UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| [X] | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
OR
| [ ] | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number 000-11777
First Equity Properties, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Nevada | 95-6799846 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) |
| 1603 LBJ Freeway, Suite 800 Dallas, Texas |
75234 (Zip Code) |
| (Address of principal executive offices) |
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code (469) 522-4200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| None |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.01 par value.
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common Stock | FEPI | None |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer [ ] | Accelerated filer [ ] | |
| Non-accelerated filer [ ] (Do not check if smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company [X] | |
| Emerging growth company [ ] |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
The aggregate market value of the shares of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and ask price of such common equity as of June 30, 2020 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) is not determinable since no trading market existed on that date or presently exists for the shares of Common Stock. 264,807 shares were held as of June 30, 2020 by persons believed to be non-affiliates of the Registrant.
As of March 12, 2021, there were 1,057,628 shares of common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
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INDEX TO
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
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PART I
Forward-Looking Statements
This report of First Equity Properties, Inc. may contain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. These include statements regarding any future financial results, operating results, business strategies, projected costs and capital expenditures, products, competitive positions, and plans and objectives of management for the future operations. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “intend” and “continue” or the negative of these terms and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties and other factors that might cause such differences, some of which could be material, including but not limited to economic and other market conditions, financing risks (such as the inability to obtain debt or equity financing on favorable terms), the level and volatility of interest rates, as well as other risks identified in this report, including those set forth in the section entitled Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” All forward-looking statements in this report are based on information available to management as of the date hereof, and management assumes no obligation to update any such statements. The information in this report should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in this report.
As used herein, the terms (“FEPI”, “we”, “us”, “our”, or “the Company”) refer to First Equity Properties, Inc. a Nevada corporation organized on December 19, 1996. FEPI is the successor-in-interest to WESPAC Investors Trust III, a California real estate investment trust (“WESPAC”) originally established August 22, 1983. The Company’s fiscal year ends December 31 of each year.
Prior to January 1, 1997, the Company’s business consisted of the management and operation of three motel properties in the Spokane, Washington area. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999, the Company, through its subsidiaries, engaged in property management, and real estate brokerage services. Between October 1999 and May 2004, the Company and its subsidiaries conducted no substantial business, but remained available to engage in property management and real estate brokerage activities.
Effective May 1, 2004, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding common stock of a subsidiary company known as Carmel Realty, Inc., a Texas corporation (“Carmel”) and a 99% limited partnership interest in Carmel Realty Services, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership (“CRSL”) for an aggregate sale price of $2,072,540 (a basis equivalent to ten times capitalization of the management fees collected by Carmel and CRSL during 2003) to Regis. Regis paid cash of $250,000 to the Company and delivered a promissory note dated May 1, 2004 in the stated principal amount of $1,822,540 payable to the order of the Company on demand or, if no demand is made prior thereto, on December 31, 2011, with interest payable monthly as it accrues. This loan has been extended to December 31, 2021. Such promissory note is secured by a pledge of the common stock of Carmel and the partnership interest of CRSL sold.
Beginning in 1999 the principal source of revenue for the Company was interest income on notes receivable due from affiliated and/or related parties.
Management of the Company is exploring alternatives, seeking to establish or acquire new business operations for the Company. Management cannot predict or give any assurance that any new business enterprise will be acquired by the Company at any time in the near future.
An investment in equity securities of the Company involves a high degree of risk as there is no active trading market for our securities and liquidity is not assured. You should carefully consider the following information keeping in mind that the matters described below are not the only potential risks that may affect the Company. Additional risks, which we do not presently consider material or of which we are not currently aware, may also have an adverse impact upon us.
We are closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business and across our portfolio. While we did not experience significant disruptions during 2020 from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to predict the impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties.
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Our governing documents contain anti-takeover provisions that make it difficult for a third party to seek to acquire control of the Company.
Certain provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Nevada law could, together or separately, discourage, delay or prevent a third party from acquiring the Company, even if doing so might benefit stockholders. The provisions may also affect the price investors might be able to receive for their shares of the Company’s common stock. Examples of these provisions are:
| • | The right of our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock with rights and privileges, which are senior to the common stock, without prior stockholder approval. |
| • | Certain limitations upon the stockholders to make, adopt, alter, amend, change, or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation except by a vote of 66 2/3% of the holders of record of shares outstanding. |
| • | So-called business combination “control” requirements when the combination involves the Company and a person that beneficially owns 20% or more of the outstanding common stock, except under certain circumstances. |
There is no established independent trading market for the shares of common stock of the Company.
