Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

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, 2008

OR

 

¨ 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: 001-33448

 

 

JMP Group Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-1450327

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

600 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco, California 94111

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number: (415) 835-8900

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant 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  ¨    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  x    Smaller reporting company  ¨
     

Do not check if a smaller

reporting company)

  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of October 31, 2008 was 19,805,230.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
Number

PART I.

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   4

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements - JMP Group Inc.

   4
  

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - September 30, 2008 (Unaudited) and
December 31, 2007

   4
  

Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) - For the Three and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008 and 2007 (Unaudited)

   5
  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity - For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 (Unaudited)

   6
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and
2007 (Unaudited)

   7
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

   8

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   23

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   38

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   38

PART II.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

   39

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   39

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   39

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   39

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   39

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   39

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   40

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   40

SIGNATURES

   41

EXHIBIT INDEX

   42

 

2


Table of Contents

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

JMP Group Inc. is required to file current, annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any document JMP Group Inc. files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an internet website at http://www.sec.gov, from which interested persons can electronically access JMP Group Inc.’s SEC filings.

JMP Group Inc. will make available free of charge through its internet site http://www.jmpg.com, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed by or on behalf of directors, executive officers and certain large stockholders, and any amendments to those documents filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act. These filings will become available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.

JMP Group Inc. also makes available, in the Investor Relations section of its website and will provide print copies to shareholders upon request, (i) its corporate governance guidelines, (ii) its code of business conduct and ethics, and (iii) the charters of the audit, compensation, and corporate governance and nominating committees of its board of directors. These documents, as well as the information on the website of JMP Group Inc., are not intended to be part of this quarterly report.

 

3


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

 

     September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
     Unaudited        
     Successor  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 49,950,808     $ 99,127,043  

Restricted cash and deposits (includes cash on deposit with clearing broker of $255,336 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007)

     9,221,218       12,038,511  

Receivable from clearing broker

     3,378,178       1,475,626  

Investment banking fees receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $99,513 and $156,004 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

     220,182       5,848,754  

Marketable securities owned, at fair value

     24,232,354       24,220,761  

Other investments

     43,636,962       27,557,542  

Loans receivable, net

     8,140,395       1,177,763  

Fixed assets, net

     1,355,366       1,857,444  

Deferred tax assets

     9,547,842       2,626,227  

Other assets

     6,252,351       8,781,592  
                

Total assets

   $ 155,935,656     $ 184,711,263  
                

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

    

Liabilities:

    

Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value

   $ 8,096,859     $ 10,954,013  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     —         9,135,000  

Note payable

     8,680,850       —    

Accrued compensation

     12,915,987       28,154,889  

Other liabilities

     4,446,251       6,261,842  
                

Total liabilities

     34,139,947       54,505,744  
                

Minority interest

     11,479,024       14,604,692  
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Shareholders’ Equity

    

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,069,741 and 22,044,541 shares issued at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007

     22,070       22,045  

Additional paid-in capital

     127,546,889       121,001,922  

Treasury stock (at cost, 2,135,911 shares at September 30, 2008 and 1,418,061 shares at December 31, 2007)

     (15,645,622 )     (10,884,218 )

Retained earnings (deficit)

     (1,606,652 )     5,461,078  
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     110,316,685       115,600,827  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 155,935,656     $ 184,711,263  
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

 

                    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007  
    Three Months
Ended September 30,
2008
    Three Months
Ended September 30,
2007
  Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2008
    January 1, 2007
through May 15,
2007
    May 16, 2007
through September

30, 2007
 
    Successor     Successor   Successor     Predecessor     Successor  

Revenues

         

Investment banking

  $ 4,879,365     $ 9,400,830   $ 23,818,776     $ 16,054,815     $ 16,862,878  

Brokerage

    9,573,885       8,173,592     26,432,955       12,986,710       12,243,487  

Asset management fees

    2,292,014       941,800     6,364,634       1,218,467       1,502,018  

Principal transactions

    (2,726,160 )     854,574     (4,788,734 )     541,251       684,980  

Interest and dividends

    1,612,779       1,529,623     4,461,689       1,244,663       2,222,794  

Other income

    214,191       107,457     922,683       326,105       147,456  
                                     

Total revenues

    15,846,074       21,007,876     57,212,003       32,372,011       33,663,613  

Expenses

         

Compensation and benefits

    17,724,046       13,027,380     44,147,847       18,393,339       24,772,727  

Income allocation and accretion –

         

Redeemable Class A member interests

    —         —       —         117,418,274       —    

Administration

    1,257,487       1,248,940     4,610,307       1,770,553       2,128,853  

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

    1,389,384       1,289,525     3,859,357       1,689,174       1,896,307  

Travel and business development

    845,706       621,822     2,800,676       1,197,440       1,016,178  

Communications and technology

    912,043       970,488     2,911,598       1,389,647       1,458,413  

Occupancy

    478,316       472,758     1,426,135       699,774       706,035  

Professional fees

    636,005       551,897     2,512,950       375,969       1,173,906  

Depreciation

    239,909       268,640     760,797       525,734       421,805  

Interest and dividend expense

    121,565       110,850     439,251       683,114       170,156  

Loan loss provision

    427,882       —       427,882       —         —    

Other

    53,030       —       40,580       (241,082 )     120,904  
                                     

Total expenses

    24,085,373       18,562,300     63,937,380       143,901,936       33,865,284  
                                     

(Loss) income before minority interest and income tax (benefit) expense

    (8,239,299 )     2,445,576     (6,725,377 )     (111,529,925 )     (201,671 )

Minority interest

    (369,208 )     303,721     (214,658 )     167,388       229,258  

Income tax (benefit) expense

    (2,971,386 )     1,006,408     (2,485,284 )     —         (4,332,431 )
                                     

Net (loss) income

  $ (4,898,705 )   $ 1,135,447   $ (4,025,435 )   $ (111,697,313 )   $ 3,901,502  
                                     

Net (loss) income per common share:

         

Basic

  $ (0.24 )   $ 0.05   $ (0.20 )     $ 0.18  

Diluted

  $ (0.24 )   $ 0.05   $ (0.20 )     $ 0.18  

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

         

Basic

    20,035,637       22,029,098     20,317,627         22,027,845  

Diluted

    20,035,637       22,029,098     20,317,627         22,084,839  

Net (loss) per unit-Class A common interests:

         

Basic

        $ (23.84 )  

Diluted

        $ (23.84 )  

Weighted average units outstanding - Class A common interests - basic and diluted

          2,384,881    

Net (loss) per unit - Class B common interests:

         

Basic

        $ (23.84 )  

Diluted

        $ (23.84 )  

Weighted average units outstanding - Class B common interests - basic and diluted

          2,300,000    

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

 

     Shareholders’ Equity  
               Common
Treasury Stock
Amount
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)
    Total Equity  
     Common Stock         
     Shares    Amount         

Successor:

              

Balance, December 31, 2007

   22,044,541    $ 22,045    $ (10,884,218 )   $ 121,001,922     $ 5,461,078     $ 115,600,827  

Net loss

   —        —        —         —         (4,025,435 )     (4,025,435 )

Additonal paid-in capital stock-based compensation

   25,200      25      —         6,588,407       —        
 
—  
6,588,432
 
 

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

   —        —        —           (3,041,485 )     (3,041,485 )

Purchases of shares of common stock for treasury

   —        —        (4,805,654 )     —         —         (4,805,654 )

Reissue shares of common stock from treasury

   —        —        44,250       (43,440 )     (810 )     —    
                                            

Balance, September 30, 2008

   22,069,741    $ 22,070    $ (15,645,622 )   $ 127,546,889     $ (1,606,652 )   $ 110,316,685  
                                            

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

           Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007  
     Nine Months
Ended September

30, 2008
    January 1, 2007
through May 15,
2007
    May 16, 2007
through
September 30,
2007
 
     Successor     Predecessor     Successor  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net (loss) income

   $ (4,025,435 )   $ (111,697,313 )   $ 3,901,502  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:

      

Provision for loan losses and doubtful accounts

     468,462       (241,079 )     20,906  

Amortization of loan origination and commitment fees

     (15,744 )     —         —    

Loan origination and commitment fees

     260,000       —         —    

Change in other investments:

      

Fair value

     2,260,394       (430,177 )     (279,756 )

Incentive fees reinvested in general partnership interests

     (1,613,321 )     (226,953 )     (402,168 )

Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets

     760,797       525,734       421,805  

Minority interest

     (214,658 )     167,388       229,258  

Dividends declared to minority interest shareholders in the form of participation interest

     —         —         (1,197,238 )

Stock-based compensation expense

     6,588,432       816,249       5,912,653  

Deferred income taxes

     (6,921,615 )     —         (4,179,112 )

Net change in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Decrease in receivables

     3,685,440       1,421,098       1,780,465  

Increase in marketable securities

     (2,194,984 )     (3,953,001 )     (7,960,252 )

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash, deposits and other assets

     2,487       (1,271,797 )     (3,086,775 )

Increase in marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

     1,874,797       1,561,160       272,991  

(Decrease) increase in securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     (9,135,000 )     —         9,379,000  

(Decrease) increase in accrued compensation and other liabilities

     (16,355,197 )     (15,189,481 )     8,742,204  

Increase in Redeemable Class A member interests

     —         98,696,930       —    
                        

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (24,575,145 )     (29,821,242 )     13,555,483  
                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchases of fixed assets

     (258,719 )     (60,416 )     (259,521 )

Purchases of other investments

     (19,686,450 )     (700,000 )     (12,288,858 )

Sales of other investments

     5,161,783       251,696       171,120  

Cash associated with deconsolidation of investment

     (4,726,076 )     —         —    

Funding of loans receivable

     (7,956,770 )     —         (3,000,000 )

Repayment of loan receivable

     322,000       —         625,000  

Repayment of note receivable

     335,272       —         —    
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (26,808,960 )     (508,720 )     (14,752,259 )
                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Increase (decrease) in notes payable

     8,680,850       14,500,000       (14,500,000 )

Proceeds from initial public offering, net of expenses

     —         —         73,122,467  

Distributions paid to Class A and Class B common interests

     —         (6,679,874 )     —    

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

     (3,041,485 )     —         (550,634 )

Purchases of shares of common stock for treasury

     (4,805,654 )     —         —    

Capital contributions of minority interest members and shareholders

     1,598,413       200,000       8,488,014  

Dividends paid to minority interest shareholders

     (224,254 )     —         (25,280 )
                        

Net cash provided by financing activities

     2,207,870       8,020,126       66,534,567  
                        

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (49,176,235 )     (22,309,836 )     65,337,791  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     99,127,043       52,328,804       30,080,301  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 49,950,808     $ 30,018,968     $ 95,418,092  
                        

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

      

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 230,090     $ 1,033,937     $ 53,126  

Cash paid during the period for taxes

   $ 6,348,719     $ —       $ 234,337  

Non-cash financing activities:

      

Issuance of Class A common interests

   $ —       $ 401,172     $ —    

Issuance of JMPRT common stock

   $ —         20,800       —    

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

7


Table of Contents

JMP GROUP INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

1. Organization and Description of Business

JMP Group Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “Successor”), is an independent investment banking and asset management firm headquartered in San Francisco. JMP Group Inc. completed its initial public offering on May 16, 2007, and also completed a corporate reorganization (the “Reorganization”), which is described in greater detail in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-140689) (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with the initial public offering. The Company conducts its brokerage business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, JMP Securities LLC (“JMP Securities”), its asset management business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Harvest Capital Strategies LLC (“HCS”) (formerly JMP Asset Management LLC, which changed its name to HCS effective September 29, 2008), and certain principal investments through its wholly-owned subsidiary JMP Capital LLC (“JMP Capital”). JMP Securities is a U.S. registered broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). JMP Securities operates as an introducing broker and does not hold funds or securities for, or owe any money or securities to, customers and does not carry accounts for customers. All customer transactions are cleared through another broker-dealer on a fully disclosed basis. HCS is a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and provides investment management services for sophisticated investors in investment partnerships and other entities managed by HCS.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements and related notes are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10–Q and Article 10 of Regulation S–X. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2007 included in its annual report on Form 10-K. These consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

These financial statements and accompanying notes present the consolidated financial condition of the Successor as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007. Consolidated results of operations and cash flows are presented for the Successor for the periods from May 16, 2007 to September 30, 2008 (post-Reorganization) and for the Predecessor for the periods January 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007 (pre-Reorganization). The Reorganization in connection with the initial public offering resulted in a combination of the Predecessor (JMP Group LLC) and JMP Holdings Inc. (now JMP Group Inc.), whose financial statements had not been combined with those of the Predecessor prior to May 16, 2007 for reporting purposes. Therefore, the Successor’s consolidated financial statements as of May 16, 2007 include the accounts of both JMP Group LLC and JMP Group Inc. The consolidated accounts of the Predecessor include the wholly-owned subsidiaries, JMP Securities and HCS, and the partially-owned subsidiaries, JMP Realty Trust (“JMPRT”), Harvest Consumer Partners (“HCP”), Harvest Technology Partners (“HTP”) and Opportunity Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition corporation, or “SPAC”, formed for the purpose of acquiring one or more businesses through a merger, capital stock exchange, stock purchase, asset acquisition, or other similar business combination. The Company is the sponsor of the SPAC. The consolidated accounts of the Successor include the wholly-owned subsidiaries, JMP Securities and HCS, and the partially-owned subsidiaries, JMPRT, HCP, HTP (through July 31, 2008) and SPAC. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Minority interest in the consolidated statements of financial condition relates to the interest of third parties in JMPRT, HCP, HTP (through July 31, 2008) and SPAC.

JMPRT is a real estate investment trust that was formed in June 2006. As of September 30, 2008, the Company owned 49.5% of JMPRT and certain employees owned 20.1%. JMPRT is managed by HCS. Because of its current ownership and management position, the Company consolidates JMPRT and records minority interest.

HCS is the general partner of HCP, which commenced operations during 2006. As of September 30, 2008, the Company and its affiliates, officers, and immediate family members provided 82.5% of the invested capital in HCP, due to this ownership and resulting control by the Company and related parties, the Company consolidates HCP in the Company’s financial statements and records minority interest.

HTP has been consolidated in the Company’s financial statements, with a minority interest being recorded, since its inception in January 2006 through July 31, 2008, due to the Company’s and related parties’ ownership and resulting control of HTP. As a result of the admission of additional outside limited partners, effective August 1, 2008 HTP has been deconsolidated from the Company’s financial statements and the investment in HTP is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

In addition to HTP and HCP, HCS currently manages several other asset management limited partnerships and is a general partner of each. The partnership agreements for these asset management funds provide for the right of the limited partners to remove the general partners by a simple majority vote of the unaffiliated limited partners. This right satisfies all of the criteria enumerated in paragraph 7.b. of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 04-5 (“EITF 04-5”), Determining whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights. As a result, consolidation of these asset management funds is not required.

