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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File No. 1-14771
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Massachusetts   04-2962824
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)    
10 M Commerce Way, Woburn, MA 01801
(Address of principal executive offices)
(781) 994-4800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(b) of the Securities and 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. þ Yes o No
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer o       Accelerated Filer o       Non-Accelerated Filer þ
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes þ No
     As of April 24, 2006, 13,786,523 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.
 
 

 


 

MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
TABLE OF CONTENTS
                 
            Page  
Part I- FINANCIAL INFORMATION        
       
 
       
    Item 1.  
Financial Statements (unaudited):
       
       
 
       
            3  
       
 
       
            4  
       
 
       
            5-6  
       
 
       
            7  
       
 
       
    Item 2.       12  
       
 
       
    Item 3.       21  
       
 
       
    Item 4.       21  
       
 
       
Part II — OTHER INFORMATION        
       
 
       
    Item 1.       22  
       
 
       
    Item 1A.       23  
       
 
       
    Item 6.       23  
       
 
       
Signatures     24  
 EX-31.1 Section 302 Certification of CEO
 EX-31.2 Section 302 Certification of CFO
 EX-32.1 Section 906 Certification of CEO
 EX-32.2 Section 906 Certification of CFO

 


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
                 
    December 31,     March 31,  
    2005     2006  
ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 32,926     $ 31,690  
Net investment in leases and loans:
               
Receivables due in installments
    29,139       27,830  
Estimated residual value
    3,865       2,908  
Initial direct costs
    98       113  
Less:
               
Advance lease payments and deposits
    (35 )     (36 )
Unearned income
    (3,658 )     (4,743 )
Allowance for credit losses
    (8,714 )     (7,548 )
 
           
Net investment in leases and loans
    20,695       18,524  
 
Investment in service contracts, net
    1,626       1,238  
Investment in rental contracts, net
    3,025       1,752  
Property and equipment, net
    719       733  
Other assets
    1,315       1,100  
Deferred income taxes, net
    4,882       4,392  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 65,188     $ 59,429  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Notes payable
  $ 161     $ 201  
Subordinated notes payable
    2,602       802  
Accounts payable
    1,099       525  
Dividends payable
    4,114       689  
Other liabilities
    2,094       1,913  
Income taxes payable
    431       281  
 
           
Total liabilities
    10,501       4,411  
 
           
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued at December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006
           
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 13,713,899 and 13,785,273 shares issued at December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006, respectively
    137       138  
Additional paid-in capital
    43,839       44,098  
Retained earnings
    10,711       10,782  
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    54,687       55,018  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 65,188     $ 59,429  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
                 
    For the Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2006  
Revenues:
               
Income on financing leases and loans
  $ 1,508     $ 672  
Rental income
    6,429       5,721  
Income on service contracts
    1,088       555  
Loss and damage waiver fees
    819       551  
Service fees and other
    1,017       1,418  
     
Total revenues
    10,861       8,917  
     
 
               
Expenses:
               
Selling, general and administrative
    6,348       4,207  
Provision for credit losses
    5,810       1,610  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,484       1,765  
Interest
    205       81  
     
Total expenses
    14,847       7,663  
     
 
               
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (3,986 )     1,254  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (1,322 )     490  
     
 
               
Net income (loss)
    ($2,664 )   $ 764  
     
 
               
Net income (loss) per common share – basic
    ($0.20 )   $ 0.06  
     
Net income (loss) per common share – diluted
    ($0.20 )   $ 0.05  
     
 
               
Weighted-average shares:
               
Basic
    13,254,838       13,762,979  
     
Diluted
    13,254,838       13,905,902  
     
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    For the Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2006  
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Cash received from customers
  $ 16,074     $ 12,178  
Cash paid to suppliers and employees
    (5,961 )     (4,587 )
Cash received (paid) for income taxes
    14       (150 )
Interest paid
    (123 )     (70 )
Interest received
    32       315  
     
Net cash provided by operating activities
    10,036       7,686  
     
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Investment in lease and rental contracts
    (1,040 )     (2,922 )
Investment in inventory
    (2 )      
Investment in direct costs
    (7 )     (54 )
Investment in property and equipment
    (44 )     (68 )
     
Net cash used in investing activities
    (1,093 )     (3,044 )
     
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from secured debt
    45       40  
Repayment of subordinated debt
          (1,800 )
Repayment of capital leases
    (32 )      
Payment of dividends
    (659 )     (4,118 )
     
Net cash used in financing activities
    (646 )     (5,878 )
     
 
               
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    8,297       (1,236 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    9,709       32,926  
     
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 18,006     $ 31,690  
     
(continued on following page)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    For the Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     2006  
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
 
               
Net income (loss)
  (2,664 )   $ 764  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
               
cash provided by operating activities:
               
Amortization of unearned income, net of initial direct costs
    (1,508 )     (672 )
Depreciation and amortization
    2,484       1,765  
Provision for credit losses
    5,810       1,610  
Recovery of equipment cost and residual value
    6,407       4,159  
Stock-based compensation expense
    752       84  
Non-cash interest expense (amortization of debt discount)
    49       11  
Change in assets and liabilities:
               
Current taxes payable
    14       (150 )
Deferred income taxes
    (1,322 )     490  
Other assets
    240       205  
Accounts payable
    (771 )     (595 )
Other liabilities
    545       15  
     
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 10,036     $ 7,686  
     
 
               
