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8-K/A - AMENDMENT TO FORM 8-K - LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.v245438_8ka.htm
EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.v245438_ex99-1.htm
EX-99.3 - EXHIBIT 99.3 - LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.v245438_ex99-3.htm
EX-23.1 - EXHIBIT 23.1 - LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.v245438_ex23-1.htm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities America
Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Index

 
 
Page(s)
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
 
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
2
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
3
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity
4
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
5
   
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6–15
  
 
 

 

Securities America Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Assets
   (Unaudited)        
Cash and cash equivalents
  24,548,495     $ 5,186,798  
Cash, segregated under federal and other regulations
    78,765       72,979  
Securities owned, at market value
    196,744       15,094,604  
Receivable from clearing brokers
    8,119,066       9,372,454  
Other receivables
    8,574,357       10,778,326  
Fixed assets (net of accumulated depreciation of $32,351,774 and $29,581,982, respectively)
    14,960,926       15,448,992  
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $1,995,656 and $2,015,425, respectively)
    7,954,344       7,934,575  
Goodwill
    48,057,569       48,057,569  
Notes receivable (net of allowance of $526,500 and $749,830 respectively)
    23,472,710       15,990,641  
Due from affiliated parties
    328,235       3,181,180  
Deferred income taxes
    7,136,884       61,339,156  
Other assets (net of allowance of $430,000 and $219,000, respectively)
    20,647,125       27,156,493  
Total assets
  164,075,220     $ 219,613,767  
                 
                 
Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
  Securities sold, not yet purchased, at market value
  10,477     $ 75,892  
  Accrued compensation
    3,956,583       5,168,298  
  Commissions and fees payable
    14,381,724       17,102,376  
  Due to clearing brokers
    1,897,205       1,597,319  
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    22,311,921       31,929,942  
  Deferred income
    77,922       812,111  
  Special reserves
    9,481,664       138,789,106  
  Due to affiliated parties
    132,592,141       5,654,167  
  Total liabilities
    184,709,637       201,129,211  
                 
Stockholder's Equity
               
  Common stock
    5,064       5,064  
  Treasury stock
    (76,057 )     (76,057 )
  Additional paid-in capital
    125,223,997       115,223,997  
  Dividends paid
    (47,159,430 )     -  
  Accumulated deficit
    (98,627,991 )     (96,668,448 )
  Total stockholder's equity
    (20,634,417 )     18,484,556  
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity
  164,075,220     $ 219,613,767  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
2

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
(Unaudited)

 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Revenues:
           
  Commission revenue
  $ 174,815,724     $ 183,495,028  
  Advisory fees revenue
    132,946,637       121,722,427  
  Principal transactions, net
    345       (84,601 )
  Interest and dividends
    2,583,570       3,174,744  
  Other income
    32,027,850       33,187,767  
Total revenues
    342,374,126       341,495,365  
                 
                 
Expenses:
               
  Commissions and fees
    274,566,488       273,350,671  
  Compensation and benefits
    22,303,643       21,939,276  
  Non-cash compensation
    693,296       615,744  
  Brokerage, communications and clearance
    4,603,527       4,408,398  
  Rent and occupancy, net of sublease
    3,081,121       3,061,366  
  Professional services
    8,239,980       5,846,360  
  Legal settlements
    30,440       326,746  
  Interest expense
    341,113       47,446  
  Depreciation and amortization
    4,005,237       5,027,554  
  Other expenses
    22,682,704       23,345,080  
Total expenses
    340,547,549       337,968,641  
                 
Income before income taxes
    1,826,577       3,526,724  
                 
Income tax expense
    3,786,120       912,491  
Net (loss) income
  $ (1,959,543 )   $ 2,614,233  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
3

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

 
   
Common
Stock
   
Treasury
Stock
   
Additional
Paid-In Capital
   
Dividends
Paid
   
Accumulated
Deficit
   
Total
Stockholder’s
Equity
 
                                     
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 5,064     $ (76,057 )   $ 115,223,997     $ -     $ (96,668,448 )   $ 18,484,556  
                                                 