No trading market presently exists for the shares of common stock and its value is therefore not determinable. Holders of our common stock do not have a vested right to redeem their shares, and therefore may not be able to liquidate their investment in the event of an emergency or otherwise. There simply is no active trading market for the shares of common stock, and accordingly, the transferability of such shares is limited at best.
The Company is managed by the Board of Directors.
Management has established the operating policies and procedures of the Company, which may be modified or waived by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval. The ultimate effect of any such changes may adversely affect future operations. The Company’s business is conducted so as not to become a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act, which exempt entities that are “primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interest in real estate”.
The Company’s primary source of income is from affiliated entities.
Our primary source of income is from related party entities. If any of these entities were to become insolvent or unable to pay their obligations, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
The Company’s principal office is located at 1603 LBJ Freeway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75234 in approximately 4,288 square feet of commercial office space. The space is suitable and adequate for the purposes for which it is utilized.
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
| ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Pursuant to the requirements of NRS 78.2055, on June 7, 2004, the members of the Board of Directors of the Company proposed and recommended to the stockholders a reverse-split on a 1-for-10 basis of the shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share without any adjustment to the par value per share and without any reduction in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock at the same par value. The recommendation was submitted to the holder of approximately 75% of the outstanding Common Stock, Nevada Sea Investments, Inc. (“Nevada Sea”), which executed a written consent dated June 8, 2004, pursuant to NRS 78.320 adopting and approving the 1-for-10 reverse stock-split of the shares of Common Stock without any change in the par value and without any reduction in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock of the Company pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation. The 1-for-10 reverse stock split was ultimately effective July 12, 2004, following the distribution of an Information Statement on Schedule 14C to the other stockholders of the Company, and following the filing of an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company with the Secretary of State of Nevada. The CUSIP Number for the post-split shares is 320097-20-7.
Under the approved action, based upon the 10,570,944 old shares outstanding on the effective date of July 12, 2004, the 1-for-10 reverse stock-split decreased the number of outstanding shares by approximately 90% which, after giving effect to an upward adjustment or “rounding up” for any fractional shares, added 534 shares to result in 1,057,628 post-split shares outstanding. The 1-for-10 reverse stock-split did not adversely affect any stockholder’s proportionate equity interest in the Company, subject to the provisions for elimination of fractional shares by rounding up to the next whole share which slightly increased the proportionate holdings of all stockholders other than Nevada Sea. Each post-split share continues to be entitled to one vote, as was the case with each outstanding old share.
In connection with the implementation of a 1-for-10 reverse stock-split, no certificate or script representing any fractional share interest was issued, but a holder of the old shares received in lieu of any fraction of a post-split share to which the holder would otherwise have been entitled a single, whole post-split share on a “rounding up” basis without regard to any price. The result of this “rounding up” process increased slightly the holdings of those stockholders who held a number of old shares which were not evenly divisible by ten, resulting in an increase of 534 shares.
FEPI’s old shares of Common Stock, while available for trading in the over-the-counter market, to the knowledge of Management, have not had any material trading activity since their initial issuance in 1997. The old shares were issued pursuant to the terms of the Modified Plan in the bankruptcy proceeding styled In Re: WESPAC Investors Trust III, Case No. 94-00228-K-11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington. The CUSIP Number of the old shares was 320097-10-8. The shares of beneficial interest of WESPAC Investors Trust III traded through the first quarter of 1988, and at one time, were quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). Since the cessation of trading on NASDAQ, there has been no established, independent trading market for the shares of beneficial interest of WESPAC or the old shares of Common Stock of FEPI as the successor, or the new shares of Common Stock of the Company after giving effect to the 1-for-10 reverse stock split
No cash dividends have been declared or paid during the period from January 1, 1994 to the present on either the shares of Beneficial Interest of the Trust or the old shares of Common Stock of FEPI as the successor or the new shares of Common Stock after giving effect to the 1-for-10 reverse stock split.
As of December 31, 2020, the 1,057,628 post-split shares of Common Stock of FEPI issued and outstanding were held by approximately 600 holders of record.
During the three years ended December 31, 2020, FEPI did not issue or sell any securities, nor did FEPI purchase any of its equity securities. The Board of Directors has not authorized any stock repurchase program.
