, providing additional experienced staff in the special assets department and expanding the Bank’s loan workout and marketing strategies and personnel. Additionally, loan concentration guidelines have been modified to limit the Bank’s exposure in commercial real estate, residential construction and lot and land development loans.

 

-32-


Table of Contents

From a regulatory perspective, the current environment has produced escalating regulatory scrutiny for all financial institutions including the Bank. Effective July 13, 2010, the Bank entered into an informal MOU with the OTS. The MOU provides among other things, that the Bank will (i) maintain a Tier I (core) capital ratio of 8% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 12%; (ii) adopt a classified asset reduction plan; (iii) retain a third-party consulting firm to review loan classifications; (iv) restrict certain lending and (v) not declare or pay dividends from the Bank without OTS approval. The MOU does not contain any monetary assessments or penalties. Management believes that it is instituting the appropriate plans to meet the requirements of the MOU; however, there is no certainty that the Bank can successfully execute on all of these requirements within the time frames noted in the MOU. If the Bank is unable to comply with the MOU or if the economic environment causes additional deterioration in the Bank’s operations, the OTS could take additional actions, including initiating formal enforcement actions.

Events and Transactions

Several material events and transactions impacted our results of operations in the periods presented. A description of these transactions and the impact on our results of operations is presented below:

Increase in provision for loan losses. The provision for loan loss increased $31.8 million during fiscal 2010, resulting in an allowance for loan loss of $35.1 million at June 30, 2010. See discussion in “Overview—Business Environment—Impact of Credit Markets—Bank.”

Sale of 5,000,001 shares of our common stock. On October 16, 2009, we filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC providing for the sale of up to $150.0 million of securities. On December 9, 2009, we closed a public offering of 4,347,827 shares of our common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. On December 16, 2009, the underwriters for the public offering exercised their option to purchase 652,174 additional shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments. We generated net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, from the offerings of approximately $54.3 million. To date, we have invested $47.5 million of the net proceeds as a $27.5 million capital contribution to the Bank and a $20.0 million capital contribution to Southwest Securities. The remaining funds will be used by us for general corporate purposes.

Write-off of $6.3 million for clearing. In the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we recorded a pre-tax loss of $6.3 million as a result of a clearing correspondent’s unauthorized short sale of more than 2 million shares of a stock. The short sale and the subsequent trades to cover the short position resulted in a $6.3 million receivable from the correspondent. We determined that collection of this receivable was doubtful and established an allowance for this receivable. The loss was recorded in “other expenses” on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

NYSE/Archipelago. We owned 23,721 shares of Archipelago Holdings, LLC (“Archipelago”) common stock prior to the merger of Archipelago and the NYSE in March 2006, for which we received 23,721 unrestricted shares of the new entity NYX. As part of the merger, we also surrendered our NYSE seat (carried at a cost of $230,000) in return for $300,000 in cash and 80,177 restricted shares of NYX common stock. In fiscal 2009, we determined that the decline in value of these shares was other than temporary and recorded a $4.3 million realized loss on this investment.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we sold the 103,898 shares of NYX common stock for $2.9 million. SWS recognized a gain of $16,000 on the sale.

Write-off of $5.4 million for stock loan. In the first quarter of fiscal 2009, we wrote-off $5.4 million related to a deficit in the collateral securing a counterparty obligation of Lehman. We experienced the counterparty deficit as a result of Lehman declaring bankruptcy on September 19, 2008. Lehman had an obligation to us for stock borrowed of approximately $10.3 million at the time of the bankruptcy filing, which was backed by approximately $9.7 million in collateral. Subsequent sales and revaluation of the remaining collateral resulted in a $5.4 million deficit. This write-off was recorded in other expenses on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Acquisition of M.L. Stern. In February 2008, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase M.L. Stern & Co., LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary Tower Asset Management, LLC (collectively, “M.L. Stern”) from a subsidiary of Pacific Life Insurance Company. The acquisition was structured as a purchase of all of the outstanding membership interests of M.L. Stern & Co., LLC. The assets and liabilities acquired as well as the financial results of M.L. Stern were included in our consolidated financial statements after the close of business on March 31, 2008, the acquisition date. Substantially all of the operations of the M.L. Stern broker/dealer were transferred to Southwest Securities in December 2008 and are operating as separate offices in our private client group (references to M.L. Stern include these operations). These operations are included in our retail segment. Effective April 4, 2009, M.L. Stern withdrew its broker/dealer registration with FINRA, the SEC and all states. Tower Asset Management, LLC provided investment advisory services to high net worth individuals or families who required investment expertise and personal services. Tower Asset Management, LLC ceased business operations on June 30, 2009.

 

-33-


Table of Contents

The aggregate acquisition price for M.L. Stern was approximately $8.7 million, which consisted of cash in the amount of $5.5 million and direct expenses of $3.2 million in finder’s fees, legal fees, valuation fees, severance costs and contract cancellation costs.

The cost to acquire M.L. Stern was less than the fair values assigned to the acquired assets and liabilities, and as such, the excess was allocated as a pro-rata reduction of the amounts assigned to the acquired assets bringing all valued intangible assets to an adjusted fair value of zero. Depreciable fixed assets were also reduced to zero through the allocation process. After allocation of the excess, $1.6 million of excess fair value over cost remained. We recognized this amount as an extraordinary gain.

In fiscal 2009, we reduced our initial estimates of the liabilities for severance costs and contract cancellation costs as additional information indicated that the costs would be lower than initially expected. The reduction in the estimate for the severance costs was $290,000 and was due to voluntary employee terminations subsequent to the acquisition date. The reduction in the contract cancellation fee estimate was due to a change in the estimated date of cancellation of the contract, which reduced the fees estimated to be paid to the vendor by $385,000. As a result of these adjustments, we recognized other income of $675,000 on our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income in fiscal 2009.

Distribution from an Equity Investment. In fiscal 2008, we realized a gain and received a distribution of $639,000 from a limited partnership venture capital fund in which we have an equity investment. This amount was included in other revenue in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. See Note 10 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated

Net loss for the fiscal year ended June 25, 2010 was $2.9 million, a decrease of $26.5 million from net income for the fiscal year ended June 26, 2009. Net income for the fiscal years ended June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008 totaled $23.6 million and $31.9 million, respectively, representing a decrease of $8.3 million from fiscal 2008 to 2009. Net income includes income of $17,000 from discontinued operations and an extraordinary gain of $1.1 million for fiscal 2008. Fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008 each contained 251 trading days.

The following is a summary of year-to-year increases (decreases) in categories of net revenues and operating expenses (dollars in thousands):

 

     Change    Change
         Fiscal 2009 to 2010            Fiscal 2008 to 2009    
     Amount    Percent    Amount    Percent

Net revenues:

           

Net revenues from clearing operations

       $ (957)      (8)%          $ (2,410)      (17)%  

Commissions

     (21,543)      (12)%            67,635      61%  

Net interest

     (7,010)      (7)%        2,291      2%  

Investment banking, advisory and administrative fees

     (549)      (2)%        (1,135)      (3)%  

Net gains on principal transactions

     6,530      19%        26,178      303%  

Other

            8,879      74%        (12,569)      (51)%  
                   
       $ (14,650)      (4)%          $ 79,990      27%  
                   

 

-34-


Table of Contents
     Change    Change
       Fiscal 2009 to 2010        Fiscal 2008 to 2009  

Operating expenses:

       Amount        Percent          Amount        Percent  

Commissions and other employee compensation

       $ (9,592)      (4)%          $ 55,173      30%  

Occupancy, equipment and computer service costs

     1,283      4 %        5,901      22%  

Communications

     122      1%        3,033      30%  

Floor brokerage and clearing organization charges

     463      13%        1,240      55%  

Advertising and promotional

     (515)      (11)%        686      18%  

Provision for loan loss

     31,795      239%        9,777      276%  

Other

     4,775      13%        14,860      68%  
                   
           28,331      8%              90,670      36%  
                   

Pretax income

       $ (42,981)      (112)%          $ (10,680)      (22)%  
                   

Fiscal 2010 versus 2009

Net revenues decreased $14.7 million from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010. The largest components of the decrease were, a $21.5 million decrease in commissions and a $7.0 million decrease in net interest. The decrease in commissions was due to lower commissions in the institutional segment, primarily in the taxable fixed income business, as a result of tighter spreads and reduced market volatility. The decrease in net interest was due to a 64 basis point decrease in the spread in the institutional segment’s securities lending business. Additionally, net interest declined due to reduced investment in tax-exempt municipal auction rate bonds in our municipal business. These decreases were partially offset by a $6.5 million increase in net gains on principal transactions and an $8.9 million increase in other revenue. The increase in net gains on principal transactions was primarily from an increase in the number of financings in the institutional segment and an increase in the retail municipal sales trading volume in our municipal business segment in fiscal year 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009. The increase in other revenue was due primarily to (i) a $2.7 million increase in the sale of insurance products; (ii) a $3.5 million increase in the value of our deferred compensation plan assets and (iii) a gain of $1.3 million related to a limited partnership venture capital fund, as compared to a loss of $2.7 million in the prior fiscal year.

Operating expenses increased $28.3 million for fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 due to a $31.8 million increase in the provision for loan loss and a $4.8 million increase in other expense. The increase in the Bank’s loan loss provision is discussed in “Overview-Business Environment-Impact of Credit Markets-Bank.” The increase in other expenses was due to (i) a $6.3 million loss incurred in the clearing segment in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 from a correspondent’s short sale of securities; (ii) an increase in the Bank’s write-downs on REO of $4.4 million; (iii) a $2.5 million increase in loan collections and other real estate expense; and (iv) a $734,000 increase in the DIF assessment. Additionally, in last fiscal year’s comparable period, other expenses included a $5.4 million write-off related to the Lehman stock loan deficit and a $5.0 million impairment loss for our investments in NYX and USHS common stock. These increases in other expenses and the provision for loan loss were partially offset by a decrease in commission and other employee compensation of $9.6 million driven by a decrease in commission and incentive compensation in our institutional segment as a result of lower revenues. The decrease in commission and other employee compensation in our institutional segment was offset by an increase in salaries to our corporate support and information technology employees and deferred compensation expense related to our Restricted Stock Plan resulting from acceleration in the vesting of restricted stock for retired directors and individuals no longer employed by us.

 

-35-


Table of Contents

Fiscal 2009 versus 2008

Net revenues increased $79.9 million from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009. The largest components of the increase were in commissions, $67.6 million, net interest, $2.3 million, and net gains on principal transactions, $26.2 million. The increase in commissions is due to a $46.7 million increase in the institutional segment, primarily in the fixed income business, as greater volatility and lack of liquidity resulted in wider spreads that, in turn, led to increased client activity and more transactions. Also contributing to the increase in commissions is the increase in our retail segment of $20.9 million primarily due to the acquisition of M.L. Stern. M.L. Stern recorded commission revenue of $35.2 million for fiscal 2009 up from $9.6 million in fiscal 2008. The commission revenue increases were partially offset by a $2.2 million decrease in commissions for SWS Financial and a $2.4 million decrease in commission for our private client group. The increase in net interest is due primarily to a 23 basis point increase in the spread in the stock loan business as well as an increase in the average loan balance at the Bank of 26%. The increase in net gains on principal transactions is driven by the fixed income business primarily due to the volatility in the market and increased customer activity. These increases were offset by a decrease in other revenue of $12.6 million. This decrease is due to a $2.9 million increase in losses related to our limited partnership venture capital fund, a $1.7 million increase in losses on the deferred compensation plan (with a corresponding decrease in compensation expenses on the deferred compensation plan), a $3.5 million decrease in revenue from the sale of our insurance products, a decrease of $1.9 million in SEC fees collected (with a corresponding decrease in other expenses) and a decrease in miscellaneous income of $650,000, which is primarily made up of the gain recognized on the sale of the Bank’s factoring assets in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. There was also a $1.7 million increase in net losses from the sale of REO property at the Bank and a $657,000 decrease in service fee income.

Operating expenses increased $90.7 million for fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008. The largest increase was in commissions and other employee compensation, $55.2 million, occupancy, equipment and computer service costs, $5.9 million, and other expenses, $24.6 million. The increase in commissions and other employee compensation is due primarily to the acquisition of M.L. Stern. M.L. Stern’s commission and other employee expenses were $32.3 million in fiscal 2009 versus $8.6 million in fiscal 2008. The remainder of the increase is due to variable compensation in the institutional segment from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009 based on increased profitability. The increase in occupancy, equipment and computer service costs is due primarily to the acquisition of M.L. Stern. The increase in other expenses is primarily due to the $5.4 million write-off of the Lehman counterparty exposure, an increase in the provision for loan loss of $9.8 million, an increase in legal fees of $1.6 million, the losses recognized on our investment in NYX and USHS of $5.0 million and increases in purchase mortgage loan losses, real estate and loan related expenses and DIF assessments of $4.0 million.

Net Interest Income

We generate net interest income from our brokerage segments and our banking segment. Net interest income from the brokerage segments is dependent upon the level of customer and stock loan balances as well as the spread between the rates we earn on those assets compared with the cost of funds. Net interest is the primary source of income for the Bank and represents the amount by which interest and fees generated by earning assets exceed the cost of funds. The Bank’s cost of funds consists primarily of interest paid to the Bank’s depositors on interest-bearing accounts. For the fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008 net interest income from our brokerage operations and banking segment were as follows (in thousands):

 

             2010                    2009                    2008        

Brokerage

   $      24,769    $      42,631    $      55,607

Bank (1)

   76,038    65,186    49,919
              

Net interest

   $    100,807    $    107,817    $    105,526
              

 

(1)

The net interest reported for the Bank is for the periods ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

-36-


Table of Contents

For the fiscal years ended June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008, net interest income from our brokerage entities accounted for approximately 7%, 11% and 18% of our net revenue, respectively. For fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities in our brokerage operations were as follows (in thousands):

 

             2010                    2009                    2008        

Average interest-earning assets:

        

Customer margin balances

   $    172,690    $    176,321    $    288,667

Assets segregated for regulatory purposes

   342,431    304,894    336,006

Stock borrowed

   1,859,000    2,061,000    2,997,000

Average interest-bearing liabilities:

        

Customer funds on deposit, including short credits

   378,846    409,749    520,523

Stock loaned

   1,804,000    2,021,000    2,959,000

Net interest revenue generated by each segment is reviewed in detail in the segment analysis below.

Income Tax Expense

For fiscal 2010, income tax benefit (effective rate of 36.4% for the fiscal year ended June 25, 2010) differed from the amount that would otherwise have been calculated by applying the federal corporate tax rate (35%) to loss before income taxes due to state income taxes and other permanently excluded items, such as tax exempt interest, meals and entertainment and increases in the value of company-owned life insurance (“COLI”).

For fiscal 2009, income tax expense (effective rate of 38.5% for the year ended June 26, 2009) differed from the amount that would otherwise have been calculated by applying the federal corporate tax rate (35%) to income before income taxes and minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries. The effective rate was higher than the statutory rate because of state income taxes, the increase in net liability for uncertain tax positions and other permanently excluded items, such as meals and entertainment and expense from COLI.

For fiscal 2008, income tax expense (effective rate of 37.2% for the year ended June 27, 2008) differed from the statutory rate. The effective rate was higher than the statutory rate because of state income taxes and the increase in net liability for uncertain tax positions, partially offset by permanently excluded items, such as tax exempt interest.

 

-37-


Table of Contents

Segment Information

The following is a summary of net revenues and pre-tax income (loss) by segment for the fiscal years ended June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

June 25,

2010

   % Change   

June 26,

2009

   % Change   

June 27,

2008

Net revenues:

              

Clearing

     $ 21,041         (21)%      $ 26,565         (28)%      $ 37,138     

Retail

     110,578         3           107,518         18           91,231     

Institutional

     157,977         (16)          187,970         54           121,757     

Banking(1)

     76,409         15           66,710         24           53,970     

Other

     966         114           (7,142)        (190)          (2,465)    
                          

Total

     $     366,971         (4)%      $     381,621         27%      $ 301,631     
                          

Pre-tax income (loss):

              

Clearing

     $ (5,305)        (201)%      $ 5,233         (55)%      $ 11,611     

Retail

     219         109           (2,425)        (122)          11,037     

Institutional

     53,222         (24)          69,714         51           46,158     

Banking(1)

     (17,826)        (258)          11,281         (36)          17,701     

Other

     (34,862)        23           (45,374)        (21)              (37,398)    
                          

Total

     $ (4,552)        (112)%      $ 38,429         (22)%      $ 49,109     
                          

 

              

(1) The net revenues and pre-tax income reported for the banking segment is for the periods ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008.

Clearing. The following is a summary of the results for the clearing segment for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

June 25,

2010

   % Change   

June 26,

2009

   % Change   

June 27,

2008

Net revenue from clearing

     $ 10,582       (8)%      $ 11,534        (17)%      $ 13,946    

Net interest

     6,099       9           5,603        (56)          12,811    

Other

     4,360       (54)          9,428        (9)          10,381    
                          

Net revenues

     21,041       (21)          26,565        (28)          37,138    

Operating expenses

     26,346       24           21,332        (16)          25,527    
                          

Pre-tax income (loss)

     $ (5,305)      (201)%      $ 5,233        (55)%      $ 11,611    
                          

Average customer margin balance

     $ 99,000       (1)%      $ 100,000        (43)%      $ 176,000    
                          

Average customer funds on deposit

     $ 232,000       (15)%      $ 273,000        (24)%      $ 358,000    
                          

Customer deposits at the Bank

     $     714,200       17%      $     609,600        21%      $     505,300    
                          

 

-38-


Table of Contents

The following table reflects the number of client transactions processed for each of the last three fiscal years and the number of correspondents at the end of each fiscal year:

 

       Fiscal 2010        Fiscal 2009        Fiscal 2008  

Tickets for high-volume trading firms

   1,404,848    8,469,552    30,469,859

Tickets for general securities broker/dealers

   937,925    895,329    1,112,514
              

Total tickets

   2,342,773    9,364,881    31,582,373
              

Correspondents(*)

   174    184    190
              

 

(*) In evaluating correspondent relationships, we determined that certain clearing accounts, while not officially terminated, have become inactive. Consequently, we have revised our definition of correspondent and have excluded these dormant relationships in our correspondent count for all periods presented.

Fiscal 2010 versus 2009

The clearing segment posted a 21% decrease in net revenues and a 201% decrease in pre-tax income for fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009.

In fiscal 2010, tickets processed decreased substantially from fiscal year 2009, while clearing fee revenue decreased only 8%. The primary driver of this change was decreased volume from day trading customers. Revenue per ticket was $4.46 for fiscal 2010 up from $1.23 for fiscal 2009 due to a change in the mix of customers from day trading firms to general securities broker/dealers. The fees for services to the day trading firms are discounted substantially from the fees charged to general securities brokers/dealers.

Net interest revenue in the clearing segment increased $496,000 or 9% in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. Net interest revenue increased due to an increase in the spread we earn on customer deposits.

Other revenue, which is primarily composed of fees from money market funds, decreased $5.1 million for fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. This decrease was due to a 70% decrease in administrative fee income from money market fund providers. This fee income decreased due to a reduction in short-term interest rates, which resulted in reduced revenue sharing with various money market funds.

Operating expenses for fiscal 2010 increased $5.0 million from fiscal 2009 due to a $6.5 million increase in other expenses. This increase was primarily due to a $6.3 million loss incurred on a correspondent’s short sale of securities in fiscal 2010 as well as increased legal expenses of $1.4 million. This increase was partially offset by a $1.0 million decrease in information technology and operating expenses and a $1.1 million decrease in commissions and other employee compensation. This decrease in commissions and other employee compensation was due to a decrease in salary expense of $178,000, as well as a $907,000 decrease in incentive compensation, primarily related to reduced headcount.

Fiscal 2009 versus 2008

The clearing segment posted a decrease in net revenues of 28% and a decrease in pre-tax income of 55% in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008.

Tickets processed decreased substantially over fiscal year 2008 while clearing fee revenue decreased only 17%. Decreased volume from high volume trading customers was the primary driver of this change with an offset from an increase in revenue per ticket to $1.23 for fiscal 2009 from $0.44 for fiscal 2008. The decrease in high volume transactions is due to the departure of one of these firms in early fiscal 2009 and substantially reduced volume from another high volume firm.

Net interest revenue in the clearing segment decreased 56% in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008. Net interest decreased primarily due to a 43% decline in margin balances in the clearing segment as well as a 43 basis point drop in the spread we earn on customer deposits.

 

-39-


Table of Contents

Operating expenses for fiscal 2009 decreased $4.2 million from fiscal 2008 due to decreased commission and employee compensation of $1.0 million and a decrease in other expenses of $2.6 million. The decrease in commission and employee compensation was due to a $327,000 decrease in salary expense and a $671,000 decrease in incentive compensation expense. Fiscal year 2008 included some one time expenses related to the hiring of the new head of clearing. The decrease in incentive compensation is due to reduced compensation accruals because of the smaller pre-tax profit from our clearing operations. The decrease in other expenses is primarily due to a $442,000 decrease in professional services, a $429,000 decrease in licenses and fees and a $1.6 million decrease in the amount of information technology and operating expenses allocated to the clearing segment. The allocations of information technology and operating expenses to the clearing segment are based on ticket count and other metrics, which decreased in fiscal 2009 when compared to fiscal 2008.

Retail. The following is a summary of the results for the retail segment for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

June 25,

2010

   % Change   

June 26,

2009

   % Change    June 27,
2008

Net revenues:

              

Private Client Group (“PCG”)

              

Commissions

     $ 58,436         2%      $ 57,060         68%      $ 33,877    

    Advisory fees

     5,291         (22)        6,756         (3)         6,963    

    Insurance products

     4,961         21         4,107         5          3,920    

    Other

     243         153         (462)        (168)         682    

    Net interest revenue

     2,315         34         1,732         (38)         2,802    
                          
     71,246         3         69,193         43          48,244    
                          

Independent registered representatives (SWS Financial)

              

Commissions

     25,343         14         22,311         (9)         24,506    

    Advisory fees

     2,444         (24)        3,212         (15)         3,780    

    Insurance products

     6,034         37         4,403         (43)         7,754    

    Other

     841         18         710         (10)         786    

    Net interest revenue

     819         3         796         (69)         2,529    
                          
     35,481         13         31,432         (20)         39,355    
                          

Other

              

Commissions

     $ 228         23%    $ 185         (24)%      $ 242    

    Advisory fees

     2,253         (59)        5,519         207          1,796    

    Insurance products

     1,147         22         940         (26)         1,271    

    Other

     226         1         223         9          204    

    Net interest revenue

     (3)        (111)        26         (78)         119    
                          
     3,851         (44)        6,893         90          3,632    
                          

Total

     $ 110,578         3         $ 107,518         18          $ 91,231    

Operating expenses

     110,359         —          109,943         37          80,194    
                          

Pre-tax income (loss)

     $ 219         109%      $ (2,425)        (122)%      $ 11,037    
                          

Average customer margin balances

     $ 62,000         (2)%      $ 63,000         (29)%      $ 89,000    
                          

Average customer funds on deposit

     $ 129,000         5%      $ 123,000         (18)%      $ 150,000    
                          

Customer deposits at the Bank

     $    564,242         16%      $   484,480         32%      $  366,007    
                          

PCG representatives

     202         (12)%      230         22%      207    
                          

SWS Financial representatives

     307         1%      305         (3)%      315    
                          

 

-40-


Table of Contents

Fiscal 2010 versus 2009

Net revenues in the retail segment increased 3% in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 driven by (i) a $4.5 million increase in commission revenue, (ii) a $2.7 million increase in insurance product sales and (iii) the elimination of M.L. Stern LLC’s deferred compensation plan which produced a loss of $843,000 in the comparable fiscal 2010 period. The insurance product sales increases in fiscal 2010 were due to an increase in volume in both our PCG and SWS Financial businesses. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in advisory fees of $5.5 million. The primary reason for the decrease in advisory fees was due to (i) closing Tower Asset Management, LLC on June 30, 2009, which reduced fees by $3.7 million and (ii) a reduction in money market fee revenue of $3.3 million offset by increased managed and advisory fee income of $1.1 million due to an increase in assets under management from June 26, 2009 to June 25, 2010. Total customer assets were $12.6 billion at June 25, 2010 and $11.5 billion at June 26, 2009. Assets under management were $517.0 million at June 25, 2010 versus $419.0 million at June 26, 2009, excluding Tower Asset Management, LLC.