 

8


Table of Contents

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect both the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Investment banking revenues

Investment banking revenues consist of underwriting revenues, strategic advisory revenues and private placement fees, and are recorded when the underlying transaction is completed under the terms of the relevant agreement. Underwriting revenues arise from securities offerings in which the Company acts as an underwriter and include management fees, selling concessions and underwriting fees, net of related syndicate expenses. Management fees and selling concessions are recorded on the trade date, which is typically the day of pricing an offering (or the following day) and underwriting fees, net of related syndicate expenses, at the time the underwriting is completed and the related income is reasonably determinable. For these transactions, management estimates the Company’s share of the transaction-related expenses incurred by the syndicate, and recognizes revenues net of such expense. On final settlement, typically 90 days from the trade date of the transaction, these amounts are adjusted to reflect the actual transaction-related expenses and the resulting underwriting fee. Expenses associated with such transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded. If management determines that a transaction is likely not to be completed, deferred expenses related to that transaction are expensed at that time. Strategic advisory revenues primarily include success fees on closed merger and acquisition transactions, as well as retainer fees, earned in connection with advising on both buyers’ and sellers’ transactions. Fees are also earned for related advisory work and other services such as providing fairness opinions and valuation analyses. Strategic advisory revenues are recorded when the transactions or the services (or, if applicable, separate components thereof) to be performed are substantially complete, the fees are determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Private placement fees are related to non-underwritten transactions such as private placements of equity securities, private investments in public equity (“PIPE”), Rule 144A private offerings and trust preferred securities offerings and are recorded on the closing date of the transaction. Unreimbursed expenses associated with strategic advisory and private placement transactions, net of client reimbursements, are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) within various expense captions other than compensation expense.

Brokerage revenues

Brokerage revenues consist of (i) commissions resulting from equity securities transactions executed as agent or principal and are recorded on a trade date basis, (ii) related net trading gains and losses from market making activities and from the commitment of capital to facilitate customer orders and (iii) fees paid for equity research. The Company currently generates revenues from research activities through three types of arrangements. First, through what is commonly known as a “soft dollar” practice, a portion of a client’s commissions may be compensation for the value of access to our research. Those commissions are recognized on a trade date basis, as the Company has no further obligation. Second, a client may issue a cash payment directly to the Company for access to research. Third, the Company has entered into certain commission-sharing or tri-party arrangements in which institutional clients execute trades with a limited number of brokers and instruct those brokers to allocate a portion of the commission to the Company or to issue a cash payment to the Company. In these commission-sharing or tri-party arrangements, the amount of the fee is determined by the client on a case-by-case basis and agreed to by the Company. An invoice is then sent to the payor. For the second and third type of arrangements, revenue is recognized and an invoice is sent once an arrangement exists, access to research has been provided, a specific amount is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. None of these arrangements obligate clients to a fixed amount of fees for research, either through trading commissions or direct or indirect cash payments, nor do they obligate the Company to provide a fixed quantity of research or execute a fixed number of trades. Furthermore, the Company is not obligated under any arrangement to make commission payments to third parties on behalf of clients.

Principal transactions

Principal transaction revenues include realized and unrealized net gains and losses resulting from our principal investments in equity and other securities for the Company’s account and in equity-linked warrants received from certain investment banking assignments, as well as limited partner investments in private funds managed by third parties. Principal transaction revenues also include earnings (or losses) attributable to investment partnership interests held by our asset management subsidiary, HCS, which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

The Company’s principal transaction revenues for these categories for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

 

                      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
     Three Months
Ended September

30, 2008
    Three Months
Ended September

30, 2007
   Nine Months
Ended September

30, 2008
    January 1,
2007 through
May 15, 2007
    May 16, 2007
through September

30, 2007
     Successor     Successor    Successor     Predecessor     Successor

Equity and other securities

   $ (3,212,385 )   $ 303,873    $ (6,028,823 )   $ (135,301 )   $ 8,310

Warrants and other investments

     (39,320 )     119,035      99,656       11,904       78,769

Investment partnerships

     525,545       431,666      1,140,433       664,648       597,901
                                     

Total principal transaction revenues

   $ (2,726,160 )   $ 854,574    $ (4,788,734 )   $ 541,251     $ 684,980
                                     

 

9


Table of Contents

Asset management fees

Asset management fees consist of base management fees and incentive fees. The Company recognizes base management fees on a monthly basis over the period in which the investment services are performed. Base management fees earned by the Company are generally based on the fair value of assets under management and the fee schedule for each fund and account. Base management fees are calculated at the investor level using their quarter-beginning capital balance adjusted for any contributions or withdrawals. The Company also earns incentive fees that are based upon the performance of investment funds and accounts. Such fees are either a specified percentage of the total investment return of a fund or account or a percentage of the excess of an investment return over a specified highwater mark or hurdle rate over a defined performance period. For most funds, the highwater mark is calculated using the greatest value of a partner’s capital account as of the end of any performance period, adjusted for contributions and withdrawals. Incentive fees are recognized as revenue at the end of the specified performance period. The performance period used to determine the incentive fee is quarterly for the hedge funds, JMPRT and NYMT, and annually for the funds of hedge funds managed by HCS. Most of the incentive fees are currently reinvested in the investment funds in which we hold a general partner investment. The incentive fees are not subject to any contingent repayments to investors or any other clawback arrangements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers highly liquid investments with original maturities or remaining maturities upon purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash and Deposits

Restricted cash consists of proceeds from short sales deposited with brokers that cannot be removed unless the securities are delivered. Deposits consist of cash on deposit for operating leases as well as cash on deposit with JMP Securities’ clearing broker. At each of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had $255,336 of cash on deposit with JMP Securities’ clearing broker.

Receivable from Clearing Broker

The Company clears customer transactions through another broker-dealer on a fully disclosed basis. At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the receivable from clearing broker consisted solely of commissions related to securities transactions.

Investment Banking Fees Receivable

Investment banking fees receivable include receivables relating to the Company’s investment banking or advisory engagements. The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts on these receivables on a specific identification basis.

Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements

Securities sold under repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions. The liabilities that result from these agreements are recorded in the consolidated statements of financial condition at the amounts at which the securities were sold. As of September 30, 2008 there were no securities sold under repurchase agreements. As of December 31, 2007, the Company pledged owned quasi-government agency securities as collateral for a repurchase agreement outstanding at such time. Interest expense is recorded on an accrual basis and is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss).

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements as of January 1, 2008. This standard establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and expands disclosures with respect to fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies to all financial instruments that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. This includes those items currently reported in marketable securities owned, at fair value, other investments and marketable securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. See Note 4 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements for a complete discussion of SFAS 157.

Substantially all of the Company’s financial instruments are recorded at fair value or amounts that approximate fair value. Marketable securities owned, Other investments, including warrant positions and investments in partnerships in which HCS is the general partner, and Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased, are stated at fair value, with related changes in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected in the line item Principal transactions in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss).

Under SFAS 157, fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is generally obtained from quoted market prices, broker or dealer price quotations, or alternative pricing methodologies that the Company believes offer reasonable levels of price transparency. To the extent that certain financial instruments trade infrequently or are non-marketable securities and, therefore, do not have readily determinable fair values, the Company estimates the fair value of these instruments using various pricing models and the information available to the Company that it deems most relevant. Among the factors considered by the Company in determining the fair value of financial instruments are discounted anticipated cash flows, the cost, terms and liquidity of the instrument, the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, the Black-Scholes Options Valuation methodology adjusted for active market and other considerations on a case-by-case basis and other factors generally pertinent to the valuation of financial instruments.

Marketable securities owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased, consist of U.S. listed and OTC equity securities and quasi-government agency securities. Other investments consist principally of investments in private investment funds managed by the Company or its affiliates and an investment in a private investment fund managed by a third party. Such investments held by non-broker-dealer entities are accounted for under the equity method based on the Company’s share of the earnings (or losses) of the investee. The financial position and operating results of the private investment funds are generally determined on an estimated fair value basis as set forth in the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide: Investment Companies. Generally, securities are valued (i) at their last published sale price if they are listed on an established exchange or (ii) if last sales prices are not published, at the highest closing “bid” price

 

10


Table of Contents

(for securities held “long”) and the lowest closing “asked” price (for “short” positions) as recorded by the composite tape system or such principal exchange, as the case may be. Where the general partner determines that market prices or quotations do not fairly represent the value of a security in the investment fund’s portfolio (for example, if a security is a restricted security of a class that is publicly traded) the general partner may assign a different value. The general partner will determine the estimated fair value of any assets that are not publicly traded.

Also included in other investments are convertible preferred stock of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (“NYMT”), and warrants on public and private common stock. The investment in NYMT convertible preferred stock is based on a fair value estimate using the Black-Scholes credit adjusted valuation model on Bloomberg. The warrants on public and private common stock are generally received as a result of investment banking transactions and are valued at estimated fair value as determined by management. Warrants owned are valued at the date of issuance and marked-to-market as of each reporting period. Estimated fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes Options Valuation methodology adjusted for active market and other considerations on a case-by-case basis.

The aforementioned fair value methods represent the Company’s best estimate of exit price as defined by SFAS 157.

The Company adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”) as of January 1, 2008. SFAS 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. It requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. The election to use the fair value option is available at specified election dates, such as when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability or upon entering into a firm commitment. Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss). Additionally, SFAS 159 allows for a one-time election for existing positions upon adoption, with the transition adjustment recorded to beginning retained earnings.

We elected to apply the fair value option to the following financial assets:

 

   

Investment in NYMT convertible preferred stock; and

 

   

Investment in NYMT common stock

There was no adjustment recorded to retained earnings related to the adoption of SFAS 159.

Loans Receivable

Loans receivable include loans held-for-investment and are carried at their unpaid principal balance, net of any reserves for credit losses or deferred loan origination or commitment fees.

For loans receivable classified as held-for-investment, we establish and maintain reserves for credit losses based on management’s estimate of credit losses in our loans as of each reporting date. The Company records a reserve against loans receivable on a specific identification basis.

Loan origination and commitment fees are deferred and recognized into Interest and Dividends income in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) over the life of the related loan.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets represent furniture and fixtures, computer and office equipment, certain software costs and leasehold improvements, which are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, ranging from three to five years.

Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the respective lease terms or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.

The Company capitalizes certain costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use and amortizes the amount over the estimated useful life of the software, generally not exceeding three years.

Income Taxes

The Successor, JMP Group Inc., accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, (“SFAS 109”). SFAS 109 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of the assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Predecessor, JMP Group LLC, was a limited liability company and was treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. Therefore, the Predecessor was not subject to federal and state income taxes, and accordingly, did not provide for the federal and state income taxes in the financial statements, but it was liable for state and local unincorporated business tax or franchise tax.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, income taxes are computed based on actual results.

Stock-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123R”), using the modified prospective method. Under that method of adoption, the provisions of SFAS 123R are generally only applied to share-based awards granted subsequent to adoption. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation under SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. SFAS 123R requires measurement of compensation cost for stock-based awards classified as equity at their fair value on the date of grant and the recognition of compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. Such grants are recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures.

 

11


Table of Contents

Stock-based compensation includes restricted stock units and stock options granted under the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, stock options granted under the Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as well as changes in Redeemable Class A member interests, which were membership interests issued to the Predecessor’s employee members and recorded as a liability prior to May 16, 2007. On May 16, 2007, in connection with the Reorganization, the Redeemable Class A member interests were exchanged for shares of the Company’s common stock and reclassified as equity.

In accordance with generally accepted valuation practices for stock-based awards issued as compensation, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the fair value of option awards, although such models were originally developed to estimate the fair value of freely tradable, fully transferable options without vesting restrictions, which significantly differ from the Company’s stock options and restricted stock units. The Black-Scholes model requires subjective assumptions regarding variables such as future stock price volatility, dividend yield and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values.

Treasury Stock

We account for treasury stock under the cost method, using an average cost flow assumption, and we include treasury stock as a component of shareholders’ equity.

Reclassification

Certain balances from prior years have been reclassified in order to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on the Company’s financial position, net income or cash flows.

3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”). In December 2007 the FASB issued SFAS 141R, which requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the full fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction (whether a full or partial acquisition); establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; requires expensing of most transaction and restructuring costs; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information needed to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS 141R applies to all transactions or other events in which the Company obtains control of one or more businesses, including those sometimes referred to as “true mergers” or “mergers of equals” and combinations achieved without the transfer of consideration, for example, by contract alone or through the lapse of minority veto rights. SFAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating SFAS 141R and has not yet determined the potential impact on the results of operations or financial condition.

SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). In December 2007 the FASB issued SFAS 160, which requires reporting entities to present noncontrolling (minority) interests as equity (as opposed to as a liability or mezzanine equity) and provides guidance on the accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests. SFAS 160 applies to all fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements which will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating SFAS 160 and has not yet determined the potential impact on the results of operations or financial condition.

SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 161”). In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, which requires specific disclosures regarding the location and amounts of derivative instruments in the Company’s financial statements; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect the Company’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after November 15, 2008. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

Financial Staff Positions (“FSP”) SFAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP 157-2”). In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP 157-2 which delays the effective date of SFAS 157, for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). FSP 157-2 partially defers the effective date of SFAS 157 to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years for items within the scope of this FSP. We do not believe the adoption of those provisions of SFAS 157, for which effectiveness was delayed by FSP 157-2, will have an impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

FSP SFAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active (“FSP 157-3”). In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP 157-3, which clarifies the application SFAS No. 157 in a market that is not active and provides an example to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. FSP 157-3 was effective immediately upon issuance and includes prior period financial statements that have not yet been issued, and therefore the Company is subject to the provisions of FSP-157-3 effective September 30, 2008. The implementation of FSP 157-3 did not affect the Company’s fair value measurements of financial assets as of September 30, 2008 and had no impact on the results of operations or financial condition.

4. Financial Instruments

As defined in SFAS 157, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods including market, income and cost approaches. Based on these approaches, the Company often utilizes certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable firm inputs. The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, the Company is required to provide the following information according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial instrument assets and liabilities carried at fair value have been classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

12


Table of Contents

Level 2 Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices such as U.S. listed and OTC equity securities, as well as quasi-government agency securities, all of which are carried at fair value.

Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including discounted anticipated cash flows, the cost, terms and liquidity of the instrument, the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity, as well as other measurements. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Included in this category is the general partner investment in hedge funds, where the underlying hedge funds are mainly invested in publicly traded stocks whose value is based on quoted market prices.

Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on internally developed models or methodologies utilizing significant inputs that are generally less readily observable from objective sources. A description of the valuation techniques utilized for the fair value of the financial instruments in this category is as follows:

 

   

General partner investment in funds of funds and limited partner investment in private equity fund: determined by net asset value provided by third party general partners;

 

   

Investment in NYMT convertible preferred stock: determined by the Company using the Black-Scholes credit adjusted valuation model on Bloomberg; and

 

   

Warrants: determined by the Company using the Black-Scholes Options Valuation model.

In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performed a detailed analysis of the assets and liabilities that are subject to SFAS 157. At each reporting period, all assets and liabilities for which the fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs are classified as “Level 3.”

