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EX-23.1 - EX-23.1 - PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPa12-19515_1ex23d1.htm

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K/A

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 31, 2012 (June 15, 2012)

 

Prospect Capital Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

MARYLAND

 

814-00659

 

43-2048643

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

 

 

Identification No.)

 

10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10016

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

 

(212) 448-0702

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Prospect Capital Corporation hereby amends its Current Report on Form 8-K, which was initially filed on June 15, 2012, to include the financial statements of First Tower Corp. and subsidiaries in response to Item 9.01. These financial statements appear beginning on Page F-1 of this Amendment No. 1 to Current Report on Form 8-K/A

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

On June 15, 2012, Prospect Capital Corporation (“Prospect”) completed the acquisition from First Tower Corp. (“First Tower”) of the businesses of First Tower, a private multiline specialty finance company based in Flowood, Mississippi with over 150 branch offices (the “Acquisition”) pursuant to a definitive agreement entered into on March 19, 2012 (the “Agreement”).  Prospect acquired 80.1% of First Tower for $110,200,000 of cash from Prospect’s credit facility and 14,518,207 unregistered shares of Prospect common stock (the “Shares”).  The assets of First Tower acquired in the Acquisition include, among other things, the subsidiaries owned by First Tower, which hold leaseholds and tangible property associated with First Tower’s businesses.

 

The foregoing description of the Acquisition and the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Prospect on March 21, 2012 and is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Information set forth in this Amendment No. 1 to Current Report on Form 8-K/A contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, whose safe harbor for forward-looking statements does not apply to business development companies. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are highly likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under Prospect’s control, and that Prospect may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from these estimates and projections of the future. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and Prospect undertakes no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The information set forth under Item 2.01 of this Amendment No. 1 to Current Report on Form 8-K/A is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Prospect issued the Shares to First Tower and the shareholders of First Tower, each of which is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder, with such Shares subject to applicable resale restrictions under the Securities Act.  The Shares were valued at $11.06 for purposes of the Acquisition.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.

 

The financial statements required by this Item 9.01(a) appear beginning on page F-1 of this Amendment No. 1 to Current Report on Form 8-K/A and are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

23.1 —  Consent of Independent Auditors

 

2



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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to Current Report on Form 8-K/A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Prospect Capital Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ M. Grier Eliasek

 

Name:

M. Grier Eliasek

 

Title:

Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

Date: August 31, 2012

 

 

 

3



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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FIRST TOWER CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010

 

 

 

 

 

Independent Auditors’ Report

 

F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ending December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ending December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ending December 30, 2011 and 2010

 

F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-7

 

 

 

MARCH 31, 2012 AND 2011

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)

 

F-31

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ending March 31, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)

 

F-32

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ending March 31, 2012 and 2011 (Unaudited)

 

F-33

 

F-1



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Carr Riggs & Ingram,
2812 Commerce Park Drive
Ridgeland, MS 39157

 

Mailing Address

P.O Box 2418
Ridgeland, MS 39158-2418

 

(601) 853-7050

(601) 853-9331 (fax)

 

www.cricpa.com

 

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

Jackson, Mississippi

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of First Tower Corp and subsidiaries (“the Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First Tower Corp and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC

Carr Riggs & Ingram, LLC

Ridgeland, Mississippi

March 26, 2012

 

F-2



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First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

7,794,924

 

$

5,818,312

 

Investment in trading securities

 

997,043

 

950,175

 

Investment securities available for sale

 

40,354,778

 

36,924,221

 

Finance receivables, net

 

370,484,877

 

325,878,569

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

2,131,740

 

1,935,343

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

1,922,337

 

1,738,204

 

Other receivables

 

514,042

 

558,586

 

Real estate acquired by foreclosure

 

948,680

 

898,501

 

Property and equipment, net

 

4,709,142

 

4,709,194

 

Net deferred income tax asset

 

14,115,911

 

14,002,008

 

Other assets

 

721,522

 

615,844

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

444,694,996

 

$

394,028,957

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

$

222,758,982

 

$

202,799,325

 

Unearned premiums

 

36,916,207

 

32,993,976

 

Policy claim reserves

 

2,474,858

 

2,367,089

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

7,633,029

 

4,641,698

 

Income taxes payable

 

1,691,979

 

1,855,208

 

Other liabilities

 

900,659

 

428,917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

272,375,714

 

245,086,213

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 4, 6, 11, 16 and 17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $1 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 165,801 shares issued and outstanding

 

165,801

 

165,801

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax effect of $992,000 in 2011 and $572,000 in 2010

 

1,641,981

 

964,260

 

Retained earnings

 

170,511,500

 

147,812,683

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

172,319,282

 

148,942,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

444,694,996

 

$

394,028,957

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3



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First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

 

Years ending December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and fee income from finance receivables

 

$

124,532,238

 

$

106,557,114

 

Insurance premiums

 

25,915,785

 

22,921,507

 

Net investment income

 

1,311,740

 

1,394,833

 

Net realized investment gains

 

221,279

 

258,179

 

Other income

 

8,935,245

 

7,832,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

160,916,287

 

138,963,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

8,170,528

 

7,754,661

 

Policyholders’ benefits

 

4,577,419

 

4,101,951

 

Salaries and fringe benefits

 

29,820,256

 

26,331,933

 

Provision for credit losses

 

27,773,811

 

25,708,036

 

Other operating expenses

 

24,559,864

 

21,104,041

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

94,901,878

 

85,000,622

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

66,014,409

 

53,963,182

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

24,256,810

 

19,790,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

41,757,599

 

34,172,442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax effects of approximately $(420,000) in 2011 and ($54,000) in 2010:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on interest rate swap agreements

 

 

58,091

 

Unrealized holding gains on securities

 

790,837

 

198,629

 

Reclassification adjustments for amounts included in net income

 

(113,116

)

(8,373

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

677,721

 

248,347

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

42,435,320

 

$

34,420,789

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4



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First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

Comprehensive

 

Retained

 

 

 

Years ending December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

Stock

 

Loss

 

Earnings

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, January 1, 2010

 

$

165,801

 

$

715,913

 

$

127,867,593

 

$

128,749,307

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

34,172,442

 

34,172,442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

(14,227,352

)

(14,227,352

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized gain on interest rate swap agreements

 

 

 

151,867

 

 

 

151,867

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in net unrealized gain on investment securities available for sale

 

 

 

96,480

 

 

 

96,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2010

 

165,801

 

964,260

 

147,812,683

 

148,942,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

41,757,599

 

41,757,599

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

(19,058,782

)

(19,058,782

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in net unrealized gain on investment securities available for sale

 

 

 

677,721

 

 

 

677,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2011

 

$

165,801

 

$

1,641,981

 

$

170,511,500

 

$

172,319,282

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Years ending December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,757,599

 

$

34,172,442

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization, net

 

1,459,798

 

1,425,709

 