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
               
Fair market value of stock issued
  $     $ 199  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tables in thousands, except share and per share data)
(A) Nature of Business
     MicroFinancial Incorporated (the “Company”) operates primarily through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Leasecomm Corporation and TimePayment Corp. LLC. TimePayment is a specialized commercial finance company that leases and rents “microticket” equipment and provides other financing services in amounts generally ranging from $500 to $15,000 with an average lease term of 44 months. Leasecomm historically financed contracts with an average amount financed of approximately $1,900, while the average amount financed by TimePayment is approximately $6,900. The Company primarily sources its originations through a network of independent sales organizations and other dealer-based origination networks nationwide. The Company funds its operations through cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under its credit facilities and the issuance of subordinated debt.
(B) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial statements. Accordingly, the interim statements do not include all of the information and disclosures required for the annual financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of these interim results. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2006.
     The balance sheet at December 31, 2005 has been derived from the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Allowance for Credit Losses
     The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on its investment in leases, service contracts, rental contracts and loans at an amount that it believes is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses in its portfolio. Given the nature of the “microticket” market and the individual size of each transaction, the business does not warrant the creation of a formal credit review committee to review individual transactions. Rather, the Company developed a sophisticated, risk-adjusted pricing model and has automated the credit scoring, approval and collection processes. The Company believes that with the proper risk-adjusted pricing model, it can grant credit to a wide range of applicants provided it has priced appropriately for the associated risk inherent in the transaction. As a result of approving a wide range of credits, the Company experiences a relatively high level of delinquency and write-offs in its portfolio. The Company periodically reviews the credit scoring and approval process to ensure that the automated system is making appropriate credit decisions. Given the nature of the “microticket” market and the individual size of each transaction, the business does not warrant evaluating transactions individually for the purpose of developing and determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. Contracts in the portfolio are not re-graded subsequent to the initial extension of credit, nor is the allowance allocated to specific contracts. Rather, since the impaired contracts have common characteristics, the Company maintains a general allowance against the entire portfolio utilizing historical loss and recovery statistics as the basis for the amount.
     The Company has adopted a consistent, systematic procedure for establishing and maintaining an appropriate allowance for credit losses for “microticket” transactions. Management reviews, on a static pool basis, the collection experience on various months’ originations. In addition, management reviews, on a static pool basis, the recoveries made on accounts written off. The results of these static pool analyses reflect the Company’s actual collection experience given the fact that the Company obtains additional recourse in many instances in the form of personal guaranties from the borrowers, as well as, in some instances, limited recourse from the dealer. In addition, management considers current delinquency statistics, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The combination of historical experience and the review of current factors provide the basis for the analysis to determine


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tables in thousands, except share and per share data)
the adequacy of the allowance. The Company takes charge-offs against its receivables when such receivables are 360 days past due and no contact has been made with the lessee for 12 months. However, collection efforts continue and the Company recognizes recoveries in future periods when cash is received.
     A summary of the activity in the Company’s allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2006 is as follows:
                 
Allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2005
          $ 8,714  
Provision for credit losses
            1,610  
Charge-offs
    (4,329 )        
Recoveries
    1,553          
 
             
Charge-offs, net of recoveries
            (2,776 )
 
             
Allowance for credit losses at March 31, 2006
          $ 7,548  
 
             
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
     Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted net income (loss) per share does not assume the issuance of common shares that have an antidilutive effect on net income (loss) per common share. All stock options, common stock warrants, and unvested restricted stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share for the three month period ended March 31, 2005, because their inclusion would have had an antidilutive effect on net income (loss) per share. At March 31, 2005, 1,242,500 options, 638,299 warrants, and 15,000 shares of restricted stock were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share. At March 31, 2006, 1,242,500 options, 318,289 warrants, and 10,000 shares of restricted stock were included in the computation of diluted net income per share.
                 
    For Three Months Ended
    March 31,
    2005   2006
Net income (loss)
    ($2,664 )   $ 764  
     
Shares used in computation:
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computation of net income (loss) per common share
    13,254,838       13,762,979  
 
               
Dilutive effect of common stock options, warrants and restricted stock
          142,923  
     
Shares used in computation of net income (loss) per common share – assuming dilution
    13,254,838       13,905,902  
     
 
               
Net income (loss) per common share — basic
    ($0.20 )   $ 0.06  
     
 
               
Net income (loss) per common share — diluted
    ($0.20 )   $ 0.05  
     
Stock-Based Employee Compensation
     Effective January 1, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”). Under the modified prospective


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tables in thousands, except share and per share data)
method of adoption, compensation cost was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006 for stock options. Results for years prior to 2005 have not been restated.
     Under the 1998 Equity Incentive Plan (the “1998 Plan”) which was adopted on July 9, 1998, the Company reserved 4,120,380 shares of common stock for issuance. No options were granted, exercised or canceled during the three months ended March 31, 2006. On February 4, 2004, one non-employee director was granted 25,000 shares of restricted stock. The restricted stock vested 20% upon grant, and vests 5% on the first day of each quarter after the grant date. As vesting occurs, compensation expense is recognized. As of March 31, 2006, 15,000 shares were fully vested, and $47,250 had been amortized from unearned compensation to compensation expense.
     Information relating to stock options at March 31, 2006 is as follows:
                                                 
Outstanding     Exercisable  
            Weighted-             Weighted-                
            Average     Intrinsic     Average             Intrinsic  
Exercise Price     Shares     Life (Years)     Value     Exercise Price       Shares     Value  
     
$12.31
    359,391       2.91     $     $ 12.31       359,391     $  
$13.54
    40,609       2.91           $ 13.54       40,609        
$9.78
    350,000       3.91           $ 9.78       350,000        
$13.10
    90,000       4.89           $ 13.10       90,000        
$6.70
    235,000       5.92           $ 6.70       188,000        
$1.59
    167,500       6.66       371     $ 1.59       137,500       305  
                                 
