UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2016

OR

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

Commission File Number: 001-15369

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (415) 408-4700

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒  No ☐

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

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Three months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015
(In thousands, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands, unaudited)

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a)    Basis of Presentation:

Our unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Willis Lease Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries (“we” or the “Company”) and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for reporting on Form 10-Q. Pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, together with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and the results of our operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, and our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The results of operations and cash flows for the period ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or cash flows which may be reported for the remainder of 2016.

(b)    Principals of Consolidation:

We evaluate all entities in which we have an economic interest firstly to determine whether for accounting purposes the entity is a variable interest entity or voting interest entity. If the entity is a variable interest entity we consolidate the financial statements of that entity if we are the primary beneficiary of the entities’ activities. If the entity is a voting interest entity we consolidate the entity when we have a majority of voting interests. All inter-company balances are eliminated upon consolidation.

(c)    Fair Value Measurements:

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, to the extent possible. We use a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, to measure fair value which are the following:

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

Level 2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Assets Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

We determine fair value of long-lived assets held and used, such as Equipment held for operating lease and Equipment held for sale, by reference to independent appraisals, quoted market prices (e.g. an offer to purchase) and other factors. An impairment charge is recorded when the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value.

The following table shows by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, and the gains (losses) recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 on those assets:

At March 31, 2016, the Company used Level 2 inputs to measure equipment held for sale.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in inactive markets.

An impairment charge is recorded when the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value. A write-down of equipment totaling $2.0 million was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2016 due to a management decision to consign one engine for part-out and sale, in which the asset’s net book value exceeded the estimated proceeds.  A write-down of equipment totaling $24,000 was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2015 to decrease the book value to zero for certain parts arising from part-out of an engine that will not be sold. 

(d)    Reclassifications: 

Reclassifications have been made to our consolidated financial statements for the prior periods to conform to classifications used during the three months ended March 31, 2016. 

(e)    Foreign Currency Translation:

The Company’s foreign investments have been converted at rates of exchange at March 31, 2016. The changes in exchange rates in our foreign investments reported under the equity method are included in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income.

(f)    Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU")  No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The updated guidance changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The update to the standard is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017, with early application permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the guidance will have on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (topic 842).  Under the new standard, the accounting for leases by lessors would basically remain unchanged from the existing concepts in ASC 840, Leases. In addition, FASB has decided that lessors would be precluded from recognizing selling profit and revenue at lease commencement for any sales-type or direct finance lease that does not transfer control of the underlying asset to the lessee. The standard will be effective for public business entities for annual periods (including interim periods),

beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption will be permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the adoption of the standard will have on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which simplifies the measurement of inventory by requiring certain inventory to be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods therein. We are evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial position.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs".  ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with the accounting treatment for debt discounts. We have adopted ASU 2015-03 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2016. Other assets and Long-term debt, net of discount have been restated as of December 31, 2015 to reflect the retroactive reclassification of $12.6 million of debt issuance costs that have been reclassified from Other assets to Notes payable.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes previous revenue recognition guidance. The new standard requires that a company recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Companies will need to use more judgment and estimates than under the guidance currently in effect, including estimating the amount of variable revenue to recognize over each identified performance obligation. Additional disclosures will be required to help users of financial statements understand the nature, amount and timing of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). Early adoption is permitted to the original effective date of December 15, 2016 (including interim reporting periods within those periods). The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

2.  Management Estimates

These financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to residual values, estimated asset lives, impairments and bad debts. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management believes that the accounting policies on revenue recognition, maintenance reserves and expenditures, useful life of equipment, asset residual values, asset impairment and allowance for doubtful accounts are critical to the results of operations.

If the useful lives or residual values are lower than those estimated by us, upon sale of the asset a loss may be realized. Significant management judgment is required in the forecasting of future operating results, which are

used in the preparation of projected undiscounted cash-flows and should different conditions prevail, material impairment write-downs may occur.

