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| MRLN > SEC Filings for MRLN > Form 10-Q on 10-Aug-2009 | All Recent SEC Filings |
10-Aug-2009
Quarterly Report
- general volatility of the securitization and capital markets;
- changes in our industry, interest rates or the general economy;
- changes in our business strategy;
- the degree and nature of our competition;
- availability and retention of qualified personnel; and
- the factors set forth in the section captioned "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the SEC.
Forward-looking statements apply only as of the date made and the Company is not
required to update forward-looking statements for subsequent or unanticipated
events or circumstances.
Overview
We are a nationwide provider of equipment financing and working capital
solutions, primarily to small businesses. We finance over 90 categories of
commercial equipment important to our end user customers including copiers,
certain commercial and industrial equipment, security systems, computers and
telecommunications equipment. We access our end user customers through
origination sources comprised of our existing network of independent equipment
dealers and, to a much lesser extent, through relationships with lease brokers
and through direct solicitation of our end user customers. Our leases are
fixed-rate transactions with terms generally ranging from 36 to 60 months. At
June 30, 2009, our lease portfolio consisted of approximately 107,000 accounts
with an average original term of 48 months and average original transaction size
of approximately $10,900.
Since our founding in 1997, we have grown to $690.6 million in total assets at
June 30, 2009. Our assets are substantially comprised of our net investment in
leases and loans which totaled $555.1 million at June 30, 2009.
Personnel costs represent our most significant overhead expense and we actively
manage our staffing levels to the requirements of our lease portfolio. As a
financial services company, we continue to be impacted by the challenging
economic environment. As a result, we have proactively lowered expenses in the
first quarter of 2009, including reducing our workforce by 17% and closing our
two smallest satellite sales offices (Chicago and Utah). A total of 49 employees
company-wide were affected as a result of the staff reductions in the first
quarter of 2009. We incurred pretax severance costs in the three months ended
March 31, 2009 of approximately $500,000 related to the staff reductions. The
total annualized pretax salary cost savings that are expected to result from the
reductions are estimated to be approximately $2.3 million.
During the second quarter of 2009, we announced a further workforce reduction of
24%, or 55 employees company-wide, including the closure of our Denver satellite
office. We incurred pretax severance costs in the three months ended June 30,
2009 of approximately $700,000 related to these staff reductions. The total
annualized pretax salary cost savings that are expected to result from these
reductions are estimated to be approximately $2.9 million. Although we believe
that our estimates are appropriate and reasonable based on available
information, actual results could differ from these estimates.
On March 20, 2007, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") approved
the application of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Marlin Business Bank ("MBB"), to
become an industrial bank chartered by the State of Utah. MBB commenced
operations effective March 12, 2008. MBB provides diversification of the
Company's funding sources and, over time, may add other product offerings to
better serve our customer base.
On December 31, 2008, MBB received approval from the Federal Reserve Bank of San
Francisco to (i) convert from an industrial bank to a state-chartered commercial
bank and (ii) become a member of the Federal Reserve System. In addition, on
December 31, 2008, Marlin Business Services Corp. received approval to become a
bank holding company upon conversion of MBB from an industrial bank to a
commercial bank.
On January 13, 2009, MBB converted from an industrial bank to a commercial bank
chartered and supervised by the State of Utah and the Federal Reserve Board. In
connection with the conversion of MBB to a commercial bank, Marlin Business
Services Corp. became a bank holding company on January 13, 2009.
We generally reach our lessees through a network of independent equipment
dealers and lease brokers. The number of dealers and brokers that we conduct
business with depends on, among other things, the number of sales account
executives we have. Sales account executive staffing levels and the activity of
our origination sources are shown below.
Six Months
Ended
June 30, As of or For the Year Ended December 31,
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
Number of sales
account executives 33 86 118 100 103 100
Number of originating
sources(1) 533 1,014 1,246 1,295 1,295 1,244
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(1) Monthly average of origination sources generating lease volume
Our revenue consists of interest and fees from our leases and loans and, to a
lesser extent, income from our property insurance program and other fee income.
Our expenses consist of interest expense and operating expenses, which include
salaries and benefits and other general and administrative expenses. As a credit
lender, our earnings are also significantly impacted by credit losses. For the
quarter ended June 30, 2009, our annualized net credit losses were 5.54% of our
average total finance receivables. We establish reserves for credit losses which
require us to estimate inherent losses in our portfolio.