Net interest revenue in the retail segment increased 28% in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. Net interest revenue increased due to an increase in the spread we earn on customer deposits.

Operating expenses increased less than 1% from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010. This increase was primarily due to a 2% increase in commission and other employee compensation, which was the primary component of operating expenses in the retail segment, as well as a $1.0 million increase in information and technology expenses. These increases were offset by a $920,000 decrease in communication expense and a $936,000 decrease in occupancy, equipment and computer service costs. These decreases were primarily due to the reorganization of the old M.L. Stern offices.

Fiscal 2009 versus 2008

Net revenues in the retail segment were up 18% in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 driven by commissions, fees and other revenues from the acquisition of M.L. Stern of $41.2 million versus revenue of $11.4 million in fiscal 2008. Total customer assets were $11.5 billion at June 26, 2009 and $11.4 billion at June 27, 2008. Total customer assets for fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 include $5.0 billion and $4.4 billion from M.L. Stern, respectively. Assets under management were $419.0 million at June 26, 2009 versus $856.0 million ($463.0 million from Tower Asset Management, LLC) at June 27, 2008. Effective June 30, 2009, Tower Asset Management, LLC ceased operations.

Net interest revenue allocated to the retail segment decreased 50% in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008. This decrease is primarily due to a reduction in the spread earned on customer deposits.

Operating expenses increased 37% from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009. This increase is primarily due to a 29% increase in commission expense, the primary component of operating expenses in the retail segment, driven by M.L. Stern’s commission expense of $32.3 million. In addition, operating expenses increased due to increased rent expense from the addition of new branches, computer services expense, licenses and fees, professional services, legal expense and the information and technology expenses allocated to the segment. M.L. Stern contributed $12.3 million to the increase in other operating expenses.

 

-41-


Table of Contents

Institutional. The following is a summary of the results for the institutional segment for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

June 25,

2010

   % Change   

June 26,

2009

   % Change   

June 27,

2008

Net revenues:

              

Commissions

              

Taxable fixed income

     $ 44,751        (37)%        $ 71,545        158%        $ 27,715    

Municipal distribution

     15,187        (2)            15,517        60           9,676    

Portfolio trading

     13,338        9             12,247        (19)          15,179    

Other

     17        55             11        (31)          16    
                          
     73,293        (26)            99,320        89           52,586    
                          

Investment banking fees

     26,008        42             18,269        (18)          22,250    

Net gains on principal transactions

     41,635        20             34,822        315           8,398    

Other

     1,013        (6)            1,077        (6)          1,140    

Net interest revenue

              

Stock loan

     13,829        (54)            30,064        (13)          34,708    

Other

     2,199        (50)            4,418        65           2,675    
                          

Total

         157,977        (16)            187,970        54               121,757    
                          

Operating expenses

     104,755        (11)                118,256        56           75,599    
                          

Pre-tax income

     $ 53,222        (24)%        $ 69,714        51%        $ 46,158    
                          

Taxable fixed income representatives

     32        3%        31        7%        29    
                          

Municipal distribution representatives

     24        9%        22        10%        20    
                          

Average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the institutional segment as of June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009    2008

Average interest-earning assets:

        

Stock borrowed

           $     1,859,000            $     2,061,000            $     2,997,000

Average interest-bearing liabilities:

        

Stock loaned

     1,804,000      2,021,000      2,959,000

The following table sets forth the number and aggregate dollar amount of municipal new issue bond underwriting conducted by Southwest Securities, as reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board for the last three fiscal years:

 

         Fiscal    
Year
     Number of  
Issues
   Aggregate
Amount of
Offerings
   2010    635        $  65,012,257,000    
   2009    530        $  45,238,055,000    
   2008    568        $  44,729,320,000    

 

-42-


Table of Contents

Fiscal 2010 versus 2009

Net revenues from the institutional segment decreased 16% while pre-tax income was down 24% from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010. Commissions in the institutional segment were down 26% from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010. Volumes in the taxable fixed income area remained at record levels in the first quarter of fiscal 2010; however, tighter spreads and reduced volatility in the last nine months of fiscal 2010 led to decreased commissions in fiscal 2010 in the taxable fixed income area as compared with the prior fiscal year. The decrease in commissions was partially offset by a $7.7 million increase in investment banking fees. The increase in investment banking fees was due to increased unit investment trust underwriting activity in the taxable fixed income business, increased fees generated from competitive underwritings in the municipal bond business as well as increased fees generated from advisory services in the corporate finance business.

Net gains on principal transactions increased 20% in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 due to an increase in the number of financings by the municipal bond business unit of approximately 100 issues and an increase in retail municipal sales trading volume. The municipal bond business unit contributed $8.5 million to this increase. The increase by the municipal bond business unit was offset by a $1.6 million decrease in the taxable fixed income unit due to tighter spreads.

Net interest revenue decreased 54% in fiscal 2010 from fiscal 2009. The institutional segment’s net interest is primarily generated from the company’s securities lending activity. This decrease was due to a 64 basis point decrease in the spread earned on securities lending caused by low interest rates. The disruption in the markets and changes in our internal risk limits caused average balances in our stock loan business to fall to $1.8 billion at June 25, 2010 from $2.0 billion at June 26, 2009. Net interest revenue also decreased in the municipal business unit due to reduced investments in tax-exempt municipal auction rate bonds.

Operating expenses decreased 11% from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010, primarily due to the $5.4 million write-off for the Lehman counterparty exposure in fiscal 2009, as well as a decrease in employee compensation expense in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. The decrease in compensation expense was due primarily to an $8.7 million decrease in commission expense and a $5.6 million decrease in incentive compensation off set by a $1.8 million increase in salaries. The decrease in commission and incentive compensation was due to reduced revenue and profitability in our fixed income and securities lending businesses. The increase in salary expense was due to hiring additional registered representatives in our municipal fixed income business. The decreases in our operating expenses were partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in communication expense, primarily due to an increase in quotations and an $836,000 increase in occupancy expense due to new office locations, insurance and software licenses.

Fiscal 2009 versus 2008

Net revenues from the institutional segment increased 54% while pre-tax income was up 51% from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009. The increase in revenues was primarily due to the increase in commissions in the taxable fixed income and municipal businesses as volumes in both areas significantly improved. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in portfolio trading due to a 27% decline in the number of trades processed. Investment banking fees were down 18% driven by a decrease in corporate finance advisory fees of $3.4 million and public finance advisory fees of $2.4 million. The decrease in advisory fees is due to the depressed economic environment and the lack of new municipal issues.

Net gains on principal transactions were up 315% in fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008 due to an increase in market volatility and wider spreads in the secondary market. Net gains on principal transactions for the municipal business unit increased $10.6 million and the taxable fixed income unit increased $16.0 million.

Net interest revenue decreased 8% in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008. The institutional segment’s net interest is primarily generated from the company’s securities lending activity. This decrease is due to a 32% decrease in average balances despite an increase of 23 basis points in the spread earned on securities lending balances. The disruption in the markets, regulators’ limits on short sales and changes in our internal risk limits caused average balances in our stock loan business to fall by $938.0 million.

Operating expenses were up 56% from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009 primarily due to increases in commission expense of $34.2 million and other operating expense of $6.5 million. The increase in commission expense is due to the increase in revenue produced by the institutional segment. The increase in other operating expense is due primarily to the $5.4 million write-off for the Lehman counterparty exposure and a $702,000 increase in the amount of information and technology expenses allocated to the institutional segment.

 

-43-


Table of Contents

Banking. The following is a summary of the results for the banking segment for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

June 30,

2010

   % Change    

June 30,

2009

   % Change    

June 30,

2008

Net revenues:

            

Net interest revenue

     $     76,038         17 %       $     65,186        31 %       $     49,919   

Other

     371         (76 )          1,524        (62 )          4,051   
                        

Total net revenues

     76,409         15        66,710        24        53,970   

Operating expenses

     94,235         70        55,429        53        36,269   
                        

Pre-Tax income (loss)

     $ (17,826)        (258 )%      $     11,281        (36 )%      $     17,701   
                        

Fiscal 2010 versus 2009

The Bank’s net revenue increased 15% while pre-tax income decreased 258% from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010.

Net interest revenue generated by the Bank accounted for approximately 20.1% of consolidated net revenue for fiscal 2009. The increase in net interest revenue in fiscal 2010 over fiscal 2009 was due primarily to an 8% increase in loan volume from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010 as well as a 10 basis point increase in the net yield from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010.

The Bank’s operating expenses were up 70% from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010. This increase was due primarily to a $31.8 million increase in the Bank’s provision for loan loss and a $7.0 million increase in other expense consisting of the following: (i) a $ 4.4 million increase in the Bank’s write-downs on REO; (ii) a $2.5 million increase in loan collections, loan related legal fees as well as other real estate expenses; and (iii) a $734,000 increase in the DIF assessment. These increases were partially offset by a $686,000 decrease in expenses related to overdraft charge-offs and write-downs of loans held for sale.

Fiscal 2009 versus 2008

The Bank’s net revenue increased 24% while pre-tax income decreased 36% from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009. Net interest revenue generated by the Bank accounted for approximately 17.1% of consolidated net revenue for fiscal 2009. The increase in net interest revenue in fiscal 2009 over fiscal 2008 is due primarily to a 26% increase in loan balances and an increase in the net yield on interest earning assets from 4.4% in fiscal 2008 to 4.7% in fiscal 2009.

The Bank’s operating expenses were up 53% from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009. This increase is due to an increase of $9.8 million in the provision for loan losses and an increase in compensation expense of $3.1 million from the five new banking centers established in fiscal 2009, the hiring of a Bank executive in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and the severance paid to employees upon exiting the residential mortgage origination business in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The Bank also had increased real estate fees of $1.3 million, due to an increase in funding volume of the mortgage purchase division, an increase in the write-downs on REOs of $852,000, due to an increase in REO properties as a result of the deterioration of the real estate market, an increase in DIF assessments of $1.5 million, due to an industry wide 7 basis point increase by the FDIC in the Bank’s quarterly assessment as well as the FDIC’s special one time assessment, and other loan related expenses of $310,000. See additional discussion on the allowance for loan losses at “-Financial Condition-Loans and Allowance for Probable Loan Losses.”

 

-44-


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth an analysis of the Bank’s net interest income by each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

     2010    2009    2008
     Average
Balance
   Interest
Income/
Expense (*)
   Yield/
Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest
Income/
Expense (*)
   Yield/
Rate
   Average
Balance
   Interest
Income/
Expense (*)
   Yield/
Rate
                    

Assets:

                          

Interest-earning assets:

                          

Loans:

                          

Residential – mortgage

    $ 396,580     $ 26,687    6.7%     $ 378,881     $ 27,571    7.3%     $ 298,875     $ 24,517    8.2%

Residential – construction

     113,696      5,920    5.2         168,051      8,762    5.2         209,931      15,608    7.4   

Commercial – real estate

     615,581      33,906    5.5         478,198      28,907    6.0         298,759      24,581    8.2   

Commercial – loans

     164,945      9,742    5.9         119,684      7,758    6.5         86,588      7,115    8.2   

Individual

     4,590      324    7.1         4,755      355    7.5         4,364      351    8.1   

Land

     140,191      6,958    5.0         175,414      9,117    5.2         156,545      12,512    8.0   

Money market

     40,715      56    0.1                 —                 —   

Federal funds sold

     44,479      55    0.1         9,346      107    1.1         52,866      2,566    4.9   

Interest bearing deposits in banks

     9,964      2    —         22,412      232    1.0         16,254      478    2.9   

Federal reserve funds

     27,150      65    0.2         12,756      85    0.7                 —   

Investments – other

     42,082      1,088    2.6         8,968      211    2.4         6,830      244    3.6   
                             
    $ 1,599,973      84,803    5.3%     $ 1,378,465      83,105    6.0%     $ 1,131,012      87,972    7.8%

Non interest-earning assets:

                          

Cash and due from banks

     7,442            9,212            29,503      

Other assets

     50,719            33,236            25,804      
                                      
    $ 1,658,134           $ 1,420,913           $ 1,186,319      
                                      

Liabilities and stockholder’s equity:

                          

Interest-bearing liabilities:

                          

Certificates of deposit

    $ 70,712      1,279    1.8%     $ 81,649      2,465    3.0%     $ 85,601      3,831    4.5%

Money market accounts

     41,646      63    0.2         45,459      354    0.8         37,377      1,031    2.8   

Interest-bearing demand accounts

     90,728      160    0.2         75,167      687    0.9         56,631      1,761    3.1   

Savings accounts

     1,118,523      1,951    0.2         916,480      8,935    1.0         763,714      27,086    3.6   

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     112,798      5,312    4.7         121,761      5,478    4.5         88,851      4,342    4.9   

Federal funds purchased

     7         0.4         87         0.3         63      2    3.4   
                             
     1,434,414      8,765    0.6%      1,240,603      17,919    1.4%      1,032,237      38,053    3.7%

Non interest-bearing liabilities:

                          

Non interest-bearing demand accounts

     64,543            53,195            47,472      

Other liabilities

     6,379            6,264            7,096      
                                      
     1,505,336            1,300,062            1,086,805      

Stockholder’s equity

     152,798            120,851            99,514      
                                      
    $ 1,658,134           $ 1,420,913           $ 1,186,319      
                                      
                                      

Net interest income

       $ 76,038           $ 65,186           $ 49,919   
                                      

Net yield on interest-earning assets

         4.8%          4.7%          4.4%
                                

 

(*)  Loans fees included in interest income for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $4,985, $6,802 and $6,237, respectively.

Interest rate trends, changes in the economy and competition and the scheduled maturities and interest rate sensitivity of the loan portfolios and deposits affect the spreads earned by the Bank.

Net interest margin for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 was up slightly from the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 as the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was down 80 basis points. The rate received on loans and investments declined by 70 basis points in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009.

Net interest margin for the year ended June 30, 2009 was up by 30 basis points from the year ended June 30, 2008 as the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was down 230 basis points. The rate received on loans and investments declined by 180 basis points. The Bank instituted interest rate floors on a large percentage of its loan portfolio leading to the increased net interest margin.

 

-45-


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the Bank’s interest earned and interest paid resulting from changes in volume and rate (in thousands):

 

     2009 to 2010    2008 to 2009
    

Total

Change

    Attributed to   

Total

Change

    Attributed to
       Volume     Rate     Mix      Volume     Rate     Mix
             

Interest income:

                 

Loans:

                 

Residential – mortgage

   $ (884   $ 1,288      $ (2,075   $ (97)      $ 3,054      $ 6,563      $ (2,768   $ (741)  

Residential – construction

     (2,842     (2,834     (12     4         (6,846     (3,113     (4,663     930   

Commercial – real estate

     4,999        8,305        (2,568     (738)        4,326        14,764        (6,521     (3,917)  

Commercial – loans

     1,984        2,934        (689     (261)        643        2,720        (1,503     (574)  

Individual

     (31     (12     (20     1         4        32        (26     (2)  

Land

     (2,159     (1,831     (411     83         (3,395     1,508        (4,375     (528)  

Money market

     56                      56                              —   

Federal funds sold

     (52     401        (95     (358)        (2,459     (2,112     (1,962     1,615   

Interest-bearing deposits in banks

     (230     (129     (227     126         (246     181        (310     (117)  

Federal reserve funds

     (20     96        (54     (62)        85                      85   

Investments – other

     877        285        (61     653         (33     74        (159     52   
             
     1,698        8,503        (6,212     (593)        (4,867     20,617        (22,287     (3,197)  
             

Interest expense:

                 

Certificates of deposit

     (1,186     (330     (989     133         (1,366     (177     (1,247     58   

Money market accounts

     (291     (30     (285     24         (677     223        (740     (160)  

Interest-bearing demand accounts

     (527     142        (554     (115)        (1,074     576        (1,243     (407)  

Savings accounts

     (6,984     1,970        (7,336     (1,618)        (18,151     5,418        (19,641     (3,928)  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

     (166     18        (308     124         1,136        1,671        (408     (127)  

Federal funds purchased

                          —         (2     1        (2     (1)  
             
     (9,154     1,770        (9,472     (1,452)        (20,134     7,712        (23,281     (4,565)  
             

Net interest income

   $ 10,852      $ 6,733      $ 3,260      $ 859       $ 15,267      $ 12,905      $ 994      $ 1,368   
             

Other. Pre-tax loss from the other category was $34.9 million in fiscal 2010 as compared to $45.4 million in fiscal 2009. The change was primarily due to a $6.6 million increase in other revenue and a $6.2 million decrease in other expenses offset by a $3.2 million increase in commissions and other employee compensation. The increase in other revenue was primarily due to a $2.7 million increase in the value of the investments in our deferred compensation plan and a $ 1.3 million gain in fiscal 2010 related to our investment in a venture capital fund as compared to a $2.7 million loss in fiscal 2009. The decrease in other expenses from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010 was due primarily to (i) the $5.0 million impairment loss recognized in fiscal 2009 related to our investments in NYX and USHS common stock and (ii) a $875,000 gain recognized in fiscal 2010 when the cost to cancel M.L. Stern, LLC’s back office system contract was less than the amount accrued. The increase in compensation expense was due to (i) a $2.3 million increase in the liability associated with our deferred compensation plan, partially offsetting the other revenue increase above; (ii) a $801,000 increase in salaries for our corporate support and information technology employees and (iii) a $517,000 increase in our deferred compensation expense related to our restricted stock plan, due primarily to accelerated vesting of restricted stock for retired directors and individuals no longer employed by us. The increase in salary expense in fiscal 2010 was partially offset by a decrease in incentive compensation in fiscal 2010.

Pre-tax loss from the other category was $45.4 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $37.4 million in fiscal 2008. The variance is due primarily to a decrease in investment income of $3.0 million related to a limited partnership venture capital fund in which we are an investor and a $5.0 million loss associated with the recognition of accumulated losses for our investments in NYX and USHS upon our impairment review.

 

-46-


Table of Contents

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Investments

The book value of the Bank’s investment portfolio at June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was as follows (in thousands):

 

             2010                 2009                2008    

Government-sponsored enterprises

   $87,685      (1)    $  7,059      $8,717  

States of the U.S. and political subdivisions

   6,265        6,237      267  
               
   $93,950        $13,296      $8,984  
               

 

(1) In February of fiscal 2010, the Bank’s excess liquidity was invested in a portfolio of Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) securities.

Loans and Allowance for Probable Loan Losses

The Bank grants loans to customers primarily within Texas and New Mexico. The Bank also purchases loans in the ordinary course of business, which have been originated in various areas of the United States. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent upon the general economic conditions in Texas and New Mexico. Over 85% of the Bank’s loans are collateralized with real estate.

The allowance for probable loan losses is increased by charges to income and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on the Bank’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic conditions. In determining the appropriate allowance at the balance sheet date, management evaluates the Bank’s historical loss percentage, concentrations of risk in the portfolio, estimated changes in the value of underlying collateral as well as changes in the volume and growth in the portfolio.

Prior to the third quarter of fiscal 2010, the Bank’s provision for loan loss computation used a three year rolling average of historical loan losses by product type to assess losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio. Product types include 1-4 family residential loans, 1-4 family residential construction loans, land and land development loans, commercial real estate loans, multi family loans, commercial loans and consumer loans. Due to accelerated deterioration of the Bank’s loan portfolio, depressed appraised values for collateral, continued high unemployment rates in Texas and deteriorating banking industry loss statistics, the Bank’s management reevaluated its use of historical loan losses in its provision for loan loss computation. As a result of this reevaluation, in the third quarter of fiscal 2010, management reduced the historical loan loss look back period from three years to four quarters. This change resulted in a larger loan loss provision in fiscal 2010.

The historical loss ratios are adjusted by an analysis of real estate market deterioration, derived from industry data related to the markets we serve, as well as information from our bank-specific losses related to real estate transactions. We also revise the historic loss ratios upward for concentrations of capital greater than 100% for the product types defined above. At June 30, 2010, our most significant concentration was in commercial real estate. Lastly, we adjust the loss ratios based on growth in the product types as well as problem loan trends within these product types. Consideration of these factors resulted in an upward adjustment of our historical loss ratios over the past year. Our calculation also includes specific allocations arising from our loan impairment analysis.

Certain types of loans, such as option ARM products, junior lien mortgages, high loan-to-value ratio mortgages, single family interest only loans, sub-prime loans, and loans with initial “teaser” rates, can have a greater risk of non-collection than other loans. At June 30, 2010, the Bank had $6.6 million in junior lien mortgages. These loans represented less than 1% of total loans at June 30, 2010. At June 30, 2010, the Bank did not have any exposure to sub-prime loans and loans with initial teaser rates. At June 30, 2010, the Bank had $18.5 million of single family interest only loans.

 

-47-


Table of Contents

At June 30, 2010, the Bank’s loan portfolio included a total of $42.0 million in loans with a high loan-to-value ratio. High loan-to-value ratios are defined by OTS regulation and range from 75%-90% depending on the type of loan. At June 30, 2010, approximately 40% of these loans were 1-4 single family or lot loans to home builders in North Texas. We addressed the additional risk in these loans in our allowance calculation primarily through our review of the real estate market deterioration adjustment to the historical loss ratio. Additionally, at June 30, 2010, the Bank had eight loans with high loan-to-value ratios that were deemed impaired. The impairment analysis on these loans resulted in a partial charge-off of $36,000 on three loans and no impairment allocation or loss on the remaining five loans. Regulatory guidelines suggest that high loan-to-value ratio loans should not exceed 100% of total capital. At June 30, 2010, the Bank’s high loan-to-value ratio loans represented 24% of total capital.

We obtain appraisals on real estate loans at the time of origination from third party appraisers approved by the Bank’s board of directors. We may obtain additional appraisals when the borrower’s performance indicates it may default. After a loan default and foreclosure, we obtain new appraisals to determine the fair value of the foreclosed asset. We obtain updated appraisals on foreclosed properties on an annual basis until we sell the property. As discussed above, appraisals obtained in the last half of fiscal 2010 appeared to use more conservative discount rates resulting in lower property valuations.

Management reviews the loan loss computation methodology on a quarterly basis to determine if the factors used in the calculation are appropriate. Because our problem loans and losses are concentrated in real estate related loans, we pay particular attention to real estate market deterioration and the concentration of capital in our real estate related loans. Improvement or additional deterioration in the residential and commercial real estate market may have an impact on these factors in future quarters. To the extent we underestimate the impact of these risks, our allowance account could be materially understated.

