|
UNITED STATES |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 |
FORM 10-Q
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Mark One) |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
x |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
||||
|
|
|
|
||
|
For the quarterly period ended |
September 30, 2014 |
|
||
|
|
|
|||
|
|||||
or |
|||||
|
|
|
|
||
o |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
||||
|
|
|
|
||
|
For the transition period from _________________________to _________________________ |
||||
|
|
|
|
||
|
Commission file number |
|
0-5703 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
||||
Siebert Financial Corp. |
|||||
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) |
|
|
|
|
|
New York |
|
|
11-1796714 |
|
|
|
|
||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
885 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) |
|
(212) 644-2400 |
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code) |
|
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
|
|
|
|
Large Accelerated Filer o |
Accelerated Filer o |
|
|
|
|
Non-Accelerated Filer o |
Smaller Reporting Company x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of November 9, 2014, there were 22,085,126 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding.
1
Unless the context otherwise requires, the Company shall mean Siebert Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries and Siebert shall mean Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Certain statements contained in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations below and elsewhere in this report, as well as oral statements that may be made by us or by our officers, directors or employees acting on our behalf, that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and known and unknown factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from our historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including, without limitation: changes in general economic and market conditions; changes and prospects for changes in interest rates; fluctuations in volume and prices of securities; demand for brokerage and investment banking services; competition within and without the discount brokerage business, including the offer of broader services; competition from electronic discount brokerage firms offering greater discounts on commissions than we do; the prevalence of a flat fee environment; decline in participation in corporate or municipal finance underwritings; limited trading opportunities; the method of placing trades by our customers; computer and telephone system failures; our level of spending on advertising and promotion; trading errors and the possibility of losses from customer non-payment of amounts due; other increases in expenses and changes in net capital or other regulatory requirements. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date when such statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. An investment in us involves various risks, including those mentioned above and those which are detailed from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
2
Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Siebert Financial
Corp. & Subsidiaries
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
30, |
|
December
31, |
|
||
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
8,280,000 |
|
$ |
15,424,000 |
|
Cash equivalents restricted |
|
|
1,532,000 |
|
|
1,532,000 |
|
Receivable from brokers |
|
|
879,000 |
|
|
1,105,000 |
|
Securities owned, at fair value |
|
|
433,000 |
|
|
406,000 |
|
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net |
|
|
584,000 |
|
|
712,000 |
|
Investment in and advances to affiliates |
|
|
8,075,000 |
|
|
8,022,000 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
|
526,000 |
|
|
751,000 |
|
Intangibles, net |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
$ |
20,319,000 |
|
$ |
27,970,000 |
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
$ |
2,715,000 |
|
$ |
2,861,000 |
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contingencies (Note 9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.01 par value; 49,000,000 shares authorized, 23,211,846 shares issued and 22,085,126 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively |
|
|
232,000 |
|
|
232,000 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
19,490,000 |
|
|
19,490,000 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
2,642,000 |
|
|
10,147,000 |
|
Less: 1,126,720 shares of treasury stock, at cost at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively |
|
|
(4,760,000 |
) |
|
(4,760,000 |
) |
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
17,604,000 |
|
|
25,109,000 |
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
20,319,000 |
|
$ |
27,970,000 |
|
|
|
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
Siebert Financial
Corp. & Subsidiaries
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Nine Months Ended |
|
||||||||
|
|
September 30, |
|
September 30, |
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
||||
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees |
|
$ |
2,410,000 |
|
$ |
2,767,000 |
|
$ |
8,027,000 |
|
$ |
8,656,000 |
|
Investment banking |
|
|
558,000 |
|
|
464,000 |
|
|
1,703,000 |
|
|
1,945,000 |
|
Trading profits |
|
|
472,000 |
|
|
420,000 |
|
|
1,104,000 |
|
|
1,562,000 |
|
Interest and dividends |
|
|
14,000 |
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
43,000 |
|
|