Net  loss
                                    (1,959,543 )     (1,959,543 )
                                                 
Dividends paid
                            (47,159,430 )             (47,159,430 )
                                                 
Additional paid-in capital
                    10,000,000                       10,000,000  
                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2011
  $ 5,064     $ (76,057 )   $ 125,223,997     $ (47,159,430 )   $ (98,627,991 )   $ (20,634,417 )


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

 

Securities America Financial Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
(Unaudited)

 
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net (loss) income
  $ (1,959,543 )   $ 2,614,233  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Deferred income taxes
    7,042,842       1,927,788  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    4,005,237       5,027,554  
Change in Assets and Liabilities:
               
Cash – segregated under federal and other regulations
    (5,786 )     (1,557 )
Securities owned
    14,897,860       2,889,519  
Receivables from clearing brokers
    1,253,388       (110,501
Other receivables, net
    2,203,969       (1,562,676 )
Notes receivable, net
    (7,482,069 )     2,310,170  
Due from affiliated parties
    2,852,945       (1,948,083 )
Income tax receivable     -       (2,679,904
Other assets
    6,509,368       (205,015 )
Securities sold, not yet purchased
    (65,415 )     (3,699 )
Accrued compensation
    (1,211,715 )     (99,373 )
Commissions and fees payable
    (2,720,652 )     2,315,008  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (9,618,021 )     (360,230 )
Due to clearing brokers
    299,886       352,244  
Special reserves
    (6,307,442 )     (42,961 )
Deferred income
    (734,189 )     (484,801 )
Due to affiliated parties
    3,937,974       2,803,864  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    12,898,637       12,741,580  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Investment in fixed assets
    (3,536,940 )     (3,104,600 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (3,536,940 )     (3,104,600 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Line of credit repayment
    -       (11,500,000 )
Capital contribution from Parent
    10,000,000       20,996  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    10,000,000       (11,479,004 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    19,361,697       (1,842,024 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    5,186,798       10,589,404  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 24,548,495     8,747,380  
                 
Cash paid for interest during the period
  $ 48,760     $ 45,571  
Cash paid for taxes during the period
    -       2,534,774  
                 
Non-cash transactions:                
Deferred tax asset given to Parent as a dividend-in-kind   $ 47,159,430     $ -  
Special reserves paid by Parent     123,000,000       -  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
5

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

  
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Description of Business and Principles of Consolidation
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Securities America Financial Corporation (“SAFC”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Securities America, Inc. (“SAI”), Securities America Advisors, Inc. (“SAA”) and Brecek & Young Advisors, Inc. (“BYA”) (collectively, the “Company”).  SAFC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (“Ameriprise Financial” or the “Parent”).  In the fourth quarter of 2011, SAFC was sold by Ameriprise Financial to Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. (“Ladenburg Thalmann”). See Note 10.
 
In addition, as discussed in Note 6, in connection with a deferred compensation program, the Company has purchased certain variable life insurance policies with cash surrender values which are held in a Rabbi Trust.  The assets of the Rabbi Trust have been consolidated and are reflected on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
 
The Company is a La Vista, Nebraska-based corporation and markets and distributes financial products nationally to the general public in three major areas:
 
·  
Securities Brokerage and Distribution Services – Provided through a network of independent contractor financial advisors affiliated with SAI.  SAI is a registered broker-dealer subject to regulation by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and state securities departments.  SAI derives a majority of its revenues from commission income from the brokerage of securities, most of which is paid as commission expense to independent contractor-brokers as compensation for initiating securities trades.  Service fees collected from independent contractor-brokers for the processing of securities trades and for administrative and compliance services provided by SAI also represent a significant source of the Company’s revenue.  Securities transactions are executed and cleared through unaffiliated brokerage firms, National Financial Services LLC and Pershing LLC (the “clearing brokers”).
 
