Attached files

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EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - ATEL 15, LLC	Financial_Report.xls
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - ATEL 15, LLC	v317994_ex31x1.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - ATEL 15, LLC	v317994_ex32x1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - ATEL 15, LLC	v317994_ex31x2.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - ATEL 15, LLC	v317994_ex32x2.htm

Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


x		Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012


o		Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the transition period from to

Commission File number 333-174418

ATEL 15, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


California		45-1625956
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization)		(I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)

600 California Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, California 94108-2733
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (415) 989-8800

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Limited Liability Company Units

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§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 x No o

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


Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company x

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

The number of Limited Liability Company Units outstanding as of July 31, 2012 was 1,870,855.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ATEL 15, LLC

Index


Part I. Financial Information			3
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)			3
Balance Sheets, June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011			3
Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012			4
Statements of Changes in Members’ Capital for the period from March 4, 2011 (date of inception) through December 31, 2011 and for the six months ended June 30, 2012			5
Statements of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012			6
Notes to the Financial Statements			7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			19
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			25
Part II. Other Information			27
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			27
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			27
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities			28
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures			28
Item 5. Other Information			28
Item 6. Exhibits			28

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

BALANCE SHEETS

JUNE 30, 2012 AND DECEMBER 31, 2011
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)


	June 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,174	$	1,348
Accounts receivable, net		10		1
Notes receivable, net of unearned interest income of $615 at June 30, 2012 and $109 at December 31, 2011		3,168		495
Investment in securities		32		32
Investments in equipment and leases, net of accumulated depreciation of $287 at June 30, 2012 and $0 at December 31, 2011		5,346		—
Prepaid expenses and other assets		9		—
Total assets	$	15,739	$	1,876
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
Managing Member	$	14	$	—
Affiliates		1,313		781
Accrued distributions to Other Members		120		—
Other		37		1
Non-recourse debt		2,506		—
Advance payments		38		34
Total liabilities		4,028		816
Commitments and contingencies
Members’ capital:
Managing Member		—		—
Other Members		11,711		1,060
Total Members’ capital		11,711		1,060
Total liabilities and Members’ capital	$	15,739	$	1,876

See accompanying notes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ATEL 15, LLC

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012
(in thousands except units and per unit data)
(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2012			Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
Revenues:
Leasing and lending activities:
Operating lease income	$	276		$	321
Direct financing leases		3			7
Notes receivable interest income		62			77
Other		4			6
Total revenues		345			411
Expenses:
Depreciation of operating lease assets		251			287
Asset management fees to Managing Member		17			19
Acquisition expense		132			192
Cost reimbursements to affiliates		33			46
Amortization of initial direct costs		3			4
Interest expense		11			12
Professional fees		2			19
Outside services		15			16
Taxes on income and franchise fees		11			11
Other		14			20
Total operating expenses		489			626
Net loss	$	(144	)	$	(215	)
Net income (loss):
Managing Member	$	20		$	28
Other Members		(164	)		(243	)
	$	(144	)	$	(215	)
Net loss per Limited Liability Company Unit (Other Members)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.31	)
Weighted average number of Units outstanding		1,104,963			774,562

See accompanying notes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ATEL 15, LLC

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 4, 2011 (Date of Inception)
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2011
AND FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012
(in thousands except units and per unit data)
(Unaudited)


			Amount
	Units		Other Members			Managing Member			Total
Members' capital as of March 4, 2011 (date of inception)		—	$	—		$	—		$	—
Capital contributions – Managing Member		50		—			1			1
Capital contributions		213,592		2,136			—			2,136
Less selling commissions to affiliates		—		(192	)		—			(192	)
Syndication costs		—		(875	)		—			(875	)
Net loss		—		(9	)		(1	)		(10	)
Balance December 31, 2011		213,642		1,060			—			1,060
Capital contributions		1,376,894		13,769			—			13,769
Less selling commissions to affiliates		—		(1,239	)		—			(1,239	)
Syndication costs		—		(1,287	)		—			(1,287	)
Distributions to Other Members ($0.45 per Unit)		—		(349	)		—			(349	)
Distributions to Managing Member		—		—			(28	)		(28	)
Net (loss) income		—		(243	)		28			(215	)
Balance June 30, 2012		1,590,536	$	11,711		$	—		$	11,711

See accompanying notes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ATEL 15, LLC

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2012
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2012			Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
Operating activities:
Net loss	$	(144	)	$	(215	)
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of operating lease assets		251			287
Amortization of initial direct costs		3			4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		—			(9	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(4	)		(9	)
Accounts payable, Managing Member		5			4
Accounts payable, other		(285	)		36
Accrued liabilities, affiliates		226			(5	)
Unearned fee income related to notes receivable		21			20
Advance payments		38			4
Net cash provided by operating activities		111			117
Investing activities:
Purchases of equipment on operating leases		(4,807	)		(5,517	)
Purchases of equipment on direct financing leases		—			(125	)
Payments of initial direct costs		(12	)		(27	)
Principal payments received on direct financing leases		7			19
Note receivable advances		(2,593	)		(2,893	)
Principal payments received on notes receivable		172			213
Net cash used in investing activities		(7,233	)		(8,330	)
Financing activities:
Borrowings under non-recourse debt		2,645			2,645
Repayments under non-recourse debt		(139	)		(139	)
Selling commissions to affiliates		(769	)		(1,222	)
Syndication costs paid to Managing Member		(478	)		(767	)
Distributions to Other Members		(181	)		(229	)
Distributions to Managing Member		(14	)		(18	)
Capital contributions		8,779			13,769
Net cash provided by financing activities		9,843			14,039
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		2,721			5,826
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		4,453			1,348
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	7,174		$	7,174
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest	$	11		$	12
Cash paid during the period for taxes	$	2		$	2
Schedule of non-cash transactions:
Distributions payable to Other Members at period-end	$	120		$	120
Distributions payable to Managing Member at period-end	$	10		$	10
Payables to Managing Member and affiliates at period-end (syndication costs)	$	1,291		$	1,291

See accompanying notes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. Organization and Limited Liability Company matters:

ATEL 15, LLC (the “Company” or the “Fund”) was formed under the laws of the state of California on March 4, 2011 for the purpose of raising capital and originating equipment financing transactions and acquiring equipment to engage in equipment leasing and sales activities. The Managing Member of the Company is ATEL Managing Member, LLC (the “Managing Member”), a Nevada limited liability corporation. The Managing Member is controlled by ATEL Financial Services (“AFS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ATEL Capital Group. The Fund may continue until terminated as provided in the ATEL 15, LLC amended and restated limited liability company operating agreement dated October 28, 2011 (the “Operating Agreement”). Contributions in the amount of $500 were received as of May 3, 2011, which represented the initial member’s capital investment. As a limited liability company, the liability of any individual member for the obligations of the Fund is limited to the extent of capital contributions to the Fund by the individual member. The offering of the Company was granted effectiveness by the Securities and Exchange Commission as of October 28, 2011. The offering will continue until the earlier of a period of two years from that date or until sales of the limited liability company units (Units) to the public reach $150 million.