47,000 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
3,454,000 |
|
|
3,666,000 |
|
|
10,877,000 |
|
|
12,210,000 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee compensation and benefits |
|
|
1,942,000 |
|
|
1,994,000 |
|
|
5,875,000 |
|
|
6,502,000 |
|
Clearing fees, including floor brokerage |
|
|
441,000 |
|
|
595,000 |
|
|
1,416,000 |
|
|
1,854,000 |
|
Professional fees |
|
|
1,086,000 |
|
|
2,107,000 |
|
|
3,421,000 |
|
|
4,060,000 |
|
Loss related to arbitration settlement |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
4,300,000 |
|
|
|
|
Advertising and promotion |
|
|
74,000 |
|
|
122,000 |
|
|
196,000 |
|
|
297,000 |
|
Communications |
|
|
236,000 |
|
|
317,000 |
|
|
758,000 |
|
|
992,000 |
|
Occupancy |
|
|
206,000 |
|
|
266,000 |
|
|
658,000 |
|
|
782,000 |
|
Other general and administrative |
|
|
529,000 |
|
|
651,000 |
|
|
1,756,000 |
|
|
1,760,000 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
4,514,000 |
|
|
6,052,000 |
|
|
18,380,000 |
|
|
16,247,000 |
|
|
|
||||||||||||
(Loss) income from equity investees |
|
|
(396,000 |
) |
|
742,000 |
|
|
(2,000 |
) |
|
(329,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Net loss |
|
($ |
1,456,000 |
) |
($ |
1,644,000 |
) |
($ |
7,505,000 |
) |
($ |
4,366,000 |
) |
|
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
($ |
.07 |
) |
($ |
.07 |
) |
($ |
.34 |
) |
($ |
.20 |
) |
Weighted average shares outstanding - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted |
|
|
22,085,126 |
|
|
22,085,126 |
|
|
22,085,126 |
|
|
22,088,065 |
|
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
Siebert Financial Corp. & Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended |
|
||||
|
|
September 30, |
|
||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
||
|
|
||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
($ |
7,505,000 |
) |
($ |
4,366,000 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
284,000 |
|
|
96,000 |
|
Loss from equity investees |
|
|
2,000 |
|
|
329,000 |
|
Distribution from equity investee |
|
|
13,000 |
|
|
1,212,000 |
|
Changes in: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities owned, at fair value |
|
|
(27,000 |
) |
|
(73,000 |
) |
Receivable from brokers |
|
|
226,000 |
|
|
894,000 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
202,000 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
(146,000 |
) |
|
1,746,000 |
|
|
|
||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
|
|
(6,928,000 |
) |
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements |
|
|
(148,000 |
) |
|
(437,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distribution from equity investee |
|
|
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
(Advances) collection to equity investee |
|
|
(68,000 |
) |
|
(104,000 |
) |
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(216,000 |
) |
|
(535,000 |
) |
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of treasury shares |
|
|
|
|
|
(19,000 |
) |
|
|
||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
(19,000 |
) |
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(7,144,000 |
) |
|
(514,000 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period |
|
|
15,424,000 |
|
|
18,902,000 |
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period |
|
$ |
8,280,000 |
|
$ |
18,388,000 |
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow disclosures: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
51,000 |
|
|
|
|
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
Siebert Financial Corp. & Subsidiaries
Notes to
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013
(Unaudited)
|
|
1. |
Organization and Basis of Presentation: |
|
|
|
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Siebert Financial Corp. (the Company) and its wholly owned subsidiaries Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc. (Siebert) and Siebert Womens Financial Network, Inc. (WFN). All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Investment in two entities in which the Company has ownership interests of 49% and 33.33%, respectively, are accounted for by the equity method and included in investment in and advances to affiliates in the consolidated statements of financial condition. |
|
|
|
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements presented herein are unaudited and include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations of the interim periods pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States of America (U.S.) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited consolidated statements of financial condition at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Because of the nature of the Companys business, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year. |
|
|
2. |
Securities: |
|
|
|
Securities owned are carried at fair value with realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected in trading profits. Siebert clears all its security transactions through unaffiliated clearing firms on a fully disclosed basis. Accordingly, Siebert does not hold funds or securities for, or owe funds or securities to, its customers. Those functions are performed by the clearing firms. |
|
|
3. |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments: |
|
|
|
Authoritative accounting guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are not adjusted for transaction costs. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels: |
|
|
|
Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
