Item 1 BUSINESS
Overview
Newtek Business Services, Inc. (“we,” “the Company” or “Newtek”), “The Small Business Authority”, provides business services to the small- and medium-sized business market. Our one-stop-shop enables businesses to grow and prosper by obtaining:
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Electronic Payment Processing: Credit card, debit card, check conversion and ACH solutions
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Ecommerce Services: Combinations of payment processing, online shopping cart tools, web site design, web hosting and web related services which enable businesses to establish a presence and commercial capability on the Internet in a quick and simple fashion.
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Web Hosting: Full service web host including domain registration and online shopping cart tools
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Web Design and Development: Customized web design and development services
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Data Backup, Storage and Retrieval: Fast, secure, off-site data backup, storage and retrieval
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Business Lending: Business loans to start up, acquire or expand a business
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Accounts Receivable Financing: Receivable financing and management services
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Insurance Services: Nationwide commercial, health and benefits, and personal lines of insurance
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Payroll: Payroll management processing and employee tax filing
As of December 31, 2009, we had over 100,000 business accounts whom we derived revenue from in 2009. We use state of the art web-based proprietary technology to provide low cost products and services to our small- and medium-sized business clients. We acquire our customers through the internet, internal and independent sales teams, and alliances with Fortune 500 companies, community banks, credit unions and others, all of whom have elected to offer one or more of our business services and financial products rather than try to provide them directly for their customers or members. We are also a holding company for 13 certified capital companies, which we refer to as Capcos. However, we have deemphasized our Capco business, which we are in the process of winding down, in favor of growing our operating businesses and do not anticipate creating any new Capcos in the foreseeable future.
History
Newtek is a corporation formed under the laws of New York that serves as a holding company for several wholly- and majority-owned subsidiaries. We were founded in 1998 to provide debt and equity financing to small- and medium-sized businesses. We have since developed our branded line of business and financial products and services for the small- and medium-sized business market. At December 31, 2009, we had 21 subsidiaries, in addition to our 13 Capcos, many of which were a result of investments through the Capco programs. We do not anticipate creating any new Capcos in the foreseeable future, although we continue to make occasional investments in and loans to small businesses through our existing Capcos and meet the goals of the Capco programs. We are concentrating our efforts on becoming the Small Business Authority by creating a distribution channel for financial services and products for the small- and medium-sized business market.
Business Strategy
Key elements of our strategy to grow our business are:
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Continue to focus our business model to serve the small- and medium-sized business market. We are focused on developing and marketing business and financial products and services aimed at the small-and medium-sized business market. Our target market represents a very significant marketplace in the United States based on non-farm private gross domestic product (“GDP”). According to statistics published by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”), approximately 51% of the GDP in the United States comes from small businesses and approximately 99% of businesses
in the United States which have one or more employees fit into this market segment. Our business model is to get that market to view us as “The Small Business Authority” - their source of the types of business and financial services we provide. We are now providing one or more services to over 100,000 business accounts. We intend to continue to leverage the Newtek™ brand as a one-stop-shop provider for the small- and medium sized business market.
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Continue to implement a strategy of acquiring customers and processing their business at low cost. We seek to acquire customers at a low cost through a national strategy centered on our alliance partners and our NewTracker™ technology. Our alliance partners use our proprietary NewTracker™ referral system to refer customers to us for sales and customer tracking and processing. NewTracker™ distributes the referral to our appropriate business segment or segments for fulfillment while keeping our alliance partners up to date on the customer’s progress in real time with detailed documentation. We use the same proprietary system as our gateway for direct sales through our website and our BizExec program. We seek to minimize advertising and commission selling expenses and/or referral fees through the use of technology.
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Further develop national marketing of the “Newtek™” brand through our alliance partners. We have formed key marketing alliances with national business organizations such as Chartis, Merrill Lynch, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, and trade organizations such as the Credit Union National Association, Pershing and The Latino Coalition. We seek to build on the endorsement by these partners of our technology, high level of customer service and competitively priced products and services.
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Continue to develop our state-of-the-art technology to process business applications and financial transactions. We are expanding our proprietary NewTracker™ referral system which allows us to process new business utilizing a web-based, centralized processing point to provide greater sales functions.
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Implement an outbound selling strategy leveraging our database. We have implemented a project of combining all data assets into a seamless, enterprise-wide accessible master database in order to facilitate cross marketing, selling and servicing, real-time data mining and business intelligence. We seek to cross sell our existing clients and have established a dedicated team to use our master database for cross marketing, selling and servicing. We believe that this will provide us with lower commission costs and highest margins.
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Continue to fulfill our obligations under the current Capco programs. Our emphasis is on continuing our exemplary regulatory compliance program in order to complete successfully the investment cycles for all Capcos. At December 31, 2009, we had reached the final minimum investment requirements in all Capco programs in which we participated. We believe this ensures that 100% of the tax credits related to the programs are beyond risk of recapture. As the Capcos reach 100 percent investment, of which two have thus far, we will seek to decertify them as Capcos, liquidate their remaining assets and thereby reduce our operations costs, particularly the legal and accounting costs associated with compliance.
Ecommerce Initiative
Representative of our growth strategy, during 2009 we developed an integrated package of services needed by small- and medium-sized businesses to meet the challenges they face in selling their products and services on the world wide web. Our web hosting and electronic payment processing businesses collaborated to provide a single, easy to use integrated package that benefitted from each entity’s unique knowledge of their customers’ needs. When launched in 2010, Newtek Ecommerce Solution will provide to merchants a one stop shop for:
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a free and easy to use tool to create their own web site which may include a shopping cart;
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web site hosting;
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electronic payment acceptance capability utilizing credit and debit cards;
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the ability to add automatic data storage;
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the ability to enhance their web sites for greater Internet visibility; and
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safeguards necessary to protect consumer financial and personal information in a manner consistent with all applicable legal requirements.
We believe that the ability of a small- or medium-sized business to make one choice and obtain all that is necessary to stay competitive in today’s marketplace, and to do so at a very cost effective price, will be an attractive offering. We are
exploring varying pricing approaches to this package and are now offering the Web site design tool free of charge to introduce the package to customers. This will also enable each of our business services specialists to provide their customers with all services at one sitting.
In addition to the fully integrated, easy to use ecommerce web sites, we are also offering online merchants which utilize their own or our custom sites an online electronic payment processing offering called NewtPay and NewtPayPro. We believe that our offering competes favorably against Paypal’s ™ merchant offerings, providing similar and lower rates with quicker (48 hour) funding of payment to the merchants.
Principal Business Segments
Overview
The Company’s principal business segments, which we operate in a coordinated manner in order to provide business and financial services to the small- and medium-sized business market, are:
Electronic Payment Processing: Marketing third party credit card processing and check approval services to the small- and medium-sized business market.
Web Hosting: CrystalTech Web Hosting, Inc., d/b/a/ Newtek Technology Services (“NTS”), which offers shared and dedicated web hosting and related services to the small- and medium-sized business market.
Small Business Finance: Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc. (“NSBF”), a nationally licensed, SBA lender that originates, sells and services loans to qualifying small businesses, which are partially guaranteed by the SBA and CDS Business Services, Inc. d/b/a Newtek Business Credit (“NBC”) which provides receivable financing and management services.
All Other: Businesses formed from investments made through Capco programs which cannot be aggregated with other operating segments.
Corporate Activities: Corporate implements business strategy, directs marketing, provides technology oversight and guidance, coordinates and integrates activities of the segments, contracts with alliance partners, acquirers customer opportunities and owns our proprietary NewTracker™ referral system. This segment includes revenue and expenses not allocated to other segments, including interest income, Capco management fee income and corporate operations expenses.
Capcos: Thirteen certified capital companies which invest in small- and medium-sized businesses. They generate non-cash income from tax credits and non-cash interest and insurance expenses in addition to cash management fees.
Financial information for each segment can be found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition, Segment Results and Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, below.
Electronic Payment Processing
Universal Processing Services of Wisconsin, LLC, d/b/a Newtek Merchant Solutions (“NMS”) markets credit and debit card processing services, check approval services and ancillary processing equipment and software to merchants who accept credit cards, debit cards, checks and other non-cash forms of payment. New merchants are acquired through several sales channels. Our primary focus is on developing new merchant sales leads as a result of internal sales efforts. NMS has targeted the marketing of its array of services under agreements with alliance partners which are principally financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and other related businesses which are able to refer potential customers to NMS through Newtek’s NewTracker™ referral system. In addition, but to a lesser extent, we selectively will enter into agreements with independent sales organizations and independent sales agents throughout the country. These referring organizations and associations are typically paid a percentage of the processing revenue derived from the respective merchants that they successfully refer to us. In December 2009, we made residual payments to approximately 130 independent sales agents or agencies pursuant to contracts with them. In 2009, we processed over 31 million transactions with a merchant sales volume exceeding $3 billion. Our customer base and the related sales volume processed by us has grown significantly during each year of operations since 2002 through a combination of organic growth in customers as well as selective merchant portfolio acquisitions. Our merchant base has grown from approximately 1,200 merchants at the end of 2002 to approximately 14,000 merchants at the end of 2009. Similarly, total sales volume in 2009 exceeded $3 billion, up from $38.4 million in 2002.
Certain of our other subsidiaries operate merchant portfolios which are serviced by NMS.
We maintain two main customer service and sales support offices which are located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Brownsville, Texas with specialists also located in Phoenix, Arizona and New York. Our personnel at these locations assist merchants with initial installation of equipment and on-going service, as well as any other special processing needs that they may have.
Because we are not a bank, we are unable to belong to and directly access the Visa® and MasterCard® bankcard associations and we must be sponsored by a bank in order to process bankcard transactions. We are currently registered with Visa® and MasterCard® through the sponsorship of a bank that is a member of the card associations. Our electronic payment processing businesses rely on our ability to obtain data processing services; in 2009 we signed agreements with Wells Fargo Bank to diversify our processing operations and with First Data Corporation to reduce our costs. We contract with several large-scale data processing companies to provide the front-end and back-end processing. As our merchant base has grown, we believe that we have been able to achieve greater economies of scale in terms of negotiating the cost structure for providing such settlement services.
There are two aspects to the processing: the initial authorization of a payment (referred to as the “front-end processing”) and the merchant credit and cardholder charge transaction (the “back end processing”). Our payment processing business relies on up to five front-end and back-end processors which reduces our risk of reliance on any one source and also gives us the option of utilizing different processors to match the needs of particular merchants or situations.
As a result of our exposure to liability for merchant fraud, charge-backs and other losses inherent in the merchant payment processing business, we have developed practices and policies which attempt to assess and reduce these risks. Activities in which we engage in order to mitigate such risks are:
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underwriting the initial application of a merchant to identify unusual risks, structuring the relationship in a manner consistent with acceptable risks and, where possible, obtaining a personal or parent corporation guarantee from the merchant;
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monitoring the daily and monthly activity of each merchant to identify any departures from normative charging behavior of each merchant and monitoring the largest of our merchants and those with high levels of refunds or charge-backs, so as to ensure an opportunity to address any credit or charge-back liability problems at the earliest possible time; and
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requiring high-risk merchants to agree to the establishment of cash reserves to protect us against merchant failures to pay for charge-backs and other fees, and making adjustments in these reserves as merchant experience indicates.
Our development and growth is focused on selling our services to internally generate referrals, merchant referrals identified for us by our alliance partners and, to a lesser extent, by our independent sales representatives. We are different than most electronic payment processing companies who acquire their clients primarily through independent agents. We currently acquire approximately one-half of our new customers from alliance partner relationships utilizing our proprietary NewTracker™ system. We believe that our business model provides us with a competitive advantage by enabling us to acquire new electronic payment processing merchants at a lower cost level for third-party commissions than the industry average. Our business model allows us to own the customer as well as the stream of residual payments, as opposed to models which rely more heavily on independent sales agents. We also believe that merchants obtained as a result of our alliance referrals and internal sales efforts are more directly loyal to Newtek than those of competitors that rely primarily on independent sales agents to bring merchants to them.
Web Hosting Services
Through CrystalTech Web Hosting, Inc. d/b/a/ Newtek Technology Services (“CrystalTech” and “NTS”), we provide website hosting services to more than 68,000 customer accounts with 105,000 domains in over 120 countries. NTS provides shared and dedicated hosting plans under the CrystalTech™ brand for which it receives recurring monthly fees, as well as other fees such as set-up fees, consulting fees, domain name registrations and others. Ninety percent of all fees are paid in advance by credit card. NTS delivers services under the CrystalTech™ brand not just to customers seeking hosting but also to wholesalers, resellers and web developers by offering a range of tools for them to build, resell and deliver their web content. In 2009, we continued the process begun in 2008 of transitioning to operate as Newtek Technology Services™; CrystalTech™, the core business supporting our web hosting initiatives, became a Newtek Technology Services™ brand. Going forward, we intend to market and cross market under Newtek Technology Services™, Newtek Web Services™, and Newtek Webhosting™ brands.
NTS primarily uses Microsoft Windows® technology. Microsoft has described NTS as one of the largest hosting services in the world providing Microsoft Windows 2003® hosting. NTS also offers Linux-based web hosting and web-based data storage and back-up services. NTS currently operates a 5,000 square foot fortress strength data center located in Scottsdale, Arizona, utilizing redundant networking, electrical and back-up systems, affording customers what management believes to be a state of the art level of performance and protection.
Over 70% of the new NTS customers have come as a result of customer referrals without material expenditures for marketing or advertising. Many of NTS’s competitors are very price sensitive, offering minimal services at cut-rate pricing. While being cost competitive with most Linux- and Windows-based web hosting services, NTS has emphasized higher quality uptime, service and support.
The Company has diversified its hosting reach by offering services to small- and medium-sized businesses under different brands all under Newtek Technology Services™ including Newtek Web Services™, Newtek Data Storage™ and Newtek Web Design and Development™. NTS focuses specifically on select target markets such as restaurants, financial institutions, medical practices, law firms, accountants, retail and technology service providers for channel business and reselling. The Company has previously launched a turnkey solution to satisfy financial institution needs for dedicated servers, hosting and/or data storage, enabling these entities to comply with regulatory requirements with the highest level of safety and security.
Small Business Finance
We originate SBA loans and offer accounts receivable financing and other lending products essential for small- and medium-sized businesses. In addition, we provide small business loan servicing and consulting to the FDIC.
Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc. (“NSBF”) specializes in originating, servicing and selling small business loans guaranteed by the SBA for the purpose of acquiring commercial real estate, machinery, equipment and inventory and to refinance debt and fund franchises, working capital and business acquisitions. NSBF is one of 14 SBA licensed Small Business Lending Corporations that provide loans nationwide under the federal Section 7(a) loan program (“SBA 7(a) loans”). NSBF has received preferred lender program (PLP) status, a designation whereby the SBA authorizes the most experienced SBA lenders to place SBA guarantees on loans without seeking prior SBA review and approval. Being a national lender, PLP status allows NSBF to serve its clients in an expedited manner since it is not required to present applications to the SBA for concurrent review and approval.
We stopped making SBA 7(a) loans in the fourth quarter of 2008 because of turmoil in the economy and illiquidity in the SBA 7(a) loan secondary market but have begun to make loans during the second half of 2009. Our credit line with General Electric Commercial Capital (“GECC”), which we use to fund and warehouse loans, is due to terminate May 31, 2010. We have recently announced that we have come to agreement on terms for a new term loan from Capital One, N.A. which will prepay in full our obligation with GECC. The final loan documents are currently under review with the SBA. In addition, we are exploring options to provide lower cost funding for our SBA 7(a) lending business. We are also exploring the purchase of distressed loan portfolios that we would service and manage using our existing infrastructure.
We originate loans ranging from $3,000 to $2 million to both startup and existing businesses, who use the funds for a wide range of business needs including:
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opening, expanding or acquiring a business or franchise: $25,000 to $2.0 million;
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financing working capital:
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SBA term loans: at least $25,000
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Purchase equipment: $25,000 to $2.0 million
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purchasing owner-occupied commercial real estate and leasehold improvements: up to $5.0 million; and
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refinancing existing non-real-estate business debt: $25,000 to $2.0 million.
Late in 2009 we were selected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as its contractor to manage and service portfolios of SBA 7(a) loans acquired by FDIC from failed financial institutions. At such time as we are directed to do so, we will assist in the packaging of these loans for sale by the FDIC. Our existing servicing facilities and personnel will perform these activities supplemented by contract workers as needed. As this is a new contract, the activity to date has been modest. The eventual size of the portfolio we will service for the FDIC will depend on the level of bank failures and the needs of the FDIC in managing portfolios acquired from those banks.
We also offer accounts receivable financing and management services through CDS Business Services, Inc. d/b/a Newtek Business Credit (“NBC”). Through this service, small- and medium-sized businesses can obtain $10,000 to $500,000 per month through the sale of their trade receivables as well as back office services such as billing and cash collections.
We also offer merchant cash advance services to our customers, under which a merchant sells future credit card receivables at a discount, but do so only through referrals to third party providers. Under this program, the merchant receives the purchase amount upfront and agrees to have a set percentage of the credit card sales deducted from its daily deposits and remitted back until the purchase amount is repaid; in some cases we process that payment streams. We offer these services as an agent, and are not taking on credit risk in connection with these services.
All Other (including Small Business Insurance Products and Services)
We offer small business insurance products and services through Newtek Insurance Agency, LLC, which is licensed in 50 states. We serve as a retail and wholesale agency specializing in the sale of personal, commercial and health/benefits lines insurance products to customers of all our affiliated companies as well as our alliance partners. We offer insurance products from multiple insurance carriers providing a wide range of choice for our customers. Prior to 2009, we implemented a program with the Navy Federal Credit Union to market commercial and homeowners’ insurance to their 3.4 million members, and formed a strategic alliance with Chartis (formerly AIG Small Business) to provide agent services to small business clients. We are continuing our efforts to implement programs with alliance partners to market commercial and personal insurance.
Corporate Activities
Corporate implements business strategy, directs marketing, provides technology oversight and guidance, coordinates and integrates activities of the segments, contracts with alliance partners, acquirers customer opportunities and owns our proprietary NewTracker™ referral system and all other intellectual property rights. This segment includes revenue and expenses not allocated to other segments, including interest income, Capco management fee income and corporate operations expenses.
Certified Capital Companies
The Company historically obtained long-term financing to fund its investments and operations primarily through the issuance of notes to insurance companies through the Capco programs. Through December 31, 2009, Newtek had received in the aggregate $235,718,000 in proceeds from the issuance of long-term Capco debt, Capco warrants, and Newtek common shares through the Capco programs.
We have deemphasized our Capco business in favor of growing our operating businesses and do not anticipate creating any new Capcos in the foreseeable future. While observing all requirements of the Capco programs and, in particular, financing qualified businesses meeting applicable state requirements as to limitations on the proportion of ownership of qualified businesses, we have been able to use this funding source as a means to facilitate the growth of our businesses, which are strategically focused on providing goods and services to small businesses such as those in which our Capcos invest. We continue to invest in and lend to small businesses through our existing Capcos and meet the goals of the Capco programs.
The revenue derived from our Capcos has declined, representing approximately 8% in 2009, 9% of revenue in 2008 and 16% in 2007. This trend demonstrates as a portion of revenue the shift in our business from reliance on Capco cash flows to the development of operating businesses generating increasing amounts of revenues, income and cash flows. We rely on the annual management fees of 2.5% of certified (initial) capital, as fixed by the Capco statutes, as a partial source of cash to cover our operating expenses, which in 2009 was approximately $3,373,000. This covers all supportive services generally provided by us; however, the management fee is paid out of Capco cash on hand and is not set aside or reserved for payment out of the funds received by the Capcos. The amount of the management fee is protected and established by statute.
Marketing
Overview
We market ourselves to our small- and medium-sized business customers through our mottos of “The Small Business Authority” and “We Do It Better.” An example of how we seek to do this is our bilingual 24/7 call center which we believe is a valuable feature for most small business owners that need help during non-business hours and on weekends. We use web-based applications as an in-house tool to help our employees and associates to be efficient, smart and productive. Instead of using expensive, six-figured salaried employees that a typical bank or an insurance agency would use to market financial products and business services to small- and medium-sized business customers, we use very smart, efficient, high-quality technology and dedicated, loyal non-executive-salary-plus-bonus employees.
We believe that our business service specialists on all product lines understand the needs of the small business owner. We conduct telephone interviews with our target customers across all product lines to deepen our understanding of their needs. We have tailored our procedures so our small- and medium-sized business customers do not have to fill out multiple handwritten forms or type multiple data entry screens, which we believe is the most aggravating factor facing our customers. We have modeled our back-office and business operations after customer centered operational models, such as that of Progressive Insurance. We stress our responsive customer service and we endeavor to excel in addressing and resolving issues and problems that our customers may face. We are now providing our 24/7 customer service functions in Spanish as well as English to service the growing Hispanic owned and operated small business customer base in the United States.
We market our services through referrals from our alliance partners such as Chartis, Merrill Lynch, Credit Union National Association, Pershing, and Navy Federal Credit Union, using our proprietary NewTracker™ referral system. In addition, electronic payment processing services are also marketed through independent representatives and web hosting and ecommerce services are marketed through internet-based marketing and third-party resellers. A common thread across all business lines relates to acquiring customers at low cost. We seek to bundle our marketing efforts through our brand, our portal, our proprietary NewTracker™ technology and one easy entry point of contact.
We have implemented a multi-channel marketing strategy that consists of:
Direct: We market through our website, www.newtekbusinesssservices.com. We have created a place on our website for small business owners/operators to go to acquire one or more of the Newtek services directly. We also market through ads, seminars, magazine placements and internet key words and/or general promotion.
Indirect: Our alliance partners market one or more of our services to their customer base or member, and utilize NewTracker™ to submit referrals to Newtek from either their website or directly by their staff. Through our BizExec Program, we are recruiting individual professionals such as insurance agents, lawyers, and accountants who will utilize NewTracker™ either through the establishment of a new website or through a link to NewTracker™ from their own site.
Direct Outbound: We have implemented a project of combining all data assets into a seamless, enterprise-wide accessible master database in order to facilitate cross marketing, selling and servicing, real-time data mining, and business intelligence. We have established a dedicated team to use our master database for cross marketing, selling and servicing
Direct Alliance: Small business owners/operators go to the website of an alliance partner in order to acquire one or more of the Newtek services, driven by ads, keywords, seminars, conferences and/or general promotion. This is currently in place with Chartis, NCMIC Financial, Inc. and Navy Federal Credit Union.
We have contracted with affiliates in Brownsville, Texas to provide back-office support, including customer service, for our business segments.
The Newtek Referral System
Our proprietary NewTracker™ referral system allows us to process new business utilizing a web-based, centralized processing point. In-bound referrals from alliance partners, our website and other sources are transmitted to our businesses to provide the service or services our customers need. Our trained representatives use these web-based applications as a tool to acquire and process data through telephonic interviews, eliminating the need for face-to-face contact and the requirement that a customer complete multiple paper forms or data entry for multiple product lines. This approach is customer friendly, allows us to process applications very efficiently and allows us to store client information for further processing and cross-selling efforts while offering what we believe to be the highest level of customer service. It also assures our alliance partners full transaction transparency. This system permits our alliance partners to have a window to our back office processing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to see every communication and interaction between our sales and processing representatives and their referred customers while still preserving the privacy of customer or alliance partner sensitive data on the application. NewTracker™ enables the processing and tracking of services in a manner similar to the bar code system used by overnight delivery services. We believe that NewTracker™ is a key differentiating component of our business. It enables us to scale our business services rapidly to meet the demands of our customers. NewTracker™ enables our alliance partners to offer our services immediately, without having to invest in marketing materials, sales and marketing personnel, training, licensing or office space. Because their customers or members are driven by our technology to our processing centers, which can handle increased volume of transactions without having to add specialized staff or infrastructure, there is no need for additional investment by our customers.
Alliances
Each of the operating businesses benefit from the receipt of significant numbers of customer referrals from our alliance partners, pursuant to agreements negotiated and structured by our holding company management and staff. We are focused on using strategic business affiliations to identify likely small- to medium-sized business customers and others to be serviced by our operating businesses. We seek to ally Newtek with companies and organizations that wish to offer one or more of our principal business lines to their customers or members. We provide one-stop shopping for alliance partners that want to launch or expand their business services. For example, many credit unions are serving small business owners with consumer lending applications, but can use our alliance with Credit Union National Association, PSCU Financial Services or Fiserv Solutions, Inc. d/b/a IntegraSys to expand their offering of services. We are also able to private label any of our business services for any alliance partner.
These alliance partners are able to provide greater service to their customers and members and derive a steady flow of referral payments from us. On the other hand, our operating companies are receiving significant numbers of referrals for our services in the areas of small business loans, insurance and electronic payment processing and are thus acquiring customers at a low cost. NewTracker™, our proprietary, internally developed referral system technology, facilitates this transfer of information and also permits our customer service representatives, their supervisors and the referring alliance partners to observe the real-time processing of each referral, from intake to completion. For example, a alliance partner financial advisor who refers a brokerage customer for electronic payment processing, can track our processing of their client and know when decisions are made, what they are, when the referral fees are earned, as well as observe and oversee the operational performance of our customer service representatives. The process is analogous to the bar code system used by overnight delivery services to track the movement of a package, where critical processing points are input and the customer is able to access the company’s password-protected web site and monitor the movement of the package from pick up to delivery.
We have entered into agreements to provide one or more business services with, , the following entities (including but not limited to):
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Chartis, Inc. (formerly AIG Small Business)
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Merrill Lynch
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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
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Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
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Microsoft
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Pershing
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Navy Federal Credit Union
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Members 1st Federal Credit Union
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Ent Federal Credit Union
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NCMIC Financial, Inc.
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Bellco Credit Union
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The Latino Coalition
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Wright Patt Credit Union
Intellectual Property
Newtek has developed software which is the core of its NewTracker™ referral system and in September 2006 filed a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office covering NewTracker™.
NTS uses specialized software to conduct its business under a perpetual, royalty-free license from its developer, the former owner of CrystalTech, acquired at the time of our acquisition of the business.
We have several trademarks and service marks, all of which are of material importance to us. The following trademarks and service marks are the subject of trademark registrations issued by the United States Patent Trademark Office:
1. AT NEWTEK, WE DO IT BETTER
2. BIZEXEC
3. CRYSTALTECH
4. CRYSTALTECH WEB HOSTING
5. CT & Design
6. NEWTEK
7. NEWTEK BIZEXEC
8. NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES
9. NEWTEK BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
10. NEWTEK + NEWT LOGO
11. NEWTEK REFERRAL SYSTEM
12. NEWTEK TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
13. NEWTEK WEB SERVICES
14. NEWTRACKER
15. WEBCONTROLCENTER
16. NEWTEK BUSINESS CREDIT
17. NEWTEK DATA STORAGE
The following trademarks and service marks are the subject of pending trademark applications filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office:
1. NEWT LOGO + NEWTEK
2. NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. + NEWT LOGO
3. NEWTEK WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT
4. NEWTEK WEB HOSTING
5. WE DO IT BETTER
6. NEWTEK BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
7. NEWTPAY
8. NEWTPAY PRO
9. THE SMALL BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Competition
We compete in a large number of markets for the sale of services to small- and medium-sized businesses. Each of our principal operating companies competes not only against suppliers in its particular state or region of the country but also against suppliers operating on a national or even a multi-national scale. None of the markets in which our companies compete are dominated by a small number of companies that could materially alter the terms of the competition.