Amortization of premiums on securities, net

 

359,200

 

282,109

 

Gain on sale of investments, net

 

(221,279

)

(258,179

)

Loss from sale and impairments of real estate

 

346,362

 

170,668

 

Gain on sale of other assets

 

(91,733

)

(29,887

)

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

 

(534,903

)

401,552

 

Provision for credit losses

 

27,773,811

 

25,708,036

 

Net loan origination costs deferred

 

(501,843

)

(406,693

)

Purchase of trading securities

 

(8,773

)

(6,647

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid reinsurance

 

(196,397

)

(178,550

)

Reinsurance recoverables

 

(184,133

)

(84,026

)

Other receivables

 

44,544

 

(19,324

)

Other assets

 

(105,679

)

(61,660

)

Policy claim reserves

 

107,769

 

145,316

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

2,991,331

 

(912,209

)

Income taxes payable

 

(163,229

)

(902,262

)

Unearned premiums

 

3,922,231

 

3,320,566

 

Other liabilities

 

471,741

 

244,634

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

77,226,417

 

63,011,595

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Finance receivables purchased

 

(958,436

)

(4,443,673

)

Finance receivables originated

 

(418,864,398

)

(386,367,797

)

Finance receivables repaid

 

346,854,471

 

325,842,406

 

Proceeds from sales of real estate

 

693,546

 

785,404

 

Proceeds from calls or maturities of investment securities

 

3,365,000

 

2,535,000

 

Proceeds from sales of investment securities

 

5,552,832

 

5,886,122

 

Purchases of investment securities

 

(11,425,681

)

(9,505,345

)

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

 

77,338

 

42,872

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(1,445,352

)

(1,566,229

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(76,150,680

)

(66,791,240

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net changes in short-term borrowings

 

19,959,657

 

20,775,517

 

Dividends paid

 

(19,058,782

)

(14,227,352

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

900,875

 

6,548,165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,976,612

 

2,768,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

5,818,312

 

3,049,792

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$

7,794,924

 

$

5,818,312

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash activities -
Real estate acquired in satisfaction of finance receivables

 

$

1,090,000

 

$

1,107,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

8,102,000

 

$

7,537,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

24,957,000

 

$

20,303,000

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Business and Basis of Consolidation

First Tower Corp is engaged in consumer lending and related insurance activities through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Tower Loan of Mississippi, Inc., First Tower Loan, Inc., Gulfco of Mississippi, Inc., Gulfco of Louisiana, Inc., Tower Loan of Missouri, Inc., Tower Auto Loan, Inc., American Federated Insurance Company, and American Federated Life Insurance Company, all of which are collectively referred to as “the Company”.  The Company acquires and services finance receivables (direct loans, real estate loans and sales finance contracts) through branch offices principally located in Mississippi, Louisiana and Missouri. In addition, the Company writes credit insurance when requested by its loan customers.

 

The Company is subject to various state laws and regulations in each of the states in which it operates and which are enforced by the respective state regulatory authorities.  These state laws and regulations impact the economic terms of the Company’s products.  As a result, the terms of products offered by the Company vary among the states in which it operates in order to comply with each state’s specific laws and regulations.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

In connection with the preparation of the consolidated financial statements, management of the Company evaluated subsequent events through March 26, 2012, which is the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

 

Accounting Standards Codification

The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) became effective on July 1, 2009. At that date, the ASC became FASB’s officially recognized source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) applicable to all public and non-public non-governmental entities, superseding existing FASB, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) and related literature. All other accounting literature is considered non-authoritative for a non-public or non-governmental entity. The switch to the ASC affects the way entities refer to U.S. GAAP in financial statements and accounting policies. Citing particular content in the ASC involves specifying the unique numeric path to the content.

 

Use of Estimates

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In preparing its financial statements, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the balance sheets and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the years then ended.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to change include the determination of the allowance for credit losses, policy claim reserves and the valuation of investments.

 

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Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Investment in Trading Securities

The Company has an investment in a large capitalization equity mutual fund which it accounts for using the fair value option allowed by ASC 825-10 and which is classified as a trading security.  Changes in the unrealized gains and losses of this investment are recognized through earnings.  Dividends on trading securities are recognized in net investment income.

 

Fair Value Measurements

The Company carries its trading securities, and its investment securities available-for-sale at fair value on a recurring basis and measures certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using a hierarchy of measurements which requires it to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

 

Three levels of inputs are used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1                                                      Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets accessible at the measurement date.

 

Level 2                                                      Valuations derived for similar assets in active markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by market data.

 

Level 3                                                      Valuations derived from unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) inputs that reflect an entity’s best estimate of what hypothetical market participants would use to determine a transaction price at the reporting date.

 

When quoted market prices in active markets are unavailable, the Company determines fair value using various valuation techniques and models based on a range of observable market inputs including pricing models, quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, prepayment speeds, default rates and discounted cash flow.  In most cases, these estimates are determined based on independent third party valuation information, and the amounts are disclosed in the Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  Generally, the Company obtains a single price or quote per instrument from independent third parties to assist in establishing the fair value of these investments.

 

If quoted market prices and independent third party valuation information are unavailable, the Company produces an estimate of fair value based on internally developed valuation techniques, which, depending on the level of observable market inputs, will render the fair value estimate as Level 2 or 3.  On occasions when pricing service data is unavailable, the Company may rely on bid/ask spreads from dealers in determining fair value.

 

To the extent the Company determines that a price or quote is inconsistent with actual trading activity observed in that investment or similar investments, or if the Company does not think the quote is reflective of the market value for the investment, the Company internally develops a fair value using this other market information and discloses the input as a Level 3.

 

Investment Securities Available for Sale

Investments in debt securities are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are carried at fair value, with changes in the fair value of such securities being reported as other

 

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Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

comprehensive income (loss), net of related deferred income taxes (benefit). When the fair value of a security falls below carrying value, an evaluation must be made to determine if the unrealized loss is a temporary or other than temporary impairment.  Impaired debt securities that are not deemed to be temporarily impaired are written down to net realizable value by a charge to earnings to the extent the impairment is related to credit losses or if the Company intends, or more-likely-than not will be required, to sell the security before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis.  In estimating other than temporary impairments, the Company considers the duration of time and extent to which the amortized cost exceeds fair value, the financial condition of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value.

 

Premiums and discounts on debt securities are recognized as adjustments to net investment income by the interest method over the period to maturity and adjusted for prepayments as applicable.  Realized gains and losses on sales of investment securities are determined using the specific identification method.

 

Finance Receivables

Finance receivables are stated at the amount of unpaid principal and finance charges, including deferred loan costs, and reduced by unearned finance charges, unearned discounts and an allowance for credit losses. For finance receivables originated by the Company, non-refundable loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the finance receivable yield over the contractual life of the related loan. Unamortized amounts are recognized in income when finance receivables are renewed or paid in full.