 
    1,242,500       4.41     $ 371     $ 9.49       1,165,500     $ 305  
                                 
     In March 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors elected to allow for the immediate vesting of all of the President and CEO’s in the money options. This resulted in the acceleration of vesting for 70,000 options with an exercise price of $1.585 and 80,000 options with an exercise price of $0.86. As a result of that acceleration, which was permitted under the terms of the 1998 Plan, the Company recognized additional compensation expense of $566,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005. In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors elected to allow the cashless exercise of all options exercised during 2005. As a result, all awards made under the 1998 Plan have been classified as share-based liability awards. During the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, the total share based employee compensation cost recognized was $752,000 and $84,000, respectively.
     In accordance with SFAS 123(R), for share-based liability awards, the Company must recognize compensation cost equal to the greater of (a) the grant date fair value or (b) the fair value of the modified liability when it is settled. As of March 31, 2006, a minimum of $113,000 of total unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of one year. In addition, the Company will also recognize any additional incremental compensation cost as it is incurred. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, the Company recognized an additional $20,000 in compensation expense due to the change in the fair value of the share-based liability awards outstanding. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company recognized an additional $8,000 in compensation expense due to the change in the fair value of the share-based liability awards outstanding.
     The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes valuation model, consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123(R), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 and the company’s prior period pro forma disclosures of net earnings, including stock-based compensation (determined under a fair value method as prescribed by SFAS 123). Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the grant price of the award, the expected option term, volatility of the Company’s stock, the risk-free rate and the Company’s dividend yield.


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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tables in thousands, except share and per share data)
     There were no options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. The fair values as of March 31, 2006, of the remaining unvested options classified as liability instruments per SFAS 123(R) were estimated using the following assumptions:
                                                 
Original grant date
    11/25/2002       2/28/2002       2/20/2001       2/24/2000       2/25/1999       2/25/1999  
Exercise price
  $ 1.59     $ 6.70     $ 13.10     $ 9.78     $ 13.54     $ 12.31  
Expected life (in years)
    3.25       3.25       2.75       2.25       1.75       1.75  
Annualized volatility
    78 %     78 %     78 %     78 %     78 %     78 %
Dividend yield
    5.26 %     5.26 %     5.26 %     5.26 %     5.26 %     5.26 %
Risk free rate
    4.84 %     4.84 %     4.84 %     4.84 %     4.84 %     4.84 %
     The expected life represents the average period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding given consideration to vesting schedules; annualized volatility is based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock; dividend yield represents the current dividend yield expressed as a constant percentage of the stock price and the risk free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the measurement date for periods corresponding to the expected life of the option. At each subsequent reporting date, the Company is required to remeasure the fair value of its share-based liability awards.
Debt
     Borrowings outstanding under the credit facility and long-term debt agreements are as follows:
                         
    Interest   December 31,   March 31,
    Rate   2005   2006
Revolving credit facility
  prime + 1.5%   $ 161     $ 201  
Subordinated notes
    8.0%-12.0 %     2,602       802  
             
 
          $ 2,763     $ 1,003  
             
     On September 29, 2004, the Company entered into a three-year senior secured revolving line of credit with CIT Commercial Services, a unit of CIT Group (“CIT”), whereby it may borrow a maximum of $30.0 million based upon qualified lease receivables. Outstanding borrowings with respect to the revolving line of credit bear interest based at Prime plus 1.5% for Prime Rate Loans or at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 4.0% for LIBOR Loans. If a LIBOR Loan is not renewed at maturity it automatically converts into a Prime Rate Loan. The prime rates at December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 were 7.25% and 7.75%, respectively. The 90-day LIBOR rate at December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 were 4.53% and 5.00%, respectively.
Dividends
     During 2005, the Company declared dividends of $.05 per share payable to shareholders of record on each of February 9, 2005, April 29, 2005, July 27, 2005, October 27, 2005 and December 28, 2005, and a special dividend of $0.25 per share payable to stockholders of record on January 31, 2006.
     The Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.05 per share on February 23, 2006, payable on April 17, 2006 to holders of record on March 31, 2006. Future dividend payments are subject to ongoing review and evaluation by the Board of Directors. The decision as to the amount and timing of future dividends paid by the Company, if any, will be made at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors in light of the financial condition, capital requirements, earnings and prospects of the Company and any restrictions under the Company’s credit facilities or subordinated debt agreements, as well as other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant, and there can be no assurance as to the amount and timing of future dividends.

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MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tables in thousands, except share and per share data)
Commitments and Contingencies
     Please refer to Part II — Other Information, Item 1. Legal Proceedings for information about pending litigation.
     The Company accepts lease applications on a daily basis and as a result has a pipeline of applications that have been approved, where a lease has not been originated. The Company’s commitment to lend, however, does not become binding until all of the steps in the lease origination process have been completed, including but not limited to, the receipt of a complete and accurate lease document and all required supporting information and successful verification with the lessee. Since the Company funds on the same day a lease is successfully verified, at any given time, the Company has no firm outstanding commitments to lend.

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ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
     MicroFinancial incurred net losses of $15.7 million, $10.2 million and $1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Net losses incurred by the Company during the third and fourth quarters of 2002 caused the Company to be in default under certain debt covenants. In addition, the Company’s credit facility failed to renew and consequently, the Company was forced to suspend substantially all new origination activity in October 2002. Since that time, MicroFinancial has taken certain steps to improve its financial position. In June 2004, MicroFinancial secured a $10.0 million credit facility, comprised of a one-year $8.0 million line of credit and a $2.0 million three-year subordinated note, which enabled the Company to resume contract originations. In conjunction with raising new capital, the Company also formed a new wholly owned operating subsidiary, TimePayment Corp. LLC. On September 29, 2004, MicroFinancial secured a three-year, $30.0 million, senior secured revolving line of credit from CIT Commercial Services, a unit of CIT Group. This line of credit replaced the line of credit obtained in June 2004 under more favorable terms including, pricing at prime plus 1.5% or LIBOR plus 4%.
     The Company continues to take steps to reduce overhead, including a reduction in headcount from 103 at December 31, 2004 to 87 at December 31, 2005. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, the employee headcount was reduced to 85 in a continued effort to maintain an infrastructure that is aligned with current business conditions. In April 2006, the employee headcount was reduced by an additional 12. In addition, during 2005, the Company began to actively increase its industry presence with a more focused and targeted sales and marketing effort. The Company continues to invest capital to build an infrastructure to support new sales and marketing initiatives, and has brought in new sales and marketing management to spearhead the effort.
Three months ended March 31, 2006 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005
Results of Operations
     Revenue
                         