3.  Investments

On May 25, 2011, we entered into an agreement with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. to participate in a joint venture formed as a Dublin-based Irish limited company — Willis Mitsui & Company Engine Support Limited (“WMES”) for the purpose of acquiring and leasing jet engines. Each partner holds a fifty percent interest in the joint venture and the Company uses the equity method in recording investment activity. The Company made $4.6 million of capital contributions to WMES, received $1.2 million in distributions and recorded $1.2 million as deferred gain as a result of the Company selling four engines to WMES during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

On June 3, 2014 we entered into an agreement with China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Corporation Limited (“CASC”) to participate in a joint venture named CASC Willis Engine Lease Company Limited (“CASC Willis”), a new joint venture based in Shanghai, China. Each partner holds a fifty percent interest in the joint venture and the Company uses the equity method in recording investment activity. In October 2014, each partner made a $15.0 million initial capital contribution representing the up-front funding for the new joint venture.  The new company will acquire and lease jet engines to Chinese airlines and will concentrate on meeting the fast growing demand for leased commercial aircraft engines and aviation assets in the People’s Republic of China.   The investment has been reduced to $13.7 million as of March 31, 2016 as a result of a foreign currency translation adjustment of $0.4 million partially offset by the Company’s share of CASC Willis reported income of $0.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016.         

“Other revenue” on the Consolidated Statement of Income includes management fees earned of $0.6 million and $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to the servicing of engines for the WMES lease portfolio.   “Gain on sale of  equipment” on the Consolidated Statement of Income includes $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 related to the sale of four engines to WMES for $46.1 million.  As 50% owners of WMES, we deferred the $1.2 million gain to our investment which will be amortized over a 15-year period to a 55% residual value. 

Summarized financial information for 100% of WMES is presented in the following tables:

4.  Notes Payable

Notes payable consisted of the following:

At March 31, 2016 , we had a revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition of aircraft engines for lease as well as for general working capital purposes.  On April 20, 2016 we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement which increased the revolving credit facility to $890.0 million from $700.0 million and extended the term to April 2021.    This $890 million revolving credit facility has an accordion feature up to $1 billion.  The

initial interest rate on the facility is LIBOR plus 2.75%.  Quarterly, the interest rate is adjusted based on the Company’s leverage ratio, as calculated under the terms of the revolving credit facility.

For further information on our debt instruments, see the "Notes Payable" note in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The following is a summary of the aggregate maturities of our long-term debt at March 31, 2016:

5.  Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Our 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2007 Plan) was adopted on May 24, 2007. Under this 2007 Plan, a total of 2,000,000 shares are authorized for stock based compensation available in the form of either restricted stock or stock options.  On May 28, 2015, the Company’s shareholders authorized an increase in the number of shares of Common Stock available for grant by 800,000 shares bringing the total to 2,800,000 shares authorized.  2,371,962 shares of restricted stock were granted under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan by March 31, 2016. Of this amount, 152,534 shares of restricted stock were cancelled and returned to the pool of shares which could be granted under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan resulting in a net number of 580,572 shares which were available as of March 31, 2016 for future issuance under the 2007 Incentive Plan. The fair value of the restricted stock awards equaled the stock price at the date of grants.  The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2016.

All cancelled shares have reverted to the share reserve and are available for issuance at a later date, in accordance with the 2007 Plan.

Our accounting policy is to recognize the associated expense of such awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. At March 31, 2016, the stock compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards that will be recognized over the average remaining vesting period of 2.0 years totals $5.9 million. At March 31, 2016, the intrinsic value of unvested restricted stock awards is $9.2 million. The 2007 Plan terminates on May 24, 2017.

6.  Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 was $2.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively.  The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 were 43.7% and 38.5%, respectively.  The increase was primarily due to the impact of the IRS code 162(m) calculation for executive compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

The Company records tax expense or benefit for unusual or infrequent items discretely in the period in which they occur.  Our tax rate is subject to change based on changes in the mix of assets leased to domestic and foreign lessees, the proportions of revenue generated within and outside of California, the amount of executive compensation exceeding $1.0 million as defined in IRS code 162(m) and numerous other factors, including changes in tax law.

7.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, operating lease related receivable and accounts payable approximates fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments.

The carrying amount of the Company’s outstanding balance on its Notes Payable as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was estimated to have a fair value of approximately $872.9 million and $890.1 million, respectively, based on the fair value of estimated future payments calculated using the prevailing interest rates at each period end.

8. Operating Segments

The Company operates in two business segments: (i) Leasing and Related Operations which involves acquiring and leasing, primarily pursuant to operating leases, commercial aircraft, aircraft engines and other aircraft equipment and the selective purchase and resale of commercial aircraft engines and other aircraft equipment and (ii) Spare Parts Sales which involves the purchase and resale of after-market engine and airframe parts, whole engines, engine modules and portable aircraft components and leasing of engines destined for disassembly and sale of parts.

The Company evaluates the performance of each of the segments based on profit or loss after general and administrative expenses and inter-company allocation of interest expense. While the Company believes there are synergies between the two business segments, the segments are managed separately because each requires different business strategies.

The following tables present a summary of the operating segments (amounts in thousands):