·  
Investment Advisory and Counseling Services – Provided through a network of independent contractor financial advisors affiliated with SAA, an investment advisor registered with the SEC.  SAA derives its revenues from fee-based asset management support for services provided to registered independent contractor representatives of the Company that are charging a fee for managing their clients’ assets.  The Company also derives revenues from third-party money manager activity through BYA, an investment advisor registered with the SEC.  BYA derives its revenues by charging asset-based fees for managing clients’ money.
 
·  
Insurance Products – Marketed through a network of independent contractor insurance agents.  Revenues for these services consist principally of commission income, most of which is paid to independent agents as commission expense as compensation for the sale of insurance products.
 
All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Use of Estimates
 
In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Management believes that the estimates utilized in preparing its financial statements are reasonable and prudent.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
6

 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash represents cash at banks and on deposit with the Company’s clearing brokers.  The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
Financial Instruments
 
Substantially all of the Company’s financial instruments are carried at fair value or amounts approximating fair value, except for notes receivable (see Note 2).  Assets, including cash and cash equivalents, and certain receivables are carried at fair value or contracted amounts which approximate fair value.  Similarly, liabilities, including accrued liabilities and payables are carried at fair value or contracted amounts approximating fair value.  Securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased are carried on the consolidated statements of financial condition at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company reviews goodwill and intangible assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  In such cases, the estimated fair value of goodwill or intangible assets is determined using various analytical techniques.
 
Should such an assessment indicate that the value of goodwill or intangible assets is impaired, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its estimated fair value.  There were no impairments recognized during the periods ending September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 
Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated lives which range from four to twenty years.
 
Notes Receivable - Independent Contractor Financial Advisors
 
From time to time, the Company may make loans to its independent contractor financial advisors, including to newly recruited brokers to assist in the transition process.  See Note 2 for further discussion.
 
Management estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts to reserve for probable losses from notes receivable and other receivables from independent contractor financial advisors.  Management continually evaluates receivables for collectability and possible write-off by examining the facts and circumstances surrounding each receivable where a loss is deemed possible.
 
Internal Use Software
 
Costs of developing software are capitalized at the point technological feasibility has been established.  Once the technology is functional, such costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, net capitalized software development costs of $5,870,639 and $5,857,179, respectively, are reflected in fixed assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.
 
 
7

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

 
 
Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
 
Furniture and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to ten years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their useful estimated lives or the lives of the leases.
 
Revenue and Expense Recognition and Securities Transactions
 
The Company derives a majority of its revenues from commission income from the sale of securities and from investment advisory fees, most of which are paid as expense to independent contractor financial advisors as compensation.  Service fees result from amounts collected from independent contractor financial advisors for the processing of securities trades and from amounts collected for administrative and compliance services provided to independent contractor financial advisors.
 
Commission revenues and expenses related to customer securities transactions are recognized on a trade-date basis.  Customer securities transactions executed, but unsettled, are reflected in other receivables, net, and commissions and fees payable.  Securities transactions of the Company are recorded on a trade-date basis.  Securities owned are valued at quoted market values.  Securities not readily marketable require the Company to estimate the value of the securities using the best information available.  The resulting difference between cost and fair value is included in principal transactions, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
 
The Company has agreed to indemnify the clearing brokers for losses that they may sustain from customer accounts introduced by the Company.  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were no amounts to be indemnified to the clearing brokers for customer accounts.
 
Investment advisory fees, service fees and other revenues are recorded as revenue in the period that the related services are provided.
 