Our Electronic payment processing segment competes with Heartland Payment Systems, First National Bank of Omaha and Paymentech, L.P. Our Web hosting segment competes with Host My Site®, Discount ASP, Maxum ASP, GoDaddy® , Yahoo!®, BlueHost®, iPowerWeb®, and Microsoft Live. Our Small business finance segment competes with regional and national banks and non-bank lenders. It appears that Intuit is attempting to bundle electronic payment processing, web hosting, lending and payroll services similar to ours that will compete in the same small- to midsize-business market.
In many cases, the competitors of our companies are not as able as we are to take advantage of changes in business practices due to technological developments and, for those with a larger size, are unable to offer the personalized service that many small business owners and operators seem to want.
While we compete with many different providers in our various businesses, we have been unable to identify any direct and comprehensive competitors that deliver the same broad suite of services focused on the needs of the small- and medium-sized business market with the same marketing strategy as we do. Some of our competitive advantages include:
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Our proprietary NewTracker™ referral system allows us to process new business utilizing a web-based, centralized processing point and provides back end scalability.
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Our focus on developing and marketing business services and financial products and services aimed at the small- and medium-sized business market.
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Our scalability, which allows us to size our business services capabilities very quickly to meet customer and market needs.
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Our ability to offer personalized service and competitive rates.
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A strategy of multiple channel distribution which gives us maximum exposure in the marketplace.
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High quality customer service 24x7x365 across all business lines, with a focus primarily on absolute customer service.
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Our telephonic interview process, as opposed to requiring handwritten or data-typing processes, allows us to offer high levels of customer service and satisfaction, particularly for small business owners who do not get this service from our competitors.
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Our NewTracker™ Portal allows our alliance partners to offer a centralized access point for their small- to medium-sized business clients as part of their larger strategic approach to marketing, and allows them to demonstrate that they are focused on providing a suite of services to the small business market in addition to their core service.
Government Regulation
Overview
Newtek’s electronic payment processing, lending, insurance, and Capco operations are subject to regulation by federal, state, and professional governing bodies. In addition, our financial institution customers, which include commercial banks and credit unions, operate in markets that are subject to rigorous regulatory oversight and supervision. The compliance of our products and services with these requirements depends on a variety of factors including the particular functionality, the interactive design and the charter or license of the financial institution. Our financial services customers must independently assess and determine what is required of them under these regulations and are responsible for ensuring that our systems and the design of their Web sites conform to their regulatory obligations. New laws or regulations are frequently adopted in these areas which require constant compliance and could increase our costs.
Certified Capital Companies
In return for the Capcos making investments in the targeted companies, the states provide tax credits, generally equal to funds invested in the Capco by the insurance companies that provide the funds to the Capcos. In order to maintain its status as a Capco and to avoid recapture or forfeiture of the tax credits, each Capco must meet a number of specific investment requirements, including a minimum investment schedule all of which have been met prior to required dates by all of our Capcos. As a result, we believe there is no basis for a loss of tax credits.
Each of the state Capco programs has a requirement that a Capco, in order to maintain its certified status, must meet certain investment requirements, both qualitative and quantitative. These include minimum investment amounts and time periods for investment of “certified capital” (the amount of the original funding of the Capco by the insurance companies) all of which have been met by our Capcos. The minimum requirements are calculated on a cumulative basis and allow the Capcos to receive a return of an investment and re-invest the funds for full additional credit towards the minimum requirements. Qualitative requirements include limitations on the initial size of the recipients of the Capco funds, including the number of their employees, the location within the respective state of the recipients and the recipients’ commitment to remain therein for a specified period of time, the types of business conducted by the recipients, and the terms of the investments in the recipients.
The states of Louisiana, Colorado, Texas and in the two most recent programs in New York (out of the five we have participated in) have had or recently added to their Capco programs limitations on the equity investment Capcos can make in qualified businesses. These programs or program changes seek to preclude a Capco from owning all or a majority of the voting equity of the invested business. While Newtek has made profitable majority-owned investments in the past, we have also made minority or passive investments in qualified businesses. Newtek’s Capcos are in full compliance with all investment limitations, and management foresees no significant difficulty in continuing to remain in compliance.
When each of Newtek’s Capcos has invested in qualified businesses an amount equal to 100% of its initial certified capital, it is able to decertify (terminate its status as a Capco) and no longer be subject to any state Capco regulation. Upon voluntary decertification, the programs in about half of the states require that a Capco share any distributions to its equity holders with the state sponsoring the Capco. For those states that require a share of distributions, the sharing percentages vary, but are generally from 10 to 30%, usually on distributions above a specified internal rate of return for the equity owners of the Capco. States not requiring distributions are Texas and New York (Programs 1, 2 and 3). At this time, Newtek does not believe that the sharing requirements will have a material impact on the company’s financial condition or operations.
During 2007, two of Newtek’s Capcos reached the 100% investment level and in January 2008 the first, Wilshire New York Advisers, LLC, was notified by the New York Insurance Department that it is no longer subject to regulation. The second Capco, Wilshire Partners, LLC will be dissolved at the end of 2010 when the legislation terminates. Additionally, in October of 2009, our Wisconsin based Capco met its statutory requirements and voluntarily decertified and was subsequently dissolved.
Employees
As of December 31, 2009, we and the companies in which we hold a controlling interest had a total of 282 employees, of which 275 were full-time employees. We believe our labor relations are good and none of our employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Confidentiality Agreements
All our employees have signed confidentiality agreements, and it is our standard practice to require newly hired employees and, when appropriate, independent consultants, to execute confidentiality agreements. These agreements provide that the employee or consultant may not use or disclose confidential information except in the performance of his or her duties for the company, or in other limited circumstances. The steps taken by us may not, however, be adequate to prevent the misappropriation of our proprietary rights or technology.
Revenues and Assets by Geographic Area
During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, all of our revenue was derived from customers in the United States.
Available Information
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Commission and in accordance with those requirements file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy the reports, proxy statements and other information that we file with the Commission under the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act at the Commission’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street N.W., Washington, DC 20549. Please call 1-800-SEC-0339 for information about the Commission’s Public Reference Room. The Commission also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The address of the Commission’s web site is http://www.sec.gov. Our principal offices are located at 1440 Broadway, 17th Floor, New York, NY, 10018 and our telephone number is (212) 356-9500. Our web site is http://www.newtekbusinessservices.com. We make available through our web site, free of charge, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Commission. Information contained on our web site is not a part of this report.
Item 1A
Item 1A RISK FACTORS
If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the value of our common shares could decline and stockholders may lose all or part of their investment. The risks set out below may not be the only risks we face.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS GENERALLY
Our success depends on our ability to compete effectively in the highly competitive and highly regulated industries in which we operate.
We face intense competition in providing web hosting services, processing electronic payments and originating SBA loans, as well as in the other industries in which we or our affiliated companies operate. Low barriers to entry often result in a steady stream of new competitors entering certain of these businesses. Current and potential competitors are or may be better established, substantially larger and have more capital and other resources than we do. If we expand into additional geographical markets, we will face competition from others in those markets as well. In addition, some of the industries in which we operate are highly regulated and we cannot assure you that we will continue to be in full compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Failure to maintain full compliance or if new laws limit or eliminate some of the benefits of our business lines, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Our success depends upon our ability to enforce and maintain our intellectual property rights.
Our success depends, in significant part, on the proprietary nature of our technology, including both patentable and non-patentable intellectual property related to our NewTracker™ referral system. We have filed one patent application with the United States Patent office but there can be no assurance that such patent will be granted. To the extent that a competitor is able to reproduce or otherwise capitalize on our technology, it may be difficult, expensive or impossible for us to obtain necessary legal protection. In addition to patent protection of intellectual property rights, we consider elements of our product designs and processes to be proprietary and confidential. We rely upon employee, consultant and vendor non-disclosure agreements and contractual provisions and a system of internal safeguards to protect our proprietary information. However, any of our registered or unregistered intellectual property rights may be challenged or exploited by others in the industry, which might harm our operating results. We have several trademarks and service marks which are of material importance to us. Litigation, which could result in substantial cost to and diversion of our efforts, may be necessary to enforce trademarks issued to us or to determine the enforceability, scope and validity of the proprietary rights of others. Adverse determinations in any litigation or interference proceeding could subject us to costs related to changing brand names and a loss of established brand recognition.
Our businesses depend on our ability to attract and retain key personnel and any loss of ability to attract these personnel could adversely affect us.
Our success depends upon the ability of our affiliated companies and other companies in which we invest to attract and retain qualified personnel and our ability to supplement those capabilities with our senior management personnel. Competition for qualified employees is intense. If our affiliated companies lose the services of key personnel, or are unable to attract additional qualified personnel, the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of us or one or more of our affiliated companies could be materially adversely affected. It can take a significant period of time to identify and hire personnel with the combination of skills and attributes required in carrying out our strategy.
Our business relies heavily on the expertise of our senior management, particularly Messrs. Barry Sloane and Seth A. Cohen, our CEO and CFO, respectively. Mr. Sloane and Mr. Cohen currently serve pursuant to employment agreements which expire on May 31, 2011. The loss of the services of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and it is likely that it will be difficult to find adequate replacements.
Our businesses depend upon the ability to utilize the Internet for the conduct of a significant portion of their business; disruption to that system could make it impossible for them to continue to conduct their current businesses.
Possible disruption to the normal functioning of the Internet through, for example, power failure or terrorist sabotage, could make it impossible for aspects of the lending, electronic payment processing, web hosting and in fact our referral system to function. In the event of a major disruption, and assuming that such disruptions would be long-lived, we would be required to make extensive changes in the way these companies do business. There is no assurance that we will have the time and resources to make these changes.
Our success depends on our ability to use effectively our electronic referral and information processing systems.
We have developed an electronic referral and processing system for the applications necessary for the sales of each of our business lines other than web site hosting. This system is critical to our ability to process such business with a low cost advantage and to obtain referrals from our alliance partners. In particular, the ability to access the referral system and to track the progress of a referred customer is a major feature of the perceived attractiveness of our system. If this referral system should develop problems which we cannot address, it would have a material negative impact on our business strategy. In addition, our ability to provide business services increasingly depends on our capacity to store, retrieve, process and manage significant amounts of data. Interruption or loss of our information processing capabilities through loss of stored data, breakdown or malfunctioning of computer equipment and software systems, telecommunications failure or damage caused by acts of nature or other disruption, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR ELECTRONIC PAYMENT PROCESSING BUSINESS
NMS relies on a bank sponsor, which has substantial discretion with respect to certain elements of our business practices, in order to process bankcard transactions. If the sponsorship is terminated, and we are not able to secure or transfer merchant portfolios to new bank sponsors, we will not be able to conduct our electronic payment processing business. We also rely on service providers who are critical to our business.
Because we are not a bank, we are unable to belong to and directly access the Visa® and MasterCard® bankcard associations. The Visa® and MasterCard® operating regulations require us to be sponsored by a bank in order to process bankcard transactions, which we are. If the sponsorship is terminated and we are unable to secure a bank sponsor, we will not be able to process bankcard transactions which would have a material adverse effect on our business. Furthermore, our agreement with our sponsoring bank gives the sponsoring bank substantial discretion in approving certain elements of our business practices, including our solicitation, application and qualification procedures for merchants, the terms of our agreements with merchants, the processing fees that we charge, our customer service levels and our use of independent sales organizations. We cannot guarantee that our sponsoring bank’s actions under these agreements will not be detrimental to us. Other service providers, some of whom are our competitors, are necessary for the conduct of our business. The termination by our service providers of these arrangements with us or their failure to perform these services efficiently and effectively may adversely affect our relationships with the merchants whose accounts we serve, and may cause those merchants to terminate their processing agreements with us.
If NMS or its processors or bank sponsor fail to adhere to the standards of the Visa® and MasterCard® bankcard associations, our registrations with these associations could be terminated and we could be required to stop providing payment processing services for Visa® and MasterCard®.
Substantially all of the transactions NMS processes involve Visa® or MasterCard®. If we, our bank sponsor or our processors fail to comply with the applicable requirements of the Visa® and MasterCard® bankcard associations, Visa® or MasterCard® could suspend or terminate our registration. The termination of our registration or any changes in the Visa® or MasterCard® rules that would impair our registration could require us to stop providing payment processing services, which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
On occasion, NMS experience increases in interchange and sponsorship fees. If we cannot pass along these increases to our merchants, our profit margins will be reduced.
Our electronic payment processing subsidiaries pay interchange fees or assessments to bankcard associations for each transaction we process using their credit, debit and gift cards. From time to time, the bankcard associations increase the interchange fees that they charge processors and the sponsoring banks. If we are not able to pass these fee increases along to merchants through corresponding increases in our processing fees, our profit margins in this line of business will be reduced.
Unauthorized disclosure of merchant or cardholder data, whether through breach of our computer systems or otherwise, could expose us to liability and business losses.
Through our electronic payment processing subsidiaries, we collect and store sensitive data about merchants and cardholders, and we maintain a database of cardholder data relating to specific transactions, including payment, card numbers and cardholder addresses, in order to process the transactions and for fraud prevention and other internal processes. If anyone penetrates our network security or otherwise misappropriates sensitive merchant or cardholder data, we could be subject to liability or business interruption. We cannot guarantee that our systems will not be penetrated in the future. If a breach of our system occurs, we may be subject to liability, including claims for unauthorized purchases with misappropriated card information, impersonation or other similar fraud claims. Similar risks exist with regard to the storage and transmission of such data by our processors. In the event of any such a breach, we may also be subject to a class action lawsuit. Small businesses are less prepared for the complexities of safeguarding cardholder data than their larger counterparts. Since 2005, more than 80% of the instances involving unauthorized access to card data have involved small merchants, according to Visa USA Inc., the largest payment card network. In the event of non compliance by a customer of card industry rules, we could face fines from payment card networks. There can be no assurance that we would be able to recover any such fines from such customer.
NMS has potential liability if our merchants refuse or cannot reimburse charge-backs resolved in favor of their customers.
If a billing dispute between a merchant and a cardholder is not ultimately resolved in favor of the merchant, the disputed transaction is “charged back” to the merchant’s bank and credited to the account of the cardholder. If we or our processing banks are unable to collect the charge-back from the merchant’s account, or if the merchant refuses or is financially unable due to bankruptcy or other reasons to reimburse the merchant’s bank for the charge-back, we bear the loss for the amount of the refund paid to the cardholder’s bank. Most of our merchants deliver products or services when purchased, so a contingent liability for charge-backs is unlikely to arise, and credits are issued on returned items. However, some of our merchants do not provide services until some time after a purchase, which increases the potential for contingent liability and the reserves we require of the merchants may not be sufficient to cover the liability or may not even be available to us in the event of a bankruptcy.
NMS has potential liability for customer or merchant fraud.
Credit card fraud occurs when a merchant’s customer uses a stolen card (or a stolen card number in a card-not-present transaction) to purchase merchandise or services. In a traditional card-present transaction, if the merchant swipes the card, receives authorization for the transaction from the card issuing bank and verifies the signature on the back of the card against the paper receipt signed by the customer, the card issuing bank remains liable for any loss. In a fraudulent card-not-present transaction, even if the merchant receives authorization for the transaction, the merchant is liable for any loss arising from the transaction. Many of our business customers are small and transact a substantial percentage of their sales over the Internet or by telephone or mail orders. Because their sales are card-not-present transactions, these merchants are more vulnerable to customer fraud than larger merchants and we could experience charge-backs arising from cardholder fraud more frequently with these merchants.
Merchant fraud occurs when a merchant, rather than a customer, knowingly uses a stolen or counterfeit card or card number to record a false sales transaction or intentionally fails to deliver the merchandise or services sold in an otherwise valid transaction. Anytime a merchant is unable to satisfy a charge-back, we are responsible for that charge-back. We have established systems and procedures to detect and reduce the impact of merchant fraud, but we cannot assure you that these measures are or will be effective. Failure to effectively manage risk and prevent fraud could increase our charge-back liability.
Our payment processing systems may fail due to factors beyond our control, which could interrupt our business or cause us to lose business and likely increase our costs.
We depend on the uninterrupted operations of our computer network systems, software and our processors’ data centers. Defects in these systems or damage to them due to factors beyond our control could cause severe disruption to our business and other material adverse effects on our payment processing businesses.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR OPERATION OF A WEBSITE HOSTING BUSINESS
NTS operates in a highly competitive industry in which technological change can be rapid.
The website hosting business and its related technology involve a broad range of rapidly changing technologies. Our equipment and the technologies on which it is based may not remain competitive over time, and others may develop superior technologies that render our products non-competitive without significant additional capital expenditures. Some of our competitors are significantly larger and have substantially greater market presence as well as greater financial, technical, operational, marketing and other resources and experience than we do. In the event that such a competitor expends significant sales and marketing resources in one or several markets, we may not be able to compete successfully in such markets. We believe that competition will continue to increase, placing downward pressure on prices. Such pressure could adversely affect our gross margins if we are not able to reduce our costs commensurate with such price reductions. There can be no assurances that we will remain competitive.
Our website hosting business depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of its computer and communications hardware systems and infrastructure.
Despite precautions taken by NTS against possible failure of its systems, interruptions could result from natural disasters, power loss, the inability to acquire fuel for our backup generators, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks and similar events. NTS also leases telecommunications lines from local, regional and national carriers whose service may be interrupted. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed by any damage or failure that interrupts or delays our operations. There can be no assurance that our insurance will cover all of the losses or compensate NTS for the possible loss of clients occurring during any period that NTS is unable to provide service.
Our inability to maintain the integrity of our infrastructure and the privacy of confidential information would materially affect out business.
The NTS infrastructure is potentially vulnerable to physical or electronic break-ins, viruses or similar problems. If our security measures are circumvented, it could jeopardize the security of confidential information stored on NTS’s systems, misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in NTS’s operations. We may be required to make significant additional investments and efforts to protect against or remedy security breaches. Security breaches that result in access to confidential information could damage our reputation and expose us to a risk of loss or liability. The security services that NTS offers in connection with customers’ networks cannot assure complete protection from computer viruses, break-ins and other disruptive problems. The occurrence of these problems may result in claims against NTS or us or liability on our part. These claims, regardless of their ultimate outcome, could result in costly litigation and could harm our business and reputation and impair NTS’s ability to attract and retain customers.
Our business depends on Microsoft Corporation and others for the licenses to use software as well as other intellectual property in the website hosting business.
NTS’s website hosting business is built on a technological platform relying on the Microsoft Windows® products and other intellectual property that NTS currently licenses. As a result, if we are unable to continue to have the benefit of those licensing arrangements or if the products upon which NTS’s platform is built become obsolete, our business could be materially and adversely affected.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR SMALL BUSINESS FINANCE BUSINESSES
We depend on our Lines of Credit.
Our SBA lending business is dependent currently on a Line of Credit with General Electric Commercial Capital (“GECC”) to finance our lending activities, which line is in place until May 31, 2010. We have a draft agreement with an alternative lender, Capital One, N.A., but there can be no assurance that we will be able to conclude that transaction or that we will be able to negotiate an alternate arrangement. Failure to obtain financing would have a material adverse effect on our business, including but not limited to the liquidation of the loan portfolio to pay down the line. If funds from such sale were insufficient to completely pay down the line of credit, the holding company would be responsible for any short fall up to $15 million. In addition, our receivables financing company depends on a line of credit from Wells Fargo Bank, NA (Wells Fargo) which matures in February 2012. Loss of this line and our inability to replace it would materially impact the business.
We have specific risks associated with small business administration loans.
We have generally sold the guaranteed portion of SBA loans in the secondary market. Such sales have resulted in our earning premiums and creating a stream of servicing income. There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue originating these loans, or that a secondary market will exist for, or that we will continue to realize premiums upon the sale of the guaranteed portions of the SBA 7(a) loans. For a few months in late 2008 and early 2009 the secondary market for SBA 7(a) loans offered little loan premium and we suspended loan originations. In addition, we have experienced a decline in premiums received; there can be no assurance that premiums will remain at the current levels.
Since we sell the guaranteed portion of substantially our entire SBA 7(a) loan portfolio, we incur credit risk on the non-guaranteed portion of the SBA loans. We share pro rata with the SBA in any recoveries. In the event of default on an SBA loan, our pursuit of remedies against a borrower is subject to SBA approval, and where the SBA establishes that its loss is attributable to deficiencies in the manner in which the loan application has been prepared and submitted, the SBA may decline to honor its guarantee with respect to our SBA loans or it may seek the recovery of damages from us. If we should experience significant problems with our underwriting of SBA loans, such failure to honor a guarantee or the cost to correct the problems could have a material adverse effect on us. Although the SBA has never declined to honor its guarantees with respect to SBA loans made by us since our acquisition of the lender, no assurance can be given that the SBA would not attempt to do so in the future.
Curtailment of the government-guaranteed loan programs could cut off an important segment of our business.
There can be no assurance that the federal government will maintain the SBA program, or that it will continue to guarantee loans at current levels. If we cannot continue making and selling government-guaranteed loans, we will generate fewer origination fees and our ability to generate gains on sale of loans will decrease. From time-to-time, the government agencies that guarantee these loans reach their internal budgeted limits and cease to guarantee loans for a stated time period. In addition, these agencies may change their rules for loans. Also, Congress may adopt legislation that would have the effect of discontinuing or changing the programs. Non-governmental programs could replace government programs for some borrowers, but the terms might not be equally acceptable. If these changes occur, the volume of loans to small business and industrial borrowers of the types that now qualify for government-guaranteed loans could decline, as could the profitability of these loans.
An increase in non-performing assets would reduce our income and increase our expenses.
If our level of non-performing assets in our SBA lending and receivable financing businesses rise in the future, it could adversely affect our revenue and earnings. Non-performing assets are primarily loans on which borrowers are not making their required payments or receivables for which the customer has not made timely payment. Non-performing assets also include loans that have been restructured to permit the borrower to have smaller payments and real estate that has been acquired through foreclosure of unpaid loans. To the extent that our financial assets are non-performing, we will have less cash available for lending and other activities.
Our reserve for credit losses may not be sufficient to cover unexpected losses.
Our business depends on the behavior of our customers. In addition to our credit practices and procedures, we maintain a reserve for credit losses on our SBA loans and accounts receivable portfolio which management has judged to be adequate given the loans we originate and receivable we purchase. We periodically review our reserve for adequacy considering current economic conditions and trends, collateral values, charge-off experience, levels of past due loans and non-performing assets, and we adjust our reserve accordingly. However, based on the poor current economic conditions of the recession, along with changes in the credit quality of our customers, our reserves could materially be impacted thus affecting our financial condition and results of operations.
We could be adversely affected by weakness in the residential housing and commercial real estate markets.
Weakness in residential home and commercial real estate values could impair our ability to collect on defaulted SBA loans as real estate is pledged in many of our SBA loans as part of the collateral package.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR INSURANCE AGENCY BUSINESS
We depend on third parties, particularly property and casualty insurance companies, to supply the products marketed by our agents.
Our contracts with property and casualty insurance companies typically provide that the contracts can be terminated by the supplier without cause. Our inability to enter into satisfactory arrangements with these suppliers or the loss of these relationships for any reason would adversely affect the results of our new insurance business. Also, our inability to obtain these products at competitive prices could make it difficult for us to compete with larger and better capitalized providers of such insurance services.
If we fail to comply with government regulations, our insurance agency business could be adversely affected.
Our insurance agency business is subject to comprehensive regulation in the various states in which we plan to conduct business. Our success will depend in part upon our ability to satisfy these regulations and to obtain and maintain all required licenses and permits. Our failure to comply with any statutes and regulations could have a material adverse effect on us. Furthermore, the adoption of additional statutes and regulations, changes in the interpretation and enforcement of current statutes and regulations or the expansion of our business into jurisdictions that have adopted more stringent regulatory requirements than those in which we currently conduct business could have a material adverse effect on us.
We do not have any control over the commissions our insurance agency expects to earn on the sale of insurance products which are based on premiums and commission rates set by insurers and the conditions prevalent in the insurance market.
Our insurance agency earns commissions on the sale of insurance products. Commission rates and premiums can change based on the prevailing economic and competitive factors that affect insurance underwriters. In addition, the insurance industry has been characterized by periods of intense price competition due to excessive underwriting capacity and periods of favorable premium levels due to shortages of capacity. We cannot predict the timing or extent of future changes in commission rates or premiums or the effect any of these changes will have on the operations of our insurance agency.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR CAPCO BUSINESS
The Capco programs and the tax credits they provide are created by state legislation and implemented through regulation, and such laws and rules are subject to possible action to repeal or retroactively revise the programs for political, economic or other reasons. Such an attempted repeal or revision would create substantial difficulty for the Capco programs and could, if ultimately successful, cause us material financial harm.
The tax credits associated with the Capco programs and provided to our Capcos’ investors are to be utilized by the investors over a period of time, which is typically ten years. Much can change during such a period and it is possible that one or more states may revise or eliminate the tax credits. Any such revision or repeal could have a material adverse economic impact on our Capcos, either directly or as a result of the Capco’s insurer’s actions. Any such final state action which jeopardized the tax credits could result in the provider of our Capco insurance assuming partial of full control of the particular Capco in order to minimize its liability under the Capco insurance policies issued to our investors.
During 2002, a single legislator in Louisiana introduced such a proposed bill, on which no action was taken, and in Colorado in 2003 and 2004 bills to modify (not repeal) its Capco program were introduced; the 2003 Colorado legislation was defeated in a legislative committee. The 2004 Colorado legislation was adopted but implementing regulations made clear the application of the new rules only to investments made after passage. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to further legislative or regulatory action which might adversely impact our Capco business, or that we will be able to successfully challenge any such action.
Because our Capcos are subject to requirements under state law, a failure of any of them to meet these requirements could subject the Capco and our shareholders to the loss of one or more Capcos.
We have met all applicable requirements of the Capco programs in which we participate. Nonetheless, because each Capco remains subject to state regulation until it has invested 100 percent of its funds and otherwise remained in full legal compliance, there can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to do so. A major regulatory violation, while not fatal to our Capco business, would materially increase the cost of operating the Capcos.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMMON SHARES
Our shares may be delisted.
On November 29, 2009, our shares were moved from trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) Global Market to the Nasdaq Stock Market Capital Market. The minimum bid price for shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market is $1.00. Our shares have generally traded below this amount since August 2008. In accordance with Marketplace Rule 4450(e)(2), the Company was given 180 calendar days, or until May 29, 2010, to regain compliance with the Rule. On February 22, 2010, Nasdaq notified the Company that due to the increase in the trading price of the common shares, we were in full compliance with all applicable Nasdaq Capital Market listing requirements, and no longer at risk of being delisted. As compliance with the minimum trading price for common shares is beyond our control, there can be no assurance that the price will remain above $1.00 indefinitely and, therefore, no assurance that the threat of delisting can be avoided. In the event that the common shares are delisted, there can be no assurance that an active public market for our shares can be sustained or that current trading levels can be sustained or not diminished.