|
|
|
Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly, and reasonably available. |
6
|
|
|
Level 3 Unobservable inputs which reflect the assumptions that management develops based on available information about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability. |
|
|
|
The classification of financial instruments valued at fair value at September 30, 2014 is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Cash equivalents |
|
$ |
9,183,000 |
|
|
Securities |
|
|
433,000 |
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
9,616,000 |
|
|
|
|
Cash equivalents primarily represent investments in money market funds. Securities consist of common stock valued on the last business day of the period at the last available reported sales price on the primary securities exchange (Level 1). As of September 30, 2014, the Company did not hold any Level 2 or Level 3 financial instruments. |
|
|
4. |
Per Share Data: |
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average outstanding common shares during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the number of shares outstanding under the basic calculation and adding all dilutive securities, which consist of options. The Company incurred a net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 respectively. Accordingly, basic and diluted net loss per common share are the same for each period as the effect of stock options is anti-dilutive. Shares of underlying stock options not included in the diluted computation amounted to 265,000 at September 30, 2014 and 375,000 at September 30, 2013. |
|
|
5. |
Net Capital: |
|
|
|
Siebert is subject to the SECs Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Siebert has elected to use the alternative method, permitted by the Rule, which requires that Siebert maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equal to the greater of $250,000 or two percent of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions, pursuant to the Rule. As of September 30, 2014, Siebert had net capital of approximately $6,142,000 as compared with net capital requirements of $250,000. Siebert claims exemptions from the reserve requirement under section 15c3-3(k)(2)(ii). |
|
|
6. |
Revenue: |
|
|
|
Commission revenues and related clearing expenses are recorded on a trade-date basis. Fees, consisting principally of revenue participation with the Companys clearing broker in distribution fees and interest, are recorded as earned. |
|
|
|
Trading profits are also recorded on a trade-date basis and principally represent riskless principal transactions which the Company, after receiving an order, buys or sells securities as principal and at the same time sells or buys the securities with a markup or markdown to satisfy the order. |
7
|
|
|
Investment banking revenue includes gains and fees, net of syndicate expenses, arising from underwriting syndicates in which the Company participates. Investment banking management fees are recorded on the offering date, sales concessions on the settlement date and underwriting fees at the time the underwriting is completed and the income is reasonably determinable. |
|
|
|
Interest is recorded on an accrual basis and dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. |
|
|
7. |
Capital Transactions: |
|
|
|
On January 22, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a buy back of up to 300,000 shares of common stock. Shares will be purchased from time to time, at managements discretion, in the open market and in private transactions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, there were no shares purchased. |
|
|
|
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, 25,000 employee stock options expired in June 2014 with an exercise price of $4.04 and 60,000 stock options were cancelled in January 2014 at an exercise price of $3.05 with the passing of Director Leonard M. Leiman. At September 30, 2014, there are 265,000 outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of $3.02, which were fully vested and exercisable. As of September 30, 2014, there was no unrecognized compensation cost. |
|
|
8. |
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates: |
|
|
|
Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., L.L.C. (SBS) |
|
|
|
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, Siebert held a 49% ownership interest in SBS which is engaged in municipal bond underwritings (see note 12). Income or loss from SBS is considered to be integral to Sieberts operations and material to its results of operations. See note 13 for a description of a subsequent event in which Siebert and the other members of SBS contributed their SBS membership interests into a newly formed entity in exchange for equal percentage interests in the new entity and then Siebert sold substantially all of the assets of its capital markets business to the newly formed entity. |
|
|
|
Summarized financial data of SBS is set forth below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
||||
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets including secured demand note of $1,200,000 due from Siebert |
|
|
25,802,000 |
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities including subordinated liabilities of $1,200,000 due to Siebert |
|
|
9,905,000 |
|
|
|
|
Total members capital |
|
|
15,897,000 |
|
|
|
|
Regulatory minimum net capital requirement |
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
16,661,000 |
|
|
16,991,000 |
|
Net income (loss) |
|
|
8,000 |