    For the Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     Change     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Income on financing leases and loans
  $ 1,508       (55.4 )%   $ 672  
Rental income
    6,429       (11.0 )%     5,721  
Income on service contracts
    1,088       (49.0 )%     555  
Service fees and other
    1,836       7.2 %     1,969  
 
                   
Total revenues
  $ 10,861       (17.9 )%   $ 8,917  
 
                   
     The Company’s lease contracts are accounted for as financing leases. At origination, the Company records the gross lease receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased equipment, initial direct costs incurred and the unearned lease income. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the gross lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income and initial direct costs incurred are amortized over the related lease term using the interest method. Income on service contracts from monthly billings is recognized as the related services are provided. Other revenues such as loss and damage waiver fees, service fees relating to the leases, contracts and loans, and rental revenues are recognized as they are earned.
     Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were $8.9 million, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 17.9%, from the three months ended March 31, 2005. The decrease was due to a decrease of $836,000, or 55.4%, in income on financing leases and loans; a decrease of $708,000 or 11.0% in rental income; and a decrease of $533,000, or 49.0%, in income on service contracts offset by an increase of $133,000, or 7.2%, in service fees and other income. The overall decrease in revenue can be attributed to the decrease in the overall size of the Company’s portfolio of leases, rentals and service contracts outstanding during the period. The shrinking portfolio is a direct result of the Company being forced to suspend virtually all new originations in October 2002, as a result of its lenders not renewing the revolving credit facility on September 30, 2002. Revenues are expected to continue to decline until such time as new originations begin to outpace the rate of attrition of contracts in the existing portfolio.

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     Selling, General and Administrative
                         
    For the Three Months Ended
            March 31,    
    2005   Change   2006
    (Dollars in thousands)
Selling, general and administrative
  $ 6,348       (33.7 )%   $ 4,207  
As a percent of revenue
    58.4 %             47.2 %
     The Company’s selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses include costs of maintaining corporate functions including accounting, finance, collections, legal, human resources, sales and underwriting, and information systems. SG&A expenses also include commissions, service fees and other marketing costs associated with the Company’s portfolio of leases and rental contracts. SG&A expenses decreased by $2.1 million, or 33.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005. The decrease was primarily driven by reductions in collection expense of $818,000, personnel-related expenses of $733,000, insurance expense of $131,000, legal and professional fees of $168,000, and a reduction of $102,000 in rent. The expense reductions were achieved as management continues to align the Company’s infrastructure with current business conditions and as a result of the decrease in the overall portfolio of leases, rentals and service contracts outstanding during the period. The decrease in personnel-related expenses was primarily due to a decrease of $668,000 in stock-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS 123(R) and savings achieved through lower employee benefit costs.
     Provision for Credit Losses
                         
    For the Three Months Ended
    March 31,
    2005   Change   2006
    (Dollars in thousands)
Provision for credit losses
  $ 5,810       (72.3 )%   $ 1,610  
As a percent of revenue
    53.5 %             18.1 %
     The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on its investment in leases, service contracts, rental contracts and loans at an amount that it believes is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses in its portfolio. The Company’s provision for credit losses decreased by $4.2 million, or 72.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005. The provision was based on the Company’s historical policy of providing a provision for credit losses based upon dealer funding and revenue recognized in the period, as well as taking into account actual and expected losses in the portfolio as a whole and the relationship of the allowance to the net investment in leases, service contracts, rental contracts and loans.
     Depreciation and Amortization
                         
    For the Three Months Ended  
    March 31,  
    2005     Change     2006  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Depreciation — fixed assets
  $ 118       (51.7 )%   $ 57  
Depreciation and amortization — rentals
    1,429       (7.8 )%     1,317  
Depreciation and amortization — contracts
    937       (58.3 )%     391  
 
                   
Total depreciation and amortization
    2,484       (28.9 )%     1,765  
 
                   
As a percent of revenue
    22.9 %             19.8 %
     Depreciation and amortization expense consists of the depreciation taken against fixed assets and rental equipment, and the amortization of the Company’s investment in service contracts. Fixed assets are recorded at cost and depreciated over the expected useful lives of the assets. The Company’s accounting policy for recording and depreciating rental equipment under operating leases depends upon the source of the rental contract. Certain rental contracts are originated as a result of the renewal provisions of the lease agreement whereby at the end of lease term, the customer may elect to continue to rent the leased equipment on a month-to-month basis. These contracts are recorded at their residual value and depreciated over a term of 12 months. This term represents our estimated life of

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a previously leased piece of equipment and is based upon our historical experience. In the event the contract terminates prior to the end of the 12 month period, the remaining net book value is expensed as an impairment charge.
     The Company also offers a financial product where the customer may acquire a new piece of equipment and sign a rental agreement, which allows the customer, assuming the contract is current and no event of default exists, to terminate the contract at any time by returning the equipment and providing the company with 30 days notice. These contracts are recorded at acquisition cost and depreciated over an average contract life of 36 months. This term is an estimate based upon our historical experience. In the event that the contract terminates prior to the end of the 36 month period, the remaining net book value is expensed as an impairment charge.
     Service contracts are recorded at cost and amortized over their estimated life of 84 months. In a typical service contract acquisition, a homeowner will purchase a home security system and simultaneously sign a contract with the security dealer for the monitoring of that system for a monthly fee. The security dealer will then sell the rights to that monthly payment to the Company. We perform all of the processing, billing, collection and administrative work on these transactions. The service contract is recorded at cost. The estimated life of 84 months for service contracts is based upon the standard expected life of such contracts in the security monitoring industry and has also proven to be accurate based upon historical performance of our monitoring portfolios. In the event the contract terminates prior to the end of the 84 month term, the remaining net book value is expensed as an impairment charge.
     Depreciation on rental contracts decreased by $112,000 or 7.8%, and amortization of service contracts decreased by $546,000 or 58.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005. The decreases in depreciation and amortization are due to the decrease in the overall size of the Company’s portfolio of rentals and service contracts as well as the fact that a greater percentage of the assets are fully depreciated. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment decreased by $61,000 or 51.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005.
     Interest Expense
                         