 

For a significant group of finance receivables purchased from other lenders, the Company recognizes finance charge income pursuant to the provisions ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, for its investment in finance receivables. ASC 310-30 limits the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) to the excess of the Company’s estimate of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows (cash flows expected at the acquisition to be collected) over the Company’s initial investment in the finance receivables.  Prepayment expectations are not considered in this evaluation. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the finance receivables yield over its remaining life. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected are recognized as impairment to the finance receivable portfolios.

 

Real Estate Acquired by Foreclosure

The Company records real estate acquired by foreclosure at the lesser of the outstanding finance receivable amount (including accrued interest, if any) or fair value, less estimated costs to sell, at the time of foreclosure.  Any resulting loss on foreclosure is charged to the allowance for credit losses and a new basis is established in the property.  A valuation allowance and a corresponding charge to operations is established to reflect declines in value subsequent to acquisition, if any, below the new basis.  Operating expenses of such properties, net of related income, and gains and losses on their disposition are included in other operating expenses.

 

F-9



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method.  When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in income for the period.  The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to income when incurred; significant renewals and betterments are capitalized.  The Company evaluates the recoverability of property, plant and equipment and other long-term assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable, based upon expectations of non-discounted cash flows and operating income.

 

Income Recognition

Precomputed finance charges are included in the gross amount of the Company’s finance receivables. These precomputed charges are deferred and recognized as income on an accrual basis using the effective interest method over the terms of receivables. However, with certain exceptions, state regulations allow interest refunds to be made according to the Rule of 78’s method for payoffs and renewals. Since a significant percentage of the Company’s precomputed accounts are paid off or renewed prior to maturity, the result is that a majority of the precomputed accounts effectively yield on a Rule of 78’s basis. The difference between income previously recognized under the interest yield method and the Rule of 78’s method is recognized as an adjustment to interest income at the time of the renewal or payoff.

 

Renewals and refinancings require that the borrower meet the underwriting guidelines similar to a new customer and, as a result, the interest rate and effective yield, as well as the other terms of the refinanced receivables are comparable to finance receivables with customers with similar risks who are not refinancing; therefore, all renewals and refinancings are treated as new finance receivables.  Unearned finance charges and discounts from the original receivable being renewed or refinanced are recognized in interest income when the new finance receivable is granted.  Finance charge refunds, net of any applicable prepayment penalties, are charged to interest income at the time of the new finance receivable.

 

Insurance premiums on credit life and accident and health policies written by the Company are earned over the term of the policy using the pro-rata method, for level-term life policies, and the effective yield method, for decreasing-term life policies.  Premiums on accident and health policies are earned based on an average of the pro-rata method and the effective yield method. Property and casualty credit insurance premiums written by the Company are earned over the period of insurance coverage using the pro-rata method or the effective yield method, depending on whether the amount of insurance coverage generally remains level or declines.

 

Commissions earned from the sale of accidental death and dismemberment insurance coverage and motor club memberships to finance customers are recognized at the time of origination.  The Company has no future obligations related to the sale of these products.  Other income includes commissions earned of $8,025,000 in 2011 and $7,044,000 in 2010.

 

F-10



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is determined by several factors based upon each portfolio segment.  Segments in the finance receivable portfolio include personal property, real estate and other.  Historical loss experience is the primary factor in the determination of the allowance for credit losses.  An evaluation is performed to compare the amount of accounts charged off, net of recoveries of such accounts, in relation to the average net outstanding finance receivables for the period being reviewed.  Historically, management has found that this methodology has provided an adequate allowance due to the Company’s loan portfolio segments consisting of a large number of smaller balance homogeneous finance receivables.  Further, management routinely evaluates the inherent risks and change in the volume and composition of the Company’s finance receivable portfolio based on its extensive experience in the consumer finance industry in consideration of estimating the adequacy of the allowance.  Also considered are delinquency trends, economic conditions, and industry factors.  Provisions for credit losses are charged to income in amounts sufficient to maintain an allowance for credit losses at a level considered adequate to cover the probable loss inherent in the finance receivable portfolio.  Since the estimates used in determining the allowance for credit losses are influenced by outside factors, such as consumer payment patterns and general economic conditions, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates, making it reasonably possible that they could change.  Interest on past due finance receivables is recognized until charge-off.  Finance receivables are generally charged off when they are five months contractually past due.

 

Policy Claim Reserves

Policy claim reserves represent (i) the liability for losses and loss-adjustment expenses related to credit property contracts and (ii) the liabilities for future policy benefits related to credit life and accident and health insurance.  The liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses includes an amount determined from loss reports and individual cases and an amount, based on past experience, for losses incurred but not reported.  The liabilities for future policy benefits have been computed utilizing accepted actuarial techniques.  Such liabilities are necessarily based on estimates and, while management believes that the amount is adequate, the ultimate liability may be in excess of or less than the amounts provided.  The methods for making such estimates and for establishing the resulting liabilities are continually reviewed, and any adjustments are reflected in earnings currently.

 

Reinsurance

The Company reduces its exposure relating to credit accident and health insurance through a quota share reinsurance agreement (see Note 4).  Amounts recoverable from the reinsurer are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy.

 

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers certificates of deposit and all short-term securities with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

F-11



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

Fair Value Disclosures of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair values.

 

Investment Securities

The fair value of investments in trading securities and securities available for sale are generally obtained from independent pricing services based upon valuations for similar assets in active markets or other inputs derived from objectively verifiable information.

 

Finance Receivables

The fair value of finance receivables approximates the carrying value since the estimated life, assuming prepayments, is short-term in nature.

 

Other Receivables and Payables

The carrying value amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements approximated their fair value.

 

Notes Payable

The carrying amounts of borrowings under the line-of-credit agreements approximated their fair values as the interest charged for these borrowings fluctuate with market changes.

 

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income for the Company consists of net earnings, changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities classified as available-for-sale and changes in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements, net of taxes, and is presented in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.  Advertising expenses approximated $4,071,000 in 2011 and $3,476,000 in 2010.

 

Effects of Recent Accounting Guidance

In May 2011, the FASB issued a new accounting standard update under Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820):  Amendments to Achieve Common Faire Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.  The amendments in ASU 2011-4 generally represent clarification of Topic 820, but also include instances where a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or disclosing information about fair value has changed.  The most significant change in disclosures is an expansion of the information required for Level 3 measurements based on unobservable inputs.  The standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012.

 

F-12



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued new authoritative accounting guidance under ASU No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):  Presentation of Comprehensive Income.  ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders equity.  As a result companies must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements.  This new guidance is to be applied retrospectively and will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012.

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued new authoritative accounting guidance under ASU No. 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):  Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update 2011-05.  ASU 2011-12 defers certain aspects of ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments.  This new guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012.