|
|
(380,000 |
) |
Three months ended: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
4,277,000 |
|
|
7,962,000 |
|
Net (loss) income |
|
|
(802,000 |
) |
|
1,562,000 |
|
|
|
|
Siebert charged SBS $75,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 respectively, and $25,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for general and administrative services, which Siebert believes approximates the cost of furnishing such services. |
|
|
|
Sieberts share of net (loss) income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 amounted to ($393,000) and $765,000, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 amounted to $4,000 and ($186,000), respectively. |
8
|
|
|
Siebert received distributions from SBS of $13,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and Sieberts share of undistributed earnings from SBS amounted to $7,793,000 at September 30, 2014. Such amount may not be immediately available for distribution to Siebert for various reasons including the amount of SBSs available cash, the provisions of the agreement among Siebert and the principals of SBS and SBSs continued compliance with its regulatory and net capital requirements. |
|
|
|
SBS Financial Products Company, LLC (SBSFPC) |
|
|
|
The Company has a 33.33% ownership interest in, and the two individual principals of SBS have an aggregate 66.66% ownership interest in, SBSFPC which engages in derivatives transactions related to the municipal underwriting business (see note 12). As of September 30, 2014, SBSFPCs operations were being phased out. |
|
|
|
Summarized financial data of SBSFPC is set forth below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
September 30, |
|
||
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
||
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
|
|
551,000 |
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total members capital |
|
|
551,000 |
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
0 |
|
|
(226,000 |
)* |
Net loss |
|
|
(18.000 |
) |
|
(430,000 |
) |
Three months ended: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues |
|
|
0 |
|
|
(18,000 |
)* |
Net loss |
|
|
(7,000 |
) |
|
(70,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Negative balance was attributable to unrealized loss on derivative contracts. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Companys share of net loss of SBSFPC for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 amounted to ($3,000) and ($23,000), respectively. The Companys share of net income (loss) of SBSFPC for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 amounted to ($6,000) and ($143,000), respectively. |
|
|
|
The Company did not receive a distribution from SBSFPC during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. |
|
|
|
In July 2013, as a result of the filing of a bankruptcy petition by the City of Detroit, SBSFPC unwound certain derivative contracts with a financial institution pursuant to the terms of the contracts. The contracts were recorded as liabilities with a carrying value of $123,063,000. In connection therewith, SBSFPC assigned certain derivative contracts with the City of Detroit to the financial institution, which were recorded as assets with a carrying value of $123,063,000. No gain or loss was recognized by SBSFPC as a result of the unwinding and assignment of these derivative contracts and SBSFPC has no continuing obligations or rights with respect to the derivative contracts. During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, SBSFPC incurred a loss of $241,000 on the write-down in value of the derivative contracts with the City of Detroit to adjust their carrying value to the carrying value of the derivative contracts with the financial institution. |
|
|
9. |
Contingencies and Commitments: |
|
|
|
In July 2014, the Company entered into a settlement agreement in regards to a dispute with a former employee, in which the former employee sought, among other things, damages arising from his separation from the Company. The Company asserted counterclaims in the arbitration. Pursuant to the settlement, the Company paid $4,300,000 |
9
|
|
|
to the former employee, and all claims and counterclaims have been dismissed and released. The accompanying financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 reflect a charge to give effect to the settlement. |
|
|
|
Retail customer transactions are cleared through clearing brokers on a fully disclosed basis. If customers do not fulfill their contractual obligations, the clearing broker may charge Siebert for any loss incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of securities at prevailing market prices to satisfy the customer obligations. Siebert regularly monitors the activity in its customer accounts for compliance with its margin requirements. Siebert is exposed to the risk of loss on unsettled customer transactions if customers are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. There were no material losses for unsettled customer transactions for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. |
|
|
|
Siebert is party to certain claims, suits and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management all such claims, suits and complaints are without merit, or involve amounts which would not have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company. |
|
|
|