The application of the “penny stock” rules to our common shares could limit the trading and liquidity of the common shares, adversely affect the market price of our Common Shares and increase your transaction costs to sell those shares.
As long as the trading price of our common shares is below $5.00 per share, open-market trading will be subject to the “penny stock” rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors and otherwise have the effect of limiting the trading activity of the common shares, reducing the liquidity of an investment in the common shares and increasing the transaction costs for their sales and purchases.
Two of our shareholders, one a current and one a former executive officer, beneficially own approximately 27% of our common shares, and are able to exercise significant influence over the outcome of most shareholder actions.
Although there is no agreement or understanding between them, because of their ownership of our shares, Messrs. Sloane and Rubin will be able to have significant influence over actions requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors, the adoption of amendments to the certificate of incorporation, approval of stock incentive plans and approval of major transactions such as a merger or sale of assets. This could delay or prevent a change in control of our company, deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common shares as part of a change in control and have a negative effect on the market price of our common shares.
Future issuances of our common shares or other securities, including preferred shares, may dilute the per share book value of our common shares or have other adverse consequences to our common shareholders.
Our board of directors has the authority, without the action or vote of our shareholders, to issue all or part of the approximately 19,000,000 authorized but unissued shares of our common stock. Our business strategy relies upon investments in and acquisitions of businesses using the resources available to us, including our common shares. We have made acquisitions during each of the years from 2002 to 2005 involving the issuance of our common shares, and we expect to make additional acquisitions in the future using our common shares. Additionally, we anticipate granting additional options or restricted stock awards to our employees and directors in the future. We may also issue additional securities, through public or private offerings, in order to raise capital to support our growth, including in connection with possible acquisitions or in connection with purchases of minority interests in affiliated companies or Capcos. Future issuances of our common shares will dilute the percentage of ownership interest of current shareholders and could decrease the per share book value of our common shares. In addition, option holders may exercise their options at a time when we would otherwise be able to obtain additional equity capital on more favorable terms.
Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to issue, without action or vote of our shareholders, up to 1,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred shares, meaning that our board of directors may, in its discretion, cause the issuance of one or more series of preferred shares and fix the designations, preferences, powers and relative participating, optional and other rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, including the dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and liquidation preference, and to fix the number of shares to be included in any such series. The preferred shares so issued may rank superior to the common shares with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, or both. In addition, the shares of preferred stock may have class or series voting rights.
The authorization and issuance of “blank check” preferred shares could have an anti-takeover effect detrimental to the interests of our shareholders.
Our certificate of incorporation allows our board of directors to issue preferred shares with rights and preferences set by the board without further shareholder approval. The issuance of shares of this “blank check” preferred shares could have an anti-takeover effect detrimental to the interests of our shareholders. For example, in the event of a hostile takeover attempt, it may be possible for management and the board to impede the attempt by issuing the preferred shares, thereby diluting or impairing the voting power of the other outstanding common shares and increasing the potential costs to acquire control of us. Our board has the right to issue any new shares, including preferred shares, without first offering them to the holders of common shares, as they have no preemptive rights.
We know of no other publicly-held company that sponsors and operates Capcos as a material part of its business. As such, there are, to our knowledge, no other companies against which investors may compare our Capco business, operations, results of operations and financial and accounting structures.
In the absence of any meaningful peer group comparisons for our Capco business, investors may have a difficult time understanding and judging the strength of our business. This, in turn, may have a depressing effect on the value of our shares.
Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and New York law place restrictions on our shareholders’ ability to recover from our directors for breaches of their duties.
As permitted by New York law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of a director’s fiduciary duty except for liability in certain instances. As a result of these provisions and New York law, shareholders have restrictions and limitations upon their rights to recover from directors for breaches of their duties. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
We conduct our principal business activities in facilities leased from unrelated parties at market rates. Our headquarters are located in New York, New York. Our operating subsidiaries have properties which are material to the conduct of their business as noted below. In addition, our Capcos maintain offices in each of the states in which they operate.
Below is a list of our leased offices and space as of December 31, 2009 which are material to the conduct of our business:
We believe that our leased facilities are adequate to meet our current needs and that additional facilities are available to meet our development and expansion needs in existing and projected target markets.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not involved in any material pending litigation.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
(a) Market Information: Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Stock Market under the symbol “NEWT.” High and low prices for the common stock over the previous two years are set forth below, based on the highest and lowest trading price during that period.
(b) Holders: As of February 26, 2010 there were approximately 216 holders of record of our common stock.
(c) Dividends: In November 2009 the Company declared a $0.02 dividend per share. Any future determination to pay cash and stock dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, operating results, capital requirements and other factors that our board of directors considers appropriate. No dividends were declared or paid in 2008.
(d) Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans:
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
Introduction and Certain Cautionary Statements
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is intended to assist in the understanding and assessment of significant changes and trends related to the results of operations and financial position of the Company together with its subsidiaries. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.
The statements in this Annual Report may contain forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated future financial performance, business prospects, legislative developments and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, we note that a variety of factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results expressed in the forward looking statements such as intensified competition and/or operating problems in its operating business projects and their impact on revenues and profit margins or additional factors as described in Newtek Business Services’ previously filed registration statements as more fully described under “Risk Factors” above.
We also need to point out that our Capcos operate under a different set of rules in each of the seven jurisdictions and that these place varying requirements on the structure of our investments. In some cases, particularly in Louisiana, we don’t control the equity or management of a qualified business but that cannot always be presented orally or in written presentations.
Executive Overview
Our performance was strong despite weak economic conditions: we greatly improved our bottom line and propelled our operating cash flow from negative to positive. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we had a net loss of $(429,000) on revenues of $105,711,000. The net loss improved $10,034,000 over the loss of $(10,463,000) in 2008 including the $990,000 benefit from the release of a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset which increased the benefit for income taxes and the attribution of net loss to non-controlling interests under the new accounting rules; loss before benefit for income taxes was $(4,002,000). Total revenues increased by $6,826,000, or 6.9%, from $98,885,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 principally due to increased revenues in the Electronic payment processing and Web hosting segments, offset by decreases in revenues from our Small business finance and Capco segments. Total expenses decreased $1,333,000 to $110,613,000 for the year ended 2009 from $111,946,000 for 2008: a $3,515,000 reduction in salary and benefits, due to the Company’s cost cutting drives in 2008 and 2009, represented the largest share in cost improvements followed by decreases in depreciation and amortization of $1,745,000, other general and administrative costs of $981,000 and provision for loan loss of $697,000, offset by a $7,203,000 increase in electronic payment processing costs. The reduction in Company personnel over the last eighteen months appears to have had no effect on the Company’s ability to operate its businesses or improve revenues in the midst of a recession. The improvement in revenues coupled with the decrease in costs resulted in the Company reducing its net loss $10,034,000 from $(10,463,000) for the year ended 2008 to $(429,000) for the year ended 2009.
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company substantially reduced its loss before benefit for income taxes to $(4,002,000) from $(13,069,000) in 2008, a decrease of $9,067,000. This reflects improvements in income from operations for the Web hosting segment, a reduction in loss in the Capco segment from the adoption of fair value accounting and reduced management fees, a reduction in losses in the All other and Small business finance segments primarily from reduced expenses, offset by a greater loss in Corporate activities as compared to the same period for 2008. For Corporate, a $1,999,000 reduction in expenses, primarily from Salaries and benefits, could not offset a $2,613,000 decrease in management fees from the Capcos (management fee income is eliminated in consolidated revenues and expenses). The Electronic payment processing segment (“EPP”) continued to suffer from decreased gross margins (EPP revenue less EPP cost); increased processing expenses offset improved sales. The decreased gross margin, from competitive re-pricing of merchant accounts and the Company’s reliance on independent sales agents in 2009, primarily occurred during the slowing of the economy in the second half of 2008 and continued to negatively impact profitability for the segment in 2009. The improved income in the Web hosting segment resulted from increased sales and benefited from the intangible assets becoming fully amortized in the second quarter of 2009, resulting in a decrease of amortization expense of six months as compared to a full year in 2008.
Improving conditions for the secondary market for guaranteed loan sales and changes to the SBA 7(a) loan program in the second quarter permitted us to begin lending again. Premium generated from the sales of loans originated in the fourth quarter as well as cost reductions permitted us to substantially reduce the segment’s loss for 2009 versus 2008. In addition, on October 20, 2009 the Company entered into contracts with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to provide
consulting services in connection with failures of banks holding SBA guaranteed loans and to provide servicing of those loans. As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately $12,521,000 outstanding under the $15,000,000 GE line of credit of which the Company guarantees up to $15,000,000 of the advances. On July 22, 2009 we entered into a Fifth Amendment and Consent (the “Fifth Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 31, 2005 between NSBF and General Electric Capital Corporation (GECC) which made certain changes in the terms of the warehouse lending facility provided to NSBF. The Fifth Amendment reduced the aggregate total of the credit facility to $15 million, adjusted the interest rate and other terms and extended the maturity date from August 31, 2009 to May 31, 2010 based upon progress shown by NSBF in obtaining a commitment for a replacement lender. Upon the Fifth Amendment becoming effective the Company partially paid down the line by $1,200,000, in addition to normal collections on the line. There can be no assurance that we will be able to replace our credit line with GE or negotiate an alternate arrangement. Failure to obtain replacement financing will have a material adverse effect on our business.
Improvement in operations provided the Company with positive operating cash flow of $3,128,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009. Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $12,581,000 on December 31, 2009 from $16,852,000 on December 31, 2008, reflecting the use of operating cash to pay down the GE warehouse lending facility and the $6,103,000 increase in brokers receivable from guaranteed portions traded but not settled at year end (the Company received the funds subsequently). In total, Newtek reduced its bank notes payable $9,700,000 from year end 2008. Overall, throughout 2009 the Company has enjoyed both the full year benefit from the expense reductions made in 2008 in the Small business finance, All other and Corporate segments as well as the continuing cost cutting efforts in 2009.
As of January 1, 2008, we adopted the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities to better value our Capco notes. By revaluing our assets and liabilities associated with the notes issued by our Capcos, we have endeavored to eliminate much of the non-cash effect the Capcos have on our operations that make unclear the performance of our operations. The adoption has resulted in a one-time, non-cash after-tax reduction in retained earnings of $14,327,000 and a one-time reduction of $9,551,000 in the deferred tax liability. This will reduce the future burden of non-cash Capco losses by better balancing the non-cash income from tax credits against the non-cash Capco interest expense. For 2008, the change has resulted in an $8,720,000 reduction of the Capco non-cash loss (income from tax credits less Capco interest expense and the amortization of prepaid Capco note insurance expense) from that for 2007. Because we chose to adopt a new rule, we have not restated previous financial results.
Finally, during the course of 2009 the insurer of our Capcos made its last scheduled cash payments to the Capcos’ investors, thereby extinguishing the debt of Wilshire Partners, LLC (except for a small amount of tax credits to be delivered), Wilshire Investors, LLC, and Wilshire Louisiana Advisers, LLC. While we never viewed the nonpayment by the Capco insurer as a material risk to the Company, the fact that the payment has been made eliminates this nonmaterial contingent liability. This had no effect on our consolidated balance sheet. In addition, the Company dissolved Wilshire Investors, LLC, upon its meeting programmatic requirements and achieving voluntary decertification; as a result NMS became a directly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company expects to dissolve Wilshire Partners which has also achieved its programmatic goals at the time Florida capco law sunsets in 2010.
Business Segment Results:
The results of the Company’s reportable business segments are discussed below.
Electronic Payment Processing
Electronic payment processing revenue increased $6,374,000 or 10% between years principally due to the overall impact of growth in organic revenue of approximately 11% while revenues from acquired portfolios decreased overall revenue growth by 1% between periods due to merchant attrition and other factors. The growth in organic revenue was partially due to the impact of an increase in the average number of merchants under contract between years of 10%. The average monthly processing volume per merchant increased less than 1% between years.
Electronic payment processing costs increased $7,194,000 or 14% between years. Electronic payment processing costs resulting from acquired portfolios had the overall effect of decreasing such costs by approximately 2% between periods due to merchant attrition and other factors. Organic electronic payment processing costs had the effect of increasing total electronic payment processing cost by 16% between years. Processing revenues less electronic payment processing cost (“margin”) declined approximately 3.0% from 19.3% in 2008 to 16.3% in 2009. In 2008, electronic payment processing costs were reduced by $250,000 due to a reduction of a reserve recorded in 2007 for a charge-back loss relating to one merchant. The $250,000 reduction in charge-back cost between years reduced the margin by .4% between years. A lower contribution to margin from acquired portfolios contributed an additional .3% to the decline in margin. The remaining decline in margin of 2.3% is attributable to lower fee levels charged to a number of new and existing merchants because of competitive pricing pressures and to increased contractual residual rates paid to some third-party sales referral sources coupled with the impact on margin of the mix of new merchants sold by such third-parties.
Excluding electronic payment processing costs, other costs decreased $878,000 between years including $488,000 resulting from an impairment loss in 2008. Other costs excluding the effect of the impairment provision in 2008 decreased $390,000 or 5% between years. Depreciation and amortization cost (excluding the impairment provision in 2008) further decreased $487,000 between years. The $487,000 decrease in depreciation and amortization cost is principally due to a previously acquired portfolio intangible asset becoming fully amortized during 2009. Remaining costs increased $97,000 between years as the result of an increase in the use and cost of services related to information technology and an increase in advertising costs between years. Increases in personnel related costs due to growth in sales and customer positions were substantially offset by reduced use of outside professional services and reductions in other operating costs.
Income before income taxes increased $15,000 to $4,353,000 in 2009 from $4,338,000 in 2008. The decrease in the dollar margin of operating revenues less EPP processing costs was only slightly more than offset by cost reductions between years in other expenses, principally amortization costs.
Payment processing revenues increased $8,500,000 or 16% between periods principally due to organic revenue growth. Acquired portfolios contributed approximately 2% of the increase between years as the result of acquiring two merchant portfolios during 2007 and 2008. The remaining increase of 14% reflects organic revenue growth principally derived from an increase in the average number of merchants under contract between years of 13%. The average monthly processing volume per merchant increased 1% between years. The slight increase in the average monthly processing volume per merchant in 2008 reflects a combination of growth in sales volume from existing merchants and the year over year effect of the addition during the first half of 2007 of several higher than average processing volume merchants with such aforementioned increases partially offset by the effect of new merchants added in 2008 being smaller in terms of average monthly processing volumes. The overall increase in the average processing volume per merchant in 2008 occurred in months during the first half of 2008 with months in the latter half of 2008 experiencing year over year declines which we believe were primarily attributable to the recessionary economic environment in the United States.
Electronic payment processing costs increased $6,007,000 or 13% between years with 2% of the increase resulting from acquired portfolios. Organic electronic payment processing costs increased 11% between years. In 2007, a reserve for a charge-back loss related to one merchant in the amount of $1,800,000 was recorded as part of electronic payment processing costs. In 2008, $250,000 of such reserve was determined to no longer be required and was included as a reduction of electronic processing costs. If for comparison purposes the aforementioned provisions related to the charge-back loss were eliminated from electronic payment processing costs in both years, electronic payment processing costs increased 19% between years. The margin of revenues less electronic payment processing costs, excluding the effects of the charge-back loss provisions in both years, declined approximately 2% from 21% in 2007 to 19% in 2008. The decline in such margin is attributable to both lower fee levels charged to a number of new and existing merchants because of competitive pricing pressures and to increased residual percentages paid to some third-party sales referral sources.
Overall expenses including electronic payment processing costs increased $6,681,000 or 13% between years. Excluding depreciation and amortization and electronic payment processing costs, all other costs decreased 2% between years as the result of cost savings realized through a consolidation of sales offices during the periods and other cost reduction efforts. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $768,000 between years. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense is partially due to an impairment charge of $488,000 to reduce customer merchant intangibles related to a previously acquired portfolio of merchants to fair value and the acquisition of merchant portfolios between years.
Income before income taxes increased 65% or $1,706,000 to $4,338,000 for the year ended 2008 from $2,632,000 for the year ended 2007. The improvement in earnings is the result of growth in electronic payment processing revenue and the non-recurrence of the reserve for the charge-back loss related to one merchant that occurred in 2007. The improvement in earnings also resulted from the Company’s ability to reduce non-electronic payment processing costs between years.
Web Hosting
The segment derives revenue primarily from monthly recurring fees from hosting websites, including monthly plans for shared hosting, dedicated servers and virtual instances. Web hosting revenue between periods increased $782,000, or 4%, to $18,846,000 for 2009 over 2008 due to improved revenue per plan and organic growth of hosted virtual instances, which was a new service offering successfully launched in the third quarter of 2008. NTS sales promotions and service and plan enhancements failed to drive growth in plans but did help to improve revenue.
The increase in revenue reflects an increase in average revenue per plan of 9% to $289.12 from $265.54 offset by a decrease in the average number of total plans by 2,844 for 2009 as compared to 2008, or 4%, to 65,184 from 68,028. Improvement in revenue per plan primarily reflects the greater growth in virtual instances, customers gravitating towards higher-end services combined with additional options, and is also a result of a price change to our lowest priced plan in the third quarter of 2008. The average number of dedicated server plans, which generate a higher monthly fee versus shared hosting plans, decreased by 86 between periods, or 4%, to an average of 2,172 per month from an average of 2,258 per month for 2008. The average number of shared hosting plans decreased 2,890, or 4%, to an average of 62,865 per month for 2009, from an average of 65,755 per month for 2008. The trend in decreasing total shared and dedicated plan counts began in the fourth quarter of 2008. This change in trend reflects the continuing economic conditions, which started impacting the web hosting segment in the fourth quarter of 2008, along with increased competition, a deliberate price increase by the hosting division to improve profitability of the lowest priced plans, and the move of high-end shared users and low-end dedicated users to the virtual instance plan.
Total segment expenses increased by 1%, or $180,000, as compared to the 4%, or $782,000, growth in revenues for 2009. The majority of the 1% or $180,000 increase in expenses between periods reflects an increase in other general and administrative costs of $270,000, an increase in salaries and benefits of $348,000, an increase in interest expense of $40,000, and an increase in professional fees of $177,000 offset by a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense of $655,000. The increase in other general and administrative costs was primarily due to a $77,000 increase in SSL certificates and domain
costs, a $129,000 increase in rent and utilities, a $35,000 increase in marketing, a $25,000 increase in processing costs, a $45,000 increase in office and other costs and a $116,000 increase in bad debt expense, mainly attributable to the poor economic environment. The increases were offset in part by an $81,000 decrease in internet and communications, a result of renegotiations of internet and telephone contracts, and an approximate decrease of $76,000 in licenses and permits. Salaries and benefits increased $348,000, at a higher rate than revenue growth mainly due to the increase in benefit costs. The $655,000 decrease in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to the intangible assets (the customer account and noncompete covenant from the time of acquisition) being fully amortized at June 30, 2009 and the slowing of capital expenditures as a result of consolidation efforts in the shared segment to allow for more efficient use of the already existing equipment within the datacenter and the decrease in the number of dedicated sites. The increase of $177,000 in professional fees was due to higher legal and audit fees in 2009.
Income before income taxes increased 18% or $590,000 to $3,925,000 for 2009 from $3,335,000 for 2008. The improvement in profitability primarily resulted from increased web site plan revenue; effectively, imbedded rent, utility and software licensing fees contributed more revenue. The slowing of capital expenditures and the intangible assets becoming fully amortized in the first half of the year contributed to the improvement in income as well in 2009. Due to management’s focus on cost efficiency, continued growth in revenue should result in improved future profits and margins.
The segment derives revenue primarily from monthly recurring fees from hosting websites, including monthly plans for shared hosting, dedicated servers and virtual instances. Web hosting revenue between periods increased $1,975,000, or 12%, to $18,064,000 for 2008 over 2007 due to organic growth of hosted plans. NTS utilized sales promotions and service and plan enhancements to help drive growth in plan counts and revenue. A change in pricing for the lowest priced shared hosting plan increased revenue and profitability with little customer attrition. In addition, in 2008 NTS successfully launched a Microsoft Hyper-V virtual instance plan, a new service offering that permits the creation of virtual private servers.
The increase in revenue reflects an increase in the average number of total plans by 5,038 in 2008 as compared to 2007, or 8%, to 68,028 from 62,990 as well as an increase in average revenue per plan of 4% to $265.54 from $255.42. Improvement in revenue per site primarily reflects the greater growth in dedicated server plans in 2008 over 2007: the average number of dedicated server plans, which generate a higher monthly fee versus shared hosting plans, increased by 270 between periods, or 14%, to an average of 2,258 per month from an average of 1,988 per month for the year ended 2007 while the average number of shared hosting plans increased 4,753, or 8%, to an average of 65,755 per month for the year ended 2008, from an average of 61,002 per month for the year ended 2007. This increase in plans occurred during the first three quarters of the year; total shared and dedicated plan counts decreased in the fourth quarter of 2008. This change in trend reflects economic conditions in the fourth quarter of 2008, increased competition, a deliberate price increase by the hosting division to improve profitability of the lowest priced plans, and the move of high-end shared users and low-end dedicated users to the new Hyper-V virtual instance plan.
Total segment expenses increased at a slower rate than revenues year over year. The majority of the 9% or $1,276,000 increase in expenses between periods reflects an increase in other general and administrative costs of $791,000, an increase in salaries and benefits of $540,000, and an increase in depreciation and amortization of $198,000 offset by a decrease in interest expense of $254,000. Removing the interest expense component from total expenses results in a 12% rate of growth, which is equal to web site revenue growth. As a percent of sales, other general and administrative costs and salaries and benefits maintained the same margin as in 2007, while depreciation and amortization decreased. As described below, the rate of expense increase for 2008 over 2007 decreased substantially from that experienced in 2007 over 2006.
The increase in other general and administrative costs was primarily due to a $513,000 increase in rent and utilities reflecting NTS’s move to a larger datacenter location in the second half of 2007 with greater capacity to support its growing business. The Company believes that the new space should be sufficient to house growth beyond 2009. The increase in other general and administrative expenses included a $89,000 increase in additional software licenses required for additional servers, a $128,000 increase in marketing costs, $80,000 increase in credit card processing costs and a $7,000 increase in general office and other miscellaneous costs, offset partially by a $26,000 decrease in telephone and internet costs. Salaries and benefits increased $540,000, at a slightly higher rate than revenue growth, due to the addition of sales, marketing and customer service personnel to existing staff from the fourth quarter of 2007 into the first six months of 2008. The increase in salaries and benefits during this time frame was in anticipation of higher growth in sales than actually experienced. In line with the current growth trend and the cost cutting initiatives of the Company, management revised its staffing needs into the future and the Company believes that salaries and benefits should remain fairly stable into 2009. The $198,000 increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to capital expenditures between periods of approximately $2,046,000 for additional website hosting servers, data center infrastructure equipment and the acquisition of website software. The increase in operating expenses was offset, in part, by a $254,000 decrease in interest expense due to lower borrowings during 2008 and the repayment of the TICC note payable in the third quarter of 2007 which caused the 2007 interest expense to be burdened by a non-recurring charge associated with the write-off of the remaining $135,000 deferred financing costs relating to the TICC note.
Income before income taxes increased 21% or $575,000 to $3,335,000 for the year ended 2008 from $2,760,000 for the year ended 2007. The improvement in profitability primarily resulted from increased web site plan sales utilizing more of the new datacenter; imbedded rent, utility and software licensing fees effectively contributed more revenue. Maintenance of current staffing levels in the third and fourth quarter of 2008 and the reduction in interest expense contributed to the improvement in income as well. As more of the new data center’s capacity continues to be utilized, profits and margins should continue to improve.
Small Business Finance
Revenue is derived primarily from premium on loan sales generated by the sale of the guaranteed and unguaranteed portions of SBA loans, interest income on SBA loans held for investment, servicing fee income on the guaranteed portions of SBA loans previously sold, servicing income for loans originated by other lenders for which NSBF is the servicer, and receivable factoring and billing services, classified as other income above, provided by Newtek Business Credit (“NBC”). Most SBA loans originated by NSBF charge an interest rate equal to the Prime rate plus an additional percentage amount; the interest rate resets to the current Prime rate on a monthly or quarterly basis which will result in changes to the amount of interest accrued for that month and going forward and a re-amortization of a loan’s payment amount until maturity.
NSBF substantively resumed originating new loans in the fourth quarter of 2009 due to improved market conditions for sale of guaranteed portions and the increase of the guaranty percentage to 90% resulting from provisions under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Loan originations had primarily ceased in the fourth quarter of 2008, although loan fundings and sales continued through the first quarter of 2009, and the Company proceeded to originate one new loan in the second quarter of 2009 and one additional loan in the third quarter of 2009. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company originated 14 loans. The Company sold 33 guaranteed portions in the year ended December 31, 2009 representing unsold 2008 production and 2009 originations. 2009 sales aggregated $19,941,000 and produced $1,652,000 of revenue compared to 57 guaranteed portions sold aggregating $14,163,000 that produced $474,000 of revenue for the prior year. Premium income for 2009 benefited in part from a change in the method of valuing servicing assets created at the time of sale for those
guaranteed portions sold at par : to more appropriately value the servicing asset, management utilized a discounted cash flow model, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount and is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. The premium earned on those portions sold at par through March 31, 2009 in the amount of $446,000, reflected the valuation of the newly created servicing assets, not cash earned at the time of the sales. As indicated above, as a result of the secondary market returning to somewhat normalized levels beginning late in the second quarter 2009, the Company began to originate and sell loans at a premium again. Loans sold during this period aggregated $12,658,000 and had an average premium of 108.78%. Premiums on guaranteed loan sales during 2008 averaged 106.7%.
Servicing fee income related to SBA loans decreased by $146,000 due to a decrease in the NSBF loan servicing portfolio and an increase in non-performing loans, as well as a reduction in the fee income associated with a discontinued SBA portfolio servicing contract for a savings bank in New York which totaled $136,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $165,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The average NSBF servicing portfolio for 2009 was $125,291,000 compared with $127,323,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 while the average nonperforming servicing portfolio increased from $19,318,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $31,708,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009. Within its own portfolio NSBF only earns servicing income on the performing loans. In October 2009 Newtek signed an agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) to provide servicing for the FDIC’s SBA loan portfolio taken from failed banks. Although the benefits of the contract cannot be estimated at this time, the amount of servicing fee income associated with the contract could be material to the performance of the segment in 2010. In addition, Newtek signed a separate agreement with the FDIC to provide consulting services regarding SBA loans at banks the FDIC is closing which could also provide material segment revenue in 2010.