Our leases are classified under generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America ("GAAP") as direct financing leases, and we recognize
interest income over the term of the lease. Direct financing leases transfer
substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership to the equipment
lessee. Our net investment in direct finance leases is included in our
consolidated financial statements in "net investment in leases and loans." Net
investment in direct financing leases consists of the sum of total minimum lease
payments receivable and the estimated residual value of leased equipment, less
unearned lease income. Unearned lease income consists of the excess of the total
future minimum lease payments receivable plus the estimated residual value
expected to be realized at the end of the lease term plus deferred net initial
direct costs and fees less the cost of the related equipment. Approximately 73%
of our lease portfolio at June 30, 2009 amortizes over the term to a $1 residual
value. For the remainder of the portfolio, we must estimate end of term residual
values for the leased assets. Failure to correctly estimate residual values
could result in losses being realized on the disposition of the equipment at the
end of the lease term.
Since our founding, we have funded our business through a combination of
variable-rate borrowings and fixed-rate asset securitization transactions, as
well as through the issuance from time to time of subordinated debt and equity.
Our variable-rate borrowing currently consists of a commercial paper ("CP")
conduit warehouse facility which is being amortized. There is no available
borrowing capacity in the facility. We issue fixed-rate term debt through the
asset-backed securitization market. Historically, leases have been funded
through variable-rate borrowings until they were refinanced through the term
note securitization at fixed rates. All of our term note securitizations have
been accounted for as on-balance sheet transactions and, therefore, we have not
recognized gains or losses from these transactions. As of June 30, 2009,
$328.1 million, or 77.0%, of our borrowings were fixed-rate term note
securitizations.
In addition, since its opening on March 12, 2008, MBB provides diversification
of the Company's funding sources through the issuance of FDIC insured
certificates of deposit raised nationally through various brokered deposit
relationships.
Since we initially finance our fixed-rate leases with variable-rate financing,
our earnings are exposed to interest rate risk should interest rates rise before
we complete our fixed-rate term note securitizations. We generally benefit in
times of falling and low interest rates. We are also dependent upon obtaining
future financing to refinance our warehouse lines of credit in order to grow our
lease portfolio. We have historically completed a fixed-rate term note
securitization approximately once a year. Due to the impact on interest rates
from unfavorable market conditions and the available capacity in our warehouse
facilities at the time, the Company elected not to complete a fixed-rate term
note securitization in 2008. Failure to obtain such financing, or other
alternate financing, may significantly restrict our growth and future financial
performance.
We use derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to the effects of
changes in market interest rates and to fulfill certain covenants in our
borrowing arrangements. All derivatives are recorded on the Consolidated Balance
Sheets at their fair value as either assets or liabilities. Accounting for the
changes in fair value of derivatives depends on whether the derivative has been
designated and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment pursuant to SFAS
No. 133, as amended, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities. While the Company may continue to use derivative financial
instruments to reduce exposure to changing interest rates, effective July 1,
2008, the Company discontinued the use of hedge accounting pursuant to SFAS
No. 133.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations
are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared
in accordance with GAAP. Preparation of these financial statements requires us
to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets and
liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we
evaluate our estimates, including credit losses, residuals, initial direct costs
and fees, other fees, performance assumptions for stock-based compensation
awards, the probability of forecasted transactions, the fair value of financial
instruments and the realization of deferred tax assets. We base our estimates on
historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for
making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are
not readily apparent from other sources. Critical accounting policies are
defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties.
Our consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application
of critical accounting policies, the most significant of which are described
below.
Income recognition. Interest income is recognized under the effective interest
method. The effective interest method of income recognition applies a constant
rate of interest equal to the internal rate of return on the lease. When a lease
or loan is 90 days or more delinquent, the contract is classified as being on
non-accrual and we do not recognize interest income on that contract until it is
less than 90 days delinquent.
Fee income consists of fees for delinquent lease and loan payments, cash
collected on early termination of leases and net residual income. Net residual
income includes income from lease renewals and gains and losses on the
realization of residual values of leased equipment disposed at the end of term.