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| ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
The selected historical financial data presented below for the five fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, are derived from the audited financial statements.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
| STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 132,441 | 127,402 | 137,107 | 127,415 | 121,946 | |||||||||||||||
| Other income | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Income from continuing operations | (132,441 | ) | (127,402 | ) | (137,107 | ) | (127,415 | ) | (121,946 | ) | ||||||||||
| Gain on sale | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 150,581 | 155,327 | 159,661 | 205,445 | 206,007 | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (53,632 | ) | (58,436 | ) | (67,112 | ) | (81,638 | ) | (81,861 | ) | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) before taxes | (35,492 | ) | (30,511 | ) | (44,558 | ) | (3,608 | ) | 2,200 | |||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders | $ | (35,492 | ) | $ | (30,511 | ) | $ | (44,558 | ) | $ | (3,608 | ) | $ | 2,200 | ||||||
| Weighted average earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income from continuing operations | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
| Loss from discontinued operations | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
| Net income loss applicable to common shareholders | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 1,057,628 | 1,057,628 | 1,057,628 | 1,057,628 | 1,057,628 | |||||||||||||||
| BALANCE SHEET DATA: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 778,041 | $ | 1,763,288 | $ | 1,793,475 | $ | 2,107,143 | $ | 2,107,129 | ||||||||||
| Total Liabilities | $ | 2,494 | $ | 952,249 | $ | 951,925 | $ | 1,221,035 | $ | 1,217,413 | ||||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity | $ | 779,817 | $ | 811,039 | $ | 841,550 | $ | 886,108 | $ | 889,716 | ||||||||||
| ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. |
The following discussion is not an all-inclusive discussion of our operations. The information provided relates to significant items, which Management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements presented and the notes to the financial statements as included in this Form 10K.
Results of Operations
FEPI’s sole source of income is from the interest received on related party receivables and its operating expenses are professional and administrative fees.
Results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the same period ended 2019.
The Company recognized net loss of ($35,492) in 2020 compared to net loss of ($30,511) in 2019. The increase in net loss is primarily due to an increase in general and administrative expenses.
Results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the same period ended 2018.
The Company recognized net loss of ($30,511) in 2019 compared to net loss of ($44,558) in 2018. The decrease in net loss is primarily due to the decrease in interest expense – related parties due to principal pay down on the notes payable.
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A substantial asset concentration relates to notes receivables from related party entities which is the primary source of income consisting of interest on such receivables. Any adverse conditions affecting the financial condition of any of these entities, specifically their ability to service the debt obligation owed, could have a severe adverse impact upon the financial statements of the Company. However, as the entities are “related parties” to the Company, management of the Company is generally aware of the related parties’ financial condition. The entities are currently not in default on their obligations and management does not consider it necessary at this time to provide other financial information for such entities. However, management of the Company is aware of the circumstances and any conditions that might impact the ability of such “related parties” to meet their respective obligations. Management of the Company considers the collectability of such obligations to not be a question at this time.
Financial Condition, Capital Resources and Liquidity
General
Our primary source of liquidity is from proceeds from accrued interest on notes receivables from related party entities. At December 31, 2020, we had total assets of $778,041. Total assets decreased in 2020 due to the decrease in the notes receivable. In December 2020 the related party note payable, account payable, notes receivable, and accounts receivable were assigned into one note receivable to restructure and simplify the accounting for the company. We feel that our cash from operations is sufficient to provide for our current cash flow needs.
Cash flow analysis
The following summary discussion of our cash flows are based on the Statements of Cash Flows as presented in this Form 10-K and is not meant to be an all-inclusive discussion of the changes in our cash flows.
2020 as compared to 2019 – The overall cash flow decreased as compared to the year ended 2019 due to short term funding to a related party and lower interest income recognized on the note receivable due to a decrease in principal.
2019 as compared to 2018 – The overall cash flow decreased as compared to the year ended 2018 due to short term funding to a related party.
Contractual obligations
We do not have any further contractual obligations and commitments in regards to payments of operating leases.
Environmental Matters
Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, the Company may be potentially liable for removal or remediation costs, as well as certain other potential costs, relating to hazardous or toxic substances (including governmental fines and injuries to persons and property) where any property-level manager in the employee of a subsidiary of the Company may have arranged for the removal, disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances. Management is not aware of any environmental liability relating to the above matters that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, assets, or results of operations.