Employee Compensation and Benefits
 
Employee compensation and benefits are recognized as expenses in the period incurred. As discussed in Note 6, the Company has a deferred compensation plan which allows certain members of management and qualified, independent contractor-brokers to defer a portion of their compensation and commissions.  Participants can elect various distribution options, but must be in the plan for five years before any distributions can be made.  The Company has purchased variable life insurance contracts with cash surrender values that are designed to replicate the gains and losses of the deferred compensation liability and are held in a condensed consolidated Rabbi Trust.  The cash surrender value of the life insurance contracts is included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.  The amounts due to employees are included in other liabilities.  Changes in the value of the assets or liabilities are recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the 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 currently enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  Under the asset and liability method, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operations in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
Under the accounting guidance related to income taxes, the recognition of a benefit from a tax position requires that management determine whether such tax position is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.  If this threshold is met, the tax benefit is then measured and recognized at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.
 
 
8

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

 
 
It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in other expenses.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no interest or penalties have been accrued or incurred.
 
2. Notes Receivable - Independent Contractor Financial Advisors
 
The notes receivable balance is composed of unsecured non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing loans (interest ranging from 0% - 6.25%) to the Company’s independent contractor financial advisors.  These notes have various schedules for repayment or forgiveness and mature at various dates through 2017.  The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts on its receivables from independent contractor financial advisors based on historical collection experience.  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company reserved $526,500 and $749,830, respectively, against these notes.  Furthermore, the Company is continually evaluating its receivables for collectability and possible write-offs where a loss is deemed probable.
 
The carrying value of notes receivable from independent contractor financial advisors, which are recorded at cost, as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, is $23,999,210 and $16,740,471, respectively.  Fair value is $22,872,584 and $16,140,728, respectively, based on a valuation technique to convert future cash payments or forgiveness transactions to a single discounted present value amount.
 
3. Cash – Segregated Under Federal and Other Regulations
 
As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, cash received from customers of $78,765 and $72,979, respectively, has been segregated in a special account for the exclusive benefit of customers under the provisions of SEC Rule 15c3-3 Section (k)(2)(i).  Such amounts are promptly transmitted to the applicable counterparties.
 
4. Related-Party Transactions
 
The Company periodically advances excess funds to its affiliates or has amounts payable to affiliates for goods or services acquired through the affiliate.  The transactions recorded with the Company’s affiliates may not necessarily be representative of transactions recorded at arm’s length.  Amounts due to and from affiliates of the Company are settled periodically.
 
Prior to the sale of the Company to Ladenburg Thalmann, the Company had a line of credit agreement with Ameriprise Financial.  The line of credit was payable on demand and had a variable interest rate.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, this rate was 1.37% and 0.55%, respectively.  As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, borrowings under this agreement amounted to $5,000,000.
 
Amounts due from affiliates of the Company as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
 
    2011     2010  
Ameriprise Financial – income taxes
  $     $ 1,625,489  
Ameriprise Insurance Corporation (“AIC”) (errors and omissions insurance reimbursements)
    328,235       1,555,691  
    $ 328,235     $ 3,181,180  
 
Amounts due to affiliates of the Company as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Ameriprise Financial – loan for global settlement
  $ 123,000,000     $  
Ameriprise Financial – line of credit payable
    5,000,000       5,000,000  
Ameriprise Financial – stock options payable
    1,748,962       654,167  
Ameriprise Financial – income taxes payable
    2,296,517        
Ameriprise Financial – interest payable
    283,414        
Ameriprise Financial – other
    263,248        
    $ 132,592,141     $ 5,654,167  

 
9

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

 
 
Expenses to affiliates of the Company as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
AIC (errors and omissions insurance)
  $ 6,011,350     $ 7,540,000  
Ameriprise Financial (interest)
    329,826       48,868  
Total expenses to affiliates
  $ 6,341,176     $ 7,588,868  
 
5. Income Taxes
 
Prior to the sale, the Company filed a consolidated federal and state income tax returns with the Parent which included the Parent and all of the Parent's subsidiaries.  The provision for current income taxes was determined on a separate entity basis, except that any benefit for losses was recognized only to the extent that they were utilized in the consolidated return.  Under a tax sharing agreement, prior to the sale of the Company, it was the policy of the Parent to reimburse the Company for any current tax benefits that could be recognized on a separate entity basis by the Company.  Deferred income taxes were recorded to reflect the tax consequences on future years of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end.  State taxes were allocated to subsidiaries based on the subsidiaries' proportionate state liability.
 