The following tables provide fair value information related to the Company’s financial assets and liabilities:

 

     Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2008
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total

Financial instruments owned, at fair value:

           

Marketable Securities Owned:

           

Equity securities (2)

   $ 16,057,663    $ —      $ —      $ 16,057,663

Quasi-government agency securities

     8,174,691      —        —        8,174,691
                           

Total marketable securities owned

   $ 24,232,354    $ —      $ —      $ 24,232,354
                           

Other Investments:

           

General partner investment in hedge funds

   $ —      $ 23,594,324    $ —      $ 23,594,324

General partner investment in funds of funds

     —        —        4,537,356      4,537,356
                           

Total general partner investment in funds

     —        23,594,324      4,537,356      28,131,680

Limited partner investment in private equity fund

     —        —        2,495,585      2,495,585

Investment in NYMT convertible preferred stock (1)

     —        —        12,708,675      12,708,675

Investment in NYMT common stock (2)

     —        —        —        —  

Warrants

     —        —        301,022      301,022
                           

Total other investments

   $ —      $ 23,594,324    $ 20,042,638    $ 43,636,962
                           

 

(1)    Carried in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value in accordance with SFAS 159.

 

(2)    NYMT common stock investment, which was recorded as Other Investments in the Level 1 category as of June 30, 2008, has been included in Marketable Securities Owned, At Fair Value in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, beginning the third quarter of 2008.

     Liabilities at Fair Value as of September 30, 2008
     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Total

Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value:

           

Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

   $ 8,096,859    $ —      $ —      $ 8,096,859
                           

 

13


Table of Contents

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the assets at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008:

 

     Balance as of
June 30, 2008
   Purchases/(sales),
net
   Total gains
and (losses)
(realized and
unrealized)
    Transfers in/(out)
of Level 3
   Balance as of
September 30,
2008
   Changes in unrealized
gains and (losses)
included in earnings
related to assets still
held at reporting date
 

General partner investment in funds of funds

   $ 4,543,753      —      $ (6,397 )   $ —      $ 4,537,356    $ (6,397 )

Limited partner investment in private equity fund

     2,462,756      50,600      (17,768 )     —        2,495,588      (17,768 )

Investment in NYMT convertible preferred stock

     14,065,201      —        (1,356,526 )     —        12,708,675      (1,356,526 )

Warrants

     303,764      —        (2,745 )     —        301,019      (2,745 )
                                            

Total Level 3

   $ 21,375,474    $ 50,600    $ (1,383,436 )   $ —      $ 20,042,638    $ (1,383,436 )
                                            
     Balance as of
December 31, 2007
   Purchases/(sales),
net
   Total gains
and (losses)
(realized and
unrealized)
    Transfers in/(out)
of Level 3
   Balance as of
September 30,
2008
   Changes in unrealized
gains and (losses)
included in earnings
related to assets still
held at reporting date
 

General partner investment in funds of funds

   $ 4,460,971    $ —      $ 76,385     $ —      $ 4,537,356    $ 76,385  

Limited partner investment in private equity fund

     2,282,582      205,600      7,406       —        2,495,588      7,406  

Investment in NYMT convertible preferred stock

     —        15,000,000      (2,291,325 )     —        12,708,675      (2,291,325 )

Warrants

     300,503      —        516       —        301,019      516  
                                            

Total Level 3

   $ 7,044,056    $ 15,205,600    $ (2,207,018 )   $ —      $ 20,042,638    $ (2,207,018 )
                                            

Total gains and losses represent the total gains and/or losses (realized and unrealized) recorded for the Level 3 assets and are reported in Principal Transactions in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss).

Purchases/sales represent the net amount of Level 3 assets that were either purchased or sold during the period. The amounts were recorded at fair value at the date of the transaction.

Net transfers in/out of Level 3 represent existing financial assets that previously categorized at a higher level. Transfers into or out of Level 3 result from changes in the observability of fair value inputs used in determining fair values for different types of financial assets.

The amount of unrealized gains and losses included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains and losses relating to Level 3 assets still held at the end of the period were reported in Principal Transactions in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss). The change in unrealized gains and losses are partially offset by realized gains and losses during the period.

5. Loans Receivable

Loans receivable includes a participation interest in a loan made by JMPRT to a client. The loan is collateralized by real estate related assets and bears interest at the rate of 20% per annum, payable monthly in arrears. The principal of the loan was due and payable on December 1, 2007, but was extended until September 2008 for an additional fee at the borrower’s option and in connection with a partial repayment. At September 30, 2008, the loan of $855,763 was in default and we recorded a loan loss provision of $427,882.

The Company has advanced an aggregate of $3.8 million through September 30, 2008 on $7.0 million in non-revolving credit note commitments. In addition, in the third quarter of 2008, the Company made a $4.2 million loan to a private commercial mortgage originator in the form of a note and warrants. The loans bear interest at rates from 12% to 20% per annum with maturity dates ranging from one to five years.

As of September 30, 2008, the Company had a loan loss reserve of $0.4 million recorded against loans receivable. In addition, loans receivable are reported net of $244,256 in deferred loan origination and commitment fees as of September 30, 2008.

 

14


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the loans receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:

 

     September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007
     Successor

Loans receivable

   $ 8,812,533     $ 1,177,763

Reserve for credit losses

     (427,882 )     —  

Deferred loan fees

     (244,256 )     —  
              

Total loans receivable, net

   $ 8,140,395     $ 1,177,763
              

6. Fixed Assets

At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, fixed assets consisted of the following:

 

     September 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
     Successor  

Furniture and fixtures

   $ 1,353,594     $ 1,314,278  

Computer and office equipment

     3,204,341       2,994,005  

Leasehold improvements

     2,320,338       2,320,338  

Software

     488,998       479,931  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (6,011,905 )     (5,251,108 )
                

Total fixed assets, net

   $ 1,355,366     $ 1,857,444  
                

Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $239,909 and $268,640, respectively. Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $760,797, for the period of January 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007 was $525,734 and for the period of May 16, 2007 through September 30, 2007 was $421,805.

7. Note Payable

On August 3, 2006, the Predecessor entered into a revolving note with City National Bank for up to $30.0 million, replacing a prior $10.0 million annual revolving note. Each draw bears interest at the prime rate less 1.25% annually or at LIBOR plus 1.25% annually, at the election of the Company. The Company paid a closing fee of $75,000 and pays an annual unused commitment fee of 0.25% payable quarterly in arrears. There are no periodic principal payments required for this facility until maturity. On March 27, 2008, the Company amended the agreement to extend the expiration date from June 30, 2008 to December 31, 2009, with the option at expiry to extend up to $10.0 million of the revolving note for an additional three years to December 31, 2012. This facility is collateralized by a pledge of the Company’s assets, including its interests in each of JMP Securities and HCS. At September 30, 2008, the balance outstanding was $8.7 million. The credit agreement contains financial and other covenants, including, but not limited to, limitations on debt, liens and investments, as well as the maintenance of four financial covenants. A violation of any one of these covenants could result in a default under the facility, which would permit the bank to terminate our note and require the immediate repayment of any outstanding principal and interest.

8. Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock

Shares of JMP Holdings Inc. common stock were originally sold in a private offering in August 2004 to enable certain non-employee investors to invest through a corporate entity in the membership interests of JMP Group LLC. JMP Holdings in turn owned, as a member of JMP Group LLC, Class B common interests on a one-for-one basis for each share of common stock. Effective May 16, 2007, in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, the members of JMP Group LLC exchanged the outstanding membership interests of JMP Group LLC for shares of common stock of JMP Holdings, and JMP Holdings changed its name to JMP Group Inc. In the initial public offering, the Company sold and issued 7,199,864 shares of its common stock, raising $73.1 million of proceeds, net of the Company’s direct offering costs.

On August 6, 2008, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock for the second quarter of 2008 paid on September 12, 2008 to common shareholders of record on August 29, 2008.

 

15


Table of Contents

Stock Repurchase Program

A 1.5 million share repurchase program authorized in August and November 2007 was fully executed as of January 18, 2008. On March 10, 2008, the Company’s board of directors authorized the buyback of an additional 2.0 million shares during the subsequent eighteen months. During the quarter ended September 30, 2008, the Company repurchased 314,145 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $6.38 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $2,004,250. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company repurchased 723,850 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $6.64 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $4,805,654.

The timing and amount of any future repurchases will be determined by JMP management based on its evaluation of market conditions, the relative attractiveness of other capital deployment activities, regulatory considerations and other factors. Any open market stock repurchase activities will be conducted in compliance with the safe harbor provisions of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or in privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases of common stock may also be made under an effective Rule 10b5-1 plan which permits common stock to be repurchased when the Company may otherwise be prohibited from doing so under insider trading laws. This repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

9. Stock-Based Compensation

On March 26, 2007, the board of directors adopted the JMP Group Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (“JMP Group 2007 Plan”), which was approved by the stockholders on April 12, 2007. JMP Group Inc. authorized the issuance of 4,000,000 shares of its common stock under this Plan. This amount is increased by any shares JMP Group Inc. purchases on the open market, or through any share repurchase or share exchange program, as well as any shares that may be returned to the JMP Group 2007 Plan or the JMP Group LLC 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (“JMP Group 2004 Plan”) as a result of forfeiture, termination or expiration of awards; not to exceed a maximum aggregate number of shares of 2,960,000 shares under the JMP Group 2004 Plan. The Company will issue shares upon exercises or vesting from authorized but unissued shares or from treasury stock.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2008:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Shares Subject
to Option
    Weighted
Average

Exercise
Price

Balance, beginning of year

   2,384,890     $ 11.47

Granted

   —         —  

Exercised

   —         —  

Forfeited

   (22,200 )     10.00

Expired

   (165,350 )     12.19
            

Balance, end of period

   2,197,340     $ 11.43
            

Options exercisable at end of period

   1,691,895     $ 11.82
            

In accordance with the requirements of SFAS 123R and FIN 28, Accounting for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award Plans, the Successor and the Predecessor recognize stock-based compensation expense for stock options over the graded vesting period of the options using the accelerated attribution method, resulting in compensation expense as follows:

 

            Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2008

  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
  January 1, 2007
through May 15, 2007
  May 16, 2007
through September 30, 2007
Successor   Successor   Successor   Predecessor   Successor
$ 11,311   $ 14,839   $ 28,078   $ 740,120   $ 3,234,351

As of September 30, 2008, there was $42,716 of unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.53 years.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company has granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to employees and non-employee directors at no cost to the recipient. An RSU entitles the recipient to receive a share of common stock after the applicable restrictions lapse. These awards are generally subject to vesting schedules and continued employment with the Company. Some of these awards are also subject to post vesting lockup restrictions. In the event of a change in control or corporate transactions, or if the vesting of all or certain of the RSUs are otherwise accelerated, the RSUs will vest immediately prior to the effective date of such an event.

 

16


Table of Contents

In determining the 2007 year-end bonus compensation levels, the Company took into consideration certain equity grants. As a result, on January 16, 2008, the Company awarded 1,558,246 RSUs under the JMP Group 2007 Equity Award Plan to all eligible employees. The total fair value of these awards on grant date was $9,128,218. The fair value per unit was based on the market value of the underlying stock on grant date, discounted for post vesting restrictions and future dividends not expected to be received by unvested RSUs over the vesting period. The valuation methodology included an initial assumed expected dividend yield of 3.0%, and a risk-free discount rate of 2.57%. Discounts for post-vesting restrictions were calculated using the Finnerty Model, which was developed to estimate the impact of transfer restrictions on stock prices based on empirical studies.

These RSUs were awarded in three separate tranches. The first tranche of 773,210 units will vest 50% on each of the first and second anniversary of the grant date and is subject to a lockup period until January 15, 2012. The second tranche of 170,104 units will vest 50% on the second anniversary and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversary of the grant date and is subject to a lockup period until January 15, 2012. The third tranche of 614,930 units will vest 100% on fourth anniversary of the grant date and is subject to a lockup period until January 15, 2014.

The following table summarizes the RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2008:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Restricted Stock
Units
    Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Balance, beginning of year

   1,943,336     $ 10.30

Granted

   1,629,477       5.88

Vested

   (31,200 )     8.42

Forfeited

   (254,543 )     9.48
            

Balance, end of period

   3,287,070     $ 8.19
            

The Company recognizes compensation expense over a graded vesting period using the accelerated attribution method. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded non-cash compensation expense of $789,049 and $3,027,717, respectively, in connection with the award of RSUs prior to the initial public offering date. In addition, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded non-cash compensation expense of $1,214,611 and $3,532,635, respectively, for RSUs granted after the initial public offering.

For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, the Predecessor recorded non-cash compensation expense of $0 and $76,129 and the Successor recorded non-cash compensation expense of $1,409,218 and $2,577,699, respectively, in connection with the vesting of the award of restricted stock units on the initial public offering date. The fair value of RSUs was based on the initial public offering price of $11.00 and discounted for future dividends expected not to be received by unvested RSUs over the vesting period. In addition, for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, the Successor recorded non-cash compensation expense of $100,601 for RSUs granted after the initial public offering.

As of September 30, 2008, there was $16,807,331 of unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.43 years.

10. Net Income (Loss) per Share of Common Stock and Net Income (Loss) per Unit Attributable to Class A and Class B Common Interests

The Company calculates its net income (loss) per share, and the Predecessor calculated its net income (loss) per unit attributable to Class A and Class B common interests, in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share.

Basic net income (loss) per share for the Company is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of outstanding shares to reflect the potential dilutive impact as if all potentially dilutive stock options or RSUs were exercised or converted under the treasury stock method. However, for periods that we have a net loss the effect of outstanding stock options or RSUs is anti-dilutive and, accordingly, is excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share.

Basic net income (loss) per unit for the Predecessor is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Class A and Class B common interests by the weighted average number of units of Class A and Class B common interests outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted net income (loss) per unit is computed similarly, except that it reflects the potential dilutive impact that would occur if potentially dilutive securities were exercised or converted into membership interests. To determine an average market price for applying the treasury stock method, the Predecessor estimated the fair market value of the Predecessor’s Class B common interests based on trades of Class B common interests between third parties and earnings multiples of publicly traded comparables.

 

17


Table of Contents

The computations of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share and basic and diluted net income (loss) per unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are shown in the tables below:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007
     Successor     Successor

Numerator:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (4,898,705 )   $ 1,135,447
              

Denominator:

    

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     20,035,637       22,029,098
              

Effect of potential dilutive securities:

    

Options to purchase common shares

     —         —  

Restricted stock units

     —         —  
              

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     20,035,637       22,029,098
              

Net (loss) income per share

    

Basic

   $ (0.24 )   $ 0.05

Diluted

   $ (0.24 )   $ 0.05

Stock options to purchase 2,222,730 and 2,478,180 shares of common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common units or diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding. In addition, restricted stock units for 3,341,689 and 1,906,635 shares of common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding.

