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 March 31, 2011

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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    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    x
Non-accelerated filer    ¨    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    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 April 30, 2011 was 22,083,967.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

PART I.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION      4   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements - JMP Group Inc.      4   
   Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (Unaudited)      4   
   Consolidated Statements of Operations - For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 (Unaudited)      6   
   Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 (Unaudited)      7   
   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 (Unaudited)      8   
   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)      10   

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      43   

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      65   

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures      65   

PART II.

   OTHER INFORMATION      66   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings      66   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      66   

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      67   

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities      67   

Item 4.

   (Removed and Reserved)      67   

Item 5.

   Other Information      67   

Item 6.

   Exhibits      67   

SIGNATURES

     68   

EXHIBIT INDEX

     69   

 

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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 stockholders 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.

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     March 31, 2011     December 31, 2010  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 54,885      $ 71,114   

Restricted cash and deposits (includes cash on deposit with clearing broker of $255 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010)

     32,262        47,718   

Receivable from clearing broker

     1,645        1,331   

Investment banking fees receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

     14,044        9,764   

Marketable securities owned, at fair value

     23,571        23,748   

Incentive fee receivable

     740        763   

Other investments (of which $44,618 and $38,672 at fair value at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)

     44,648        38,702   

Loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses

     663        813   

Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued, net of allowance for loan losses

     416,905        400,763   

Interest receivable

     1,162        1,163   

Fixed assets, net

     1,877        1,481   

Deferred tax assets

     29,205        32,507   

Other assets

     4,547        7,998   
                

Total assets

   $ 626,154      $ 637,865   
                

Liabilities and Equity

    

Liabilities:

    

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

   $ 10,714      $ 10,669   

Accrued compensation

     17,033        37,424   

Asset-backed securities issued

     358,621        351,322   

Interest payable

     525        570   

Note payable

     25,774        26,209   

Deferred tax liability

     33,180        36,176   

Other liabilities

     32,573        33,443   
                

Total liabilities

     478,420        495,813   
                

Commitments and Contingencies

    

JMP Group Inc. Stockholders’ Equity

    

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,083,967 and 22,069,741 shares issued at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively; 22,083,967 and

    

21,737,367 shares outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

     22        22   

Additional paid-in capital

     125,007        128,151   

Treasury stock, at cost, 0 and 332,374 shares at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

     —          (2,210

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (55     (63

Retained earnings

     7,792        4,696   
                

Total JMP Group Inc. stockholders’ equity

     132,766        130,596   

Noncontrolling Interest

     14,968        11,456   
                

Total equity

     147,734        142,052   
                

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 626,154      $ 637,865   
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Assets and liabilities of consolidated VIE included in total assets and total liabilities above:

 

     March 31, 2011      December 31, 2010  

Restricted cash

   $ 18,868       $ 23,821   

Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued, net of allowance for loan losses

     416,905         400,763   

Interest receivable

     1,161         1,162   

Deferred tax assets

     12,741         15,685   

Other assets

     61         41   
                 

Total assets of consolidated VIE

   $ 449,736       $ 441,472   
                 

Asset-backed securities issued

   $ 358,621       $ 351,322   

Interest payable

     492         545   

Deferred tax liability

     31,136         34,110   

Other liabilities

     797         379   
                 

Total liabilities of consolidated VIE

   $ 391,046       $ 386,356   
                 

The asset-backed securities issued by the VIE are limited recourse obligations payable solely from cash flows of the loans collateralizing them and related collection and payment accounts pledged as security. Accordingly, the assets of the VIE can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIE.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2011     2010  

Revenues

    

Investment banking

   $ 20,225      $ 5,469   

Brokerage

     6,285        7,670   

Asset management fees

     3,153        2,891   

Principal transactions

     3,630        1,421   

Gain on sale and payoff of loans

     6,771        3,479   

Net dividend income

     250        616   

Other income

     828        498   
                

Non-interest revenues

     41,142        22,044   
                

Interest income

     10,620        11,578   

Interest expense

     (8,640     (8,240
                

Net interest income

     1,980        3,338   
                

Provision for loan losses

     (220     (164
                

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

     42,902        25,218   
                

Non-interest Expenses

    

Compensation and benefits

     28,231        15,521   

Administration

     1,070        1,022   

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

     1,098        1,352   

Travel and business development

     670        920   

Communications and technology

     921        1,073   

Occupancy

     665        651   

Professional fees

     708        975   

Depreciation

     158        168   

Impairment loss on purchased management contract

     700        —     

Other

     104        128   
                

Total non-interest expenses

     34,325        21,810   
                

Income before income tax expense

     8,577        3,408   

Income tax expense

     2,483        1,388   
                

Net income

     6,094        2,020   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     2,556        302   
                

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

   $ 3,538      $ 1,718   
                

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. per common share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.16      $ 0.08   

Diluted

   $ 0.15      $ 0.08   

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.02      $ 0.01   

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     21,843        21,612   

Diluted

     22,836        22,484   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

    JMP Group Inc. Stockholders’ Equity                    
    Common Stock     Treasury
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Loss
    Noncontrolling
Interest
    Comprehensive
Income
    Total Equity  
    Shares     Amount                

Balance, December 31, 2010

    22,070      $ 22      $ (2,210   $ 128,151      $ 4,696      $ (63   $ 11,456      $ 33,206      $ 142,052   

Net income

    —          —          —          —          3,538        —          2,556        6,094        6,094   

Additonal paid-in capital - stock-based compensation

    —          —          —          (3,742     —          —          —          —          (3,742

Additonal paid-in capital - excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

    —          —          —          53        —          —          —          —          53   

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

    —          —          —          —          (442     —          —          —          (442

Purchases of shares of common stock for treasury

    —          —          (1,821     —          —          —          —          —          (1,821

Reissuance of shares of common stock from treasury

    —          —          4,031        431        —          —          —          —          4,462   

Common stock issued

    14        —          —          114        —          —          —          —          114   

Disrributions to noncontrolling interest holders

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (685     —          (685

Unrealized gain on cash flow hedge, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          8        —          8        8   

Capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders

    —          —          —          —          —          —          1,641        —          1,641   
                                                                       

Balance, March 31, 2011

    22,084      $ 22      $ —        $ 125,007      $ 7,792      $ (55   $ 14,968      $ 39,308      $ 147,734   
                                                                       

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2011     2010  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 6,094      $ 2,020   

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

    

Provision for loan losses

     220        164   

Accretion of deferred loan fees

     (428     (388

Amortization of liquidity discount, net

     2,992        1,249   

Gain on sale and payoff of loans

     (6,771     (3,479

Change in other investments:

    

Fair value

     (3,418     (674

Incentive fees reinvested in general partnership interests

     (137     (300

Impairment loss on purchased management contract

     700        —     

Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets

     158        168   

Stock-based compensation expense

     457        903   

Deferred income taxes

     306        1,343   

Net change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Decrease in interest receivable

     1        40   

(Increase) decrease in receivables

     (4,634     2,349   

Decrease (Increase) in marketable securities

     177        (15,184

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash (excluding restricted cash reserved for lending activities), deposits and other assets

     11,865        (14,595

Decrease in marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

     45        11,173   

Decrease in interest payable

     (45     (36

Decrease in accrued compensation and other liabilities

     (20,883     (36,679
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (13,301     (51,926
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of fixed assets

     (554     (236

Purchases of other investments

     (2,903     (16,691

Sales of other investments

     2,171        21,280   

Funding of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued

     (90,524     (67,540

Sale and payoff of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued

     78,846        34,186   

Principal receipts on loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued

     6,821        26,858   

Principal receipts on loans held for investment

     150        75   

Net change in restricted cash reserved for lending activities

     4,842        10,597   
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (1,151     8,529   
                