Interest income decreased by $1,141,000 due primarily to a decrease in the average interest rate being charged to borrowers from 8.18% to 6.34% due to a reduction in the prime rate, a decrease in the average outstanding portfolio from $34,998,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 to $29,980,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, and an increase in the nonperforming portfolio from an average of 16.8% of the NSBF portfolio to 26.0% for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The expansion of non-performing loans as a percent of the overall portfolio reflects both the effects of the economy on NSBF’s borrowers as well as the lack of new loan origination in 2009 to maintain the size of the portfolio. As NSBF continues to originate and fund new loans in increasing volume, then its performing portfolio will continue to expand offsetting loans which normally pay down principal and default, increasing its opportunity to earn interest and servicing income; however, the current 90% guaranty effectively leaves less non-guaranteed portions on the books of NSBF after the sale of the guaranteed portions which will slow NSBF’s ability to grow its portfolio.
Other income increased by $64,000 due primarily to a reduction in a contingent liability booked in connection with the acquisition of CCC in 2002 and by income earned on the FDIC consulting contract in the amount of $17,000 in 2009 as compared to no revenue earned in 2008 as well as an increase in revenue earned by Newtek Business Credit. For the year ended December 31, 2009, NBC had revenue of $1,432,000 and purchased $20,572,000 of receivables from an average customer base of 119 compared to revenue of $1,406,000 on $18,432,000 of receivables purchased with an average customer base of 122 for the year ended December 31, 2008. This increase was offset by a decrease in other revenue earned by NSBF in the amount of $103,000 attributable to a decrease in the number of loans prepaying, late payments and loan origination fee income. In addition, Small Business Lending, the holding company for NSBF recognized $60,000 in referral fee income in 2008 as compared to $9,000 of corresponding revenue earned in 2009.
Salaries and benefits decreased by $1,376,000 as a result of staffing cutbacks in sales and origination staff in connection with the lending operation that began in the fourth quarter of 2008 and were completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Year over year savings totaled $1,468,000. NSBF believes it currently has adequate staff to service its portfolio and originate loans with the capability to quickly hire staff or obtain the services of independent contractors as needed for its own operations as well as to meet the needs of the FDIC contracts. This savings was offset by an increase in headcount and salaries at NBC of $92,000 related to sales efforts for the same period. Combined average annual headcount decreased by 35% from 49 for 2008 to 32 for 2009.
After deducting the amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the lines of credit held by NSBF and NBC of $631,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and $344,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, interest expense decreased from $1,476,000 to $1,141,000 for the same periods, respectively. This decrease was attributable to a decrease in the prime lending rate on which the financing costs are based from a weighted average of 5.02% to a rate of 3.25% period over period. This decrease in the Prime rate was offset by an increase in the spread over prime being charged by both GE and Wells. In 2008, the average spread over the weighted average Prime for the GE facility was 0.39% whereas in 2009, the average spread was 2.84%. For the Wells Fargo line, the average spread over the weighted average Prime for the years ended 2008 and 2009 was 2.57% and 4.25%, respectively. These increases in spread were offset by a decrease in the average
amount outstanding under the GE credit facility. The average amount outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $21,863,000 as compared with $14,798,000 during the same period in 2009. Interest on the Wells Fargo facility was charged on a minimum of $2,000,000 in both years.
Professional fees decreased by $16,000 due primarily to reductions in accounting fees and recruitment expenses of $196,000 at NSBF. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in legal expenses year over year attributable to reductions in contingent liabilities as a result of favorable legal settlements in 2008 at NSBF and NBC.
Consideration in arriving at the provision for loan loss includes past and current loss experience, current portfolio composition, future estimated cash flows, and the evaluation of real estate and other collateral as well as current economic conditions. The provision for loan loss decreased year over year by $697,000. The reserve for loan losses as compared to gross portfolio balance increased from $3,420,000 or 9.08% at December 31, 2008 to $3,985,000 or 13.87% at December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, total impaired non-accrual loans amounted to $8,234,000 and $5,605,000, respectively, with $3,043,000 or 37.0% and $2,051,000 or 36.6% of the allowance for loan losses being allocated against such impaired non-accrual loans, respectively. The year over year increase in the reserve balance on an absolute and as a percentage of impaired non-accrual loans reflects the effects the recession has had on NSBF’s borrowers’ business performance and the reduction in the value of the borrowers’ assets underlying the impaired, nonaccrual loans as well as lengthening the time to liquidate such loans.
Other general and administrative costs decreased by $221,000 due primarily to an overall reduction in office and overhead related expenses due to a reduction in headcount at NSBF and a reduction in bad debt expense at NBC. The Company also experienced a reduction in loan processing fees due to the suspension of loan originations for the majority of 2009
Although segment revenues fell $45,000 or less than 1% period over period, the Company’s cost cutting efforts successfully reduced segment expenses by $3,898,000 or 29%, reducing the loss before income taxes by $3,853,000 or 63% to $(2,295,000) for the year ended December 31, 2009 from a loss of $(6,148,000) for the year ended December 31, 2008. This improvement came despite NSBF’s effectively ceasing its primary operation, loan originations, for the first three quarters of 2009.
Revenue is derived primarily from premium on loan sales generated by the sale of the guaranteed and unguaranteed portions of SBA loans, interest income on SBA loans held for investment, servicing fee income on the guaranteed portions of SBA loans previously sold, servicing income for loans originated by other lenders for which NSBF is the servicer, and financing and billing services, classified as other income above, provided by NBC. Most SBA loans originated by NSBF charge an interest rate equal to the Prime rate plus an additional percentage amount; the interest rate resets to the current Prime rate on a monthly or quarterly basis which will result in changes to the amount of interest accrued for that month and going forward and a re-amortization of a loan’s payment amount until maturity.
Premium on loan sales related to SBA loans decreased by $2,440,000 to $474,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 from $2,914,000 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in premium on loan sales resulted from a reduction in loan originations, reduction in guaranteed portion sales, and a reduction in guaranteed portion price premiums during 2008 directly attributable to price deterioration in the SBA secondary market. Beginning in the third quarter of 2008, premiums on guaranteed portions declined precipitously reflecting the extraordinary rise in LIBOR, the interest rate on which buyers price their purchases, against the decline in the Prime rate, the interest rate to which SBA loans are set: brokers quoted prices of 101% to 103% for guaranteed portions at the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2008, accelerating a downward trend that saw the Company recognize an average premium on loan sales of 106.7% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 compared with an average of 109.2% for the same period in 2007. Lack of premium reduced profitability and cash flow, resulting in NSBF defaulting on its credit line with GE in the fourth quarter of 2008. Although the Company was able to get GE to waive the default, the Company ceased the approval of new loan commitments and curtailed the sale of the guaranteed portions of loans until the markets stabilize and pricing returns to more favorable terms. The Company significantly reduced overhead during the 4th quarter of 2008 but continues to service its loan portfolio and maintains systems and personnel to resume lending once favorable terms return to the market. A direct result of the decision to restrict the sale of loans is the increase in the loans held for sale balance period over period. At December 31, 2008, the balance of loans held for sale was $6,133,000 as compared to a balance of $360,000 at December 31, 2007. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the Company sold 57 guaranteed loans, aggregating $14,163,000 compared to 139 loans sold aggregating $34,277,000 in the same period for the prior year. Subsequent to year end and through March 13, 2009, the Company sold $4,500,000 of loans, all at par with an average 3.4% serving strip, to reduce outstanding indebtedness on its borrowing line.
The decrease in premium on loan sales also reflected the Company’s decision not to sell the unguaranteed portion of SBA loans in 2008. This was attributable to the significant reduction in market demand for the unguaranteed portion of SBA loans or loans classified as held for investment. The Company sold $2,855,000 of loans previously classified as held for investment, for aggregate proceeds of $2,986,000 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. The carrying value above the amounts sold, or $131,000, was recorded as premium on loan sales. Also, in connection with this sale and included in premium on loan sales was an additional $211,000, representing the allocated portion of the remaining discount recorded at the time of loan origination, for total premium recognized of $342,000.
Servicing fee income related to SBA loans decreased by $178,000 from $1,949,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 to $1,771,000 for the twelve month period ended December 31, 2008. This decrease was attributable to the decrease of the NSBF servicing portfolio year over year. The Company’s average portfolio on which servicing fee income is earned was $127,233,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 compared with $133,902,000 for the corresponding prior twelve month period. Over the same period, NSBF experienced a reduction in the servicing fee retained on the newly originated guaranteed portion of SBA loans sold at a premium from an average of 1.18% for the twelve months of 2007 to an average of 1.00%, the minimum allowed by the SBA, for the same period in 2008. This reduction in servicing fee percentages will continue to negatively impact servicing fee income in the future at current portfolio levels.
While the average outstanding portfolio decreased from $35,189,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007 to $34,998,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, the decrease in interest income of $897,000 was due primarily to a decrease in the weighted average interest rate being charged to borrowers from 10.62% to 7.78% as a direct result of a decrease in the prime rate to which SBA loans are tied.
Other income decreased by $990,000 to $1,879,000 due to primarily to a decrease in revenue earned by NBC. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, NBC had revenue of $1,400,000 and purchased $18,432,000 of receivables from an average customer base of 34 compared to revenue of $2,118,000 on $21,171,000 of receivables purchased with an average customer base of 45 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. Additionally, in 2007 NSBF recorded a $161,000 recovery of a loan that was charged off several years ago, and $59,000 of income recognized in connection with the recovery of expenses associated with the sale of OREO properties.
Salaries and benefits decreased by $223,000 due primarily to staffing cutbacks and the restructuring of NSBF’s bonus program, both of which were completed during the fourth quarter of 2008. These were a result of the decision to cease loan originations due to the current business and economic conditions discussed above. Fourth quarter reductions should decrease salaries and benefits on a full year basis in 2009.
Professional fees for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 increased by $188,000 primarily due to an increase in audit related and consulting expenses, which were offset by a reduction in NSBF and NBC contingent liabilities as a result of favorable legal settlements.
After deducting the amortization of deferred financing costs associated with the lines of credit held by NSBF and NBC of $631,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 and $511,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, interest expense decreased to $1,476,000 from $1,942,000 for the same periods, respectively. This decrease was attributable to a decrease in the prime lending rate on which the financing costs are based, to 5.09% from an average rate of 8.05% for the comparative periods, offset by an increase in the average amount borrowed. Additionally, the amortization of deferred financing costs was accelerated in 2008 by $111,000 as a result of the decrease in borrowing capacity under the GE line of credit. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, the average amount borrowed under the GE facility was $21,863,000 as compared to $18,985,000 during the same period in 2007.
The provision for loan losses increased by $1,690,000 to $2,530,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 from $840,000 for the corresponding prior period. The average reserve as a percent of the NSBF portfolio increased from 7.04% to 10.91%, reflecting management’s outlook for the 2009 economy and net charge-offs increased from $1,001,000 to $1,347,000 for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The average non-performing portfolio increased from $5,637,000 to $5,778,000, and as a percent of the overall portfolio, increased from 16.1% to 16.8% for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. This increase in nonperforming loans is attributable to the slowing economy as well as the portfolio being more seasoned and as a result higher non-performing percentages are expected as compared with earlier years. Consideration in arriving at the provision for loan loss included past and current loss experience, current portfolio composition and the evaluation of real estate collateral as well as current economic conditions.
Although management has implemented significant cost saving measures as well as brought in new management to increase business at NBC, such initiatives have not yet materialized to a significant level to support the goodwill recorded at the time of acquisition. As such, we recorded a write-down of $774,000 of the goodwill in 2008.
The decrease in other general and administrative costs is primarily attributable to NSBF recording a recovery of $380,000 in the servicing asset valuation allowance as a result of an increase to the fair market value of certain servicing rights for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. This increase is attributable to a reduction in loan prepayment rates that off-set an increase in the default rate and the discount rate used to calculate the servicing asset fair market value: the servicing portfolio is expected to last longer and therefore pay more servicing fees over its life. The servicing asset will continue to be examined periodically, and may fluctuate in future periods based on loan performance and interest rates. Conversely, the servicing asset was written down by $119,000 during the prior twelve months, resulting in a net change of $499,000 between periods. Office related expenses decreased during the twelve months ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. Additional office related expenses were incurred during the first three months of 2007 associated with the Company’s move. Additionally, significant cost savings measures were implemented at NBC throughout the latter half of 2007 and 2008. Such measures resulted in a reduction in general and administrative costs period over period of $234,000.
The $5,672,000 increase in loss for the respective twelve month periods primarily resulted from the reduction in premium, interest and other income, and an increase in provision for loan losses at NSBF. The remainder reflected losses at NBC due to the drop in revenue as well as the impairment of goodwill that was only partially offset by a reduction in expenses.
Capcos
As described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted fair value accounting for its financial assets and financial liabilities concurrent with its election of the fair value option for substantially all credits in lieu of cash, notes payable in credits in lieu of cash and prepaid insurance. These are the financial assets and liabilities associated with the Company’s Capco notes that are reported within the Company’s Capco segment. The table above reflects the effects of the adoption of fair value measurement on the income and expense items (income from tax credits, interest expense and insurance expense) related to the revalued financial assets and liability for the years ended 2009 and 2008. In addition, the net change to the revalued financial assets and liability for the years ended 2009 and 2008 is reported in the line “Net change in fair market value of Credits in lieu of cash and Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash”. The results for 2007 reflect the previous use of cost basis accounting for these assets and liabilities.
Revenue is derived primarily from non-cash income from tax credits. The decrease in income from tax credits revenue for 2009 versus 2008 reflects the effect of the lower interest rate used under fair value accounting. The amount of future income from tax credits revenue will fluctuate with future interest rates. However, over future periods, the amount of tax credits, and therefore the income the Company will recognize, will decrease to zero.
Other general and administrative costs decreased by $601,000 or 98% primarily due to the returned premium on three Capco insurance policies, which expired in 2009, in the amount of $471,000 which was credited to Other general and administrative costs.
Expenses consist primarily of management fees and non-cash interest expense. Management fees decreased 44%, or $2,613,000, to $3,289,000 for 2009 from $5,902,000 during 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in management fees during 2009 from five Capcos totaling $634,000 and the recovery of management fees from one Capco totaling approximately $1,982,000 during 2008 which did not reoccur in 2009. Management fees, which are eliminated on consolidation, are expected to continue to decline in the future as the Capcos mature and utilize their cash. If a Capco does not have current or projected cash sufficient to pay management fees then such fees are not accrued.
The Company does not anticipate creating any new Capcos in the foreseeable future and we anticipate that the Capco segment will incur losses going forward through 2010. The Capcos will continue to earn cash investment income on their cash balances and incur cash management fees and operating expenses. The amount of cash available for investment and to pay management fees will be primarily dependent upon future returns generated from investments in qualified businesses. Income from tax credits will consist solely of accretion of the discounted value of the declining dollar amount of tax credits the Capcos will receive in the future; the Capcos will continue to incur non-cash interest expense.
Revenue is derived primarily from non-cash income from tax credits. The increase in revenue for 2008 versus 2007 reflects the effect of the higher interest rate used under fair value accounting than that previously used under cost basis accounting. The amount of future revenue will fluctuate with future interest rates. However, over future periods, the amount of tax credits, and therefore the income the Company will recognize, will decrease to zero.
Expenses consist primarily of management fees and non-cash interest expense. Management fees increased 45%, or $1,841,000, to $5,902,000 for the year ended 2008 from $4,061,000 for the prior year. The net increase was primarily due to the payment of owed but non-accrued management fees from one Capco totaling approximately $1,982,000, offset, in part, by a decline in management fees from two Capcos totaling $141,000 during 2008. Management fees, which are eliminated upon consolidation, are expected to decline in the future as the Capcos mature and utilize their cash. For the year ended 2007, the amortization of the prepaid insurance purchased at the funding date was a major expense component. The revaluation of the notes payable in credits in lieu of cash on January 1, 2008 at a lower interest rate reflecting the risk in the security (as more fully described in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements) resulted in an increase in the liability and a commensurate substantial decrease in the interest expense compared to that under the cost basis of accounting. Because the liability now imbeds the value of the prepaid insurance, the prepaid insurance asset and its amortization have been reduced to zero.
For the year ended 2008, the adoption of fair value accounting for Capco assets and liabilities resulted in a $8,720,000 reduction of the net non-cash loss (calculated by subtracting interest expense and amortization of prepaid insurance, from net change in fair market value of Credits in lieu of cash and Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash and income from tax credits) to $681,000 from that of $9,401,000 for the year ended 2007, which was calculated on a cost basis.
The Company does not anticipate creating any new Capcos in the foreseeable future and the Capco segment will continue to incur losses going forward. The Capcos will continue to earn cash investment income on their cash balances and incur cash management fees and operating expenses. The amount of cash available for investment and to pay management fees will be primarily dependent upon future returns generated from investments in qualified businesses. Income from tax credits will consist solely of accretion of the discounted value of the declining dollar amount of tax credits the Capcos will receive in the future; the Capcos will continue to incur non-cash interest expense.
All Other
The All Other segment includes revenues and expenses primarily from qualified businesses that received investments made through the Company’s Capcos which cannot be aggregated with other operating segments and Newtek Insurance Agency, LLC. As described above, certain entities previously consolidated with the All Other segment were transferred to the Small business finance segment. The table above reflects those changes for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
Revenue increased $338,000, or 16%, for 2009 as compared to 2008. The revenue increase consists of a $670,000 increase in other income primarily due to a $1,000,000 recovery in the second quarter of 2009 related to a qualified investment previously written off, offset by a $223,000 decrease in insurance commissions and a $109,000 decrease in interest income. The decrease in insurance commissions for the year ended 2009 as compared to 2008 was due primarily to staff reduction and reorganization negatively impacting new insurance sales as well as current economic conditions reducing both the demand for new policies as well as coverage levels for existing customers. Interest income decreased as a result of a decrease in cash and cash equivalents during 2009 as compared to 2008.
Salaries and benefits decreased by $947,000, or 37% to $1,624,000 for 2009, as compared to $2,571,000 for 2008, as a result of staff reductions in the insurance agency and other entities. The decrease in professional fees of $169,000, or 52% to $154,000 for 2009 as compared to $323,000 for 2008 was mainly due to a non-reoccurrence of consulting expenses incurred in 2008 relating to a customer data information and communication system offset by a one-time reversal of broker commissions in the second quarter of 2008 in addition to a reduction in commission expense on two insurance portfolios during 2009.
Loss before income taxes decreased by $1,627,000 during 2009 as compared to 2008, primarily due to the increase in revenues of $338,000 and the decrease in total expenses of $1,289,000.
Revenue decreased $1,688,000, or 45% to $2,075,000 for the year ended 2008, from $3,763,000 in the prior year. The decrease consists primarily of a $1,325,000 reduction in other income which was due to greater gains on the sale/recoveries of investments in qualified businesses totaling $252,000 for year ended 2008 versus $1,469,000 in 2007. Interest income decreased by $498,000 as a result of a decrease in cash and cash equivalents as well as declining interest rates during the year ended 2008 as compared to the prior year.
Salaries and benefits increased by $256,000, or 11% to $2,571,000 for the year ended 2008, as compared to $2,315,000 for 2007, primarily due to the increased expense associated with additional customer service and sales staff for the insurance agency and Texas investments in a customer support and call center. The Company expects salaries and benefits to decline into 2009 as the Company continues to implement cost-cutting measures to bring expenses in-line with expected sales growth. Professional fees declined by $232,000, or 42% to $323,000 for year ended 2008 primarily due to the one-time reversal of approximately $150,000 in Newtek Insurance Agency broker commissions related to a book of business from prior to 2005. Other general administrative costs increased by $111,000, or 11% to $1,081,000 for the year ended 2008, as compared to $970,000 for 2007, primarily due to a write down of a $140,000 debt investment deemed impaired.
Loss before income taxes increased by $1,738,000 in 2008 as compared with 2007 primarily due to the decrease in total revenue of $1,688,000 and the increase in total expenses of $50,000 from 2007 to 2008.
Corporate activities
The Corporate activities segment implements business strategy, directs marketing, provides technology oversight and guidance, coordinates and integrates activities of the other segments, contracts with alliance partners, acquirers customer opportunities and owns our proprietary NewTracker™ referral system and all other intellectual property rights. This segment includes revenue and expenses not allocated to other segments, including interest income, Capco management fee income and corporate operations expenses.
Revenue is derived primarily from management fees earned from the Capcos, which amount to 2.5% of certified capital and are eliminated in consolidation. Management fee revenue decreased 45%, or $2,613,000, to $3,164,000 for the year ended 2009 from $5,777,000 during 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the recovery of management fees from one Capco totaling approximately $1,982,000 during 2008 which did not reoccur in 2009. Management fees are expected to decline in the future as the Capcos mature and utilize their cash. If a Capco does not have current or projected cash sufficient to pay management fees then such fees are not accrued.
Expenses declined $1,999,000, or 18%, for 2009 as compared to 2008. As a result of the Company’s cost cutting initiatives, salaries and benefits decreased $1,679,000 or 26% to $4,683,000 for 2009 from $6,362,000 for 2008 and other general and administrative costs decreased $199,000 or 7% to $2,535,000 for 2009 from $2,734,000 for 2008. Professional fees decreased $138,000, or 8%, in 2009 as compared to 2008 due to decreased audit fees. The Company expects salaries and benefits and other general and administrative costs to remain static at its current level into 2010. The Company does not believe that the reductions will impact the management of the Company’s businesses.
Revenue is derived primarily from management fees earned from the Capcos, which may equal up to 2.5% of certified capital. Management fee revenue increased 47%, or $1,841,000, to $5,777,000 for the year ended 2008 from $3,936,000 for the year ended 2007. The net increase was primarily due to the recovery of management fees from two Capcos totaling approximately $1,982,000 during the year ended 2008, offset by a decline in management fees from two Capcos totaling $141,000 during the same period. Management fees, which are eliminated upon consolidation, are expected to decline in the future as the Capcos mature and utilize their cash. If a Capco does not have current or projected cash sufficient to pay management fees, then such fees are not accrued. Interest income declined 60% from the prior year, or $65,000, to $44,000 for the year ended 2008 from $109,000 reflecting a reduction in interest income on cash investments due to a decrease in both the rate of interest received on the investments and the amount of cash on hand.
Expenses declined $1,512,000, or 12%, during the year ended 2008 from the prior year. As a result of the Company’s cost cutting initiatives, salaries and benefits decreased $1,016,000 or 14%, professional fees decreased $252,000 or 13% and other general and administrative costs decreased $288,000 or 10% as compared to the prior year.
Liquidity Risk
The Company believes that its cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flow from operations will provide sufficient liquidity to meet its short- and long-term operating and capital needs except regarding its credit line from GE discussed below. Given the current state of the debt and equity markets, the Company’s ability to access private and public debt and equity markets has been diminished. The cost of issuing equity, common or preferred, if possible, could be expensive to the Company’s current common shareholders, either by dilution, reduced future cash flows, or both. There can be no assurance that the Company could enter the short- or long-term debt markets to meet its funding needs if required.
On August 13, 2008, the Company received a staff deficiency letter from the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) indicating that, for the prior 30 consecutive days, the bid price for Newtek’s common stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share requirement for continued inclusion on the Nasdaq Global Market under Marketplace Rule 4450(a)(5) (the “Rule”). In accordance with Marketplace Rule 4450(e)(2), the Company was given 180 calendar days, or until February 9, 2009, to regain compliance with the Rule. On November 29, 2009, our shares were moved from trading on The Nasdaq Global Market to the Nasdaq Capital Market. The minimum bid price for shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market is $1.00. The Company was given 180 calendar days, or until May 29, 2010, to regain compliance with the Rule. On February 22, 2010, Nasdaq notified the Company that, due to the increase in the trading price of the common shares, we were in full compliance with all applicable Nasdaq Capital Market listing requirements, and no longer at risk of being delisted. As compliance with the minimum trading price for common shares is beyond our control, there can be no assurance that the price will remain above $1.00 indefinitely and, therefore, no assurance that the threat of delisting can be avoided. In the event that the common shares are delisted, there can be no assurance that an active public market for our shares can be sustained or that current trading levels can be sustained or not diminished.
Management of Newtek expects to have three basic working capital requirements in the near-term. These are:
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working capital needed for the SBA lender;
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working capital for operating our current businesses;
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working capital required for parent company operations.
The Company primarily relies on outside funding sources to finance the operations of its Small business finance segment. The loss of these lines of credit would materially impact these businesses; in such circumstances they might have to liquidate assets to pay off the lines of credit and substantially reduce their operations. Given current conditions in the market for financial assets, no assurance can be given that the amounts resulting from liquidation of their assets would be sufficient to pay off the line amounts. In particular, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to replace the Credit Line with GE, in place until May 2010 and more fully described below. Failure to obtain financing would have a material adverse effect on our business. See “Risk Factors - Risks Relating to our SBA Lending Business.” The Company recently announced an agreement in principal with Capital One Bank, a division of Capital One, N.A., for a five year term loan, which would be repaid from the receipts of SBA loan payments, to replace to the credit line with GE as well as the existing term loan with NTS. The term loan is subject to the review and approval of the SBA.
The Company’s Electronic payment processing and Web hosting segments do not rely on outside financing to operate and produce excess cash flow for their operating needs. Both operations may see their cash flow negatively impacted by the contracting economy. Entities within the All other segment have sufficient cash resources to meet their forecasted needs but also could be adversely affected by the recession causing a reduction in demand for their services.
Newtek funds its holding company through cash on-hand, cash flow from operating businesses and the receipt of annual management fees from the Capcos equal to 2.5% of initial funding. However, the cash management fees do not represent revenues to Newtek on a consolidated basis as this is a transfer of funds from Newtek’s Capcos to the holding company, and all intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. These fees from Capcos are expected to decrease over the next few years as the Capcos mature in their business cycle. The Company does not intend to add new Capcos and will rely on expanding the operations of its underlying businesses and cutting costs at the holding company to maintain liquidity. If the operating companies do not continue to grow as expected to produce significant cash flow surpluses, if the capital markets should be inaccessible to Newtek, and if other borrowings are unavailable, the Company will experience a decrease in its liquidity and would be forced to diminish materially its operations so as to conform its expenditures to the cash then available.
The reduction in the availability of credit and a weakening economy have negatively impacted the value of commercial and residential real estate. This has adversely affected the collateral backing the loan portfolio of our SBA Lending segment. As result, defaulted loans in liquidation require longer times to process with increased costs thereby tying up more of the lender’s cash resources. Liquidated properties have more recently yielded smaller recoveries than in previous years, reducing the amount of funds the lender has to invest in new loans.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Cash requirements and liquidity needs over the next twelve months are anticipated to be funded primarily through operating results and available cash and cash equivalents. The SBA lending unit funds its cash requirements and liquidity needs through available cash and cash equivalents and the cash resources of Newtek, but primarily utilizes the $15 million GE line of credit to originate and warehouse the guaranteed and unguaranteed portion of SBA loans. The GE Line of Credit is in place until May 2010 and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to replace the Credit Line with GE or negotiate an alternate arrangement. Failure to obtain financing would have a material adverse effect on our business. See “Risk Factors - Risks Relating to our SBA Lending Business” for a fuller discussion of the GE Line of Credit. The receivables financing unit utilizes the $10 million Wells Fargo line of credit to purchase receivables. There are no cross covenants or collateralization under any of the above lending facilities. The availability of the lending facilities is subject to the compliance with certain covenants and in addition, for the GE and Wells Fargo lines, the amount of collateral and collateral requirements, as set forth in the agreements. The Company guarantees the lines of credit for the subsidiaries: Capital One for the amount borrowed, GE up to $15 million, and Wells Fargo up to $800,000. As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s unused sources of liquidity consisted of $12,581,000 in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, and $759,000 and $315,000 available through the GE, and Wells Fargo lines of credit, respectively.