 

           Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    January 1, 2007
through
May 15, 2007
    May 16, 2007
through
September 30, 2007
     Successor     Predecessor     Successor
           Class A
Common
    Class B
Common
     

Numerator:

        

Net (loss) income

   $ (4,025,435 )   $ (56,860,528 )   $ (54,836,785 )   $ 3,901,502
                              

Denominator:

        

Basic weighted average Class A and Class B common units outstanding

       2,384,881       2,300,000    
                    

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     20,317,627           22,027,845
                  

Effect of potential dilutive securities:

        

Options to purchase Class B common interests

     —         —         —         —  

Options to purchase common shares

     —         —         —         —  

Restricted stock units

     —         —         —         56,994
                    

Diluted weighted average Class A and Class B common units outstanding

       2,384,881       2,300,000    
                              

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     20,317,627           22,084,839
                  

Net (loss) per unit attributable to Class A and Class B common interests

        

Basic

     $ (23.84 )   $ (23.84 )  

Diluted

     $ (23.84 )   $ (23.84 )  

Net (loss) income per share

        

Basic

   $ (0.20 )       $ 0.18

Diluted

   $ (0.20 )       $ 0.18

Stock options to purchase 2,279,322 and 2,502,484 shares of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and for the period May 16 through September 30, 2007, respectively, as well as 1,474,677 Class B common interests for the period January 1 through May 15, 2007, were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common units or diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding. In addition, restricted stock units for 3,317,110 shares of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding.

 

18


Table of Contents

11. Employee Benefits

All salaried employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the JMP Group 401(k) Plan after three months of employment. Participants may contribute up to the limits set by the United States Internal Revenue Service. There were no contributions by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

12. Income Taxes

Prior to the Reorganization, all income and losses of JMP Group LLC, the Predecessor, were reportable by the individual members of JMP Group LLC in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. The U.S. federal and state income taxes payable by the members based upon their share of JMP Group LLC’s net income have not been reflected in the accompanying financial statements for periods prior to the Reorganization. JMP Holdings Inc., being a C-corporation from its inception in August 2004, was subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes on its taxable income, and in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS 109”), accounted for income taxes in its separate financial statements. SFAS 109 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

As a result of the Reorganization, JMP Group Inc. (formerly JMP Holdings Inc.) succeeded to the business of the Predecessor. The Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes on all taxable income earned subsequent to May 15, 2007 by JMP Group LLC and its subsidiaries. As a result of the Reorganization, upon the change of tax status of JMP Group LLC from a partnership to a wholly-owned disregarded entity of the Company, the Company recognized a one-time tax benefit of $4,084,993 in connection with the establishment of net deferred tax items of $10,169,354. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded a total tax benefit of $2,971,386 and $2,485,284, respectively, which included a benefit adjustment of $0 and $317,168, respectively, to the $4,084,993 one-time tax benefit recorded in 2007.

The components of the Successor’s income tax (benefit) expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and for the period May 16, 2007 to September 30, 2007 are as follows:

 

     Three Months
ended
September 30,
2008
    Three Months
ended
September 30,
2007
    Nine Months
ended
September 30,
2008
    May 16, 2007
through
September 30,
2007
 
     Successor     Successor     Successor     Successor  

Federal

   $ (63,454 )   $ —       $ 3,551,361     $ —    

State

     (17,081 )     —         884,970       —    
                                

Total current income tax expense

     (80,535 )     —         4,436,331       —    

Federal

     (1,974,865 )     1,041,356       (5,487,846 )     (3,536,931 )

State

     (915,986 )     (34,948 )     (1,433,769 )     (795,500 )
                                

Total deferred benefit

     (2,890,851 )     1,006,408       (6,921,615 )     (4,332,431 )
                                

Total (benefit) expense from income taxes

   $ (2,971,386 )   $ 1,006,408     $ (2,485,284 )   $ (4,332,431 )
                                

A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the Successor’s effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and for the period May 16, 2007 to September 30, 2007 are as follows:

 

     Three Months
ended
September 30,
2008
    Three Months
ended
September 30,
2007
    Nine Months
ended
September 30,
2008
    May 16, 2007
through
September 30,
2007
 
     Successor     Successor     Successor     Successor  

Tax at federal statutory tax rate

   35.00 %   35.00 %   35.00 %   35.00 %

State income tax, net of federal tax benefit

   5.75 %   5.75 %   5.75 %   5.75 %

Adjustment for permanent items

   -0.23 %   2.35 %   -1.56 %   -18.06 %
                        

Rate before one-time events

   40.52 %   43.10 %   39.19 %   22.69 %

Deferred tax asset written off related to options and RSUs

   -0.43 %   2.52 %   -3.06 %   -12.53 %

Adjustment for prior year taxes

   -2.35 %   -7.14 %   -2.83 %   35.78 %

Deferred tax recognized upon JMP Group LLC’s tax status change

   —       8.52 %   4.87 %   959.44 %
                        

Effective tax rate

   37.74 %   47.00 %   38.17 %   1005.38 %
                        

The Company has analyzed the filing positions in its federal and state tax returns for all open tax years 2004 through 2007. The Company does not anticipate any tax adjustments that will result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow. Therefore, the Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment related to the adoption of FIN 48, and no liabilities for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded pursuant to FIN 48.

 

19


Table of Contents

The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties associated with the tax audits or unrecognized tax benefits, if any, is to record such items as a component of income before taxes. Penalties, if incurred, would be recorded in “administration” and interest paid or received would be recorded in “interest and dividend expense” in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss).

13. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company leases office space in California, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts and New York under various operating leases. Rental expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $478,316 and $472,758, respectively.

Rental expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $1,426,135, for the period of January 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007 was $699,774, and for the period of May 16, 2007 through September 30, 2007 was $706,035.

The California and New York leases included a period of free rent at the start of the lease for seven months and three months, respectively. Rent expense is recognized over the entire lease uniformly net of the free rent savings. The aggregate minimum future commitments of these leases are:

 

October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008

   $ 495,163

2009

     2,253,008

2010

     2,250,368

2011

     1,625,711

2012

     —  

Thereafter

     —  
      
   $ 6,624,250
      

In connection with its underwriting activities, JMP Securities enters into firm commitments for the purchase of securities in return for a fee. These commitments require JMP Securities to purchase securities at a specified price. Securities underwriting exposes JMP Securities to market and credit risk, primarily in the event that, for any reason, securities purchased by JMP Securities cannot be distributed at anticipated price levels. At September 30, 2008, JMP Securities had no open underwriting commitments.

The marketable securities owned and the restricted cash as well as the cash held by the clearing broker, may be used to maintain margin requirements. At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company had $255,336 of cash on deposit with JMP Securities’ clearing broker. Furthermore, the marketable securities owned may be hypothecated or borrowed by the clearing broker.

The Company had, as of September 30, 2008, a capital commitment of $210,300 related to its investment in a private investment fund and $3.2 million in non-revolving credit note commitments.

14. Regulatory Requirements

JMP Securities is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital, as defined, and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15 to 1. JMP Securities had net capital of $41,653,950 and $51,329,438, which were $41,016,866 and $50,583,243 in excess of the required net capital of $637,084 and $746,195 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. JMP Securities’ ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 0.23 to 1 and 0.22 to 1 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Since all customer transactions are cleared through another broker-dealer on a fully disclosed basis, JMP Securities is not required to maintain a separate bank account for the exclusive benefit of customers in accordance with Rule 15c3-3 under the Exchange Act.

15. Related Party Transactions

The Company earns base management fees and incentive fees from serving as investment advisor for various entities, including corporations, partnerships and offshore investment companies. The Company may also own an investment in these companies. Base management fees earned from these activities were $1,673,380 and $765,700 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $4,073,669 and $2,089,959 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Also, HCS earned incentive fees of $644,123 and $203,136 from these entities for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $2,399,725 and $675,545 from these entities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

16. Guarantees

JMP Securities has agreed to indemnify its clearing broker for losses that the clearing broker may sustain from the accounts of customers introduced by JMP Securities. Should a customer not fulfill its obligation on a transaction, JMP Securities may be required to buy or sell securities at prevailing market prices in the future on behalf of its customer. JMP Securities’ obligation under the indemnification has no maximum amount. All unsettled trades at September 30, 2008 had settled with no resulting material liability to the Company. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company had no material loss due to counterparty failure, and has no obligations outstanding under the indemnification arrangement as of September 30, 2008.

 

20


Table of Contents

The Company is engaged in various investment banking and brokerage activities whose counterparties primarily include broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions. In the event counterparties do not fulfill their obligations, the Company may be exposed to risk. The risk of default depends on the creditworthiness of the counterparty or issuer of the instrument. It is the Company’s policy to review, as necessary, the credit standing of each counterparty with which it conducts business.

17. Litigation

Due to the nature of its business, the Company is subject to various threatened or filed legal actions. For example, because we act as an underwriter or a financial advisor in the ordinary course of our business, we have in the past been, currently are and may in the future be subject to class action claims that seek substantial damages.

In addition, defending employment and other claims against us could require the expenditure of substantial resources. Such litigation is inherently uncertain and the ultimate resolution of such litigation could be determined by factors outside of our control. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, believes that the currently known actions or threats will not result in any material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

18. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk, Credit Risk or Market Risk

The majority of the Company’s transactions, and consequently the concentration of its credit exposure, is with its clearing broker. The clearing broker is also a significant source of short-term financing for the Company, which is collateralized by cash and securities owned by the Company and held by the clearing broker. The Company’s securities owned may be pledged by the clearing broker. The receivable from the clearing broker represents amounts receivable in connection with the trading of proprietary positions.

The Company is also exposed to credit risk from other brokers, dealers and other financial institutions with which it transacts business. In the event that counterparties do not fulfill their obligations, the Company may be exposed to credit risk.

The Company’s trading activities include providing securities brokerage services to institutional clients. To facilitate these customer transactions, the Company purchases proprietary securities positions (“long positions”) in equity securities. The Company also enters into transactions to sell securities not yet purchased (“short positions”), which are recorded as liabilities on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The Company is exposed to market risk on these long and short securities positions as a result of decreases in market value of long positions and increases in market value of short positions. Short positions create a liability to purchase the security in the market at prevailing prices. Such transactions result in off-balance sheet market risk as the Company’s ultimate obligation to satisfy the sale of securities sold, but not yet purchased may exceed the amount recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. To mitigate the risk of losses, these securities positions are marked to market daily and are monitored by management to assure compliance with limits established by the Company.

19. Business Segments

The Company’s business results are categorized into the following two segments: Broker-Dealer and Asset Management. The Broker-Dealer segment includes a broad range of services, such as underwriting and acting as a placement agent for public and private capital raising transactions and financial advisory services in M&A, restructuring and other strategic transactions. The Broker-Dealer segment also includes institutional brokerage services and equity research services to our institutional investor clients. The Asset Management segment includes the management of a broad range of pooled investment vehicles, including the Company’s hedge funds, funds of funds and JMPRT as well as the Company’s principal investments in public and private securities.

The accounting policies of the segments are consistent with those described in the Significant Accounting Policies in Note 2.

Revenue generating activities between segments are eliminated from the segment results for reporting purposes. These activities include fees paid by the Broker-Dealer segment to the Asset Management segment for the management of its investment portfolio.

The Company’s segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was prepared using the following methodology:

 

   

Revenues and expenses directly associated with each segment are included in determining segment operating income.

 

   

Revenues and expenses not directly associated with a specific segment are allocated based on the most relevant measures applicable, including revenues, headcount and other factors.

 

   

Each segment’s operating expenses include: a) compensation and benefits expenses that are incurred directly in support of the segments and b) other operating expenses, which include expenses for premises and occupancy, professional fees, travel and entertainment, communications and information services, equipment and indirect support costs (including compensation and other operating expenses related thereto) for administrative services.

 

   

Corporate operating expenses include income allocation and accretion—Redeemable Class A member interests and interest expense payable on Redeemable Class A member interests. These expenses are not allocated to the segments, because Redeemable Class A member interests are capital to the Company as a whole and the income allocation is based on the Company’s consolidated results.

The Company evaluates segment results based on revenue and segment operating income before minority interest and taxes.

 

21


Table of Contents

Segment Operating Results

Management believes that the following information provides a reasonable representation of each segment’s contribution to revenues, income (loss) before minority interest and income tax expense (benefit) and assets:

 

                      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007  
     Three Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007
   Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    January 1, 2007
through May 15,
2007
    May 16, 2007
through September 30,
2007
 
     Successor     Successor    Successor     Predecessor     Successor  

Broker-Dealer

           

Revenues

   $ 13,548,753     $ 18,961,786    $ 49,340,520     $ 30,114,149     $ 30,888,324  

Operating expenses

     20,212,556       16,782,699      55,392,026       24,013,904       31,032,004  
                                       

Segment operating income (loss)

   $ (6,663,803 )   $ 2,179,087    $ (6,051,506 )   $ 6,100,245     $ (143,680 )
                                       

Segment assets

   $ 85,087,614     $ 94,284,715    $ 85,087,614       N/A     $ 94,284,715  

Asset Management

           

Revenues

   $ 2,297,317     $ 2,046,090    $ 7,871,479     $ 2,257,862     $ 2,775,289  

Operating expenses

     3,872,813       1,779,601      8,545,350       1,925,177       2,833,280  
                                       

Segment operating income (loss)

   $ (1,575,496 )   $ 266,489    $ (673,871 )   $ 332,685     $ (57,991 )
                                       

Segment assets

   $ 70,848,042     $ 85,754,806    $ 70,848,042       N/A     $ 85,754,806  

Corporate

           

Operating expenses

   $ —       $ —      $ —       $ 117,962,855     $ —    

Consolidated Entity

           

Revenues

   $ 15,846,070     $ 21,007,876    $ 57,211,999     $ 32,372,011     $ 33,663,613  

Operating expenses

     24,085,369       18,562,300      63,937,376       143,901,936       33,865,284  
                                       

Income (loss) before minority interest and income tax expense (benefit)

   $ (8,239,299 )   $ 2,445,576    $ (6,725,377 )   $ (111,529,925 )   $ (201,671 )
                                       

Total assets

   $ 155,935,656     $ 180,039,251    $ 155,935,656       N/A     $ 180,039,521  

20. Subsequent Events

On November 3, 2008, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock for the third quarter of 2008 to be paid on December 12, 2008 to common shareholders of record on November 28, 2008.

 

22


Table of Contents
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) should be read together with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this report. For additional context with which to understand our financial condition and results of operations, refer to the MD&A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 contained in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2008, as well as the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes contained therein.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This MD&A and other sections of this report contain forward looking statements. We make forward-looking statements, as defined by the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and in some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “if,” “shall,” “may,” “might,” “will likely result,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “goal,” “objective,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue,” the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe to be reasonable. There are or may be important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the historical or future results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in this report and in our annual report on Form 10-K. In preparing this MD&A, we presume that readers have access to and have read the MD&A in our Annual report on Form 10-K, pursuant to Instruction 2 to paragraph (b) of Item 303 of Regulation S-K. We undertake no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of filing of this report to conform such forward-looking statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as otherwise required by law.

Overview

We are a full-service investment banking and asset management firm headquartered in San Francisco. We have a diversified business model with a focus on small and middle-market companies and provide:

 

   

investment banking, including corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and other strategic advisory services, to corporate clients;

 

   

sales and trading, and related brokerage services to institutional investors;

 

   

proprietary equity research in our six target industries; and

 

   

asset management products and services to institutional investors, high net-worth individuals and for our own account.