Inflation
The effects of inflation on the Company’s operations are not quantifiable. To the extent that inflation affects interest rates, the Company’s earnings from any short-term investments and the cost of new financings as well as the cost of variable rate financing will be affected.
| ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, which may adversely affect its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In seeking to minimize the risks from interest rate fluctuations, the Company manages exposures through its regular operating activities. The Company does not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes and is not a party to any leveraged financial instruments.
Based upon the Company’s market risk sensitive instruments (including variable rate debt) outstanding at December 31, 2020, the Company has determined that there was no material market risk exposure to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows as of such date.
| ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
The Financial Statements, together with an index thereto, are attached hereto following the signature page to this report.
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| ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PRCEDURES |
A review and evaluation was performed by management under the supervision and with the participation of the Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of December 31, 2020. Based upon that most recent evaluation, which was completed as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K, the Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at December 31, 2020 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that the Company files submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and forms. As a result of this evaluation, there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the period ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. The assessment was based on criteria established in the framework Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
Not applicable.
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PART III
| ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
Directors and Executive Officers
The business affairs of the Company are managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is responsible for the general investment policies of the Company and for such general supervision of the business of the Company conducted by its officers, agents, employees, advisors or independent contractors as may be necessary to ensure that such business conforms to policies adopted by the Board of Directors. Pursuant to Article III, Section 3.1, of the Bylaws of the Company, there shall not be less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15) directors of the Company. The number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the directors, and the last count of that number of directors was at three (3) at the time of creation of the Company. The initial three directors were the three members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The term of office of each director is one year and until the election and qualification of his or her successor. Directors may succeed themselves in office and are to be elected at an annual meeting of stockholders or appointed by the Company’s incumbent Board of Directors.
The two current directors of the Company (both of whom are also executive officers) are listed below, together with their ages, all positions and offices with the Company, their principal occupation, business experience and directorship with other companies during the last five years or more. A vacancy currently exists on the Board of Directors.
The names, ages and positions of the directors as of December 31, 2020 are set forth below.
Name | Age | Position with the Company | ||||
| R. Neil Crouch II | 68 | Director, President and Treasurer | ||||
| Cecelia K. Maynard | 69 | Director, Vice President and Secretary | ||||
R. Neil Crouch II, 68
Director, President and Treasurer of the Company since November 1, 2018.
Mr. Crouch has been employed since May 2006 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Balkan Energy Company, a Dallas, Texas based entity involved in the energy industry in Bulgaria, Ghana and Nigeria. From August 1, 2006 to March 24, 2009, he served as a director and from February 23, 2007 to March 24, 2009, as Chairman of the Board of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc., a Nevada corporation, which has its common stock listed and traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “IOR.”
Cecelia K. Maynard, 69
Director, Vice President and Secretary of the Company since May 31, 2018.
Ms. Maynard was employed by Pillar Income Asset Management, Inc. (“Pillar”) from January 2011 through December 31, 2018. Pillar is a Nevada corporation which provides management services to other entities.
Meetings and Committees of Directors; Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers
The Company’s Board of Directors held no formal meetings in 2020 but acted by written consent. The Board of Directors has no standing audit, nominating or compensation committee.
The Board of Directors adopted, on February 23, 2004, a Code of Ethics policy for Senior Financial Officers that applies to the principal executive officer, president, principal financial officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and controller. FEPI does not have a website, but a copy of such document may be obtained by written request to the Secretary of FEPI. Those requests should be sent to Secretary, First Equity Properties, Inc., 1603 LBJ Freeway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75234.
Stockholders may also send communications to Board members by either sending a communication to the Board or a particular Board member, in care of the Secretary of First Equity Properties, Inc., 1603 LBJ Freeway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75234.
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Compliance With Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act.
Under the securities laws of the United States, the Company’s directors, executive officers and any person holding more than 10% of the Company’s shares of common stock are required to report their ownership of the Company’s shares and any changes in ownership to the Commission. Specific due dates for these reports have been established, and the Company is required to report any failure to file by the date. All the filing requirements were satisfied by the Company’s directors, executive officers and 10% holders during 2020. In making these statements, the Company has relied on the written representations of its directors, executive officers and 10% holders and copies of the reports that they filed with the Commission, both with respect to the Trust, as a predecessor to the Company, and the Company.
| ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Neither the executive officers nor directors received salaries or cash compensation from the Company for acting in such capacity during the year ended December 31, 2020.
| ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS |
The Company’s voting securities consist of the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of February 19, 2021, according to the stock transfer records of the Company and other information available to the Company, the following persons were known to be the beneficial owners of more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company:
Title of Class | Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percent of Class (1) | |||||||
common stock, par value $0.01 per share
| Nevada Sea Investments, Inc. 1603 LBJ Freeway, Suite 800 Dallas, Texas 75234 | 396,411 (2) shares | 37.48 | % | ||||||
common stock, par value $0.01 per share | TPS Income, Inc. 1809 Lakecrest Court Carrollton, Texas 75006 | 396,410 (2) shares | 37.48 | % | ||||||
________________________
(1) Based on 1,057,628 shares of common stock outstanding on March 12, 2021.
(2) On October 24, 2018, Nevada Sea Investments, Inc. sold to TPS Income, Inc. 396,410 shares as a single block in a privately negotiated transaction for an aggregate purchase price of $332,113.05 (approximately $0.8378019 per share).
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As of March 12, 2021, according to the stock transfer records of the Company and other information available to the Company, each of the directors and executive officers of the Company and all present executive officers and directors, as a group, beneficially own the following shares:
Title of Class | Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percent of Class (a) | |||||||||
common stock, par value $0.01 per share
| R. Neil Crouch II 1603 LBJ Freeway, Suite 850 Dallas, Texas 75234 | -0- | 0 | % | ||||||||
common stock, par value $0.01 per share
| Cecelia Maynard 1603 LBJ Freeway, Suite 850 Dallas, Texas 75234 | -0- | 0 | % | ||||||||
common stock, par value $0.01 per share | All officers and directors as a group (2 persons) | -0- | 0 | % | ||||||||
________________________
(a) Based on 1,057,628 shares of common stock outstanding on March 12, 2021.
| ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
The Company has historically engaged in and likely will continue to engage in certain business transactions with related parties. Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s length basis due to the absence of premarket forces that naturally exist in business dealings between two or more unrelated entities. Related party transactions may not always be favorable to our business and may include terms, conditions and agreements that are not necessarily beneficial to or in the best interest of our Company.
All of our Notes Receivable are issued by entities which, in the past, had some interest in the Company, either as a stockholder or through another business transaction. Similarly, our Notes Payable included a note issued by the Company to a Trust, the beneficiaries of which may also have an interest in the entities which are the issuers of our Notes Receivable. At December 31, 2020, the Company had notes receivable due from the related parties of $750,523. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized interest income of $150,581 through the payment of quarterly installments of interest. See Note B to the Financial Statements.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Company paid $29,138 through the payment of interest quarterly on the Notes Payable due to related parties. On December 1, 2020 the parties agreed to restructure the Note Payable and assign to the holder of the Note Receivable and therefore reduced the Note Receivable principal balance. See Note C to the Financial Statements.
Director Independence
Although the Company is not a listed issuer, the Board of Directors has determined to utilize a definition of independence from the NYSE American exchange standard. Utilizing that standard, the Board of Directors, which consists of only two individuals who are also executive officers of the Company, has each separately determined that each Director is “independent,” utilizing the standards of the NYSE American exchange.
| 12 |
| ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES |
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for professional services rendered to FEPI for the years 2020 and 2019 by FEPI’s principal accounting firm, Swalm & Associates, P.C.:
Swalm & | ||||||||
Type of Fees | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||
| Audit fees | $ | 35,500 | $ | 33,799 | ||||
| Audit related fees | — | — | ||||||
| Tax fees -preparation of corporate federal income tax returns | 2,100 | 1,900 | ||||||
| All other fees | — | — | ||||||
| Total | $ | 37,600 | $ | 35,699 | ||||
There is currently no standing Audit Committee. The Board of Directors fulfills that responsibility. As a result, there are no Audit Committee pre-approval policies and procedures in existence.