Siebert is party to a Secured Demand Note Collateral Agreement, as amended on July 29, 2014, with SBS which obligates Siebert to lend SBS, on a subordinated basis, up to $1,200,000. The secured demand note payable held by SBS and a related $1,200,000 receivable due from SBS are included in investments in and advances to equity investees in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Amounts that Siebert is obligated to lend under this arrangement are collateralized by cash equivalents of $1,532,000. Any amounts loaned will bear interest at 4% per annum and are repayable on August 31, 2015. |
|
|
|
In July 2013, the Company extended its fully disclosed clearing agreement with its clearing broker through July 2017. |
|
|
10. |
Income Taxes: |
|
|
|
No tax benefit has been recognized for the loss in the 2014 and 2013 periods as the Company has provided a valuation allowance to fully reserve the related deferred tax asset as realization of such asset is not considered more likely than not due to cumulative losses incurred by the Company and its subsidiaries during the prior three years. |
|
|
11. |
Reclassification: |
|
|
|
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company previously reported various minimum state taxes based on capital as income taxes on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company has reclassified such taxes to general and administrative expenses to conform to the 2014 presentation. |
|
|
12. |
Related Parties: |
|
|
|
Effective September 16, 2013, an individual having 25.5% ownership interest in SBS and 33.33% ownership interest in SBSFPC became the companys chief executive officer (See note 8). |
|
|
13. |
Subsequent Event: |
|
|
|
On November 4, 2014, Siebert and the other members of SBS contributed their SBS membership interests into a newly formed Delaware limited liability company, Siebert Brandford Shank Financial, L.L.C. (“SBSF”), in exchange for the same percentage interests in SBSF. On the same day Siebert entered an Asset Purchase Agreement (the Purchase Agreement) with SBS and SBSF, pursuant to which Siebert sold substantially all of the assets relating to Siebert’s capital markets business |
10
|
|
|
to SBSF. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, SBSF assumed post-closing liabilities relating to the transferred business. |
|
|
|
The Purchase Agreement provides for an aggregate purchase price for the disposition of $3,000,000, payable by SBSF after closing in annual, installments commencing on March 1, 2016 and continuing on each of March 1, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The transferred business will be contributed by SBSF to, and operated by SBS. The amount payable on each annual payment date will equal 50% of the net income attributable to the transferred business recognized by SBS in accordance with GAAP during the fiscal year ending immediately preceding the applicable payment date; provided that, if net income attributable to the transferred business generated prior to the fifth annual payment date is insufficient to pay the remaining balance of the purchase price in full on the fifth annual payment date, then the unpaid amount of the purchase price will be payable in full on March 1, 2021. |
|
|
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
|
|
|
|
This discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013, and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. |
|
|
Business Environment |
|
|
|
|
Our working capital is invested primarily in money market funds, so that liquidity has not been materially affected. The financial crisis did have the effect of reducing participation in the securities market by our retail and institutional customers, which had an adverse effect on our revenues. The stock market has improved in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, however our revenue has not improved during this period. Our affiliate, Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., L.L.C. (SBS) had a gain for the current nine months period of approximately $8,000 as compared to a loss of $380,000 for the same period last year. This resulted in a gain to the Company of $4,000 for the current nine month period. Our expenses include the costs and loss related to an arbitration proceeding commenced by a former employee following the termination of his employment which was settled in July 2014. The costs of defense, which are included as professional expenses during 2014 and 2013 periods and related loss on settlement for the period ended September 30, 2014, have adversely affected the Companys result of operations. Competition in the brokerage industry remains intense. |
|
|
|
The following table sets forth certain metrics for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which we use in evaluating our business. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Three Months |
|
For the Nine Months |
|
||||||||
Retail Customer Activity: |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total retail trades: |
|
|
65,595 |
|
|
80,693 |
|
|
213,444 |
|
|
256,069 |
|
Average commission per retail trade: |
|
|
19.57 |
|
$ |
22.48 |
|
|
19.82 |
|
$ |
23.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Retail customer balances: |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Retail customer net worth (in billions): |
|
$ |
7.3 |
|
$ |
6.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail customer money market fund value (in billions): |
|
$ |
1.0 |
|
$ |
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail customer margin debit balances (in million): |
|
$ |
241.3 |
|
$ |