As of December 21, 2011, subscriptions for the minimum number of Units (120,000, representing $1.2 million), excluding subscriptions from Pennsylvania investors, had been received and the Fund requested subscription proceeds to be released from escrow. On that date, the Company commenced initial operations and continued in its development stage activities until transitioning to an operating enterprise during the first quarter of 2012. Pennsylvania subscriptions are subject to a separate escrow and are released to the Fund only when aggregate subscriptions for all investors equal to not less than $7.5 million. Total contributions to the Fund exceeded $7.5 million on April 4, 2012, at which time a request was processed to release the Pennsylvania escrowed amounts.

As of June 30, 2012, cumulative contributions totaling $15.9 million have been received, inclusive of the $500 initial member’s capital investment. As of such date, a total of 1,590,536 Units were issued and outstanding. The Fund is actively raising capital and, as of July 31, 2012, has received cumulative contributions in the amount of $18.7 million, inclusive of the $500 initial member’s capital investment.

The Fund, or Managing Member on behalf of the Fund, has and will continue to incur costs in connection with the organization, registration and issuance of the Units. The amount of such costs to be borne by the Fund is limited by certain provisions of the Operating Agreement.

The Company’s principal objectives are to invest in a diversified portfolio of investments that will (i) preserve, protect and return the Company’s invested capital; (ii) generate regular cash distributions to Unitholders, with any balance remaining after required minimum distributions to be used to purchase additional investments during the Reinvestment Period (ending six calendar years after the completion of the Company’s public offering of Units) and (iii) provide additional cash distributions following the Reinvestment Period and until all investment portfolio assets has been sold or otherwise disposed. The Company is governed by its Operating Agreement.

In January 2012, the Fund made its first investment in a long-term operating lease. Through June 30, 2012, the Company purchased equipment for long-term operating leases totaling $5.5 million and financed equipment under a direct financing lease totaling $125 thousand. In addition, the Company also funded investments in notes receivable during the period from March 4, 2011 (Date of Inception) through June 30, 2012, and had an aggregate net investment in notes receivable of $3.2 million outstanding at June 30, 2012.

These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto contained in the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies:

Basis of presentation:

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q as mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The unaudited interim financial statements reflect all

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2. Summary of significant accounting policies: - (continued)

adjustments which are, in the opinion of the Managing Member, necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Footnote and tabular amounts are presented in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data.

In preparing the accompanying financial statements, the Company has reviewed, as determined necessary by the Managing Member, events that have occurred after June 30, 2012, up until the issuance of the financial statements. No events were noted which would require disclosure in the footnotes to the financial statements.

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from the estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term and expected future cash flows used for impairment analysis purposes and determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts and reserve for credit losses on notes receivable.

Accounts receivable:

Accounts receivable represent the amounts billed under operating and direct financing lease contracts, and notes receivable which are due to the Company. Allowances for doubtful accounts are typically established based on historical charge off and collection experience and the collectability of specifically identified lessees and invoiced amounts. Accounts receivable deemed uncollectible are charged off to the allowance on a specific identification basis. Amounts recovered that were previously written-off are recorded as other income in the period received.

Equipment on operating leases and related revenue recognition:

Equipment subject to operating leases is stated at cost. Depreciation is being recognized on a straight-line method over the terms of the related leases to the equipment’s estimated residual values. Maintenance costs associated with the Fund’s portfolio of leased assets are expensed as incurred. Major additions and betterments are capitalized.

Operating lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the underlying leases. The initial lease terms will vary as to the type of equipment subject to the leases, the needs of the lessees and the terms to be negotiated, but initial leases are generally from 36 to 120 months. The difference between rent received and rental revenue recognized is recorded as unearned operating lease income on the balance sheet.

Operating leases are generally placed in a non-accrual status (i.e., no revenue is recognized) when payments are more than 90 days past due. Additionally, management considers the equipment underlying the lease contracts for impairment and periodically reviews the credit worthiness of all operating lessees with payments outstanding less than 90 days. Based upon management’s judgment, the related operating leases may be placed on non-accrual status. Leases placed on non-accrual status are only returned to an accrual status when the account has been brought current and management believes recovery of the remaining unpaid lease payments is probable. Until such time, revenues are recognized on a cash basis.

Direct financing leases and related revenue recognition:

Income from direct financing lease transactions is reported using the financing method of accounting, in which the Company’s investment in the leased property is reported as a receivable from the lessee to be recovered through future rentals. The interest income portion of each rental payment is calculated so as to generate a constant rate of return on the net receivable outstanding.

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2. Summary of significant accounting policies: - (continued)

Allowances for losses on direct financing leases are typically established based on historical charge off and collection experience and the collectability of specifically identified lessees and billed and unbilled receivables. Direct financing leases are charged off to the allowance as they are deemed uncollectible.

Direct financing leases are generally placed in a non-accrual status (i.e., no revenue is recognized) and deemed impaired when payments are more than 90 days past due. Additionally, management periodically reviews the creditworthiness of all direct finance lessees with payments outstanding less than 90 days. Based upon management’s judgment, the related direct financing leases may be placed on non-accrual status. Leases placed on non-accrual status are only returned to an accrual status when the account has been brought current and management believes recovery of the remaining unpaid lease payments is probable. Until such time, all payments received are applied only against outstanding principal balances.

Notes receivable, unearned interest income and related revenue recognition:

The Company records all future payments of principal and interest on notes as notes receivable, which are then offset by the amount of any related unearned interest income. For financial statement purposes, the Company reports only the net amount of principal due on the balance sheet. The unearned interest is recognized over the term of the note and the income portion of each note payment is calculated so as to generate a constant rate of return on the net balance outstanding. Any fees or costs related to notes receivable are recorded as part of the net investment in notes receivable and amortized over the term of the loan.

Allowances for losses on notes receivable are typically established based on historical charge off and collection experience and the collectability of specifically identified borrowers and billed and unbilled receivables. Notes are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probably that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and/or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the note 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. If it is determined that a loan is impaired with regard to scheduled payments, the Company will perform an analysis of the note to determine if an impairment valuation reserve is necessary. This analysis considers the estimated cash flows from the note, or the collateral value of the property underlying the note when note repayment is collateral dependent. Any required valuation reserve is charged to earnings when determined; and notes are charged off to the allowance as they are deemed uncollectible.

Notes receivable are generally placed in a non-accrual status (i.e., no revenue is recognized) when payments are more than 90 days past due. Additionally, management periodically reviews the creditworthiness of companies with note payments outstanding less than 90 days. Based upon management’s judgment, the related notes may be placed on non-accrual status. Notes placed on non-accrual status are only returned to an accrual status when the account has been brought current and management believes recovery of the remaining unpaid receivable is probable. Until such time, all payments received are applied only against outstanding principal balances.