 

In October 2010, the FASB issued new authoritative accounting guidance under ASU No. 2010-26, Financial Services — Insurance (Topic 944), Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts.  ASU 2010-26 amends prior accounting guidance to specify which costs incurred in the acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts qualify for deferral. This standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012.

 

The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of these accounting standards updates could have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2010 consolidated financial statements in order to conform to the method of presentation used in 2011.

 

F-13



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

The cost or amortized cost of securities available for sale and their approximate fair values at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:

 

 

 

Cost or

 

 

 

Gross

 

Gross

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Approximate

 

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

 

December 31, 2011

 

Cost

 

Fair Value

 

Gains

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government agencies and corporations

 

$

2,598,669

 

$

2,692,597

 

$

93,928

 

$

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

18,199,841

 

19,603,799

 

1,430,401

 

26,444

 

Corporate securities

 

14,504,237

 

15,503,864

 

1,023,929

 

24,302

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

2,457,786

 

2,554,518

 

107,807

 

11,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investment securities

 

$

37,760,533

 

$

40,354,778

 

$

2,656,065

 

$

61,821

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government agencies and corporations

 

$

2,881,111

 

$

2,951,081

 

$

90,456

 

$

20,486

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

17,304,321

 

17,869,374

 

667,265

 

102,213

 

Corporate securities

 

13,127,158

 

13,900,694

 

839,300

 

65,764

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

2,116,111

 

2,203,072

 

90,133

 

3,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investment securities

 

$

35,428,701

 

$

36,924,221

 

$

1,687,154

 

$

191,635

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gains on available for sale securities, net of income tax effects, of approximately $1,642,000 and $964,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The length of time temporarily impaired securities have been held in a loss position as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 is summarized below:

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or more

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

December 31, 2011

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligations of states and political subdidivisions

 

$

297,920

 

$

1,393

 

$

771,596

 

$

25,051

 

$

1,069,516

 

$

26,444

 

Corporate securities

 

2,225,305

 

24,302

 

 

 

 

 

2,225,305

 

24,302

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

730,461

 

11,075

 

 

 

 

 

730,461

 

11,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

3,253,686

 

$

36,770

 

$

771,596

 

$

25,051

 

$

4,025,282

 

$

61,821

 

 

F-14



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

 

 

Less than 12 months

 

12 months or more

 

Total

 

 

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

Estimated

 

Unrealized

 

December 31, 2010

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

Fair Value

 

Losses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and agencies securities

 

$

934,029

 

$

20,486

 

 

 

 

 

$

934,029

 

$

20,486

 

Obligations of states and political subdidivisions

 

2,290,500

 

67,105

 

$

1,349,483

 

$

35,108

 

3,639,983

 

102,213

 

Corporate securities

 

1,813,081

 

65,764

 

 

 

 

 

1,813,081

 

65,764

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

414,284

 

3,172

 

 

 

 

 

414,284

 

3,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

5,451,894

 

$

156,527

 

$

1,349,483

 

$

35,108

 

$

6,801,377

 

$

191,635

 

 

Substantially all gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2011 and 2010 were attributable to interest rate changes and general disruptions in the credit market subsequent to purchase rather than an adverse change in cash flows or a fundamental weakness in the credit quality of the issuer or the underlying assets and are thus considered temporarily impaired.  Due to the issuers’ continued satisfaction of the securities’ obligations in accordance with contractual terms, the expectation that they will continue to do so and the Company’s intent and ability relative to these investments, management believes the securities in unrealized loss positions are temporarily depressed.

 

As of December 31, 2011 the Company had 26 debt securities with temporary impairments, including 5 securities classified as obligations of state and political subdivisions, 17 securities classified as corporate securities, and 4 investments classified as mortgage-backed securities.

 

As of December 31, 2010, the Company had 31 debt securities with temporary impairments, including 1 security classified as U.S. Government agencies and corporations, 21 securities classified as obligations of state and political subdivisions, 7 securities classified as corporate securities, and 2 investments classified as mortgage-backed securities.

 

Management of the Company evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) no less than annually or when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation.  The evaluation is based upon factors such as the creditworthiness of the issuer, the underlying collateral, if applicable, and the continuing performance of the securities.  Management also evaluates other facts and circumstances that may be indicative of an OTTI condition. This includes, but is not limited to, an evaluation of the type of security, length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, and near-term prospects of the issuer.

 

The Company segregates the OTTI impact on impaired securities where impairment in value was deemed to be other than temporary between the component representing credit loss and the component representing loss related to other factors.

 

The Company assesses whether a credit loss exists by considering whether (i) the Company has the intent to sell the security, (ii) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, or (iii) it does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of a debt security.  The portion of the fair value decline attributable to credit loss is recognized as a charge to earnings. The credit loss evaluation is determined by comparing the present value of the cash

 

F-15



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

flows expected to be collected, discounted at the rate in effect before recognizing any OTTI with the amortized cost basis of the debt security.  The Company uses the cash flow expected to be realized from the security, which includes assumptions about interest rates, timing and severity of defaults, estimates of potential recoveries, the cash flow distribution from the bond indenture and other factors, then applies a discount rate equal to the effective yield of the security.  The difference between the present value of the expected cash flows and the amortized book value is considered a credit loss.  The difference between the fair market value and the security’s remaining amortized cost is recognized in other comprehensive income or loss.

 

A rollforward of credit losses recognized in earnings on available-for-sale securities, for which a portion of OTTI loss remains in AOCI, is as follows:

 

In thousands, for the years ending December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts related to credit losses on securities held, beginning of year

 

$

1,161,142

 

$

1,161,142

 

Less accumulated losses on investments disposed of during the year

 

(646,750

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts related to credit losses on securities held, end of year

 

$

514,392

 

$

1,161,142

 

 

Major categories of net investment income are summarized as follows:

 

Years ending December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities

 

$

1,432,208

 

$

1,511,637

 

Common stocks

 

8,773

 

6,646

 

Mortgage and collateral loans

 

7,800

 

7,800

 

Cash and short-term investments

 

1,260

 

1,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,450,041

 

1,527,400

 

Investment expenses

 

(138,301

)

(132,567

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

$

1,311,740

 

$

1,394,833

 

 

Net realized investment gains are summarized as follows:

 

Years ending December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross realized gains on sale of securities available for sale

 

$

195,681

 

$

180,531

 

Gross realized losses on sale of securities available for sale

 

(12,497

)

(15,109

)

Gain from investments in trading securities held

 

38,095

 

92,757

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized investment gains

 

$

221,279

 

$

258,179

 

 

Proceeds from sales of investment securities aggregated approximately $5,553,000 in 2011 and $5,886,000 in 2010.

 

The amortized cost and approximate fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2011, by contractual maturity, is shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepay penalties.