The components of the provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Current income tax:
           
Federal
  $ (1,640,740 )   $ 586,416  
State and local
    (157,662 )     12,851  
Total current income tax
    (1,798,402 )     599,267  
Deferred income tax
    5,584,522       313,224  
Total income tax provision
  3,786,120     912,491  
 
The Company had approximately $6.5 million of permanent differences for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, which contributed to income tax expense.  The Company had a (payable) receivable from the Parent for federal income taxes of ($2,296,517) and $1,625,489 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.
 
 
10

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

  
 
The significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Deferred tax assets
           
Settlement agreements
  $ -     $ 47,159,430  
Deferred compensation
    6,914,758       11,324,838  
Accrued settlements and legal fees
    3,495,895       6,434,068  
Payroll and stock-based compensation
    864,193       1,036,005  
Other
    382,192       273,838  
   Total deferred tax assets
    11,657,038       66,228,179  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities
               
Depreciation and software
    (3,558,227 )     (4,354,544 )
Intangible assets
    (961,927 )     (534,479 )
   Total deferred tax liabilities
    (4,520,154 )     (4,889,023 )
           Net deferred tax assets
  $ 7,136,884     $ 61,339,156  
 
In connection with the $123 million settlement described in Note 8, the Company had a $47.2 million  deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2010.  The Company executed a dividend-in-kind to Ameriprise Financial on March 31, 2011 to distribute this deferred tax asset to the Parent.
 
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of the income tax provision. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits or related interest or penalties accrued for unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 
The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of the deferred tax assets that management believes will not be realized. Included in deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2010 is a significant deferred tax asset relating to the settlement agreements of $123 million that have been recognized for financial statement purposes, but was not yet deductible for tax return purposes prior to 2011. Significant judgment is required in determining if a valuation allowance should be established and the amount of such allowance if one is required. Consideration is given to, among others things in making this determination, a) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry forwards, b) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, c) taxable income in prior carry back years, and d) tax planning strategies. Based on analysis of the Company's tax position, and the dividend-in-kind noted above, management believes it is more likely than not that the results of future operations and implementation of tax planning strategies will generate sufficient taxable income to enable the Company to utilize all of its deferred tax assets. Accordingly, no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets has been established as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 
6. Deferred Compensation Plan
 
The Company has a deferred compensation plan which allows certain members of management and qualified, independent contractor financial advisors to defer a portion of their compensation and commissions.  Participants can elect various distribution options, but must be in the plan for five years before any distributions can be made.  The Company has purchased variable life insurance contracts with cash surrender values that are designed to replicate the gains and losses of the deferred compensation liability and are held in a consolidated Rabbi Trust.  The cash surrender values of the life insurance contracts held in the Rabbi Trust are intended to informally fund a portion of the deferred compensation liability.  The Company is the owner and beneficiary of these policies, for which the aggregated cash surrender value totaled $12,200,106 and $19,524,980 as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  The deferred compensation liability of $18,625,861 and $29,537,147 as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, reflects the current value of the deferred compensation benefits, which is subject to change with market value fluctuations.  The deferred compensation liability is equal to the theorized value of the underlying employee investment fund elections in the plan.
 