| 13 |
PART IV
| ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
(a) Financial Statements. The following documents are filed as part of this report:
|
Page | ||
| Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 18 | |
| Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 | 19 | |
| Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 | 20 | |
| Statements of Changes in Shareholders Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 | 21 | |
| Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 | 22 | |
| 23-26 | ||
| All other schedules and financial statements are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto. | ||
(b) Exhibits. The following documents are filed herewith as exhibits or incorporated by the references indicated below:
|
Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit |
| 2.1 | Plan of Reorganization (as modified) dated March 22, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made by Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 2.2 | First Amended Disclosure Statement (as modified) dated March 22, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 2.3 | Order Confirming Plan of Reorganization dated May 15, 1996 entered May 20, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 2.3 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 2.4 | First Modification to Plan of Reorganization (as modified) dated October 29, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 2.4 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 2.5 | Ex parte Order approving modification to Plan of Reorganization (as modified) entered October 29, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 2.5 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 2.6 | Certificate of Substantial Consummation dated January 21, 1997 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 2.6 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 2.7 | Final Decree issued by the Court on February 11, 1997 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 2.7 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 3.1 | Articles of Incorporation of WESPAC Property Corporation as filed with and endorsed by the Secretary of State of California on December 16, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 14 |
|
Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit |
| 3.2 | Articles of Incorporation of First Equity Properties, Inc. filed with and approved by the Secretary of State of Nevada on December 19, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 3.3 | Bylaws of First Equity Properties, Inc. as adopted December 20, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 3.4 | Agreement and Plan of Merger of WESPAC Property Corporation and First Equity Properties, Inc. dated December 23, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 3.4 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 3.5 | Articles of Merger of WESPAC Property Corporation into First Equity Properties, Inc. as filed with and approved with the Secretary of State in Nevada December 24, 1996 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 3.5 to Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported June 19, 1996). |
| 3.6 | Certificate of Designation of Preferences and Relative Participating or Optional of Other Special Rights and Qualifications, Limitations or Restrictions thereof of the Series A 8% Cumulative Preferred Stock (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 3.6 to Form 10-KSB of First Equity Properties, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996). |
| 3.7 | Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation as filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada on July 12, 2004 (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 3.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for event reported May 1, 2004). |
| 14 | Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers (incorporation by reference is made to Exhibit 14 to Form 10-K of First Equity Properties, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003). |
|
31.1*
31.2* |
Certification of Principal Executive Officer.
Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer. |
|
|
|
| 32.1* | Rule 1350 Certification by Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer. |
| * | filed herewith |
| ITEM 16. | FORM 10-K SUMMARY |
Optional and not included herein.
| 15 |
Pursuant to the requirements Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Dated: March 12, 2021 | FIRST EQUITY PROPERTIES, INC. | ||
| By: | /S/ R. NEIL CROUCH II | ||
| R. Neil Crouch II | |||
|
Director, President & Treasurer
| |||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated:
|
/S/ R. NEIL CROUCH II R. Neil Crouch II |
Director, President and Treasurer | March 12, 2021 |
|
/S/ CECELIA K. MAYNARD Cecelia K. Maynard |
Director, Vice President and Secretary | March 12, 2021 |
| 16 |
FIRST EQUITY PROPERTIES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Page | |
| Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms | 18-19 |
| Financial Statements | |
| Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 | 20 |
| Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 | 21 |
| Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 | 22 |
| Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 | 23 |
| Notes to Financial Statements | 24-28 |
All other schedules and financial statements are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
| 17 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the board of directors of
First Equity Properties, Inc.
Dallas, Texas
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of First Equity Properties, Inc. as of December 31, 2020, and 2019 and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes collectively referred to as the “financial statements”. In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First Equity Properties, Inc. as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the results of operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis of Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
The Company has significant related party transactions with and balances due to and from related parties. We addressed significant related party transactions by testing and reviewing documentation of the individual transactions. We addressed the collectability of related party notes receivable by confirmation and reviewing financial information of the indebted companies to determine if they have net assets available to pay the debts owed to the Company. The relevant financial statement accounts are note receivable and accrued interest – related parties, interest income – related parties, interest expense – related parties, accounts receivable – related parties, accounts payable – related parties, and notes payable – related parties. The relevant financial statement footnotes are Note B – notes receivable and accrued interest – related parties, Note C – notes payable and accrued interest – related parties and, Note I – related party transactions.
| 18 |
Emphasis of Related Party Transactions
As described in the notes to the financial statements, First Equity Properties, Inc. has significant transactions with and balances due to and from related parties.
/s/ Swalm & Associates, P.C.
Swalm & Associates, P.C.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2008.
Richardson, Texas
March 12, 2021
| 19 |
| 20 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| 21 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
| 22 |
| 23 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE A. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
From 2010 through April 2012, the Company engaged in the business of investing in real estate and purchased land held for investment or sale.