Initial direct costs:

The Company capitalizes initial direct costs (“IDC”) associated with the origination and funding of lease assets and investments in notes receivable. IDC includes both internal costs (e.g., the costs of employees’ activities in connection with successful lease and loan originations) and external broker fees incurred with such originations. The costs are amortized on a lease by lease (or note by note) basis based on actual contract term using a straight-line method for operating leases and the effective interest rate method for direct financing leases and notes receivable. Upon disposal of the underlying lease and loan assets, both the initial direct costs and the associated accumulated amortization are relieved. Costs related to leases or notes receivable that are not consummated are not eligible for capitalization as initial direct costs and are expensed as acquisition expense.

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2. Summary of significant accounting policies: - (continued)

Acquisition expense:

Acquisition expense represents costs which include, but are not limited to, legal fees and expenses, travel and communication expenses, cost of appraisals, accounting fees and expenses and miscellaneous expenses related to the selection and acquisition of equipment which are reimbursable to the Managing Member under the terms of the Operating Agreement. As the costs are not eligible for capitalization as initial direct costs, such amounts are expensed as incurred.

Asset valuation:

Recorded values of the Company’s leased asset portfolio are periodically reviewed for impairment. An impairment loss is measured and recognized only if the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the asset are less than their net book value. The estimated undiscounted future cash flows are the sum of the estimated residual value of the asset at the end of the asset’s expected holding period and estimates of undiscounted future rents. The residual value assumes, among other things, that the asset is utilized normally in an open, unrestricted and stable market. Short-term fluctuations in the market place are disregarded and it is assumed that there is no necessity either to dispose of a significant number of the assets, if held in quantity, simultaneously or to dispose of the asset quickly. Impairment is measured as the difference between the fair value (as determined by a valuation method using discounted estimated future cash flows, third party appraisals or comparable sales of similar assets as applicable based on asset type) of the asset and its carrying value on the measurement date.

Segment reporting:

The Company is organized into one operating segment for the purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Accordingly, the Company operates in one reportable operating segment in the United States.

The Company’s principal decision makers are the Managing Member’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. The Company believes that its equipment leasing and financing business operates as one reportable segment because: a) the Company measures profit and loss at the equipment portfolio level as a whole; b) the principal decision makers do not review information based on any operating segment other than the equipment leasing and financing transaction portfolio; c) the Company does not maintain discrete financial information on any specific segment other than its equipment financing operations; d) the Company has not chosen to organize its business around different products and services other than equipment leasing and financing; and e) the Company has not chosen to organize its business around geographic areas.

The primary geographic region in which the Company seeks leasing and financing opportunities is North America. Currently, 100% of the Company’s operating revenues and long-lived assets are from customers domiciled in North America.

Investment in securities:

From time to time, the Company may purchase securities of its borrowers or receive warrants to purchase securities in connection with its lending arrangements.

Purchased securities

Purchased securities are generally not registered for public sale and are carried at cost. Such securities are adjusted to fair value if the fair value is less than the carrying value and such impairment is deemed by the Managing Member to be other than temporary. Factors considered by the Managing Member in determining fair value include, but are not limited to, available financial information, the issuer’s ability to meet its current obligations and indications of the issuer’s subsequent ability to raise capital.

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

2. Summary of significant accounting policies: - (continued)

Warrants

Warrants owned by the Company are not registered for public sale, but are considered derivatives and are carried at an estimated fair value on the balance sheet at the end of the period, as determined by the Managing Member. At June 30, 2012, the Managing Member estimated that the warrants had no significant value.

Per Unit data:

Net loss per Unit is based upon the weighted average number of Other Members Units outstanding since commencement of its operations.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) (collectively the “Boards”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.” ASU 2011-04 created a uniform framework for applying fair value measurement principles for companies around the world and clarified existing guidance in US GAAP. ASU 2011-04 is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2011 and shall be applied prospectively.The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2011-04 effective January 1, 2012. The fair value measurement provisions of ASU 2011-04 had no material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

3. Notes receivable, net:

The Company has various notes receivables from borrowers who have financed the purchase of equipment through the Company. The terms of the notes receivable are from 36 to 42 months and bear interest at rates ranging from 11.37% to 13.46%. The notes are secured by the equipment financed. The notes mature in 2015. There were neither impaired notes nor notes placed in non-accrual status as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

As of June 30, 2012, the minimum future payments receivable are as follows (in thousands):


Six months ending December 31, 2012	$	537
Year ending December 31, 2013		1,379
2014		1,393
2015		461
		3,770
Less: portion representing unearned interest income		(615	)
		3,155
Unamortized initial direct costs		13
Notes receivable, net	$	3,168

IDC amortization expense related to notes receivable and the Company’s operating and direct financing leases for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2012		Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
IDC amortization – notes receivable	$	2	$	2
IDC amortization – lease assets		1		2
Total	$	3	$	4

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

4. Allowance for credit losses:

The Company’s allowance for credit losses was nominal at June 30, 2012. As of the same date, delinquent amounts due to the Company relative to its investments in financing recievables were likewise nominal. By comparison, there was neither an allowance for credit losses nor delinquent amounts due to the Company at December 31, 2011.

5. Investment in equipment and leases, net:

The Company’s investment in leases consists of the following (in thousands):


	Balance December 31, 2011		Reclassifications & Additions/ Dispositions		Depreciation/ Amortization Expense or Amortization of Leases			Balance June 30, 2012
Net investment in operating leases	$	—	$	5,517	$	(287	)	$	5,230
Net investment in direct financing leases		—		125		(19	)		106
Initial direct costs, net of accumulated amortization of $2 at June 30, 2012 and $0 at December 31, 2011		—		12		(2	)		10
Total	$	—	$	5,654	$	(308	)	$	5,346

Additions to net investment in operating lease assets are stated at cost. All of the Company’s leased property was acquired during the first six months of 2012.

Impairment of investments in leases:

Management periodically reviews the carrying values of its lease assets. As a result of these reviews, management determined that no impairment losses existed during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012.

The Company utilizes a straight-line depreciation method for equipment in all of the categories currently in its portfolio of lease transactions. Depreciation expense on the Company’s equipment totaled $251 thousand and $287 thousand for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

Operating leases:

Property on operating leases consists of the following (in thousands):


	Balance December 31, 2011		Additions			Reclassifications or Dispositions		Balance June 30, 2012
Manufacturing	$	—	$	3,491		$	—	$	3,491
Transportation, rail		—		1,316			—		1,316
Materials handling		—		710			—		710
		—		5,517			—		5,517
Less accumulated depreciation		—		(287	)		—		(287	)
Total	$	—	$	5,230		$	—	$	5,230

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

5. Investment in equipment and leases, net: - (continued)

The average estimated residual value for assets on operating leases was 35% of the assets’ original cost at June 30, 2012.