 
11

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

 
 
7. Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
 
The following table presents the balances of securities owned at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Mutual fund investments
  $ 21,744     $ 123,602  
Credit enhanced mortgage-backed
   security investments
    -       14,796,002  
Auction rate securities
    175,000       175,000  
    $ 196,744     $ 15,094,604  

 
The following table presents the balances of securities sold, not yet purchased at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Mutual fund investments
  $ 322     $ 32,042  
Municipal bond investments
    10,155       43,850  
    $ 10,477     $ 75,892  

 
The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
 
   
September 30, 2011
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                       
Mutual fund investments
  $ 21,744     $ -     $ -     $ 21,744  
Auction rate securities
    -       -       175,000       175,000  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 21,744     $ -     $ 175,000     $ 196,744  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Mutual fund investments
  $ 322     $ -     $ -     $ 322  
Municipal bond investments
    -       10,155       -       10,155  
Total liabilities at fair value
  $ 322     $ 10,155     $ -     $ 10,477  

 
 
12

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

 
 
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                       
Money market investments
  $ 2,607,290     $ -     $ -     $ 2,607,290  
Mutual fund investments
    123,602       -       -       123,602  
Credit enhanced mortgage-backed security investments
    -       14,796,002       -       14,796,002  
Auction rate securities
    -       -       175,000       175,000  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 2,730,892     $ 14,796,002     $ 175,000     $ 17,701,894  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Mutual fund investments
  $ 32,042     $ -     $ -     $ 32,042  
Municipal bond investments
    -       43,850       -       43,850  
Total liabilities at fair value
  $ 32,042     $ 43,850     $ -     $ 75,892  

 
The Company did not elect to apply fair value accounting for any of its existing eligible assets and liabilities and has no current plans to make the optional fair value election for any new financial instruments.
 
There were no transactions resulting in realized or unrealized gains in Level 3 assets or liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and fiscal 2010.  There were no transfers between levels during 2011 and 2010.
 
Balance at January 1, 2010
  $ 175,000  
Purchases
    -  
Gains/losses
    -  
Transfers in/(out)
    -  
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 175,000  
Purchases
    -  
Gains/losses
    -  
Transfers in/(out)
    -  
Balance at September 30, 2011
  $ 175,000  

 
8. Commitments and Contingencies
 
In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in legal, regulatory and arbitration proceedings, including class actions, primarily concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of its broker-dealer activities.  These include proceedings specific to the Company, as well as proceedings generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which it operates.  Uncertain economic conditions, heightened and sustained volatility in the financial markets, and significant financial reform legislation may increase the likelihood that clients and other persons or regulators may present or threaten legal claims or that regulators increase the scope or frequency of examinations of the Company or the financial services industry generally.
 
As with other financial services firms, the level of regulatory activity and inquiry concerning the Company's businesses remains elevated.  From time to time, the Company receives requests for information from, and/or has been subject to examination or claims by, the SEC, FINRA, state securities regulators, state attorneys general and various other governmental and quasi-governmental authorities on behalf of themselves or clients concerning the Company's business activities and practices, and the practices of the Company's financial advisors.  The number of reviews and investigations has increased in recent years with regard to many firms in the financial services industry, including the Company.  The Company has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the applicable regulators regarding their inquiries.
 
 
13

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

  
 
These legal and regulatory proceedings and disputes are subject to uncertainties and, as such, the Company may be unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result.  An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief, in addition to further claims, examinations or adverse publicity that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
In July 2009, two issuers of private placement interests (Medical Capital Holdings, Inc./Medical Capital Corporation and affiliated corporations and Provident Shale Royalties, LLC and affiliated corporations) sold by the Company were the subject of SEC actions against those entities and individuals associated with them, which has resulted in the filing of several putative class action lawsuits naming both the Company and Ameriprise Financial, as well as related regulatory inquiries.
 