Corporate Reorganization

Prior to May 16, 2007, we had conducted our business through a multi-member Delaware limited liability company, JMP Group LLC, or the Predecessor, pursuant to its Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement dated as of August 18, 2004, as amended, or the Operating Agreement. One of JMP Group LLC’s members, JMP Holdings Inc., was established in August 2004 to enable investors to invest through a corporate entity in the membership interests of JMP Group LLC. Shares of common stock of JMP Holdings were issued in a private offering in August 2004. JMP Holdings’ only significant asset until May 16, 2007 was its investment in JMP Group LLC, comprised of the member interests of JMP Group LLC purchased with the net proceeds received from issuance of JMP Holdings’ common stock.

In connection with our initial public offering, JMP Holdings changed its name to JMP Group Inc., and effective May 16, 2007, members of JMP Group LLC exchanged the outstanding membership interests of JMP Group LLC for shares of common stock of JMP Group Inc. As a result of the exchange, JMP Group LLC became JMP Group Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiary and JMP Group Inc., or the Successor, completed its initial public offering on May 16, 2007. This corporate reorganization, or Reorganization, is described in greater detail in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-140689) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the initial public offering.

Predecessor and Successor

We have presented our historical financial results for the Predecessor and the Successor in the financial statements for the periods before and after the Reorganization on May 16, 2007. Despite the separate presentation, there were no material changes to the actual operations or customer relationships of our business as a result of the exchange of the membership interests of the Predecessor for shares of common stock of the Successor and the initial public offering of the Successor.

As the core operations of the Company have not changed as a result of the Reorganization, when evaluating our results of operations and financial performance, our management views the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as a single measurement period, rather than the two separate periods that are required to be reported under GAAP. We believe that comparisons between the Predecessor’s results for the period from January 1, 2007 to May 15, 2007 or the Successor’s results for the period from May 16, 2007 to September 30, 2007, may not provide users of our financial statements with all the information they may need to fully understand our operating and cash flow performance.

Consequently, to enhance the analysis of our operating results and cash flows, in our MD&A we have presented the operating results and cash flows of the Predecessor and Successor on a combined basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This combined presentation for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 represents a non-GAAP mathematical addition of the pre-reorganization results of operations and statements of cash flow of the Predecessor for the period from January 1, 2007 to May 15, 2007 and the results of operations and statements of cash flow of the Successor for the period from May 16, 2007 to September 30, 2007. The Successor conducted no material operational activities from the date of formation of JMP Holdings Inc. until the combination with JMP Group LLC on May 16, 2007. We believe that the combined presentation provides additional information investors can use to conduct a meaningful comparison of operating results and cash flows between periods. A reconciliation showing the mathematical combination of our operating results for such periods is included below under the headings “Historical Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

23


Table of Contents

Components of Revenues

We derive revenues primarily from fees earned from our investment banking business, net commissions on our trading activities in our sales and trading business, and asset management fees in our asset management business. We also generate revenues from principal transactions, interest, dividends, and other income.

Investment Banking

We earn investment banking revenues from underwriting securities offerings, arranging private placements and providing advisory services in mergers and acquisitions and other strategic advisory assignments.

Underwriting Revenues

We earn underwriting revenues from securities offerings in which we act as an underwriter, such as initial public offerings and follow-on equity offerings. Underwriting revenues include management fees, underwriting fees and selling concessions. We record underwriting revenues, net of related syndicate expenses, at the time the underwriting is completed. In syndicated underwritten transactions, management estimates our share of transaction-related expenses incurred by the syndicate, and we recognize revenues net of such expense. On final settlement by the lead manager, typically 90 days from the trade date of the transaction, we adjust these amounts to reflect the actual transaction-related expenses and our resulting underwriting fee. We receive a higher proportion of total fees in underwritten transactions in which we act as a lead manager.

Strategic Advisory Revenues

Our strategic advisory revenues primarily include success fees on closed merger and acquisition transactions, as well as retainer fees, earned in connection with advising both buyers’ and sellers’ transactions. We also earn fees for related advisory work and other services such as providing fairness opinions and valuation analyses. We record strategic advisory revenues when the transactions or the services (or, if applicable, separate components thereof) to be performed are substantially complete, the fees are determinable and collection is reasonably assured.

Private Placement Revenues

We earn agency placement fees in non-underwritten transactions such as private placements of equity securities, private investments in public equity (“PIPE”), Rule 144A private offerings and trust preferred securities offerings. We record private placement revenues on the closing date of these transactions.

Since our investment banking revenues are generally recognized at the time of completion of each transaction or the services to be performed, these revenues typically vary between periods and may be considerably affected by the timing of the closing of significant transactions.

Brokerage Revenues

Our brokerage revenues include commissions paid by customers from brokerage transactions in exchange-listed and over-the-counter, or OTC, equity securities. Commissions are recognized on a trade date basis. Brokerage revenues also include net trading gains and losses that result from market making activities and from our commitment of capital to facilitate customer transactions. Our brokerage revenues may vary between periods, in part depending on commission rates, trading volumes and our ability to continue to deliver research and other value-added services to our clients. The ability to execute trades electronically, through the Internet and through other alternative trading systems has increased pressure on trading commissions and spreads. We expect this trend toward alternative trading systems and pricing pressures in our brokerage business to continue. We are, to some extent, compensated through brokerage commissions for the value of research and other value added services we deliver to our clients. These “soft dollar” practices have been the subject of discussion among regulators, the investment banking community and our sales and trading clients. In particular, commission sharing arrangements have been adopted by some large institutional investors. In these arrangements, these institutional investors concentrate their trading with fewer “execution” brokers and pay a fixed amount for execution with an additional amount set aside for payments to other firms for research or other brokerage services. Accordingly, we may experience reduced (or eliminated) trading volume with such investors but may be compensated for our research and sales efforts through allocations of the designated amounts. Depending on the extent to which we adopt this practice and depending on our ability to reach arrangements on terms acceptable to us, this trend would likely impair the revenues and profitability of our commission business by negatively affecting both volumes and trading commissions in our commission business.

Asset Management Fees

Asset management fees include base management fees and incentive fees earned from managing investment partnerships sponsored by us and investment accounts owned by clients. Base management fees earned by us are generally based on the fair value of assets under management and the fee schedule for each fund and account. We also earn incentive fees that are based upon the performance of investment funds and accounts. Such fees are based on a percentage of the excess of an investment return over a specified highwater mark or hurdle rate over a defined performance period.

As of September 30, 2008, the contractual base management fees earned from each of these investment funds ranged between 1% and 2% of assets under management. The contractual incentive fees were generally (i) 20%, subject to high-water marks, for the hedge funds; (ii) 5% to 20%, subject to high-water marks or a performance hurdle rate, for the funds of funds; and (iii) 25%, subject to a performance hurdle rate, for JMPRT and NYMT.

Our asset management revenues are subject to fluctuations due to a variety of factors that are unpredictable, including the overall condition of the economy and the securities markets as a whole and our core sectors. These conditions can have a material effect on the inflows and outflows of assets under management, and the performance of our asset management funds. For example, a significant portion of the performance-based or incentive revenues that we recognize are based on the value of securities held in the funds we manage. The value of these securities includes unrealized gains or losses that may change from one period to another.

 

24


Table of Contents

The following table presents certain information with respect to the investment funds managed by Harvest Capital Strategies (“HCS”) (formerly JMP Asset Management LLC, which changed its name to HCS effective September 29, 2008):

 

     Net Assets at    Company’s Share of Net Assets at
     September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
   September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2007
     Successor    Successor

Funds Managed by HCS:

           

Hedge Funds:

           

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

   $ 59,978,218    $ 60,689,192    $ 7,174,103    $ 9,108,059

Harvest Small Cap Partners

     217,646,732      63,070,695      10,713,963      11,405,427

Harvest Consumer Partners *

     5,465,399      4,656,976      2,414,838      2,349,621

Harvest Technology Partners **

     11,176,519      4,917,626      5,706,250      1,807,051

Funds of Funds:

           

JMP Masters Fund

     118,394,918      111,314,314      3,475,392      3,367,116

JMP Emerging Masters Fund

     11,117,504      12,639,186      1,061,970      1,093,855

REITs:

           

JMP Realty Trust *

     16,736,895      18,205,867      8,291,435      9,018,087

New York Mortgage Trust ***

     48,413,824      —        N/A      N/A
                           

Total funds managed by HCS

   $ 488,930,009    $ 275,493,856    $ 38,837,951    $ 38,149,216
                           

 

* The Company’s share of net assets in HCP and JMPRT is consolidated in the Company’s Statements of Financial Condition, net of minority interest at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

 

** The Company’s share of net assets in HTP is consolidated in the Company’s Statements of Financial Condition, net of minority interest only at December 31, 2007 as a result of the deconsolidation of HTP effective August 1, 2008.

 

*** The portion of the net assets of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (“NYMT”) that is subject to the management fee calculation. In connection with its investment in NYMT, in January 2008, the Company entered into an advisory agreement between HCS and NYMT.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2008    Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
     Company’s Share
of

Change in Fair
Value
    HCS
Management Fee
   HCS
Incentive Fee
   Company’s Share
of

Change in Fair
Value
    HCS
Management Fee
   HCS
Incentive Fee
     Successor     Successor    Successor    Successor     Successor    Successor

Hedge Funds:

               

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

   $ (139,977 )   $ 161,855    $ —      $ (670,350 )   $ 529,389    $ 38,777

Harvest Small Cap Partners

     729,378       917,325      641,244      1,593,400       1,871,229      2,294,676

Harvest Consumer Partners *

     47,677       7,410      —        63,211       20,300      2,010

Harvest Technology Partners **

     (105,138 )     10,158      —        77,785       23,994      21,413

Funds of Funds:

               

JMP Masters Fund

     9,497       300,831      2,750      108,275       871,716      33,573

JMP Emerging Masters Fund

     (15,893 )     26,085      129      (31,889 )     79,391      9,276

REITs:

               

JMP Realty Trust *

     (424,960 )     63,799      —        (538,030 )     198,670      —  

New York Mortgage Trust

     (2,238,619 )     185,917      —        (3,375,639 )     478,980      —  
                                           

Totals

   $ (2,138,035 )   $ 1,673,380    $ 644,123    $ (2,773,237 )   $ 4,073,669    $ 2,399,725
                                           

 

* Revenues earned from HCP and JMPRT are consolidated and then eliminated in consolidation in the Company’s Statements of Net Income, net of minority interest.

 

** Revenues earned from HTP are consolidated and then eliminated in consolidation in the Company’s Statements of Net Income, net of minority interest through July 31, 2008 as a result of the deconsolidation of HTP effective August 1, 2008.

 

25


Table of Contents
     Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
     Company’s Share
Change in Fair
Value
    HCS
Management Fee
   HCS
Incentive Fee
     Successor     Successor    Successor

Hedge Funds:

       

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

   $ (85,106 )   $ 302,202    $ —  

Harvest Value Income Plus **

     (147,556 )     30,468      —  

Harvest Small Cap Partners

     437,478       122,406      192,570

Harvest Consumer Partners *

     (8,905 )     4,969      409

Harvest Technology Partners *

     129,355       3,188      7,739

Funds of Funds:

       

JMP Masters Fund

     72,772       228,183      2,418

JMP Emerging Masters Fund

     34,786       25,298      —  

REIT:

       

JMP Realty Trust *

     174,598       48,986      —  
                     

Totals

   $ 607,422     $ 765,700    $ 203,136
                     

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
     Company’s Share of
Change in Fair Value
    HCS Management Fee    HCS Incentive Fee
     January 1, 2007
through
May 15, 2007
   May 16, 2007
through
September 30,
2007
    January 1, 2007
through
May 15, 2007
   May 16, 2007
through
September 30,
2007
   January 1, 2007
through
May 15, 2007
   May 16, 2007
through
September 30,
2007
     Predecessor    Successor     Predecessor    Successor    Predecessor    Successor

Hedge Funds:

                

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

   $ 46,774    $ (159,489 )   $ 466,787    $ 458,770    $ —      $ 176

Harvest Value Income Plus **

     38,676      (188,101 )     56,980      46,185      —        5,825

Harvest Small Cap Partners

     481,461      747,751       90,988      165,171      226,956      396,165

Harvest Consumer Partners *

     28,146      (41,403 )     7,458      7,488      4,522      409

Harvest Technology Partners *

     34,628      114,105       4,828      4,817      8,835      7,739

Funds of Funds:

                

JMP Masters Fund

     50,842      81,712       286,346      337,302      20,223      2,418

JMP Emerging Masters Fund

     —        34,786       36,854      41,024      2,012      265

REIT:

                

JMP Realty Trust *

     14,373      157,083       22,512      56,449      —        —  
                                          

Totals

   $ 694,900    $ 746,444     $ 972,753    $ 1,117,206    $ 262,548    $ 412,997
                                          

 

* Revenues earned from HTP, HCP and JMPRT are consolidated and then eliminated in consolidation in the Company’s Statements of Net Income, net of minority interest.

 

** On December 31, 2007, HVIP was liquidated and its assets distributed to its partners.

Principal Transactions

Principal transaction revenues includes realized and unrealized net gains and losses resulting from our principal investments, which includes investments in equity and other securities for our own account and as the general partner of funds managed by us, warrants we may receive from certain investment banking assignments, as well as limited partner investments in private funds managed by third parties. In addition, we invest a portion of our capital in a portfolio of equity securities managed by HCS and in side-by-side investments in the funds managed by us. In certain cases, we also co-invest alongside our institutional clients in private transactions resulting from our investment banking business.

Interest, Dividends and Other Income

Interest and dividends income includes interest and dividend income generated by our cash, investments and notes receivable. Other income includes fee sharing arrangements with, and fees earned to raise capital for third-party investment partnerships, or funds.

Components of Expenses

We classify our expenses as compensation and benefits, income allocation and accretion - Redeemable Class A member interests, administration, brokerage, clearing and exchange fees, interest and dividend expense, loan loss provision and other expenses. A significant portion of our expense base is variable, including compensation and benefits, brokerage and clearance, communication and technology and travel and business development expenses.

 

26


Table of Contents

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits is the largest component of our expenses and includes employees’ base pay, performance bonuses, sales commissions, related payroll taxes, medical and benefits expenses, as well as expenses for contractors, temporary employees and equity-based compensation. Our employees receive a substantial portion of their compensation in the form of individual performance-based bonuses. As is the widespread practice in our industry, we pay bonuses on an annual basis, which for senior professionals typically make up a large portion of their total compensation. Bonus payments may have a greater impact on our cash position and liquidity in the periods in which they are paid than would otherwise be reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss). We accrue for the estimated amount of these bonus payments ratably over the applicable service period.

Compensation is accrued using specific ratios of total compensation and benefits to total revenues based on revenue categories, as adjusted if, in management’s opinion such adjustments are necessary and appropriate to maintain competitive compensation levels. Due to the continued difficult market conditions, we increased our compensation expense accrual in the third quarter with the objective of achieving full-year compensation levels in order to retain our talent base. While the compensation and benefits expense to revenue ratio is above our target range, we believe the increase is necessary in order to provide competitive compensation for our employees.