Direct financing leases:

As of June 30, 2012, investment in direct financing leases consists of research equipment. The components of the Company’s investment in direct financing leases as of June 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):


Total minimum lease payments receivable	$	123
Estimated residual values of leased equipment (unguaranteed)		—
Investment in direct financing leases		123
Less unearned income		(17	)
Net investment in direct financing leases	$	106

At June 30, 2012, the aggregate amounts of future minimum lease payments receivable are as follows (in thousands):


	Operating Leases		Direct Financing Leases		Total
Six months ending December 31, 2012	$	623	$	22	$	645
Year ending December 31, 2013		1,247		46		1,293
2014		1,115		42		1,157
2015		577		13		590
2016		9		—		9
	$	3,571	$	123	$	3,694

6. Related party transactions:

The terms of the Operating Agreement provide that the Managing Member and/or affiliates are entitled to receive certain fees for equipment management and resale and for management of the Company.

The Operating Agreement allows for the reimbursement of costs incurred by the Managing Member and/or affiliates for providing administrative services to the Company. Administrative services provided include Company accounting, investor relations, legal counsel and equipment financing documentation. The Managing Member is not reimbursed for services whereby it is entitled to receive a separate fee as compensation for such services, such as management of investments.

Each of AFS and ATEL Leasing Corporation (“ALC”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ATEL Capital Group. and performs services for the Company on behalf of the Managing Member. Acquisition services, equipment management, lease administration and asset disposition services are performed by ALC; investor relations, communications and general administrative services are performed by AFS.

Cost reimbursements to the Managing Member or its affiliates are based on its costs incurred in performing administrative services for the Company. These costs are allocated to each managed entity based on certain criteria such as total assets, number of investors or contributed capital based upon the type of cost incurred. The Managing Member believes that the costs reimbursed are the lower of (i) actual costs incurred on behalf of the Company or (ii) the amount the Company would be required to pay independent parties for comparable administrative services in the same geographic location.

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

6. Related party transactions: - (continued)

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the Managing Member and/or affiliates earned commissions and reimbursements pursuant to the Operating Agreement as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2012		Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
Selling commissions, equal to 9% of the selling price of the Limited Liability Company Units, deducted from Other Members capital	$	790	$	1,239
Reimbursement of other syndication costs to Managing Member and/or affiliates, deducted from Other Members capital		662		1,287
Administrative costs reimbursed to Managing Member and/or affiliates		33		46
Asset management fees to Managing Member		17		19
Acquisition and initial direct costs paid to Managing Member		144		209
	$	1,646	$	2,800

7. Syndication Costs:

Syndication costs are reflected as a reduction to Members’ capital as such costs are netted against the capital raised. The amount shown is primarily comprised of selling commissions as well as fees pertaining to the organization of the Fund, document preparation, regulatory filing fees, and accounting and legal costs. Syndication costs totaled $1.5 million and $2.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

The Operating Agreement places a limit for cost reimbursements to the Managing Member and/or affiliates. When added to selling commissions, such cost reimbursements may not exceed a total equal to 15% of all offering proceeds. As of June 30, 2012, the Company had recorded $1.2 million of syndication costs in excess of the limitation. The limitation on the amount of syndication costs pursuant to the Operating Agreement is determined on the date of termination of the offering. At such time, the Manager guarantees repayment of any excess syndication costs (above the limitation) which it may have collected from the Company, which guarantee is without recourse or reimbursement by the Fund.

8. Non-recourse debt:

At June 30, 2012, non-recourse debt consists of a note payable to a financial institution. The note payments are due in monthly installments. Interest on the note is at a fixed rate of 1.78%. The note is secured by assignments of lease payments and pledges of assets. At June 30, 2012, gross operating lease rentals and future payments on direct financing leases totaled approximately $2.6 million over the remaining lease terms; and the carrying value of the pledged assets is $3.3 million. The note matures in 2015.

The non-recourse debt does not contain any material financial covenants. The debt is secured by a lien granted by the Company to the non-recourse lender on (and only on) the discounted lease transactions. The lender has recourse only to the following collateral: the specific leased equipment; the related lease chattel paper; the lease receivables; and proceeds of the foregoing items. The non-recourse obligation is payable solely out of the respective specific security and the Company does not guarantee (nor is the Company otherwise contractually responsible for) the payment of the non-recourse debt as a general obligation or liability of the Company. Although the Company does not have any direct or general liability in connection with the non-recourse debt apart from the security granted, the Company is directly and generally liable and responsible for certain representations, warranties, and covenants made to the lender, such as warranties as to genuineness of the transaction parties' signatures, as to the genuineness of the respective lease chattel paper or the transaction as a whole, or as to the Company's good title to or perfected interest in the secured collateral, as well as similar representations, warranties and covenants typically provided by non-recourse borrowers and customary in the equipment finance industry, and are viewed by such industry as being consistent with non-recourse discount financing obligations. Accordingly, as there are no financial covenants or ratios imposed on the Company in connection with the non-recourse debt, the Company has determined that there are no material covenants with respect to the non-recourse debt that warrant footnote disclosure.

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

8. Non-recourse debt: - (continued)

Future minimum payments of non-recourse debt are as follows (in thousands):


	Principal		Interest		Total
Six months ending December 31, 2012	$	408	$	20	$	428
Year ending December 31, 2013		828		31		859
2014		843		16		859
2015		427		2		429
	$	2,506	$	69	$	2,575

9. Borrowing facilities:

Effective May 25, 2012, the Company participates with AFS and certain of its affiliates in a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) comprised of a working capital facility to AFS, an acquisition facility (the “Acquisition Facility”) and a warehouse facility (the “Warehouse Facility”) to AFS, the Company and affiliates, and a venture facility available to an affiliate with a syndicate of financial institutions which Credit Facility includes certain financial covenants. The Credit Facility is for an amount up to $60 million and expires in June 2013. The lending syndicate providing the Credit Facility has a blanket lien on all of the Company’s assets as collateral for any and all borrowings under the Acquisition Facility, and on a pro-rata basis under the Warehouse Facility.

As of June 30, 2012, borrowings under the facility were as follows (in thousands):


	June 30, 2012
Total available under the financing arrangement	$	60,000
Amount borrowed by the Company under the acquisition facility		—
Amounts borrowed by affiliated partnerships and Limited Liability Companies under the working capital, acquisition and warehouse facilities		(2,307	)
Total remaining available under the working capital, acquisition and warehouse facilities	$	57,693

The Company and its affiliates pay an annual commitment fee to have access to this line of credit. As of June 30, 2012, the aggregate amount of the Credit Facility is potentially available to the Company, subject to certain sub-facility and borrowing-base limitations. However, as amounts are drawn on the Credit Facility by each of the Company and the affiliates who are borrowers under the Credit Facility, the amount remaining available to all borrowers to draw under the Credit Facility is reduced.