 

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JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Repayment of note payable

     (435     —     

Repayment of asset-backed securities issued

     —          (3,475

Cash dividends paid to stockholders

     (442     (217

Purchases of shares of common stock for treasury

     (1,821     (790

Capital contributions of noncontrolling interest holders

     1,553        —     

Distributions to noncontrolling interest shareholders

     (685     —     

Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation

     53        (98
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,777     (4,580
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (16,229     (47,977

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     71,114        75,680   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 54,885      $ 27,703   
                

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 1,330      $ 1,216   

Cash paid during the period for taxes

   $ 1,653      $ 650   

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

    

Reissuance of shares of common stock from treasury related to vesting of restricted stock units and exercises of stock options

   $ 4,031      $ 1,168   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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JMP GROUP INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

March 31, 2011

(Unaudited)

1. Organization and Description of Business

JMP Group Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), is an independent investment banking and asset management firm headquartered in San Francisco, California. 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 JMP Securities LLC (“JMP Securities”), its asset management business through Harvest Capital Strategies LLC (“HCS”), its corporate credit business through JMP Credit Corporation (“JMP Credit”) and JMP Credit Advisors LLC (“JMPCA”), and certain principal investments through JMP Capital LLC (“JMP Capital”). All of the above entities are wholly-owned subsidiaries. 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. Effective April 7, 2009, through its majority-owned subsidiary JMP Credit, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the membership interests of Cratos Capital Partners, LLC (changed its name to JMP Credit Advisors LLC on July 12, 2010) and its subsidiaries, including Cratos Capital Management, LLC (which collectively, “Cratos”), a manager of collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”), together with certain securities of Cratos CLO I, Ltd. (“Cratos CLO”). See Note 2 for further details regarding the ownership of Cratos CLO.

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 (“GAAP”) 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 included in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. 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.

The consolidated accounts of the Company include the wholly-owned subsidiaries, JMP Securities, HCS, JMP Capital, JMP Credit, JMPCA, and the partially-owned subsidiary Harvest Growth Capital LLC (“HGC”) (effective April 1, 2010). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Harvest Mortgage Opportunities Partners (“HMOP”) had been consolidated from May 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010. On December 31, 2010, HMOP was liquidated, with all of its partners redeeming their interests as of that date. The assets of HMOP were distributed to its partners in January 2011.

The Company follows the authoritative accounting guidance for the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). Such guidance applies to VIEs, which are entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. When the Company enters into a transaction with a VIE, the Company determines if it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE by performing a qualitative analysis of the VIE that includes a review of, among other factors, its capital structure, contractual terms, related party relationships, the Company’s fee arrangements and the design of the VIE. The Company performed this analysis for Cratos CLO and concluded that Cratos CLO is a VIE and that the Company, which manages the CLO and owns approximately 94% of the subordinated notes in the CLO, is deemed the primary beneficiary. As a result, the Company consolidates the assets and liabilities of the CLO securitization entity, and the underlying loans owned by the CLO entity are shown on our consolidated statements of financial condition under loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued and the asset-backed securities (“ABS”) issued to third parties are shown under asset-backed securities issued. See Note 6 and Note 10 for the information pertaining to the loans owned and ABS issued by Cratos CLO, respectively.

HCS currently manages several asset management funds, which are structured as limited partnerships, and is the general partner of each. In assessing whether or not to consolidate these funds, the Company follows the accounting guidance on determining whether a general partner controls a limited partnership. Such guidance provides that the presumption that the general partner controls the limited partnership may be overcome if the limited partners have substantive kick-out rights. Except for HMOP and HGC, the partnership agreements for these funds provide for the right of the limited partners to remove the general partners by a simple majority vote of the non-affiliated limited partners. Because of these substantive kick-out rights, the Company, as the general partner, does not control these funds, and therefore does not

 

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consolidate them except for HGC and prior to December 31, 2010, HMOP. The Company accounts for its investments in these funds under the equity method of accounting. In December 2009, the accounting guidance on consolidation was amended to improve the financial reporting by entities involved in VIEs. In February 2010, the consolidation requirements under the amended accounting guidance were indefinitely deferred for a reporting entity’s interest in entities that have the attributes of an investment company or for which it is industry practice to apply the specialized industry accounting guidance for investment companies. The Company’s investments in the above asset management funds qualify for the deferral, and therefore the new consolidation requirements did not impact our accounting for these funds. If the deferral were to be removed, the Company would be required to evaluate these funds under the new accounting guidance, and based on such evaluation, some if not all of the funds may require consolidation.

Noncontrolling interest on the consolidated statements of financial condition at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 relate to the interest of third parties in Cratos CLO and HGC, partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements. On August 6, 2010, the Company and individual employee security holders (the “Unitholders”) of JMP Credit entered into an Exchange Agreement providing for, among other things, an offer to buy the minority interest units and shares in JMP Credit held by the Unitholders in exchange for a combination of (i) restricted common stock of the Company par value $.001 per share, (ii) cash and (iii) certain Cratos CLO subordinated notes. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 381,310 shares of restricted stock and transferred 109 subordinated notes to the Unitholders and the Company received all the remaining units and shares of JMP Credit that it did not previously own. The restricted stock and the Cratos CLO notes are subject to limitations on transfer and repurchase rights of the Company in the event of certain terminations of the Unitholder’s employment with the Company or its affiliates through June 1, 2013. As a result of this transaction, the Company’s ownership of JMP Credit increased from approximately 93% to 100% and the Company’s ownership of Cratos CLO decreased from 100% to approximately 94% effective August 6, 2010.

JMP Realty Trust (“JMPRT”) was a real estate investment trust that was formed in June 2006. As of December 31, 2008, the Company owned 49.5% of JMPRT and certain employees owned 20.1%. Because of its ownership and management position, the Company consolidated JMPRT and recorded a noncontrolling interest through December 31, 2008. On January 2, 2009, all of the assets and liabilities within JMPRT were transferred to HMOP, a hedge fund managed by HCS. HMOP was a Delaware limited partnership organized for the purposes of investing in real estate-related assets which may include investments in residential or commercial mortgages or loans, real estate and other assets, loans and participation in loans of all types, other specialty mortgage products, and securities. HCS was the general partner of HMOP. Because of substantive kick-out rights, the Company, as the general partner, did not control HMOP and therefore did not consolidate HMOP from January 2, 2009 through April 30, 2009. During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, several non-affiliated limited partners redeemed their interest in HMOP, and the remaining limited partners were no longer deemed to have substantive kick-out rights. As a result, the Company consolidated HMOP in its consolidated financial statements effective May 1, 2009. HMOP was liquidated on December 31, 2010, with all of its partners redeeming their interests as of that date. The assets of HMOP were distributed to its partners in January 2011.

On July 31, 2009, JMP Capital received 100% of the membership interest in LSC III, LLC (“LSC”) in full satisfaction of a $2.4 million non-revolving credit note. LSC is an investment partnership and owns shares of common and preferred stock of two privately-held companies. LSC subsequently changed its name to Harvest Growth Capital LLC (“HGC”) and amended its limited liability company agreement. Under the amended agreement, HGC appointed HCS as the manager, accepted new members and launched on April 1, 2010 as a new private equity fund. JMP Capital retained an interest in one privately-held company which was valued at $0.6 million as of April 1, 2010. The members of HGC do not have substantive kick-out rights to remove HCS as manager and therefore HCS is deemed to control HGC. As a result, the Company consolidates HGC in its consolidated financial statements.