At the end of the original lease term, lessees may choose to purchase the
equipment, renew the lease or return the equipment to the Company. The Company
receives income from lease renewals when the lessee elects to retain the
equipment longer than the original term of the lease. This income, net of
appropriate periodic reductions in the estimated residual values of the related
equipment, is included in fee income as net residual income.
When the lessee elects to return the equipment at lease termination, the
equipment is transferred to other assets at the lower of its basis or fair
market value. The Company generally sells returned equipment to an independent
third party, rather than leasing the equipment a second time. The Company does
not maintain equipment in other assets for longer than 120 days. Any loss
recognized on transferring the equipment to other assets, and any gain or loss
realized on the sale of equipment to the lessee or to others is included in fee
income as net residual income.
Fee income from delinquent lease payments is recognized on an accrual basis
based on anticipated collection rates. Other fees are recognized when received.
Management performs periodic reviews of the estimated residual values and any
impairment, if other than temporary, is recognized in the current period.
Insurance income is recognized on an accrual basis as earned over the term of
the lease. Payments that are 120 days or more past due are charged against
income. Ceding commissions, losses and loss adjustment expenses are recorded in
the period incurred and netted against insurance income.
Initial direct costs and fees. We defer initial direct costs incurred and fees
received to originate our leases and loans in accordance with SFAS No. 91,
Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or
Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases. The initial direct costs and
fees we defer are part of the net investment in leases and loans, and are
amortized to interest income using the effective interest method. We defer
third-party commission costs as well as certain internal costs directly related
to the origination activity. Costs subject to deferral include evaluating the
prospective customer's financial condition, evaluating and recording guarantees
and other security arrangements, negotiating terms, preparing and processing
documents and closing the transaction. The fees we defer are documentation fees
collected at inception. The realization of the deferred initial direct costs,
net of fees deferred, is predicated on the net future cash flows generated by
our lease and loan portfolios.
Lease residual values. A direct financing lease is recorded at the aggregate
future minimum lease payments plus the estimated residual values less unearned
income. Residual values reflect the estimated amounts to be received at lease
termination from lease extensions, sales or other dispositions of leased
equipment. These estimates are based on industry data and on our experience.
Management performs periodic reviews of the estimated residual values and any
impairment, if other than temporary, is recognized in the current period.
Allowance for credit losses. In accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for
Contingencies, we maintain an allowance for credit losses at an amount
sufficient to absorb losses inherent in our existing lease and loan portfolios
as of the reporting dates based on our projection of probable net credit losses.
We evaluate our portfolios on a pooled basis, due to their composition of small
balance, homogenous accounts with similar general credit risk characteristics,
diversified among a large cross section of variables including industry,
geography, equipment type, obligor and vendor. To project probable net credit
losses, we perform a migration analysis of delinquent and current accounts based
on historic loss experience. A migration analysis is a technique used to
estimate the likelihood that an account will progress through the various
delinquency stages and ultimately charge off. In addition to the migration
analysis, we also consider other factors including recent trends in
delinquencies and charge-offs; accounts filing for bankruptcy; account
modifications; recovered amounts; forecasting uncertainties; the composition of
our lease and loan portfolios; economic conditions; and seasonality. The various
factors used in the analysis are reviewed on a periodic basis. We then establish
an allowance for credit losses for the projected probable net credit losses
based on this analysis. A provision is charged against earnings to maintain the
allowance for credit losses at the appropriate level. Our policy is to
charge-off against the allowance the estimated unrecoverable portion of accounts
once they reach 121 days delinquent.
Our projections of probable net credit losses are inherently uncertain, and as a
result we cannot predict with certainty the amount of such losses. Changes in
economic conditions, the risk characteristics and composition of the portfolios,
bankruptcy laws, and other factors could impact our actual and projected net
credit losses and the related allowance for credit losses. To the degree we add
new leases and loans to our portfolios, or to the degree credit quality is worse
than expected, we record expense to increase the allowance for credit losses for
the estimated net losses inherent in our portfolios. Actual losses may vary from
current estimates.
Securitizations. Since inception, we have completed nine term note
securitizations of which six have been repaid. In connection with each
transaction, we established a bankruptcy remote special-purpose subsidiary and
issued term debt to institutional investors. Under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for
Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,
a replacement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 125, our
securitizations do not qualify for sales accounting treatment due to certain
call provisions that we maintain as well as the fact that the special purpose
entities used in connection with the securitizations also hold the residual
assets. Accordingly, assets and related debt of the special purpose entities are
included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our leases and
restricted interest-earning deposits with banks are assigned as collateral for
these borrowings and there is no further recourse to our general credit.