As of June 30, 2012, the Company’s Tangible Net Worth requirement under the Credit Facility was $10.0 million, the permitted maximum leverage ratio was not to exceed 1.50 to 1, and the required minimum interest coverage ratio was not to be less than 2 to 1. The Company was in compliance with these financial covenants under the Credit Facility with a minimum Tangible Net Worth, leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio, as calculated per the Credit Facility agreement of $11.7 million, 0.21 to 1, and 27.27 to 1, respectively, as of June 30, 2012. As such, as of June 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all material financial covenants, and with all other material conditions of the Credit Facility. The Company does not anticipate any covenant violations nor does it anticipate that any of these covenants will restrict its operations or its ability to procure additional financing.

Fee and interest terms

The interest rate on the Credit Facility is based on either the LIBOR/Eurocurrency rate of 1-, 2-, 3- or 6-month maturity plus a lender designated spread, or the bank’s Prime rate, which re-prices daily. Principal amounts of loans made under the Credit Facility that are prepaid may be re-borrowed on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth under the Credit Facility. Since the effective date of its participation in the Credit Facility (May 25, 2012) through June 30, 2012, the Company has had no borrowings under the Credit Facility.

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

9. Borrowing facilities: - (continued)

Warehouse facility

To hold the assets under the Warehousing Facility prior to allocation to specific investor programs, a Warehousing Trust has been entered into by the Company, AFS, ALC, and certain of the affiliated partnerships and limited liability companies. The Warehousing Trust is used by the Warehouse Facility borrowers to acquire and hold, on a short-term basis, certain lease transactions that meet the investment objectives of each of such entities. Each of the leasing programs sponsored by AFS and ALC currently in its acquisition stage is a pro rata participant in the Warehousing Trust, as described below. When a program no longer has a need for short term financing provided by the Warehousing Facility, it is removed from participation, and as new leasing investment entities are formed by AFS and ALC and commence their acquisition stages, these new entities are added.

As of June 30, 2012, the investment program participants were the ATEL Capital Equipment Fund X, LLC, ATEL Capital Equipment Fund XI, LLC, ATEL 12, LLC, ATEL 14, LLC and the Company. Pursuant to the Warehousing Trust, the benefit of the lease transaction assets, and the corresponding liabilities under the Warehouse Facility, inure to each of such entities based upon each entity’s pro-rata share in the Warehousing Trust estate. The “pro-rata share” is calculated as a ratio of the net worth of each entity over the aggregate net worth of all entities benefiting from the Warehousing Trust estate, excepting that the trustees, AFS and ALC, are both jointly and severally liable for the pro rata portion of the obligations of each of the affiliated partnerships and limited liability companies participating under the Warehouse Facility. Transactions are financed through this Warehouse Facility only until the transactions are allocated to a specific program for purchase or are otherwise disposed by AFS and ALC. When a determination is made to allocate the transaction to a specific program for purchase by the program, the purchaser repays the debt associated with the asset, either with cash or by means of proceeds of a draw under the Acquisition Facility, and the asset is removed from the Warehouse Facility collateral, and ownership of the asset and any debt obligation associated with the asset are assumed solely by the purchasing entity.

Borrowings of $2.3 million and $5.6 million were outstanding under the Warehouse Facility as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company’s maximum contingent obligation on the outstanding warehouse balance at June 30, 2012 was $222 thousand. As of December 31, 2011, the Company was not a party to the Warehouse Facility.

10. Commitments:

The terms of the Operating Agreement provide that the Managing Member and/or affiliates are entitled to receive certain fees, in addition to the allocations described above, which are more fully described in Section 8 of the Operating Agreement. The additional fees to management include fees for equipment management, administration and resale.

At June 30, 2012, there were commitments to purchase lease assets and fund investments in notes receivable approximating $5.4 million and $691 thousand, respectively. These amounts represent contract awards which may be canceled by the prospective borrower/investee or may not be accepted by the Company.

11. Guarantees:

The Company enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, based upon the Manager’s experience, there have not been any prior claims or losses pursuant to these types of contracts and the expectation of risk of loss is remote.

The Managing Member knows of no facts or circumstances that would make the Company’s contractual commitments outside standard mutual covenants applicable to commercial transactions between businesses. Accordingly, the Company believes that these indemnification obligations are made in the ordinary course of business as part of standard commercial and industry practice, and that any potential liability under the Company’s similar commitments is remote. Should any such indemnification obligation become payable, the Company would separately record and/or disclose such liability in accordance with GAAP.

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

12. Members’ Capital:

As of June 30, 2012, 1,590,536 Units were issued and outstanding, including the 50 Units issued to the Initial Limited Member (Managing Member). The Fund is authorized to issue up to 15,000,000 total Units.

The Fund’s net income or net losses are to be allocated 100% to the Members. From the commencement of the Fund until the initial closing date, net income and net loss shall be allocated 99% to the Managing Member and 1% to the initial Other Members. Commencing with the initial closing date, net income and net loss shall be allocated 92.5% to the Other Members and 7.5% to the Managing Member. In accordance with the terms of the Operating Agreement, an additional allocation of income was made to the Manager during the first six months of 2012. The amount allocated was determined to bring the Manager’s ending capital account balance to zero at the end of the period.

Fund distributions are to be allocated 7.5% to the Managing Member and 92.5% to the Other Members. The Company commenced periodic distributions, based on cash flows from operations, during the first quarter of 2012.

Distributions to the Other Members for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 were as follows (in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data):


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2012		Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
Distributions declared	$	249	$	349
Weighted average number of Units outstanding		1,104,963		774,562
Weighted average distributions per Unit	$	0.23	$	0.45

13. Fair value measurements:

Fair value measurements and disclosures are based on a fair value hierarchy as determined by significant inputs used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs within the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in the market.

Level 3 – Valuation is modeled using significant inputs that are unobservable in the market. These unobservable inputs reflect the Company's own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had no assets or liabilities that require measurement at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis.

The Company’s valuation policy is determined by members of the Asset Management, Credit and Accounting departments. Whenever possible, the policy is to obtain quoted market prices in active markets to estimate fair values for recognition and disclosure purposes. Where quoted market prices in active markets are not available, fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, broker quotes, information from third party remarketing agents, third party appraisals of collateral and/or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by certain of the Company’s assumptions, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows. Potential taxes and other transaction costs are not considered in estimating fair values. As the Company is responsible for determining fair value, an analysis is performed on prices obtained from third parties. Such analysis is performed by asset management and credit department personnel who are familiar with the Company’s investments in equipment, notes receivable and equity securities of venture companies. The analysis may include a periodic review of price fluctuations and validation of numbers obtained from a specific third party by reference to multiple representative sources.