On January 18, 2008, JMP Group Inc. and certain unconsolidated affiliates made an investment in Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible preferred stock of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (“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. Such investment by JMP Group Inc. and affiliated entities was $20.0 million in total, comprised of $5.0 million by JMP Group Inc., $5.0 million by certain funds managed by HCS, and $10.0 million by JMPRT. JMPRT’s investment in NYMT was transferred to HMOP on January 2, 2009. In addition, JMP Group Inc. invested $4.5 million in the common stock of NYMT on February 14, 2008 via a private investment in public equity (“PIPE”) transaction. At December 31, 2010, JMP Group Inc. owned approximately 15.2% of NYMT’s common stock. The Series A Preferred Stock was convertible into shares of NYMT’s common stock based on a conversion price of $8.00 per share of common stock, which represents a conversion rate of two and one-half (2 1/2) shares of common stock for each share of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible preferred stock. The Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible preferred stock was scheduled to mature on December 31, 2010, at which time any outstanding shares must be redeemed by NYMT at the $20.00 per share liquidation preference. We also entered into an advisory agreement between HCS and NYMT to manage certain non-agency assets. The advisory agreement was terminated effective July 26, 2010 upon execution of an amended and restated advisory agreement between HCS and NYMT. Under the amended advisory agreement, HCS manages certain assets of NYMT, which are subject to the base advisory fee and incentive fee calculations, and receives an annual consulting fee equal to $1.0 million. On December 31, 2010, all of the 1.0 million shares of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible preferred stock of NYMT owned by JMP Group Inc. and certain of its affiliates were redeemed at a price per share of $20.00 for a total of $20.0 million. Under the amended advisory agreement, in order to maintain certain rights under the agreement we have a minimum $10.0 million of investment commitment in NYMT’s common stock, subject to certain adjustments for variations in NYMT’s stock price subsequent to the effective date of the agreement. At March 31, 2011, we had an investment in NYMT’s common stock of $10.1 million which represented 15.2% of NYMT’s outstanding shares of common stock. Because of its current ownership and management position, the Company does not consolidate NYMT.

 

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Revision to 2010 Consolidated Financial Statements

In preparing the consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company discovered an error that impacted the company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements for the second quarter of 2010, the third quarter of 2010 and for the year ended December 31, 2010. The net after tax effect of this error together with errors previously identified, was an understatement of net income of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 ($31,000 for the second quarter of 2010, $384,000 for the third quarter of 2010 and $327,000 for the fourth quarter of 2010). The adjustments were primarily related to the newly identified error, a difference in the determination of taxable income, causing a $0.6 million impact to income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 ($31,000 for the second quarter of 2010, $397,000 for the third quarter of 2010 and $148,000 for the fourth quarter of 2010). The Company evaluated these errors and concluded that they did not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a material misstatement of the company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements. However, the Company also concluded that the effect of correcting the errors in the first quarter of 2011 would have been misleading to the users of the financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and expected results for the year ended December 31, 2011. Accordingly, the Company has determined to revise, in this report and future filings, its previously reported Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2010, September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010 and its Consolidated Statements of Operations and Changes in Equity for the periods ended June 30, 2010, September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010 to adjust for these errors. As the above mentioned errors did not impact the period ended March 31, 2010, there are no changes to the financial statements as of and for the period ended March 31, 2010, as originally filed. The effect of this revision had no impact on our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

A summary of the revisions to the Consolidated Financial Statements as of June 30, 2010, September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010 is as follows:

 

     As Previously
Reported
     Adjustment     As Revised  
(In thousands, except per common share data)                    

Consolidated Statements of Operation

       
     For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2010  

Income tax expense

   $ 2,133       $ (31   $ 2,102   

Net income

     2,983         31        3,014   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

     2,185         31        2,216   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. per common share:

       

Basic

   $ 0.10         —        $ 0.10   

Diluted

   $ 0.10         —        $ 0.10   
     For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010  

Income tax expense

   $ 3,522       $ (31   $ 3,491   

Net income

     5,003         31        5,034   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

     3,903         31        3,934   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. per common share:

       

Basic

   $ 0.18         —        $ 0.18   

Diluted

   $ 0.17         0.01      $ 0.18   

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

       
     As of June 30, 2010  

Deferred tax assets

   $ 41,994       $ 31      $ 42,025   

Total assets

     580,836         31        580,867   

Retained earnings

     2,203         31        2,234   

Total JMP Group Inc. stockholders’ equity

     121,276         31        121,307   

Total equity

     131,541         31        131,572   

Total liabilities and equity

     580,836         31        580,867   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

       
     For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010  

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

   $ 3,903       $ 31      $ 3,934   

Retained Earnings- Balance, June 30, 2010

     2,203         31        2,234   

 

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     As Previously
Reported
     Adjustment     As Revised  
(In thousands, except per common share data)                    

Consolidated Statements of Operation

       
     For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  

Interest income

   $ 11,525       $ (23   $ 11,502   

Net interest income

     2,986         (23     2,963   

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

     32,681         (23     32,658   

Income before income tax expense

     4,579         (23     4,556   

Income tax expense

     1,943         (407     1,536   

Net income

     2,636         384        3,020   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

     1,431         384        1,815   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. per common share:

       

Basic

   $ 0.07         0.01      $ 0.08   

Diluted

   $ 0.06         0.02      $ 0.08   
     For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  

Interest income

   $ 36,106       $ (23   $ 36,083   

Net interest income

     11,017         (23     10,994   

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

     100,745         (23     100,722   

Income before income tax expense

     13,103         (23     13,080   

Income tax expense

     5,464         (438     5,026   

Net income

     7,639         415        8,054   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

     5,334         415        5,749   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. per common share:

       

Basic

   $ 0.25         0.02      $ 0.27   

Diluted

   $ 0.24         0.02      $ 0.26   

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

       
     As of September 30, 2010  

Deferred tax assets

   $ 37,727       $ 438      $ 38,165   

Total assets

     603,303         438        603,741   

Other liabilities

     28,289         23        28,312   

Total liabilities

     470,779         23        470,802   

Retained earnings

     753         415        1,168   

Total JMP Group Inc. stockholders’ equity

     122,124         415        122,539   

Total equity

     132,524         415        132,939   

Total liabilities and equity

     603,303         438        603,741   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

       
     For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

   $ 5,334       $ 415      $ 5,749   

Retained Earnings - Balance, September 30, 2010

     753         415        1,168   

 

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     As Previously
Reported
     Adjustment     As Revised  
(In thousands, except per common share data)                    

Consolidated Statements of Operation

       
     For the Year Ended December 31, 2010  

Investment banking revenues

   $ 45,519       $ 58      $ 45,577   

Non-interest revenues

     134,507         58        134,565   

Interest income

     45,209         (47     45,162   

Net interest income

     11,522         (47     11,475   

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

     144,702         11        144,713   

Travel and business development

     3,401         46        3,447   

Administration

     5,767         (15     5,752   

Professional fees

     3,380         (300     3,080   

Total non-interest expenses

     123,997         (269     123,728   

Income before income tax expense

     20,705         280        20,985   

Income tax expense

     9,039         (462     8,577   

Net income

     11,666         742        12,408   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

     8,861         742        9,603   

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. per common share:

       

Basic

   $ 0.41         0.03      $ 0.44   

Diluted

   $ 0.40         0.03      $ 0.43   

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

       
     As of December 31, 2010  

Investment banking fees receivable

   $ 9,706       $ 58      $ 9,764   

Deferred tax assets

     32,542         (35     32,507   

Other assets

     8,008         (10     7,998   

Total assets

     637,852         13        637,865   

Other liabilities

     34,172         (729     33,443   

Total liabilities

     496,542         (729     495,813   

Retained earnings

     3,954         742        4,696   

Total JMP Group Inc. stockholders’ equity

     129,854         742        130,596   

Total equity

     141,310         742        142,052   

Total liabilities and equity

     637,852         13        637,865   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

       
     For the Year Ended December 31, 2010  

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

   $ 8,861       $ 742      $ 9,603   

Retained Earnings - Balance, December 31, 2010

     3,954         742        4,696   

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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. In connection with some

 

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underwritten transactions, the Company may hold in inventory, for a period of time, equity positions to facilitate the completion of the underwritten transactions. Realized and unrealized net gains and losses on these positions are recorded within investment banking revenues. 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 Operations 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.