    For the Three Months Ended
            March 31,    
    2005   Change   2006
    (Dollars in thousands)
Interest
  $ 205       (60.5 )%   $ 81  
As a percent of revenue
    1.9 %             0.9 %
     The Company pays interest primarily on borrowings under the senior credit facility and on its subordinated notes payable. Interest expense decreased by $124,000, or 60.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005. This decrease resulted primarily from the Company’s decreased level of borrowings. At March 31, 2006, the Company had total debt of $1.0 million consisting of notes payable of $201,000 and subordinated notes payable of $802,000, compared to total debt of $4.7 million consisting of notes payable of $79,000 and subordinated notes payable of $4.6 million ($5.2 million net of a discount of $524,000) at March 31, 2005.
     Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
                 
    For the Three Months Ended
    March 31,
    2005   2006
    (Dollars in thousands)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    ($1,322 )   $ 490  
As a percent of revenue
    (12.2 )%     5.5 %
As a percent of income (loss) before taxes
    (33.2 )%     39.1 %
     The process for determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any necessary valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets, 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 recorded on the balance sheet. Management must then assess the

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likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income or tax carry-back availability and to the extent management believes recovery is more likely than not, whether a valuation allowance is deemed necessary. Provision (benefit) for income taxes increased by $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005. This increase resulted primarily from the Company returning to a taxable position as well as a change in the Company’s estimated effective tax rate from a benefit of 33.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 to a provision of 39.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The change in the effective tax rate is primarily due to non-deductible compensation expense recognized in 2005 as a result of the acceleration of certain options held by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Under the Internal Revenue Service Code, deductions for individual compensation in excess of $1.0 million which is not performance based is disallowed for publicly traded companies.
     Other Operating Data
     Dealer funding was $2.9 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2006, an increase of $1.9 million or 181.0%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005. The Company was forced to suspend virtually all originations from October 2002 until June 2004 when the Company was able to secure a limited amount of new financing. During the third quarter of 2004, the Company focused its efforts on securing a larger, lower price line of credit and restarting its origination business with a few select vendors. The Company continues to concentrate on its business development efforts, which include increasing the size of the vendor base and sourcing a larger number of applications from those vendors. Receivables due in installments, estimated residual values, net investment in service contracts and net investment in rental contracts decreased from $37.7 million at December 31, 2005 to $33.7 million at March 31, 2006. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $2.4 million, or 23.4%, to $7.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005.
Critical Accounting Policies
     In response to the SEC’s release No. 33-8040, “Cautionary Advice regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies,” management identified the most critical accounting principles upon which our financial status depends. The Company determined the critical principles by considering accounting policies that involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments. The Company identified its most critical accounting policies to be those related to revenue recognition, maintaining the allowance for credit losses, determining provisions for income taxes and accounting for share-based compensation. These accounting policies are discussed below as well as within the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
     Revenue Recognition
     The Company’s lease contracts are accounted for as financing leases. At origination, the Company records the gross lease receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased equipment, initial direct costs incurred and the unearned lease income. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the gross lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income and initial direct costs incurred are amortized over the related lease term using the interest method. Amortization of unearned lease income and initial direct costs is suspended if, in the opinion of management, full payment of the contractual amount due under the lease agreement is doubtful. In conjunction with the origination of leases, the Company may retain a residual interest in the underlying equipment upon termination of the lease. The value of such interest is estimated at inception of the lease and evaluated periodically for impairment. At the end of the lease term, the lessee has the option to buy the equipment at its fair market value, return the equipment or continue to rent the equipment on a month-to-month basis. If the lessee continues to rent the equipment, the Company records an investment in the rental contract at its estimated residual value. Rental revenue and depreciation are recognized based on the methodology described below. Other revenues such as loss and damage waiver fees, and service fees relating to the leases, contracts and loans are recognized as they are earned.
     The Company’s investments in cancelable service contracts are recorded at cost and amortized over the expected life of the service period. Income on service contracts from monthly billings is recognized as the related services are provided. The Company periodically evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that