Collateral in excess of these borrowings represents our maximum loss exposure.
Derivatives. SFAS No. 133, as amended, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities, requires recognition of all derivatives at fair value as
either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accounting
for subsequent changes in the fair value of these derivatives depends on whether
each has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment pursuant
to the accounting standard.
Prior to July 1, 2008, the Company entered into derivative contracts which were
accounted for as cash flow hedges under hedge accounting as prescribed by SFAS
No. 133. Under hedge accounting, the effective portion of the gain or loss on a
derivative designated as a cash flow hedge was reported net of tax effects in
accumulated other comprehensive income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, until
the pricing of the related term securitization. The derivative gain or loss
recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income is then reclassified into
earnings as an adjustment to interest expense over the terms of the related
borrowings.
While the Company may continue to use derivative financial instruments to reduce
exposure to changing interest rates, effective July 1, 2008, the Company
discontinued the use of hedge accounting. By discontinuing hedge accounting
effective July 1, 2008, any subsequent changes in the fair value of derivative
instruments, including those that had previously been accounted for under hedge
accounting, is recognized immediately in gain (loss) on derivatives. This change
creates volatility in our results of operations, as the fair value of our
derivative financial instruments changes over time, and this volatility may
adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
For the forecasted transactions that are probable of occurring, the derivative
gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income as of June 30, 2008 will
be reclassified into earnings as an adjustment to interest expense over the
terms of the related forecasted borrowings, consistent with hedge accounting
treatment. In the event that the related forecasted borrowing is no longer
probable of occurring, the related gain or loss in accumulated other
comprehensive income is recognized in earnings immediately.
The Company has adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which establishes
a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and enhances disclosures about
fair value measurements. As defined in SFAS No. 157, fair value is the price
that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in a
orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most
advantageous market for the asset or liability at the measurement date (exit
price). Because the Company's derivatives are not listed on an exchange, the
Company values these instruments using a valuation model with pricing inputs
that are observable in the market or that can be derived principally from or
corroborated by observable market data.
Stock-based compensation. We issue both restricted shares and stock options to
certain employees and directors as part of our overall compensation strategy.
SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment,establishes fair value as the measurement
objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all
entities to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for
share-based payment transactions with employees, except for equity instruments
held by employee share ownership plans.
Stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value
of the awards ultimately expected to vest. Compensation cost is recognized on a
straight-line basis over the service period for all awards granted subsequent to
the Company's adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006, as well as for the
unvested portions of awards outstanding as of the Company's adoption of SFAS
No. 123(R).
We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to measure the fair value of our stock
options utilizing various assumptions with respect to expected holding period,
risk-free interest rates, stock price volatility, and dividend yield. The
assumptions are based on subjective future expectations combined with management
judgment.
Under SFAS No. 123(R), the Company is also required to use judgment in
estimating the amount of awards that are expected to be forfeited, with
subsequent revisions to the assumptions if actual forfeitures differ from those
estimates. In addition, for performance-based awards the Company estimates the
degree to which the performance conditions will be met to estimate the number of
shares expected to vest and the related compensation expense. Compensation
expense is adjusted in the period such performance estimates change.
Income taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of SFAS
No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. SFAS No. 109 requires the use of the asset
and liability method under which deferred taxes are determined based on the
estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and
tax bases of assets and liabilities, given the provisions of the enacted tax
laws. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management
considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets
is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in
which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the
scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable
income in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable
income and projections for future taxable income over the periods which the
deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than
not the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.
Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any necessary valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets. The process involves summarizing temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items, for example, leases for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our management must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income or tax carry-back availability and, to the extent our management believes recovery is not likely, a valuation allowance must be established. To the extent that we establish a valuation allowance in a period, an expense must be recorded within the tax provision in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. At June 30, 2009, there have been no material changes to the liability for uncertain tax positions and there are no significant unrecognized tax benefits. The periods subject to examination for the Company's federal return include the 1997 tax year to the present. The Company files state income tax returns in various states which may have different statutes of limitations. Generally, state income tax returns for years 2003 through 2008 are subject to examination. The Company records penalties and accrued interest related to uncertain tax . . .
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