198.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retail customer accounts with positions: |
|
|
33,799 |
|
|
38,160 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
Description:
|
|
|
Total retail trades represent retail trades that generate commissions. |
|
|
|
Average commission per retail trade represents the average commission generated for all types of retail customer trades. |
|
|
|
Retail customer net worth represents the total value of securities and cash in the retail customer accounts before deducting margin debits. |
|
|
|
Retail customer money market fund value represents all retail customers accounts invested in money market funds. |
|
|
|
Retail customer margin debits balances represent credit extended to our customers to finance their purchases against current positions. |
|
|
|
Retail customer accounts with positions represent retail customers with cash and/or securities in their accounts. |
Like other securities firms, we are directly affected by general economic and market conditions including fluctuations in volume and prices of securities, changes and prospects for changes in interest rates and demand for brokerage and investment banking services, all of which can affect our relative profitability. In periods of reduced market activity, profitability is likely to be adversely affected because certain expenses, including salaries and related costs, portions of communications costs and occupancy expenses remain relatively fixed. Earnings, or loss, for any period should not be considered representative of any other period.
Recent Developments
On January 23, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a buy back of up to 300,000 shares of common stock. Shares will be purchased from time to time, in our discretion, in the open market and in private transactions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company did not purchase any shares.
On November 4, 2014, Siebert and the other members of Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co., L.L.C. (“SBS”) contributed their SBS membership interests into a newly formed Delaware limited liability company, Siebert Brandford Shank Financial, L.L.C. (“SBSF”), in exchange for the same percentage interests in SBSF. On the same day Siebert entered an Asset Purchase Agreement (the Purchase Agreement) with SBS and SBSF, pursuant to which Siebert sold substantially all of the assets relating to Siebert’s capital markets business to SBSF. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, SBSF assumed post-closing liabilities relating to the transferred business.
The Purchase Agreement provides for an aggregate purchase price for the disposition of $3,000,000, payable by SBSF after closing in annual installments commencing on March 1, 2016 and continuing on each of March 1, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The transferred business will be contributed by SBSF to, and operated by SBS. The amount payable on each annual payment date will equal 50% of the net income attributable to the transferred business recognized by SBS in accordance with GAAP during the fiscal year ending immediately preceding the applicable payment date;provided that, if net income attributable to the transferred business generated prior to the fifth annual payment date is insufficient to pay the remaining balance of the purchase
12
price in full on the fifth annual payment date, then the unpaid amount of the purchase price will be payable in full on March 1, 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies
We generally follow accounting policies standard in the brokerage industry and believe that our policies appropriately reflect our financial position and results of operations. Our management makes significant estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities included in the financial statements. The estimates relate primarily to revenue and expense items in the normal course of business as to which we receive no confirmations, invoices, or other documentation at the time the books are closed for a period. We use our best judgment, based on our knowledge of these revenue transactions and expenses incurred, to estimate the amounts of such revenue and expense. Estimates are also used in determining the useful lives of intangible assets, and the fair market value of intangible assets and securities. Our management believes that its estimates are reasonable.
Results of Operations
We had net loss of $1,456,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and net loss of $1,644,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $3.5 million, a decrease of $212,000 or 5.8% from the same period in 2013.
Commission and fee income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was $2.4 million, a decrease of $357,000 or 12.9% from the same period in 2013 due to an decrease in retail trading volume.
Investment banking revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $558,000, an increase of $94,000 or 20.3% from the same period in 2013 due to our participation in more new issues in the debt capital markets.
Trading profits were $472,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2014, an increase of $52,000 or 12.4% from the same period in 2013 due to an overall increase in trading volume primarily in the debt markets.
Interest and dividends for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $14,000, a decrease of $1,000 or 6.7% from the same period in 2013 primarily due to lower cash and cash equivalents balances from the previous year.