Loans receivable at June 30, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009    2008    2007    2006

Residential

              

Mortgage loans held for sale

     $ 424,055         $ 262,780         $ 359,945         $ 148,013         $ 124,874   

Mortgage 1-4 first liens

     143,755         118,868         74,327         48,130         48,840   

Mortgage 1-4 junior liens

     9,040         10,131         11,469         5,831         4,423   
                                  
     576,850         391,779         445,741         201,974         178,137   
                                  

Construction

              

Residential construction

     80,463         143,234         189,379         226,587         200,518   

Multi family construction

     7,595         21,264         3,406         __         __   

Commercial construction

     40,495         86,546         54,398         59,469         51,324   
                                  
     128,553         251,044         247,183         286,056         251,842   
                                  

Lot and land development

              

Residential land

     84,669         120,844         111,297         113,955         93,819   

Commercial land

     36,414         38,873         60,004         37,697         31,535   
                                  
     121,083         159,717         171,301         151,652         125,354   
                                  

Commercial real estate

     514,930         428,602         290,626         184,540         143,635   

Multi family

     75,408         50,340         31,641         5,081         5,588   

Commercial loans

     191,745         129,818         101,598         75,407         63,352   

Consumer loans

     4,692         4,813         4,549         4,837         4,554   
                                  
     1,613,261         1,416,113         1,292,639         909,547         772,462   

Allowance for probable loan loss

(excluding loans held for sale)

     (35,141)        (14,731)        (6,936)        (5,497)        (5,047)  
                                  
     $     1,578,120         $     1,401,382         $     1,285,703         $     904,050         $     767,415   
                                  

 

-48-


Table of Contents

The following table shows the scheduled maturities of certain loans at June 30, 2010, and segregates those loans with fixed interest rates from those with floating or adjustable rates (in thousands):

 

    

1 year

or less

  

1-5

years

   Over 5
years
  Total
            

Commercial real estate

       $ 100,788    $ 304,862    $ 184,688       $ 590,338 

Commercial loans

     108,239      56,400      27,106     191,745 

Real estate loans

     85,166      15,854      27,533     128,553 
            

Total

       $ 294,193    $ 377,116    $ 239,327       $ 910,636 
            

Amount of loans based upon:

          

Floating or adjustable interest rates

       $ 279,016    $ 297,339    $ 179,731       $ 756,086 

Fixed interest rates

     15,177      79,777      59,596     154,550 
            

Total

       $    294,193    $    377,116    $    239,327       $    910,636 
            

We maintain an internally classified loan list that helps us assess the overall quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Loans on this list are classified as substandard, doubtful or loss based on probability of repayment, collateral valuation and related collectability. This list is used to identify loans that are considered non-performing.

We classify loans as non-performing when they are 90 days or more past due as to principal or interest or when reasonable doubt exists as to timely collectability. The Bank uses a standardized review process to determine which non-performing loans should be placed on non-accrual status. At the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status, we reverse previously accrued and uncollected interest against interest income. We recognize interest income on non-accrual loans to the extent we receive cash payments for loans with respect to which ultimate full collection is likely. For loans where ultimate collection is not likely, we apply interest payments to the outstanding principal and we recognize income only if full payment is made. Potential problem loans are substandard loans that are not considered non-performing but where information known by management indicates that the borrower may be unable to comply with present terms.

 

-49-


Table of Contents

Non-performing assets and potential problem loans as of June 30, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     2010    2009    2008    2007    2006

Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis

              

1-4 family

       $ 6,065          $ 3,582          $ 1,797          $ 1,064          $ 1,546  

Lot and land development

     8,776        8,867        8,741        1,714        109  

Multi family

     2,394        —        —        4,758        3  

Residential construction

     3,809        4,342        5,098        5,616        788  

Commercial real estate

     16,911        10,006        2,340        5,012        1,357  

Commercial loans

     462        3,283        674        942        309  

Consumer loans

     11        19        12        31        3  
                                  
     38,428        30,099        18,662        19,137        4,115  
                                  

Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans

     2.4%        2.2%        1.5%        2.1%        0.6%  

Loans past due 90 days or more, not included above

              

1-4 family

     29        —        65        32        332  

Residential construction

     —        670        —        —        —  

Commercial loans

     —        —        268        —        —  

Consumer loans

     —        —        2        —        2  
                                  
       $ 29          $ 670          $ 335          $ 32          $ 334  
                                  

REO:

              

1-4 family

       $ 5,862          $ 463          $ 82          $ 52          $ 309  

Lot and land development

     19,565        8,346        2,304        —        —  

Residential construction

     7,673        7,947        10,038        1,353        255  

Commercial real estate

     11,150        8,412        1,758        220        1,221  

Commercial loans

     612        133        37        806        —  
                                  
       $ 44,862          $ 25,301          $ 14,219          $ 2,431          $ 1,785  

Other repossessed assets (“ORA”)

     1,332        —        —        —        —  

Troubled debt restructuring

     9,009        —        —        —        —  
                                  

Non-performing assets

       $     93,660          $     56,070          $     33,216          $     21,600          $     6,234  
                                  

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets

     5.3%        3.6%        2.5%        2.0%        0.8%  
                                  

Potential problem loans

       $ 98,096          $ 24,948          $ 8,730          $ 2,903          $ 8,629  
                                  

Approximately $1.2 million, $1.3 million and $781,000 of gross interest income would have been recorded in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, had the non-accrual loans been recorded in accordance with their original terms. Interest income recorded on the non-accrual loans, prior to being placed on non-accrual status, in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 totaled approximately $842,000, $817,000 and $582,000, respectively.

Bank management is in the process of hiring and allocating additional resources to manage the growth in REO and non-performing assets. Management is preparing an asset-by-asset plan for these asset categories to reduce these loans and properties expeditiously. Reduction of these asset classes may have a material impact on future results of operations.

 

-50-


Table of Contents

The following table presents an analysis of REO for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009    2008    2007    2006

Balance at beginning of period

       $ 25,301             $ 14,219             $ 2,431             $ 1,785             $ 2,027     

Foreclosures

     55,649           27,839           21,206           3,145           3,999     

Sales

     (30,757)          (16,291)          (9,693)          (2,421)          (3,308)    

Write-downs

     (5,522)          (1,136)          (283)          (101)          (534)    

Other

     191           670           558           23           (399)    
                                  

Balance at end of period

       $     44,862             $     25,301             $     14,219             $     2,431             $     1,785     
                                  

The following table presents the Bank’s non-performing assets as of June 30, 2010 by year of origination (in thousands):

 

            Year Originated            

   Non-
     Performing    
Loans
   REO    ORA    Troubled
Debt
   Restructuring  
   Total

    Fiscal 2006 or prior

         $       10,596          $       12,784          $ —          $       4,415          $ 27,795   

    Fiscal 2007

     6,763        6,801              1,219        4,253        19,036   

    Fiscal 2008

     16,304        20,368        —        __              36,672   

    Fiscal 2009

     4,176        4,418        113        341        9,048   

    Fiscal 2010

     618        491        —        —        1,109   
                                  

Total

         $     38,457          $ 44,862          $ 1,332          $ 9,009          $ 93,660   
                                  

An analysis of the allowance for probable loan losses for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     2010    2009    2008    2007    2006

Balance at beginning of year

       $ 14,731             $ 6,936             $ 5,497             $ 5,047             $ 7,450     

Continuing operations:

              

Charge-offs:

              

Construction

     3,788           635           1,134           —           45     

Lot and land development

     5,841           1,225           337           —           —     

Residential mortgage

     2,617           708           23           —           46     

Commercial real estate

     9,823           2,116           27           224           50     

Multi family

     2,391           —           —           —           —     

Commercial loans

     1,796           965           619           131           318     

Consumer loans

     28           76           17           31           3     
                                  

Total charge-offs

         26,284           5,725               2,157               386             $ 462     
                                  

Recoveries:

              

Construction

     15           —           —           10           —     

Lot and land development

     1,398           155           —           8           —     

Residential mortgage

     122           1           —           —           —     

Commercial real estate

     8           —           4           11           —     

Commercial loans

     30           41           47           154           70     

Consumer loans

     3           —           —           2           —     
                                  

Total recoveries

     1,576           197           51           185           70     
                                  

Net charge-offs

     (24,708)          (5,528)          (2,106)          (201)          (392)    

Additions charged to operations

     45,118               13,323           3,545           651               1,624     
                                  
     20,410           7,795           1,439           450           1,232     
                                  

 

-51-


Table of Contents
     2010    2009    2008    2007    2006

Discontinued operations:

              

Provision for loan losses

       $ —                 $ —                 $ —                 $ —                 $ 5,877   

Loans charged to the allowance, net

     —               —               —               —               (5,781)  

Sale of FSB Financial

     —               —               —               —               (3,731)  
                                  
     —               —               —               —                   (3,635)  
                                  

Balance at end of year

       $     35,141             $     14,731             $     6,936             $     5,497             $ 5,047   
                                  

Ratio of net charge-offs during the period to average loans outstanding during the period

     1.72%        0.42%        0.20%        0.02%        0.1%  
                                  

The increase in the allowance for probable loan losses from fiscal year 2009 to fiscal year 2010 is due to several factors, including the continued deterioration in the real estate market in North Texas as well as the continued uncertainty in the U.S. economy. We believe it was appropriate to use the top range of our loan loss calculation to adequately reflect current market conditions. See further discussion regarding the calculation of our provision for loan loss in Note 1(j) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

With the continued challenging economic environment and high unemployment, the Bank frequently reviews and updates its processes and procedures surrounding extension of credit, allowance for loan loss computation and internal asset review and classification. Changes include more stringent underwriting guidelines for loan-to-value ratios, guarantor’s financial condition, owner-occupied versus investor loans and speculative versus custom construction. The Bank currently requires more extensive documentation and data than it did in prior years in order to classify existing loans as performing loans. The Bank is also updating appraisals more frequently, even on performing loans, and such appraisals serve as an early indicator of loan deterioration. These actions have led to increases in non-performing assets and the loan loss allowance in fiscal 2010 and are likely to continue to lead to increases in non-performing assets and the loan loss allowance during fiscal 2011.

As a result of the current economic environment, the Bank has significantly limited the growth of its loan portfolio in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 in order to allocate the time, resources and capital necessary to support the existing loan portfolio.

The allowance for probable loan losses is applicable to the following types of loans as of June 30, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 (dollars in thousands):

 

     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006
       Amount    Percent
of loans
to total
loans
    Amount    Percent
of loans
to total
loans
    Amount    Percent
of loans
to total
loans
    Amount    Percent
of loans
to total
loans
    Amount    Percent    
of loans    
to total    
loans    
      

Construction

       $ 3,362    8.0         $ 1,184    17.7         $ 901    19.1         $ 1,131    31.4         $ 1,578    32.6  %    

Lot and land development

     4,808    7.5          1,719    11.3          1,022    13.3          1,293    16.7          959    16.2         

Residential mortgage

     3,542    35.8          1,633    27.7          602    34.5          229    22.2          340    23.1         

Commercial real estate

     19,733    31.9          8,115    30.3          3,331    22.4          1,845    20.3          1,118    18.6         

Multi family

     812    4.6          765    3.5          224    2.4          14    0.6          279    0.7         

Commercial loans

     2,853    11.9          1,269    9.2          814    7.9          958    8.3          752    8.2         

Consumer loans

     31    0.3          46    0.3          42    0.4          27    0.5          21    0.6         
                                      
       $ 35,141    100.0         $ 14,731    100.0         $ 6,936    100.0         $ 5,497    100.0         $ 5,047    100.0  %    
                                      

At June 30, 2010, over half of the Bank’s loan loss allowance was allocated to its commercial real estate loan portfolio while the Bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio only represented approximately 32% of its total loan portfolio. Because commercial real estate loans tend to be individually larger than residential loans, deterioration in this portfolio leads to more volatility in our earnings.

 

-52-


Table of Contents

The Bank’s written loan policies address specific underwriting standards for commercial real estate loans. These policies include loan to value requirements, cash flow requirements, acceptable amortization periods and appraisal guidelines. In addition, specific covenants, unique to each relationship, may be used where deemed appropriate to further protect the lending relationship. Collateral in the commercial real estate portfolio varies from owner-occupied properties to investor properties. We periodically review the portfolio for concentrations by industry as well as geography. All commercial relationships are stress tested at the time of origination and major relationships are then stress tested on an annual basis.

Deposits

Average deposits and the average interest rate paid on the deposits for fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008 can be found in the discussion of the Bank’s net interest income under the caption “-Results of Operations-Segment Information-Banking.”

The Bank had $34.2 million and $31.4 million certificates of deposit of $100,000 or greater at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In April 2009, the Bank began classifying the deposits from SWS’ brokerage customers as core deposits based on an advisory opinion from the FDIC. The Bank is funded primarily by these deposits. These core deposits provide the Bank with a stable and low cost funding source. The Bank also utilizes short-and long-term FHLB borrowings to match long-term fixed rate loan funding. At June 30, 2010, the Bank had $1,282.2 million in funds on deposit from customers of Southwest Securities, representing approximately 92% of the Bank’s total deposits, and $132.8 million of FHLB borrowings. Core deposits have reduced the Bank’s reliance on short-term borrowings from the FHLB and brokered certificates of deposit.

Short Term Borrowings and Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

This table represents short term borrowings and advances from the FHLB which were due within one year (generally two to seven days) during the 12-month periods ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 (dollars in thousands):

 

     2010     2009     2008  
          Interest          Interest          Interest  
       Amount    Rate     Amount    Rate     Amount    Rate  
        

At June 30

       $   33,714    1.55       $ 5,579    4.95       $ 71,056    2.33   %   

Average during year

     7,871    4.76       15,989    1.96       12,006    2.75   %   

Maximum month-end balance during year

     33,714    —          101,769    —          175,074    —     

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Secondary Offering

On October 16, 2009, we filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC providing for the sale of $150.0 million of our securities. On December 9, 2009, the company closed a public offering of 4,347,827 shares of its common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. On December 16, 2009, the underwriters for the public offering exercised their option to purchase 652,174 additional shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments. We generated net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, of approximately $54.3 million from these offerings. To date, we have invested $47.5 million of the net proceeds as a $27.5 million capital contribution to the Bank and a $20.0 million capital contribution to Southwest Securities.

Brokerage

A substantial portion of our assets are highly liquid in nature and consist mainly of cash or assets readily convertible into cash. Our equity capital, short-term bank borrowings, interest bearing and non-interest bearing client credit balances, correspondent deposits and other payables finance these assets. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts that represents amounts that are necessary in the judgment of management to adequately absorb losses from known and inherent risks in receivables from clients, clients of correspondents and correspondents. The highly liquid nature of our assets provides us with flexibility in financing and managing our anticipated operating needs. Management believes that the brokerage business’ present liquidity position is adequate to meet its needs over the next twelve months.

 

-53-


Table of Contents

Short-Term Borrowings. At June 25, 2010, we had short-term borrowing availability under broker loan lines, a $20.0 million unsecured line of credit, an irrevocable letter of credit agreement and a $50.0 million revolving credit facility each of which is described below.

Broker Loan Lines. At June 25, 2010, we had uncommitted broker loan lines of up to $300.0 million. We have not received notification from the banks indicating a change in the amount of our broker loan lines since June 2009. These lines of credit are used primarily to finance securities owned, securities held for correspondent broker/dealer accounts, and receivables in customers’ margin accounts. These lines may also be used to release pledged collateral against day loans. These credit arrangements are provided on an “as offered” basis and are not committed lines of credit. These arrangements can be terminated at any time by the lender. Any outstanding balances under these credit arrangements are due on demand and bear interest at rates indexed to the federal funds rate. At June 25, 2010, the amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $110.0 million, which was collateralized by securities held for firm accounts valued at $167.6 million. Our ability to borrow additional funds is limited by our eligible collateral. See additional discussion under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

At June 25, 2010, we had $250,000 under unsecured letters of credit, pledged to support our open positions with securities clearing organizations. These letters of credit have a 1% commitment fee and are renewable semi-annually at our option.

At June 25, 2010, we had a $143,000 unsecured letter of credit issued for a sub-lease to the sub-lessee of space previously occupied by a former subsidiary. This letter of credit bears a 1% commitment fee and is renewable annually at our option.

At June 25, 2010, we had a $500,000 unsecured letter of credit pledged to support our underwriting activities. This letter of credit bears a 1% commitment fee and is renewable annually at our option.

Unsecured Line of Credit. We also have a $20.0 million unsecured line of credit that is due on demand and bears interest at rates indexed to the federal funds rate. This credit arrangement is provided on an “as offered” basis and is not a committed line of credit. The total amount of borrowings available under this line of credit is reduced by the amount outstanding under any unsecured letters of credit at the time of borrowing. At June 25, 2010, there were no amounts outstanding on this line other than the $893,000 under unsecured letters of credit described above. At June 25, 2010, we had $19.1 million available for borrowing under this line of credit.

Letter of Credit Agreement. At June 25, 2010, we have an irrevocable letter of credit agreement aggregating $55.0 million pledged to support our open options positions with an options clearing organization. The letter of credit bears interest at the brokers’ call rate (0.5% at June 25, 2010), if drawn, and is renewable semi-annually. This letter of credit is fully collateralized by marketable securities held in client and non-client margin accounts with a value of $80.9 million at June 25, 2010.

Revolving Credit Facility. On January 29, 2010, Southwest Securities entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated bank for a $50.0 million committed revolving credit facility. The facility includes up to $15.0 million in unsecured credit. The commitment fee is 37.5 basis points per annum and, when drawn, the interest rate is equal to the federal funds rate plus 75 basis points. The agreement requires Southwest Securities to maintain tangible net worth of at least $150.0 million. As of June 25, 2010, there were no amounts outstanding under this committed revolving credit facility.

Net Capital Requirements. Our broker/dealer subsidiaries are subject to the requirements of the SEC relating to liquidity, capital standards and the use of client funds and securities. The amount of the broker/dealer subsidiaries’ net assets that may be distributed to the parent of the broker/dealer is subject to restrictions under applicable net capital rules. Historically, we have operated in excess of the minimum net capital requirements. See Note 17 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

Banking

Liquidity is monitored daily to ensure the Bank’s ability to support asset growth, meet deposit withdrawals, maintain reserve requirements and otherwise sustain operations. The Bank’s liquidity is maintained in the form of readily marketable loans and investment securities, balances with the FHLB, federal funds sold to correspondent banks and vault cash. At June 30, 2010, the Bank had net borrowing capacity from the FHLB of $373.9 million. In addition, at June 30, 2010, the Bank had a $30.0 million federal funds agreement and the ability to borrow up to $96.2 million in funds from the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, each of which is described below.

 

-54-


Table of Contents

The Bank has an agreement with an unaffiliated bank for a $30.0 million unsecured line of credit for the purchase of federal funds with a floating interest rate. The unaffiliated bank is not obligated by this agreement to sell federal funds to the Bank. The agreement is used by the Bank to support short-term liquidity needs. At June 30, 2010, there were no amounts outstanding on this line of credit.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Bank entered into a secured line of credit agreement with the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank. This line of credit is secured by the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio. This line is due on demand and bears interest at a rate 25 basis points over the federal funds target rate. This line is used to support short-term liquidity needs, and at June 30, 2010, the Bank had $96.2 million available for borrowing and no amount outstanding.

Management believes that the Bank’s current assets and available liquidity are adequate to meet its current and future liquidity needs.

The Bank’s asset and liability management policy is intended to manage interest rate risk. The Bank accomplishes this through management of the periodic repricing of its interest-earning assets and its interest-bearing liabilities. Overall interest rate risk is monitored through reports showing both sensitivity ratios, a simulation model, and existing “GAP” data. (See the Bank’s GAP analysis in “-Risk Management-Market Risk-Banking.”) At June 30, 2010, $1,282.2 million of the Bank’s deposits were from the brokerage customers of Southwest Securities. Current events in the securities and banking markets could impact the amount of these funds available to the Bank.

Capital Requirements. The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal agencies. Quantitative measures, established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy, require maintaining minimum amounts and ratios of total and Tier I capital (as defined in 12 CFR 565 and 12 CFR 567) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier I (core) capital (as defined) to adjusted assets (as defined). Effective July 31, 2010, the Bank entered into a MOU with the OTS. The MOU provides that the Bank will maintain a Tier I (core) capital ratio of 8% and a total risk based capital ratio of 12%. The OTS may require the Bank to apply another measurement of risk-weight or capital ratio that the OTS deems appropriate.

The Bank has historically met all the capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject and as of June 30, 2010, the Bank was considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well capitalized,” the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based and Tier I (core) capital ratios. Should the Bank not meet these minimums or should the OTS determine that levels in excess of the minimums are necessary, certain mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions (as defined in 12 CFR 565.6) could be applicable.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We generally do not enter into off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined by the SEC. However, our broker/dealer subsidiaries enter into transactions in the normal course of business that expose us to off-balance sheet risk. See Note 24 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

 

-55-


Table of Contents

Contractual Obligations and Contingent Payments

 

     Payments Due
(in thousands)    Total   

Less than 1

year

   1-3 years    3-5 years   

More than

5 years

   Other (6 )
      

Long-term debt (1)

     $ 99,107      $      $ 9,376      $ 48,050      $ 41,681      $ —        

Interest on long-term debt (2)

     35,812      4,873      8,201      5,018      17,720      —        

Certificates of deposit

     73,097      51,846      12,081      9,170           —        

Uncertain tax positions

     1,121                          1,121        

Other leases (3)

     56,347      9,908      16,068      11,736      18,635      —        

Investment commitments (4)

     2,600      2,600                     —        

Purchase obligations

     14,523      9,735      4,647      141           —        

Deferred compensation (5)

     5,257      848      1,462      1,427      1,520      —        

Scholarship endowment

     700                          700        
      

Total

     $     288,564      $     79,810      $     51,835      $     75,542      $     79,556      $     1,821        
      

 

(1) Long-term debt is comprised of advances from the FHLB with maturities greater than one year.

(2) Amount of interest payable on the advances from the FHLB is based on rates ranging from 0.17% to 6.8%.

(3) Of the $56,347 in lease commitments, approximately $329 has been reserved for impairment.

(4) Of the $2,600 in investment commitments, $600 has been accrued in the financial statements due to a notice of a commitment call to be paid in September 2010.

(5 ) We have commitments to our employees for deferred compensation in the amount of $5,257 that become payable in future fiscal years as defined by the plan and determined by participants who have formally requested payment of their plan balances. See Note 18 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

(6) Due date cannot be estimated. See Note 1(p) in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

Cash Flow

Net cash used in operating activities totaled $259.5 million in fiscal 2010 and $197.7 million in fiscal 2008. In fiscal 2009, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $226.7 million. In fiscal 2010, operating cash flow was primarily used to increase investment in (i) loans held for sale at the Bank, (ii) securities inventories in broker/dealer accounts and (iii) net receivables from clients.

The largest drivers of the increase in cash provided by operating activities from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009 were:

 

   

reduced investment in loans held for sale at the Bank in fiscal 2009 versus fiscal 2008;

 

   

reduced inventory of securities owned; and

 

   

an increase in securities sold not yet purchased.