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may affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of the investment in service contracts. The Company’s investment in rental contracts is either recorded at estimated residual value and depreciated using the straight-line method over a period of 12 months or at the acquisition cost and depreciated using the straight line method over a period of 36 months. Rental income from monthly billings is recognized as the customer continues to rent the equipment. The Company periodically evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that may affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of the investment in rental contracts. Loans are reported at their outstanding principal balance. Interest income on loans is recognized as it is earned.
     Allowance for Credit Losses
     The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on its investment in leases, service contracts, rental contracts and loans at an amount that it believes is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses in its portfolio. Given the nature of the “microticket” market and the individual size of each transaction, the business does not warrant the creation of a formal credit review committee to review individual transactions. Rather, we developed a sophisticated, risk-adjusted pricing model and have automated the credit scoring, approval and collection processes. We believe that with the proper risk-adjusted pricing model, we can grant credit to a wide range of applicants provided we have priced appropriately for the associated risk inherent in the transaction. As a result of approving a wide range of credits, we experience a relatively high level of delinquency and write-offs in our portfolio. The Company periodically reviews the credit scoring and approval process to ensure that the automated system is making appropriate credit decisions. Given the nature of the “microticket” market and the individual size of each transaction, the business does not warrant evaluating transactions individually for the purpose of developing and determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. Contracts in our portfolio are not re-graded subsequent to the initial extension of credit nor is the reserve allocated to specific contracts. Rather, we view the impaired contracts to have common characteristics and maintain a general allowance against our entire portfolio utilizing historical statistics for recovery and timing of recovery as the basis for the amount.
     The Company has adopted a consistent, systematic procedure for establishing and maintaining an appropriate reserve for credit losses for the microticket transactions. Management reviews, on a static pool basis, the collection experience on various months’ originations. In addition management also reviews, on a static pool basis, the recoveries made on written off accounts. The results of these static pool analyses reflect the Company’s actual collection experience given the fact that the Company obtains additional recourse in many instances in the form of personal guaranties from the borrowers, as well as, in some instances, limited recourse from the dealer. In addition, management considers current delinquency statistics, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. The combination of historical experience and the review of current factors provide the basis for the analysis to determine the adequacy of the reserves. The Company takes charge-offs against its receivables when such receivables are 360 days past due and no contact has been made with the lessee for 12 months. Historically, the typical monthly payment under the Company’s leases has been between $30 and $50 per month. As a result of these small monthly payments, the Company’s experience is that lessees will pay past due amounts later in the process because of the small amount necessary to bring an account current (at 360 days past due, a lessee may only owe lease payments of between $360 and $600).
     Income Taxes
     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. In addition, the calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with estimates in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. Differences between the basis of assets and liabilities result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on the balance sheet. Management must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income or tax carry-back availability. To the extent management believes recovery is more likely than not, no valuation allowance is deemed necessary.
     The Company is currently undergoing an audit of its 1997 through 2003 tax years. As part of the audit, the Internal Revenue Service Agent has proposed several adjustments to the annual tax returns, which if final, would require the Company to pay the IRS an amount between $8.0 and $10.0 million. Such payments would be offset by

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an adjustment to the deferred tax asset such that the amount would likely be recoverable in future periods. The Company has several defenses to these adjustments and has filed a formal response under the appeals process challenging these adjustments. The Company can give no assurance that it will be successful in any appeal procedure.
     Share-Based Compensation
     As of January 1, 2005, the Company adopted SFAS 123(R), which requires the measurement of compensation cost for all outstanding unvested share-based awards at fair value and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results differ from our estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. Actual results may differ substantially from these estimates. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes valuation model, consistent with the provisions of SFAS 123(R), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 and the Company’s prior period pro forma disclosures of net earnings, including stock-based compensation (determined under a fair value method as prescribed by SFAS 123). Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the grant price of the award, the expected option term, volatility of the Company’s stock, the risk-free interest rate and the Company’s dividend yield. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by employees who receive equity awards, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of the original estimates of fair value made by the Company under SFAS 123(R).
Exposure to Credit Losses
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to delinquent leases, service contracts and loans. The percentages in the table below represent the aggregate on such date of the actual amounts not paid on each invoice by the number of days past due, rather than the entire balance of a delinquent receivable, over the cumulative amount billed at such date from the date of origination on all leases, service contracts, and loans in the Company’s portfolio. For example, if a receivable is 90 days past due, the portion of the receivable that is over 30 days past due will be placed in the 31-60 days past due category, the portion of the receivable which is over 60 days past due will be placed in the 61-90 days past due category and the portion of the receivable which is over 90 days past due will be placed in the over 90 days past due category. The Company historically used this methodology of calculating its delinquencies because of its experience that lessees who miss a payment do not necessarily default on the entire lease. Accordingly, the Company includes only the amount past due rather than the entire lease receivable in each category.
                                 
(dollars in thousands)   December 31, 2005   March 31, 2006
Cumulative amounts billed
  $ 220,796             $ 202,409          
 
                               
31-60 days past due
  $ 991       0.4 %   $ 931       0.5 %
61-90 days past due
    997       0.5 %     899       0.4 %
Over 90 days past due
    16,101       7.3 %     13,412       6.6 %
         
Total past due
  $ 18,089       8.2 %   $ 15,242       7.5 %
         
     Alternatively, the amounts in the table below represent the balance of delinquent receivables on an exposure basis for all leases, rental contracts, and service contracts in the Company’s portfolio. An exposure basis aging classifies the entire receivable based on the invoice that is the most delinquent. For example, in the case of a rental or service contract, if a receivable is 90 days past due, all amounts billed and unpaid are placed in the over 90 days past due category. In the case of lease receivables, where the minimum contractual obligation of the lessee is booked as a receivable at the inception of the lease, if a receivable is 90 days past due, the entire receivable, including all amounts billed and unpaid as well as the minimum contractual obligation yet to be billed, will be placed in the over 90 days past due category.

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(dollars in thousands)   December 31, 2005     March 31, 2006  
Current
  $ 8,486       29.1 %   $ 10,276       36.9 %
31-60 days past due
    637       2.2 %     599       2.1 %
61-90 days past due
    601       2.1 %     521       1.9 %
Over 90 days past due
    19,415       66.6 %     16,434       59.1 %
         
Gross receivables due in installments
  $ 29,139       100.0 %   $ 27,830       100.0 %
         