Total expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $4.5 million, a decrease of $1,538,000 or 25.4% from the same period in 2013.
Employee compensation and benefit expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $1.9 million, a decrease of $52,000 or 2.6% from the same period in 2013 due to a decrease in commission and bonus paid based on production in the capital markets and retail operations. We also had a reduction in head count from the previous year.
13
Clearing and floor brokerage expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $441,000, a decrease of $154,000 or 25.9% from the same period in 2013 primarily due to the decrease in volume of trade executions for retail customers.
Professional fees for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $1.1 million, a decrease of $1.0 million or 48.5% from the same period in 2013 primarily due to an decrease in legal fees relating to a dispute with a former employee.
Advertising and promotion expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $74,000, a decrease of $48,000 or 39.3% from the same period in 2013 due to a decrease in local media and print advertising.
Communications expense for the three months ended September 30, 2014, was $236,000, a decrease of $81,000 or 25.6% from the same period in 2013 due to a new phone system and phone vendor.
Occupancy expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $206,000, a decrease of $60,000 or 22.6% from the same period in 2013 due to our Palm Beach branch closing on March 31, 2014, reduction in our Jersey City branch operating expenses, and New York rent rebates as per our new lease.
Other general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were $529,000, a decrease of $122,000 or 18.7% from the same period in 2013 due to a decrease in travel and entertainment and registration fees.
Loss from Sieberts equity investment in SBS, an entity in which Siebert holds an indirect 49% equity interest, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was a loss of $393,000, as compared to net income of $765,000 from the same period in 2013 due to SBS participating in fewer senior managed or co-managed transactions. Loss from our equity investment in SBSFPC, an entity in which the company holds a 33.33% equity interest, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was a loss of $3,000 as compared to a loss of $23,000 from the same period in 2013 due to the business winding down.
No tax benefit related to the pre-tax loss was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 due to the recording of a full valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets based on recent losses and the likelihood of realization of such assets.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $10.9 million, a decrease of $1.3 million or 10.9% from the same period in 2013.
Commission and fee income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $8.0 million, a decrease of $629,000 or 7.3% from the same period in 2013 primarily due to a decrease in average commissions charged per trade and reduced retail and institutial trading volumes.
Investment banking revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $1.7 million, a decrease of $242,000 or 12.4% from the same period in 2013 due to our participation in fewer issues in the equity and debt capital markets.
Trading profits for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $1.1 million, a decrease of $458,000 or 29.3% from the same period in 2013 due to an overall decrease in customer trading volume in the debt markets.
Interest and dividends for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $43,000, a decrease of $4,000 or 8.5% from the same period in 2013 primarily due to lower cash and cash equivalents balances from the previous year.
14
Total expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $18.4 million, an increase of $2.1 million or 13.1% from the same period in 2013.
Employee compensation and benefit expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $5.9 million, a decrease of $627,000 or 9.6% from the same period in 2013 due to a decrease in commissions paid based on production in the capital markets. We also had a reduction in head count from the previous year.
Clearing and floor brokerage expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $1.4 million, a decrease of $438,000 or 23.6% from the same period in 2013, due to lower retail trading volumes.
Professional fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $3.4 million, a decrease of $639,000 or 15.7% from the same period in 2013 primarily due to a decrease in legal fees relating to a dispute with a former employee and a final settlement in the case totaling $4.3 million, which was recorded as a loss related to arbitration settlement on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Advertising and promotion expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $196,000, a decrease of $101,000 or 34.0% from the same period in 2013 primarily due to a decrease in online advertising.
Communications expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $758,000, a decrease of $234,000 or 23.6% from the same period in 2013 due to a new phone system and phone vendor.
Occupancy expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $658,000, a decrease of $124,000 or 15.9% from the same period in 2013 due to our Palm Beach branch closing on 3/31/14, reduction in our Jersey City branch operating expenses, and New York rent rebates as per our new lease.
Other general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $1.8 million, a decrease of $4,000 or 0.2% from the same period in 2013.