Net cash used in investing activities was $172.4 million, $253.4 million and $201.1 million in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The primary reason for the use of cash in investing activities in fiscal 2010 was a $116.4 million increase in the net amount invested in loans at the Bank and a $83.4 million investment by the Bank in GNMA’s. The primary reason for the increase in cash used in investing activities from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009 was an increase in the net amount invested in loans at the Bank of $54.2 million in fiscal 2009.

 

-56-


Table of Contents

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $362.9 million, $83.3 million and $309.7 million in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The primary reasons for the increase in the cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2010 was the receipt of funds from our common stock offering, an increase in net short-term borrowings in the brokerage business and a decrease in the net amount paid to the FHLB. In fiscal 2009, the decrease in cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to decreased borrowings from banks and the FHLB.

We expect that cash flows provided by operating activities as well as short-term borrowings will be the primary source of working capital for the next fiscal year.

Treasury Stock

Periodically, we repurchase our shares of common stock under a plan approved by our Board of Directors. In August 2009, the Board of Directors of SWS Group approved a plan authorizing the company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market for an 18-month time period ending on February 28, 2011. During fiscal 2010, no shares of common stock were repurchased under this program.

On November 27, 2009, the stockholders of SWS Group voted to increase the authorized number of shares of common stock available for issuance under our deferred compensation plan from 375,000 shares to 675,000 shares. The trustee under our deferred compensation plan periodically purchases shares of our common stock in the open market in accordance with the terms of the plan. This stock is classified as treasury stock in our consolidated financial statements, but participates in future dividends declared by us. During fiscal year 2010, the plan purchased 34,999 shares of common stock at a cost of $472,000, or $13.50 per share. During fiscal 2010, 5,575 shares were sold or distributed pursuant to the plan. See “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.”

As restricted stock grants vest, grantees may sell a portion of their vested shares to us to cover the tax liabilities arising from vesting. As a result, in fiscal 2010, we repurchased 36,680 shares of common stock with a market value of approximately $513,000, or an average of $13.97 per share, to cover tax liabilities.

Inflation

The company’s assets are primarily monetary, consisting of cash, securities inventory, and receivables from customers and broker/dealers. These monetary assets are generally liquid and turn over rapidly and, consequently, are not significantly affected by inflation. The rate of inflation affects various expenses of the company, such as employee compensation and benefits, communications, and occupancy and equipment, which may not be readily recoverable in the price of our services. However, changes in inflation do not materially impact our overall net income.

RISK MANAGEMENT

We manage risk exposure through the involvement of various levels of management. We establish, maintain and regularly monitor maximum positions by industry and issuer in both trading and inventory accounts. Current and proposed underwriting, banking and other commitments are subject to due diligence reviews by senior management, as well as professionals in the appropriate business and support units involved. The Bank seeks to reduce the risk of significant adverse effects of market rate fluctuations by minimizing the difference between rate-sensitive assets and liabilities, referred to as “GAP,” and maintaining an interest rate sensitivity position within a particular timeframe. Credit risk related to various financing activities is reduced by the industry practice of obtaining and maintaining collateral. We monitor our exposure to counterparty risk through the use of credit information, the monitoring of collateral values and the establishment of credit limits. We have established various risk management committees that are responsible for reviewing and managing risk related to interest rates, trading positions, margin and other credit risk and risks from capital market transactions.

Credit Risk

Brokerage. Credit risk arises from the potential nonperformance by counterparties, customers or debt security issuers. We are exposed to credit risk as a trading counterparty and as a stock loan counterparty to dealers and customers, as a holder of securities and as a member of clearing organizations. We have established credit risk committees to review our credit exposure in various business units. These committees are composed of senior management of the company. Credit exposure is also associated with customer margin accounts, which are monitored daily. We monitor exposure to individual securities and perform sensitivity analysis on a regular basis in connection with our margin lending activities. We adjust our margin requirements if we believe our risk exposure is not appropriate based on market conditions.

 

-57-


Table of Contents

Banking. Credit risk is the possibility that a borrower or counterparty will fail to meet its obligations in accordance with agreed terms and is inherent in all types of lending. The Bank has developed and implemented extensive policies and procedures to provide a robust process for proactively managing credit risk. These policies and procedures include underwriting guidelines, credit and collateral tracking and detailed loan approval procedures which include officer and director loan committees. The Bank also maintains a detailed loan review process to monitor the quality of the loan portfolio. The Bank grants loans to customers primarily within Texas and New Mexico. The Bank also purchases loans, which have been originated in other areas of the United States. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent upon the general economic conditions in Texas and New Mexico. Policies and procedures, which are in place to manage credit risk, are designed to be responsive to changes in these economic conditions.

Operational Risk

Operational risk refers generally to risk of loss resulting from our operations, including but not limited to, improper or unauthorized execution and processing of transactions, deficiencies in our operating systems, and inadequacies or breaches in our control processes. We operate in diverse markets and are reliant on the ability of our employees and systems to process large numbers of transactions. In order to mitigate and control operational risk, we have developed and continue to enhance specific policies and procedures that are designed to identify and manage operational risk at appropriate levels. We also use periodic self-assessments and internal audit examinations as further reviews of the effectiveness of our controls and procedures in mitigating our operational risk.

Legal Risk

Legal risk includes the risk of non-compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. We are subject to extensive regulation in the different jurisdictions in which we conduct business. We have established procedures based on legal and regulatory requirements that are designed to reasonably ensure compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. We also have established procedures that are designed to ensure that executive management’s policies relating to conduct, ethics and business practices are followed. In connection with our business, we have various procedures addressing significant issues such as regulatory capital requirements, sales and trading practices, new products, use and safekeeping of customer funds and securities, granting credit, collection activities, money laundering, privacy and record keeping.

Market Risk

Market risk generally represents the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest rates, market prices, investor expectations and changes in credit ratings of the issuer. Our exposure to market risk is directly related to our role as a financial intermediary in customer-related transactions and to our proprietary trading activities and securities lending activities.

Interest Rate Risk

Brokerage. Interest rate risk is a consequence of maintaining inventory positions and trading in interest rate sensitive financial instruments and maintaining a matched stock loan book. Our fixed income activities also expose us to the risk of loss related to changes in credit spreads. Credit spread risk arises from the potential that changes in an issuer’s credit rating or credit perception could affect the value of financial instruments.

Banking. Our primary emphasis in interest rate risk management for the Bank is the matching of assets and liabilities of similar cash flow and re-pricing time frames. This matching of assets and liabilities reduces exposure to rate movements and aids in stabilizing positive interest spreads. We strive to structure our balance sheet as a natural hedge by matching floating rate assets with variable short term funding and by matching fixed rate liabilities with similar longer term fixed rate assets. The Bank has established percentage change limits in both interest margin and net portfolio value. To verify that the Bank is within the limits established for interest margin, the Bank prepares an analysis of net interest margin based on various shifts in interest rates. To verify that the Bank is within the limits established for net portfolio value, the Bank analyzes data prepared by the OTS for interest rate sensitivity of the Bank’s net portfolio. These analyses are conducted on a quarterly basis for the Bank’s Board of Directors.

 

-58-


Table of Contents

The following table illustrates the estimated change in net interest margin based on shifts in interest rates ranging from positive 300 basis points to negative 100 basis points:

 

Hypothetical Change in Interest Rates    Projected Change in Net Interest Margin

+300

   6.19%                                                 

+200

   3.55%                                                 

+100

   0.89%                                                 

0

   0%                                                 

-50

   -5.36%                                                 

-100

   -10.82%                                                 

The following GAP Analysis table indicates the Bank’s interest rate sensitivity position at June 30, 2010:

 

     Repricing Opportunities
(in thousands)    0-6 months    7-12 months    1-3 years    3+ years
      

Earning assets:

           

Loans-gross

     $ 1,381,473      $     31,672        $     51,762    $     148,354  

Securities and FHLB stock

     6,810      —               87,140  

Interest-bearing deposits

     6,532      —               —  
      

Total earning assets

         1,394,815      31,672          51,762      235,494  
      

Interest-bearing liabilities:

           

Transaction accounts and savings

     1,335,117      —               —  

Certificates of deposit

     33,342      18,505          12,081      9,169  

Borrowings

     27,568      6,146          25,222      73,885  
      

Total interest-bearing liabilities

     1,396,027      24,651          37,303      83,054  
      

GAP

     $ (1,212)      $ 7,021        $   14,459    $   152,440  

Cumulative GAP

     $ (1,212)      $ 5,809        $   20,268    $   172,708  

Market Price Risk. We are exposed to market price risk as a result of making markets and taking proprietary positions in securities. Market price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of prices, which affect the value of securities or instruments that derive their value from a particular stock or bond, a basket of stocks or bonds or an index.

The following table categorizes “Securities owned, at market value” net of “Securities sold, not yet purchased, at market value,” which are in our securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased, portfolios and “Securities available for sale” in our available-for-sale portfolio, which are subject to interest rate and market price risk at June 25, 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Years to Maturity
      1 or less    1 to 5     5 to 10     Over 10     Total

Trading securities, at fair value

           

Municipal obligations

     $ 136    $      11,278      $     14,339      $ 84,074      $     109,827   

Auction rate municipal bonds

                        22,298        22,298   

U.S. government and government agency obligations

         10,184      (23,898     (7,043     (5,051     (25,808)  

Corporate obligations

     5,566      14,064        8,047        22,300        49,977   
      

Total debt securities

     15,886      1,444        15,343            123,621        156,294   

Corporate equity

                        11,809        11,809   

 

-59-


Table of Contents
    Years to Maturity
     1 or less     1 to 5     5 to 10     Over 10     Total    

Other

    9,890        __        __        __        9,890     
     
      $     25,776      $ 1,444      $     15,343      $     135,430      $     177,993     
     

Assets segregated for regulatory purposes

      $ __      $     62,167      $ __      $ __      $ 62,167     
     

Weighted average yield

         

Municipal obligations

    2.02     2.22     3.63     5.83     5.17%  

Auction rate municipal bonds

    __        __        __        0.91     0.91%  

U.S. government and government agency obligations

    0.38     1.00     2.86     4.32     1.75%  

Corporate obligations

    2.74     3.49     4.70     7.34     4.82%  

Assets segregated for regulatory

purposes

    __        0.81     __        __        0.81%  

Available-for-sale securities, at fair Value

         

Securities available for sale

      $ 1,146      $ __      $ __      $ 242      $ 1,338  
     

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The following policies involve a higher degree of judgment than do our other significant accounting policies detailed in Note 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

Fair Value

We adopted the fair value accounting standard of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) effective June 28, 2008. Fair value accounting establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

Under fair value accounting, fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. The standard clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. In support of this principle, the standard establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. Under the standard, fair value measurements are separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

   

Level 1 — Quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include the following: a) our investment in USHS common stock; b) our deferred compensation plan’s investment in Westwood common stock; c) the company’s government guaranteed bonds purchased under the TLGP; and d) certain inventories held in our securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased portfolio. Valuation of these instruments does not require a high degree of judgment as the valuations are based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily available.

 

-60-


Table of Contents
   

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs certain inventories held in our securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased portfolio. These financial instruments are valued by quoted prices that are less frequent than those in active markets or by models that use various assumptions that are derived from or supported by data that is generally observable in the marketplace. Valuations in this category are inherently less reliable than quoted market prices due to the degree of subjectivity involved in determining appropriate methodologies and the applicable observable market underlying assumptions.

 

   

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include certain inventories held in our securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased portfolio. These financial instruments have significant inputs that cannot be validated by readily determinable market data and generally involve considerable judgment by management. Our Level 3 assets represented 8% of our total assets measured at fair value at June 25, 2010. No liabilities were categorized within Level 3 at June 25, 2010.

The availability of observable inputs can vary for different assets. Fair value is a market-based measure; therefore, when market observable inputs are not available, our judgment is applied to reflect those judgments that we believe a market participant would use in valuing the same asset or liability. We use prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date even in periods of market disruption or illiquidity. Greater judgment in valuation is required when inputs are less observable or unobservable in the marketplace and judgment must be applied in determining the appropriateness of available prices, particularly in assessing whether available data reflects current prices and/or reflects the results of recent market transactions. The valuation of financial instruments classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy involves the greatest amount of management judgment.

Valuation Process for Financial Instruments. 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 current financial information, fair values of underlying financial instruments and quotations for similar instruments. Certain financial instruments have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the marketplace. For financial instruments whose inputs are based on bid-ask prices, mid-market pricing is applied and adjusted to the point within the bid-ask range that meets our best estimate of fair value.

The valuation process for financial instruments may include the use of valuation models and other techniques. Management makes adjustments to valuations derived from valuation models based on a number of factors, including but not limited to, the size of the position in the financial instrument in a non-active market, the features of the financial instrument such as its complexity, the market in which the financial instrument is traded or 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 reflect management’s judgment that other participants in the market for the financial instrument would consider the same factors in valuing the financial instrument.

Management makes assumptions about risk, uncertainties and market conditions in preparing adjustments to prices derived from a valuation model. Results from valuation models and valuation techniques in one period may not be indicative of future period fair value measurements.

Certain financial instruments and other assets trade infrequently and therefore have outdated market prices. As a result, we may use alternative valuation models as methods for determining fair value of these assets. When using alternative valuation techniques or valuation models, the following techniques are applied to different financial instrument classes:

 

   

Municipal auction rate securities are valued using an internal methodology based on projected cash flows discounted for lack of liquidity for the securities; and

 

-61-


Table of Contents
   

Non-agency mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are valued by benchmarking to yields from market prices for comparable securities and calibrated based on expected cash flow characteristics of the underlying assets;

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheet, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Assets Segregated for Regulatory Purposes. Because quoted market prices are available in an active market, these securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. These securities include government guaranteed bonds purchased under the TLGP.

Securities Available for Sale. Because quoted market prices are available in an active market, these securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. These securities include our investments in USHS common stock and our deferred compensation plan’s investment in Westwood common stock.

Securities Owned and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased Portfolio. Securities classified as Level 1 securities primarily consist of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices such as corporate equity securities and U.S. government obligations.

Securities classified as Level 2 securities include financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value, yield curve, volatility factors, current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Securities in this category include corporate debt, certain U.S. government and government agency obligations and municipal obligations.

Securities classified as Level 3 securities include securities whose fair value is estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies utilizing significant inputs that are generally less readily observable. Included in this category are certain corporate equity securities and municipal auction rate securities.

We had $1.0 million in unrealized losses for these Level 3 securities for the fiscal year ended June 25, 2010. Certain corporate equity securities, valued at $1.8 million, were categorized as Level 3 as these securities were valued based on an inactive market for which there were no observable inputs. These positions were not material to our total portfolio. At June 25, 2010, we had one auction rate bond position categorized as a Level 3 security for which there was not an active trading market. This position was valued at 95.7% of par as of June 25, 2010, which management believes was representative of the price market participants would pay. Management believes that a valuation of this position is indicative of fair market value due to auction failures and the current lack of liquidity in this investment. Also, our internal discounted cash flow valuation methodology supported a valuation at 95.7% of par. At June 25, 2010, this position had a calculated rate of return of 1% per annum. Based on discussions with the issuer of the bonds, it is our understanding that the entity plans to refinance its debt once interest rates rise. However, there can be no certainty that this refinancing will occur. As such, we expect to receive full value on these bonds.

 

-62-


Table of Contents

Contingencies

Accounting for contingencies requires the use of judgment and estimates in assessing the magnitude of the exposure and the likely outcome of the situation. In many cases, the outcome will be determined by third parties, which may include governmental or judicial bodies. The provisions made in our consolidated financial statements, as well as the related disclosures, represent management’s best estimates of the current status of such matters and their potential outcome based on a review of the facts and, when warranted, in consultation with outside legal counsel. Management evaluates and revises its estimates on a quarterly basis. Adverse legal or arbitration judgments, inability to collect receivables, sudden declines in the market value of securities held in margin accounts or other actions could result in material changes to the estimates recorded in these financial statements. Resolution of these matters in amounts different from what has been accrued in the consolidated financial statements could materially impact our financial position and results of operations.

Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill and Intangibles

Our long-lived assets are subject to impairment testing if specific events warrant the review. Our goodwill and intangibles are subject to at least annual impairment testing. The impairment tests are based on determining the fair value of the specified reporting units. Judgment is required in assessing the effects of external factors, including market conditions, and projecting future operating results. These judgments and assumptions could materially change the value of the specified reporting units and, therefore, could materially impact our consolidated financial statements. If actual external conditions and future operating results differ from management’s judgments, impairment charges may be necessary to reduce the carrying value of these assets to the appropriate fair value.

Allowance for Probable Loan Losses

We provide an allowance for probable loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is established through a charge to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Should actual losses differ from management’s estimates, our consolidated financial statements could be materially impacted.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The Bank’s allowance for loan losses consists of three elements: (i) specific valuation allowances established for probable losses on specific loans; (ii) historical valuation allowances calculated based on historical loan loss experience for similar loans with similar characteristics and trends; and (iii) unallocated general valuation allowances determined based on general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Bank.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

 

-63-


Table of Contents

Income Tax Accrual and Allowance for Deferred and Tax Assets

We operate in multiple taxing jurisdictions, and as a result, accruals for tax contingencies require us to make estimates and judgments with respect to the ultimate tax liability in any given fiscal year. Actual results could vary from these estimates. Changes in tax laws, new tax rulings, or results of tax audits could cause management’s estimates to change. In our opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for all fiscal years.

Certain deferred tax assets are derived from capital losses, which depend on having sufficient capital gain income within the carryback and carryforward period available under the tax law. We have determined that one or more sources of taxable income of the appropriate character exist for the realization of tax benefits associated with the deferred tax assets derived from capital losses. As a result of our history of taxable income and the nature of the items from which deferred tax assets are derived, we believe that is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of the deferred tax assets.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Market Risk.”

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The company’s consolidated financial statements and supplementary data are included in pages F-2 through F-37 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. See accompanying “Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules” and “Index to the Financial Statements” on page F-1.

 

-64-


Table of Contents

UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2010    1st Qtr.    2nd Qtr.    3rd Qtr.    4th Qtr.

Revenues

     $     116,885          $     109,527          $     95,247         $     100,568   

Net income (loss)

     3,085          5,867          (11,540)        (305)  

Comprehensive income (loss)

     3,039          5,890          (11,539)        (159)  

Earnings (loss) per share – basic

           

Net income (loss)

     $ 0.11          $ 0.21          $ (0.35)        $ (0.01)  

Earnings (loss) per share – diluted

           

Net income (loss)

     $ 0.11          $ 0.21          $ (0.35)        $ (0.01)  

Cash dividend declared per common share

           

Stock price range

     $ 0.09          $ 0.09          $ 0.09         $ 0.09   

High

     $ 15.62          $ 15.06          $ 12.80         $ 12.45   

Low

     $ 12.25          $ 11.00          $ 11.41         $ 9.17   
2009    1st Qtr.    2nd Qtr.    3rd Qtr.    4th Qtr.

Revenues

     $     122,348          $     127,094          $     114,091         $     122,144   

Net income

     7,023          9,046          3,954         3,608   

Comprehensive income

     6,155          7,935          3,327         7,588   

Earnings per share – basic

           

Net income

     $ 0.26          $ 0.33          $ 0.15         $ 0.13   

Earnings per share – diluted

           

Net income

     $ 0.26          $ 0.33          $ 0.15         $ 0.13   

Cash dividend declared per common share

           

Stock price range

     $ 0.09          $ 0.09          $ 0.09         $ 0.09   

High

     $ 22.52          $ 21.08          $ 19.29         $ 17.13   

Low

     $ 12.90          $ 10.01          $ 11.88         $ 11.77   

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS

ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

The management of SWS, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of June 25, 2010. Based on such evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that as of June 25, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of ensuring that information required to be disclosed by SWS in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

Because of the deterioration in the economic environment and the decline in commercial real estate values, the Company implemented enhanced controls over its review of real estate loans at the Bank. These controls include:

 

   

Hiring additional experienced staff in the credit and portfolio management areas of the Bank to perform more frequent internal loan file reviews;

   

Reorganizing the reporting lines for credit review personnel to streamline the flow of information; and

   

Changing third party loan review firms to reflect the transition of the Bank from a community bank to a larger, regional bank.

These changes represented a material change in internal control over financial reporting.

Other than the foregoing, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the fourth quarter of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

-65-


Table of Contents

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined by Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 25, 2010. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment and those criteria, our management concluded that we have maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 25, 2010.

Our independent registered public accounting firm has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 25, 2010 as stated in their report, dated August 31, 2010, which appears herein.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

The table set forth below presents the amount awarded under our cash bonus plan for fiscal 2010 to each of the following executive officers. Our Board of Directors approved the awards on August 18, 2010.

 

Name and Position    Amount
paid under
the cash    
bonus plan

Donald W. Hultgren
Director, President and Chief
Executive Officer
(1)

   $ —      

Kenneth R. Hanks
Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer

     —      

Daniel R. Leland
Executive Vice President

     2,075,252

Richard H. Litton
Executive Vice President

     1,477,554

James H. Ross (2 )
Executive Vice President

     200,586

All executive officers as a group (11 persons)

   $ 3,994,189

 

(1)   Mr. Hultgren resigned from his positions with the Company on August 18, 2010.

 

(2)   Mr. Ross was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors on August 18, 2010.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

For information with respect to our executive officers, see “Item 1. Business-Executive Officers of the Registrant.” The information under the heading “Proposal One - Election of Directors” in the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 240.14a(6) within 120 days after our fiscal year end is incorporated herein by reference.

 

-66-


Table of Contents

For information on the Board of Directors’ determination of the financial expert on the Audit Committee and the name and independence of such expert, see “Financial Expert” under the heading “Audit Committee Report” in the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 240.14a(6) within 120 days after our fiscal year end which is incorporated herein by reference.

For information on the identification of the audit committee and its members, see “Committees of the Board of Directors” under the heading “Corporate Governance” and the “Audit Committee Report” in the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 240.14a(6) within 120 days after our fiscal year end which is incorporated herein by reference.

For information on the compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, see “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 240.14a(6) within 120 days after our fiscal year end which is incorporated herein by reference.

We have adopted a corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that applies to all directors and employees of SWS. This Code is intended to promote honest and ethical conduct; avoidance of conflicts of interest; full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents that the company files with, or submits to, the SEC, and in all other public communications made by SWS; compliance with all governmental laws, rules, and regulations; prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code; and accountability for adherence to the Code. The Code is a product of SWS’ commitment to honesty. The Code is posted on our corporate website at www.swsgroupinc.com. In addition, a copy of the Code may be obtained free of charge, upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at SWS Group, Inc., 1201 Elm Street, Suite 3500, Dallas, TX 75270. Any amendments to the Code and any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of the SEC and the NYSE will be posted on our corporate website.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information under the heading “Executive Compensation” in the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 240.14a(6) within 120 days after our fiscal year end is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information under the heading “Stock Ownership of Principal Owners and Management” in the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 240.14a(6) within 120 days after our fiscal year end is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR

INDEPENDENCE

The information under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Director Independence” in the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 240.14a(6) within 120 days after our fiscal year end is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information under the subheadings “Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Pre-approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Services” under the heading “Audit Committee Report” in the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 240.14a(6) within 120 days after our fiscal year end is incorporated herein by reference.

 

-67-


Table of Contents

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a) List of documents filed as a part of this report:

 

  1. The financial statements required to be filed with this report are listed in the index appearing on page F-1 of this report.