Liquidity and Capital Resources
     General
     The Company’s lease and finance business is capital-intensive and requires access to substantial short-term and long-term credit to fund new leases originations. Since inception, the Company has funded its operations primarily through borrowings under its credit facilities, its on-balance sheet securitizations, the issuance of subordinated debt and an initial public offering completed in February 1999. The Company will continue to require significant additional capital to maintain and expand its volume of leases, and contracts funded, as well as to fund any future acquisitions of leasing companies or portfolios. In the near term, the Company expects to finance the business utilizing its cash on hand and its line of credit. Additionally, the Company’s uses of cash include the payment of interest and principal under its credit facilities, payment of selling, general and administrative expenses, income taxes and capital expenditures.
     For the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company’s primary source of liquidity was cash provided by operating activities. The Company generated cash flow from operations of $7.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. At March 31, 2006, the Company had approximately $1.0 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility and its subordinated notes payable and had available borrowing capacity of approximately $7.7 million under its revolving credit facility, as described in more detail below.
     The Company used net cash in investing activities of $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. Investing activities primarily related to the origination of new leases and contracts and capital expenditures for property and equipment.
     Net cash used in financing activities was $5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and $646,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005. Financing activities primarily consist of the repayment of subordinated notes payable and dividend payments.
     The Company believes that cash flows from its portfolio, cash on hand and available borrowings on its credit facility will be sufficient to support the Company’s operations and lease origination activity for the foreseeable future.
Borrowings
     The Company utilizes its credit facilities to fund the origination and acquisition of leases that satisfy the eligibility requirements established pursuant to each facility. Borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facilities and long-term debt consist of the following:

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    December 31, 2005     March 31, 2006  
                                            Maximum  
    Amounts     Interest     Amounts     Interest     Unused     Facility  
(dollars in thousands)   Outstanding     Rate     Outstanding     Rate     Capacity     Amount  
Revolving credit facility (1)
  $ 161       8.75 %   $ 201       9.25 %   $ 29,799     $ 30,000  
Subordinated notes payable
    2,602       8.0%-12.5 %     802       8.0%-12.0 %            
 
                                       
 
  $ 2,763             $ 1,003             $ 29,799     $ 30,000  
 
                                       
 
(1)   The unused capacity is subject to lease eligibility and the borrowing base formula.
     On September 29, 2004, the Company entered into a three-year senior secured revolving line of credit with CIT Commercial Services, a unit of CIT Group (CIT), whereby it may borrow a maximum of $30.0 million based upon qualified lease receivables. Outstanding borrowings with respect to the revolving line of credit bear interest at Prime plus 1.5% for Prime Rate Loans, or at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 4.0% for LIBOR Loans. If a LIBOR Loan is not renewed at maturity it automatically converts into a Prime Rate Loan. The prime rates at December 31, 2005, and March 31, 2006 were 7.25% and 7.75% respectively. The 90-day LIBOR rates at December 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 were 4.53% and 5.00%, respectively. As of March 31, 2006, based on lease eligibility and the borrowing base formula, the Company had approximately $7.7 million in borrowing capacity available on the CIT line of credit.
Financial Covenants
     The Company’s secured revolving line of credit with CIT has financial covenants that it must comply with in order to obtain funding through the facility and to avoid an event of default. As of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, management believes that the Company was in compliance with all covenants in its borrowing relationships.
Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Contingencies
     Contractual Obligations
     The Company has entered into various agreements, such as long term debt agreements and operating lease agreements that require future payments be made. As of March 31, 2006, payment schedules (in thousands) for outstanding long term debt and minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases follow:
                                 
    Revolving            
    Credit   Long-Term   Operating    
Year Ending December 31,   Facility(1)   Debt   Leases   Total
2006
  $ 201     $ 802     $ 178     $ 1,181  
2007
                237       237  
2008
                237       237  
2009
                237       237  
2010
                237       237  
Thereafter
                       
     
 
  $ 201     $ 802     $ 1,126     $ 2,129  
     
 
(1)   The Company’s obligation to repay the revolving credit facility in the current year is subject to lease collateral availability and the borrowing base formula. The credit facility expires on September 29, 2007.
     Commitments
     The Company accepts lease applications on a daily basis and as a result has a pipeline of applications that have been approved, where a lease has not been originated. The Company’s commitment to lend, however, does not