 

F-16



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES (Continued)

 

 

 

Cost or

 

Approximate

 

 

 

Amortized

 

Fair

 

December 31, 2011

 

Cost

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Due in one year or less

 

$

3,550,711

 

$

3,577,242

 

Due after one year but less than five years

 

12,292,762

 

13,051,635

 

Due after five years but less than ten years

 

16,409,943

 

17,951,714

 

Due after ten years

 

3,049,331

 

3,219,669

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

2,457,786

 

2,554,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt securities

 

$

37,760,533

 

$

40,354,778

 

 

Investment securities with carrying values of approximately $1,901,000 and $1,868,000 and with estimated fair values of $1,939,000 and $1,955,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were pledged by the Company with various states as required by state law.

 

NOTE 3 – FINANCE RECEIVABLES

 

Finance receivables at December 31, 2011 and 2010, are as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer finance receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Personal property

 

$

416,730,299

 

$

361,618,137

 

Real estate

 

58,741,778

 

60,501,274

 

Other

 

68,347,837

 

60,233,159

 

 

 

543,819,914

 

482,352,570

 

Add (deduct):

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred origination costs

 

4,626,769

 

4,124,926

 

Unearned income

 

(146,933,781

)

(129,402,034

)

Allowance for credit losses

 

(31,028,025

)

(31,196,893

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance receivables, net

 

$

370,484,877

 

$

325,878,569

 

 

Changes in the allowance for credit losses are as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

31,196,893

 

$

32,161,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for credit losses

 

27,773,811

 

25,708,036

 

Receivables charged-off

 

(37,375,224

)

(36,090,602

)

Charge-offs recovered

 

9,432,545

 

9,418,016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

31,028,025

 

$

31,196,893

 

 

F-17



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 3 – FINANCE RECEIVABLES (continued)

 

The balance in the allowance for possible loans losses by portfolio segment at December 31, 2011 was as follows:

 

December 31, 2011

 

Balance at
Beginning of
Year

 

Charge-offs

 

Recoveries

 

Provision for
Loan Losses

 

Balance at
End of Year

 

Personal Property

 

$

29,019,002

 

$

(34,802,740

)

$

8,760,608

 

$

25,990,095

 

$

28,966,965

 

Real Estate

 

658,766

 

(622,553

)

89,761

 

409,870

 

535,844

 

Other

 

1,519,125

 

(1,949,931

)

582,176

 

1,373,846

 

1,525,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total loans

 

$

31,196,893

 

$

(37,375,224

)

$

9,432,545

 

$

27,773,811

 

$

31,028,025

 

 

The Company classifies delinquent accounts based upon the number of contractual installments past due.  An aging of delinquent gross finance receivables as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Due

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Due

 

Past Due

 

Than

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

Current

 

30-90 Days

 

91-150 Days

 

150 Days

 

Total

 

Personal Property

 

$

368,560,171

 

$

37,626,554

 

$

10,532,706

 

$

10,868

 

$

416,730,299

 

Real Estate

 

53,370,952

 

4,747,231

 

524,467

 

99,128

 

58,741,778

 

Other

 

65,195,608

 

2,573,741

 

578,488

 

 

 

68,347,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross finance receivables

 

$

487,126,731

 

$

44,947,526

 

$

11,635,661

 

$

109,996

 

$

543,819,914

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Property

 

$

319,811,286

 

$

32,546,655

 

$

9,256,807

 

$

3,389

 

$

361,618,137

 

Real Estate

 

54,455,638

 

4,998,581

 

761,048

 

286,007

 

60,501,274

 

Other

 

57,426,455

 

2,255,093

 

551,611

 

 

 

60,233,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross finance receivables

 

$

431,693,379

 

$

39,800,329

 

$

10,569,466

 

$

289,396

 

$

482,352,570

 

 

Nonperforming loans consisted of loans past due greater than 150 days and approximated $110,000 and $289,000, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Additionally, the Company had gross finance receivables relating to customers in bankruptcy and which the terms of the original contract have been modified approximating $3,635,000 and $2,998,000 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The amount of unpaid balances related to finance receivables acquired with deteriorated credit quality was immaterial for all periods presented.

 

F-18



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 4 – REINSURANCE

 

The Company has entered into a quota share reinsurance agreement that cedes 40% of its credit accident and health inforce business in order to limit its exposure on credit disability coverages.  Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its primary obligation to policyholders.  Failure of any reinsurer to honor its obligations could result in losses to the Company.

 

The ceded reinsurance agreement contains a retrospective rating provision that results in a favorable adjustment to the reinsurance premiums if certain underwriting results are achieved on the reinsured business during the experience period.  The Company estimates the amount of ultimate premium adjustment that the Company may earn upon completion of the experience period and recognizes an asset for the difference between the initial reinsurance premiums paid and the estimated ultimate premium.  The Company adjusts such estimated ultimate premium amounts during the course of the experience period based on actual results to date.  The resulting adjustment is recorded as either a reduction of or an increase to the ceded premiums for the period.  Included in reinsurance recoverables at December 31, 2011 and 2010 are estimated receivables relating to the retrospective rating provisions of approximately $1,191,000 and $1,006,000, respectively.  During 2011 and 2010, ceded premiums have been reduced by retrospective premium adjustments of approximately $941,000 and $756,000, respectively.

 

The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned is as follows:

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

Written

 

Earned

 

Written

 

Earned

 

Direct

 

$

30,553,126

 

$

26,827,291

 

$

26,980,414

 

$

23,838,398

 

Ceded

 

(911,506

)

(911,506

)

(916,891

)

(916,891

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net premiums

 

$

29,641,620

 

$

25,915,785

 

$

26,063,523

 

$

22,921,507

 

 

NOTE 5 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment at December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

 

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Useful Lives

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

 

 

$

302,167

 

$

302,167

 

Building and improvements

 

15 to 40 years

 

2,281,197

 

2,242,383

 

Office furniture and fixtures

 

5 to 10 years

 

2,515,974

 

2,243,135

 

Data processing equipment

 

3 years

 

6,659,215

 

6,273,374

 

Automotive equipment

 

3 years

 

1,146,819

 

923,824

 

Leasehold improvements

 

5 years

 

2,159,847

 

1,981,776

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,065,219

 

13,966,659

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

10,356,077

 

9,257,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

 

$

4,709,142

 

$

4,709,194

 

 

F-19



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 6 – INDEBTEDNESS AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

 

In October 2011, the Company entered into a new revolving loan agreement, which is used to finance its consumer lending operations, to provide for an increase in the credit facility.  The amended loan agreement terminates on October 14, 2013 and provides for a total facility of $240,000,000.  However, borrowings are limited to availability, as defined in the agreement.

 

Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at an annualized rate of LIBOR plus 3% with a floor rate of 4% or a reference rate, as defined, plus 2%. Borrowings are collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s consumer finance assets, including all finance receivables and intangibles. Prior to October 2011, borrowings under the agreement accrued interest at an annualized rate of LIBOR plus 3% with a floor rate of 4% or a reference rate, as defined, plus 2% and the total facility was $210,000,000.