Asset Management Fees

Asset management fees for hedge funds, funds of funds and private equity funds 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 for hedge funds and hedge funds of funds are calculated at the investor level using their quarter-beginning capital balance adjusted for any contributions or withdrawals. Base management fees for private equity funds are calculated at the investor level using their aggregate capital commitments during the commitment period, which is generally three years from first closing, and on invested capital following the commitment period. The Company also earns incentive fees for hedge funds and hedge funds of funds 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, increased for contributions and decreased for 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 and NYMT, and annually for the hedge funds of funds managed by HCS. Generally the incentive fees are 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 claw back arrangements. Incentive fees for private equity funds are based on a specified percentage of realized gains from the disposition of each portfolio investment in which each investor participates, and are earned by the Company after returning contributions by the investors for that portfolio investment and for all other portfolio investments in which each such investor participates that have been disposed of at the time of distribution.

Asset management fees for the two CLOs the Company manages currently consist only of senior and subordinated base management fees. For one of the CLOs, the Company earns incentive fees in the event that specified cumulative investment returns are achieved, but such investment returns have not been achieved yet. The Company recognizes base management fees for the CLOs on a monthly basis over the period in which the collateral management services are performed. The base management fees for the CLOs are calculated as a percentage of the average aggregate collateral balances for a specified period. As we consolidate Cratos CLO, the management fees earned at JMPCA from Cratos CLO are eliminated on consolidation in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

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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, our investment in NYMT and interest rate cap. Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate cap was recorded in principal transaction revenues through June 30, 2010. Effective July 1, 2010, such gain (loss) is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). See Note 4 and Note 9 for more information on the interest rate cap. 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. Principal transaction revenues also include unrealized gains and losses on the private equity securities owned by HGC, a private equity fund managed by HCS which is consolidated in our financial statements, as well as unrealized gains and losses on the investments in private companies sponsored by HCS and JMP Capital.

The Company’s principal transaction revenues for these categories for the three month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31,  
         2011              2010      

Equity and other securities

   $ 3,174       $ 1,343   

Warrants and other investments

     122         218   

Investment partnerships

     334         (140
                 

Total principal transaction revenues

   $ 3,630       $ 1,421   
                 

Gain on Sale and Payoff of Loans

Gain on sale and payoff of loans consists of gains from the sale and payoff of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities at JMP Credit. Gains are recorded when the proceeds exceed our carrying value of the loan.

Interest Income

Interest income primarily relates to income earned on loans. Interest income on loans comprises the stated coupon as a percentage of the face amount receivable as well as accretion of accretable or purchase discounts and deferred fees, see Loans held for investment and Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued for more information. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the respective loans unless such loans are placed on non-accrual status.

Interest Expense

Interest expense primarily relates to expense incurred on asset-backed securities issued and note payable. Interest expense on asset-backed securities issued is the stated coupon as a percentage of the principal amount payable as well as amortization of liquidity discount which was recorded at the acquisition date of Cratos, see Asset-backed securities issued for more information. Interest expense is recorded on the accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the respective asset-backed securities issued and note payable.

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. The Company holds cash in financial institutions in excess of the FDIC insured limits. The Company periodically reviews the financial condition of the financial institutions and assesses the credit risk.

Restricted Cash and Deposits

Restricted cash and deposits include principal and interest payments that are collateral for the asset-backed securities issued by Cratos. They also include proceeds from short sales deposited with brokers that cannot be removed unless the securities are delivered, cash collateral supporting standby letters of credit issued by JMP Credit, cash on deposit for operating leases, and cash on deposit with JMP Securities’ clearing broker. In addition, as of December 31, 2010, restricted cash and deposits included cash distributions payable to noncontrolling interest holders of HMOP of $10.5 million. HMOP was liquidated on December 31, 2010, with all of its partners redeeming their interests as of that date.

 

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Restricted cash consisted of the following at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

(In thousands)    March 31, 2011      December 31, 2010  

Principal and interest payments held as collateral for asset-backed securities issued

   $ 18,465       $ 23,442   

Cash collateral supporting standby letters of credit

     403         379   

Cash collateral supporting indemnity agreement (Note 8)

     1,000         1,000   

Proceeds from short sales

     10,714         10,669   

Cash distributions payable to noncontrolling interest holders

     —           10,514   

Deposit with clearing broker

     255         255   

Deposits for operating leases

     1,425         1,459   
                 
   $ 32,262       $ 47,718   
                 

Receivable from Clearing Broker

The Company clears customer transactions through another broker-dealer on a fully disclosed basis. At both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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. The allowance for doubtful accounts related to investment banking fees receivable were zero at both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted amended accounting principles related to fair value measurements as of January 1, 2008. The amendment establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and expands disclosures with respect to fair value measurements. The amendment 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. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. See Note 4 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements for the disclosures related to the fair value of our marketable securities and other investments.

Most of the Company’s financial instruments, other than loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued, loans held for investment, asset-backed securities issued and investment in HuaMei Capital Company, Inc. (redeemed in December 2010), Sanctuary Wealth Services LLC, and a commercial mortgage originator sponsored by JMP Capital are recorded at fair value or amounts that approximate fair value. See Note 4 for the description of our investments in HuaMei Capital Company, Inc., Sanctuary Wealth Services LLC and a commercial mortgage originator sponsored by JMP Capital.

Marketable securities owned, other investments at fair value 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 Operations.

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 over-the-counter (“OTC”) equity securities. Other investments include 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. 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.

 

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Also included in other investments are warrants on public and private common stock, private equity securities owned by HGC and JMP Capital, investments in private companies sponsored by HCS and JMP Capital and an interest rate cap derivative instrument. The warrants on public and private common stock are generally received as a result of investment banking transactions. Such warrants are fair valued at the date of issuance and marked-to-market as of each reporting period using the Black-Scholes Options Valuation methodology. The fair value of the private equity securities owned by HGC and JMP Capital is determined by the Company using comparable public company metrics discounted for private company market illiquidity. The interest rate cap derivative instrument fair value is determined from counterparty price quotations. The investments in private companies sponsored by HCS and JMP Capital are carried at cost and evaluated for impairment on a quarterly basis.

The Company follows the authoritative guidance included in GAAP on the fair value option which provides companies with a choice to report selected financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. 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 Operations.

The Company received dividends of $0.3 million and $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011and 2010 respectively, on NYMT stock, which were recorded in net dividend income on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For both quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded unrealized gain of $0.2 million on the investments in NYMT. The unrealized gains and losses on our investments in NYMT are reported in principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company has entered into a derivative contract in order to hedge the interest rate exposure of its short-term and long-term borrowings. Currently, the Company does not enter into derivative contracts for any other purposes. Derivative financial instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. At the inception of the contract, the Company designated and documented the derivative contract as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”). For this cash flow hedge, the Company records changes in the fair value of the derivative to the extent that it is effective in other comprehensive (loss) income and subsequently reclassifies these changes in fair value to net income in the same period(s) that the hedged transaction affects earnings. Such reclassification from other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings is recorded in the same financial statement category as the hedged item. The Company formally documents at inception its hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, its risk management objectives, strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction and the Company’s evaluation of effectiveness of its hedged transactions. Periodically, the Company also formally assesses whether the derivative designated in each hedging relationship is expected to be and has been highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged item using the dollar offset method. If the Company determines that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, it discontinues hedge accounting.