Our current source of revenue consists of interest on notes receivables from related party entities. Any adverse conditions that could affect the financial condition of these entities, and specifically their ability to service debt obligation owed, could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Organization and Business
First Equity Properties, Inc. is a Nevada based corporation organized in December 19, 1996 and the Company is headquartered in Dallas, TX. The Company’s principal line of business and source of revenue is currently investments and interest on notes receivable. FEPI is a publicly traded company; however, no trading market presently exists for the shares of common stock and its value is therefore not determinable.
Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, (“ASC”) No. 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. ASC 740 requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting for income taxes. In the event differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities result in deferred tax assets, ASC 740 requires an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such assets. A valuation allowance is provided for a portion or all of the deferred tax assets when there is an uncertainty regarding the Company’s ability to recognize the benefits of the assets in future years. Recognition of the benefits of deferred tax assets will require the Company to generate future taxable income. There is no assurance that the Company will generate earnings in future years. Since management could not determine the likelihood that the benefit of the deferred tax asset would be realized no deferred tax asset was recognized by the Company.
Earnings (loss) per Share
Earnings (loss) per share (EPS) are calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, (“ASC”) No. 260, Earnings per Share (ASC 260), which was adopted in 1997 for all years presented. Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS does not apply to the Company due to the absence of dilutive potential common shares. The adoption of ASC 260 had no effect on previously reported EPS.
FASB Accounting Standards Codification
The Company presents its financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) completed its accounting guidance codification project. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) became effective for the Company’s financial
| 24 |
statements issued subsequent to June 30, 2009 and is the single source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. As of the effective date, the company will no longer refer to the authoritative guidance dictating its accounting methodologies under the previous accounting standards hierarchy. Instead, the Company will refer to the ASC Codification as the sole source of authoritative literature.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company has reviewed the recent accounting pronouncements and none are applicable for the year ended December 31, 2020.
NOTE B. NOTES RECEIVABLE AND ACCRUED INTEREST – RELATED PARTIES
Note receivable from related parties currently consists of one note of $750,523 which is receivable in quarterly installments of interest only, at 10% per annum, thru maturity on December 31, 2021. The note payable (see Note C.) of $584,360 (plus $24,494 of accrued interest), a related party accounts receivable of $173,225 (at December 1, 2020) and a related party payable of $367,115 were restructured and combined with the note receivable effective December 1, 2020. As a result, the related party balances were reduced to one $750,523 note receivable.
2020 | 2019 | |||||||
| Notes receivable – related parties | ||||||||
| Uncollateralized, due on demand, interest rate of 10%, due quarterly | $ | 750,523 | $ | 1,553,267 | ||||
| Total notes and accounts receivable – related parties | $ | 750,523 | $ | 1,553,267 | ||||
NOTE C. NOTES PAYABLE AND ACCRUED INTEREST – RELATED PARTIES
The note payable was assigned in total to the note receivable in a restructuring of related party balances effective December 1, 2020.
2020 | 2018 | |||||||
| Uncollateralized notes payable – related parties | ||||||||
| due on demand, interest rate of 10%, payable quarterly | $ | 0 | $ | 584,360 | ||||
| Total notes payable – related parties | $ | 0 | $ | 584,360 | ||||
| 25 |
NOTE D. INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of temporary timing differences between carrying amounts of assets and liabilities reflected on the financial statements and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of temporary differences and net operating loss carry forwards that give rise to the deferred tax assets. The Company had $81,375 in NOL carry forward from 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
| NOL Carryover | ||||
| 2014, expiring 2034 | $ | 2,698 | ||
| 2017, expiring 2037 | 3,608 | |||
| 2018, no expiration | 44,558 | |||
| 2019, no expiration | 30,511 | |||
| Total carryover to 2020 | $ | 81,375 | ||
Recognition of the benefits of deferred tax assets will require the Company to generate future taxable income. There is no assurance that the Company will generate earnings in future years.
The following table presents the principal reasons for the differences between the Company’s effective tax rate and the United States statutory income tax rate.
| 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||
| Federal income tax at statutory rate per books | $ | (7,453 | ) | $ | (6,407 | ) | $ | (9,357 | ) | |||
| Change in valuation allowance | 7,453 | 6,407 | 9,357 | |||||||||
| Net operating loss | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Federal income tax per tax return | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | ||||||
The Company’s Forms 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Returns, for the years ending December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 are subject to examination, by the IRS, generally for three years after they are filed.