 

  2. The following consolidated financial statement schedules of the Registrant and its subsidiaries, and the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon, are attached hereto:

 

Exhibit Number

    
S-1    Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

 

  3. The following exhibits of the Registrant and its subsidiaries are attached hereto as required by Item 15(b):

 

Exhibit Number

    
3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2009
3.2    Restated By-laws of the Registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 27, 2007
4.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 15, 2009
4.2    Restated By-laws of the Registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 27, 2007
10.1+    Stock Option Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed September 24, 1996
10.2+    Form of Southwest Securities Group, Inc. Non-Qualified Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors for the 1996 Stock Option Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 6, 2004
10.3+    Form of Southwest Securities Group, Inc. Non-Qualified Option Agreement for Key Employees for the 1996 Stock Option Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 6, 2004
10.4+    1997 Stock Option Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 24, 1998
10.5+    Form of SWS Group, Inc. Non-Qualified Option Agreement for the 1997 Stock Option Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 6, 2004
10.6+    Phantom Stock Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed September 24, 1996
10.7+    SWS Group, Inc. 2003 Restricted Stock Plan incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed October 9, 2003

 

-68-


Table of Contents
10.8+    Form of SWS Group, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan Agreement for Non-Employee Directors for the 2003 Restricted Stock Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 3, 2005
10.9+    Form of SWS Group, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan Agreement for Employees for the 2003 Restricted Stock Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 3, 2005
10.10+    SWS Group, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan—Effective July 1, 1999 incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed October 9, 2003
10.11+    SWS Group, Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed October 6, 2004
10.12+    Form of Plan Agreement for the SWS Group, Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 12, 2004
10.13+    Form of Election Form for the SWS Group, Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 12, 2004
10.14+    Description of Registrant’s executive cash bonus plan incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 20, 2005
10.15+    Description of Registrant’s director compensation arrangement incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed February 9, 2005
10.16+    Executive Employment Agreement for Timothy J. Hamick incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed September 12, 2007
21.1*

23.1*

31.1*

  

Subsidiaries

Consent of Grant Thornton LLP

Chief Executive Officer Certification filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2*    Chief Financial Officer Certification filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*    Chief Executive Officer Certification furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*    Chief Financial Officer Certification furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

* Filed herewith

+ Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

-69-


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

          SWS Group, Inc.
      (Registrant)
August 31, 2010         /S/ James H. Ross
        (Date)       (Signature)
      James H. Ross
      Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer
      (Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

August 31, 2010         /S/ Don A. Buchholz
        (Date)       (Signature)
      Don A. Buchholz
      Chairman of the Board
August 31, 2010         /S/ James H. Ross
        (Date)       (Signature)
      James H. Ross
      Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer
      (Principal Executive Officer)
August 31, 2010         /S/ Kenneth R. Hanks
        (Date)       (Signature)
      Kenneth R. Hanks
      Chief Financial Officer
      (Principal Financial Officer)
August 31, 2010         /S/ Stacy Hodges
        (Date)       (Signature)
      Stacy Hodges
      Principal Accounting Officer
      (Principal Accounting Officer)
August 31, 2010         /S/ Robert A. Buchholz
        (Date)       (Signature)
      Robert A. Buchholz
      Director
August 31, 2010         /S/ Brodie L. Cobb
        (Date)       (Signature)
      Brodie L. Cobb
      Director

 

-70-


Table of Contents
August 31, 2010         /S/ I.D. Flores III
        (Date)       (Signature)
      I.D. Flores III
      Director
August 31, 2010         /S/ Larry A. Jobe
        (Date)       (Signature)
      Larry A. Jobe
      Director
August 31, 2010         /S/ Frederick R. Meyer
        (Date)       (Signature)
      Frederick R. Meyer
      Director
August 31, 2010         /S/ Mike Moses, Ed.D.
        (Date)       (Signature)
      Mike Moses, Ed.D.
      Director
August 31, 2010         /S/ Joel T. Williams III
        (Date)       (Signature)
      Joel T. Williams III
      Director

 

-71-


Table of Contents

SWS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    PAGE(S)

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
as of June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009

   F-2

Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
for the years ended June  25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
for the years ended June 25, 2010,  June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the years ended June 25, 2010, June  26, 2009 and June 27, 2008

   F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-7

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-36

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-37

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

   S-1

 

F-1


Table of Contents

SWS Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009

(In thousands, except par values and share amounts)

 

     2010    2009
Assets      

Cash and cash equivalents

           $ 27,190             $ 96,253 

Assets segregated for regulatory purposes

     284,827       313,153 

Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

     1,889,400       1,892,739 

Receivable from clients, net

     216,574       158,032 

Loans held for sale

     424,055       262,780 

Loans, net

     1,154,065       1,138,602 

Securities owned, at market value

     245,587       175,030 

Securities held to maturity

     87,140       6,237 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     30,507       21,622 

Goodwill

     7,552       7,552 

Securities available for sale

     1,388       4,094 

Other assets

     162,406       122,945 
             
           $ 4,530,691             $ 4,199,039 
             
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      

Short-term borrowings

           $ 110,000             $ 10,000 

Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

     1,819,995       1,853,544 

Payable to clients

     420,672       426,300 

Deposits

     1,488,425       1,292,366 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     12,389       4,462 

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at market value

     67,594       53,236 

Drafts payable

     27,346       27,457 

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

     132,821       117,492 

Other liabilities

     68,055       73,825 
             
     4,147,297       3,858,682 

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Preferred stock of $1.00 par value. Authorized 100,000 shares; none issued

     __       — 

Common stock of $.10 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 33,312,140 and outstanding 32,342,190 shares at June 25, 2010; issued 28,309,139 and outstanding 27,262,923 shares at June 26, 2009

     3,331       2,831 

Additional paid-in capital

     326,462       271,131 

Retained earnings

     61,893       75,918 

Accumulated other comprehensive income – unrealized holding gain, net of tax of $81 in 2010 and $0 in 2009

     304       180 

Deferred compensation, net

     3,176       2,639 

Treasury stock (969,950 shares at June 25, 2010 and 1,046,216 shares at June 26, 2009, at cost)

     (11,772)      (12,342)
             

Total stockholders’ equity

     383,394       340,357 

Commitments and contingencies

     
             

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

           $     4,530,691             $     4,199,039 
             

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-2


Table of Contents

SWS Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Years ended June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     2010      2009      2008

Revenues:

            

Net revenues from clearing operations

         $ 10,584               $ 11,541               $ 13,951   

Commissions

     157,460           179,003           111,368   

Interest

     156,063           211,873           281,422   

Investment banking, advisory and administrative fees

     35,833           36,382           37,517   

Net gains on principal transactions

     41,361           34,831           8,653   

Other

     20,926           12,047           24,616   
                        

Total revenue

     422,227           485,677           477,527   

Interest expense

     55,256           104,056           175,896   
                        

Net revenues

     366,971           381,621           301,631   
                        

Non-interest expenses:

            

Commissions and other employee compensation

     229,411           239,003           183,830   

Occupancy, equipment and computer service costs

     34,277           32,994           27,093   

Communications

     13,246           13,124           10,091   

Floor brokerage and clearing organization charges

     3,960           3,497           2,257   

Advertising and promotional

     4,032           4,547           3,861   

Provision for loan loss

     45,118           13,323           3,545   

Other

     41,479           36,704           21,845   
                        

Total non-interest expenses

     371,523           343,192           252,522   
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense

     (4,552)          38,429           49,109   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (1,659)          14,798           18,255   
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (2,893)          23,631           30,854   

Discontinued operations:

            

Income from discontinued operations

     __           __           29   

Income tax expense

     __           __           (9)  

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries

     __           __           (3)  
                        

Income from discontinued operations

     __           __           17   
                        

Income (loss) before extraordinary gain

     (2,893)          23,631           30,871   

Extraordinary gain, net of tax of $571

     __           __           1,061   
                        

Net income (loss)

     (2,893)          23,631           31,932   

Other comprehensive income:

            

Recognition of net holding losses, net of tax of $1,740

     __           3,231           —   

Net holding gains and losses, net of tax of $81 in 2010; $(1,001) in 2009 and $(1,431) in 2008

     124           (1,857)          (2,611)  
                        

Net income (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income

     124           1,374           (2,611)  
                        

Comprehensive income (loss)

         $ (2,769)              $ 25,005               $ 29,321   
                        

Earnings per share – basic

            

Income (loss) from continuing operations

         $ (0.10)              $ 0.86               $ 1.12   

Income from discontinued operations

     __           __           —   

Extraordinary gain

     __           __           0.04   
                        

Net income (loss)

         $ (0.10)              $ 0.86               $ 1.16   
                        

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

     30,252,732           27,429,382           27,501,671   
                        

Earnings per share – diluted

            

Income (loss) from continuing operations

         $ (0.10)              $ 0.86               $ 1.12   

Income from discontinued operations

     __           __           —   

Extraordinary gain

     __           __           0.04   
                        

Net income (loss)

         $ (0.10)              $ 0.86               $ 1.16   
                        

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

     30,252,732           27,508,585           27,602,158   
                        

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

SWS Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Years ended June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

                         Accumulated                    
               Additional         Other    Deferred               
     Common Stock    Paid-in    Retained    Comprehensive    Compensation,    Treasury Stock     
     Shares    Amount    Capital    Earnings    Income    net    Shares    Amount    Total
    

Balance at June 29, 2007

   28,197,278    $2,819    $268,575    $39,729    $1,417    $1,644    (705,750)    $(7,737)    $306,447  

Net income

            31,932                31,932  

Unrealized holding loss, net of tax of $1,431

               (2,657)             (2,657)  

Excess for taxes on vesting of restricted stock

         218                   218  

Cash dividends ($0.34 per share)

            (9,290)                (9,290)  

Exercise of options

   71,856    8    871                   879  

Adoption of uncertain tax position accounting

            (271)                (271)  

Deferred compensation plan, net

         3       46    350    (6,551)    (20)    379  

Treasury stock repurchased/buyback

                     (551,056)    (6,135)    (6,135)  

Restricted stock plan

         (307)             189,832    1,811    1,504  
    

Balance at June 27, 2008

   28,269,134    2,827    269,360    62,100    (1,194)    1,994    (1,073,525)    (12,081)    323,006  

Net income

            23,631                23,631  

Unrealized holding gain, net of tax of $739

               1,372             1,372  

Excess for taxes on vesting of restricted stock

         67                   67  

Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)

            (9,813)                (9,813)  

Exercise of options

   40,005    4    518                   522  

Deferred compensation plan, net

         22       2    645    (50,356)    (882)    (213)  

Restricted stock plan

         1,164             77,665    621    1,785  
    

Balance at June 26, 2009

   28,309,139    2,831    271,131    75,918    180    2,639    (1,046,216)    (12,342)    340,357  

Net loss

            (2,893)                (2,893)  

Unrealized holding gain, net of tax of $81

               151             151  

Shortfall for taxes on vesting of restricted stock

         (125)                   (125)  

Cash dividends ($0.36 per share)

            (11,132)                (11,132)  

Exercise of options

   3,000       29                   29  

Deferred compensation plan, net

         23       (27)    537    (29,424)    (388)    145  

Public offering – common stock

   5,000,001    500    54,200                   54,700  

Restricted stock plan

         1,204             105,690    958    2,162  
    

Balance at June 25, 2010

       33,312,140    $3,331    $326,462    $61,893    $304    $3,176    (969,950)    $(11,772)    $383,394  
    

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

SWS Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years ended June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008

(In thousands)

 

     2010    2009    2008

Cash flows from operating activities:

        

Net income (loss)

   $  (2,893)          $  23,631           $  31,932       

Income from discontinued operations

   —           —           (17)      

Extraordinary gain

   —           —           (1,061)      

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

        

Depreciation and amortization

   7,094           6,036           4,955       

Amortization of premiums on loans purchased

   (171)          (487)          (725)      

Amortization of premiums/discounts on investment securities

   17           (6)          —       

Provision for loan loss/doubtful accounts and write downs on real estate owned properties

   51,422           15,419           4,659       

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

   (8,345)          (6,115)          1,471       

Deferred compensation for deferred compensation plan and restricted stock plan

   4,628           330           1,812       

Gain on sale of loans

   (1,329)          (628)          (951)      

Loss on fixed assets transactions

   76           2           196       

Loss (gain) on sale of real estate

   2,371           1,346           (396)      

Gain on sale of factored receivables

   —           (260)          (666)      

Loss (gain) on investment in securities available for sale

   (16)          4,971           —       

Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated ventures

   (1,667)          1,375           (235)      

Dividend received on investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock

   (18)          (79)          (179)      

Shortfall (excess) for taxes on vesting of restricted stock

   125           (67)           (218)      

Net change in minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries

   —           —           (50)      

Cash flow from operating activities of discontinued operations

   —           —           4       

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Decrease (increase) in assets segregated for regulatory purposes

   28,326           9,422           (3,310)      

Net change in broker, dealer and clearing organization accounts

   (30,210)          16,410           8,923       

Net change in client accounts

   (64,930)          (1,776)          41,480       

Net change in loans held for sale

   (161,275)          97,165           (211,932)      

Decrease (increase) in securities owned

   (70,557)          23,543           (66,432)      

Decrease (increase) in securities purchased under agreements to resell

   (8,885)          (11,760)          32,624       

Decrease (increase) in other assets

   (9,669)          5,695           5,274       

Increase (decrease) in drafts payable

   (111)          7,800           (6,061)      

Increase (decrease) in securities sold, not yet purchased

   14,358           26,725           (36,959)      

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

   (7,872)          7,997           (1,828)      
              

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   (259,531)          226,689           (197,690)      
              

Cash flows from investing activities:

        

Purchase of fixed assets and capitalized improvements on real estate owned properties

   (6,704)          (10,227)          (8,725)      

Proceeds from fixed assets transactions

   97           116           56       

Proceeds from sale of real estate

   28,512           14,999           10,097       

Loan originations and purchases

   (423,741)          (564,919)          (699,905)      

Loan repayments

   307,352           311,961           501,518       

Proceeds from sale of factored receivables

   —           260           6,249       

Cash paid for purchase of correspondent clients of Ameritrade

   —           —           (2,678)      

Cash paid for investments

   (83,447)          (6,564)          (1,500)      

Cash received from investments

   2,336           —           639       

Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale

   2,925           —           —       

Cash flow from investing activities of discontinued operations

   —           —           3,818       

Cash paid for purchase of M.L. Stern, net of acquired cash

   —           (760)          (5,498)      

Proceeds from the sale of Federal Home Loan Bank stock

   267           5,819           2,165       

Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock

   —           (4,081)          (7,346)      
              

Net cash used in investing activities

   (172,403)          (253,396)          (201,110)      
              

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Payments on short-term borrowings

       (3,063,885)              (1,933,322)              (1,750,074)      

Cash proceeds from short-term borrowings

   3,163,885           1,856,522           1,811,824       

(continued)

 

F-5


Table of Contents

(continued)

     2010    2009    2008

Increase in deposits

   196,059               220,393               174,823           

Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

   80,050               3,288,544               2,666,867           

Payments on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank

   (64,721)              (3,337,302)              (2,567,606)          

Payment of cash dividends on common stock

   (11,216)              (9,879)              (9,345)          

Shortfall (excess) for taxes on vesting of restricted stock

   (125)              67               218           

Cash proceeds (payments) on securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   7,927               (1,880)              (11,487)          

Net proceeds from secondary offering

   54,700               —               —           

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options

   27               403               623           

Cash flow from financing activities of discontinued operations

   —               —               (382)          

Proceeds related to deferred compensation plan

   642               814               623           

Purchase of treasury stock related to deferred compensation plan

   (472)              (1,028)              (281)          

Purchase of treasury stock related to repurchase plan

   —               —               (6,135)          
         

Net cash provided by financing activities

   362,871               83,332               309,668           
         

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   (69,063)              56,625               (89,132)          

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

   96,253               39,628               128,760           
         

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $  27,190               $    96,253               $    39,628           
         

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

        

Granting of restricted stock

   $    1,461               $      1,007               $      2,176           
              

Foreclosures on loans

   $  57,308               $    27,907               $    21,221           
              

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

        

Cash paid during the year for:

        

Interest

   $  58,624               $  105,967               $  178,602           
              

Income taxes

       $    7,055                   $    18,950                   $    12,385           
              

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) General and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SWS Group, Inc. (“SWS Group”) and its consolidated subsidiaries listed below (collectively with SWS Group, “SWS” or the “Company”), 100% owned unless otherwise noted:

 

Southwest Securities, Inc.

  “Southwest Securities”

SWS Financial Services, Inc.

  “SWS Financial”

Southwest Financial Insurance Agency, Inc.

 

Southwest Insurance Agency, Inc.

 

    Southwest Insurance Agency of Alabama, Inc.

  collectively, “SWS Insurance”

SWS Banc Holding, Inc.

  “SWS Banc”

    Southwest Securities, FSB

  “Bank”

    FSB Development, LLC

  “FSB Development”

M.L. Stern & Co., LLC

 

SWS Capital Corporation

  “SWS Capital”

Southwest Investment Advisors, Inc.

  “Southwest Advisors”

Southwest Securities is a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) member broker/dealer and Southwest Securities and SWS Financial are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Each is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as a broker/dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) and as a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940.

SWS Insurance holds insurance agency licenses in forty-three states for the purpose of facilitating the sale of insurance and annuities for Southwest Securities and its correspondents. The Company retains no underwriting risk related to the insurance and annuity products SWS Insurance sells.

The Bank is a federally chartered savings association regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (“OTS”). SWS Banc was incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of SWS Group and became the sole shareholder of the Bank in 2004.

FSB Development was formed to develop single-family residential lots. As of June 30, 2010, it had no investments.

The Company purchased M.L. Stern & Co., LLC and Tower Asset Management, LLC (collectively “M.L. Stern”) after the close of business on March 31, 2008. M.L. Stern was a registered broker/dealer with the SEC and a member of FINRA. Substantially all of the operations of the M.L. Stern broker/dealer were transferred to Southwest Securities in December 2008 and are operating as separate offices of Southwest Securities’ private client group. Effective April 4, 2009, M.L. Stern withdrew from registration with FINRA and the SEC in all states. M.L. Stern & Co., LLC is a dormant entity. Tower Asset Management, LLC was a wholly owned subsidiary of M.L. Stern & Co., LLC and was a registered investment advisor providing investment advisory services to high net worth individuals or families who required investment expertise and personal service. Tower Asset Management, LLC ceased business operations on June 30, 2009 and was dissolved effective June 30, 2010.

SWS Capital and Southwest Advisors are dormant entities.

Consolidated Financial Statements. The annual consolidated financial statements of SWS are customarily closed on the last Friday in June. The Bank’s annual financial statements are prepared as of June 30. Any individually material transactions are reviewed and recorded in the appropriate fiscal year. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

(b) Change in Accounting Estimate

Prior to the third quarter of fiscal 2010, the Bank’s provision for loan loss computation used a three year rolling average of historical loan losses by product type to assess losses in the Bank’s loan portfolio. Product types include 1-4 family residential loans, 1-4 family residential construction loans, land and land development loans, commercial real estate loans, multi-family loans, commercial loans and consumer loans. Due to accelerated deterioration in the Bank’s loan portfolio, depressed appraised values for collateral, continued high unemployment rates in Texas and deteriorating banking industry loss statistics, the Bank’s management reevaluated its use of historical loan losses in its provision for loan loss computation. As a result of this reevaluation, in the third quarter of fiscal 2010, management reduced the historical loan loss look back period from three years to four quarters. This change resulted in a $10,415,000 increase in the loan loss provision in the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

(c) Cash and cash equivalents

For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, SWS considers cash to include cash on hand and in bank accounts. In addition, SWS considers funds due from banks and interest bearing deposits in other banks to be cash. Highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less, when acquired, are considered to be cash equivalents. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures accounts up to $250,000. At June 25, 2010, cash balances included $13,988,000 that was not federally insured because it represented amounts in individual accounts above the federally insured limit for each such account. This at-risk amount is subject to fluctuation on a daily basis, but management does not believe there is significant risk with respect to such deposits.

The Bank is required to maintain balances on hand or with the Federal Reserve Bank. At June 30, 2010 and 2009, these reserve balances amounted to $10,776,000 and $6,089,000, respectively.

(d) Securities Transactions

Proprietary securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis, as if they had settled. Clients’ securities and commodities transactions are reported on a settlement date basis with the related commission income and expenses reported on a trade date basis.

(e) Securities-Lending Activities

Securities borrowed and securities loaned transactions are generally reported as collateralized financings except where letters of credit or other securities are used as collateral. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash, letters of credit, or other collateral with the lender. With respect to securities loaned, the Company receives collateral in the form of cash in an amount generally in excess of the market value of securities loaned. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or refunded as necessary.

(f) Securities Owned

Marketable securities are carried at fair market value. The increase or decrease in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation of securities owned is credited or charged to operations and is included in net gains on principal transactions in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. SWS records the fair market value of securities owned on a trade date basis. See Note 1(u) and Note 23, Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

(g) Investments

Limited partnership investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 323, “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures.”

(h) Securities Held to Maturity

Bonds and notes for which the Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at cost, adjusted for premiums and discounts that are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period to maturity.

(i) Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale are valued at the lower of cost or market as determined by outstanding commitments from investors or current investor yield requirements calculated on the aggregate note basis. Loans held for sale consist of first mortgage loans and home improvement loans, which have been purchased or originated but not yet sold in the secondary market. Gains and losses on the sale of loans held for sale are determined using the specific identification method.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

(j) Loans and Allowance for Probable Loan Losses

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at their outstanding principal balance adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for probable loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.

Loan origination and commitment fees and certain related direct costs are deferred and amortized to interest income, generally over the contractual lives of the loans, using the interest method. Discounts on first mortgage, consumer and other loans are amortized to income using the interest method over the remaining period to contractual maturity.

Interest income from factored receivables is recorded on an accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the agreements. Certain fees charged in connection with the factored receivables are recorded in the month in which the receivables were purchased due to the short holding period. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Bank sold the assets of the factored receivables division for a gain of $666,000. An additional $260,000 was recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 from this sale.

The accrual of interest on impaired loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest income is subsequently recognized to the extent cash payments are received for loans where ultimate full collection is likely. For loans where ultimate collection is not likely, interest payments are applied to the outstanding principal and income is only recognized if full payment is made. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Allowance for Probable Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings and included in other expense. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as doubtful, substandard or special mention. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the collateral value (or discounted cash flows or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers all loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. These factors include the following: concentrations of risk in the portfolio, estimated changes in the value of underlying collateral and changes in the volume and growth in the portfolio

Impaired loans are accounted for at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent, the net present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or at the observable market price of the loan.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

(k) Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Fixed assets are comprised of furniture, computer hardware, equipment and leasehold improvements and are included in other assets in the accompanying statements of financial condition. Additions, improvements and expenditures for repairs and maintenance that significantly extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Other expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense in the period incurred. Depreciation of furniture and equipment is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets (from three to seven years), and depreciation on leasehold improvements is provided over the shorter of the useful life or the lease term (up to fifteen years) using the straight-line method. Depreciation of buildings is provided over the useful life (up to forty years) using the straight-line method. Depreciation expense totaled approximately $6,142,000, $4,906,000 and $3,608,000 for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively.