Loans

Accounting guidance requires that the Company present and disclose certain information about its financing receivables by portfolio segment and/or by class of receivables. A portfolio segment is defined as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine the allowance for credit losses. A class of financing receivables is defined as the level of information (below a portfolio segment) that enables a reader to understand the nature and extent of exposure to credit risk arising from financing receivables. The Company’s portfolio segments are loans held for investment and loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued. We have treated the loans held for investments segment as a single class given the small size of the loan portfolio. The classes within the loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued portfolio segment are Asset Backed Loan (“ABL”), ABL – stretch, Cash Flow and Enterprise Value.

 

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Loans Held for Investment

Loans held for investment are carried at their unpaid principal balance, net of any allowance for credit losses or deferred loan origination or commitment fees. For loans held for investment, we establish and maintain an allowance for credit losses based on management’s estimate of credit losses in our loans as of each reporting date. The Company records the allowance against loans held for investment on a specific identification basis. Loans are charged off against the reserve for credit losses if the principal is deemed not recoverable within a reasonable timeframe. Loan origination and commitment fees are deferred and recognized into interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the life of the related loan. The Company does not accrue interest on loans which are in default for more than 90 days and loans for which we expect full principal payments may not be received. When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income. Any reversals of income from previous years are recorded against the allowance for loan losses. When the Company receives a cash interest payment on a non-accrual loan, it is applied as a reduction of the principal balance. Non-accrual loans are returned to accrual status when the borrower becomes current as to principal and interest and has demonstrated a sustained period of payment performance. The amortization of loan fees is discontinued on nonaccrual loans. The Company applies the above nonaccrual policy consistently to all loans classified as loans held for investment without further disaggregation. Loans that are deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and the charged-off amount is deducted from the allowance.

Loans Collateralizing Asset-Backed Securities Issued

Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued are commercial loans securitized and owned by Cratos CLO. Loans acquired through the acquisition and resulting consolidation of Cratos were recorded at their fair value as of the acquisition date. Any unamortized deferred fees or costs related to the loans that existed prior to the acquisition were written off at that date.

For those loans deemed impaired as of the date of the acquisition, the total discount from outstanding principal balance to fair value consists of a nonaccretable credit discount and in most cases an accretable liquidity (or market value) discount. For the remaining loans acquired through the purchase of Cratos, any discounts to fair value were recorded as accretable liquidity discounts as they were not attributable to credit impairment. For both types of loans, the accretable portion of the discount is recognized into interest income as an adjustment to the yield of the loan over the contractual life of the loan using the interest method. For those loans deemed impaired as of the date of the acquisition, such accretion is discontinued when the net realizable value becomes equal or less than the carrying value. For the remaining loans acquired through the purchase of Cratos, such accretion is discontinued when the loan becomes impaired.

The Company continues to estimate the cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the loans acquired through the purchase of Cratos. If, upon subsequent evaluation, the Company believes it is unable to collect all cash flows expected at the acquisition date plus additional cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in the estimate after the acquisition, the loan is considered impaired. Loans considered impaired at the acquisition date of Cratos continue to be assessed in accordance with the authoritative guidance under GAAP on loan impairment. If, based on current information and events, it is probable that there is a significant increase in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected, the Company will first reduce any remaining credit discounts (including allowances for loan losses) for the loans established after its acquisition for the increase in the present value of cash flows expected to be collected. Then the Company will recalculate the amount of accretable yield for the loan as the excess of the revised cash flows expected to be collected over the sum of (a) the initial investment, less (b) cash collected, less (c) write-downs, plus (d) amount of yield accreted to date. The Company will adjust the amount of accretable yield by reclassification from nonaccretable discount. The adjustment is accounted for as a change in estimate, with the amount of periodic accretion adjusted over the remaining life of the loan. The resulting yield is then used as the effective interest rate in any subsequent accounting.

Loans purchased or originated after the acquisition date of Cratos are stated at the principal amount outstanding net of deferred fees, deferred costs and the allowance for loan losses. Net deferred fees or costs are recognized as an adjustment to interest income over the contractual life of the loans using the interest method. Remaining amounts are recognized into income when the related loans are paid off or sold. Any discount from principal amount of purchased loans is accreted into interest income as a yield adjustment over the contractual life of the loan using the interest method.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due or when, in the opinion of management, reasonable doubt exists as to the full collection of principal and/or interest. When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income. Any reversals of income from previous years are recorded against the allowance for loan losses. When the Company receives a cash interest payment on a non-accrual loan, it is applied as a reduction of the principal balance. Non-accrual loans are returned to accrual status when the borrower becomes current as to principal and interest and has demonstrated a sustained period of payment performance. The amortization of loan fees is discontinued on nonaccrual loans and may be considered for write-off. Depending on the terms of the loan, a fee may be charged upon a prepayment which is recognized in the period of the prepayment. The Company applies the above nonaccrual policy consistently to all loans classified as loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued without further disaggregation.

 

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Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses that is intended to estimate loan losses inherent in its loan portfolio. A provision for loan losses is charged to expense to establish the allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level, in the opinion of management, sufficient to offset estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements. The appropriateness of the allowance and the allowance components are reviewed quarterly. The Company’s estimate of each allowance component is based on observable information and on market and third party data that the Company believes are reflective of the underlying loan losses being estimated.

The Company provides an allowance for loans that are considered impaired. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company measures impairment of a loan based upon either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral securing the loan if the loan is collateral dependent, depending on the circumstances and the Company’s collection strategy. For those loans held by Cratos at the date of acquisition by JMP Credit, and deemed impaired at that date or a subsequent date, allowance for loan losses is calculated considering two further factors. For loans deemed impaired at the date of acquisition, if there is a further decline in expected future cash flows, the reduction is recognized as a specific reserve in accordance with the guidance above. For those loans deemed impaired subsequent to the acquisition date, if the net realizable value is lower than the current carrying value, then the carrying value is reduced and the difference is booked as provision for loan losses. If the total discount from unpaid principal balance to carrying value is larger than the expected loss at the date of assessment, no provision for loan losses is recognized.

In addition, the Company provides an allowance on a loan by loan basis at JMP Credit for loans that were purchased after the Cratos acquisition. The Company employs internally developed and third party estimation tools for measuring credit risk (loan ratings, probability of default, and exposure at default), which are used in developing an appropriate allowance for loan losses. The Company performs periodic detailed reviews of its loan portfolio to identify risks and to assess the overall collectibility of loans.

Loans that are deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and the charged-off amount is deducted from the allowance.

Asset-Backed Securities Issued

Asset-backed securities (“ABS”) represent securities issued to third parties by Cratos CLO in 2007. The Company consolidated Cratos CLO for financial reporting purposes as of the April 7, 2009 acquisition date. At the acquisition date, the ABS were recorded at fair value, which comprised the principal balance outstanding less liquidity discount. The liquidity discount will be amortized into interest expense over the expected remaining lives of the ABS using the interest method.

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.

Purchased Management Contract

Purchased management contract relates to the CLO contract the Company purchased from Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. on September 8, 2010 (see Note 8) and is included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The purchased management contract is amortized over its estimated life. The Company tests the purchased management contract for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the asset’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss, calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset, is recognized if the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows relating to the asset is less than the corresponding carrying value (See Note 8).