Approximately $400 million of Medical Capital and Provident Shale investments made by the Company’s clients are outstanding and currently in default.  On January 26, 2010, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts filed an Administrative Complaint against the Company.  A significant volume of FINRA arbitrations have been brought against the Company.  Several of them were individually settled and there was one adverse ruling.  The putative class actions and arbitrations generally allege violations of state and/or federal securities laws in connection with the Company's sales of these private placement interests.  These actions were commenced in September 2009 and thereafter.  The Medical Capital-related class actions were centralized and moved to the Central District of California by order of the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation under the caption “In re: Medical Capital Securities Litigation.”  The Provident Shale-related class actions remain pending in Texas federal court.  On June 22, 2010, the Liquidating Trustee of the Provident Liquidating Trust filed an adversary action ("Liquidating Trustee Action") in the Provident bankruptcy proceeding naming the Company on behalf of both the Provident Liquidating Trust and a number of individual Provident investors who are alleged to have assigned their claims.  The Liquidating Trustee Action generally alleges the same types of claims as are alleged in the Provident class actions, as well as a claim under the Bankruptcy Code.  The Liquidating Trustee Action has been moved from bankruptcy court to the Texas federal court with the other Provident class actions.
 
On January 24, 2011, the Medical Capital Class Action was temporarily transferred to the Northern District of Texas (the “Court”), where the Provident class action was pending, so that coordinated settlement negotiations could be conducted under that single Court's supervision.  On February 17, 2011, the named plaintiffs to the class actions filed with the Court a Settlement Agreement and Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement, seeking the court’s approval of agreed-upon settlement terms.  On March 18, 2011, the Court declined to grant preliminary approval of that settlement.  On April 15, 2011, the Company entered into new settlement agreements which, in exchange for release of pending arbitration and litigation claims (including certain class action claims pending against the Company and the claims brought by the Liquidating Trustee), provide for the payment of a total of $123 million.  The new settlements were subject to certain conditions, including participation requirements for claimants to be covered by the settlements, and preliminary and final review and Court approval of the class action settlement.  The Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement after a hearing on April 29, 2011, and on July 27, 2011 the Final Approval Hearing was held, at which the judge stated that he would give final approval to the class action settlement agreement.  The Court issued an order approving the class action settlement on August 4, 2011, and since no appeal was filed, all payments due were fully paid shortly thereafter.
 
A related Administrative Complaint brought against the Company by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on January 26, 2010, was also settled on May 24, 2011 with an agreement to pay $2.8 million to Massachusetts investors.  Including another $13.0 million in other legal reserves as of December 31, 2010, the matters described here collectively total $138.8 million as of December 31, 2010, and are included in special reserves on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.  The expense associated with the special reserves discussed above has been recognized in legal settlements in the year ended December 31, 2009, the year in which the case was filed in accordance with ASC 855 “Subsequent Events”.
 
 
14

 
 
Securities America Financial Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

 
 
In April 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with Ameriprise Financial, whereby Ameriprise Financial agreed to loan the Company approximately $123 million to fund the legal settlements discussed above, subject to the expiration of the appeals period.  In November 2011, the Company entered into another agreement with Ameriprise Financial, whereby Ameriprise Financial released the Company from all obligations with respect to the repayment of the $123 million loan.
 
9. Concentration of Credit Risk
 
The Company uses two third-party clearing brokers.  Cash and financial instruments held at the Company’s clearing brokers collateralize amounts due to the clearing brokers, if any, and may serve to satisfy regulatory or clearing broker margin requirements.  In the event these clearing brokers do not fulfill their obligations, the Company may be exposed to risk.  This risk of default also depends on the creditworthiness of the counterparties to each of these transactions.  The Company attempts to minimize these credit risks by monitoring the creditworthiness of its clearing brokers.
 
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced and does not expect to experience any losses in such accounts.
 
Management believes that the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk as a result of its monitoring procedures and the nature of its financial instruments.
 
10. Subsequent Events
 
The Company has evaluated events or transactions that may have occurred after the date of the consolidated statement of financial condition for potential recognition or disclosure.  During the third quarter of 2011, Ameriprise Financial signed a definitive agreement to sell the Company to Ladenburg Thalmann for $150 million in cash and potential future payments if the Company reaches certain financial criteria.  The sale closed on November 4, 2011.  Other than these events and those already disclosed in other notes to the consolidated financial statements, no other events or transactions require disclosure.
 
Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the report was available to be issued.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15