 

The loan agreement contains covenants that require First Tower Loan, Inc., Tower Loan of Mississippi, Inc., Tower Loan of Missouri, Inc. and the Gulfco subsidiaries to maintain certain interest coverage and unsubordinated debt to borrowing base ratios.  In addition, these finance company subsidiaries are required to maintain a certain minimum level of tangible net worth.  At December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with the covenants.

 

In addition, the Company has a $7,000,000 revolving line of credit with a bank which expires June 30, 2012.  Advances under the line of credit bear interest at one-month LIBOR plus 2.75% with a floor rate of 3.75%, adjusted monthly, and are collateralized by all of the outstanding shares of American Federated Life Insurance Company and certain deeds of trust.   Prior to June 2010, this revolving line of credit accrued interest at a variable rate of LIBOR plus 2.80%.

 

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the amount outstanding under the revolving loan agreement was approximately $217,281,000 and $196,833,000, respectively, with an average effective interest rate of 4.12%.  The amount outstanding under the revolving line of credit with the bank was approximately $5,478,000 with an interest rate of 3.75% at December 31, 2011 and $5,967,000 with an interest rate of 3.75% at December 31, 2010.  Interest is payable monthly.

 

Prior to 2010, the Company terminated an interest rate swap agreement that had been entered into for the purpose of hedging the interest rate risk exposure on $5 million of its indebtedness from floating interest rates to a fixed rate.  Upon termination the realized loss was amortized over the maturity of the terminated swap and resulted in approximately $152,000 of additional interest expense during 2010.

 

F-20



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 7 – POLICY CLAIMS RESERVES

 

Activity in policy claim reserves, including claim adjustment expenses, is summarized as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

2,367,089

 

$

2,221,773

 

Less reinsurance recoverables

 

(671,515

)

(617,189

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net balance at beginning of year

 

1,695,574

 

1,604,584

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incurred related to:

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

4,828,932

 

4,302,988

 

Prior years

 

(251,513

)

(201,037

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total incurred

 

4,577,419

 

4,101,951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid related to:

 

 

 

 

 

Current year

 

3,405,902

 

2,993,735

 

Prior years

 

1,064,687

 

1,017,226

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total paid

 

4,470,589

 

4,010,961

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net balance at end of year

 

1,802,404

 

1,695,574

 

Plus reinsurance recoverables

 

672,454

 

671,515

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

2,474,858

 

$

2,367,089

 

 

NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES

 

The Company files a consolidated income tax return in the U. S. federal jurisdiction and operates in multiple state tax jurisdictions which requires the appropriate allocation of income and expense to each state based on a variety of apportionment or allocation bases.

 

The provisions for income taxes consisted of the following:

 

Years ending December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current provision

 

$

24,791,713

 

$

19,389,188

 

Deferred expense (benefit)

 

(534,903

)

401,552

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

24,256,810

 

$

19,790,740

 

 

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and the states in which it operates.

 

F-21



Table of Contents

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES (Continued)

 

The Company is subject to examination by federal and state tax authorities. Results of these examinations may produce indicated liabilities which differ from Company estimates and provisions. The Company continually evaluates its exposure to possible tax assessments arising from examinations and records its estimate of possible exposure based on current facts and circumstances.  With minimum exception, the Company and its subsidiaries are no longer subject to income tax examinations prior to 2008 in the jurisdictions in which they file.

 

The Company did not have unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011 and does not expect this to change significantly over the next 12 months.  It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.  The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Writedown of securities

 

$

196,755

 

$

444,136

 

Allowance for credit losses

 

11,868,220

 

11,932,812

 

Tax basis deferred policy acquisition cost

 

494,533

 

453,965

 

Intangible assets

 

227,072

 

313,726

 

Policy claim reserves and unearned premiums

 

2,091,535

 

1,937,695

 

Capital loss in excess of capital gain

 

528,303

 

333,168

 

Other accrued employee benefits

 

316,622

 

253,556

 

Capitalized selling costs

 

486,157

 

 

 

Unrealized holding loss on trading securities

 

425,885

 

440,460

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,635,082

 

16,109,518

 

Valuation allowance

 

(514,040

)

(602,592

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,121,042

 

15,506,926

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

95,625

 

95,625

 

Property and equipment

 

847,189

 

781,145

 

Unrealized gain on securities available for sale

 

992,297

 

572,036

 

Other

 

70,020

 

56,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,005,131

 

1,504,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset

 

$

14,115,911

 

$

14,002,008

 

 

F-22



Table of Contents

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES (Continued)

 

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rate of 35% to income before income taxes as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax based on federal statutory rate

 

$

23,105,045

 

$

18,887,114

 

State income taxes

 

1,601,785

 

1,319,443

 

Small life insurance company deduction

 

(354,158

)

(396,136

)

Tax-exempt interest and dividend exclusion

 

(199,121

)

(192,165

)

Change in valuation allowance

 

(88,552

)

(80,941

)

Other

 

191,811

 

253,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

24,256,810

 

$

19,790,740

 

 

The Company has approximately $1,284,000 of federal capital loss carryforwards that will begin to expire in 2013, if not used.

 

The valuation allowance is primarily related to investment loss carryovers not expected to be realized and the small life insurance company deduction of the Company’s life insurance subsidiary.

 

NOTE 9 – EMPLOYEE PROFIT SHARING PLAN

 

The Company has a profit sharing plan covering substantially all the Company’s employees that includes a 401(k) provision which allows employees to contribute salary subject to the maximum contribution allowed by the IRS.  The Company matches 50% of the first 6% of employee contributions.  Additional contributions may be made at the discretion of the Company.  Profit sharing expense approximated $1,762,000 in 2011 and $1,370,000 in 2010.

 

F-23



Table of Contents

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 10 – STATUTORY FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES

 

Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) differ in certain respects from the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities (Statutory).  A reconciliation between net income and stockholder’s equity of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries as reported under GAAP and Statutory follows:

 

 

 

Net

 

Stockholder’s

 

Net

 

Stockholder’s

 

 

 

Income

 

Equity

 

Income

 

Equity

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP basis

 

$

14,064,480

 

$

18,447,880

 

$

12,726,954

 

$

16,279,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-admitted assets

 

1,597

 

(57,276

)

1,600

 

(61,206

)

Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy reserves

 

(198,313

)

246,478

 

(220,356

)

444,791

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(204,562

)

(1,373,187

)

(108,665

)

(1,635,200

)

Asset valuation reserve

 

 

 

(62,581

)

 

 

(58,875

)

Interest maintenance reserve

 

21,375

 

(68,777

)

652

 

 

 

Realized gain on investments

 

(159,153

)

 

 

(199,516

)

 

 

Unrealized gain on investments available for sale

 

 

 

(2,618,225

)

 

 

(1,519,505

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statutory Basis

 

$

13,525,424

 

$

14,514,312

 

$

12,200,669

 

$

13,449,713

 

 

Under state statutes, each of the insurance subsidiaries is required to maintain minimum capital and surplus of $1,500,000.