Restricted cash totaling $6,739,000, which is primarily held in the Capcos, can be used in managing and operating the Capcos, making qualified investments, to repay debt obligations, and for the payment of taxes on capco income.
In summary, Newtek generated and used cash as follows:
Net cash flows provided by operating activities increased $12,668,000 to $3,128,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to net cash flows used in operations of $(9,540,000) for the year ended December 31, 2008, primarily due to our Small business finance segment’s operations. Proceeds from sale of SBA loans held for sale net of Originations of Loans held for sale provided $5,933,000 of cash for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to the usage of $(5,773,000) for the same period last year. In 2009, the Company benefited from selling $6,133,000 of Loans held for sale originated in 2008; however, 2009 results reflect the $6,103,000 creation of a Broker receivable for Loans held for sale traded at year end but not settled; the Company collected that cash subsequent to year end. Our lender derives liquidity and profits from selling guaranteed portions of its SBA 7(a) loan originations.
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities adds back a non-cash expense “Provision for loan losses” primarily related to the operation of the Company’s Small business finance segment. Although Newtek does not pay out this expense in cash, the expense does represent impairment to income generating assets and a potential reduction in future cash flows. For the
year ended December 31, 2009, Provision for loan losses decreased $697,000 to $1,833,000 from $2,530,000 for 2008 primarily due to the diminution of our performing loan portfolio; the weak economy continued to weigh on the performance of our borrowers and value of our collateral in liquidation. Newtek believes its loan loss reserves, which are evaluated monthly on a loan-by-loan basis, along with its collateral monitoring practices, are adequate. Newtek recognizes that the declining prices occurring nationally in the residential real estate and commercial property markets will diminish the collateral backing its loans. Generally, loans within the portfolio are typically repaid by the business’ cash flow and secured by business collateral and personal assets of the business owner and/or guarantors as well as commercial real estate and may also include residential real estate as supplemental collateral. For SBA loans, Newtek follows the SBA standard operating procedure with respect to obtaining collateral on our loans. This typically includes all business assets and frequently includes personal assets of the owners and/or guarantors.
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities primarily includes the purchase of fixed assets and customer accounts, activity regarding the unguaranteed portions of SBA loans, changes in restricted cash and activities involving investments in qualified businesses. Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities increased by $4,930,000 to cash provided of $3,400,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to cash used of $(1,530,000) for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was due primarily to a lesser number of qualified investments made during 2009, $(428,000) , versus 2008, $(3,504,000), offset by a lesser return from qualified investments in 2009, $2,514,000, as compared to the return of $2,932,000 in 2008; an overall decrease in the use of cash of $2,658,000. Cash use was reduced by the reduction in purchases of fixed assets and customer merchant accounts of $1,733,000 to $(1,764,000) for the year ended December 31, 2009, from $(3,497,000) for the year ended December 31, 2008 as the Company elected to purchase fewer merchant portfolios and fixed assets. The change in restricted cash provided $3,261,000 less cash flows in 2009, or $1,183,000, versus cash flows provided of $4,444,000 in 2008.
The $5,034,000 reduction in the amount of SBA loans originated for investment from $(7,145,000) in 2008 to $(2,111,000) in 2009 was partially offset by the decline in payments received on SBA loans to $3,489,000 in 2009 from $4,796,000 in 2008. In addition, proceeds from the sale of SBA loans held for investment declined $127,000 to $517,000 from $644,000 as the pricing for the un-guaranteed portions became less attractive as the markets for financial assets deteriorated during 2008 and continued through 2009. Although from time-to-time we may sell the unguaranteed portion of our loans, we do not traditionally depend on such sales to fund our operations. However, should we be required to sell unguaranteed portions to reduce or extinguish the GE Line of Credit, continued poor pricing could adversely affect our lender. Overall, SBA loans held for investment provided $3,600,000 more cash in 2009 than 2008, cash flows provided of $1,895,000 versus a use of ($1,705,000).
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities primarily includes repayments on notes payable (AI Credit, the proceeds of which were used to finance Capco activities; TICC, which were funds borrowed by CrystalTech Web Hosting, Inc., and paid off in full in 2007), and the net borrowings (repayments) on bank notes payable to Capital One, Wells Fargo, and GE. Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities decreased by $13,349,000 to a cash use of $(10,799,000) for the year ended December 31, 2009 from cash provided of $2,550,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008. The primary reason for the decrease was the net cash used in the amount of net borrowings (repayments) on bank notes payable increased by $12,901,000 between 2009 and 2008 resulting in a $9,700,000 reduction in Bank notes payable.
The $(4,271,000) decrease in cash and cash equivalents in 2009 primarily reflects a use of cash to fund repayments on bank notes payable and the $6,103,000 increase in Broker receivable from Loans held for sale which had been traded at year end but not settled. The Company’s decision to cease loan originations and resume them when the market for guaranteed portions improved, and implementation of cost cutting initiatives in the Small business finance, All other, and Corporate segments, reduced the Company’s need to use cash to fund operations and enabled it to substantially reduce its bank notes payable. These operational improvements should continue to improve liquidity in the future.
Financing Activities
Newtek historically obtained long-term financing to fund its investments and operations primarily through the issuance of notes to insurance companies through the Capco programs. Through December 31, 2009, Newtek has received in the aggregate $235,718,000 in proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, Capco warrants, and Newtek common shares through the Capco programs. Newtek’s Capcos last issued notes in 2005 and the Company does not anticipate participating in future Capco programs. In 2004, Newtek raised $20,762,000 (net of related offering costs) in a secondary public offering. Newtek’s principal funding requirements have been costs related to the Capco programs ($152,125,000), the acquisitions of NTS and Vistar (both of which totaled $9,836,000), investments in Capco qualified businesses, SBA 7(a) loans, and working capital needs resulting from operating and business development activities of its consolidated operating entities. To finance working capital needs and potential acquisitions, NTS had entered into a loan agreement with Capital One, N.A. which in October of 2009 it converted the $2,500,000 balance of the loan into a term note to be repaid over three years. Newtek has entered into two credit agreements to finance its lending and receivable finance business.
Credit Lines
In September 2005, NSBF closed a three year, $75,000,000 senior revolving loan transaction with General Electric Capital Corp. (“GE”). This facility is primarily utilized to originate and warehouse the guaranteed and unguaranteed portions of loans under the SBA 7(a) loan program and for other working capital purposes. The line is collateralized by the unguaranteed portions and the guaranteed portions of the held-for-sale portion of the SBA loans receivable made by NSBF in addition to all assets of NSBF. Interest on the line is payable monthly in arrears. The agreement includes such financial covenants as minimum capital base thresholds, senior-charge ratios, limitations on capital expenditures and charge-offs, in addition to loan loss reserve requirements. On July 22, 2009 we entered into a Fifth Amendment and Consent to the Credit Agreement which reduced the aggregate total of the credit facility to $15 million, adjusted the interest rate and other terms and extended the maturity date from August 31, 2009 to May 31, 2010 based upon progress shown by NSBF in obtaining a commitment for a replacement lender. As of December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants set in this line.
In February 2007, NBC closed a two year $10,000,000 line of credit with Wells Fargo. In October 2008, NBC entered into a Second Amendment to its Credit and Security Agreement with Wells Fargo that extends the $10,000,000 facility by three years to February 2012. This facility is used to purchase receivables and for other working capital purposes. As of December 31, 2009, NBC had $1,416,000 outstanding under the line of credit. The interest rate is set at 7.50% or Prime plus 2.50%, whichever is higher, with interest on the line being paid monthly in arrears and on a minimum outstanding line balance of $2,000,000. Under the Second Amendment, once NBC exceeds $2,000,000 outstanding under the line of credit, Wells Fargo allows for two alternatives for interest rates, the Prime interest rate plus 2.50%, with a minimum of 7.50%, or Base LIBOR plus 3.50%. Total interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2009 under this line was approximately $186,000. The line is collateralized by the receivables purchased, as well as all other assets of the Company. Through December 31, 2009, NBC has capitalized $198,000 of deferred financing costs attributable to the Wells Fargo line. The agreement includes such financial covenants as minimum tangible net worth, minimum quarterly net income and minimum quarterly net cash flow. As of December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants set in this line.
In October 2007, NTS entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with Capital One Bank, a division of Capital One, N.A., which provides for a revolving credit facility of up to $10,000,000 (the “Loan”) available to both NTS and the Company, for a term of two years for working capital and acquisition needs within the Company’s business lines. In October 2009, at the Company’s option the outstanding principal balance was converted into a 3 year note with equal monthly principal payments. As of December 31, 2009, NTS had $2,361,000 outstanding under the note and the interest rate was 3.25%. Total interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $123,000. The agreement includes such financial covenants as a minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio and a maximum funded debt to EBITDA. As of December 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants set in this line. In connection with the Loan, on October 19, 2007, we entered into a Guaranty of Payment and Performance with Capital One Bank and entered into a Pledge Agreement with Capital One Bank pledging all NTS stock as collateral.
The following chart represents Newtek’s obligations and commitments, as of December 31, 2009, other than Capco debt repayment discussed above, for future cash payments under debt, lease and employment agreements:
(In thousands):
(a) Interest rates range from 4.00% to 7.5%.
(b) Includes:
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GE revolver amount outstanding as of December 31, 2009 which was approximately $12,521,000; the Company does not expect to draw down material amounts in the future.
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$2.5 million Capital One note payable over a three year period commencing 2009. As of December 31, 2009, the amount outstanding was approximately $2,361,000.
(c) Represents $10 million Wells Fargo line assuming the entire amount is outstanding; $1,397,000 borrowed as of December 31, 2009.
This chart excludes distributions for taxes due to Capco minority owners (which cannot be anticipated).
Financing Activities: Capcos
We have deemphasized our Capco business in favor of growing our operating businesses and do not anticipate creating any new Capcos in the foreseeable future.
Overview
A Capco is either a corporation or a limited liability company established in and chartered by one of the nine jurisdictions that currently have authorizing legislation: Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Louisiana, Colorado, New York, Texas and Wisconsin (Missouri has an older program which pre-dates the start of our business and in which we do not participate). Aside from seed capital provided by an organizer such as Newtek, a Capco will issue debt and equity instruments exclusively to insurance companies and the Capcos then are authorized under the respective state statutes to make targeted equity or debt investments in companies. In some states, the law permits Capco investments in majority-owned or primarily controlled companies. In others, such as Louisiana, Colorado, Texas and the most recent programs in New York, there are some limitations on the percentage of ownership a Capco may acquire in a qualified business. In conjunction with the Capcos’ investment in these companies, the Capcos may also provide loans to the companies. In most cases, the tax credits provided by the states are equal to the par amount of investment by the insurance companies in the securities of the Capcos, which can be utilized by them generally over a period of four to ten years. These credits are unaffected by the returns or lack of returns on investments made by the Capcos.
Our Capcos had arranged for the repayment of a portion of the Capco notes by The National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh and The American International Specialty Lines Insurance Company, both affiliates of Chartis, Inc. As of December 31, 2009, all of the required cash payments have been made by these insurers for all of the Capcos. The balance of the repayment obligations for all of our Capcos will result from the availability to the investors of the state tax credits.
Income from Capco Tax Credits
In general, the Capcos issue debt and equity instruments to insurance company investors. For a description of the debt and equity instruments and warrants issued by Newtek’s Capcos, see Note 2 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Capcos then make targeted investments, as defined under the respective state/jurisdiction statutes, with the funds raised. Each Capco has a contractual arrangement with the particular state/jurisdiction that entitles the Capco to receive (earn) tax credits from the state/jurisdiction upon satisfying quantified, defined investment percentage thresholds and time requirements. In order for the Capcos to maintain their state or jurisdiction-issued certifications, the Capcos must make targeted investments in accordance with these requirements, which requirements are consistent with Newtek’s overall business strategy. Each Capco statute provides specific rules and regulations under which the Capcos must operate. For example, the State of Louisiana program precludes the Capco from making controlling and majority-owned investments. Accordingly, investments made by the Louisiana Capco are considered portfolio companies and are majority-owned operated and controlled by their boards of directors and management. These portfolio companies operate independently of Newtek although Newtek participates on the board of directors of these companies (but in all cases we do not control a majority of the board of director positions unless there is a default under the terms of the investment) and makes available to them technology, services and products to sell.
Each Capco also has separate, contractual arrangements with the insurance company investors obligating the capco to pay interest on the aforementioned debt instruments. The Capco may satisfy this interest obligation by delivering the tax credits or paying cash. The insurance company investors have the legal right to receive and use the tax credits and would, in turn, use these tax credits to reduce their respective state tax liabilities in an amount usually equal to 100% (110% in some cases in Louisiana) of their investments in the Capcos. The tax credits generally can be utilized over a four to ten-year period and in some instances are transferable and can be carried forward. Newtek’s revenue from tax credits may be used solely for the purpose of satisfying the Capcos’ obligations to the insurance company investors.
A description is set forth above of the manner in which Newtek and its Capcos account for the tax credit income. See “Critical Accounting Policies-Revenue Recognition.”
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates include:
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allowance for loan losses;
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sales and servicing of SBA loans;
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valuation of intangible assets and goodwill including the values assigned to acquired intangible assets;
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stock-based compensation; and
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income tax valuation allowance.
Management continually evaluates its accounting policies and the estimates it uses to prepare the consolidated financial statements. In general, the estimates are based on historical experience, on information from third party professionals and on various other sources and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the facts and circumstances at the time such estimates are made. The Company’s critical accounting policies are reviewed periodically with the audit committee of the board of directors. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:
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it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made; and
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changes in the estimate, or the use of different estimating methods, could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, which are included in Item 15 in this Form 10-K filing. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically indicated by Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States of America.
Certain of our accounting policies are deemed “critical,” as they require management’s highest degree of judgment, estimates and assumptions. The following critical accounting policies are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies or estimates.
Fair Value Measurements.
As discussed in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 3, Fair Value Measurements” we adopted fair value accounting effective January 1, 2008. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price) and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels for disclosure purposes. The Company carries its credits in lieu of cash, prepaid insurance and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash at fair value. The Company also carries impaired loans, servicing asset and other real estate owned at fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority (Level 1) to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and gives the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). An asset or liability’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of significant input to its valuation. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as certain U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, 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 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes certain U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities, corporate debt securities, derivative contracts and residential mortgage loans held-for-sale.
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. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. This category generally includes certain private equity investments, retained residual interests in securitizations, residential mortgage servicing rights, and highly structured or long-term derivative contracts.
Revenue Recognition.
Electronic payment processing revenue: Electronic payment processing and fee income is derived from the electronic processing of credit and debit card transactions that are authorized and captured through third-party networks. Typically, merchants are charged for these processing services on a percentage of the dollar amount of each transaction plus a flat fee per transaction. Certain merchant customers are charged miscellaneous fees, including fees for handling charge-backs or returns, monthly minimum fees, statement fees and fees for other miscellaneous services. Revenues derived from the electronic processing of MasterCard® and Visa® sourced credit and debit card transactions are reported gross of amounts paid to sponsor banks.
Web Hosting revenue: The Company’s revenues in this segment are primarily derived from monthly recurring services fees for the use of its web hosting and software support services. Customer set-up fees are billed upon service initiation and are recognized as revenue over the estimated customer relationship period of 2.5 years. Deferred revenues represent customer prepayments for upcoming web hosting and related services, and are generally received one month to three years in advance. Such revenues are recognized as services are rendered, provided that evidence of an arrangement exists, the price to the customer is fixed or determinable, no significant Company obligations remain and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured.
Income from tax credits: Following an application process, a state will notify a company that it has been certified as a Capco. The state or jurisdiction then allocates an aggregate dollar amount of tax credits to the Capco. However, such amount is neither recognized as income nor otherwise recorded in the financial statements since it has yet to be earned by the Capco. The Capco is entitled to earn tax credits upon satisfying defined investment percentage thresholds within specified time requirements. Newtek has Capcos in seven states and the District of Columbia. Each statute requires that the Capco invest a threshold percentage of “certified capital” (the funds provided by the insurance company investors) in businesses defined as qualified within the time frames specified. As the Capco meets these requirements, it avoids grounds under the statute for its disqualification for continued participation in the Capco program. Such a disqualification, or “decertification” as a Capco results in a permanent recapture of all or a portion of the allocated tax credits. The proportion of the possible recapture is reduced over time as the Capco remains in general compliance with the program rules and meets the progressively increasing investment benchmarks. As the Capco progresses in its investments in Qualified Businesses and, accordingly, places an increasing proportion of the tax credits beyond recapture, it earns an amount equal to the non-recapturable tax credits and records such amount as income, with a corresponding asset called “credits in lieu of cash” in the balance sheet.
The amount earned and recorded as income is determined by multiplying the total amount of tax credits allocated to the Capco by the percentage of tax credits immune from recapture (the earned income percentage) at that point. To the extent that the investment requirements are met ahead of schedule, and the percentage of non-recapturable tax credits is accelerated, the present value of the tax credit earned is recognized currently and the asset, credits in lieu of cash, is accreted up to the amount of tax credits deliverable to the certified investors. The obligation to deliver tax credits to the certified investors is recorded as notes payable in credits in lieu of cash. On the date the tax credits are utilizable by the certified investors, the Capco decreases credits in lieu of cash with a corresponding decrease to notes payable in credits in lieu of cash.
SBA lending: Interest income on SBA loans is recognized as earned. When a SBA loan is 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest and, in the opinion of management, interest or principal on individual loans is not collectible, or at such earlier time as management determines that the collectibility of such principal or interest is unlikely, the accrual of interest is discontinued and all accrued but uncollected interest income is reversed. Cash payments subsequently received on nonaccrual loans are recognized as income only where the future collection of the recorded value of the SBA loan is considered by management to be probable. Certain related direct costs to originate loans are deferred and amortized over the contractual life of the SBA loan using a method that approximates the effective interest method.
Insurance commissions: Revenues are comprised of commissions earned on premiums paid for insurance policies and are recognized at the time the commission is earned. At that date, the earnings process has been completed and the Company can estimate the impact of policy cancellations for refunds and establish reserves. The reserve for policy cancellations is based on historical cancellation experience adjusted by known circumstances.
Other income: Other income represents revenues derived from operating units that cannot be aggregated with other business segments. In addition, other income represents one time recoveries or gains on investments. Revenue is recorded when there is strong evidence of an agreement, the related fees are fixed, the service and, or product has been delivered, and the collection of the related receivable is assured.
Capco Debt Issuance. The Capco notes require, as a condition precedent to the funding of the notes, that insurance be purchased to cover the risks associated with the operation of its Capcos. This insurance has been purchased from Chartis Specialty Insurance Company and National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, both subsidiaries of Chartis, Inc. (“Chartis”), an international insurer. In order to comply with this condition precedent to the funding, the notes closing is structured as follows: (1) the certified investors wire their funds directly into an escrow account; (2) the escrow agent, pursuant to the requirements under the note and escrow agreement, automatically and simultaneously funds the purchase of the insurance contract from the proceeds received. Newtek’s Capco is not entitled to the use and benefit of the net proceeds received until the escrow agent has completed the purchase of the insurance. The Chartis insurance subsidiaries noted above are “A+, negative outlook” credit rated by Standard & Poor’s.
Under the terms of this insurance, which is for the benefit of the certified investors, the Capco insurer incurs the primary obligation to repay the certified investors a substantial portion of the debt (including all cash payments) as well as to make compensatory payments in the event of a loss of the availability of the related tax credits. The Capco remains secondarily liable for such payments and must periodically assess the likelihood that it will become primarily liable and, if necessary, record a liability at that time. The parent company, Chartis, has not guaranteed the obligations of its subsidiary insurers, although it has committed to move the payment obligations to an affiliated company in the event the Capco insurer is materially downgraded in its credit rating.
Investment Accounting and Valuation. The various interests that the Capcos and Newtek acquire as a result of their investments are accounted for under three methods: consolidation, equity method and cost method. The applicable accounting method is generally determined based on our voting interest in a company and whether the company is a variable interest entity where we are the primary beneficiary , and quarterly valuations are performed so as to keep our records current in reflecting the operations of all of its investments.
Companies in which we directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, those Newtek has effective control over, or are deemed as a variable interest entity that needs to be consolidated , are generally accounted for under the consolidation method of accounting. Under this method, an investment’s results of operations are reflected within the consolidated statement of operations. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated. The results of operations and cash flows of a consolidated entity are included through the latest interim period in which Newtek owned a greater than 50% direct or indirect voting interest, exercised control over the entity for the entire interim period or was otherwise designated as the primary beneficiary. Upon dilution of voting interest at or below 50%, or upon occurrence of a triggering event requiring reconsideration as to the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, the accounting method is adjusted to the equity or cost method of accounting, as appropriate, for subsequent periods.
Companies that are not consolidated, but over which we exercise significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not Newtek exercises significant influence with respect to a company depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation on the board of directors and ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities, including voting rights associated with Newtek’s holdings in common, preferred and other convertible instruments. Under the equity method of accounting, a company’s accounts are not reflected within our consolidated statements of operations; however, Newtek’s share of the investee’s earnings or losses are reflected in other income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
Companies not accounted for under the consolidation or the equity method of accounting are accounted for under the cost method of accounting, for which quarterly valuations are performed. Under this method, our share of the earnings or losses of such companies is not included in the consolidated statements of operations, but the investment is carried at historical cost. In addition, cost method impairment charges are recognized as necessary, in the consolidated statements of operations if circumstances suggest that this is an “other than temporary decline” in the value of the investment, particularly due to losses. Subsequent increases in value, if any, of the underlying companies are not reflected in our financial statements until realized in cash. We record as income amounts previously written off only when and if we receive cash in excess of its remaining investment balance.
On a quarterly basis, the investment committee of each Capco meets to evaluate each of our investments. Newtek considers several factors in determining whether an impairment exists on the investment, such as the companies’ net book value, cash flow, revenue growth and net income. In addition, the investment committee looks at larger variables, such as the economy and the particular company’s industry, to determine if an other than temporary decline in value exists in each Capco’s and Newtek’s investment.
Impairment of Goodwill. Management of the Company considers the following to be some examples of important indicators that may trigger an impairment review outside its annual goodwill impairment review: (i) significant under-performance or loss of key contracts acquired in an acquisition relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (ii) significant changes in the manner or use of the acquired assets or in the Company’s overall strategy with respect to the manner or use of the acquired assets or changes in the Company’s overall business strategy; (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends; (iv) increased competitive pressures; (v) a significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period of time; and (vi) regulatory changes. In assessing the recoverability of our goodwill and intangibles, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. The fair value of an asset could vary, depending upon the estimating method employed, as well as assumptions made. This may result in a possible impairment of the intangible assets and/or goodwill, or alternatively an acceleration in amortization expense. During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, management determined that impairment of goodwill was triggered as a result of the annual impairment test and appropriately recorded a charge in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations of $980,000 and $162,000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the remaining goodwill was determined to not be impaired.
Allowance for SBA Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established by management through provisions for loan losses charged against income. Amounts deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The amount of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective, as it requires making material estimates which may vary from actual results. Management’s ongoing estimates of the allowance for loan losses are particularly affected by the changing composition of the loan portfolio over the last few years. The loans acquired from CCC in December 2002, which are more seasoned than those originated by NSBF, comprise 10% of total loans held for investment as of December 31, 2009. Other portfolio characteristics, such as industry concentrations and loan collateral, which also impacts management’s estimates of the allowance for loan losses, have also changed since the acquisition. The changing nature of the portfolio and the limited past loss experience on the newly originated portfolio has resulted in management’s estimates of the allowance for loan losses being based more on subjective factors, as noted below, and less on empirically derived loss rates.
The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is reviewed by management on a monthly basis at a minimum, and as adjustments become necessary, they are reflected in operations during the periods in which they become known. Considerations in this evaluation include past and current loss experience, risks inherent in the current portfolio and evaluation of real estate collateral as well as current economic conditions. In the opinion of management, the allowance, when taken as a whole, is adequate to absorb estimated loan losses inherent in NSBF’s entire loan portfolio.
The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as either loss, doubtful, substandard or special mention. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that NSBF will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Other factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status and collateral value. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
NSBF’s charge-off policy is based on a loan-by-loan review for which the estimated uncollectible portion of nonperforming loans is charged off against the corresponding loan receivable and the allowance for loan losses.
Sales and Servicing of SBA Loans. NSBF originates loans to customers under the SBA program that generally provides for SBA guarantees of 50% to 90% of each loan, subject to a maximum guarantee amount. NSBF sells the guaranteed portion of each loan to a third party and retains the unguaranteed principal portion in its own portfolio. A gain is recognized on the guaranteed portions of these loans, based on trade date accounting, through collection on sale of a premium over the adjusted carrying value. In each loan sale, the Company retains servicing responsibilities and receives servicing fees of a minimum of 1% of the guaranteed loan portion sold. The Company is required to estimate its adequate servicing compensation in the calculation of its servicing asset. The purchasers of the loans sold have no recourse to the Company for failure of customers to pay amounts contractually due.
Upon sale of the loans to third parties, NSBF separately recognizes at fair value any servicing assets or servicing liabilities first, and then allocates the previous carrying amount between the assets sold and the interests that continue to be held by the transferor (the unguaranteed portion of the loan) based on their relative fair values at the date of transfer. The difference between the proceeds received and the allocated carrying value of the financial assets sold is recognized as a gain on sale of loans.
Each class of servicing assets and liabilities are subsequently measured using either the amortization method or the fair value measurement method. The amortization method, which NSBF has chosen to continue applying to its servicing asset, amortizes the asset in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income on the underlying sold portion of the loans (guaranteed) and assesses the servicing asset for impairment based on fair value at each reporting date. In the event future prepayments are significant or impairments are incurred and future expected cash flows are inadequate to cover the unamortized servicing assets, additional amortization or impairment charges would be recognized. The Company uses an independent valuation specialist to estimate the fair value of the servicing asset.
In evaluating and measuring impairment of servicing assets, NSBF stratifies its servicing assets based on year of loan and loan term which are key risk characteristics of the underlying loan pools. The fair value of servicing assets is determined by calculating the present value of estimated future net servicing cash flows, using assumptions of prepayments, defaults, servicing costs and discount rates that NSBF believes market participants would use for similar assets.
If NSBF determines that the impairment for a stratum is temporary, a valuation allowance is recognized through a charge to current earnings for the amount the amortized balance exceeds the current fair value. If the fair value of the stratum were to later increase, the valuation allowance may be reduced as a recovery. However, if NSBF determines that an impairment for a stratum is other than temporary, the value of the servicing asset and any related valuation allowance is written-down.