Income Allocation and Accretion -Redeemable Class A Member Interests

Redeemable Class A member interests were issued to our former employee members and such interests were entitled to share in our income. Each holder of the Redeemable Class A member interest was a party to our Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, as amended, which provided that an employee member could have elected to redeem his or her Redeemable Class A member interests without our consent in connection with such person’s resignation from us. Because of this repurchase feature, the Redeemable Class A member interests were classified as a liability and measured at each balance sheet date based on the redemption amounts for the Redeemable Class A member interests. The redemption amount for a former employee member was the amount we would have been required to pay to that former employee member upon resignation to redeem all of his or her Redeemable Class A member interests, and was equal to the capital account of such former employee member as maintained by us.

Redeemable Class A member interests were accounted for as stock-based compensation and classified as a liability. As a result, the share of our income allocated to Redeemable Class A member interests, based on the membership percentage owned, and any additional changes in the redemption amount of Redeemable Class A member interests was recorded as “Income allocation and accretion - Redeemable Class A member interests” in our Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss). When we completed our Reorganization on May 16, 2007, our Redeemable Class A member interests were exchanged into shares of our common stock.

Administration

Administration expense primarily includes the cost of hosted conferences, non-capitalized systems and software expenditures, insurance, business tax (non-income), office supplies, recruiting and regulatory fees.

Brokerage, Clearing and Exchange Fees

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees include the cost of floor and electronic brokerage and execution, securities clearance, and exchange fees. We currently clear our securities transactions through Ridge Clearing. Changes in brokerage, clearing and exchange fees fluctuate largely in line with the volume of sales and trading activity.

Interest and Dividend Expense

Interest and dividend expense consisted primarily of interest paid on capital contributed by our Predecessor’s employee members, who received interest payments at an annual rate equal to the Prime rate plus 100 basis points until the Reorganization. When we completed our Reorganization on May 16, 2007, our Redeemable Class A member interests were exchanged into shares of our common stock and thus we no longer make interest payments to the former holders of the Redeemable Class A member interests. It also includes interest expense from borrowings under our credit facility and dividend expense for paying short positions in our principal investment portfolio.

Other Expenses

Other operating expenses primarily include travel and business development, market data, occupancy, legal and accounting professional fees, depreciation and loan loss provision.

Minority Interest

Minority interest in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss) relates to the interest of third parties in JMPRT, two of our asset management funds, Harvest Consumer Partners, or HCP, and Harvest Technology Partners, or HTP (through July 31, 2008) and Opportunity Acquisition Corp. JMPRT is a real estate investment trust that was formed in June 2006. JMPRT is managed by HCS. Because of the current ownership and external management position, we consolidate JMPRT and record a minority interest. HCS is also the general partner of Harvest Consumer Partners and Harvest Technology Partners. Due to our ownership and control by HCS and related parties of HCP, management believes that limited partners currently do not have substantive rights to remove the general partner, and, therefore, HCP is consolidated in the financial statements and minority interest is recorded.

Due to our ownership and control by HCS and related parties of HTP that existed through July 31, 2008, management believed that the limited partners did not have substantive rights to remove the general partner, and, therefore, HTP was consolidated in the financial statements and minority interest was recorded through July 31, 2008. However, as a result of the admission of additional outside limited partners, effective August 1, 2008, management believes that the limited partners currently have substantive rights to remove the general partner, and accordingly, HTP has been deconsolidated from the Company’s financial statements and prospectively no minority interest is recorded.

 

27


Table of Contents

Opportunity Acquisition Corp., also a partially owned subsidiary consolidated on our books, is a special purpose acquisition corporation or “SPAC,” of which JMP Group Inc. is the sponsor.

Historical Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our historical results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.

For purposes of the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 discussed herein, we have aggregated the Predecessor period from January 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007 and the Successor period from May 16, 2007 through September 30, 2007, without further adjustment, for purposes of comparison with the same periods in 2008. The supplemental aggregate disclosures and discussions are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles, and are provided solely for the purpose of providing additional supplemental information.

 

     Three Months
Ended September 30,
2008
    Three Months
Ended September 30,
2007
   Change from
2007 to 2008
 
     Successor     Successor    $     %  

(in thousands)

         

Revenues

         

Investment banking

   $ 4,879     $ 9,401    $ (4,522 )   -48.1 %

Brokerage

     9,574       8,173      1,401     17.1 %

Asset management fees

     2,292       942      1,350     143.3 %

Principal transactions

     (2,726 )     855      (3,581 )   N/A  

Interest, dividends and other income

     1,827       1,637      190     11.6 %
                             

Total revenues

     15,846       21,008      (5,162 )   -24.6 %

Expenses

         

Compensation and benefits

     17,724       13,027      4,697     36.1 %

Administration

     1,257       1,249      8     0.6 %

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

     1,389       1,289      100     7.8 %

Interest and dividend expense

     122       111      11     9.9 %

Other

     3,593       2,886      707     24.5 %
                             

Total expenses

     24,085       18,562      5,523     29.8 %
                             

(Loss) income before minority interest and income tax (benefit) expense

     (8,239 )     2,446      (10,685 )   N/A  

Minority interest

     (369 )     304      (673 )   N/A  

Income tax (benefit) expense

     (2,971 )     1,007      (3,978 )   N/A  
                             

Net (loss) income

   $ (4,899 )   $ 1,135      (6,034 )   N/A  
                             

 

28


Table of Contents
          Nine Months ended September 30, 2007              
    Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2008
    January 1, 2007
through May 15,
2007
    May 16, 2007
through September 30,
2007
    Combined
Predecessor/
    Change from
2007 to 2008
 
    Successor     Predecessor     Successor     Successor     $     %  

(in thousands)

           

Revenues

           

Investment banking

  $ 23,819     $ 16,055     $ 16,863     $ 32,918     $ (9,099 )   -27.6 %

Brokerage

    26,433       12,987       12,243       25,230       1,203     4.8 %

Asset management fees

    6,365       1,218       1,502       2,720       3,645     134.0 %

Principal transactions

    (4,789 )     541       685       1,226       (6,015 )   N/A  

Interest, dividends and other income

    5,384       1,571       2,370       3,941       1,443     36.6 %
                                             

Total revenues

    57,212       32,372       33,663       66,035       (8,823 )   -13.4 %

Expenses

           

Compensation and benefits

    44,148       18,393       24,773       43,166       982     2.3 %

Income allocation and accretion –

           

Redeemable Class A member interests

    —         117,418       —         117,418       (117,418 )   -100.0 %

Administration

    4,610       1,771       2,129       3,900       710     18.2 %

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

    3,859       1,689       1,896       3,585       274     7.6 %

Interest and dividend expense

    439       683       170       853       (414 )   -48.5 %

Other

    10,881       3,948       4,896       8,844       2,037     23.0 %
                                             

Total expenses

    63,937       143,902       33,864       177,766       (113,829 )   -64.0 %
                                             

Loss before minority interest and income tax benefit

    (6,725 )     (111,530 )     (201 )     (111,731 )     105,006     -94.0 %

Minority interest

    (215 )     167       229       396       (611 )   N/A  

Income tax benefit

    (2,485 )     —         (4,332 )     (4,332 )     1,847     -42.6 %
                                             

Net (loss) income

  $ (4,025 )   $ (111,697 )   $ 3,902     $ (107,795 )     103,770     -96.3 %
                                             

 

29


Table of Contents

Three Months Ended September 30, 2008, Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2007

Overview

Total revenues decreased $5.2 million, or 24.6%, from $21.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $15.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in investment banking revenue of $4.5 million and principal transaction revenues of $3.6 million, of which $3.1 million is related to unrealized losses from our convertible preferred security and equity security investments in NYMT, partially offset by an increase in asset management fee revenue of $1.4 million, brokerage revenue of $1.4 million and interest, dividends and other income of $0.2 million.

Total expenses increased by $5.5 million, or 29.8%, from $18.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $24.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits of $4.7 million and other expenses of $0.7 million.

Net income decreased $6.0 million from a net income of $1.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to net loss of $4.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, primarily as a result of the aforementioned decrease in revenue and increase in expenses during the quarter.

Revenues

Investment Banking

Investment banking revenues decreased $4.5 million, or 48.1%, from $9.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $4.9 million for the same period in 2008, and decreased as a percentage of total revenues from 44.7% to 30.8%, respectively. The decrease in revenues reflects a lower level of activity in our public equity underwriting and private placement business, partially offset by increased activity in our strategic advisory businesses. Public equity underwriting revenues decreased by $4.4 million, or 94.1%, from $4.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $0.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The decrease is primarily due to highly volatile capital market conditions in the third quarter of 2008, which caused a significant decline in new equity issuance by U.S. companies during the period. We executed one public equity underwriting transaction in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to eight in the quarter ended September 30, 2007. We acted as a lead manager in none and three transactions, respectively. Private placement revenues decreased $2.1 million, or 95.3%, from $2.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 due to fewer private placement transactions executed. Our strategic advisory revenues increased $2.0 million, or 77.9%, from $2.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $4.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, due to a higher number of transactions executed. We executed five strategic advisory transactions in the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to three in the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Brokerage Revenues

Brokerage revenues increased by $1.4 million, or 17.1%, from $8.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $9.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The increase was the result of higher gross commission revenue as well as reduced trading losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2007. The increase in commissions resulted from increased trading activity with existing clients, and the addition of new institutional clients during the period. Brokerage revenues increased as a percentage of total revenues, from 38.9% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to 60.4% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

Asset Management Fees

Asset management fees increased $1.4 million, or 143.3%, from $0.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $2.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Asset management fees include base management fees and incentive fees for our funds under management, both of which increased for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The increase in base management fees is the result of an increase in client assets under management from $221.7 million as of September 30, 2007 to $450.1 million as of September 30, 2008. The increase in incentive fees is due to the improved performance of our families of funds, in particular the Harvest Small Cap Partners fund. As a percentage of total revenues, asset management fees increased from 4.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to 14.5% for the same period in 2008.

Principal Transactions

Principal transaction revenues decreased $3.6 million from a gain of $0.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to a loss of $2.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a loss of $3.2 million during the third quarter of 2008 in our equity security investments compared with a gain of $0.3 million for the third quarter of 2007, mostly related to a $3.1 million unrealized loss from our convertible preferred security and equity security investments in NYMT.

Interest, Dividends and Other Income

Interest, dividends and other income increased $0.2 million, or 11.6%, from $1.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $1.8 million for the same period in 2008. The increase was attributable to interest and dividend income, which increased from $1.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $1.6 million for the same period in 2008, and was primarily due to the dividend earned from our investment in NYMT convertible preferred securities. Other income, primarily from revenue sharing arrangements with, and fees earned to raise capital for third-party investment partnerships or funds, also increased $0.1 million from $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $0.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

 

30


Table of Contents

Expenses

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits, which includes salaries, commissions and performance bonus compensation to our employees, increased $4.7 million, or 36.1%, from $13.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $17.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The increase was due to the increase of $4.2 million in employee payroll and accrual for bonuses, which is primarily attributable to the application of our target compensation to revenue ratios used for the accrual of bonuses, as adjusted by management to maintain competitive compensation levels. Due to the continued difficult market conditions, we increased our compensation expense accrual in the third quarter 2008 with the objective of achieving full-year compensation levels in order to retain our talent base. In addition, there was an increase of $0.5 million in equity-based compensation expenses recognized for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same quarter in 2007. Of the total compensation and benefits expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, $2.0 million is attributable to equity-based compensation expenses, comprised of expense recognized for restricted stock units granted in connection with the initial public offering in May 2007 of $0.8 million, as well as restricted stock units granted after the initial public offering in connection with annual bonuses and other awards of $1.2 million. Compensation and benefits as a percentage of revenues increased from 62.0% of total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to 111.9% for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Excluding expense from equity-based awards granted in connection with the initial public offering, as a percentage of revenues, compensation and benefits increased from 55.3% of total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to 106.9% for the same period in 2008. The higher percentages of total revenue were a result of the higher compensation and benefits expenses and lower revenues in 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

Administration

Administration expenses were flat at $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and 2008. Administration expense increased from 5.9% of total revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to 7.9% for the same period in 2008 as a result of lower revenues in 2008 compared to 2007.

Brokerage, Clearing and Exchange Fees

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees increased $0.1 million, or 7.8%, from $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The increase was primarily due to slightly higher brokerage execution costs during the quarter ended September 30, 2008. As a percentage of total revenues, our brokerage, clearing and exchange fees increased from 6.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to 8.8% for the same period in 2008.

Interest and Dividend Expense

Interest and dividend expense was flat at $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and 2008. As a percentage of total revenues, interest and dividend expense increased from 0.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to 0.8% for the same period in 2008.

Other Expenses

Other expenses increased $0.7 million, or 24.5%, from $2.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to $3.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. The increase is primarily due to the loan loss provision of $0.4 million recorded in the third quarter of 2008 and a $0.2 million increase in travel and entertainment expense, due to fewer investment banking transaction expense reimbursements compared to the same period in 2007. As a percentage of total revenues, other expenses increased from 13.7% for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 to 22.7% for the same period in 2008 mostly as a result of lower revenues in 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

Minority Interest

Minority interest relates to the consolidation of JMPRT and two of our hedge funds, Harvest Consumer Partners and Harvest Technology Partners (through July 31, 2008), as well as Opportunity Acquisition Corp. We recorded a reduction to net loss of $369 thousand for minority interest for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to a reduction to net income of $304 thousand for minority interest for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, due to a reduction in the aggregate performance of our minority interest entities for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

Provision for Income Taxes

Prior to the completion of our initial public offering on May 16, 2007, we were a limited liability company treated as a partnership for income tax purposes; therefore, all of our income and losses were reportable by the individual members. The U.S. federal and state income taxes payable by the members based upon their share of our net income have not been reflected in the accompanying financial statements for the periods prior to the Reorganization. We were, however, subject to state and local unincorporated tax and franchise tax.

In connection with our initial public offering and Reorganization, we are subject to federal and state income taxes on all taxable income earned subsequent to May 15, 2007. Additionally, in connection with the Reorganization, we recognized a one-time tax benefit of $4.0 million in connection with the establishment of net deferred tax asset items of $10.2 million. In calculating the one-time tax benefit amount and associated deferred tax asset items, the Company made reasonable estimates of its share of the 2006 taxable income and 2007 taxable income attributed to the period from January 1 through May 15, 2007 of the partnerships in which it had a direct or indirect interest. These estimates may change as additional information becomes available; as a result, the net one-time tax benefit amount may change. For the three months ended September 30, 2008 we recorded a total tax benefit of $3.0 million and for the three months ended September 30, 2007 we recorded a total tax expense of $1.0 million. Excluding the tax benefit adjustment of $0 and $0.2 million, we recorded a tax (benefit) expense of $(3.0) million and $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was 37.7% and 47.0%, respectively, including the prior year one-time tax benefit adjustment. Excluding the prior year one-time tax benefit adjustment, the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was 37.7% and 38.5%, respectively.

 

31


Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008, Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

Overview

Total revenues decreased $8.8 million, or 13.4%, from $66.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $57.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in investment banking revenue of $9.1 million and principal transaction revenues of $6.0 million, of which $4.9 million is related to unrealized losses from our convertible preferred security and equity security investments in NYMT, partially offset by an increase in asset management fee revenue of $3.6 million, brokerage revenue of $1.2 million and interest, dividends and other income of $1.4 million.