 

Insurance regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without approval of the insurance subsidiaries’ regulatory agency.  At December 31, 2011, there were no undistributed earnings and surplus available for future distributions as dividends, without the prior approval of the State of Mississippi Insurance Department.

 

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) measures the adequacy of an insurance company’s capital by its risk-based capital ratio (the ratio of its total capital, as defined, to its risk-based capital).  The requirements provide a measurement of minimum capital appropriate for an insurance company to support its overall business operations based upon its size and risk profile which considers (i) asset risk, (ii) insurance risk, (iii) interest rate risk, and (iv) business risk.  An insurance company’s risk-based capital is calculated by applying a defined factor to various statutory-based assets, premiums, and reserve items, wherein the factor is higher for items with greater underlying risk.

 

F-24



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 10 – STATUTORY FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES (Continued)

 

The State of Mississippi statutes have provided levels of progressively increasing regulatory action for remedies when an insurance company’s risk-based capital ratio falls below a ratio of 2:1.  As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries were in compliance with these minimum capital requirements as follows:

 

 

 

AFLIC

 

AFIC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total adjusted capital

 

$

6,625,938

 

$

7,950,955

 

Authorized control level risk-based capital

 

597,177

 

195,377

 

Ratio of adjusted capital to risk based capital

 

11.1:1

 

40.7:1

 

 

NOTE 11 – LEASES

 

The Company leases office facilities under noncancellable operating leases.  Rental expense approximated $1,538,000 in 2011 and $1,421,000 in 2010.  Future minimum lease payments at December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

2012

 

$

1,237,166

 

2013

 

885,778

 

2014

 

604,658

 

2015

 

399,708

 

2016

 

95,234

 

 

NOTE 12 – CONCENTRATION OF RISK

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of finance receivables.  Concentrations of credit risk with respect to finance receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base.  These finance receivables relate mainly to customers located in Mississippi and Louisiana.

 

In addition, at December 31, 2011, the Company had funds on deposit with depository and investment institutions in excess of insured limits of approximately $7,005,000.

 

NOTE 13 – BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company maintains a depository and investment trustee relationship and has entered into a $7 million revolving line of credit (see Note 6) with a bank in which a principal shareholder of the parent of the Company’s majority-owned parent has an interest.  Additionally, this bank has a participation interest in the Company’s total credit facility relating to its revolving loan agreement.

 

F-25



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 13 – BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES (Continued)

 

Activities with this bank at December 31, 2011 and 2010, were as follows:

 

December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

7,519,673

 

$

5,698,487

 

Notes payable to bank

 

$

5,477,630

 

$

5,966,515

 

Outstanding indebtedness from credit facility participation

 

$

25,349,491

 

$

23,423,104

 

 

Revenue and expenses resulting from transactions with the bank for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, were as follows:

 

Years ending December 31,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment income (interest and other)

 

$

963

 

$

1,363

 

Interest expense from credit facility participation

 

$

951,685

 

$

886,819

 

Interest from notes payable

 

$

139,978

 

$

150,535

 

Service charge fee expense

 

$

125,789

 

$

108,320

 

 

NOTE 14 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The fair value measurements by input level at December 31, 2011 and 2010 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis follow:

 

December 31, 2011

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities - equity mutual funds

 

$

997,043

 

$

997,043

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government agencies and corporations

 

2,692,597

 

1,499,216

 

$

1,193,381

 

 

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

19,603,799

 

 

 

19,235,580

 

$

368,219

 

Corporate securities

 

15,503,864

 

 

 

15,503,864

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

2,554,518

 

 

 

2,554,518

 

 

 

 

 

$

41,351,821

 

$

2,496,259

 

$

38,487,343

 

$

368,219

 

 

F-26



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 14 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

 

December 31, 2010

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading securities - equity mutual funds

 

$

950,175

 

$

950,175

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government agencies and corporations

 

2,951,081

 

1,712,404

 

$

1,238,677

 

 

 

Obligations of states and political subdivisions

 

17,869,374

 

 

 

17,497,905

 

$

371,469

 

Corporate securities

 

13,900,694

 

 

 

13,900,694

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities

 

2,203,072

 

 

 

$

2,203,072

 

 

 

 

 

$

37,874,396

 

$

2,662,579

 

$

34,840,348

 

$

371,469

 

 

Changes in assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

Year ending December 31, 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

371,469

 

$

404,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in unrealized loss on investments held

 

 

67,080

 

Recognized loss from OTTI included in earnings

 

(3,250

)

 

Partial redemption

 

 

(100,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

368,219

 

$

371,469

 

 

Certain assets and liabilities are potentially measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include foreclosed assets (upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment), non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities measured at fair value in the second step of a goodwill impairment test, and intangible assets and other non-financial long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment.  During 2011 and 2010, certain foreclosed real estate assets, upon initial recognition, were remeasured and reported at fair value through a charge-off to the allowance for credit losses based upon the fair value of the foreclosed asset. The fair value of a foreclosed asset, upon initial recognition, is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on observable market data or Level 3 inputs based on customized discounting criteria. Foreclosed assets measured at fair value upon initial recognition during 2011 and 2010 were not material.

 

F-27



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 15 – DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying values and approximate fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010, were as follows:

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

 

Carrying

 

Estimated

 

 

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

Value

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

7,794,924

 

$

7,794,924

 

$

5,818,312

 

$

5,818,312

 

Trading securities

 

997,043

 

997,043

 

950,175

 

950,175

 

Investment securities available for sale

 

40,354,778

 

40,354,778

 

36,924,221

 

36,924,221

 

Finance receivables - net

 

370,484,877

 

370,484,877

 

325,878,569

 

325,878,569

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

222,758,982

 

222,758,982

 

202,799,325

 

202,799,325

 

 

Certain financial instruments are not carried at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, including receivables, payables and accrued liabilities.  The carrying amount of financial instruments not carried at fair value is a reasonable estimate of their fair value because of the generally short periods of time in which these related assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or liquidated, and because they do not present unanticipated credit concerns.

 

The estimated fair values are significantly affected by assumptions used, principally the timing of future cash flows, the discount rate, judgments regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors.  Because assumptions are inherently subjective in nature, the estimated fair values cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent quotes and, in many cases, the estimated fair values could not necessarily be realized in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument.  Potential tax ramifications related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses that would be incurred in an actual sale and/or settlement have not been taken into consideration.