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ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

13. Fair value measurements: - (continued)

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the guidance provided by the Financial Instruments Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions, set forth below for the Company’s financial instruments, are made solely to comply with the requirements of the Financial Instruments Topic and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements and related notes.

The Company has determined the estimated fair value amounts by using market information and valuation methodologies that it considers appropriate and consistent with the fair value accounting guidance. Considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

Cash and cash equivalents

The recorded amounts of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value because of the liquidity and short-term maturity of these instruments.

Notes receivable

The fair value of the Company’s notes receivable is estimated using either third party appraisals of collateral or discounted cash flow analyses based upon current market rates for similar types of lending arrangements, with adjustments for impaired loans as deemed necessary.

Investment in securities

The Company’s investment securities are not registered for public sale and are carried at cost which management believes approximates fair value, as appropriately adjusted for impairment.

Non-recourse debt

The fair value of the Company’s non-recourse debt is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based upon current market borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

The following table presents a summary of the carrying value and fair value by level of financial instruments not recorded at fair value on the Company’s balance sheet at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):


	June 30, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,174	$	7,174	$	—	$	—	$	7,174
Notes receivable, net		3,168		—		—		3,168		3,168
Investment in securities		32		—		—		32		32
Financial liabilities:
Non-recourse debt		2,506		—		—		2,492		2,492


	December 31, 2011
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,348	$	1,348
Notes receivable, net		495		495
Investment in securities		32		32

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

Statements contained in this Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”) and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, which are not historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. In particular, the economic recession and changes in general economic conditions, including fluctuations in demand for equipment, lease rates, and interest rates, may result in delays in investment and reinvestment, delays in leasing, re-leasing, and disposition of equipment, and reduced returns on invested capital. The Company’s performance is subject to risks relating to lessee and borrower defaults and the creditworthiness of its lessees and borrowers. The Company’s performance is also subject to risks relating to the value of its equipment at the end of its leases, which may be affected by the condition of the equipment, technological obsolescence and the markets for new and used equipment at the end of lease terms. Investors are cautioned not to attribute undue certainty to these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as required by law.

Overview

The offering of ATEL 15, LLC (the “Company” or the “Fund”) was granted effectiveness by the Securities and Exchange Commission as of October 28, 2011. The offering will continue until the earlier of a period of two years from that date or until sales of Units to the public reach $150 million.

Results of Operations

The Company had net losses of $144 thousand and $215 thousand for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

The Company commenced operations on December 21, 2011. In January 2012, the Fund made its first investment in a long-term operating lease. Through June 30, 2012, the Company purchased equipment for long term operating leases totaling $5.5 million and financed equipment under a direct financing lease totaling $125 thousand. The Company also funded investments in notes receivable during the period from December 21, 2011 through June 30, 2012 and had an aggregate net investment of $3.2 million in notes receivable outstanding at June 30, 2012.

Equipment under operating and direct financing leases generated revenues of $279 thousand and $328 thousand for the respective three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2012; while investment in notes receivable generated interest income of $62 thousand and $77 thousand for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

Consistent with the growth of revenues resulting from the purchase of lease assets and funding of investments in notes, was an increase in expenses related to the acquisition and depreciation of such assets. Combined, acquisition and depreciation expenses comprised approximately 78% and 77% of total expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012. The remainder of the Company’s expenses for each period, which totaled $106 thousand and $147 thousand, respectively, were largely related to startup costs, costs reimbursed to the Manager, outside services, professional fees, management fees, taxes on income and franchise fees, and other operational expenses.

As defined by the ATEL 15, LLC Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement (“Operating Agreement”), acquisition expense shall mean expenses including, but not limited to, legal fees and expenses, travel and communication expenses, costs of appraisals, accounting fees and expenses, and miscellaneous expenses relating to selection and acquisition or financing of portfolio assets, whether or not acquired. Certain acquisition expenses associated with successful lease and loan originations are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related lease contract.

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Capital Resources and Liquidity

The liquidity of the Company will vary in the future, increasing to the extent cash flows from leases and proceeds of asset sales exceed expenses and decreasing as lease assets are acquired, as distributions are made to the Members and to the extent expenses exceed cash flows from leases and proceeds from asset sales.

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth summary cash flow data (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2012			Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	111		$	117
Investing activities		(7,233	)		(8,330	)
Financing activities		9,843			14,039
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	2,721		$	5,826

During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the Company’s primary source of liquidity was subscription proceeds from the public offering of Units. As of June 30, 2012, capital contributions totaling $15.9 million (1,590,536 Units) have been received, of which $8.8 million was received during the second quarter of 2012. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, additional liquidity was generated through borrowings, net of repayments, totaling $2.5 million. The Company is also beginning to realize cash flow from its portfolio of operating and direct financing lease contracts, and its investments in notes receivable.

The primary use of cash during both the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 was to acquire lease assets and to fund investments in notes receivable. The Company acquired lease assets totaling $4.8 million and $5.6 million for the respective three and six months ended June 30, 2012, and funded investments in notes receivable totaling $2.6 million and $2.9 million during the same three- and six-month periods.

Cash was also used to pay commissions and syndication costs associated with the offering - totaling a combined $1.2 million and $2.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. In addition, cash totaling $181 thousand and $229 thousand was used to pay distributions to Other Members during the respective three and six months ended June 30, 2012, and to pay invoices related to startup costs, acquisition expenses and management fees during both comparative periods.

Revolving credit facility

Effective May 25, 2012, the Company participated with AFS and certain of its affiliates in a revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) comprised of a working capital facility to AFS, an acquisition facility (the “Acquisition Facility”) and a warehouse facility (the “Warehouse Facility”) to AFS, the Company and affiliates, and a venture facility available to an affiliate with a syndicate of financial institutions.

Compliance with covenants

The Credit Facility includes certain financial and non-financial covenants applicable to each borrower, including the Company. Such covenants include covenants typically found in credit facilities of the size and nature of the Credit Facility, such as accuracy of representations, good standing, absence of liens and material litigation, etc. The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants under the Credit Facility as of June 30, 2012. The Company considers certain financial covenants to be material to its ongoing use of the Credit Facility and these covenants are described below.