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become binding until all of the steps in the lease origination process have been completed, including but not limited to, the receipt of a complete and accurate lease document and all required supporting information and successful verification with the lessee. Since the Company funds on the same day a lease is successfully verified, at any given time, the Company has no firm outstanding commitments to lend.
     Contingencies
     The Company is currently undergoing an audit of its 1997 through 2003 tax years. As part of the audit, the Internal Revenue Service Agent has proposed several adjustments to the annual tax returns, which if final, would require the Company to pay the IRS an amount between $8.0 and $10.0 million. Such payments would be offset by an adjustment to the deferred tax asset such that the amount would likely be recoverable in future periods. The Company has several defenses to these adjustments and has filed a formal response under the appeals process challenging these adjustments. The Company can give no assurance that it will be successful in any appeal procedure.
Note on Forward-Looking Information
     Statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, words such as “believes” “anticipates” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Such statements contain a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the Company’s need for financing in order to originate new leases and contracts; the Company’s dependence on point-of-sale authorization systems and expansion into new markets; the Company’s significant capital requirements; risks associated with economic downturns; higher interest rates; intense competition; change in regulatory environment; the availability of qualified personnel, the ultimate outcome of the IRS tax audit, and risks associated with acquisitions. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s view only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The Company cannot assure that it will be able to anticipate or respond timely to changes which could adversely affect its operating results in one or more fiscal quarters. Results of operations in any past period should not be considered indicative of results to be expected in future periods. Fluctuations in operating results may result in fluctuations in the price of the Company’s common stock. Statements relating to past dividend payments or the Company’s current dividend policy should not be construed as a guarantee that any future dividends will be paid. For a more complete description of the prominent risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, see the risk factors described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
     The following discussion about the Company’s risk management activities includes forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. In the normal course of operations, the Company also faces risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable. Such risks principally include credit risk, and legal risk, and are not represented in the analysis that follows.
     The implicit yield to the Company on all of its leases, contracts and loans is on a fixed interest rate basis due to the leases, contracts and loans having scheduled payments that are fixed at the time of origination of the lease. When the Company originates or acquires leases, contracts, and loans it bases its pricing in part on the spread it expects to achieve between the implicit yield rate to the Company on each lease and the effective interest cost it will pay when it finances such leases, contracts and loans through its credit facility. Increases in interest rates during the term of each lease, contract or loan could narrow or eliminate the spread, or result in a negative spread. The Company has adopted a policy designed to protect itself against interest rate volatility during the term of each lease, contract or loan.
     Given the relatively short average life of the Company’s leases, contracts and loans, the Company’s goal is to maintain a blend of fixed and variable interest rate obligations. Currently, given the restrictions imposed by the Company’s senior lender on the Company’s ability to prepay its fixed rate debt, the Company is limited in its ability to manage the blend of fixed rate and variable rate interest obligations. As of March 31, 2006, the Company’s outstanding fixed-rate indebtedness under its subordinated debt represented 80.0% of the Company’s total outstanding indebtedness of $1.0 million.
     The Company maintains an investment portfolio in accordance with its Investment Policy Guidelines. The primary objectives of the investment guidelines are to preserve capital, maintain sufficient liquidity to meet our operating needs, and to maximize return. The Company minimizes investment risk by limiting the amount invested in any single issuance and by focusing on conservative investment choices with short terms and high credit quality standards. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments nor does it invest for speculative trading purposes.
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
     Disclosure controls and procedures: As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon the evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
     Internal Controls: During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2006, no changes were made to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II — Other Information
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
     Management believes, after consultation with counsel, that the allegations against the Company included in the lawsuits described below are subject to substantial legal defenses, and the Company is vigorously defending each of the allegations. The Company also is subject to claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the ultimate loss or gain, if any, related to these lawsuits, nor if any such loss will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
     A. In October 2002, the Company was served with a Complaint in an action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York filed by approximately 170 present and former lessees asserting individual claims. (The action was later amended to include approximately 210 plaintiffs.) The Complaint contains claims for violation of RICO (18 U.S.C. § 1964), fraud, unfair and deceptive acts and practices, unlawful franchise offerings, and intentional infliction of mental anguish. The claims purportedly arise from Leasecomm’s dealer relationships with Themeware, E-Commerce Exchange, Cardservice International, Inc., and Online Exchange for the leasing of websites and virtual terminals. The Complaint asserts that the Company is responsible for the conduct of its dealers in trade shows, infomercials and web page advertisements, seminars, direct mail, telemarketing, all which are alleged to constitute unfair and deceptive acts and practices. The Complaint seeks restitution, compensatory and treble damages, and injunctive relief. The Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint on January 31, 2003. By decision dated September 30, 2003, the court dismissed the Complaint with leave to file an amended complaint. An Amended Complaint was filed in November 2003. The Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, which was denied by the United States District Court in September 2004. The Company has filed an answer to the Amended Complaint denying the Plaintiffs’ allegations and asserting counterclaims. On January 18, 2005, Plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint, which added five individual Plaintiffs and dropped one of Plaintiffs’ claims. The Company has filed an Answer to the Second Amended Complaint, denying the Plaintiffs’ allegations and asserting counterclaims against a majority of the Plaintiffs for breach of contract and unjust enrichment. The case is in the discovery phase. On April 10, 2006, the parties filed a Stipulation of Dismissal, pursuant to which the claims of 134 plaintiffs against all defendants (and the counterclaims of the Company asserted against 111 of those 134 plaintiffs) were dismissed with prejudice. In addition, 21 plaintiffs withdrew their claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Because of the uncertainties inherent in litigation, the Company cannot predict whether the outcome will have a material adverse effect.
     B. In March 2003, a purported class action was filed in Superior Court in Massachusetts against Leasecomm and one of its dealers. The class sought to be certified is a nationwide class (excluding certain residents of the State of Texas) who signed identical or substantially similar lease agreements with Leasecomm covering the same product. After the Company had filed a motion to dismiss, but before the motion to dismiss was heard by the Court, plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint. The Amended Complaint asserted claims against the Company for declaratory relief, absence of consideration, unconscionability, and violation of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A, Section 11. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint which was allowed in March 2004. In May 2004, a purported class action on behalf of the same named plaintiffs and asserting the same claims was filed in Cambridge District Court. The Company has filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint, which was heard in August 2004, and denied by the District Court. On September 16, 2004, the Company filed an Answer and Counterclaims to the Amended Complaint denying the plaintiffs’ allegations. On March 2, 2005, the plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file an Amended Complaint which the Court allowed. The Amended Complaint added a claim for usury against the Company. The Company filed an Answer, Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaims to the Amended Complaint denying the plaintiff’s allegations. In April 2006, the parties reached a tentative resolution of this action and are in the process of negotiating the terms and conditions. Any resolution will be subject to court approval. The Company believes that the outcome of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect.
     C. In October 2003, the Company was served with a purported class action complaint, which was filed in United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging violations of the federal securities laws. The purported class would consist of all persons who purchased Company securities between February 5, 1999 and October 30, 2002. The Complaint asserts that during this period the Company made a series of materially false or misleading statements about the Company’s business, prospects and operations, including with respect to certain lease provisions, the Company’s course of dealings with its vendor/dealers, and the Company’s reserves for credit

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losses. In April 2004, an Amended Class Action Complaint was filed which added additional defendants and expanded upon the prior allegations with respect to the Company. The Company has filed a Motion to Dismiss the Amended Complaint, which is awaiting decision by the Court. Because of the uncertainties inherent in litigation, the Company cannot predict whether the outcome will have a material adverse effect.
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
For a discussion of the material risks that the Company faces relating to its business, its financial performance and its industry, as well as other risks that an investor in its common stock may face, see the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Including Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. The risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this report are not the only risks it faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect its business, financial condition or operating results.
ITEM 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits index
  31.1*    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  31.2*    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  32.1*    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
  32.2*    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
*   Filed herewith

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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.
         
  MicroFinancial Incorporated
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard F. Latour   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
       
 
     
  By:   /s/ James R. Jackson Jr.   
    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   
       
 
Date: May 11, 2006

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