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of its 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.

 

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The Company adopted the accounting principles related to uncertainty in income taxes 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. Under the guidance, the Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain position only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable, based solely on its technical merits and consideration of the relevant taxing authority’s widely understood administrative practices and precedents. If this threshold is met, the Company measures the tax benefit as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation cost for stock-based awards at their fair value on the date of grant and records compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. Such grants are recognized as expense, net of estimated forfeitures.

Stock-based compensation includes restricted stock units and stock options granted under the Company’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, and stock options granted under the Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan.

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

The Company accounts for treasury stock under the cost method, using an average cost flow assumption, and includes 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

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-02, Receivables (Topic 310): A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring is a Troubled Debt Restructuring. In April 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2011-02, which amends the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings. The new standard provides additional guidance for creditors in determining whether a creditor has granted a concession and whether a debtor is experiencing financial difficulties for purposes of determining whether a restructuring constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The standard sets the effective dates for troubled debt restructuring disclosures required by recent guidance on credit quality disclosures. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and is to be applied retrospectively to modifications occurring on or after the beginning of the annual period of adoption. For purposes of measuring impairments of receivables that are considered impaired as a result of applying the new guidance, the standard should be applied prospectively for the interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The adoption ASU 2011-02 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ASU 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosure about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses. In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20 which amends Topic 310 to improve the disclosures that an entity provides about the credit quality of its financing receivables and the related allowance for credit losses. As a result of these amendments, an entity is required to disaggregate by portfolio segment or class certain existing disclosures and provide certain new disclosures about its financing receivables and related allowance for credit losses. The disclosures required by ASU 2010-20 are effective for annual and interim periods ending on or after December 15, 2010 except for the new disclosures about the activity that occurs during a reporting period which are effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The Company adopted ASU 2010-20 in the fourth quarter of 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-20 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ASU 2009-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved in Variable Interest Entities. In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-17 which amends the accounting guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIE”). The amendments replace the existing guidance on determining which reporting entity, if any, has a

 

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controlling financial interest in a VIE with an approach focused on identifying which reporting entity has (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-10, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments for Certain Investment Funds, which indefinitely defers the consolidation requirements of ASU 2009-17 for a reporting entity’s interest in an entity that has all the attributes of an investment company or for which it is industry practice to apply the specialized industry accounting guidance for investment companies. The hedge funds and hedge funds of funds managed by HCS qualify for the deferral, and therefore, the Company continues to apply the historical accounting guidance related to the consolidation of VIEs to its investment in such funds. The Company adopted ASU 2009-17 and ASU 2010-10 in the first quarter of 2010, and the adoption of these amendments did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06 which provides amendments to ASC Subtopic 820-10 that will provide more robust disclosures about (1) the different classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value, (2) the valuation techniques and inputs used, (3) the activity in Level 3 fair value measurements and (4) the transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3. ASU 2010-06 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity on a gross basis which is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2010, except for the additional disclosures related to the Level 3 activity, which the Company adopted in the first quarter of 2011. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

4. Marketable Securities and Other Investments

Other Investments at Fair Value

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 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 generally 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 provides 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.

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, 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 mortgage and private equity fund: determined by net asset value provided by third party general partners;

 

   

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

 

   

Private equity securities: HGC and JMP Capital investment in private companies, determined by the Company using comparable public company metrics discounted for private company market illiquidity.

 

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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 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

     Assets at Fair Value as of  
     March 31, 2011  
(In thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial instruments owned, at fair value:

           

Marketable securities owned:

           

Equity securities

   $ 23,571       $ —         $ —         $ 23,571   
                                   

Total marketable securities owned

   $ 23,571       $ —         $ —         $ 23,571   
                                   

Other investments:

           

General partner investment in hedge funds

   $ —         $ 25,584       $ —         $ 25,584   

General partner investment in funds of funds

     —           —           106         106   
                                   

Total general partner investment in funds

     —           25,584         106         25,690   

Limited partner investment in private equity fund

     —           —           3,220         3,220   

Warrants

     —           —           805         805   

Private equity securities

     —           2,659         12,149         14,808   

Interest rate cap

     95         —           —           95   
                                   

Total other investments

   $ 95       $ 28,243       $ 16,280       $ 44,618   
                                   

 

     Assets at Fair Value as of  
     December 31, 2010  
(In thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial instruments owned, at fair value:

           

Marketable securities owned:

           

Equity securities

   $ 23,478       $ —         $ —         $ 23,478   
                                   

Total marketable securities owned

   $ 23,478       $ —         $ —         $ 23,478   
                                   

Other investments:

           

General partner investment in hedge funds

   $ —         $ 23,629       $ —         $ 23,629   

General partner investment in funds of funds

     —           —           102         102   
                                   

Total general partner investment in funds

     —           23,629         102         23,731   

Limited partner investment in private equity fund

     —           —           3,063         3,063   

Warrants

     —           —           532         532   

Private equity securities

     —           —           11,245         11,245   

Interest rate cap

     101         —           —           101   
                                   

Total other investments

   $ 101       $ 23,629       $ 14,942       $ 38,672   
                                   
     Liabilities at Fair Value as of  
     March 31, 2011  
(In thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

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

           

Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

   $ 10,714       $ —         $ —         $ 10,714   
                                   
     Liabilities at Fair Value as of  
     December 31, 2010  
(In thousands)    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

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

           

Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

   $ 10,669       $ —         $ —         $ 10,669   
                                   

 

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The tables below provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the assets at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

(In thousands)   Balance as of
December 31,
2010
    Purchases     Sales     Total gains
(losses) -
realized and
unrealized
included in
earnings
    Total gains
(losses) -
realized and
unrealized
included in
other
comprehensive
income
    Transfers
in/(out) of
Level 3
    Balance as of
March 31,
2011
    Unrealized
gains/(losses)
included in
earnings related
to assets still held
at reporting date
 

General partner investment in funds of funds

  $ 102      $ —        $ —        $ 4      $ —        $ —        $ 106      $ 4   

Limited partner investment in private equity fund

    3,063        —          —          157        —          —          3,220        157   

Warrants

    532        15        —          258        —          —          805        258   

Private equity securities

    11,245        1,388        —          1,934        —          (2,418     12,149        1,934   
                                                               

Total Level 3 assets

  $ 14,942      $ 1,403      $ —        $ 2,353      $ —        $ (2,418   $ 16,280      $ 2,353   
                                                               
(In thousands)   Balance as of
December 31,
2009
    Purchases     Sales     Total gains
(losses) -
realized and
unrealized
included in
earnings
    Total gains
(losses) -
realized and
unrealized
included in
other
comprehensive
income
    Transfers
in/(out) of
Level 3
    Balance as of
March 31,
2010
    Unrealized
gains/(losses)
included in
earnings related
to assets still held
at reporting date
 

General partner investment in funds of funds

  $ 2,933      $ —          —        $ 85      $ —        $ —        $ 3,018      $ 85   

Limited partner investment in private equity fund

    2,476        41        (50     77        —          —          2,544        77   

Limited partner investment in mortgage fund

    1,147        —          (712     149        —          —          584        —     

Investment in NYMT convertible preferred stock

    15,000        —          —          —          —          —          15,000        —     

Warrants

    —          —          —          233        —          —          233        233   

Private equity securities

    2,321        —          —          369        —          —          2,690        369   
                                                               

Total Level 3 assets

  $ 23,877      $ 41        (762   $ 913      $ —        $ —        $ 24,069      $ 764   
                                                               

Purchases and sales of Level 3 assets shown above were either purchased or sold during the period. The amounts were recorded at fair value at the date of the transaction.