Management’s impairment analysis indicated no valuation adjustment for 2009 and a recovery of $120,000 in 2008.
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company records all share-based payments to employees based on their fair values using an option-pricing model at the date of grant.
Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based upon the differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. If available evidence suggests that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
New Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the FASB issued an accounting standard related to fair value measurements, which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. This standard defined fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value, and expanded disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted this accounting standard related to fair value measurements for the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities. The Company deferred adoption of this accounting standard related to fair value measurements for the Company’s nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for those items recognized or disclosed at fair value on an annual or more frequently recurring basis, until January 1, 2009. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company fully adopted the provisions of this standard relating to its nonfinancial assets and liabilities. The adoption of this accounting standard related to fair value measurements for the Company’s nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities did not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”
In September 2008, the FASB issued an accounting standard related to liabilities measured at fair value with a third party enhancement and provides guidance for measuring liabilities issued with an attached third-party credit enhancement, such as a guarantee. It clarifies that the issuer of a liability with a third-party credit enhancement should not include the effect of the credit enhancement in the fair value measurement of the liability. This standard is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company concluded that it does not impact its consolidated financial statements. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”
In December 2007, the FASB issued an accounting standard requiring an acquirer to measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill being the excess value over the net identifiable assets acquired. This accounting standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of this accounting standard had no material impact to the consolidated financial statements. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”
Effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, an acquirer is required to measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill being the excess value over the net identifiable assets acquired. Noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary should be reported as equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The amount of consolidated net income or loss attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest should also be reported in the consolidated statement of operations. Changes in a parent’s ownership percentage and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated should be disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted this accounting standard in the first quarter of 2009. As a result of the adoption, the Company has reported noncontrolling interests as a component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets and the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests has been separately identified in the consolidated statements of operations. The prior periods presented have also been retrospectively restated to conform to the current classification requirements. Prior to the adoption of this standard, in the case in which losses, incurred through December 31, 2008, applicable to the noncontrolling interest in a consolidated entity exceeded the noncontrolling interest in the equity capital of the consolidated entity, such excess and any further losses applicable to the noncontrolling interest were charged against the controlling interest as there was no obligation of the noncontrolling interest to fund such losses. However, with the adoption of this standard, subsequent to December 31, 2008, both earnings and losses were attributed to the noncontrolling interest even if it created a deficit noncontrolling interest. Losses previously recognized by the controlling interest are no longer recovered from future profits.
In June 2009, the FASB issued an accounting standard which requires entities to provide more information regarding sales of securitized financial assets and similar transactions, particularly if the entity has continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets and removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset. The new standard will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the effect adopting the new standard may have on the recognition of the sale of guaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) loans. If the new standard requires the Company to delay sale accounting treatment for a period of time expected to be an accounting quarter in length, it may materially reduce Small business finance revenue for the first quarter of 2010 as well as require the Company to establish a new asset and liability related to contractually sold guaranteed portions. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing.”
In June 2009, the FASB issued an accounting standard which modifies how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. It clarifies that the determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. It requires an ongoing reassessment of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and additional disclosures about a company’s involvement in variable interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement. This accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on its consolidated financial statements. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”
In June 2009, the FASB issued an accounting standard which established the Codification to become the single source of authoritative accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities, with the exception of guidance issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and its staff. All guidance contained in the Codification carries an equal level of authority. The Codification is not intended to change GAAP, but rather is expected to simplify accounting research by reorganizing current GAAP into approximately 90 accounting topics and providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. The Company adopted this accounting standard in preparing the consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and all subsequent public filings will reference the Codification as the sole source of authoritative literature. The adoption of this accounting standard, which was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 105, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” had no impact on retained earnings and will have no impact on the Company’s statements of income and condition.
In August, 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-05, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) -Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value,” which updates ASC 820-10. The update provides clarification that in
circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following techniques:
1. A valuation technique that uses
a. the quoted price of an identical liability when traded as an asset, or
b. quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets.
2. Another valuation technique that is consistent with the principles of Topic 820, examples include an income approach, such as a present value technique, or a market approach, such as a technique that is based on the amount at the measurement date that the reporting entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or would receive to enter into the identical liability.
This standard is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after August 2009. The Company adopted Update 2009-05 effective for the year ended December 31, 2009. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s disclosures.
Subsequent Events
In May 2009, the FASB issued an accounting standard which provides guidance to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated as well as the rationale for why that date was selected. This accounting standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 and, accordingly, was adopted by the Company during the second quarter of 2009. It requires public entities evaluate subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are issued. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events.” The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the time of filing these consolidated financial statements with the SEC.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.
Impact of Inflation
The impact of inflation on our results of operations is not material.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company does not have any exposure to foreign currency exchange or commodity risks. The Company’s exposure to interest rate risks can be summarized as follows. There can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our interest income. In periods of sharply rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which would reduce our net operating income. We have analyzed the potential impact of changes in interest rates on interest income net of interest expense. Assuming that the balance sheet were to remain constant and no actions were taken to alter the existing interest rate sensitivity, a hypothetical immediate 1% change in interest rates would have the effect of a net increase (decrease) in assets by less than 1% for 2009. Although management believes that this measure is indicative of our sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for potential changes in credit quality, size and composition of the assets on the balance sheet, and other business developments that could affect a net increase (decrease) in assets. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that actual results would not differ materially from the potential outcome simulated by this estimate.
Additionally, we do not have significant exposure to changing interest rates on invested cash which was approximately $19,320,000 at December 31, 2009. We do not purchase or hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. All of our transactions are conducted in U.S. dollars and we do not have any foreign currency or foreign exchange risk. We do not trade commodities or have any commodity price risk.
We believe that we have placed our demand deposits, cash investments and their equivalents with high credit-quality financial institutions. Invested cash is held almost exclusively at financial institutions with ratings from Standard and Poor’s of A- or better. The Company invests cash not held in interest free checking accounts or bank money market accounts mainly in U.S. Treasury only money market instruments or funds and other investment-grade securities. As of December 31, 2009, cash deposits in excess of FDIC and SIPC insurance totaled approximately $3,000,000 and funds held in U.S. Treasury only money market funds or equivalents in excess of SIPC insurance totaled approximately $5,800,000.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our consolidated financial statements and related notes begin of Page, which are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
For the two years ended 2008 and 2009, there have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.
ITEM 9A(t).
ITEM 9A(t). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report are functioning effectively to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. A controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls systems are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
(b) Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the year ended December 31, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
(c) Limitations
A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the control system’s objectives will be met. Furthermore, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with its policies or procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. We periodically evaluate our internal controls and make changes to improve them.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
As management, we are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for Newtek Business Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we have conducted an assessment, including testing, using the criteria in Internal Control-Integral Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the
Treadway Commission (COSO). Newtek Business Services, Inc.’s system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Because of its inherent limitation, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Based on our assessment, we have concluded that Newtek Business Services, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the COSO. The effectiveness of Newtek Business Services, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting is not required to be audited by our independent registered public accounting firm, until the year ending December 31, 2010.
This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held later this year.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held later this year.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held later this year.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held later this year.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held later this year.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1)
Financial Statements.
The Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are identified in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(a)(2)
Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith or are incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
Date: March 15, 2010
By:
/S/ BARRY SLOANE
Barry Sloane
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
Date: March 15, 2010
By:
/S/ SETH A. COHEN
Seth A. Cohen
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
EXHIBITS INDEX
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Newtek Business Services, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Newtek Business Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. 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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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 referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Newtek Business Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and their results of operations and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 3, in 2008 the Company changed its method of accounting for valuing its Capco’s credits in lieu of cash, notes payable in credits in lieu of cash and prepaid insurance upon the adoption of a new accounting standard.
/s/ J.H. Cohn LLP
Jericho, New York
March 12, 2010
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(In Thousands, except for Per Share Data)
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
(In Thousands, except for Per Share Data)
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(In Thousands)
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(In Thousands)
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS-(Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007
(In Thousands)
See accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1-DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
Newtek Business Services, Inc. (“Newtek”) is a holding company for several wholly- and majority-owned subsidiaries, including thirteen certified capital companies which are referred to as Capcos, and several portfolio companies in which the Capcos own non-controlling or minority interests. The Company provides a “one-stop-shop” for business services to the small- and medium-sized business market and uses state of the art web-based proprietary technology to be a low cost acquirer and provider of products and services. The Company partners with companies, credit unions, and associations to offer its services.
The Company’s principal business segments are:
Electronic Payment Processing: Marketing third party credit card processing and check approval services to the small- and medium-sized business market.
Web Hosting: CrystalTech Web Hosting, Inc., d/b/a/ Newtek Technology Services, which offers shared and dedicated web hosting and related services to the small- and medium-sized business market.
Small Business Finance: Primarily consists of Newtek Small Business Finance, Inc. (“NSBF”), a nationally licensed, U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) lender that originates, sells and services loans to qualifying small businesses, which are partially guaranteed by the SBA; and CDS Business Services, Inc. d/b/a Newtek Business Credit (“NBC”) which provides receivable financing.
All Other: Includes results from businesses formed from Investments in Qualified Businesses made through Capco programs which cannot be aggregated with other operating segments.
Corporate Activities: Corporate implements business strategy, directs marketing, provides technology oversight and guidance, coordinates and integrates activities of the segments, contracts with alliance partners, acquirers customer opportunities, and owns our proprietary NewTracker™ referral system. Revenue and expenses not allocated to other segments, including interest income, Capco management fee income and corporate operations expenses.
Capcos: Thirteen certified capital companies which invest in small- and medium-sized businesses. They generate non-cash income from tax credits and non-cash interest and insurance expenses.
The consolidated financial statements of Newtek Business Services, Inc., its Subsidiaries and consolidated entities (the “Company” or “Newtek”) included herein have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include all wholly- and majority-owned subsidiaries, and several portfolio companies in which the Capcos own non-controlling minority interest in, or those variable interest entities which Newtek is considered to be the primary beneficiary of. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Noncontrolling interests (previously shown as minority interest) are reported below net income (loss) under the heading “Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests” in the consolidated statements of operations and shown as a component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets. See New Accounting Standards for further discussion.
Noncontrolling interest
Noncontrolling interest in results of operations of consolidated variable interest entities and majority-owned subsidiaries represents the noncontrolling members’ share of the earnings or loss of the consolidated variable interest entities and majority-owned subsidiaries. The noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheet reflects the original investment by these noncontrolling members in the consolidated variable interest entities and majority-owned subsidiaries, along with their proportional shares of earnings or losses of the respective entity. In the case in which losses, incurred through December 31, 2008, applicable to the noncontrolling interest exceed the noncontrolling interest in the equity capital of the variable interest entities or the majority-owned subsidiaries, such excess applicable to the noncontrolling interest are charged against the controlling interest as there is no obligation of the noncontrolling interest to fund such losses. However, subsequent to December 31, 2008, both earnings and losses are attributed to the noncontrolling interest even if it creates a deficit noncontrolling interest. Losses previously recognized by the controlling interest are no longer recovered from future profits.
All financial information included in the tables in the following footnotes is stated in thousands, except per share data.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
NOTE 2-SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. The level of uncertainty in estimates and assumptions increases with the length of time until the underlying transactions are complete. The most significant estimates are with respect to valuation of investments in qualified businesses, asset impairment valuation, allowance for loan losses, valuation of servicing assets, charge-back reserves, tax valuation allowances and the fair value measurements used to value certain financial assets and financial liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
The Company operates in a number of different segments. Revenues are recognized as services are rendered and are summarized as follows:
Electronic payment processing revenue: Electronic payment processing income is derived from the electronic processing of credit and debit card transactions that are authorized and captured through third-party networks. Typically, merchants are charged for these processing services on a percentage of the dollar amount of each transaction plus a flat fee per transaction. Certain merchant customers are charged miscellaneous fees, including fees for handling charge-backs or returns, monthly minimum fees, statement fees and fees for other miscellaneous services. Revenues derived from the electronic processing of MasterCard® and Visa® sourced credit and debit card transactions are reported gross of amounts paid to sponsor banks.
The Company also derives revenues from acting as independent sales offices (“ISO”) for third-party processors (“residual revenue”) and from the sale of credit and debit card devices. Residual revenue is recognized monthly, based on contractual agreements with such processors to share in the residual income derived from the underlying merchant agreements. Revenues derived from sales of equipment are recognized at the time of shipment to the merchant.
Web hosting revenue: Web hosting revenues are primarily derived from monthly recurring service fees for the use of its web hosting and software support services. Customer set-up fees are billed upon service initiation and are recognized as revenue over the estimated customer relationship period of 2.5 years. Payment for web hosting and related services is generally received one month to three years in advance. Deferred revenues represent customer prepayments for upcoming web hosting and related services.
Income from tax credits: Following an application process, a state will notify a company that it has been certified as a Capco. The state then allocates an aggregate dollar amount of tax credits to the Capco. However, such amount is neither recognized as income nor otherwise recorded in the financial statements since it has yet to be earned by the Capco. The Capco is legally entitled to earn tax credits upon satisfying defined investment percentage thresholds within specified time requirements and corresponding non-recapture percentages. At December 31, 2009, the Company had Capcos in seven states and the District of Columbia. Each statute requires that the Capco invest a threshold percentage of Certified Capital in Qualified Businesses within the time frames specified. As the Capco meets these requirements, it avoids grounds under the statute for its disqualification for continued participation in the Capco program. Such a disqualification, or “decertification” as a Capco results in a recapture of all or a portion of the allocated tax credits; the proportion of the recapture is reduced over time as the Capco remains in general compliance with the program rules and meets the progressively increasing investment benchmarks.
As the Capco continues to make its investments in Qualified Businesses and, accordingly, places an increasing proportion of the tax credits beyond recapture, it earns an amount equal to the non-recapturable tax credits and records such amount as “income from tax credits”, with a corresponding asset called “credits in lieu of cash”, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The amount earned and recorded as income is determined by multiplying the total amount of tax credits allocated to the Capco by the percentage of tax credits immune from recapture (the earned income percentage) under the state statute. To the extent that the investment requirements are met ahead of schedule, and the percentage of non-recapturable tax credits is accelerated, the present value of the tax credit earned is recognized currently and the asset, credits in lieu of cash, is accreted up to the amount of tax credits available to the Certified Investors. If the tax credits are earned before the state is required to make delivery (i.e., investment requirements are met ahead of schedule, but credits can only be used by the certified investor in a future year), then the present value of the tax credits earned are recorded upon completion of the requirements. The receivable (called “credits in lieu of cash”) is accreted to the annual deliverable amount which can then be delivered to the insurance company investors in lieu of cash interest. Delivery of the tax credits to the Certified Investors results in a decrease of the receivable and the notes payable in credits in lieu of cash.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
The allocation and utilization of Capco tax credits is controlled by the state law. In general, the Capco applies for tax credits from the state and is allocated a specific dollar amount of credits which are available to be earned. The Capco provides the state with a list of the Certified Investors, who have contractually agreed to accept the tax credits in lieu of cash interest payments on their notes. The tax credits are claimed by the Certified Investors on their state premium tax return as provided under each state Capco and tax law. State regulations specify the amount of tax credits a Certified Investor can claim and the period in which they can claim them. Each state periodically reviews the Capco’s operations to verify the amount of tax credits earned. In addition, the state maintains a list of Certified Investors and therefore has the ability to determine whether the Certified Investor is allowed to claim this deduction.
Sales and Servicing of SBA Loans. NSBF originates and services loans to customers under the SBA program that generally provides for SBA guarantees of 50% to 90% of each loan, subject to a maximum guarantee amount. NSBF sells the guaranteed portion of each loan to a third party and retains the unguaranteed principal portion in its own portfolio. A gain is recognized on the guaranteed portions of these loans through collection on sale of a premium over the adjusted carrying value or a par sale with excess servicing. Commencing on January 1, 2008, the Company began to recognize the gain on sale of the guaranteed portion of the loans on the trade date rather than the date of settlement.
In each loan sale, the Company retains servicing responsibilities and receives servicing fees of a minimum of 1% of the guaranteed loan portion sold. The Company is required to estimate its adequate servicing compensation in the calculation of its servicing asset. The purchasers of the loans sold have no recourse to the Company for failure of customers to pay amounts contractually due.
Upon sale of the loans to third parties, NSBF separately recognizes at fair value any servicing assets or servicing liabilities first, and then allocates the previous carrying amount between the assets sold and the interests that continue to be held by the transferor (the unguaranteed portion of the loan) based on their relative fair values at the date of transfer. The difference between the proceeds received and the allocated carrying value of the financial assets sold is recognized as a gain on sale of loans.
Each class of servicing assets and liabilities are subsequently measured using either the amortization method or the fair value measurement method. The amortization method, which NSBF has chosen to continue applying to its servicing asset, amortizes the asset in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income on the underlying sold portion of the loans (guaranteed) and assesses the servicing asset for impairment based on fair value at each reporting date. In the event future prepayments are significant or impairments are incurred and future expected cash flows are inadequate to cover the unamortized servicing assets, additional amortization or impairment charges would be recognized. The Company uses an independent valuation specialist to estimate the fair value of the servicing asset.
In evaluating and measuring impairment of servicing assets, NSBF stratifies its servicing assets based on year of loan and loan term which are key risk characteristics of the underlying loan pools. The fair value of servicing assets is determined by calculating the present value of estimated future net servicing cash flows, using assumptions of prepayments, defaults, servicing costs and discount rates that NSBF believes market participants would use for similar assets.
If NSBF determines that the impairment for a stratum is temporary, a valuation allowance is recognized through a charge to current earnings for the amount the amortized balance exceeds the current fair value. If the fair value of the stratum were to later increase, the valuation allowance may be reduced as a recovery. However, if NSBF determines that an impairment for a stratum is other than temporary, the value of the servicing asset and any related valuation allowance is written-down.
Interest and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Loan Fees-SBA Loans: Interest income on loans is recognized as earned. Loans are placed on non-accrual status if they are 90 days past due with respect to principal or interest and, in the opinion of management, interest or principal on individual loans is not collectible, or at such earlier time as management determines that the collectability of such principal or interest is unlikely. Such loans are designated as impaired non-accrual loans. All other loans are defined as performing loans. When a loan is designated as non-accrual, the accrual of interest is discontinued, and any accrued but uncollected interest income is reversed and charged against current operations. While a loan is classified as non-accrual and the future collectability of the recorded loan balance is doubtful, collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to principal outstanding.
The Company passes certain expenditures it incurs to the borrower, such as forced placed insurance, insufficient funds fees, or fees it assesses, such as late fees, with respect to managing the loan. These expenditures are recorded when incurred. Due to the uncertainty with respect to collection of these passed through expenditures or assessed fees, any funds received to reimburse the Company are recorded on a cash basis as other income.
Insurance commissions: Revenues are comprised of commissions earned on premiums paid for insurance policies and are recognized at the time the commission is earned. At that date, the earnings process has been completed and the Company can estimate the impact of policy cancellations for refunds and establish reserves. The reserve for policy cancellations is based on historical cancellation experience adjusted by known circumstances.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
Other income: Other income represents revenues generated by NBC, as well as revenues derived from operating units that cannot be aggregated with other business segments, and one-time recoveries or gains on qualified investments. Revenue is recorded when there is pervasive evidence of an agreement, the related fees are fixed, the service, and or product has been delivered, and the collection of the related receivable is assured. Other income particular to NBC include the following components:
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Receivable fees: Receivable fees are derived from the funding (purchase) of receivables from finance clients. The percentage of fees is set when entered into an agreement with the client. The Company recognizes the revenue on the date the receivable is purchased. The Company does not take ownership of the receivables until funds are released which then constitutes a purchase of a client’s asset. The Company also has arrangements with certain of its clients whereby it purchases the client’s receivables and charges interest at a specified rate based on the amount of funds advanced against such receivables. The funds provided are collateralized and the interest income is recognized as earned.
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Late fees: Late fees are derived from receivables the Company has already purchased that have gone over a certain period (usually over 30 days) without payment. The client or the client’s customer is charged a late fee according to the agreement with the client.
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Billing fees: Billing fees are derived from billing-only (non-finance) clients. These fees are recorded when earned, which occurs when the service is rendered.
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Other fees: These fees include annual fees, due diligence fees, termination fees, under minimum fees, and other fees including finance charges, supplies sold to clients, NSF fees, wire fees and administration fees. These fees are charged upon funding, takeovers or liquidation of finance clients. The Company also receives commission revenue from various sources.
The detail of total operating revenues included in the consolidated statements of operations is as follows for the years ended:
Electronic Payment Processing Costs
Electronic payment processing costs consist principally of costs directly related to the processing of merchant sales volume, including interchange fees, VISA and MasterCard dues and assessments, bank processing fees and costs paid to third-party processing networks. Such costs are recognized at the time the merchant transactions are processed or when the services are performed. Two of the most significant components of electronic processing expenses include interchange and assessment costs, which are set by the credit card associations. Interchange costs are passed on to the entity issuing the credit card used in the transaction and assessment costs are retained by the credit card associations. Interchange and assessment fees are billed primarily as a percent of dollar volume processed and, to a lesser extent, as a per transaction fee. In addition to costs directly related to the processing of merchant sales volume, electronic payment processing costs also include residual expenses. Residual expenses represent fees paid to third-party sales referral sources. Residual expenses are paid under various formulae as contracted with such third-party referral sources, but are generally linked to revenues derived from merchants successfully referred to the Company and that begin using the Company for merchant processing services. Such residual expenses are typically ongoing as long as the referred merchant remains a customer of the Company and are recognized as expenses as related revenues are recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Invested cash is held almost exclusively at financial institutions with ratings from Standard and Poor’s of A- or better. The Company invests cash not held in interest free checking accounts or bank money market accounts mainly in U.S. Treasury only money market instruments or funds and other investment-grade securities. As of December 31, 2009, cash deposits in excess of FDIC and SIPC insurance totaled approximately $3,000,000 and funds held in U.S. Treasury only money market funds or equivalents in excess of SIPC insurance totaled approximately $5,800,000.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash includes cash collateral relating to a letter of credit; monies due on loan related remittances and insurance premiums received by the Company and due to third parties; cash held by the Capcos restricted for use in managing and operating the Capco, making qualified investments and for the payment of income taxes; and a cash account maintained as a reserve against charge-back losses.
Purchased Receivables
Purchased receivables are recorded at the point in time when cash is released to the seller. A majority of the receivables purchased have recourse and are charged back to the seller if aged over 60, 90 or 120 days, depending on contractual agreements. Purchased receivables are included in accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheet.
Investments in Qualified Businesses
The various interests that the Company acquires in its qualified investments are accounted for under three methods: consolidation, equity method and cost method. The applicable accounting method is generally determined based on the Company’s voting interest or the economics of the transaction if the investee is determined to be a variable interest entity.
Consolidation Method. Investments in which the Company directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, those the Company has effective control over, or those deemed to be a variable interest entity in which the Company is the primary beneficiary are generally accounted for under the consolidation method of accounting. Under this method, an investment’s financial position and results of operations are reflected within the Company’s consolidated financial statements. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated, including returns of principal, dividends, interest received and investment redemptions. The results of operations and cash flows of a consolidated operating entity are included through the latest interim period in which the Company owned a greater than 50% direct or indirect voting interest, exercised control over the entity for the entire interim period or was otherwise designated as the primary beneficiary. Upon dilution of control below 50%, or upon occurrence of a triggering event requiring reconsideration as to the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, the accounting method is adjusted to the equity or cost method of accounting, as appropriate, for subsequent periods.
Equity Method. Investees that are not consolidated, but over which the Company exercises significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to an investee depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation on the investee’s Board of Directors and ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of the investee, including voting rights associated with the Company’s holdings in common, preferred and other convertible instruments in the investee. Under the equity method of accounting, an investee’s accounts are not reflected within the Company’s consolidated financial statements; however, the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the investee is reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Cost Method. Investees not accounted for under the consolidation or the equity method of accounting are accounted for under the cost method of accounting. Under this method, the Company’s share of the net earnings or losses of such companies is not included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. However, cost method impairment charges are recognized, as necessary, in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. If circumstances suggest that the value of the investee has subsequently recovered, such recovery is not recorded until ultimately liquidated or realized.
The Company’s debt and equity investments have substantially been made with funds available to Newtek through the Capco programs. These programs generally require that each Capco meet a minimum investment benchmark within five years of initial funding. In addition, any funds received by a Capco as a result of a debt repayment or equity return may, under the terms of the Capco programs, be reinvested and counted towards the Capcos’ minimum investment benchmarks.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
SBA Loans Held for Investment
Loans receivable held for investment are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, net deferred loan origination costs and the allowance for loan losses.
Allowance for SBA Loan Losses
Impairment of a loan is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Impaired loans for which the carrying amount is based on fair value of the underlying collateral are included in assets and reported at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis, both at initial recognition of impairment and on an on-going basis until recovery or charge-off of the loan amount. The determination of impairment involves management’s judgment in the use of market data and third party estimates regarding collateral values. The valuation allowance for loan impairment is maintained as part of the allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for loan losses is established by management through provisions for loan losses charged against income. Amounts deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The amount of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective, as it requires making material estimates which may vary from actual results. The loans acquired from Commercial Capital Corporation in December 2002, which are more seasoned than those originated by the Company, comprise 10% of total loans held for investment as of December 31, 2009. Other portfolio characteristics, such as industry concentrations and loan collateral, which also impact management’s estimates of the allowance for loan losses, have also changed since the acquisition. The changing nature of the portfolio and the limited past loss experience on the newly originated portfolio has resulted in management’s estimates of the allowance for loan losses being based more on subjective factors, as noted below, and less on empirically derived loss rates.
The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is reviewed by management on a monthly basis at a minimum, and as adjustments become necessary, they are reflected in operations during the periods in which they become known. Considerations in this evaluation include past and anticipated loss experience, risks inherent in the current portfolio and evaluation of real estate collateral as well as current economic conditions. In the opinion of management, the allowance, when taken as a whole, is adequate to absorb estimated loan losses inherent in the Company’s entire loan portfolio. The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as either loss, doubtful, substandard or special mention. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Other factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status and collateral value. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
The Company’s charge-off policy is based on a loan-by-loan review for which the estimated uncollectible portion of nonperforming loans is charged off against the corresponding loan receivable and the allowance for possible loan losses.
SBA Loans Held For Sale
Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by aggregate outstanding commitments from investors.