Material financial covenants

Under the Credit Facility, the Company is required to maintain a specific tangible net worth, to comply with a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio, and to comply with other terms expressed in the Credit Facility, including limitation on the incurrence of additional debt and guaranties, defaults, and delinquencies. The material financial covenants are summarized as follows:

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As of June 30, 2012, the material financial covenants are summarized as follows:

Minimum Tangible Net Worth: $10.0 million
Leverage Ratio (leverage to Tangible Net Worth): Not to exceed 1.50 to 1
Collateral Value: Collateral value under the Warehouse Facility must be no less than the outstanding borrowings under that facility
EBITDA to Interest Ratio: Not to be less than 2 to 1 for the four fiscal quarters just ended

“EBITDA” is defined under the Credit Facility as, for the relevant period of time (1) gross revenues (all payments from leases and notes receivable) for such period minus (2) expenses deducted in determining net income for such period plus (3) to the extent deducted in determining net income for such period (a) provision for income taxes and (b) interest expense, and (c) depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges. Extraordinary items and gains or losses on (and proceeds from) sales or dispositions of assets outside of the ordinary course of business are excluded in the calculation of EBITDA. “Tangible Net Worth” is defined as, as of the date of determination, (i) the net worth of the Company, after deducting therefrom (without duplication of deductions) the net book amount of all assets of the Company, after deducting any reserves and other amounts for assets which would be treated as intangibles under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), and after certain other adjustments permitted under the agreements.

The financial covenants referred to above are applicable to the Company only to the extent that the Company has borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2012, the Company’s Tangible Net Worth requirement under the Credit Facility was $10.0 million, the permitted maximum leverage ratio was not to exceed 1.50 to 1, and the required minimum interest coverage ratio was not to be less than 2 to 1. The Company was in compliance with these financial covenants under the Credit Facility with a minimum Tangible Net Worth, leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio, as calculated per the Credit Facility agreement of $11.7 million, 0.21 to 1, and 27.27 to 1, respectively, as of June 30, 2012. As such, as of June 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all such material financial covenants.

Reconciliation to GAAP of EBITDA

For purposes of compliance with the Credit Facility covenants, the Company uses a financial calculation of EBITDA, as defined therein, which is a non-GAAP financial performance measure. The EBITDA is utilized by the Company to calculate its debt covenant ratios.

As previously discussed, the Fund became a party to the Credit Facility effective May 25, 2012. The following is a reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA, as defined in the loan agreement, for the three months ended June 30, 2012 (in thousands):


Net loss – GAAP basis	$	(144	)
Interest expense		11
Depreciation and amortization		251
Amortization of initial direct costs		3
Principal payments received on direct financing leases		7
Principal payments received on notes receivable		172
EBITDA (for Credit Facility financial covenant calculation only)	$	300

Events of default, cross-defaults, recourse and security

The terms of the Credit Facility include standard events of default by the Company which, if not cured within applicable grace periods, could give lenders remedies against the Company, including the acceleration of all outstanding borrowings and a demand for repayment in advance of their stated maturity. If a breach of any material term of the Credit Facility should occur, the lenders may, at their option, increase borrowing rates, accelerate the obligations in advance of their stated maturities, terminate the facility, and exercise rights of collection available to them under the express terms of the facility, or by operation of law. The lenders also retain the discretion to waive a violation of any covenant at the Company’s request.

The Company is currently in compliance with its obligations under the Credit Facility. In the event of a technical default (e.g., the failure to timely file a required report, or a one-time breach of a financial covenant), the

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Company believes it has ample time to request and be granted a waiver by the lenders, or, alternatively, cure the default under the existing provisions of its debt agreements, including, if necessary, arranging for additional capital from alternate sources to satisfy outstanding obligations.

The lending syndicate providing the Credit Facility has a blanket lien on all of the Company’s assets as collateral for any and all borrowings under the Acquisition Facility, and on a pro-rata basis under the Warehouse Facility.

The Acquisition Facility is generally recourse solely to the Company, and is not cross-defaulted to any other obligations of affiliated companies under the Credit Facility, except as described in this paragraph. The Credit Facility is cross-defaulted to a default in the payment of any debt (other than non-recourse debt) or any other agreement or condition beyond the period of grace (not exceeding 30 days), the effect of which would entitle the lender under such agreement to accelerate the obligations prior to their stated maturity in an individual or aggregate principal amount in excess of 15% of the Company’s consolidated Tangible Net Worth. Also, a bankruptcy of AFS will trigger a default for the Company under the Credit Facility.

Non-Recourse Long-Term Debt

As of June 30, 2012, the Company had non-recourse long-term debt totaling $2.5 million. Such non-recourse note payable does not contain any material financial covenants. The note is secured by a lien granted by the Company to the non-recourse lender on (and only on) the discounted lease transactions. The lender has recourse only to the following collateral: the specific leased equipment; the related lease chattel paper; the lease receivables; and proceeds of the foregoing items. For detailed information on the Company’s debt obligations, see Notes 8 and 9 to the financial statements as set forth in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements (Unaudited).

Distributions

The Unitholders of record are entitled to certain distributions as provided under the Operating Agreement. The Company commenced periodic distributions beginning with the month of January 2012. Additional distributions have been consistently made through June 2012.

The following table is a summary of cash distributions paid by the Fund to Unitholders of record as of May 31, 2012, and paid through June 30, 2012. Distributions may be characterized for tax, accounting and economic purposes as a return of capital, a return on capital (including escrow interest) or a portion of each. Generally, the portion of each cash distribution by a company which exceeds its net income for the fiscal period would constitute a return of capital. The Fund is required by the terms of its Operating Agreement to distribute the net cash flow generated by its investments in certain minimum amounts during the Reinvestment Period before it can reinvest its operating cash flow in additional portfolio assets. See the discussion in the Prospectus under “Income, Losses and Distributions – Reinvestment.” Accordingly, the amount of cash flow from Fund investments distributed to Unitholders will not be available for reinvestment in additional portfolio assets.

Cash distributions were based on current and anticipated gross revenues from the leases and loans acquired. During the Fund's acquisition and operating stages, the Fund may incur short term borrowing to fund regular distributions of such gross revenues to be generated by newly acquired transactions during their respective initial fixed terms. As such, all Fund periodic cash distributions made during these stages have been, and are expected in the future to be, based on the Fund's actual and anticipated gross revenues to be generated from the binding initial terms of the leases and loans acquired.

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The following table summarizes distribution activity for the Fund from inception through June 30, 2012:


Distribution Period⁽¹⁾	Paid		Return of Capital				Distribution of Income				Total Distribution				Total Distribution per Unit⁽²⁾		Weighted Average Units Outstanding⁽³⁾
Monthly and quarterly distributions
Oct 2011 – Dec 2011 (Distribution of escrow interest)		Feb 2012 –
		Jun 2012	$	—			$	—			$	—				n/a		n/a
Jan 2012 – May 2012		Feb 2012 –
		Jun 2012		229				—				229				0.35		652,847
			$	229			$	—			$	229			$	0.35
Source of distributions
Lease and loan payments received			$	229	100.00	%	$	—	0.00	%	$	229	100.00	%
Interest Income				—	0.00	%		—	0.00	%		—	0.00	%
Debt against non-cancellable firm term payments on leases and loans				—	0.00	%		—	0.00	%		—	0.00	%
			$	229	100.00	%	$	—	0.00	%	$	229	100.00	%

⁽¹⁾

Investors may elect to receive their distributions either monthly or quarterly (See “Timing and Method of Distributions” on Page 67 of the Prospectus).