Income from Sieberts equity investment in SBS, an entity in which Siebert holds an indirect 49% equity interest, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a gain of $4,000, compared to a loss of $186,000 from the same period in 2013 due to SBS participating in more senior managed or co-managed transactions. Income from our equity investment in SBSFPC, an entity in which the company holds a 33.33% equity interest, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was a loss of $6,000 a as compared to a loss of $143,000 from the same period in 2013 due to the business winding down.
No tax benefit related to the pre-tax loss was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 due to the recording of a full valuation allowance to offset deferred tax assets based on recent cumulative losses and the likelihood of realization of such assets.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our assets are highly liquid, consisting generally of cash in money market funds. Our total assets at September 30, 2014 were $20.3 million. As of that date, we regarded $8.3 million, or 40.8%, of total assets as highly liquid.
Siebert is subject to the net capital requirements of the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and other regulatory authorities. At September 30, 2014, Sieberts regulatory net capital was $6.1 million, $5.8 million in excess of its minimum capital requirement of $250,000.
On January 22, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a buy back of up to 300,000 shares of common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 no shares were purchased.
15
Siebert has entered into a Secured Demand Note Collateral Agreement with SBS under which Siebert is obligated to lend to SBS up to $1.2 million on a subordinated basis collateralized by cash equivalents of approximately $1.5 million as of September 30, 2014. Amounts pledged by Siebert under the facility are reflected on our balance sheet as cash equivalents restricted. SBS pays Siebert interest on this amount at the rate of 4% per annum. The facility expires on August 31, 2015, at which time SBS is obligated to repay to Siebert any amounts borrowed by SBS thereunder.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Working capital is generally invested temporarily in dollar denominated money market funds. These investments are not subject to material changes in value due to interest rate movements.
Retail customer transactions are cleared through clearing brokers on a fully disclosed basis. If customers do not fulfill their contractual obligations, the clearing broker may charge Siebert for any loss incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of securities at prevailing market prices to satisfy the customers obligations. Siebert regularly monitors the activity in its customer accounts for compliance with its margin requirements. Siebert is exposed to the risk of loss on unsettled customer transactions if customers and other counter-parties are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. There were no material losses for unsettled customer transaction as of September 30, 2014.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange of 1934, as amended. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission and to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding timely disclosure.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various routine lawsuits of a nature we deem to be customary and incidental to our business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of such actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Companys financial position or results of operations.
In July 2014, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with respect to a dispute with a former employee, which arose in a prior year. Pursuant to the settlement, the Company paid $4,300,000 to the former employee, and all claims and counterclaims have been dismissed and released.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which could materially affect our business, financial position and results of operations. There are no material changes from the risk
16
factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On January 23, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 300,000 shares of our common stock. Shares will be purchased from time to time, in our discretion, in the open market and in private transactions. There is no expiration date for our stock repurchase plan. We did not purchase any shares in the third quarter of 2014.
A summary of our repurchase activity for the three months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Period |
|
Total Number |
|
Average Price |
|
Total Number of |
|
Maximum |
|
||||||||
July 2014 |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
|
129,137 |
|
|
|
170,863 |
|
|
||||
August 2014 |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
|
129,137 |
|
|
|
170,863 |
|
|
||||
September 2014 |
|
-- |
|
-- |
|
|
129,137 |
|
|
|
170,863 |
|
|
||||
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
129,137 |
|
|
|
170,863 |
|
|
All of the purchases were made in open market transactions.
Item 6. Exhibits
|
|
|
|
31.1 |
Certification of Suzanne Shank pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
|
31.2 |
Certification of Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
|
32.1 |
Certification of Suzanne Shank of Periodic Financial Report under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
|
32.2 |
Certification of Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. of Periodic Financial Report under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
17
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
SIEBERT FINANCIAL CORP. |
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Suzanne Shank |
|
|
|
Suzanne Shank |
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
(principal executive officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dated: November 14, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. |
|
|
|
Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. |
|
|
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, |
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
|
|
|
(Principal financial and accounting officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dated: November 14, 2014 |
|
18