Total expenses decreased by $113.9 million, or 64.0%, from $177.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $63.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to a decrease in income allocation and accretion/(dilution) expense of $117.4 million resulting from a one-time non-cash expense associated with the exchange of Redeemable Class A member interests into shares of our common stock in connection with the Reorganization at the time of our initial public offering, partially offset by an increase in other expenses of $2.0 million.

Net loss decreased $103.8 million from a loss of $107.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to net loss of $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily as a result of the of the aforementioned decrease in expenses.

Revenues

Investment Banking

Investment banking revenues decreased $9.1 million, or 27.6%, from $32.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $23.8 million for the same period in 2008 and decreased as a percentage of total revenues from 49.8% to 41.6%, respectively. The decrease in revenues reflects a lower level of activity in our public equity underwriting and private placement businesses, as well as a decrease in strategic advisory revenues. Public equity underwriting revenues decreased by $6.1 million, or 44.5%, from $13.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily due to highly volatile capital markets conditions in the first nine months of 2008, which caused a significant decline in new equity issuance by U.S. companies during the period. We executed 14 public equity underwriting transactions in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 25 in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. In addition, we acted as the lead manager on six public equity underwriting transactions, including our own initial public offering (for which we recognized no revenue; the underwriting fees were instead recorded as additional paid-in capital), in the nine month period ending September 30, 2007 compared to none in the same period in 2008. Private placement revenues decreased $1.5 million, or 17.2%, from $8.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $7.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. While the number of private placement transactions executed decreased from 16 in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to six in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, average revenues per transaction increased 120.8%. Our strategic advisory revenues decreased $1.5 million, or 14.6%, from $10.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $9.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, due to a decrease in the average revenues per transaction executed in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the first nine months of 2007. We executed 11 strategic advisory transactions in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 12 in the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

Brokerage Revenues

Brokerage revenues increased by $1.2 million, or 4.8%, from $25.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $26.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase was a result of higher gross commission income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increase in commissions resulted from increased trading activity with existing and new institutional clients during the period. Brokerage revenues increased as a percentage of total revenues, from 38.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 46.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Asset Management Fees

Asset management fees increased by $3.7 million, or 134.0%, from $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Asset management fees include base management fees and incentive fees for our funds under management, both of which increased from the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase in base management fees is the result of an increase in client assets under management from $221.7 million as of September 30, 2007 to $450.1 million as of September 30, 2008. The increase in incentive fees is the result of improved performance, of our families of funds, in particular of Harvest Small Cap Partners. As a percentage of total revenues, asset management fees increased from 4.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 11.1% for the same period in 2008.

Principal Transactions

Principal transaction revenues decreased $6.0 million from a gain of $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to a loss of $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to a loss of $6.0 million from our equity security investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, mostly related to a $4.9 million unrealized loss from our convertible preferred security and equity security investments in NYMT.

Interest, Dividends and Other Income

Interest, dividends and other income increased $1.4 million, or 36.6%, from $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $5.3 million for the same period in 2008. Interest and dividends comprised $1.1 million of the increase and was primarily due to the dividend earned from our investment in NYMT convertible preferred securities, as well as interest from our loans and notes receivable and from investing of proceeds from our initial public offering in short duration AAA rated securities. Other income, primarily from revenue sharing arrangements with, and fees earned to raise capital for third-party investment partnerships or funds, also increased $0.4 million from the same period in 2007.

 

32


Table of Contents

Expenses

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits, which includes salaries, commissions and performance bonus compensation to our employees and managing directors, increased $1.0 million, or 2.3%, from $43.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $44.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase was due to a $1.1 million increase in employee payroll and accrual for bonuses, which is primarily attributable to the application of our target compensation to revenue ratios to decreased revenues used for the accrual of bonuses, as adjusted by management to maintain competitive compensation levels to employees, in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. In addition, there was a decrease of $0.1 million in equity-based compensation expenses recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same quarter in 2007. Of the total compensation and benefits expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, $6.6 million is attributable to equity-based compensation expenses, comprised of $3.0 million in expense recognized for restricted stock units granted in connection with the initial public offering and $3.6 million in expense recognized for restricted stock units granted after the initial public offering. Compensation and benefits as a percentage of revenues increased from 65.4% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 77.2% for the same period in 2008. Excluding expense from equity-based awards as a result of the initial public offering, as a percentage of revenues compensation and benefits increased from 56.5% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 71.9% for the same period in 2008.

Income Allocation and Accretion/(Dilution)

Income allocation and accretion/(dilution) decreased $117.4 million from $117.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to none for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was due to our Reorganization as a C-corporation in connection with our initial public offering as of May 16, 2007, future periods will no longer reflect this expense.

Administration

Administration expenses increased $0.7 million, or 18.2%, from $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase was primarily due to higher expenses associated with being a public company, as well as higher expenses for conferences. Administration expense increased from 5.9% of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 8.1% for the same period in 2008.

Brokerage, Clearing and Exchange Fees

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees increased $0.3 million, or 7.6%, from $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase was primarily due to an increase in trading activity in our sales and trading business as total shares traded increased 5.5% from the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. As a percentage of total revenues, our brokerage, clearing and exchange fees increased from 5.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 6.7% for the same period in 2008.

Interest and Dividend Expense

Interest and dividend expense decreased $0.4 million, or 48.5%, from $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily attributable to the discontinuation of interest payments to Redeemable Class A members, due to the exchange into common stock at the time of the initial public offering. As a percentage of total revenues, interest and dividend expense decreased from 1.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 0.8% for the same period in 2008.

Other Expenses

Other expenses increased $2.1 million, or 23.0%, from $8.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase in other expenses was due primarily to a $1.0 million increase in professional fees, consisting primarily of increased legal expenses, as well as audit and accounting expenses from being a public company, a $0.6 million increase in travel and entertainment expense, due to fewer investment banking transaction expense reimbursements compared to the same period in 2007 and a $0.4 million loan loss provision recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. As a percentage of total revenues, other expenses increased from 13.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 19.0% for the same period in 2008.

Minority Interest

Minority interest relates to the consolidation of JMPRT and two of our hedge funds, Harvest Consumer Partners and Harvest Technology Partners (through July 31, 2008), as well as Opportunity Acquisition Corp. We recorded a reduction to net loss of $215 thousand for minority interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to an increase to net loss of $396 thousand for minority interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, due to a reduction in the aggregate performance of our minority interest entities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

Provision for Income Taxes

Prior to the completion of our initial public offering on May 16, 2007, we were a limited liability company treated as a partnership for income tax purposes, therefore all of our income and losses were reportable by the individual members. The U.S. federal and state income taxes payable by the members based upon their share of our net income have not been reflected in the accompanying financial statements for the periods prior to the initial public offering. We were, however, subject to state and local unincorporated tax and franchise tax.

 

33


Table of Contents

In connection with our initial public offering and Reorganization, we are subject to federal and state income taxes on all taxable income earned subsequent to May 15, 2007. Additionally, in connection with the Reorganization, we recognized a one-time tax benefit of $4.0 million in connection with the establishment of net deferred tax asset items of $10.2 million. In calculating the one-time tax benefit amount and associated deferred tax asset items, the Company makes reasonable estimates of its share of the 2006 taxable income and 2007 taxable income attributed to the period from January 1 through May 15, 2007 of the partnerships in which it has a direct or indirect interest. These estimates may change as additional information becomes available; as a result, the net one-time tax benefit amount may change. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company adjusted the one-time tax benefit of $4.0 million by $0.3 million in additional tax benefit. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and for the period May 16, 2007 to September 30, 2007, we recorded a total tax benefit of $2.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively. Excluding the tax benefit adjustment of $0.3 million and $4.1 million, we recorded a tax benefit of $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and a tax benefit of $0.2 million and for the period May 16, 2007 to September 30, 2007, respectively.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and for the period May 16, 2007 to September 30, 2007 was 33.3% and 45.9%, respectively, excluding the prior year one-time tax benefit adjustment. Including the prior year one-time tax benefit adjustment, the effective tax for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and for the period May 16, 2007 to September 30, 2007 was 38.2% and 1005.4%, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A condensed table of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is presented below. We have aggregated the Predecessor period from January 1, 2007 through May 15, 2007 and the Successor period from May 16, 2007 through September 30, 2007, without further adjustment, for purposes of comparison with the same periods in 2008. The supplemental aggregate disclosures and discussions are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles.

 

           Nine Months ended September 30, 2007              
     Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2008
    January 1, 2007
through May 15,
2007
    May 16, 2007
through September 30,
2007
    Combined
Predecessor/
    Change from
2007 to 2008
 
     Successor     Predecessor     Successor     Successor     $     %  

(in thousands)

            

Cash flows from operations

   $ (24,575 )   $ (29,821 )   $ 13,555     $ (16,266 )   $ (8,309 )   -51.1 %

Cash flows from investing activities

     (26,809 )     (509 )     (14,752 )     (15,261 )     (11,548 )   -75.7 %

Cash flows from financing activities

     2,208       8,020       66,535       74,555       (72,347 )   -97.0 %
                                              

Total cash flows

   $ (49,176 )   $ (22,310 )   $ 65,338     $ 43,028     $ (92,204 )   N/A  
                                              

We have historically satisfied our capital and liquidity requirements primarily through member contributions from our managing directors and outside investors, capital raised in our initial public offering in May 2007 and internally generated cash from operations. In 2008, most of our operating cash flow is generated from our investment banking and brokerage revenues and is invested in cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities or other investments, and partnerships for which HCS is the investment manager, however the volatility in the capital markets has reduced our ability to generate operational cash flow from investment banking revenues and it is difficult to predict the effect of the capital markets upon investment banking revenues going forward.

Our balance sheet is relatively liquid and unleveraged. We have a $30.0 million revolving note with City National Bank, which had a balance outstanding of $8.7 million as of September 30, 2008. In July 2008, we drew down an additional $4.2 million from the revolving note to fund an investment. We are currently in compliance with all our loan covenants; however continued uncertainty about outlook for business and investment banking revenues makes it difficult to predict covenant compliance going forward.

JMP Securities, our wholly-owned subsidiary and a registered securities broker-dealer, is subject to the net capital requirements of the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule. We use the basic method permitted by the Uniform Net Capital Rule to compute net capital, which generally requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital shall not exceed 15 to 1. SEC regulations also provide that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if certain minimum net capital requirements are not met. JMP Securities had net capital of $41.7 million and $51.3 million, which were $41.0 million and $50.6 million in excess of the required net capital of $0.6 million and $0.7 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. JMP Securities’ ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 0.23 to 1 and 0.22 to 1 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

The timing of bonus compensation payments to our employees may significantly affect our cash position and liquidity from period to period. While our employees and managing directors are generally paid salaries semi-monthly during the year, bonus compensation payments, which make up a larger portion of total compensation, are generally paid once a year. Bonus compensation payments for a given year are generally paid in the first two months of the following year. In February 2008, we paid out $26.9 million of cash bonuses for 2007, excluding employer payroll tax expense.

The Company currently intends to declare quarterly cash dividends on all outstanding shares of common stock. The Company currently does not plan to pay dividends on unvested shares of restricted stock. On March 10, 2008, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock for the fourth quarter of 2007 which was paid on April 11, 2008 to common shareholders of record on March 28, 2008. On May 8, 2008, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock for the first quarter of 2008 which was paid on June 13, 2008 to common shareholders of record on May 30, 2008. In addition, on August 6, 2008, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock for the second quarter of 2008 which was paid on September 12, 2008 to common shareholders of record on August 29, 2008.

On January 22, 2008, Opportunity Acquisition Corp. filed an S-1 registration statement with the SEC in connection with an initial public offering of 15.0 million units. Each unit is expected to be offered at a price of $10.00 per unit and will consist of one share of common stock and one warrant. Opportunity Acquisition Corp. is a special purpose acquisition corporation, or “SPAC,” formed for the purpose of acquiring one or more businesses through a merger,

 

34


Table of Contents

capital stock exchange, stock purchase, asset acquisition, or other similar business combination. The Company is the sponsor of the SPAC. The Company and certain individuals affiliated with the Company collectively own 4.3 million units of Opportunity Acquisition Corp. In addition, the Company has agreed to purchase from Opportunity Acquisition Corp. warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $4.0 million in a private placement to be completed immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering, which is pending with the SEC but is currently delayed and may be withdrawn depending on market conditions and other factors.

On January 18, 2008, the Company and certain affiliated entities completed the acquisition of 1.0 million shares of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible preferred stock of NYMT, a publicly traded real estate investment trust engaged in the investment management of mortgage-backed securities and high credit quality residential adjustable rate mortgage loans, at a price per share of $20.00 for a total of $20.0 million. The investment was comprised of $5.0 million by JMP Group Inc., $5.0 million by certain funds managed by HCS, and $10.0 million from JMPRT. In addition, the Company entered into an advisory agreement between HCS and NYMT to manage certain non-agency assets.

In February 2008, the Company purchased NYMT common stock for an aggregate amount of $4.5 million in a $60.0 million private investment in public equity (PIPE) transaction executed by NYMT.

On March 10, 2008, the Company’s board of directors authorized the buyback of an additional 2.0 million shares of our common stock during the next eighteen months, depending on market conditions.

Through the third quarter of 2008, the Company has advanced an aggregate of $3.8 million on $7.0 million in non-revolving credit note commitments.

In the third quarter of 2008, the Company made a $4.2 million investment in a private commercial mortgage originator in the form of a note and warrants. To fund the investment, the Company drew down an additional $4.2 million on its revolving note with City National Bank, which brought its borrowings under this revolving note to $8.7 million.

Because of the nature of our investment banking and sales and trading businesses, liquidity is important to us. Accordingly, we regularly monitor our liquidity position, including our cash and net capital positions. We believe that our available liquidity and current level of equity capital, combined with the net proceeds to us from the initial public offering and funds anticipated to be provided by our operating activities, will be adequate to meet our liquidity and regulatory capital requirements for the next twelve months.

Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Cash decreased by $49.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, primarily as a result of cash used in operating and investing activities.

Our operating activities used $24.6 million of cash from the net loss of $4.0 million, adjusted for the cash used in the change in operating assets and liabilities of $21.9 million and non-cash revenue and expense items of $1.3 million. The decrease in operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to the payout of $26.9 million in 2007 bonuses in February 2008.

Our investing activities used $26.8 million, which consisted mostly of $14.5 million of net purchases of other investments, the funding of $8.0 million in loans receivable and $4.7 million in cash attributable to the deconsolidation of an investment. During the nine months of 2008, we invested $15.0 million in Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred stock of NYMT, as well as $4.5 million in NYMT common stock as part of the PIPE transaction executed by NYMT on February 18, 2008.

Our financing activities provided $2.2 million of cash primarily due to a draw down on our revolving note with City National Bank and capital contributions from minority members in the nine months of 2008, offset by our cash dividends paid to shareholders and our repurchases of our common shares for treasury.

Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

Cash increased by $43.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, primarily as a result of cash provided by financing activities.

Our operating activities used $16.3 million of cash from the combined net loss of $107.8 million, adjusted for the cash provided by the change in operating assets and liabilities of $90.4 million. The increase in operating assets and liabilities was primarily due to the increase of Redeemable Class A member interests in connection with our initial public offering, as well as the payout of 2006 year-end bonuses in the first half of 2007.

Our investing activities used $15.3 million, which consisted mostly of $12.6 million of net purchases of other investments, including $9.7 million invested in quasi-government agency securities.

Our financing activities provided $74.6 million of cash primarily due to the net proceeds from our initial public offering.

Contractual Obligations

Except as discussed below, our contractual obligations have not materially changed from those reported in our Annual Report on From 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. In the three month period ended September 30, 2008, we drew down an additional $4.2 million on our revolving note with City National Bank, which brought our total balance under this revolving note to $8.7 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We had no material off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2008. However, as described below under “Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Credit Risk,” through indemnification provisions in our clearing agreements with our clearing broker, customer activities may expose us to off-balance sheet credit risk, which we seek to mitigate through customer screening and collateral requirements.

 

35


Table of Contents

Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may result from the change in value of a financial instrument due to fluctuations in its market price. Market risk may be exacerbated in times of trading illiquidity when market participants refrain from transacting in normal quantities and/or at normal bid-offer spreads. Our exposure to market risk is directly related to our role as a financial intermediary in customer trading and to our market making and investment activities. Market risk is inherent in financial instruments.

Even though our broker-dealer trades equity securities as an active participant in both listed and OTC markets and makes markets in over two hundred stocks, we typically maintain very few securities in inventory overnight to minimize market risk. In addition, we act as agent rather than principal whenever we can and may use a variety of risk management techniques and hedging strategies in the ordinary course of our trading business to manage our exposures. In addition, where practicable or possible, in connection with our principal investments in publicly-traded equity securities, we may engage in short sales of equity securities to offset the risk of purchasing other equity securities. In the future, we may utilize other hedging strategies such as equity derivative trades, although we have not engaged in derivative transactions in the past.

In connection with our sales and trading business, management evaluates the amount of risk in specific trading activities and determines our tolerance for such activities. Management monitors risks in its trading activities by establishing limits for the trading desk and reviewing daily trading results, inventory aging, and securities concentrations. Typically, market conditions are evaluated and transaction details and securities positions are reviewed. These activities seek to ensure that trading strategies are within acceptable risk tolerance parameters. Activities include price verification procedures, position reconciliations and reviews of transaction bookings. We believe these procedures, which stress timely communications between traders, trading management and senior management, are important elements of the risk management process.

Equity Price Risk

Equity price risk represents the potential loss in value due to adverse changes in the level or volatility of equity prices. We are exposed to equity price risk through our trading activities in both listed and OTC equity markets and security positions in our principal investment portfolio. We attempt to reduce the risk of loss inherent in our inventory of equity securities by establishing position limits, monitoring inventory turnover and entering into hedging transactions designed to mitigate our market risk profile.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk represents the potential loss from adverse changes in market interest rates. As we may hold U.S. Treasury securities and other fixed income securities and may incur interest-sensitive liabilities from time to time, we are exposed to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level and volatility of interest rates and in the shape of the yield curve.

Credit Risk

Our broker-dealer subsidiary places and executes customer orders. The orders are then settled by an unrelated clearing organization that maintains custody of customers’ securities and provides financing to customers.

Through indemnification provisions in our agreement with our clearing organization, customer activities may expose us to off-balance-sheet credit risk. We may be required to purchase or sell financial instruments at prevailing market prices in the event a customer fails to settle a trade on its original terms or in the event cash and securities in customer margin accounts are not sufficient to fully cover customer obligations. We seek to control the risks associated with brokerage services for our customers through customer screening and selection procedures as well as through requirements that customers maintain margin collateral in compliance with governmental and self-regulatory organization regulations and clearing organization policies.

We may experience credit losses on our loans and non-revolving credit notes. We manage our credit risks by evaluating the extent of the risk we are taking and insuring the appropriate underwriting criteria are met and we monitor the ongoing credit performance of each loan and security. To the extent we find the credit risks on specific assets are changing adversely, we will take actions to mitigate potential losses. However, we may not always be successful in foreseeing adverse changes in credit performance or in effectively mitigating future credit losses.

Inflation Risk

Because our assets are generally liquid in nature, they are not significantly affected by inflation. However, the rate of inflation affects such expenses as employee compensation and communications charges, which may not be readily recoverable in the prices of services we offer. To the extent inflation results in rising interest rates and has other adverse effects on the securities markets, it may adversely affect our combined financial condition and results of operations in certain businesses.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The use of different estimates and assumptions could produce materially different results. For example, if factors such as those described in “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K cause actual events to differ from the assumptions we used in applying the accounting policies, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be adversely affected.

 

36


Table of Contents

Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, particularly as they relate to accounting policies that we believe are most important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations. We regard an accounting estimate or assumption to be most important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations where:

 

   

the nature of the estimate or assumption is material due to the level of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change; and

 

   

The impact of the estimate or assumption on our financial condition or operating performance is material.

Using the foregoing criteria, we consider the following to be our critical accounting policies:

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”) as of January 1, 2008. This standard establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures with respect to fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies to all financial instruments that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis. This includes those items currently reported in marketable securities owned, at fair value, other investments and marketable securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. See Note 4 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements for a complete discussion of SFAS 157.

Substantially all of our financial instruments are recorded at fair value or amounts that approximate fair value. Marketable securities owned, Other investments, including warrant positions and investments in partnerships in which HCS is the general partner, and Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased, are stated at fair value, with related changes in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflected in the line item Principal transactions in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss).

Under SFAS 157, fair value our financial instruments is generally obtained from quoted market prices, broker or dealer price quotations, or alternative pricing methodologies that we believe offer reasonable levels of price transparency. To the extent that certain financial instruments trade infrequently or are non-marketable securities and, therefore, do not have readily determinable fair values, we estimate the fair value of these instruments using various pricing models and the information available to us that we deem most relevant. Among the factors considered by us in determining the fair value of financial instruments are discounted anticipated cash flows, the cost, terms and liquidity of the instrument, the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, the Black-Scholes Options Valuation methodology adjusted for active market and other considerations on a case-by-case basis and other factors generally pertinent to the valuation of financial instruments.

Marketable securities owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased, consist of U.S. listed and OTC equity securities, as well as quasi-government agency securities. Other investments consist principally of investments in private investment funds managed by us or our affiliates, as well as cash paid for a subscription in a private investment fund. Such investments held by non-broker-dealer entities are accounted for under the equity method based on our share of the earnings (or losses) of the investee. The financial position and operating results of the private investment funds are generally determined on an estimated fair value basis as set forth in the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide: Investment Companies. Generally, securities are valued (i) at their last published sale price if they are listed on an established exchange or (ii) if last sales prices are not published, at the highest closing “bid” price (for securities held “long”) and the lowest closing “asked” price (for “short” positions) as recorded by the composite tape system or such principal exchange, as the case may be. Where the general partner determines that market prices or quotations do not fairly represent the value of a security in the investment fund’s portfolio (for example, if a security is a restricted security of a class that is publicly traded) the general partner may assign a different value. The general partner will determine the estimated fair value of any assets that are not publicly traded.

Also included in other investments are convertible preferred stock and warrants on public and private common stock. The investment in NYMT convertible preferred stock is based on a fair value estimate using the Black-Scholes credit adjusted valuation model on Bloomberg. The warrants on public and private common stock are generally received as a result of investment banking transactions and are valued at estimated fair value as determined by management. Warrants owned are valued at the date of issuance and marked-to-market as unrealized gains and losses until realized. Estimated fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes Options Valuation methodology adjusted for active market and other considerations on a case-by-case basis.

The aforementioned fair value methods represent the Company’s best estimate of exit price as defined by SFAS 157.

The Company adopted SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”) as of January 1, 2008. SFAS 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. It requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. The election to use the fair value option is available at specified election dates, such as when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability or upon entering into a firm commitment. Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss). Additionally, SFAS 159 allows for a one-time election for existing positions upon adoption, with the transition adjustment recorded to beginning retained earnings.

We elected to apply the fair value option to the following financial assets:

 

   

Investment in NYMT convertible preferred stock; and

 

   

Investment in NYMT common stock

There was no adjustment recorded to retained earnings related to the adoption of SFAS 159.

In certain cases, we may continue to apply the equity method of accounting to those investments which are strategic in nature or are closely related to our principal business activities, where we have a significant degree of involvement in the cash flows or operations of the investee.

 

37


Table of Contents

Asset Management Investment Partnerships

Investments in partnerships include our general partnership interests in investment partnerships. Such investments are held by our asset management subsidiary and are accounted for under the equity method based on our proportionate share of the earnings (or losses) of the investment partnership. In accordance with the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for investment companies, these interests are carried at estimated fair value based on our capital accounts in the underlying partnerships. The net assets of the investment partnerships consist primarily of investments in marketable and non-marketable securities. The underlying investments held by such partnerships are valued based on quoted market prices or estimated fair value if there is no public market. Such estimates of fair value of the partnerships’ non-marketable investments are ultimately determined by our affiliate in its capacity as general partner. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuation, fair values of these non-marketable investments may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for these investments, and the differences could be material. Adjustments to carrying value are made, if required by GAAP, if there are third-party transactions evidencing a change in value. Downward adjustments are also made, in the absence of third-party transactions, if the general partner determines that the expected realizable value of the investment is less than the carrying value.

We earn base management fees from the investment partnerships that we manage generally based on the net assets of the underlying partnerships. In addition, we are entitled to allocations of the appreciation and depreciation in the fair value of the underlying partnerships from our general partnership interests in the partnerships. Such allocations are based on the terms of the respective partnership agreements.

We are also entitled to receive incentive fee allocations from the investment partnerships when the return exceeds certain threshold returns. Incentive fees are recorded after the quarterly or annual investment performance period is complete and may vary depending on the terms of the fee structure applicable to an investor.

Legal and Other Contingent Liabilities

We are involved in various pending and potential complaints, arbitrations, legal actions, investigations and proceedings related to our business from time to time. Some of these matters involve claims for substantial amounts, including claims for punitive and other special damages. The number of complaints, legal actions, investigations and regulatory proceedings against financial institutions like us has been increasing in recent years. We have, after consultation with counsel and consideration of facts currently known by management, recorded estimated losses in accordance with SFAS 5, Accounting for Contingencies, to the extent that we believe a claim may result in a probable loss and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The determination of these reserve amounts requires significant judgment on the part of management and our ultimate liabilities may be materially different. In making these determinations, management considers many factors, including, but not limited to, the loss and damages sought by the plaintiff or claimant, the basis and validity of the claim, the likelihood of successful defense against the claim, the cost of defending the claim and the potential for, and magnitude of, damages or settlements from such pending and potential complaints, legal actions, arbitrations, investigations and proceedings, and fines and penalties or orders from regulatory agencies.

If a potential adverse contingency should become probable or resolved for an amount in excess of the established reserves during any period, our results of operations in that period and, in some cases, succeeding periods, could be adversely affected.

Income Taxes

The Successor, JMP Group Inc., accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, (“SFAS 109”). SFAS 109 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Predecessor, JMP Group LLC, was a limited liability company and was treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. Therefore, the Predecessor was not subject to federal and state income taxes, and accordingly, did not provide for the federal and state income taxes in the financial statements, but it was liable for state and local unincorporated business tax or franchise tax.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken on a tax return and provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 on May 16, 2007, the date the Company became subject to federal and state income taxes. Its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are set forth under the caption “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

38


Table of Contents

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration matters arising in connection with our business. The outcome of matters we are involved in cannot be determined at this time, and the results cannot be predicted with certainty. There can be no assurance that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in any future period and a significant judgment could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We may in the future become involved in additional litigation in the ordinary course of our business, including litigation that could be material to our business. However, we do not believe that we have any material legal or regulatory proceedings currently pending or threatened against us.

In accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, we review the need for any loss contingency reserves and establish reserves when, in the opinion of management, it is probable that a matter would result in liability and the amount of loss, if any, can be reasonably estimated. Generally, with respect to matters we are involved in, in view of the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of these matters, particularly in cases in which claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages, it is not possible to determine whether a liability has been incurred or to reasonably estimate the ultimate or minimum amount of that liability until the case is close to resolution, in which case no reserve is established until that time.

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

The risk factors included in our December 31, 2007 annual report on Form 10-K continue to apply to us, and describe risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report. The discussion below includes additional risk factors that could materially affect our business and results of operations. Except as discussed in the risk factors below, there have not been any material changes from the risk factors previously described in our December 31, 2007 annual report on Form 10-K.

Current difficult conditions in the financial markets and the economy generally may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The stress experienced by global financial markets that began in the second half of 2007 continued and substantially increased during the third quarter of 2008. The volatility and disruption in the financial markets have reached unprecedented levels. In some cases, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength. These conditions have adversely affected some of our principal investments activities, and may contribute to increased investor redemptions of our assets under management. We have suffered a downturn in our investment banking business due to reduced activity by businesses in capital raising and declines in their stock price and we cannot assure you that the financial markets will stabilize in the near future. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that we will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

There can be no assurance that recently enacted legislation authorizing the U.S. government to purchase large amounts of certain assets, securities and other financial instruments from financial institutions will help stabilize the U.S. financial system.

On October 3, 2008, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, or EESA, was enacted in response to the financial crises affecting the banking system and financial markets and going concern threats to investment banks and other financial institutions. Pursuant to the EESA and its related programs, the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the Capital Purchase Program, the U.S. Treasury has the authority to, among other things, purchase up to $700 billion of certain assets, securities and other financial instruments from financial institutions for the purpose of stabilizing and providing liquidity to the U.S. financial markets. There can be no assurance, however, that the EESA and its related programs will have an impact on the financial markets, including the extreme levels of volatility and limited credit availability currently being experienced. The failure of the EESA and its related programs to help stabilize the financial markets and a continuation or worsening of current financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the trading price of our common stock.

 

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The table below sets forth the information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of JMP Group Inc. or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of our common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   Average Price
Paid
Per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
   Maximum Number of
of Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (1)

July 1, 2008 to July 31, 2008

   180,845    $ 6.54    180,845    1,491,389

August 1, 2008 to August 31, 2008

   100,200    $ 6.36    100,200    1,391,189

September 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008

   33,100    $ 5.56    33,100    1,358,089
               

Total

   314,145    $ 6.38    314,145   
               

 

(1) On March 10, 2008, the Company’s board of directors authorized the buyback of an additional 2.0 million shares during the subsequent eighteen months.

 

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

 

39


Table of Contents
ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

 

ITEM 6. Exhibits

See Exhibit Index.

 

40


Table of Contents

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.

Date: November 4, 2008

 

JMP Group Inc.
By:   /s/ Joseph A. Jolson
Name:   Joseph A. Jolson
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
By:   /s/ Thomas B. Kilian
Name:   Thomas B. Kilian
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

41


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted 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.

 

42