Property consisted of the following at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009:

 

(in thousands)    June 25,
2010
   June 26,
2009
    

Land

       $ 2,104           $ 1,912      

Buildings

     4,915         4,915      

Furniture and equipment

     43,073         39,566      

Leasehold improvements

     15,935         15,279      
                
     66,027         61,672      

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (40,663)        (36,684)     
                

Net property

       $     25,364           $     24,988      
                

Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are tested for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that an asset’s or asset group’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss, calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of an asset or asset group, is recognized if the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows relating to the asset or asset group is less than the corresponding carrying value.

(l) Amortization

The Company has recorded a customer relationship intangible which is being amortized over a five year period at a rate based on the estimated future economic benefit of the customer relationships. See additional discussion in Note 11, Intangible Assets.

(m) Goodwill

SWS performed its annual assessment of the fair value of goodwill during fiscal 2010 and 2009 and based on the results of the assessment, SWS’ goodwill balance was not impaired. SWS bases its assessment of the fair value of the business units with goodwill on a weighted average of a discounted cash flow model estimate of fair value and a market multiple approach to fair value.

SWS has two reporting units with goodwill, Clearing with $4,254,000 and Institutional Brokerage with $3,298,000, both part of Southwest Securities. There were no changes in the carrying value of goodwill during the three fiscal year periods ended June 25, 2010.

(n) Drafts Payable

In the normal course of business, SWS uses drafts to make payments relating to its brokerage transactions. These drafts are presented for payment through an unaffiliated bank and are sent to SWS daily for review and acceptance. Upon acceptance, the drafts are paid and charged against cash.

(o) Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Transactions involving purchases of securities under agreements to resell (reverse repurchase agreements or reverse repos) or sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements or repos) are accounted for as collateralized financings except where the Company does not have an agreement to sell (or purchase) the same or substantially the same securities before maturity at a fixed or determinable price. It is the policy of the Company to obtain possession of collateral with a market value equal to or in excess of the principal amount loaned under resale agreements. Collateral is valued daily, and the Company may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged when appropriate.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

(p) Federal Income Taxes

SWS and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences 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 in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of the net liability for uncertain tax positions is as follows:

 

Balance at June 26, 2009

       $    1,160,000   

Increases as a result of tax positions taken during prior years

   188,000   

Increases as a result of tax positions taken during the current period

   228,000   

Decreases as a result of tax positions taken during prior years

   (161,000)  

Decreases as a result of tax positions taken during the current period

   (331,000)  

Lapse of applicable statute of limitations

   79,000   

Settlements

   (42,000)  
    

Balance at June 25, 2010

       $    1,121,000   
    

While the Company expects that the net liability for uncertain tax positions will change during the next twelve months, the Company does not believe that the change will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes in income tax expense. Included in the net liability is accrued interest and penalties of $273,000, net of federal benefit. During the year ended June 25, 2010, the Company recognized approximately $90,000, net of federal benefit, in interest and penalties in income tax expense. The total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would reduce income tax expense is approximately $848,000, net of federal benefit.

With limited exception, SWS is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local tax audits by taxing authorities for years preceding 2005. An examination of the federal income tax return for the year ended December 31, 2006 was concluded with no significant adjustments. In May 2010, a state agency began an examination of the Company’s return for the tax years ended December 31, 2006 through 2008.

(q) Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)

SWS provides a presentation of basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if contracts to issue common stock were exercised. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeiture rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (paid or unpaid) are treated as participating securities and are factored into the calculation of basic and diluted EPS and adjusted retrospectively.

(r) Stock-Based Compensation

SWS accounts for the SWS Group, Inc. Stock Option Plan (“1996 Plan”), the SWS Group, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan (“1997 Plan”) and the 2003 Restricted Stock Plan (“Restricted Stock Plan”) under the recognition and measurement principles of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) accounting codification. On June 7, 2005, the vesting of all outstanding options was accelerated to 100% upon approval by the Board of Directors. As a result, no compensation expense is recorded in the fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 or fiscal 2008 consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income related to stock options. The Company has eliminated the use of stock options as a compensation tool and currently grants restricted stock to reward management and employees.

(s) Treasury Stock

Periodically, SWS Group repurchases common stock under a plan approved by its Board of Directors. Currently, SWS Group is authorized to repurchase 500,000 shares of common stock from time to time in the open market, expiring February 28, 2011. No shares were repurchased by SWS Group under this program during fiscal 2010. As of June 26, 2009, there were 698,944 shares authorized to be purchased under a previous program which authorized the purchase of up to 750,000 shares of SWS Group common stock and expired June 30, 2009. No shares were repurchased during fiscal 2009.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Treasury stock is also repurchased periodically under SWS’ Deferred Compensation Plan (see Note 18, Employee Benefits).

(t) Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(u) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted the fair value accounting standard effective June 28, 2008. Fair value accounting establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.

Under fair value accounting, fair value refers to the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts. The standard clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. In support of this principle, the standard establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. Under the standard, fair value measurements are separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

   

Level 1 — Quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include the following: a) the Company’s investment in U.S. Home Systems, Inc. (“USHS”) common stock; b) the Company’s deferred compensation plan’s investment in Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (“Westwood”) common stock; c) the Company’s investment in government guaranteed bonds purchased under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLGP”); and d) certain inventories held in the Company’s securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased portfolio. Valuation of these instruments does not require a high degree of judgment as the valuations are based on quoted prices in active markets that are readily available.

 

   

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include certain inventories held in the Company’s securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased portfolio. These financial instruments are valued by quoted prices that are less frequent than those in active markets or by models that use various assumptions that are derived from or supported by data that is generally observable in the marketplace. Valuations in this category are inherently less reliable than quoted market prices due to the degree of subjectivity involved in determining appropriate methodologies and the applicable underlying observable market assumptions.

 

   

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets and liabilities. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include certain inventories held in the Company’s securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased portfolio. These financial instruments have significant inputs that cannot be validated by readily determinable market data and generally involve considerable judgment by management.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying balance sheet, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

Assets Segregated for Regulatory Purposes. Because quoted market prices are available in an active market, these securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. These securities include government guaranteed bonds purchased under the TLGP.

Securities Available for Sale. Because quoted market prices are available in an active market, these securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. These securities include the Company’s investment in USHS common stock and the Company’s deferred compensation plan’s investment in Westwood common stock.

Securities Owned and Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased Portfolio. Securities classified as Level 1 securities primarily consist of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices such as corporate equity securities and U.S. government obligations.

Securities classified as Level 2 securities include financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value, yield curve, volatility factors, current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Securities in this category include corporate debt, certain U.S. government and government agency obligations and municipal obligations.

Securities classified as Level 3 securities are securities whose fair value is estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies, including discounted cash flow, utilizing significant inputs that are generally less readily observable. Included in this category are certain corporate equity securities and municipal auction rate securities.

In order to take advantage of attractive tax-free yields, the Company began investing in certain auction rate municipal bonds in the spring of 2008. At the end of fiscal 2010 and 2009, the Company held $22,298,000 and $23,875,000, respectively, of auction rate municipal bonds, which represented one security and 17% and 26% of the Company’s municipal obligations portfolio at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, respectively. This security is an investment grade credit, was valued at 95.7% of par at June 25, 2010 and was valued at par at June 26, 2009, and yielded less than 1% per year for both periods. While management does not expect any reduction in the cash flow from this bond, the disruption in the credit markets has led to auction failures. The Company currently has the ability to hold this investment until maturity. While the Company expects the issuer of this bond to refinance the debt when interest rates rise, there can be no certainty that this refinancing will occur. The Company believes the valuation of this bond at 95.7% of par at June 25, 2010 appropriately reflected a discount for the current lack of liquidity in this investment.

Substantially all of SWS’ brokerage assets and liabilities are carried at market value or at amounts which, because of their short-term nature, approximate current fair value.

 

F-13


Table of Contents

Fair values of loans held for sale are determined by outstanding commitments from investors or current investor yield requirements calculated on the aggregate note basis and approximate carrying value in the years presented in the consolidated financial statements. Fair values of loans receivable are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar characteristics. Loans are segregated by type, such as real estate, commercial and consumer, which are also segregated into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms. The fair value of loans receivable is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Loan fair value estimates include judgments regarding future expected loss experience and risk characteristics. The fair value of loans held for sale was $424,986,000 and $263,400,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The fair value of loans receivable was $1,264,675,000 and $1,176,855,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Real estate owned (“REO”) is valued at the lower of cost or market. For those investments where the REO is valued at market, the value is determined by third party appraisals. In certain circumstances, the Company adjusts the appraisals to reflect more accurately the economic conditions of the area at the time of valuation. Other repossessed assets are valued at an amount approximating their selling value, which is generally the estimated fair value of the asset less a selling discount. Included in other repossessed assets are land leases which are valued using a discounted cash flow analysis. The fair value of REO and other repossessed assets was $46,194,000 and 25,287,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as interest-bearing checking accounts, passbook savings accounts and advance payments from borrowers for taxes and insurance, are equal to the amount payable on demand (carrying value). The fair value of certificates of deposits and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits and borrowings of similar remaining maturities. The fair value of certificates of deposit was $74,155,000 and $72,256,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The fair value of other deposits was $1,415,528,000 and $1,220,806,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The fair value of advances from the FHLB was $146,560,000 and $128,895,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(v) Accounting Pronouncements

The FASB and the SEC have recently issued the following statements and interpretations, which are applicable to SWS. Any other new accounting pronouncements not specifically identified in our disclosures are not applicable to SWS.

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” In July, 2010, the FASB issued the ASU to enhance the disclosure requirements regarding receivables. The enhanced disclosures are designed to assist financial statement users in assessing an entity’s credit risk exposure and in evaluating the adequacy of an entity’s allowance for credit losses. ASU 2010-20 is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period ending on or after December 15, 2010, the Company’s fiscal 2011 second quarter ending December 31, 2010. The Company is in the process of evaluating the disclosure requirements and any impact the new disclosures will have on its financial statements and processes.

ASC 860-10-65-3, “Transfer and Servicing—Transition Related to FASB Statement No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.” In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance regarding the accounting for transfers of financial assets, as an amendment of previously issued guidance. This new guidance eliminates the Qualified Special Purpose Entity (“QSPE”) concept, creates more stringent conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale, clarifies the derecognition criteria, revises how retained interests are initially measured, and removes the guaranteed mortgage securitization recharacterization provisions. It also requires enhanced disclosures about transfers of financial assets and the transferor’s continuing involvement with transfers of financial assets accounted for as sales. ASC 860-10-65-3 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after November 15, 2009, SWS’ fiscal 2011. The Company does not expect, upon adoption, that there will be any impact on its financial statements and processes.

ASC 810-10-65-2, “Transition Related to FASB Statement No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R).” In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance amending the existing pronouncement related to the consolidation of variable interest entities. This new guidance requires the reporting entities to evaluate former QSPE’s for consolidation, changes the approach to determine a variable interest entity’s primary beneficiary from a quantitative assessment to a qualitative assessment designed to identify a controlling financial interest, and increases the frequency of required assessments to determine whether a company is the primary beneficiary of any variable interest entities to which it is a party. ASC 810-10-65-2 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after November 15, 2009, SWS’ fiscal 2011. The Company does not expect, upon adoption, that there will be any impact on its financial statements and processes.

(w) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Net holding gains and losses represent the unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available for sale. See Note 3, Securities Available for Sale.

 

F-14


Table of Contents
2. ASSETS SEGREGATED FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES

At June 25, 2010, SWS held TLGP bonds with a market value of $62,167,000 and cash of $222,660,000 segregated in special reserve bank accounts for the exclusive benefit of customers under Exchange Act Rule 15c3-3. SWS had no reserve deposits in special reserve bank accounts for the Proprietary Accounts of Introducing Brokers (“PAIB”) at June 25, 2010.

At June 26, 2009, SWS held TLGP bonds with a market value of $15,916,000 and cash of $297,237,000 segregated in special reserve bank accounts for the exclusive benefit of customers under Exchange Act Rule 15c3-3. SWS had no reserve deposits in special reserve bank accounts for the PAIB at June 26, 2009.

 

3. SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

SWS Group owns shares of common stock in USHS and Westwood, which are classified as securities available for sale. Consequently, the unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax, are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The following table summarizes the cost and market value of the investments at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

    Shares

    Held

   Original
Cost
  

Gross

Unrealized
Gains

  

Gross

Unrealized
Losses

    Market 
Value 
    
       

June 25, 2010

                

USHS

           357,154        $ 914    $ 232    $      $ 1,146    

Westwood

   6,383      89      153             242    
            

Securities available for sale

          $         1,003    $ 385    $      $         1,388    
            
    

    Shares

    Held

   Original
Cost
  

Gross

Unrealized
Gains

  

Gross

Realized
Losses

    Market
Value
  

New Cost 

After 
Realization 
of Losses 

    

June 26, 2009

                

USHS

   357,154        $ 1,576    $    $ (662   $ 914    $ 914 

NYX

   103,898      7,218           (4,309     2,909      2,909 

Westwood

   6,454      91      180             271      91 
         

Securities available for sale

          $     8,885    $ 180    $ (4,971   $ 4,094    $ 3,914 
         

At June 25, 2010, SWS held shares of stock of Westwood within the Company’s deferred compensation plan. The reduction in shares from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010 resulted from distributions from the deferred compensation plan.

At June 26, 2009, Southwest Securities had 103,898 shares of NYSE Euronext, Inc. (“NYX”) common stock with a cost basis of $2,909,000. The market value of the NYX shares was $2,909,000 at June 26, 2009. In the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the 103,898 shares of NYX common stock were sold for $2,925,000. SWS recognized a gain of $16,000 on the sale.

Other than Temporary Impairment Analysis for Fiscal 2009. As a result of the depressed price of USHS and NYX, SWS determined that it must review these two securities to evaluate whether the securities were other than temporarily impaired. The review of these securities was conducted in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

To evaluate whether the declines in value for NYX and USHS were other than temporary, SWS reviewed the following factors:

 

   

The length of the time and the extent to which the market value had been less than cost;

   

The financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer such as changes in technology that may impair the earnings potential of the investment or the discontinuance of a segment of the business that may affect the issuer’s future earnings potential;

   

The intent and ability of SWS to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value; and

   

The cyclicality and volatility of the investment.

Based on this review, it was determined that the declines in value for both USHS and NYX were other than temporary. Consequently, realized losses of $4,971,000 were recorded in other expenses in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. USHS’s and NYX’s new cost basis was set at $914,000 and $2,909,000, respectively, which was the market value of each at June 26, 2009.

 

4. SECURITIES HELD TO MATURITY

In the third quarter of fiscal 2010, the Bank purchased Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) securities at a cost of $83,047,000 including a premium of $837,000. The premium is being amortized over an average life of 4 years using the interest method. The Bank recorded $46,000 in amortization of the premium for fiscal 2010. During fiscal 2010, the Bank received $2,791,000 of principal and interest payments, recording $665,000 in interest. Bank management has determined that the investment will be held until maturity. The weighted average yield on this investment is expected to be 2.1%. At June 30, 2010, the recorded value of the GNMA securities was $80,875,000, with a fair value of $82,149,000.

The Bank held additional investment securities from state and political subdivisions that had a recorded value at June 30, 2010 and 2009 of $6,265,000 and $6,237,000, respectively. The Bank recorded amortization of the discount on these securities of $28,100 for fiscal 2010. The Bank recorded $7,300 of amortization expenses on the discount on these securities for fiscal 2009. The fair value of these securities as of June 30, 2010 and 2009 was $6,948,000 and $6,425,000, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments held to maturity at June 30, 2010, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     Securities Held to Maturity
     Amortized
Cost
   Fair Value

Due in one year or less

     $ 60          $ 61    

Due from one year to five years

     205          210    

Due from five years to ten years

     —          —    

Due after ten years

     86,875          88,826    
             
     $     87,140          $     89,097    
             

 

F-16


Table of Contents
5. RECEIVABLE FROM AND PAYABLE TO BROKERS, DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS

At June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, SWS had receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations related to the following (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009

Receivable:

     

Securities failed to deliver

       $ 11,096          $ 13,446  

Securities borrowed

     1,798,910        1,816,657  

Correspondent broker/dealers

     44,998        22,069  

Clearing organizations

     20,958        24,044  

Other

     13,438        16,523  
             
       $ 1,889,400          $ 1,892,739  
             

Payable:

     

Securities failed to receive

       $ 17,705          $ 13,762  

Securities loaned

     1,775,693        1,777,942  

Correspondent broker/dealers

     11,669        13,722  

Other

     14,928        48,118  
             
       $     1,819,995          $     1,853,544  
             

Securities failed to deliver and receive represent the contract value of securities that have not been delivered or received subsequent to settlement date. Securities borrowed and loaned represent deposits made to or received from other broker/dealers relating to these transactions. These deposits approximate the market value of the underlying securities.

SWS clears securities transactions for correspondent broker/dealers. Proprietary settled securities and related transactions for these correspondents are included in the receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations.

SWS participates in the securities borrowing and lending business by borrowing and lending securities other than those of its clients. SWS obtains or releases collateral as prices of the underlying securities fluctuate. At June 25, 2010, SWS had collateral of $1,798,791,000 under securities lending agreements, of which SWS had repledged $1,732,411,000. At June 26, 2009, SWS had received collateral of $1,815,518,000 under securities lending agreements, of which SWS had repledged $1,769,499,000.

 

6. RECEIVABLE FROM AND PAYABLE TO CLIENTS

Receivable from and payable to clients include amounts due on cash and margin transactions. Included in these amounts are receivable from and payable to noncustomers (as defined by Rule 15c3-3 pursuant to the Exchange Act, principally officers, directors and related accounts), which aggregated approximately $1,208,000 and $975,000, respectively, at June 25, 2010 and $693,000 and $1,463,000, respectively, at June 26, 2009. Securities owned by customers and noncustomers that collateralize the receivable are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

SWS pays interest on certain customer “free credit” balances available for reinvestment. The aggregate balance of such funds was approximately $325,401,000 and $365,785,000 at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, respectively. During fiscal 2010, the interest rates paid on these balances ranged from 0.09% to 0.15%. The weighted average interest rate paid was 0.10% in fiscal 2010 and 0.56% in fiscal 2009.

SWS maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts which represents amounts, in the judgment of management, that are necessary to adequately absorb losses from known and inherent risks in receivables from customers. Provisions made to this allowance are charged to operations and are included in other expense in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income. At June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, all unsecured customer receivables are provided for in this allowance. The allowance was $521,000 and $506,000 at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, respectively.

 

F-17


Table of Contents
7. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR PROBABLE LOAN LOSSES

The Bank grants loans to customers primarily within Texas and New Mexico. Although the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent upon the general economic conditions of Texas and New Mexico.

Loans receivable at June 30, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009

Loans receivable:

     

Construction

       $ 128,552           $ 251,044   

Lot and land development

     121,214         159,935   

Residential mortgage

     153,031         129,290   

Commercial real estate

     515,274         429,208   

Multi-family

     75,481         50,425   

Commercial loans

     191,694         129,734   

Consumer loans

     4,692         4,813   
             
     1,189,938         1,154,449   

Unamortized premiums

     (732)        (1,116)  

Allowance for probable loan losses

     (35,141)        (14,731)  
             
       $     1,154,065           $     1,138,602   
             

The total amount of unamortized deferred fees and costs in the loans receivable balances at June 30, 2010 and 2009 were $2,297,000 and $2,497,000, respectively.

Impairment of loans with a recorded investment of approximately $41,116,000 and $18,077,000 has been recognized at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The average recorded investment in impaired loans was approximately $33,311,000 during fiscal 2010 and $6,529,000 during fiscal 2009. No specific allowance for loan losses is recorded if the impaired loans are adequately collateralized. The total allowance for loan losses related to the impaired loans was approximately $3,211,000 and $2,007,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. No material amount of interest income on impaired loans was recognized for cash payments received in fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Loans are classified as non-performing when they are 90 days or more past due as to principal or interest or when reasonable doubt exists as to timely collectability. The Bank uses a standardized review process to determine which loans should be placed on non-accrual status. At the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status, previously accrued and uncollected interest is reversed against interest income. Interest income on non-accrual loans is subsequently recognized to the extent cash payments are received for loans where ultimate full collection is likely. For loans where ultimate collection is not likely, interest payments are applied to the outstanding principal and income is only recognized if full payment is made. Total non-accrual loans at June 30, 2010 and 2009 were $38,428,000 and $30,099,000, respectively. The average recorded investment in non-accrual loans at June 30, 2010 and 2009 were $31,000,000 and $24,351,000, respectively. At June 30, 2010 and 2009, total loans past-due 90 days or more and still accruing interest were $29,000 and $670,000, respectively. Total income recognized on non-accrual loans, prior to being placed on non-accrual status, during fiscal 2010, 2009, and 2008 was $842,000, $817,000, and $582,000, respectively. No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.

An analysis of the allowance for probable loan losses for the years ended June 30, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009    2008

Balance at beginning of year

       $ 14,731             $ 6,936             $ 5,497     

Provision for loan losses

     45,118           13,323           3,545     

Loans charged to the allowance, net

     (24,708)          (5,528)          (2,106)    
                    
     20,410           7,795           1,439     
                    

Balance at end of year

       $     35,141             $     14,731             $     6,936     
                    

 

F-18


Table of Contents

The Bank recorded gains of $1,329,000, $628,000 and $951,000 from the sale of loans in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

8. SECURITIES OWNED AND SECURITIES SOLD, NOT YET PURCHASED

Securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, which are carried at market value, include the following (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009

Securities owned:

     

Corporate equity securities

           $ 12,734             $ 9,234 

Municipal obligations

     132,142       90,923 

U.S. government and government agency obligations

     19,518       24,824 

Corporate obligations

     70,844       39,735 

Other

     10,349       10,314 
             
           $     245,587             $     175,030 
             

Securities sold, not yet purchased:

     

Corporate equity securities

           $ 925             $ 476 

Municipal obligations

     17       112 

U.S. government and government agency obligations

     45,326       28,584 

Corporate obligations

     20,867       23,247 

Other

     459       817 
             
           $ 67,594             $ 53,236 
             

Certain of the above securities have been pledged to secure short-term borrowings (see Note 12, Short-Term Borrowings) and as security deposits at clearing organizations for SWS’ clearing business. Securities pledged as security deposits at clearing organizations were $2,899,000 and $2,998,000 at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, respectively. Additionally, at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2006, SWS had pledged firm securities valued at $1,089,000 and $1,134,000, respectively, in conjunction with securities lending activities.

 

9. SECURITIES PURCHASED UNDER AGREEMENTS TO RESELL

At June 25, 2010, SWS held reverse repurchase agreements totaling $30,507,000, collateralized by U.S. government and government agency obligations with a market value of approximately $30,465,000. At June 26, 2009, SWS held reverse repurchase agreements totaling $21,622,000, collateralized by U.S. government and government agency obligations with a market value of approximately $21,628,000.

 

10. INVESTMENTS

SWS has interests in three investment partnerships that are accounted for under the equity method, which approximates fair value as described in Note 1(u), Fair Value of Financial Instruments. One is a limited partnership venture capital fund to which SWS has committed $5,000,000. As of June 25, 2010, SWS had contributed $4,400,000 of this commitment. The remaining $600,000 commitment is expected to be paid in September 2010 and has been accrued in the financial statements at June 25, 2010. SWS recorded a net gain on this investment for fiscal 2010 of $1,254,000 and has recorded the investment at the fair value of $2,294,000 at June 25, 2010. SWS recorded a net loss on this investment for fiscal 2009 of $2,695,000. SWS recorded income of $220,000 related to this investment during fiscal 2008. SWS’s investment represents less than 20% of the total interests in the partnership.