NOTE E. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable related parties, notes receivable related parties and accounts payable related parties approximate fair value due to short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities.
NOTE F. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is not involved in any legal proceedings. Management is not aware of any actions that could potentially have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.
NOTE G. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Accounting Standards Codification, (“ASC”) No. 220, Reporting Comprehensive Income, (ASC 220), requires that total comprehensive income be reported in the financial statements. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company’s comprehensive income was equal to its net income and the Company does not have income meeting the definition of other comprehensive income.
| 26 |
NOTE H. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
The table below reflects the Company’s selected quarterly information for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
| Year ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| First | Second | Third | Fourth | |||||||||||||
| Quarter | Quarter | Quarter | Quarter | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | 52,995 | 26,104 | 24,906 | 28,436 | ||||||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations before taxes | (52,995 | ) | (26,104 | ) | (24,906 | ) | (28,436 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income | 38,725 | 38,725 | 39,151 | 33,980 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 14,569 | 14,569 | 14,729 | 9,765 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Net income applicable to common shareholders | $ | (28,839 | ) | $ | (1,948 | ) | $ | (484 | ) | $ | (4,221 | ) | ||||
| Earnings per share | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average earnings per share applicable to common shares | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| First | Second | Third | Fourth | |||||||||||||
| Quarter | Quarter | Quarter | Quarter | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | 51,597 | 26,876 | 25,106 | 23,823 | ||||||||||||
| Net income from continuing operations before taxes | (51,597 | ) | (26,876 | ) | (25,106 | ) | (23,823 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income | 38,300 | 38,725 | 39,151 | 39,151 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 14,410 | 14,569 | 14,729 | 14,728 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Net income applicable to common shareholders | $ | (27,707 | ) | $ | (2,720 | ) | $ | (684 | ) | $ | 600 | |||||
| Earnings per share | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average earnings per share applicable to common shares | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
| 27 |
NOTE I. RELATED PARTIES TRANSACTIONS
The Company has historically engaged in and may continue to engage in certain business transactions with related parties, including but not limited to asset acquisition, dispositions, interest income, interest expense and general and administrative expenses. Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s length basis due to the absence of free market forces that naturally exist in business dealings between two or more unrelated entities. Related party transactions may not always be favorable to our business and may include terms, conditions and agreements that are not necessarily beneficial to or in best interest of our company.
Note receivable from related parties currently consists of one note of $750,523 which is receivable in quarterly installments of interest only, at 10% per annum, thru maturity on December 31, 2021. The note payable (see Note C.) of $584,360 (plus $24,494 of accrued interest), a related party accounts receivable of $173,225 (at December 1, 2020) and a related party payable of $367,115 were restructured and combined with the note receivable effective December 1, 2020. As a result, the related party balances were reduced to one $750,523 note receivable.
The Company has an administrative agreement with Pillar Income Asset Management, Inc., an affiliated entity, for accounting and administrative services. The total expense of the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $72,000 which is included in General and Administrative expenses of the Statements of Operations.
NOTE J. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
We are closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of our business and across our portfolio. While we did not experience significant disruptions during 2020 from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to predict the impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties.
The Company has evaluated subsequent events through March 12, 2021, the date the financial statements were available to be issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events to be reported.
| 28 |
RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION
I, R. Neil Crouch II, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of First Equity Properties, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13-15(e) and 15d-15e) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dated: March 12, 2021
/S/ R. NEIL CROUCH II | |
|
|
R. Neil Crouch II President & Treasurer (Principal Executive Officer) |
| 29 |
RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION
I, Cecelia K. Maynard, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of First Equity Properties, Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13-15(e) and 15d-15e) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Dated: March 12, 2021
/S/ CECELIA K. MAYNARD | |
|
|
Cecelia K. Maynard Vice President & Secretary (Principal Financial Officer) |
| 30 |
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of First Equity Properties, Inc. (the “Company”), on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2020, as filed with Securities Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), R. Neil Crouch II, Director, President and Treasurer of the Company, I and Cecelia K. Maynard, Vice President and Secretary of the Company, each hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
| 1. | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended; and |
| 2. | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company. |
Date: March 12, 2021
/S/ R. NEIL CROUCH II | |
|
|
R. Neil Crouch II President & Treasurer (Principal Executive Officer) |
/S/ CECELIA K. MAYNARD | |
|
|
Cecelia K. Maynard Vice President & Secretary (Principal Financial Officer) |