 

NOTE 16 – CONTINGENCIES

 

As of December 31, 2011, the Company is involved in various legal actions resulting from normal business activities.  Many of these actions do not specify an amount of damages.  Also, many of these actions are in very early stages of discovery or discovery has not begun.  As a result, legal counsel is unable to provide an estimate of the probability or range of potential exposure. However, based on its experience with lawsuits alleging similar claims, management is of the opinion that the resolution of such actions will not result in a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.  Accordingly, with respect to these matters, no provision for loss or liability has been provided in the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-28



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 16 – CONTINGENCIES (Continued)

 

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are required by law to participate in the guaranty associations of the various states in which they are licensed to do business.  The state guaranty associations ensure payment of guaranteed benefits, with certain restrictions, to policyholders of impaired or insolvent insurance companies by assessing all other companies operating in similar lines of business.  As a result, the Company is exposed to undeterminable future assessments resulting from the insolvency of other insurers.  For 2011 and 2010, the expenses incurred related to guaranty assessments were minimal.

 

On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was enacted into law.  This act established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) as a federal authority responsible for administering and enforcing the laws and regulations for consumer financial products and services.  The legislation does not specifically target installment lending and is specifically prohibited from instituting federal usury interest rate caps.  However, it is unclear to what extent the CFPB will impact the future regulation of the industry in which the Company operates.

 

NOTE 17 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On March 19, 2012, the Company entered into a definitive agreement (the “Agreement”) to sell an 80.1% majority-interest in all of its operating subsidiaries to Prospect Capital Corporation (“Prospect”) for $110.2 million of cash and 14.5 million shares of Prospect common stock (NASDAQ: PSEC).  Under the terms of the agreement, Prospect has the option, at Prospect’s sole discretion, to substitute up to 100% cash in lieu of such 14.5 million Prospect shares at a price per share based on average trading prices prior to the closing date.  As part of the Agreement, the Company contributed its remaining 19.9% interest in its operating subsidiaries to a newly formed limited liability company and then exchanged the interest in this limited liability company for 19.9% of the Company’s outstanding common shares held by trusts beneficially owned by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.  Further, as part of the Agreement, the remaining non-controlling interest shareholders of the Company entered into an agreement with the Company to exchange all of their outstanding common stock of the Company at a pre-defined price that includes cash and Prospect common, unless the cash option described above is exercised, at which point cash (no stock) will be tendered for the exchange.

 

The Agreement contains (a) customary representations and warranties of Prospect, the Company and other selling shareholders, including, among others: corporate organization, capitalization, power and authority, governmental approvals and filings, reports and regulatory matters, financial statements, taxes and tax returns, intellectual property rights, contracts and insurance; (b) covenants of the Company to conduct its business in the ordinary course until the sell is completed; (c) covenants of Prospect and the Company not to take certain actions during such interim period; and (d) covenants of the Company to cooperate with financing.  The Company and signing shareholders have agreed to indemnify Prospect against certain matters including, among others, breaches of certain representations and warranties and adverse regulatory developments (subject to an earn-back provision).

 

F-29



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp and Subsidiaries

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 17 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)

 

Consummation of the sale is expected to close within 60 to 120 days and is subject to certain conditions, including but not limited to regulatory approvals, accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party and compliance by the other party with its obligations under the Agreement.

 

After the consummation of the sale, the Company will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capitol Street Corporation.

 

F-30



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

 

March 31, 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

9,152,875

 

$

6,972,263

 

Investment in trading securities

 

1,129,951

 

1,048,938

 

Investment securities available for sale

 

43,348,852

 

36,847,235

 

Finance receivables, net

 

341,062,995

 

304,462,509

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

 

1,943,044

 

1,793,353

 

Reinsurance recoverables

 

1,043,672

 

993,550

 

Other receivables

 

99,454

 

66,039

 

Real estate acquired by foreclosure

 

928,655

 

891,795

 

Property and equipment, net

 

4,717,832

 

4,649,103

 

Net deferred income tax asset

 

13,832,477

 

13,801,585

 

Other assets

 

1,175,755

 

1,006,722

 

Total assets

 

$

418,435,562

 

$

372,533,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

$

193,881,370

 

$

176,445,382

 

Unearned premiums

 

34,029,478

 

30,826,393

 

Policy claim reserves

 

2,507,128

 

2,400,567

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

5,633,698

 

3,579,089

 

Income taxes payable

 

5,088,616

 

4,929,983

 

Other liabilities

 

1,152,783

 

6,119,205

 

Total liabilities

 

$

242,293,073

 

$

224,300,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

$

176,142,489

 

$

148,232,473

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

418,435,562

 

$

372,533,092

 

 

F-31



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (unaudited)

 

March 31, 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and fee income from finance receivables

 

$

33,159,738

 

$

28,975,557

 

Insurance premiums

 

6,436,995

 

5,735,835

 

Net investment income

 

325,570

 

352,832

 

Net realized investment gains

 

106,452

 

81,710

 

Other income

 

1,454,299

 

1,507,412

 

Total revenues

 

41,483,054

 

36,653,346

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

2,208,921

 

1,948,269

 

Policyholders’ benefits

 

1,178,620

 

1,107,917

 

Salaries and fringe benefits

 

7,845,149

 

7,129,516

 

Provision for credit losses

 

9,707,055

 

7,610,860

 

Other operating expenses

 

5,694,205

 

5,427,378

 

Total expenses

 

26,633,950

 

23,223,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before taxes

 

14,849,104

 

13,429,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

5,870,411

 

5,243,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

8,978,693

 

$

8,186,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(32,247

)

 

(84,137

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

8,946,446

 

$

8,102,032

 

 

F-32



Table of Contents

 

First Tower Corp. and Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

 

March 31, 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

8,978,693

 

$

8,186,169

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

324,313

 

271,101

 

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

 

283,434

 

200,423

 

Provision for credit losses

 

9,707,055

 

7,610,860

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid reinsurance premiums & reinsurance recoverables

 

1,067,361

 

886,644

 

Other receivables

 

414,588

 

492,547

 

Real estate acquired by foreclosure

 

20,025

 

6,706

 

Other assets

 

(454,233

)

(390,878

)

Unearned premiums

 

(2,886,729

)

(2,167,583

)

Policy claim reserves

 

32,270

 

33,478

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(1,999,331

)

(1,062,609

)

Income taxes payable

 

3,396,637

 

3,074,775

 

Other liabilities

 

252,124

 

567,048

 

Net cash provided / used by operating activities

 

19,136,207

 

17,708,682

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Change in finance receivables

 

19,714,827

 

13,805,200

 

Change in investment securities

 

(3,159,229

)

(105,914

)

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(333,003

)

(211,010

)

Net cash provided / used by investing activities

 

16,222,595

 

13,489,276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net changes in borrowings

 

(28,877,612

)

(26,353,943

)

Dividends paid

 

(5,123,239

)

(3,689,064

)

Net cash provided / used by financing activities

 

(34,000,851

)

(30,044,007

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase / decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,357,951

 

1,153,951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

7,794,924

 

5,818,312

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

9,152,875

 

$

6,972,263

 

 

F-33



Table of Contents

 

Index to Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

23.1

 

Consent of Independent Auditors