Loans receivable held for sale are sold with the servicing rights retained by the Company. Gains on sales of loans are recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loans sold. Unamortized net deferred loan origination costs are recognized as a component of gain on sale of loans. According to the SBA Rules and Regulations guideline 1086, and in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Trade Advice in connection with selling the guaranteed portion of loans originated, if the borrower prepays in excess of 20% of the guaranteed portion of the loan or if the borrower defaults on any scheduled note payment date within 90 days of settlement date, the Company is obligated to return any unamortized premium received for the guaranteed portion of the loan. However, based on management’s best estimate and considering historical prepayment performance of the loan portfolio, the Company has taken the position that the premium is fully recognized at trade date, and a provision against the premium is not required at the time of the sale.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets, which are comprised of furniture and fixtures and computer office equipment, land, building and improvements, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of fixed assets is provided on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of the related assets. Amortization of leasehold improvements is provided on a straight-line basis using the lesser of the useful life of the asset or lease term. Useful lives of assets are: computer software, website development, and servers and storage (three years), computer and office equipment and furniture and fixtures (generally three to five years).
Software and Website Development Costs
The Company capitalizes its web site development costs, online application system, referral system and other proprietary systems and computer software. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred, while application stage projects are capitalized. The latter costs are typically employee and/or consulting services directly associated with the development of the internal use computer software. Software and website costs are included in fixed assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amortization commences once the software is ready for its intended use and is amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, typically three years.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs are being amortized under the straight-line method over the terms of the related indebtedness, which approximates the effective interest method and is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, including fixed assets and intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, the carrying value of such assets is compared to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If such cash flows are not sufficient to support the asset’s recorded value, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived asset to its estimated fair value. The determination of future cash flows as well as the estimated fair value of long-lived assets involves significant estimates on the part of management. In order to estimate the fair value of a long-lived asset, the Company may engage a third party to assist with the valuation. If there is a material change in economic conditions or other circumstances influencing the estimate of future cash flows or fair value, the Company could be required to recognize impairment charges in the future.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite life are not amortized and are subject to impairment tests, at least annually. Other intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives ranging from 18 to 66 months.
The Company considers the following to be some examples of indicators that may trigger an impairment review outside its annual impairment review: (i) significant under-performance or loss of key contracts acquired in an acquisition relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (ii) significant changes in the manner or use of the acquired assets or in the Company’s overall strategy with respect to the manner or use of the acquired assets or changes in the Company’s overall business strategy; (iii) significant negative industry or economic trends; (iv) increased competitive pressures; (v) a significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period of time; and (vi) regulatory changes. In assessing the recoverability of the Company’s goodwill and intangibles, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. The fair value of an asset could vary, depending upon the estimating method employed, as well as assumptions made.
Reserve for Losses on Merchant Accounts
Disputes between a cardholder and a merchant periodically arise as a result of, among other things, cardholder dissatisfaction with merchandise quality or merchant services. Such disputes may not be resolved in the merchant’s favor. In these cases, the transaction is “charged back” to the merchant, which means the purchase price is refunded to the customer through the merchant’s acquiring bank and charged to the merchant. If the merchant has inadequate funds, the Company or, under limited circumstances, the Company and the acquiring bank, must bear the credit risk for the full amount of the transaction. The Company evaluates its risk for such transactions and estimates its potential loss for charge-backs based primarily on historical experience and other relevant factors.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
The Company records reserves for charge-backs and contingent liabilities when such amounts are deemed to be probable and estimable. The required reserves may change in the future due to new developments, including, but not limited to, changes in litigation or increased charge-back exposure as the result of merchant insolvency, liquidation, or other reasons. The required reserves are reviewed periodically to determine if adjustments are required.
Stock-Based Compensation
All share-based payments to employees are recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values using an option-pricing model at the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The Company has elected to adopt the alternative transition method for calculating the tax effects of share-based compensation. The alternative transition method includes a simplified method to establish the beginning balance of the additional paid-in capital pool related to the tax effects of employee share-based compensation, which is available to absorb tax deficiencies.
Fair Value
The Company adopted the methods of fair value to value its financial assets and liabilities. The Company carries its credits in lieu of cash, prepaid insurance and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash at fair value. The Company also carries impaired loans and other real estate owned at fair value. Fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In order to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, the Company utilized a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described below:
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as certain U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.
Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, 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 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes certain U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed debt securities, corporate debt securities, derivative contracts and residential mortgage loans held-for-sale.
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. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. This category generally includes certain private equity investments, retained residual interests in securitizations, residential mortgage servicing rights, and highly structured or long-term derivative contracts.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based upon the differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. If available evidence suggests that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
The ultimate deductibility of positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns is often uncertain. In order to recognize the benefits associated with a tax position taken (i.e., generally a deduction on a corporation’s tax return), the entity must conclude that the ultimate allowability of the deduction is more likely than not. If the ultimate allowability of the tax position exceeds 50% (i.e., it is more likely than not), the benefit associated with the position is recognized at the largest dollar amount that has more than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Differences between tax positions taken in a tax return and recognized will generally result in (1) an increase in income taxes currently payable or a reduction in an income tax refund receivable or (2) an increase in a deferred tax liability or a decrease in a deferred tax asset, or both (1) and (2).
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
When accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, the Income Tax Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification also provides guidance on:
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Derecognizing the benefits associated with a recognized tax position where subsequent events indicate that it is not more likely than not that the entity will benefit from the tax position taken
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Classification of financial statement elements that result from recognizing benefits associated with uncertain tax positions
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Treatment of interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions
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Accounting for uncertain tax positions in interim periods
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Disclosure and transition
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
As required by the Financial Instruments Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, the estimated fair values of financial instruments must be disclosed. Excluding fixed assets, intangible assets, goodwill, and prepaid expenses and other assets (excluding as noted below), substantially all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments as defined under this standard. Fair value estimates are subjective in nature and are dependent on a number of significant assumptions associated with each instrument or group of similar instruments, including estimates of discount rates, risks associated with specific financial instruments, estimates of future cash flows and relevant available market information.
The carrying values of the following balance sheet items approximate their fair values primarily due to their liquidity and short-term or adjustable-yield nature:
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Cash and cash equivalents
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Restricted cash
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Broker receivable
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Accounts receivable
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Bank notes payable
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Accrued interest receivable (included in prepaid expenses and other assets)
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Accrued interest payable (included in accounts payable and accrued expenses)
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses
The carrying values of accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying value of investments in qualified businesses (included in prepaid expenses and other assets), credits in lieu of cash, notes payable in credits in lieu of cash and loans receivable approximate fair value based on management’s estimates. Servicing asset is stated at amortized cost and was not written up to the fair value of $2,903,000, which was approximately $467,000 higher than its amortized cost at December 31, 2009.
New Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the FASB issued an accounting standard related to fair value measurements, which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2008. This standard defined fair value, established a framework for measuring fair value, and
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
expanded disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted this accounting standard related to fair value measurements for the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities. The Company deferred adoption of this accounting standard related to fair value measurements for the Company’s nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for those items recognized or disclosed at fair value on an annual or more frequently recurring basis, until January 1, 2009. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company fully adopted the provisions of this standard relating to its nonfinancial assets and liabilities. The adoption of this accounting standard related to fair value measurements for the Company’s nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities did not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”
In September 2008, the FASB issued an accounting standard related to liabilities measured at fair value with a third party enhancement and provides guidance for measuring liabilities issued with an attached third-party credit enhancement, such as a guarantee. It clarifies that the issuer of a liability with a third-party credit enhancement should not include the effect of the credit enhancement in the fair value measurement of the liability. This standard is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company concluded that it does not impact its consolidated financial statements. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.”
In December 2007, the FASB issued an accounting standard requiring an acquirer to measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill being the excess value over the net identifiable assets acquired. This accounting standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The adoption of this accounting standard had no material impact to the consolidated financial statements. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”
Effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, an acquirer is required to measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill being the excess value over the net identifiable assets acquired. Noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary should be reported as equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The amount of consolidated net income or loss attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest should also be reported in the consolidated statement of operations. Changes in a parent’s ownership percentage and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated should be disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. The Company adopted this accounting standard in the first quarter of 2009. As a result of the adoption, the Company has reported noncontrolling interests as a component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets and the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests has been separately identified in the consolidated statements of operations. The prior periods presented have also been retrospectively restated to conform to the current classification requirements. Prior to the adoption of this standard, losses attributable to noncontrolling interests were allocated to the Company.
In June 2009, the FASB issued an accounting standard which requires entities to provide more information regarding sales of securitized financial assets and similar transactions, particularly if the entity has continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets and removes the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity and limits the circumstances in which a financial asset, or portion of a financial asset, should be derecognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire financial asset to an entity that is not consolidated with the transferor in the financial statements being presented and/or when the transferor has continuing involvement with the transferred financial asset. The new standard will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2010. The Company is currently evaluating the effect adopting the new standard may have on the recognition of the sale of guaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) loans. If the new standard requires the Company to delay sale accounting treatment for a period of time expected to be an accounting quarter in length, it may materially reduce small business finance revenue for the first quarter of 2010 as well as require the Company to establish a new asset and liability related to contractually sold guaranteed portions. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing.”
In June 2009, the FASB issued an accounting standard which modifies how a company determines when an entity that is insufficiently capitalized or is not controlled through voting (or similar rights) should be consolidated. It clarifies that the determination of whether a company is required to consolidate an entity is based on, among other things, an entity’s purpose and design and a company’s ability to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. It requires an ongoing reassessment of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and additional disclosures about a company’s involvement in variable interest entities and any significant changes in risk exposure due to that involvement. This accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this accounting standard on its consolidated financial statements. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation.”
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
In June 2009, the FASB issued an accounting standard which established the Codification to become the single source of authoritative accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities, with the exception of guidance issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and its staff. All guidance contained in the Codification carries an equal level of authority. The Codification is not intended to change GAAP, but rather is expected to simplify accounting research by reorganizing current GAAP into approximately 90 accounting topics and providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. The Company adopted this accounting standard in preparing the consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and all subsequent public filings will reference the Codification as the sole source of authoritative literature. The adoption of this accounting standard, which was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 105, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” had no impact on retained earnings and will have no impact on the Company’s statements of income and condition.
In August, 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-05, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) -Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value,” which updates ASC 820-10. The update provides clarification that in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, a reporting entity is required to measure fair value using one or more of the following techniques:
1. A valuation technique that uses
a. the quoted price of an identical liability when traded as an asset, or
b. quoted prices for similar liabilities or similar liabilities when traded as assets.
2. Another valuation technique that is consistent with the principles of Topic 820, examples include an income approach, such as a present value technique, or a market approach, such as a technique that is based on the amount at the measurement date that the reporting entity would pay to transfer the identical liability or would receive to enter into the identical liability.
This standard is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after August 2009. The Company adopted Update 2009-05 effective for the year ending December 31, 2009. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s disclosures.
Subsequent Events
In May 2009, the FASB issued an accounting standard which provides guidance to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated as well as the rationale for why that date was selected. This accounting standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 and, accordingly, was adopted by the Company during the second quarter of 2009. It requires public entities evaluate subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are issued. This accounting standard was subsequently codified into ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events.” The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the time of filing these consolidated financial statements with the SEC.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
NOTE 3-FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
FAIR VALUE OPTION ELECTIONS
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted fair value accounting concurrent with the election of the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities. The accounting standard relating to the fair value measurements clarifies the definition of fair value and describes methods available to appropriately measure fair value in accordance with GAAP. The accounting standard applies whenever other accounting standards require or permit fair value measurements. The accounting standard relating to the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities allows entities to irrevocably elect fair value as the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for certain financial assets and financial liabilities that are not otherwise required to be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings as they occur. It also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to improve comparability between entities that elect different measurement attributes for similar assets and liabilities. On January 1, 2008, the Company elected the fair value option for valuing its Capcos’ credits in lieu of cash, notes payable in credits in lieu of cash and prepaid insurance.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
The Company elected the fair value option for financial assets and liabilities in order to reflect in its financial statements the assumptions that market participants use in evaluating these financial instruments. Under the cost basis of accounting, the discount rates used to calculate the present value of the credits in lieu of cash and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash did not reflect the credit enhancements that the Company’s Capcos obtained from Chartis (formerly American International Group, Inc), namely its AA+ rating at such time, for their debt issued to certified investors. Instead the cost paid for the credit enhancements was recorded as prepaid insurance and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the credit enhancements.
With the adoption of the fair value measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities and the election of the fair value option, credits in lieu of cash and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash are valued based on the yields at which financial instruments would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller when the former is not under any compulsion to buy and the latter is not under any compulsion to sell, both parties having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts. The accounting standards requires the fair value of the assets or liabilities to be determined based on the assumptions that market participants use in pricing the financial instrument. In developing those assumptions, the Company identified characteristics that distinguish market participants generally, and considered factors specific to (a) the asset type, (b) the principal (or most advantageous) market for the asset group, and (c) market participants with whom the reporting entity would transact in that market.
Based on the aforementioned characteristics and in view of the Chartis credit enhancements, the Company believes that market participants purchasing or selling its Capcos’ debt, and therefore its credits in lieu of cash, and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash view nonperformance risk to be equal to the risk of an Chartis nonperformance risk and as such both the fair value of credits in lieu of cash and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash should be priced to yield a rate equal to an applicable Chartis U.S. Dollar denominated debt instrument. Because the value of notes payable in credits in lieu of cash directly reflects the credit enhancement obtained from Chartis, the unamortized cost relating to the credit enhancement will cease to be separately carried as an asset on Company’s consolidated balance sheet and is incorporated in notes payable in credits in lieu of cash.
The following table summarizes the impact of the change in accounting for credits in lieu of cash, prepaid insurance and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash, and the impact of adopting the fair value option for certain financial instruments on January 1, 2008. Amounts shown represent the carrying value of the affected instruments before and after the changes in accounting resulting from the adoption fair value accounting.
Transition impact:
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2008 are as follows (in thousands):
Credits in lieu of cash and Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash
The Company elected to account for both credits in lieu of cash and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash at fair value in order to reflect in its consolidated financial statements the assumptions that market participant’s use in evaluating these financial instruments.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
Fair value measurements:
The Company’s Capcos’ debt, enhanced by Chartis insurance, effectively bears the nonperformance risk of Chartis. Therefore the Company calculates the fair value of both the Credits in lieu of cash and Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash using the yields of various Chartis notes with similar maturities to each of the Company’s respective Capcos’ debt. The Company elected to discontinue utilizing Chartis 7.70% Series A-5 Junior Subordinated Debentures (the “Chartis Debentures”) because those long maturity debentures began to trade with characteristics of a preferred stock after Chartis received financing from the United States Government. The Company considers the Chartis Note Basket a Level 2 input under fair value accounting, since it is a quoted yield for a similar liability that is traded in an active exchange market. The Company selected these Chartis Note Baskets as the most representative of the nonperformance risk associated with the CAPCO notes because they are Chartis issued notes, are actively traded and because maturities match Credits in lieu of cash and Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash.
After calculating the fair value of both the Credits in lieu of cash and Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash, the Company compares their values. This calculation is done on a quarterly basis. Calculation differences primarily due to tax credit receipt versus delivery timing may cause the value of the Credits in lieu of cash to differ from that of the Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash. Because the Credits in lieu of cash asset has the single purpose of paying the Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash and has no other value to the Company, Newtek determined that the Credits in lieu of cash should equal the Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash.
As of September 30, 2009, the present value of the credits in lieu of cash was $52,819,000 and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash was $53,230,000. On that date, the yield on the Chartis Note Basket was 9.08%. As of December 31, 2009, the date the Company revalued the asset and liability, the yields on the Chartis notes averaged 6.92% reflecting changes in interest rates in the marketplace. This decrease in yield increased both the fair value of the credits in lieu of cash by $1,292,000 to $51,688,000 from an expected value of $50,396,000 assuming the yield had remained unchanged from September 30, 2009, and the fair value of the notes payable in credits in lieu of cash by $1,284,000 to $51,947,000 from an expected value of $50,663,000 assuming the yield had remained unchanged from September 30, 2009. The Company increased the value of the credits in lieu of cash by an additional $259,000 to equal the value of the notes payable in credits in lieu of cash. The net change in fair value reported in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 above was a gain of $900,000.
As of September 30, 2008, the present value of the credits in lieu of cash was $62,422,000 and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash was $61,148,000. On that date, the yield on the Chartis Note Basket was 21.97%. As of December 31, 2008, the date the Company revalued the asset and liability, the yields on the Chartis notes averaged 11.76% reflecting Chartis’s reduction in credit rating from “AA+” to “A+, negative watch”, Chartis’s financial troubles, and changes in interest rates in the marketplace. This decrease in yield increased both the fair value of the credits in lieu of cash by $9,737,000 to $70,868,000 from an expected value of $61,131,000 assuming the yield had remained unchanged from September 30, 2008, and the fair value of the notes payable in credits in lieu of cash by $10,693,000 to $70,559,000 from an expected value of $59,866,000 assuming the yield had remained unchanged from September 30, 2008. The Company reduced the value of the credits in lieu of cash by an additional $309,000 to equal the value of the notes payable in credits in lieu of cash. The net change in fair value reported in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 above was a loss of $8,000.
Changes in the future yield of the Chartis issued debt selected for valuation purposes will result in changes to the fair values of the credits in lieu of cash and notes payable in credits in lieu of cash when calculated for future periods; these changes will be reported through the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis are as follows (in thousands):
Impaired loans
Impairment of a loan is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Impaired loans for which the carrying amount is based on fair value of the underlying collateral are included in assets and reported at estimated fair value on a non-recurring basis, both at initial recognition of impairment and on an on-going basis until recovery or charge-off of the loan amount. The determination of impairment involves management’s judgment in the use of market data and third party estimates regarding collateral values. Valuations in the level of impaired loans and corresponding impairment affect the level of the reserve for loan losses.
Impaired customer merchant accounts
Customer merchant accounts are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In reviewing for impairment, the carrying value is compared to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected. If such cash flows are not sufficient to support the asset’s recorded value, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the customer merchant account to its estimated fair value. The determination of future cash flows as well as the estimated fair value of customer merchant accounts involves significant estimates on the part of management.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
Servicing asset
The estimated fair value of servicing assets is calculated by several methods, one of which is by an independent third party using an estimated cash flow model with observable inputs that affect the price of an asset/liability. This is considered a Level 3 valuation by the Company and that value was $2,903,000 and $2,282,000 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Such inputs for the fair valuation of the servicing assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 include:
•
Prime Rate - prime rate as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.
•
Risk-Free Rate - yield curve on Treasury securities as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.
•
Macroeconomic Projections - projections based on Macroeconomic Advisers’ Long-Term Economic Outlook published in January 2010 and in January 2009. Some of the key drivers are GDP growth, unemployment rates, and interest rates.
•
SBA 7(a) Historical Performance Data - the proprietary prepayment and default model is updated using historical data from 1983 through September 30, 2009, for the 2009 valuation, and through September 30, 2008, for the 2008 valuation, for the SBA 7(a) lending program.
Other real-estate owned (included in Prepaid expenses and other assets)
The estimated fair value of other real-estate owned is calculated using observable market information, including bids from prospective purchasers and pricing from similar market transactions where available. The value is generally discounted between 20-25% based on market valuations as well as expenses associated with securing our interests. Where bid information is not available for a specific property, the valuation is principally based upon recent transaction prices for similar properties that have been sold. These comparable properties share comparable demographic characteristics. Other real estate owned is generally classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
NOTE 4-CREDITS IN LIEU OF CASH:
As discussed in Note 3, the Company adopted fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities concurrent with its adoption of fair value accounting for certain of its assets and liabilities. As a result, credits in lieu of cash are valued at fair value as of December 31, 2009 and 2008. Following is a summary of the credits in lieu of cash balance as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands):
NOTE 5-SBA LOANS:
SBA loans are primarily concentrated in the hotel and motel, and restaurant industries, as well as geographically in Florida. The components of SBA loans held for investment, net, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows (In thousands):
The contractual maturities of SBA loans held for investment are as follows (In thousands):
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
All loans are priced at the Prime interest rate plus approximately 2.75% to 3.75%. The only loans with a fixed interest rate are defaulted loans of which the guaranteed portion sold is repurchased from the secondary market by the SBA, while the unguaranteed portion of the loans still remains with the Company. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, net SBA loans receivable held for investment with adjustable interest rates totaled $22,549,000 and $25,948,000, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company funded $16,648,000 and $26,487,000 in loans and sold approximately $20,558,000 and $14,163,000 of the guaranteed portion of the loans, respectively. Receivables from loans sold but not settled of $6,467,000 and $364,000 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, are presented as broker receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
As of December 31, 2009, $28,719,000 of SBA loans are pledged as collateral against the current outstanding balance on the Company’s line of credit in addition to all other assets of NSBF.
The outstanding balances of loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 totaled $300,000 and $626,000, respectively.
Loans by industry and geographic concentration that accounted for more than 5% of the outstanding gross loans receivable held for investment balance as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 were as follows (In thousands):
(*) Amounts shown for comparative purposes and represents less than 5%.
Below is a summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands):
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, total impaired non-accrual loans amounted to $8,324,000 and $5,682,000, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, average balance of impaired non-accrual loans was $7,773,000 and $5,830,000, respectively. Approximately $3,022,000 and $2,294,000 of the allowance for loan losses were allocated against such impaired non-accrual loans, respectively.
Had interest on these impaired non-accrual loans been accrued, such interest would have totaled $491,000 and $443,000 for 2009 and 2008, respectively. Interest income, which is recognized on a cash basis, related to the impaired non-accrual loans for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, was not material.
In 2009, the Company sold $517,000 of loans previously classified as held for investment for aggregate proceeds of $524,000. Gross realized gains of $7,000 have been recorded as premium income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Also included in premium income in 2009 is $27,000 representing the allocated portion of the remaining deferred loan origination costs. The Company did not sell any loans classified as held for investment in 2008.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
NOTE 6-INVESTMENTS IN QUALIFIED BUSINESSES:
The following table is a summary of investments included in Prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009, shown separately between their debt and equity components, and a summary of the activity for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands):
HELD TO MATURITY DEBT INVESTMENTS
COST INVESTMENTS
The Company has not guaranteed any obligation of these investees, and the Company is not otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the investees. However, from time-to-time, the Company may decide to provide such additional financial support which, as of December 31, 2009 was zero. Should the Company determine that impairment exists upon its periodic review, and it is deemed to be other than temporary, the Company will write down the recorded value of the asset to its estimated fair value and record a corresponding charge in the consolidated statements of operations. During 2009, the Company recorded a write down of $159,000 as two debt investments and a cost investment was deemed impaired upon periodic review and is included in other general and administrative costs in the consolidated statements of operations. During 2008, the Company recorded a write down of $50,000 as a debt investment was deemed impaired upon periodic review and is included in other general and administrative costs in the consolidated statements of operations.
NOTE 7-SERVICING ASSET:
The Company reviews capitalized servicing rights for impairment. This review is performed based on risk strata, which are determined on a disaggregated basis given the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying loans. The predominant risk characteristics are loan terms and year of loan origination.
The following summarizes the activity pertaining to servicing assets for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands):
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, servicing fees received on the Company’s SBA 7(a) originated portfolio totaled $1,498,000, $1,613,000 and $1,739,000, respectively. The Company also performs servicing functions on loans originated by other SBA lenders. The Company does not retain any risk on such portfolios and earns servicing fees based upon a mutually negotiated fee per loan. The total servicing fee income recognized for loans serviced for others in 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $126,000, $165,000 and $210,000, respectively.
The estimated fair value of capitalized servicing rights was $2,436,000 and $2,282,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The estimated fair value of servicing assets at December 31, 2009 was determined using a discount rate of 17%, weighted average prepayment speeds ranging from 1% to 13%, depending upon certain characteristics of the loan portfolio, weighted average life of 3.4 years, and an average default rate of 6%. The estimated fair value of servicing assets at December 31, 2008 was determined using a discount rate of 16.8%, weighted average prepayment speeds ranging from 1% to 18%, depending upon certain characteristics of the loan portfolio, weighted average life of 3.2 years, and an average default rate of 5%. The Company uses an independent valuation specialist to estimate the fair value of the servicing asset.
The unpaid principal balances of loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The unpaid principal balances of loans serviced for others were $142,513,000 and $141,587,000 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
NOTE 8-FIXED ASSETS:
The Company’s fixed assets are comprised of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands):
Depreciation and amortization expense for fixed assets for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $2,893,000, $3,040,000 and $2,742,000, respectively.
NOTE 9-GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES:
The net carrying value of goodwill as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 by segment is as follows (In thousands):
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
Other intangible assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are comprised of the following (In thousands):
Customer merchant accounts are being amortized over a 55 to 66 month period. Other intangibles (excluding the tradename which has an indefinite life and is subject to impairment review) are being amortized over a period ranging from 18 to 36 months. Total amortization expense included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $2,171,000, $3,561,000 and $2,856,000, respectively.
Total expected amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows (In thousands):
Based upon the Company’s performance of the impairment tests using the fair value approach of the discounted cash flow method, the Company determined that goodwill was impaired in the amount of $980,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, of which $774,000 relates to the Small business finance segment and $206,000 relates to the Company’s Capco segment and has recorded this charge in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Small business finance segment goodwill write-down was required in 2008 although management has implemented significant cost saving measures as well as brought in new management to increase business at NBC because such initiatives had not yet materialized to a significant level to support the goodwill recorded at the time of acquisition. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company determined that goodwill was not impaired.
For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company also determined impairments related to its customer merchant accounts of $126,000 and $488,000, respectively, and is included in depreciation and amortization in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company determined that its customer merchant accounts were not impaired.
NOTE 10-BANK NOTES PAYABLE (LINES OF CREDIT):
Through December 2008, the Company had a $50,000,000 senior revolving loan with General Electric Capital Corp. (“GE”). This facility is used primarily to originate and warehouse the guaranteed and unguaranteed portions of loans under the SBA 7(a) loan program and for other working capital purposes. In October 2008, NSBF entered into a Third Amendment to its Credit Agreement with GE that made certain changes to the terms of the warehouse lending facility, including minimum capital base maintenance levels and an immediate increase to the interest rate by 50 basis points to LIBOR plus 300 basis points or the Prime rate plus 75 basis points with an increase of an additional 25 basis points on January 1, 2009 and each quarter thereafter. In December 2008, NSBF entered into a Fourth Amendment, Consent and Waiver to the Credit Agreement which made certain changes to the terms of the warehouse lending facility provided to NSBF. These changes included an immediate reduction in the line to $35,000,000 and a reduction of $1,000,000 every month thereafter commencing on February 1, 2009 through the termination date, a reduction of the advance rate on the guaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) loans, an immediate increase in the interest rate to the three month LIBOR plus 400 basis points or the Prime rate plus 200 basis points, whichever is higher, with on-going increases of an additional 25 basis points on January 1, 2009 and each quarter thereafter. Additionally, a default in one of the financial covenants of the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2008 was waived in connection with the execution of the Fourth Amendment. In connection with the signing of the
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
Fourth Amendment, NSBF also incurred an approximate $111,000 write-off of the deferred financing costs associated with the GE line. In July 2009, NSBF entered into a Fifth Amendment to its Credit Agreement with GE that made certain changes to the terms of the warehouse lending facility, including an extension of the line through May 31, 2010, immediate reduction in the line to $15,000,000, an immediate increase to the interest rate by 25 basis points to LIBOR plus 425 basis points or the Prime rate plus 325 basis points, whichever is higher, with an increase of an additional 25 basis points on September 1, 2009 and each quarter thereafter, amending the advance rate on certain notes receivable and adjusting certain covenants. The Company is currently in discussions with another financial institution to refinance this debt.