The other two investments are limited partnership equity funds. The Bank committed $3,000,000 in fiscal 2007 and $2,000,000 in fiscal 2009 to these funds as a cost effective way of meeting its obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (“CRA”). As of June 25, 2010, the Bank had invested $3,000,000 of its aggregate commitment to the two funds. During fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Bank recorded gains of $323,000, $1,320,000 and $15,000, respectively, related to these investments. On January 28, 2009, the Bank executed a loan agreement with one of the partnerships for $4,500,000 to mature on January 28, 2010. The loan was amended on November 16, 2009, increasing the note amount to $5,000,000. On January 28, 2010, the maturity date of the loan was extended to July 28, 2010. The loan had an outstanding balance at June 30, 2010 of $4,991,000. The loan bears interest at the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate with a floor of 5% and interest is due monthly.

 

F-19


Table of Contents
11. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

On March 22, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation, (“Ameritrade”) to transfer its correspondent clearing clients to the Company. This transaction closed in July 2006. Of the maximum agreed upon purchase price of $5,800,000, $2,382,000 was paid upon closing with the remainder to be paid on the one year anniversary of the closing date. SWS paid an additional $2,678,000 in July 2007 under the terms of the agreement. As a result of these transactions, the Company recorded a customer relationship intangible of $5,060,000. The intangible asset is being amortized over a five year period at a rate based on the estimated future economic benefit of the customer relationships. SWS has recognized approximately $942,000, $1,130,000 and $1,347,000 of amortization expense in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The intangible asset is included in other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition. SWS’s estimated future amortization expense for this intangible asset is as follows (in thousands):

 

Fiscal 2011

     785

Fiscal 2012

     6
      
               $     791
      

SWS performed an asset impairment analysis of the intangible asset during fiscal 2010, and based on its analysis, the asset was not impaired.

 

12. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Southwest Securities has credit arrangements with commercial banks, which include broker loan lines of up to $300,000,000. These lines of credit are used primarily to finance securities owned, securities held for correspondent broker/dealer accounts, receivables in customers’ margin accounts, and underwriting activities. These lines may also be used to release pledged collateral against day loans. These credit arrangements are provided on an “as offered” basis and are not committed lines of credit. These arrangements can be terminated at any time by the lender. Any outstanding balance under these credit arrangements is due on demand and bears interest at rates indexed to the federal funds rate. At June 25, 2010, the amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $110,000,000, which was collateralized by securities held for firm accounts valued at $167,564,000. At June 26, 2009, the amount outstanding under these secured arrangements was $10,000,000, which was collateralized by securities held for firm accounts valued at $82,615,000.

SWS had $250,000 outstanding under unsecured letters of credit at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, pledged to support its open positions with securities clearing organizations. The letters of credit bear a 1% commitment fee and are renewable semi-annually.

At June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, SWS had an additional unsecured letter of credit issued for a sub-lease of space previously occupied by Mydiscountbroker.com, a subsidiary of SWS dissolved in July 2004, in the amount of $143,000 and $286,000, respectively. The letter of credit bears a 1% commitment fee and is renewable annually.

SWS also had $500,000 outstanding under an unsecured letter of credit at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, pledged to support its underwriting activities. The letter of credit bears a 1% commitment fee and is renewable annually at SWS’s option.

In addition to the broker lines, at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, SWS had a $20,000,000 unsecured line of credit that is due on demand and bears interest at rates indexed to the federal funds rate. This credit arrangement is provided on an “as offered” basis and is not a committed line of credit. The total amount of borrowings available under this line of credit is reduced by the amount outstanding on the line and under any unsecured letters of credit at the time of borrowing. At June 25, 2010, there were no amounts outstanding on this line other than the $893,000 under unsecured letters of credit referenced above. At June 26, 2009, there were no amounts outstanding on this line other than the $1,036,000 in unsecured letters of credit referenced above. At June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, the total amount available for borrowing under this line was $19,107,000 and $18,964,000, respectively.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

At June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, SWS had an irrevocable letter of credit agreement aggregating $55,000,000 and $42,000,000, respectively, pledged to support customer open options positions with an options clearing organization. The letter of credit bears interest at the brokers’ call rate, if drawn, and is renewable semi-annually. The letter of credit is fully collateralized by marketable securities held in client and non-client margin accounts with a value of $80,946,000 and $59,428,000 at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, respectively.

On January 29, 2010, Southwest Securities entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated bank for a $50,000,000 committed revolving credit facility. The facility includes up to $15,000,000 in unsecured credit. The commitment fee is 37.5 basis points and when drawn, the interest rate is equal to the federal funds rate plus 75 basis points. The agreement provides that Southwest Securities must maintain a tangible net worth of at least $150,000,000. As of June 25, 2010, there were no amounts outstanding under this committed revolving credit facility.

In addition to using customer securities to collateralize bank loans, SWS also loans client securities as collateral in conjunction with SWS’ securities lending activities. At June 25, 2010, approximately $275,260,000 of client securities under customer margin loans was available to be pledged, of which SWS had pledged $41,629,000 under securities loan agreements. At June 26, 2009, approximately $195,983,000 of client securities under customer margin loans was available to be pledged, of which SWS had pledged $8,381,000 under securities loan agreements.

The Bank has an agreement with an unaffiliated bank for a $30,000,000 unsecured line of credit for the purchase of federal funds with a floating interest rate. The unaffiliated bank is not obligated by this agreement to sell federal funds to the Bank. The proceeds from the line of credit are used by the Bank to support short-term liquidity needs. At June 30, 2010 and 2009, there were no amounts outstanding on this line of credit.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2010, the Bank entered into a secured line of credit agreement with the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank. This line of credit is secured by the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio. This line is due on demand and bears interest at a rate equal to the federal funds target rate plus 25 basis points. At June 30, 2010, the total amount available under this line was $96,154,000 and there was no amount outstanding.

 

13. DEPOSITS

Bank core deposits at June 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     2010     2009  
     Amount    Percent     Amount    Percent  
                

Noninterest bearing demand accounts

       $ 80,211    5.4         $ 60,463    4.7  

Interest bearing demand accounts

     99,529    6.7          84,318    6.5     

Savings accounts

     1,197,659    80.5          1,030,900    79.8     

Limited access money market accounts

     37,929    2.5          45,126    3.5     

Certificates of deposit, less than $100,000

     38,861    2.6          40,172    3.1     

Certificates of deposit, $100,000 and greater

     34,236    2.3          31,387    2.4     
                
       $   1,488,425    100.0         $   1,292,366    100.0  
                

The year to date weighted average interest rate on deposits was approximately 0.25% and 1.06% at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

At June 30, 2010, scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit were as follows (in thousands):

 

     2011    2012    2013    2014    Thereafter    Total

Certificates of deposit, less than $100,000

       $   28,454          $   3,640          $   2,196          $   1,006          $   3,565          $   38,861  

Certificates of deposit, $100,000 and greater

     23,392        3,294        2,951        859        3,740        34,236  
                                         
       $ 51,846          $ 6,934          $ 5,147          $ 1,865          $ 7,305          $ 73,097  
                                         

The Bank is funded primarily by core deposits, with interest bearing checking accounts and savings accounts from Southwest Securities customers making up a significant source of these deposits.

 

F-21


Table of Contents
14. SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

Securities sold under repurchase agreements, which are secured borrowings, generally mature within one to four days from the transaction date. Securities sold under repurchase agreements are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transactions. The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities. The Company monitors the fair value of the underlying securities on a daily basis. Securities sold under repurchase agreements at June 25, 2010 were $12,389,000. At June 26, 2009, SWS had repurchase agreements totaling $4,462,000.

 

15. ADVANCES FROM THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK

At June 30, 2010 and 2009, advances from the FHLB were due as follows (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009     

Maturity:

        

Due within one year

       $ 33,714          $ 5,579     

Due within two years

     9,376        10,146     

Due within five years

     48,050        57,875     

Due within seven years

     6,274        5,522     

Due within ten years

     5,486        8,111     

Due within twenty years

     29,921        30,259     
                
       $     132,821          $     117,492     
                

Pursuant to collateral agreements, the advances from the FHLB had interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 7% and were collateralized by approximately $483,000,000 of collateral value (as defined) in qualifying first mortgage loans at June 30, 2010 (calculated at March 31, 2010). The weighted average interest rate was 3.9% in fiscal 2010. At June 30, 2009 (calculated at March 31, 2009), the advances from the FHLB had interest rates from 2% to 8% and were collateralized by approximately $499,000,000 of collateral value in qualifying first mortgages. The weighted average interest rate was 4.7% in fiscal 2009.

 

16. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 (effective rate of 36.4% in fiscal 2010, 38.5% in fiscal 2009 and 37.2% in fiscal 2008) differs from the amount that would otherwise have been calculated by applying the federal corporate tax rate (35% in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008) to income from continuing operations before income tax expense and is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009    2008

Income tax expense (benefit) at the statutory rate

       $     (1,593)          $     13,450          $     17,188  

Tax exempt interest

     (782)        (1,100)        (1,007)  

Tax exempt expense (income) from company-owned life insurance (“COLI”)

     (373)        886        304  

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

     1,069        1,638        1,676  

Non-deductible meals and entertainment

     274        303        301  

Other, net

     (254)        (379)        (207)  
                    
       $ (1,659)          $     14,798          $     18,255  
                    

Income taxes as set forth in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income consisted of the following components (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009    2008

Current

        

Federal

       $     4,383          $     18,422          $     14,553  

State

     2,303        2,491        2,276  
                    
     6,686        20,913        16,829  
                    

 

F-22


Table of Contents
     2010    2009    2008

Deferred

        

Federal

       $     (7,395)          $     (5,910)          $     1,411  

State

     (950)        (205)        15  
                    
     (8,345)        (6,115)        1,426  
                    

Total income tax expense

       $ (1,659)          $ 14,798          $ 18,255  
                    

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009 are presented below (in thousands):

 

     2010    2009

Deferred tax assets:

     

Employee compensation plans

           $     11,787              $     10,848  

Allowance for probable loan losses

     12,625        5,156  

Bad debt reserve

     1,847        1,361  

Deferred rent

     1,675        1,782  

Fixed assets, net

     202        —  

Gain on sale of loans deferred for book

     804        873  

Investment in unconsolidated ventures

     384        1,190  

Securities available for sale

     —        1,444  

State taxes

     1,155        676  

Other

     643        482  
             

Total gross deferred tax assets

     31,122        23,812  
             

Deferred tax liabilities:

     

Securities available for sale

           $ (145)              $ —  

Extraordinary gain

     (239)        (1,046)  

Fixed assets, net

     —        (294)  

Other

     (99)        (97)  
             

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

     (483)        (1,437)  
             

Net deferred tax assets – included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition

           $ 30,639              $ 22,375  
             

Certain deferred tax assets are derived from capital losses, which depend on having sufficient capital gain income within the carryback and carryforward period available under the tax law. Management has determined that one or more sources of taxable income of the appropriate character exist for the realization of the tax benefit from SWS’ capital losses. As a result of SWS’ history of taxable income and the nature of the items from which deferred tax assets are derived, management believes that is more likely than not that SWS will realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets.

 

17. REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

Brokerage. The broker/dealer subsidiaries are subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule (the “Net Capital Rule”), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Southwest Securities has elected to use the alternative method, permitted by the Net Capital Rule, which requires that it maintain minimum net capital, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 15c3-1, equal to the greater of $1,000,000 or 2% of aggregate debit balances, as defined in Rule 15c3-3. At June 25, 2010, Southwest Securities had net capital of $133,582,000, or approximately 45% of aggregate debit balances, which is $127,659,000 in excess of its minimum net capital requirement of $5,923,000 at that date. Additionally, the net capital rule of the NYSE provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if resulting net capital would be less than 5% of aggregate debit items. At June 25, 2010, Southwest Securities had net capital of $118,775,000 in excess of 5% of aggregate debit items.

SWS Financial follows the primary (aggregate indebtedness) method under Exchange Act Rule 15c3-1, which requires the maintenance of the larger of minimum net capital of $250,000 or 1/15 of aggregate indebtedness. At June 25, 2010, the net capital and excess net capital of SWS Financial was $1,054,000 and $804,000, respectively.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

Banking. The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal agencies. Quantitative measures, established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy, require maintaining minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in 12 CFR 565 and 12 CFR 567) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier I (core) capital (as defined) to adjusted assets (as defined). Effective July 13, 2010, the Bank entered into an Informal Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the OTS. The MOU provides that the Bank will maintain a Tier I (core) capital ratio of 8% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 12%. See Note 26, Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of Thrift Supervision. Management believes, as of June 30, 2010, that the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of June 30, 2010 and 2009, the Bank was considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well capitalized,” the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based and Tier I (core) capital ratios. Should the Bank not meet these minimums, certain mandatory and discretionary supervisory actions (as defined in 12 CFR 565.6) would be applicable.

The Bank’s capital amounts and ratios at June 30, 2010 and 2009 were (dollars in thousands):

 

     Actual    

For Capital

Adequacy Purposes

   

To Be Well

Capitalized Under

Prompt Corrective

Action Provisions

 
      
    

Amount

  

Ratio

   

Amount

  

Ratio

   

Amount

  

Ratio

 

June 30, 2010:

               

Total risk based capital ratio

   $172,483    12.2       $113,015    8.0       $141,268    10.0    

Tier I risk based capital ratio

   154,824    11.0          56,507    4.0          84,761    6.0       

Tier I (core) capital ratio

   154,824    8.7          71,958    4.0          89,948    5.0       

June 30, 2009:

               

Total risk based capital ratio

   $155,991    12.1       $103,216    8.0       $129,020    10.0    

Tier I risk based capital ratio

   141,261    10.9          51,608    4.0          77,412    6.0       

Tier I (core) capital ratio

   141,261    9.1          62,355    4.0          77,944    5.0       

 

18. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan. SWS has a defined contribution profit sharing/401(k) plan covering substantially all of its employees. Employer provided profit sharing plan benefits become fully vested after six years of service by the participant. Profit sharing contributions are accrued and funded at SWS’ discretion. There were no profit sharing contributions in fiscal 2010 and 2008. In fiscal 2009 there was a profit sharing contribution of $439,000. Under the 401(k) portion of the plan, SWS provides a match of up to 4% of eligible compensation. SWS’ matching contributions vest immediately and the expense totaled approximately $4,285,000, $3,709,000 and $2,854,000 in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

M.L. Stern provided a profit sharing 401(k) defined contribution plan (the “Contribution Plan”) that covered all of its full-time employees. M.L. Stern matched, at its discretion, a set percentage of employees’ contributions. From April 1, 2008 to June 30, 2008, M.L. Stern’s aggregate matching contribution to the Contribution Plan was $46,000. In fiscal 2009, M.L. Stern made discretionary contributions to the Contribution Plan and the profit sharing plan of $255,000 and $56,000, respectively. Effective January 1, 2009, this plan merged with the SWS profit sharing/401(k) plan.

Deferred Compensation Plan. SWS Group provides a deferred compensation plan for eligible officers and employees to defer a portion of their bonus compensation and commissions. The assets of the deferred compensation plan include investments in SWS Group common stock, Westwood common stock and COLI. Investments in SWS Group common stock are carried at cost and are held as treasury stock with an offsetting deferred compensation liability in the equity section of the consolidated statements of financial condition. Investments in Westwood common stock are carried at market value and recorded as securities available for sale. Investments in COLI are carried at the cash surrender value of the insurance policies and recorded in other assets in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

For fiscal 2010 and 2009, approximately $16,248,000 and $12,120,000 was invested in the deferred compensation plan, respectively. The fair value of SWS Group common stock held in the deferred compensation plan at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009 was $2,200,000 and $2,528,000, respectively. The fair value of Westwood common stock held in the deferred compensation plan at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009 was $242,000 and $271,000, respectively. The cash surrender value of COLI held in the deferred compensation plan at June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009 was $12,592,000 and $9,509,000, respectively. Funds totaling $3,207,000 were invested in 216,295 shares of SWS Group common stock, with the remainder invested in Westwood common stock and COLI as of June 25, 2010. Funds totaling $2,819,000 were invested in 186,871 shares of SWS Group common stock, with the remainder invested in Westwood common stock and COLI as of June 26, 2009. Approximately $2,638,000, $3,049,000 and $1,996,000 of compensation expense was recorded for participant contributions and employer matching contributions related to the deferred compensation plan in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The trustee of the deferred compensation plan is Wilmington Trust Company.

The trustee under the deferred compensation plan periodically purchases the Company’s common stock in the open market in accordance with the terms of the plan. This stock is classified as treasury stock in the consolidated financial statements, but participates in dividends declared by SWS. The plan purchased 34,999 shares during fiscal 2010 at a cost of $472,000 or $13.50 per share. The plan purchased 60,000 shares during fiscal 2009 at a cost of $1,028,000 or $17.15 per share. During fiscal 2010 and 2009, 5,575 and 9,644 shares, respectively, were sold or distributed pursuant to the plan.

Stock Option Plan. At June 25, 2010, SWS had no active stock option plans. All outstanding options under the 1996 Plan may still be exercised until their contractual expiration date occurs. No options may be exercised under the 1997 Plan as all outstanding options under the 1997 Plan have expired. Options granted under the 1996 Plan have a maximum ten-year term, and all options are fully vested. See Note 1(r), Stock-Based Compensation.

A summary of the status of SWS’ outstanding stock options as of June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008 is presented below:

 

     2010    2009    2008
         Underlying
    Shares
   Weighted-    
Average    
Exercise    
Price    
       Underlying
    Shares
   Weighted-    
Average    
Exercise    
Price    
       Underlying
    Shares
   Weighted-    
Average    
Exercise    
Price    
              

Outstanding, beginning of period

   524,388    $12.52        566,168    $12.34        638,024    $11.93    

Exercised

   (3,000)    8.95        (40,005)    10.06        (71,856)    8.66    

Forfeited

   (100,390)    17.28        (1,775)    12.96           —    
                       

Outstanding, end of period

   420,998    $11.41        524,388    $12.52        566,168    $12.34    
                       

Exercisable, end of period

   420,998       524,388       566,168   

 

F-25


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes information for the stock options outstanding at June 25, 2010:

 

     Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable

Range of

Exercise Prices

   Number
    Outstanding    
   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
   Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
   Number
Exercisable
  

Weighted-    

Average    
Exercise Price    

    

$6.72 - $8.96

   181,050      2.15    $  8.95    181,050      $  8.95

$8.97 - $11.20

   105,622      1.21    $10.30    105,622      $10.30

$13.45 - $ 15.68

   134,326      0.16    $15.59    134,326      $15.59
                  
   420,998      1.28    $11.41    420,998      $11.41
                  

Restricted Stock Plan. The Restricted Stock Plan allows for awards of up to 1,250,000 shares of SWS Group’s common stock to SWS’ directors, officers and employees. No more than 300,000 of the authorized shares may be newly issued shares of common stock. The Restricted Stock Plan terminates on August 21, 2013. The vesting period is determined on an individualized basis by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. In general, restricted stock granted to employees under the Restricted Stock Plan vests pro-rata over a three year period, and restricted stock granted to non-employee directors vests on the one year anniversary of the date of grant.

In fiscal 2008, the Board of Directors approved grants to various officers and employees totaling 220,876 shares with a weighted average market value of $16.06 per share. In fiscal 2009, the Board of Directors approved grants to various officers and employees totaling 110,373 shares with a weighted average market value of $17.65 per share. During fiscal 2010, the Board of Directors approved grants to various officers and employees totaling 146,844 shares with a weighted average market value of $14.76 per share. As a result of these grants, SWS recorded deferred compensation in additional paid in capital of approximately $7,151,000. For fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, SWS recognized compensation expense of approximately $2,685,000, $2,172,000 and $1,878,000, respectively, for restricted stock grants.

Upon vesting of the shares granted under the Restricted Stock Plan, the grantees may choose to sell a portion of their vested shares to the Company to cover the tax liabilities arising from the vesting. The table below summarizes the number and fair value of vested shares repurchased to cover grantees’ tax liabilities (dollars in thousands except per share amounts).

 

         Shares
    Purchased
   Purchase
Price
   Weighted    
Average    
Price per    
Share    
    

Fiscal year ended

        

June 25, 2010

           36,680    $513      $13.97

June 26, 2009

   22,097    $375      $16.99
       
   58,777    $888     
       

At June 25, 2010, the total number of shares outstanding under the Restricted Stock Plan was 277,309 and the total number of securities available for future grants was 383,972.

 

F-26


Table of Contents
19. EARNINGS PER SHARE

A reconciliation between the weighted average shares outstanding used in the basic and diluted EPS computations is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

    2010   2009   2008

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

          $ (2,893)             $ 23,631             $ 30,854  

Income from discontinued operations

    —       —       17  

Extraordinary gain, net of tax of $571

    —       —       1,061  
                 

Net income/(loss)

          $ (2,893)             $ 23,631             $ 31,932  

Dividends on estimated forfeitures-restricted stock

    10       11       8  
                 

Adjusted net income/(loss)

          $ (2,883)             $ 23,642             $ 31,940  
                 

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

    30,252,732       27,429,382       27,501,671  

Effect of dilutive securities:

     

Assumed exercise of stock options

    —       79,203       100,487  
                 

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted

    30,252,732       27,508,585       27,602,158  
                 

Earnings per share – basic

     

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

          $ (0.10)             $ 0.86             $ 1.12  

Income from discontinued operations

    —       —       —  

Extraordinary gain

    —       —       0.04  
                 

Net income/(loss)

          $ (0.10)             $ 0.86             $ 1.16  
                 

Earnings per share – diluted

     

Income/(loss) from continuing operations

          $ (0.10)             $ 0.86             $ 1.12  

Income from discontinued operations

    —       —       —  

Extraordinary gain

    —       —       0.04  
                 

Net income/(loss)

          $ (0.10)             $ 0.86             $ 1.16  
                 

At June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008, there were options to acquire approximately 421,000, 524,000 and 566,000 shares of common stock outstanding under SWS’ stock option plans, respectively, see Note 18, Employee Benefits. As a result of the net loss in fiscal 2010, all options are anti-dilutive and are not included in the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding and diluted EPS. As of June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008, options to acquire approximately 33,000 and 6,900 shares of common stock, respectively, were anti-dilutive and were not included in the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding-dilutive.

 

20. OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK

On October 16, 2009, the Company filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC registering $150,000,000 of securities for sale. On December 9, 2009, the Company closed a public offering of 4,347,827 shares of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. On December 16, 2009, the underwriters for the public offering exercised their option to purchase an additional 652,174 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments. The Company generated net proceeds from these common stock offerings, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions, of approximately $54,354,000.

 

F-27


Table of Contents
21. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND GUARANTEES

Commitments and Contingencies.

Legal Proceedings. In the general course of its brokerage business and the business of clearing for other brokerage firms, SWS and/or its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various lawsuits and arbitration proceedings. These claims allege violation of various federal and state securities laws. The Bank is also involved in certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that resolution of these claims will not result in any material adverse effect on SWS’ consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Leases. SWS leases its offices and certain data processing equipment used in its brokerage operations under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Rental expense for facilities and equipment leases for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008 aggregated approximately $11,848,000, $11,689,000 and $9,201,000, respectively.