Total gains and losses included in earnings (or changes in net assets) 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 Operations.

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy result from changes in the observability of fair value inputs used in determining fair values for different types of financial assets and are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period in which the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer occurs.

There were no transfers in/out of Level 1 during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. There was a transfer into Level 2 from Level 3 of $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as a result of the observability of fair value associated with the equity securities. There were no transfers in/out of Level 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2010. In addition, there were no other transfers in/out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

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 are reported in Principal Transactions in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

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Included in other investments are investments in partnerships in which one of the Company’s subsidiaries is the investment manager and general partner. The Company accounts for these investments using the equity method as described in Note 2. The Company’s share of those investments is included in the tables above. In addition, other investments include warrants, and two investments in funds managed by third parties.

Other Investments

On February 13, 2009, the Company entered into a business arrangement with China Merchants Securities Co. (HK), Ltd., a securities brokerage and investment banking firm, through a $2.0 million investment in HuaMei Capital Company, Inc. (“HuaMei”) to expand the Company’s investment banking capabilities in China. Through HuaMei, the Company intends to provide investment banking services to U.S. and Chinese companies seeking to execute cross-border transactions on both sides of the Pacific. HuaMei is a joint venture of China Merchants Securities; MVC Capital, Inc., a publicly traded business development company managed by The Tokarz Group Advisers LLC; and the HuaMei Capital founders. HuaMei has co-chief executive officers from China Merchant Securities Co. (HK), Ltd. and the Company. The Company has appointed its chairman and chief executive officer, Joseph Jolson, to serve on HuaMei’s board of directors. The Company accounts for its investment in HuaMei under the equity method of accounting within other investments on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. In December 2010, the Company redeemed its investment in HuaMei and received $2.0 million in cash, resulting in no gain or loss.

On February 11, 2010, the Company made a $1.5 million investment in Class D Preferred Units of Sanctuary Wealth Services LLC (“Sanctuary”). Sanctuary provides a turnkey platform that will allow independent wealth advisors to establish an independent advisory business without the high startup costs and regulatory hurdles. The Class D Preferred Units entitle the Company to receive a preferred dividend with units that are convertible into equity of Sanctuary at the option of the Company prior to the maturity date, which is three years from the investment date. The Company carries its investment in Sanctuary at cost within other investments on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and evaluates the investment for impairment on a quarterly basis. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company determined that its investment in Sanctuary is fully impaired and recorded an impairment loss of $1.5 million, which was included in Principal Transactions on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The carrying value of the Company’s investment in Sanctuary was zero at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011.

In 2008, the Company made a $4.2 million loan to a private commercial mortgage originator in the form of a note and warrants. The loan was recorded net of loan loss reserves of $3.8 million and a deferred loan fee of $0.2 million at December 31, 2009. On February 10, 2010, the loan note was converted into non-voting preferred equity of a newly formed entity which succeeded to the assets of the borrower. As of the conversion date, the Company determined the fair value of both the loan note and the non-voting preferred equity of the newly formed entity to be zero, and therefore, recognized no gain or loss on the conversion. During the year ended December 31, 2010 and the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company invested an additional $0.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in the newly formed entity for the commencement of a new commercial loan origination program. The Company carries its investment in the newly formed entity at cost within other investments on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and evaluates the investment for impairment on a quarterly basis. In the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, the Company determined its investment in the newly formed entity is impaired and recorded a loss of $0.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The loss is included in principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Derivative Financial Instruments

On May 29, 2010, the Company entered into an interest rate cap with City National Bank (the “Lender”) to effectively lock in or fix the interest rate on its revolving line of credit and term loan from July 1, 2010 through maturity. The interest rate cap will allow the Company to receive payments from the Lender in the event that LIBOR plus 2.25% exceeds 3.75%, limiting the interest rate on the outstanding balance of the line of credit and term loan to such rate. On July 1, 2010, the Company designated the interest rate cap as a cash flow hedge of the interest rate risk of a total of $25.8 million of outstanding borrowings with the Lender. See Note 9 for the information pertaining to the Company’s borrowing from the Lender.

The interest rate cap is recorded at fair value in other investments on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as other comprehensive income. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company recorded $5,591 of other comprehensive loss representing unrealized loss on the interest rate cap. In addition, during the months ended March 31, 2011, $13,674 was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense as amortization of the interest cap.

5. Loans Held for Investment

Loans held for investment at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 is comprised of one loan note and advances on one non-revolving credit note commitment. Given the small size of this loan portfolio segment, the Company reviews credit quality of the loans within this portfolio segment on a loan by loan basis mainly focusing on the borrower’s financial position and results of operations as well as the current and expected future cash flows on the loan.

 

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Non-Impaired Loans

As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had a $0.7 million and $0.8 million advance, respectively, on a $1.3 million non-revolving commitment to a public non-traded REIT. The advance currently bears interest at the rate of 20.0% per annum and is due in June 2011. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had no unfunded credit commitments. The Company determined the credit quality of this loan to be high based on the borrower’s financial position, results of operations and payment history.

Impaired Loans

The Company had a loan note outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, which is a participation interest in a loan made by JMPRT to a client during 2007. The loan is collateralized by real estate related assets, and bears interest at the rate of 20.0% 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 December 31, 2008, the outstanding principal balance of $0.8 million was in default and the loan note was deemed impaired and was place on non-accrual status. The Company recorded a loan loss provision of $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2008, $0.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 and $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2010. Recovery of the loan is being sought through bankruptcy court proceedings; however, considering the legal cost it expects to incur, the Company believes that any recovery is doubtful. The recorded investment, outstanding principal and related allowance balance of the loan note was $0.8 million at both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. No interest income was recorded on this impaired loan for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

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 loan was placed on non-accrual status on April 1, 2009. Accordingly, the interest payments of $0.2 million received subsequent to that date were applied to the principal balance, reducing the outstanding principal balance to $4.0 million at December 31, 2009. At December 31, 2009, the carrying value of the loan was zero, net of loan loss reserves of $3.8 million and a deferred loan fee of $0.2 million. On February 10, 2010, the loan note was converted into non-voting preferred equity of a newly formed entity which succeeded to the assets of the borrower. As of the conversion date, the Company determined the fair value of both the loan note and the non-voting preferred equity of the newly formed entity to be zero, and therefore, recognized no gain or loss on the conversion. The Company carries its investment in the newly formed entity at cost within other investments on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (see Note 4).

The following table presents components of loans held for investment, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

(In thousands)    March 31, 2011     December 31, 2010  

Loans held for investment

   $ 1,520      $ 1,670   

Allowance for loan losses

     (857     (857
                

Total loans held for investment, net

   $ 663      $ 813   
                

A summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31,  
       2011             2010      

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (857   $ (4,285

Loans charged off, net of recoveries

     —          3,757   
                

Balance at end of period

   $ (857   $ (528
                

The Company determined the fair value of loans held for investment to be $0.7 million and $0.8 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, using anticipated cash flows, discounted at an appropriate market credit adjusted interest rate.