In February 2007, NBC closed a two year $10,000,000 line of credit with Wells Fargo. In October 2008, NBC entered into a Second Amendment to its Credit and Security Agreement with Wells Fargo that extends the $10,000,000 facility by three years to February 2012. This facility will be used to purchase receivables and for other working capital purposes. As of December 31, 2009, NBC had $1,416,000 outstanding under the line of credit. The interest rate is set at 7.50% or Prime plus 2.50%, whichever is higher, with interest on the line being paid monthly in arrears and on a minimum outstanding line balance of $2,000,000. Under the Second Amendment, once NBC exceeds $2,000,000 outstanding under the line of credit, Wells Fargo allows for two alternatives for interest rates, the Prime interest rate plus 2.50%, with a minimum of 7.50% or Base LIBOR plus 3.50%. Total interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was approximately $186,000, $186,000 and $204,000, respectively. The line is collateralized by the receivables purchased, as well as all other assets of the Company. The interest rate at December 31, 2008 was 7.50%. Through December 31, 2009, NBC has capitalized $198,000 of deferred financing costs attributable to the Wells Fargo line of which $149,000 has been amortized. The net balance of $51,000 is included in other assets in the accompanying balance sheet. Amortization for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $24,000, $64,000 and $61,000, respectively, and is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The agreement includes such financial covenants as minimum tangible net worth, minimum quarterly net income and minimum quarterly net cash flow.
In October 2007, NTS entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with Capital One Bank which provides for a revolving credit facility of up to $10,000,000 available to both NTS and the Company, for a term of two years. The line may be used for working capital and acquisition needs within the Company’s business lines; loans for acquisitions having a five-year repayment term. The interest rate is LIBOR plus 2.5%, and the agreement also includes a quarterly facility fee equal to 25 basis points on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit calculated as of the end of each calendar quarter. The agreement includes such financial covenants as a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum funded debt to EBITDA. NTS capitalized $65,000 of deferred financing costs attributable to the Capital One line. Amortization for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $25,000, $32,000 and $8,000, respectively, and is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In connection with the loan, on October 19, 2007 Newtek Business Services, Inc. entered into a Guaranty of Payment and Performance with Capital One Bank and entered into a Pledge Agreement with Capital One Bank pledging all NTS stock as collateral. In October 2009, the $2.5 million borrowed under the Capital One line of credit converted to a three year term loan with a level principal repayment. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, $2,361,000 and $2,500,000 of the note was outstanding, respectively. Total interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was approximately $99,000, $51,000 and $6,000, respectively.
NOTE 11-NOTES PAYABLE IN CREDITS IN LIEU OF CASH:
Each Capco has separate contractual arrangements with the Certified Investors obligating the Capco to make payments on the Notes.
At the time the Capcos obtained the proceeds from the issuance of the Notes, Capco warrants or Company common shares to the Certified Investors, the proceeds were deposited into escrow accounts which required that the insurance contracts be concurrently and simultaneously purchased from the insurer before the remaining proceeds could be released to and utilized by the Capco. The Capco Note agreements require, as a condition precedent to the funding of the Notes that insurance be purchased to cover the risks associated with the operation of the Capco. This insurance is purchased from Chartis Specialty Insurance Company and National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, both subsidiaries of Chartis, Inc. (Chartis), an international insurer. Chartis and these subsidiaries are “A+, negative watch” credit rated by Standard & Poor’s. In order to comply with this condition precedent to the funding, the Notes closing is structured as follows: (1) the Certified Investors wire the proceeds from the Notes issuance directly into an escrow account; (2) the escrow agent, pursuant to the requirements under the Note and escrow agreement, automatically and simultaneously funds the purchase of the insurance contract from the proceeds received. The Notes offering cannot close without the purchase of the insurance, and the Capcos are not entitled to the use and benefit of the net proceeds received until the escrow agent has completed the payment for the insurance. Under the terms of this insurance, the insurer incurs the primary obligation to repay the Certified Investors a substantial portion of the debt as well as to make compensatory payments in the event of a loss of the availability of the related tax credits. The Coverage A portion of these contracts makes the insurer primarily obligated for a portion of the liability.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
The Capcos, however, are secondarily, or contingently, liable for such payments. The Capco, as a secondary obligor, must assess whether it has a contingency to record on the date of issuance and at every reporting date thereafter until the insurer makes all their required payments. At December 31, 2009, management has concluded that the likelihood of the Capcos becoming primarily liable for the payments required to be made by the insurer under Coverage A on the Notes is remote (i.e., the insurer failing to make payment), because the insurer, a subsidiary of a major multi-national insurance company, has a claims paying ability having the rating “A+, negative watch,” the highest available. The contingent obligation (the portion incurred by the insurer due to the purchase of the insurance) must be recorded at fair value, which the Company has assessed at zero at December 31, 2009 and 2008.
The Coverage B portion of these contracts provides for the payment of cash in lieu of tax credits in the event the Capco becomes decertified. The Capcos remain primarily liable for the requirement to deliver tax credits (or make cash payments in lieu of tax credits not delivered).
The Capcos are primarily liable for the portion of the obligation not covered by the Coverage A portion of the insurance contracts. This liability has been recorded as notes payable in credits in lieu of cash, representing the present value of the Capcos’ total liability it must pay to the Certified Investors. Such amount will be increased by an accretion of interest expense during the term of the Notes and will decrease as the Capcos pay interest by delivering the tax credits, or paying cash.
As discussed in Note 3, the Company adopted fair value option for financial assets and liabilities concurrent with its adoption fair value accounting effective January 1, 2008 for valuing Notes payable in lieu of cash with the exception of Wilshire Advisers, LLC. Following is a summary of activity of Notes payable in credits in lieu of cash balance for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands):
Under the Note agreements, no interest is paid by the Capcos in cash provided that the Certified Investors receive the uninterrupted use of the tax credits. The Certified Investors acknowledge, in the Note agreements, that the insurer is primarily responsible for making the scheduled cash payments as provided in the Notes.
NOTE 12-NONCONTROLLING INTEREST:
The noncontrolling interest held by the investees, in the form of warrants entitle the holders to purchase, for a $0.01 exercise price, an interest in a Capco or Capco fund. The values ascribed to the warrants issued to the Certified Investors and the Insurer have been recorded as noncontrolling interests. In addition, certain noncontrolling interests have already been acquired by minority shareholders. A portion of the initial proceeds received from the Certified Investors is allocated to the warrants using a discounted cash flow method. The following is the aggregate percentage interest of the noncontrolling shareholders in each respective Capco or Capco fund as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands):
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
In October 2009, WI was dissolved. As a result WI’s assets, including its ownership in NMS-WI, were distributed to the Company and the noncontrolling interest owners according to their percentage ownership. The excess in book value of the noncontrolling interest in WI, prior to the distribution of its assets, over the resulting noncontrolling interest in NMS-WI, post the distribution of the WI assets, was recorded as an equity transaction reducing additional paid-in capital by $191,000.
In December 2009, the Company purchased the noncontrolling interests in two consolidated variable interest entities of the Company and recorded the purchases as equity transactions. As a result, the excess of the value of the purchase price over the noncontrolling interest balance at the date of purchase, or $522,000, was recorded as additional paid-in capital.
The $1,000,000 of noncontrolling interest under WNYIV relates to NBC, a subsidiary of WNYIV, which had converted $1,000,000 of debt payable to Exponential of New York, LLC, a related party, to preferred stock in 2007. The Company had accounted for this issuance of preferred stock of a subsidiary as an increase to its noncontrolling interest and is included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.
NOTE 13-COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Operating and Employment Commitments
The Company leases office space and other office equipment in several states under operating lease agreements which expire at various dates through 2017. Those office space leases which are for more than one year generally contain scheduled rent increases or escalation clauses.
The following summarizes the Company’s obligations and commitments, as of December 31, 2009, for future minimum cash payments required under operating lease and employment agreements (in thousands):
* Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $2,178,000 due in the future under noncancelable subleases.
Rent expense for 2009, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $3,023,000, $2,995,000 and $2,903,000, respectively.
Under the terms of a service agreement between Universal Processing Services of WI (d/b/a Newtek Merchant Solutions of WI, “NMS-WI”), its merchant processor and a sponsoring bank, NMS-WI is required to pay minimum fees during each 12-month period, as defined in the service agreement, to the merchant processor and sponsoring bank. The minimum fees under a similar contract which ended November 30, 2009 were met by NMS-WI. The minimum fees for the 12-month period ending November 30, 2010 are to be equal to at least $1.5 million and in future years equal to at least 95% of the fees paid during the preceding 12-month period or $1.5 million, which ever amount is greater. The Company estimates that its fee payments under the agreement in the normal course of its business will meet or exceed the minimum required amount to be paid for the 12-month period ending November 30, 2010.
Legal Matters
During the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various legal claims. Management has reviewed all legal claims against the Company with counsel and has taken into consideration the views of such counsel, as to the outcome of the claims. In management’s opinion, final disposition of all such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, cash flows or financial position of the Company.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
NOTE 14-COMMON STOCK
Pursuant to the terms of the Company’s directors’ compensation program, during the year ended December 31, 2007, Newtek issued an aggregate of 125,000 unregistered common shares to members of the board of directors, valued at $197,000. The fair market values of these grants were determined using the average of the fair value of the common shares for the previous three trading days at each grant date.
On January 26, 2007, in connection with a legal settlement, the Company issued 171,795 shares valued at $344,000 to a former employee. Of the 171,795 shares issued, 86,290 shares were registered under the Company’s 2003 Plan and 85,505 shares were unregistered. The fair market value was determined using the fair value of the underlying common stock at the date of the stipulation of settlement.
Additionally, in 2004 two officers of the Company elected to receive their bonus, aggregating $325,000, as deferred compensation. In connection with such agreement, the compensation was to be delivered in the form of Company stock in March 2007. The number of shares reserved for issuance based on the market value of the Company’s stock at the time the compensation was approved was 72,394. On March 30, 2007, the Company issued these 72,394 shares of common stock under the Company’s 2000 Plan. These shares had a fair market value of $177,000 at the time of issuance and were issued in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
NOTE 15-WARRANTS:
In March 2008, a warrant was granted to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to a firm performing investor relations for the Company. The warrant vested in September 2008 with an exercise price of $2.00 and expires in March 2018. At the vesting date, the warrant was valued at $12,000. The compensation cost that has been charged to operations for this warrant for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $12,000 and is included in other operating costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of each warrant award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the following assumptions: 10 year expected life, risk-free interest rate of 3.45% and expected volatility of the Company’s stock of 63.76%. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The risk-free rate for periods during the expected life of the warrant is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected term was determined based on the contractual term of the warrant. In accordance with EITF 96-18, the Company adjusted the value of the warrant to fair value at each measurement date through the date of vesting, which was September 15, 2008.
NOTE 16-TREASURY STOCK
Shares of common stock repurchased by us are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in a reduction of equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. From time-to-time, treasury shares may be reissued as part of our stock-based compensation programs. When shares are reissued, we use the weighted average cost method for determining cost. The difference between the cost of the shares and the issuance price is added or deducted from additional contributed capital.
In March 2006, the Newtek Board of Directors adopted a stock buy-back program authorizing management to enter the market to re-purchase up to 1,000,000 of the Company’s common shares. As of December 31, 2009, the Company has purchased a total of 636,008 treasury shares under that authorization. In addition, 472,814 shares that were held by an affiliate were issued to the Company as settlement of an outstanding liability.
NOTE 17-LOSS PER SHARE:
Basic loss per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of common share equivalents is included in the calculation of diluted loss per share only when the effect of their inclusion would be dilutive (In thousands, except for per share data).
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
The amount of anti-dilutive shares/units excluded from above is as follows (in thousands):
NOTE 18-INCOME FROM TAX CREDITS:
Each Capco has a contractual arrangement with a particular state or jurisdiction that legally entitles the Capco to earn and deliver tax credits (ranging from 4% to 11% per year) from the state or jurisdiction upon satisfying certain criteria. In fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company recognized income from tax credits resulting from the accretion of the discount attributable to tax credits earned in prior years. As the tax credits are delivered to the Certified Investors, the asset balance is offset against notes payable in credits in lieu of cash. As discussed in Note 3, the Company adopted fair value accounting concurrently with the adoption of fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities on January 1, 2008 to value its credits in lieu of cash balance. As a result, the income from tax credit accretion for the year ended December 31, 2009 has been valued at fair value. The total income from tax credits recognized in revenues in the consolidated statement of operations was $7,837,000, $7,988,000 and $5,314,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
NOTE 19-INCOME TAXES:
(Benefit) provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is as follows (In thousands):
The (benefit) provision for income taxes is included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as follows (In thousands):
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
A reconciliation of income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate (34%) to the benefit for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is as follows (In thousands):
The deferred tax asset valuation allowance increase in 2007 and 2008 excludes the impact of the rate differential on a subsidiary that was not included in the consolidated tax group. In 2008 and 2007, that impact was a benefit of $518,000 and $399,000, respectively. During the last quarter of 2009, the direct ownership by Newtek of that subsidiary increased to an amount greater than eighty percent and therefore is included in the consolidated tax group for 2009. In 2009, the Company determined certain losses that previously had been valued at zero will be utilized against current and future tax profits of the Company and therefore released a valuation allowance related to those previously reserved assets.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands):
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had net operating losses of approximately $21,737,000 which will begin to expire in 2020, $16,260,000 of passive losses, which will never expire, and $1,369,000 of capital losses which will begin expiring in 2009.
Realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future years. The Company has a valuation allowance against approximately $3,833,000 on net deferred tax assets attributable to NSBF in 2009 and 2008. As a result of a change in NSBF ownership effective November 1, 2008, NSBF began consolidating for tax purposes with Newtek and therefore any losses as of that date and going forward, can be used or carried forward by Newtek and the consolidated tax group. As a result, no valuation allowance was required against the NSBF deferred tax assets in 2009. The Company also has a valuation allowance of approximately $966,000 and $682,000 of net deferred tax assets attributable to NBC at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. During 2008, the Company had established a valuation allowance due to management’s assessment of the utilization of losses in certain subsidiaries of approximately $828,000; based on a change in estimate, the Company released the valuation allowance in 2009 as it is more likely than not that the Company will benefit from those losses in current and future years. The Company ultimately believes it will utilize the NSBF and NBC NOLs, but currently there is not subjective evidence to allow the Company to do so.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
The Company also established a valuation allowance of approximately $548,000 on capital losses that the Company does not anticipate it will be likely to use to offset future capital gains, and an additional valuation allowance of $457,000 related to the flow through of deferred items from investments in qualified businesses. This valuation allowance was related to book/tax basis differences that will eventually create a capital loss for the Company when ultimately settled. Since capital losses can only be carried forward five years and the Company does not anticipate it will generate capital gains to offset those losses during the current and future periods, a valuation allowance was established.
In connection with its acquisition of Comcap Holdings (“Comcap”) on December 31, 2002, the Company acquired net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $8,700,000 which begin expiring in 2020. In connection with the related purchase accounting, the Company established a valuation allowance for the full amount of the related net deferred tax asset acquired from NSBF as management has determined that it its uncertain as to whether such asset will be utilized in the future. Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, NSBF experienced an ownership change on December 31, 2002 at the end of the business day. NSBF is therefore subject to an annual limitation of approximately $255,000 on deductions for NOL carryforwards. As of December 31, 2009, approximately $512,000 of the Section 382 losses had been utilized.
The Company analyzed its tax positions taken on their Federal and State tax returns for the open tax years 2006, 2007 and 2008. The Company used three levels of analysis in determining whether any uncertainties existed with respect to these positions. The first level consisted of an analysis of the technical merits of the position, past administrative practices and precedents, industry norms and historical audit outcome. The second level of analysis was used to determine if the threshold (more than 50%) was met for the tax filing position. The third level of analysis consisted of determining the probable outcome once it was determined that the threshold was met for the tax filing position. Based on our analysis, the Company determined that there were no uncertain tax positions and that the Company should prevail upon examination by the taxing authorities.
The Company’s operations have been extended to other jurisdictions. This extension involves dealing with uncertainties and judgments in the application of tax regulations in these jurisdictions. The final resolution of any tax liabilities are dependent upon factors including negotiations with taxing authorities in these jurisdictions and resolution of disputes arising from federal, state and local tax audits. The Company recognizes potential liabilities associated with anticipated tax audit issues that may arise during an examination. Interest and penalties that are anticipated to be due upon examination are recognized as accrued interest and other liabilities with an offset to interest and other expense. The Company determined that there were no uncertainties with respect to the application of tax regulations in these jurisdictions.
NOTE 20-BENEFIT PLANS:
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company’s employees participate in a defined contribution 401(k) plan (the “Plan”) adopted in 2004 which covers substantially all employees based on eligibility. The Plan is designed to encourage savings on the part of eligible employees and qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Plan, eligible employees may elect to have a portion of their pay, including overtime and bonuses, reduced each pay period, as pre-tax contributions up to the maximum allowed by law. The Company may elect to make a matching contribution equal to a specified percentage of the participant’s contribution, on their behalf as a pre-tax contribution. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company matched 50% of the first 2% of employee contributions.
NOTE 21-RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company provided merchant processing for a company who has a board member that also is a former board member of the Company. Total revenue for the years 2009, 2008 and 2007 were approximately $6,000, $16,000 and $26,000, respectively. In addition, the Company recorded a receivable for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 in the amount of $0 and $1,000, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company provided merchant processing for a company controlled by the father-in-law of a major shareholder and former President of the Company, in the approximate amount of $38,000, $81,000 and $234,000, respectively. In addition, the Company recorded a receivable for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 in the amount of $2,000 and $6,000, respectively.
A major shareholder of the Company earns gross residual payments on merchant processing revenue he generates for the Company, a portion of which is then paid to his support staff for their efforts. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company paid him gross residuals of approximately $532,000 and $99,000, respectively.
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company used remote deposit capture services (“RDC” services) by a Company whose owner is the brother-in-law of the former President and CEO of one of the Company’s subsidiaries, NBC. The total expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $17,000.
The Company may also, from time to time, provide business services to family members or executives of the Company. These transactions are conducted at arm’s length and do not represent a material portion of the Company’s revenues.
NOTE 22-STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK GRANTED TO EMPLOYEES:
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had two share-based compensation plans, which are described below. The compensation cost that has been charged against operations for those plans was $132,000, $264,000 and $258,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and is included in salaries and benefits in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The Newtek Business Services, Inc. 2000 Stock Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, (the “2000 Plan”) currently provides for the issuance of awards of restricted shares for up to a maximum of 4,250,000 common shares to employees and non-employees. The issuance of options under this Plan expired on December 31, 2009. All restricted shares or previously granted options are issued at the fair market value on the date of grant. Options issued generally have a maximum term that ranges from 2 to 10 years and vesting provisions that range from 0 to 3 years. As of December 31, 2009, there are 1,628,000 shares available for future grant under this plan.
The Newtek Business Services, Inc. 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, (the “2003 Plan”) currently provides for the issuance of awards of restricted shares or options for up to a maximum of 1,000,000 common shares to employees and non-employees. All restricted shares or options are issued at the fair market value on the date of grant. Options issued generally have a maximum term that ranges from 2 to 10 years and vesting provisions that range from 0 to 3 years. As of December 31, 2009, there are 632,000 shares available for future grant under this plan.
A summary of stock option activity under the 2000 and 2003 Plans as of December 31, 2009 and changes during the year then ended are presented below:
There were 1,028,000 options granted during 2008 and there were no options granted during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2009.
As of December 31, 2009, there was $55,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the 2000 and 2003 Plans. That cost is expected to be recognized ratably through July 2010.
In March 2008, Newtek granted its six independent directors an aggregate of 197,434 options valued at $87,000. Option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. The options vest immediately and expire 10 years from the date of grant. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the following assumptions: 5 year expected life, risk-free interest rate of 2.51% and expected volatility of the Company’s stock of 53.48%. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The risk-free rate for periods during the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected term was determined using the simplified method.
In May 2008, Newtek granted certain of its employees an aggregate of 710,000 options valued at $369,000. Option awards were granted with an exercise price of $1.50 which exceeded the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. The options vest on the second anniversary of date of grant and expire 10 years from the date of grant. The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that used the following
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
assumptions: 6 year expected life, risk-free interest rate of 3.10% and expected volatility of the Company’s stock of 53.98%. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The risk-free rate for periods during the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected term was determined using the simplified method. Compensation cost charged to operations in connection with such grant was $119,000 and $97,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
In July 2008, Newtek granted certain employees an aggregate of 120,000 options valued at $42,000. Option awards were granted with an exercise price of $1.50 which exceeded the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. The options vest on the second anniversary of date of grant and expire 10 years from the date of grant. The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model that used the following assumptions: 6 year expected life, risk-free interest rate of 3.20% and expected volatility of the Company’s stock of 54.66%. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The risk-free rate for periods during the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected term was determined using the simplified method. Compensation cost charged to operations in connection with such grant was $9,000 and $8,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
In connection with the CrystalTech acquisition in 2004, the Company granted 69,444 shares of restricted common stock to employees with vesting periods ranging from 12 to 36 months and the shares forfeitable upon early voluntary or involuntary termination of the employee. Upon vesting, the grantee will receive one share of common stock for each unit vested. On the date of grant, the Company had recorded unearned compensation of $252,000 measured by the fair market value of the underlying share on the grant date, which was $3.63. The Company charged $5,000 to operations in 2007 in connection with the vesting period associated with this grant.
During the year ended 2006, Newtek granted five employees an aggregate of 105,000 shares of restricted stock valued at $207,000. The grants vest between one and two years. The fair market values of these grants were determined using the fair value of the common shares at the grant date. The restricted shares are forfeitable upon early voluntary or involuntary termination of the employee. Upon vesting, the grantee will receive one common share for each restricted share vested. The Company charged $90,000 to operations in 2007 in connection with the vesting period associated with these grants.
During the year ended 2007, Newtek granted seven employees an aggregate of 122,000 shares of restricted stock and one officer 10,121 shares of restricted stock aggregating $225,000. Of these shares, 64,000 restricted shares vested immediately and the remaining 68,000 restricted shares vest between 12 and 29 months. The fair market values of these grants were determined using the fair value of the common shares at the grant date. The restricted shares are forfeitable upon early voluntary or involuntary termination of the employee. Upon vesting, the grantee will receive one common share for each restricted share vested. The Company charged $163,000 in 2007 in connection with the vesting period associated with these grants.
In connection with restricted stock grants in 2007, the Company issued 6,668 shares to two employees for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 38,109 shares to three employees for the year ended December 31, 2008. The allocated portion of the related compensation costs associated with these grants was $4,000 and $30,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
A summary of the status of Newtek’s non-vested restricted shares as of December 31, 2009 and changes during the year then ended is presented below:
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
NOTE 23-SEGMENT REPORTING:
Operating segments are organized internally primarily by the type of services provided. The Company has aggregated similar operating segments into six reportable segments: Electronic payment processing, Web hosting, Small business finance, All other, Corporate and Capcos.
Effective in the first quarter of 2008, the Company made certain changes to its segment reporting to more accurately portray the operation of its businesses. For all segments other than Corporate, intercompany expenses are now charged to the user of the service with a resulting reduction in expense for the provider of the service; no revenue is recorded. Previously the provider showed the expense. This change will better match expenses to the revenues generated by a segment. In addition, the Company moved two finance-related businesses from it’s All other segment to the Small business finance segment and renamed it such. The new name better characterizes the financing services provided by the segment: the entities consolidated into the segment provide small- and medium-sized businesses with loans of various types including SBA 7(a) loans as well as receivables financing and earn fees for servicing loans for other lenders. Segment reporting for the current and previous periods reflect these changes.
The Electronic payment processing segment is a processor of credit card transactions, as well as a marketer of credit card and check approval services to the small- and medium-sized business market. Expenses include direct costs (included in a separate line captioned electronic payment processing costs), professional fees, salaries and benefits, and other general and administrative costs, all of which are included in the respective caption on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Web hosting segment consists of NTS, acquired in July 2004. NTS’s revenues are derived primarily from web hosting services and consist of web hosting and set up fees. NTS generates expenses such as professional fees, payroll and benefits, and depreciation and amortization, which are included in the respective caption on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations, as well as licenses and fees, rent, and general office expenses, all of which are included in other general and administrative costs in the respective caption on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Small business finance segment consists of Small Business Lending, Inc., a lender that primarily originates, sells and services government guaranteed SBA 7(a) loans to qualifying small businesses through its licensed SBA lender; the Texas Whitestone Group which manages the Company’s Texas Capco and closes loans; and NBC which provides accounts receivable financing, billing and accounts receivable maintenance services to businesses. NSBF generates revenues from sales of loans, servicing income for those loans retained to service by NSBF and interest income earned on the loans themselves. The lender generates expenses for interest, professional fees, salaries and benefits, depreciation and amortization, and provision for loan losses, all of which are included in the respective caption on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. NSBF also has expenses such as loan recovery expenses, loan processing costs, and other expenses that are all included in the other general and administrative costs caption on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The All Other segment includes revenues and expenses primarily from qualified businesses that received investments made through the Company’s Capcos which cannot be aggregated with other operating segments. The two largest entities in the segment are Newtek Insurance Agency, LLC, an insurance sales operation, and Business Connect, LLC, a provider of sales and processing services.
Corporate activities represent revenue and expenses not allocated to our segments. Revenue includes interest income and management fees earned from Capcos (and included in expenses in the Capco segment). Expenses primarily include corporate operations related to broad-based sales and marketing, legal, finance, information technology, corporate development and additional costs associated with administering the Capcos.
The Capco segment, which consists of the 13 Capcos, generates non-cash income from tax credits, interest income and gains from investments in qualified businesses which are included in other income. Expenses primarily include non-cash interest and insurance expense, management fees paid to Newtek (and included in the Corporate activities revenues), legal, and auditing fees and losses from investments in qualified businesses.
Management has considered the following characteristics when making its determination of its operating and reportable segments:
•
the nature of the product and services;
•
the type or class of customer for their products and services;
•
the methods used to distribute their products or provide their services; and
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
•
the nature of the regulatory environment (for example, banking, insurance, or public utilities).
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
The following table presents the Company’s segment information for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and total assets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands):
(In thousands)
NEWTEK BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-(Continued)
NOTE 24-QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED):
The following table sets forth certain unaudited consolidated quarterly statement of operations data from the eight quarters ended December 31, 2009. This information is unaudited, but in the opinion of management, it has been prepared substantially on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report, and all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, have been included in the amounts stated below. In addition, the amounts below have been restated to reflect the results of discontinued operations. The consolidated quarterly data should be read in conjunction with the current audited consolidated statements and notes thereto. The total of the quarterly EPS data may not equal to the full year results.