The future rental payments for the non-cancelable operating leases at June 25, 2010 are included in the table below (in thousands). Of the $56,347,000 in lease commitments, approximately $329,000 has been reserved for as impaired. The minimum lease payments shown below have been reduced by $455,000 of minimum sublease rentals to be received in the future under non-cancelable subleases.

 

     Operating
Leases
    

Fiscal year:

     

2011

     9,908     

2012

     8,668     

2013

     7,400     

2014

     6,243     

2015

     5,493     

Thereafter

     18,635     
         

Total minimum lease payments

           $   56,347     
         

Venture Capital Fund. SWS has committed $5,000,000 to invest in a limited partnership venture capital fund. As of June 25, 2010, SWS had contributed $4,400,000 of its commitment. SWS has been notified that it must pay the remaining $600,000 of its commitment by September 2010. The Bank has committed to invest $5,000,000 in two limited partnership equity funds. As of June 30, 2010, the Bank had invested $3,000,000 of its commitment.

Underwriting. Through its participation in underwriting securities, both corporate and municipal, SWS could expose itself to material risk, since the possibility exists that securities SWS has committed to purchase cannot be sold at the initial offering price. Federal and state securities laws and regulations also affect the activities of underwriters and impose substantial potential liabilities for violations in connection with sales of securities by underwriters to the public. The total potential amount due under outstanding underwriting arrangements at June 25, 2010 was $913,000.

Guarantees. The Bank has stand-by letters of credit primarily issued for real estate development purposes. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Bank could be required to make under the letters of credit is $1,128,000. The recourse provisions of the letters of credit allow the amount of the letters of credit to become a part of the fully collateralized loans with total repayment. The collateral on these letters of credit consists of real estate, certificates of deposit, equipment, accounts receivable or furniture and fixtures.

The Company provides representations and warranties to counterparties in connection with a variety of commercial transactions and occasionally indemnifies them against potential losses caused by the breach of those representations and warranties. These indemnification obligations generally are standard contractual indemnities and are entered into in the normal course of business. The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required to make under these indemnities cannot be estimated. However, the Company believes that it is unlikely it will have to make material payments under these arrangements and has not recorded any contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements for these indemnities.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

SWS is a member of an exchange and multiple clearinghouses. Under the membership agreements, members are generally required to guarantee the performance of other members. Additionally, if a member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the clearinghouse, other members would be required to meet shortfalls. To mitigate these performance risks, the exchanges and clearinghouses often require members to post collateral. SWS’ maximum potential liability under these arrangements cannot be quantified. However, the potential for SWS to be required to make payments under these arrangements is unlikely. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the consolidated financial statements for these arrangements.

 

22. AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS

Clients and correspondents of SWS have the option to invest in an interest bearing checking account called Bank Insured Deposits at the Bank. These funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000. The funds are considered core deposits and are the primary funding source for the Bank. Core deposits were $1,488,425,000 at June 30, 2010. At June 25, 2010, clients of Southwest Securities had invested $1,293,451,000 in these funds.

One director of SWS was a principal guarantor of four loans made by the Bank to a North Texas business franchise in which he is a co-managing partner. These loans included a secured revolving line of credit in the amount of $3,000,000. As of June 30, 2009, this line of credit was no longer available. During fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Bank recognized interest income on this line of credit of $0, $12,500 and $11,700, respectively. Additionally, two loans totaling $2,796,000 were made by the Bank to the franchise. These loans had fiscal year end balances of $0 and $1,164,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The loans bear interest at the prime rate and during fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, the Bank recognized interest income on these loans of $25,500, $67,400 and $83,700, respectively. Lastly, the director guaranteed a loan made by the Bank to purchase two vehicles for the franchise. This loan was initiated in fiscal 2008 and had a balance of $0 at June 30, 2009. The Bank recognized interest income on this loan of $0, $1,500 and $500 in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

At June 30, 2010, two directors of SWS owned approximately 64% of a local bank and one of SWS’ executive officers owned less than a 1.0% interest in this bank. The Bank has sold loan participations with outstanding balances of $3,400,000 and $3,450,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, to this local bank. The terms of the participation agreements resulted in payments of interest and fees to the other bank of $157,000, $246,000 and $719,000 in fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The Bank did not purchase loan participations from this bank in fiscal 2010 or 2009. The interest rates on these participations were substantially the same as participations sold by the Bank to unrelated banks.

In January 2009, the Bank executed a loan agreement with one of the investment partnerships accounted for on the equity method for $5,000,000. See further discussion in Note 10, Investments.

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has transactions, including borrowings and deposits, with its executive officers, directors and their affiliates. It is the policy of the Bank that such transactions are on the same terms, including interest rates and collateral requirements, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons. The aggregate amount of such loans totaled approximately $1,222,000 and $2,417,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, with interest income of approximately $97,000, $183,000 and $243,000 for fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Aggregate deposits totaled approximately $6,033,000 and $3,739,000 at June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

23. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following table summarizes by level within the fair value hierarchy “Assets segregated for regulatory purposes,” “Securities available for sale,” “Securities owned, at market value,” “Other assets,” and “Securities sold, not yet purchased, at market value” as of June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009. See Note 1(u), Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

 

F-29


Table of Contents

June 25, 2010

(in thousands)

     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total
      

Assets segregated for regulatory purposes

           

U.S. government guaranteed obligations

     $         62,167    $         —    $         —    $         62,167  
      
     $ 62,167    $    $    $ 62,167  
      

Securities available for sale

           

USHS stock

     $         1,146    $         __    $         __    $         1,146  

Westwood stock

     242      __      __      242  
      
     $ 1,388    $ __    $ __    $ 1,388  
      

Securities owned, at market value

           

Corporate equity securities

     $ 10,893    $ __    $ 1,841    $ 12,734  

Municipal obligations

     __      109,844      22,298      132,142  

U.S. government agency obligations

     13,710      5,808      __      19,518  

Corporate obligations

     __      70,844      __      70,844  

Other

     994      9,355      __      10,349  
      
     $ 25,597    $ 195,851    $ 24,139    $ 245,587  
      

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at market value

           

Corporate equity securities

     $ 925    $ __    $ __    $ 925  

Municipal obligations

     __      17      __      17  

U.S. government and government agency obligations

     45,225      101      __      45,326  

Corporate obligations

     __      20,867      __      20,867  

Other

     31      428      __      459  
      
     $ 46,181    $ 21,413    $ __    $ 67,594  
      

Grand Total

     $ 42,971    $ 174,438    $ 24,139    $ 241,548  
      
June 26, 2009                    
(in thousands)                    
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total
      

Assets segregated for regulatory purposes

           

U.S. government guaranteed obligations

     $ 15,916    $ __    $ __    $ 15,916  
      
     $ 15,916    $ __    $ __    $ 15,916  
      

Securities available for sale

           

USHS stock

     $ 914    $ __    $ __    $ 914  

NYX stock

     2,909      __      __      2,909  

Westwood stock

     271      __      __      271  
      
     $ 4,094    $ __    $ __    $ 4,094  
      

Securities owned, at market value

           

Corporate equity securities

     $ 7,530    $ __    $ 1,704    $ 9,234  

Municipal obligations

     __      67,048      23,875      90,923  

U.S. government agency obligations

     19,309      5,515      __      24,824  

Corporate obligations

     __      39,735      __      39,735  

Other

     928      9,386      __      10,314  
      
     $ 27,767    $ 121,684    $ 25,579    $ 175,030  
      

 

F-30


Table of Contents
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total
      

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at market value

           

Corporate equity securities

     $ 476    $ __    $ __    $ 476  

Municipal obligations

     __      112      __      112  

U.S. government and government agency obligations

     28,444      140      __      28,584  

Corporate obligations

     __      23,247      __      23,247  

Other

     __      817      __      817  
      
     $ 28,920    $ 24,316    $ __    $ 53,236  
      

Grand Total

     $ 18,857    $ 97,368    $ 25,579    $ 141,804  
      

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for fiscal 2010.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the major classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

 

(in thousands)    Corporate
Equity
    Securities    
    Municipal
Obligations
    Total
      

    Beginning balance at June 26, 2009

       $ 1,704      $ 23,875      $ 25,579   

Unrealized (losses)

     (4     (1,002     (1,006)  

Transfers into Level 3

     16        __        16   

Purchases

     525        __        525   

Sales

     (400     (575     (975)  
      

    Ending balance at June 25, 2010

       $ 1,841      $ 22,298      $ 24,139   
      

Changes in unrealized gains (losses) and realized gains (losses) for corporate and municipal obligations and corporate equity securities are presented in net gains on principal transactions on the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss).

The total unrealized losses included in earnings that related to assets still held at June 25, 2010 were $1,006,000.

 

24. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION RISK

In the normal course of business, the broker/dealer subsidiaries engage in activities involving the execution, settlement and financing of various securities transactions. These activities may expose SWS to off-statement of financial condition credit and market risks in the event the customer or counterparty is unable to fulfill its contractual obligation. Such risks may be increased by volatile trading markets.

As part of its normal brokerage activities, SWS sells securities not yet purchased (short sales) for its own account. The establishment of short positions exposes SWS to off-statement of financial condition market risk in the event prices increase, as SWS may be obligated to acquire the securities at prevailing market prices.

SWS seeks to control the risks associated with its customer activities, including customer accounts of its correspondents for which it provides clearing services, by requiring customers to maintain margin collateral in compliance with various regulatory and internal guidelines. The required margin levels are monitored daily and, pursuant to such guidelines, customers are required to deposit additional collateral or to reduce positions when necessary.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

A portion of SWS’ customer activity involves short sales and the writing of option contracts. Such transactions may require SWS to purchase or sell financial instruments at prevailing market prices in order to fulfill the customer’s obligations.

At times, SWS lends money using reverse repurchase agreements. All positions are collateralized by U.S. Government or U.S. Government agency securities. Such transactions may expose SWS to off-statement of financial condition risk in the event such borrowers do not repay the loans and the value of collateral held is less than that of the underlying receivable. These agreements provide SWS with the right to maintain the relationship between market value of the collateral and the receivable.

SWS arranges secured financing by pledging securities owned and unpaid customer securities for short-term borrowings to satisfy margin deposits of clearing organizations. SWS also actively participates in the borrowing and lending of securities. In the event the counterparty in these and other securities loaned transactions is unable to return such securities pledged or borrowed or to repay the deposit placed with them, SWS may be exposed to the risks of acquiring the securities at prevailing market prices or holding collateral possessing a market value less than that of the related pledged securities. SWS seeks to control the risks by monitoring the market value of securities pledged and requiring adjustments of collateral levels where necessary.

The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-statement of financial condition risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the statements of financial condition.

The Bank’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and stand-by letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-statement of financial condition instruments.

At June 30, 2010, the approximate amounts of these financial instruments were as follows (in thousands):

 

         Contractual    
Amount

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:

  

Commitments to fund loans

       $ 78,397    

Available credit

     62,610    

Standby letters of credit

     1,128    
      
       $ 142,135    
      

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require the payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire unused, the total commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates the customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount and type of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, varies and is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. The Bank has not incurred any significant losses on its commitments in fiscal 2010. Further, management believes the Bank will not incur material losses as a result of the commitments existing at June 30, 2010.

 

25. SEGMENT REPORTING

SWS operates the following four business segments:

 

   

Clearing: The clearing segment provides clearing and execution services (generally on a fully disclosed basis) for general securities broker/dealers, for bank affiliated firms and firms specializing in high volume trading.

 

   

Retail Brokerage: The retail brokerage segment includes retail securities products and services (equities, mutual funds and fixed income products), insurance products and managed accounts and encompasses the activities of our employee registered representatives and our independent representatives who are under contract with SWS Financial.

 

F-32


Table of Contents
   

Institutional Brokerage: The institutional brokerage segment serves institutional customers in securities lending, investment banking and public finance, fixed income sales and trading, proprietary trading and agency execution services.

 

   

Banking: The Bank offers traditional banking products and services and focuses on several sectors of the residential housing market, including interim construction and short-term funding for mortgage bankers.

Clearing and institutional brokerage services are offered exclusively through Southwest Securities. The Bank and its subsidiaries comprise the banking segment. Retail brokerage services are offered through Southwest Securities (the Private Client Group and the Managed Advisors Accounts department), SWS Insurance and through SWS Financial (which contracts with independent representatives for the administration of their securities business).

SWS’ segments are managed separately based on types of products and services offered and their related client bases. The segments are consistent with how we manage our resources and assess our performance. Management assesses performance based primarily on income before income taxes and net interest revenue (expense). As a result, SWS reports net interest revenue (expense) by segment. SWS’ business segment information is prepared using the following methodologies:

 

   

the financial results for each segment are determined using the same policies as those described in Note 1, Significant Accounting Policies;

   

segment financial information includes the allocation of interest based on each segment’s earned interest spreads;

   

information system and operational expenses are allocated based on each segment’s usage;

   

shared securities execution facilities expenses are allocated to the segments based on production levels;

   

money market fee revenue is allocated based on each segment’s average balances; and

   

clearing charges are allocated based on clearing levels from each segment.

Intersegment balances are eliminated upon consolidation and have been applied to the appropriate segment.

The “other” category includes SWS Group, corporate administration and SWS Capital. SWS Capital is a dormant entity that holds approximately $25,000 of assets. SWS Group is a holding company that owns various investments, including USHS common stock. In June 2009, SWS Group also owned shares of NYX common stock, which were sold in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

 

F-33


Table of Contents

The following table presents the Company’s operations by the segments outlined above:

 

    (in thousands)   Clearing           Retail(# )           Institutional(# )           Banking           Other    
Consolidated    
Entities     
  Consolidated  
SWS Group, Inc.  

    June 25, 2010

           

Operating revenue

      $ 14,942       $ 107,448       $ 141,949       $ 371       $ 1,454       $ 266,164  

Net intersegment revenues

    (895)     1,142     988     3,730     (4,965)     __  

Net interest revenue

    6,099     3,130     16,028     76,038     (488)     100,807  

Net revenues

    21,041     110,578     157,977     76,409     966     366,971  

Operating expenses

    26,346     110,359     104,755     94,235     35,828     371,523  

Depreciation and amortization

    974     1,053     560     2,472     2,035     7,094  

Net income (loss) before taxes

    (5,305)     219     53,222     (17,826)     (34,862)     (4,552)  

Assets (*)

    368,834     186,765     2,099,647     1,782,008     25,905     4,463,159  

    June 26, 2009

           

Operating revenue

      $ 20,962       $ 104,964       $ 153,488       $ 1,524       $ (7,134)       $ 273,804  

Net intersegment revenues

    (979)     1,089     876     6,248     (7,234)     __  

Net interest revenue

    5,603     2,554     34,482     65,186     (8)     107,817  

Net revenues

    26,565     107,518     187,970     66,710     (7,142)     381,621  

Operating expenses

    21,332     109,943     118,256     55,429     38,232     343,192  

Depreciation and amortization

    1,160     922     491     2,068     1,395     6,036  

Net income (loss) before taxes

    5,233     (2,425)     69,714     11,281     (45,374)     38,429  

Assets (*)

        361,057         156,563         2,028,717         1,559,226     24,556         4,130,119  

    June 27, 2008

           

Operating revenue

      $ 24,327       $ 85,781       $ 84,374       $ 4,051       $ (2,428)       $ 196,105  

Net intersegment revenues

    (937)     1,124     918     7,186     (8,291)     __  

Net interest revenue

    12,811     5,450     37,383     49,919     (37)     105,526  

Net revenues

    37,138     91,231     121,757     53,970     (2,465)     301,631  

Operating expenses

    25,527     80,194     75,599     36,269     34,933     252,522  

Depreciation and amortization

    1,370     765     428     875     1,517     4,955  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

    11,611     11,037     46,158     17,701         (37,398)     49,109  

Income from discontinued operations

    __     __     __     17     __     17  

Assets (*)

    433,510     242,325     2,941,811     1,357,152     29,785     5,004,583  

 

F-34


Table of Contents

(*) Assets are reconciled to total assets as presented in the June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008 consolidated statement of financial condition as follows:

 

       June 25, 2010    June 26, 2009    June 27, 2008    
      

Amount as presented above

       $ 4,463,159            $ 4,130,119            $ 5,004,583        

Reconciling items:

        

Unallocated assets:

        

Cash

     6,970              5,876              12,437        

Receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

     24,543              30,372              64,963        

Receivable from clients, net of allowances

     19,959              18,044              22,203        

Other assets

     16,955              28,242              34,139        

Unallocated eliminations

     (895)              (13,614)              (20,074)        
      

Total Assets

       $     4,530,691            $     4,199,039            $     5,118,251        
      

(#) SWS reorganized certain operations in its Pacific Coast division which resulted in the transfer of the Pacific Coast trading operation to the institutional segment from the retail segment. As a result, the financial information for the Company’s June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008 has been reclassified to reflect the transfer of the trading operations to the institutional segment from the retail segment.

 

26. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE OFFICE OF THRIFT SUPERVISION

Effective July 13, 2010, the Bank entered into an Informal MOU with the OTS. The MOU provides among other things, that the Bank will (i) maintain a Tier I (core) capital ratio of 8% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 12%; (ii) adopt a classified asset reduction plan; (iii) retain a third-party consulting firm to review loan classifications; (iv) restrict certain lending and (v) not declare or pay dividends without OTS approval. The MOU does not contain any monetary assessments or penalties. Management believes that it is instituting the appropriate plans to meet the requirements of the MOU; however, there is no certainty that the Bank can successfully execute on all of these requirements within the time frames noted in the MOU. If the Bank is unable to comply with the MOU, the OTS could take additional actions, including issuing formal enforcement actions.

 

F-35


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

SWS Group, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of SWS Group, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 25, 2010. Our audits of the basic financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)2. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of SWS Group, Inc. as of June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 25, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), SWS Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 25, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated August 31, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effective operation of SWS Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Dallas, Texas

August 31, 2010

 

F-36


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

SWS Group, Inc.

We have audited SWS Group, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of June 25, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 25, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statements of financial condition of the Company as of June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009, the related statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 25, 2010, and the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)2, and our report dated August 31, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and schedule.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Dallas, Texas

August 31, 2010

 

F-37


Table of Contents

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

SWS Group, Inc.

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Condensed Statements of Financial Condition

June 25, 2010 and June 26, 2009

(In thousands)

 

     2010    2009
Assets      

Investment in subsidiaries, at equity

       $  370,959            $  343,861    

Securities available for sale

     1,388          4,094    

Deferred compensation asset

     12,592          9,509    

Deferred tax asset

     8,149          8,857    

Other assets

     9,547          2,065    
             
       $ 402,635            $ 368,386    
             
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      

Other liabilities

       $ 19,241            $ 28,029    

Stockholders’ equity

     383,394          340,357    
             
       $ 402,635            $ 368,386    
             

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.

 

S-1


Table of Contents

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Continued

SWS Group, Inc.

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Condensed Statements of Income (Loss), Comprehensive Income (Loss)

and Stockholders’ Equity

Years Ended June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008

(In thousands)

 

     2010    2009    2008

Revenue:

        

Net gains (losses) on principal transactions

       $ 69            $ (119)            $ (24)    

Interest revenue

     —          1          31    

Other revenue

     2,427          (3,513)          (411)    
                    
     2,496          (3,631)          (404)    
                    

Expenses:

        

Interest expense

     —          —          76    

Other expense

     7,762          10,510          6,871    
                    
     7,762          10,510          6,947    
                    

Loss before income tax benefit and equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     (5,266)          (14,141)          (7,351)    

Income tax benefit

     (2,248)          (3,576)          (1,974)    
                    

Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     (3,018)          (10,565)          (5,377)    

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     125          34,196          36,248    
                    

Income (loss) before extraordinary gain

     (2,893)          23,631          30,871    

Extraordinary gain, net of tax of $571

     —          —          1,061    
                    

Net income (loss)

     (2,893)          23,631          31,932    

Other comprehensive income:

        

Recognition of net holding losses, net of tax of $1,740

     —          3,231          —    

Net holding gains and losses, net of tax of $81 in 2010; $(1,001) in 2009 and $(1,431) in 2008

     124          (1,857)          (2,611)    
                    

Net income (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income

     124          1,374          (2,611)    
                    

Comprehensive income (loss)

     (2,769)          25,005          29,321    

Stockholders’ equity at beginning of year

     340,357          323,006          306,447    

Payment of cash dividends on common stock – registrant

     (11,132)          (9,813)          (9,290)    

Exercise of options

     29          522          879    

Restricted stock plan

     2,162          1,785          1,504    

Excess (shortfall) for taxes on vesting of restricted stock

     (125)          67          218    

Repurchase of treasury stock

     —          —          (6,135)    

Public offering-common stock

     54,700          —          —    

Adoption of uncertain tax position accounting

     —          —          (271)    

Deferred compensation plan, net

     172          (215)          333    
                    

Stockholders’ equity at end of year

       $ 383,394            $ 340,357            $  323,006    
                    

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.

 

S-2


Table of Contents

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Continued

SWS Group, Inc.

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008

(In thousands)

 

     2010    2009    2008

Cash flows from operating activities:

        

Net income (loss)

       $ (2,893)          $ 23,631          $ 31,932  

Extraordinary gain

     __        __        (1,061)  

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

        

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

     627        (2,458)        2,949  

Deferred compensation for deferred compensation plan and restricted stock plan

     4,318        821        1,581  

Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries

     (27,098)        (13,784)        (38,401)  

Equity in loss (earnings) on investments

     (1,344)        2,695        (220)  

Loss (gain) on investment in securities available for sale

     (16)        4,971        __  

Change in minority interest

     __        __        (50)  

Shortfall (excess) for taxes on vesting of restricted stock

     125        (67)        (218)  

Other

     (1,771)        1,386        (4,090)  
                    

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (28,052)        17,195        (7,578)  
                    

Cash flows from investing activities:

        

Payments on notes and other accounts with subsidiaries

     (18,238)        (6,812)        27,624  

Cash paid on purchase of M.L. Stern, net of acquired cash

     __        (760)        (6,388)  

Cash paid on investments

     (400)        __        __  

Cash received from investments

     209        __        639  

Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale

     2,925        __        __  
                    

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (15,504)        (7,572)        21,875  
                    

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Cash proceeds from short-term borrowings

     __        __        10,000  

Payments of short-term borrowings

     __        __        (10,000)  

Payment of cash dividends on common stock

     (11,216)        (9,879)        (9,345)  

Shortfall (excess) for taxes on vesting of restricted stock

     (125)        67        218  

Net proceeds from secondary offering

     54,700        __        __  

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options

     27        403        623  

Proceeds related to the deferred compensation plan

     642        814        623  

Purchase of treasury stock related to deferred compensation plan

     (472)        (1,028)        (281)  

Purchase of treasury stock related to repurchase plan

     __        __        (6,135)  
                    

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     43,556        (9,623)        (14,297)  
                    

Net change in cash

     __        __        __  

Cash at beginning of year

     __        __        __  
                    

Cash at end of year

       $ __          $ __          $ __  
                    

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.

 

S-3


Table of Contents

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Continued

SWS Group, Inc.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements of Registrant

GENERAL

The accompanying condensed financial statements of SWS Group, Inc. (“Registrant”) should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended June 25, 2010, June 26, 2009 and June 27, 2008 included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

S-4