⁽²⁾

Total distributions per Unit represents the per Unit distribution rate for those units which were outstanding for all of the applicable period.

⁽³⁾

Balances shown represent weighted average units for the period from January 1, 2012 to May 31, 2012.

Commitments and Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

Commitments and Contingencies

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

None.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the financial statements, Summary of significant accounting policies, as set forth in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements (Unaudited).

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The policies discussed below are considered by management of the Company to be critical to an understanding of the Company’s financial statements because their application requires significantly complex or subjective judgments, decisions, or assessments, with financial reporting results relying on estimation about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are described in the following paragraphs. The Company also states these accounting policies in the notes to the financial statements and in relevant sections in this discussion and analysis. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events rarely develop exactly as forecast, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment.

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Use of estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term and expected future cash flows used for impairment analysis purposes and for determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts and reserve for credit losses on notes receivable.

Equipment on operating leases and related revenue recognition:

Direct financing leases and related revenue recognition:

Notes receivable, unearned interest income and related revenue recognition:

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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. If it is determined that a loan is impaired with regard to scheduled payments, the Company will perform an analysis of the note to determine if an impairment valuation reserve is necessary. This analysis considers the estimated cash flows from the note, or the collateral value of the property underlying the note when note repayment is collateral dependent. Any required valuation reserve is charged to earnings when determined; and notes are charged off to the allowance as they are deemed uncollectible.

Initial direct costs:

Acquisition expense:

Asset valuation:

Item 4. Controls and procedures.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

The Company’s Managing Member’s Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Operating Officer (“Management”), evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Operating Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

The Company does not control the financial reporting process, and is solely dependent on the Management of the Managing Member, who is responsible for providing the Company with financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The Managing Member’s disclosure controls and

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procedures, as they are applicable to the Company, means controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in internal control

There were no changes in the Managing Member’s internal control over financial reporting, as it is applicable to the Company, during the quarter ended June 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Managing Member’s internal control over financial reporting, as it is applicable to the Company.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

None.

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

Information provided pursuant to § 229.701 (Item 701(f)) (formerly included in Form SR):

(1)

Effective date of the offering: October 28, 2011; File Number: 333-174418

(2)

Offering commenced: October 28, 2011

(3)

The offering did not terminate before any securities were sold.

(4)

The managing underwriter is ATEL Securities Corporation.

(5)

The title of the registered class of securities is “Units of Limited Liability Company Interest.”

(6)

Aggregate amount and offering price of securities registered and sold as of June 30, 2012 (dollars in thousands):


Title of Security	Amount Registered		Aggregate price of offering amount registered		Units sold		Aggregate price of offering amount sold
Units of Limited Company Interest		15,000,000	$	150,000		1,590,536	$	15,905

(7)

Costs incurred for the issuers’ account in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered for each category listed below (in thousands):


	Direct or indirect payments to directors, officers, Managing Members of the issuer or their associates, to persons owning ten percent or more of any class of equity securities of the issuer; and to affiliates of the issuer		Direct or indirect payments to others		Total
Underwriting discounts and commissions	$	238	$	1,193	$	1,431
Other syndication costs		—		2,162		2,162
Total expenses	$	238	$	3,355	$	3,593

(8)

Net offering proceeds to the issuer after total expenses in item 7 (in thousands): $12,312

(9)

The amount of net offering proceeds to the issuer used for each of the purposes listed below (in thousands):


	Direct or indirect payments to directors, officers, Managing Members of the issuer or their associates, to persons owning ten percent or more of any class of equity securities of the issuer; and to affiliates of the issuer		Direct or indirect payments to others		Total
Purchase and installation of machinery and equipment	$	12	$	5,642	$	5,654
Investment in notes receivable		15		3,393		3,408
Distributions paid and accrued		28		349		377
Other expenses		365		—		365
	$	420	$	9,384	$	9,804

(10)

Net offering proceeds to the issuer after total expenses in item 9 (in thousands): $ 2,508

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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.

(a)

Documents filed as a part of this report

Financial Statement Schedules

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

Other Exhibits

31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/ 15d-14(a) Certification of Dean L. Cash
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/ 15d-14(a) Certification of Paritosh K. Choksi
32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 of Dean L. Cash
32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350 of Paritosh K. Choksi

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SIGNATURES

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

Date: August 13, 2012

ATEL 15, LLC
(Registrant)

By:

ATEL Managing Member, LLC
Managing Member of Registrant


By: /s/ Dean L. Cash Dean L. Cash Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of ATEL Managing Member, LLC (Managing Member)
By: /s/ Paritosh K. Choksi Paritosh K. Choksi Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ATEL Managing Member, LLC (Managing Member)
By: /s/ Samuel Schussler Samuel Schussler Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of ATEL Managing Member, LLC (Managing Member)

ATEL 15, LLC - FORM 10-Q - August 13, 2012

Attached files

Form 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

For the transition period from to

Commission File number 333-174418

ATEL 15, LLC

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

ATEL 15, LLC Index

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1. Organization and Limited Liability Company matters:

2. Summary of significant accounting policies:

Basis of presentation:

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

2. Summary of significant accounting policies: - (continued)

Use of Estimates:

Accounts receivable:

Equipment on operating leases and related revenue recognition:

Direct financing leases and related revenue recognition:

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

2. Summary of significant accounting policies: - (continued)

Notes receivable, unearned interest income and related revenue recognition:

Initial direct costs:

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

2. Summary of significant accounting policies: - (continued)

Acquisition expense:

Asset valuation:

Segment reporting:

Investment in securities:

Purchased securities

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

2. Summary of significant accounting policies: - (continued)

Warrants

Per Unit data:

Recent accounting pronouncements

3. Notes receivable, net:

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

4. Allowance for credit losses:

5. Investment in equipment and leases, net:

Impairment of investments in leases:

Operating leases:

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

5. Investment in equipment and leases, net: - (continued)

Direct financing leases:

6. Related party transactions:

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

6. Related party transactions: - (continued)

7. Syndication Costs:

8. Non-recourse debt:

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

8. Non-recourse debt: - (continued)

9. Borrowing facilities:

Fee and interest terms

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

9. Borrowing facilities: - (continued)

Warehouse facility

10. Commitments:

11. Guarantees:

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

12. Members’ Capital:

13. Fair value measurements:

ATEL 15, LLC NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

13. Fair value measurements: - (continued)

Cash and cash equivalents

Notes receivable

Investment in securities

Non-recourse debt

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

Overview

Results of Operations

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Cash Flows

Revolving credit facility

Compliance with covenants

Material financial covenants

Reconciliation to GAAP of EBITDA

Events of default, cross-defaults, recourse and security

Non-Recourse Long-Term Debt

ATEL 15, LLC

Index

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

ATEL 15, LLC
(Registrant)