 

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6. Loans Collateralizing Asset-backed Securities Issued

Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued are commercial loans securitized and owned by Cratos CLO. The loans consist of those loans within the CLO securitization structure at the acquisition date of Cratos and loans purchased by the CLO subsequent to the Cratos acquisition date. The following table presents the components of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

(In thousands)    March 31, 2011     December 31, 2010  

Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities

   $ 458,562      $ 453,358   

Allowance for loan losses

     (2,212     (1,992

Liquidity discount

     (28,949     (35,594

Credit discount

     (4,763     (8,558

Deferred loan fees, net

     (5,733     (6,451
                

Total loans collateralizing asset-backed securities, net

   $ 416,905      $ 400,763   
                

Loans recorded upon the acquisition of Cratos at fair value reflect a liquidity discount and a credit discount. In addition, most loans purchased subsequent to the acquisition were purchased at a discount to their principal value, reflecting deferred loan fees. The tables below summarize the activity in the loan principal, allowance for loan losses, liquidity discount, credit discount, deferred loan fees and carrying values, net for the impaired loans and non-impaired loans as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2011:

Impaired loans:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31, 2011  
   Principal     Allowance for
Loan Losses
    Liquidity Discount     Credit Discount     Carrying Value,
Net
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 13,867      $ (582   $ (2,557   $ (8,558   $ 2,170   

Purchases / funding

     17        —          —          —          17   

Repayments

     (78     —          —          —          (78

Accretion of discount

     —          —          57        —          57   

Sales and payoff

     (6,583     —          659        3,795        (2,129
                                        

Balance at end of period

   $ 7,223      $ (582   $ (1,841   $ (4,763   $ 37   
                                        

Non-impaired loans:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31, 2011  
   Principal     Allowance for
Loan Losses
    Liquidity Discount     Deferred Loan
Fees
    Carrying Value,
Net
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 439,491      $ (1,410   $ (33,037   $ (6,451   $ 398,593   

Purchases / funding

     91,177        —          —          (670     90,507   

Repayments

     (6,743     —          —          —          (6,743

Accretion of discount

     —          —          4,249        428        4,677   

Provision for loan losses

     —          (220     —          —          (220

Sales and payoff

     (72,586     —          1,680        960        (69,946
                                        

Balance at end of period

   $ 451,339      $ (1,630   $ (27,108   $ (5,733   $ 416,868   
                                        

The tables below summarize the activity in the loan principal, liquidity discount, credit discount, deferred loan fees and carrying values, net for the impaired loans and non-impaired loans as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2010:

 

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Impaired loans:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31, 2010  
   Principal     Allowance for
Loan Losses
    Liquidity Discount     Credit Discount     Carrying Value,
Net
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 74,369      $ (1,581   $ (18,411   $ (35,105   $ 19,272   

Purchases / funding

     426        —          —          —          426   

Repayments

     (3,087     —          —          155        (2,932

Accretion of discount

     —          —          318        —          318   

Transfers to/from non-impaired loans, net

     (11,869     —          5,286        1,831        (4,752
                                        

Balance at end of period

   $ 59,839      $ (1,581   $ (12,807   $ (33,119   $ 12,332   
                                        
Non-impaired loans:           
(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31, 2010  
   Principal     Allowance for
Loan Losses
    Liquidity Discount     Deferred Loan Fees     Carrying Value,
Net
 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 387,090      $ (413   $ (73,133   $ (4,849   $ 308,695   

Purchases / funding

     68,266        —          —          (1,152     67,114   

Repayments

     (23,926     —          —          —          (23,926

Accretion of discount

     —          —          5,492        388        5,880   

Provision for loan losses

     —          (164     —          —          (164

Sales and payoff

     (34,753     —          3,530        516        (30,707

Transfers to/from impaired loans, net

     12,605        —          (7,853     —          4,752   
                                        

Balance at end of period

   $ 409,282      $ (577   $ (71,964   $ (5,097   $ 331,644   
                                        

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses that is intended to estimate loan losses inherent in its loan portfolio. A provision for loan losses is charged to expense to establish the allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses consists of two components: estimated loan losses for specifically identified loans and estimated loan losses inherent in the remainder of the portfolio. The Company’s loan portfolio consists primarily of loans made to middle market, privately owned companies. Loans made to these companies generally have higher risks compared to larger, publicly traded companies that have greater access to financial resources. Given these considerations, the Company believes that it is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses inherent in the portfolio.

In determining the required allowance for loan losses inherent in the portfolio, the following factors are considered: 1) the expected loss severity rate for each class of loans, 2) the current Moody’s rating and related probability of default, 3) the existing liquidity discount on the loans and 4) internal loan ratings.

 

   

Expected loss severity rate for each class of loans: The Company’s loans are classified as either Asset Backed Loan (“ABL”), ABL – stretch, Cash Flow or Enterprise Value. The loss severity given a default is expected to be the least on a conforming ABL loan since the value of the collateral is typically enough to satisfy most of the amount owed. For ABL – stretch loans, the loss severity given a default is expected to be higher than for a conforming ABL loan because of less collateral coverage. For Cash flow loans, the loss severity given a default is expected to be higher than ABL - stretch loans since generally less collateral coverage is provided for this class of loans. For Enterprise Value loans, the loss severity given a default is expected to be the highest, assuming that if the obligor defaults there has probably been a significant loss of enterprise value in the business as well.

 

   

Moody’s rating and related probability of default: See section entitled Credit Quality of Loans within this footnote.

 

   

Existing liquidity discount on the loans: For non-impaired loans held at Cratos at the acquisition date, liquidity discount was recorded to reflect the fair value of those loans. To the extent that the liquidity discount on a loan is greater than the component of the general reserve attributable to that loan, that asset is excluded from the general reserve calculation. If the general reserve for a loan is greater than its liquidity discount, the amount by which it exceeds the liquidity discount will be included in the general reserve calculation.

 

   

Internal loan ratings: See section entitled Credit Quality of Loans within this footnote.

Based on the above evaluation, the Company recorded additions to the general reserves of $0.2 million during both the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, on non-impaired loans.

 

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A summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31,  
         2011                 2010        

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (1,992   $ (1,994

Provision for loan losses:

    

General reserve

     (220     (164
                

Balance at end of period

   $ (2,212   $ (2,158
                

Impaired Loans

A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms of the original loan agreement, including scheduled principal and interest payments. There were $7.2 million unpaid principal balance of impaired loans as of March 31, 2011, with allocated specific reserves of $0.6 million and credit discount of $4.8 million. There were $13.9 million unpaid principal balance of impaired loans as of December 31, 2010, with allocated specific reserves of $0.6 million and credit discount of $8.6 million.

The tables below present, by class of loans, certain information pertaining to the impaired loans at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010:

 

(In thousands)    As of March 31, 2011  
   Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
 

Cash Flow (CF)

   $ 619       $ 7,223       $ 582   
                          
   $ 619       $ 7,223       $ 582   
                          
(In thousands)    As of December 31, 2010  
   Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
 

Cash Flow (CF)

   $ 2,752       $ 13,867       $ 582   
                          
   $ 2,752       $ 13,867       $ 582   
                          

The tables below present, by class of loans, certain information pertaining to the impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011
 
   Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest Income
Recognized
 

Cash Flow (CF)

   $ 1,336       $ 88 (1) 
                 
   $ 1,336       $ 88   
                 
(In thousands)    Three Months Ended
March 31, 2010
 
   Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest Income
Recognized
 

Cash Flow (CF)

   $ 17,790       $ —     
                 
   $ 17,790       $ —     
                 

 

(1) Represents cash interest payments received on impaired loans.

 

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As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, $6.7 million and $8.5 million of recorded investment amount of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued were individually evaluated for impairment, respectively. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, $412.4 million and $394.5 million of recorded investment amount of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued were collectively evaluated for impairment, respectively.

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the impaired loans included three loans with the aggregated recorded investment balance of $0.6 million for both periods, whose terms were modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). A restructuring is considered a TDR if the creditor, for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. The creditor may receive an asset from the debtor in a TDR, but the value of the asset received is typically significantly less than the amount of the debt forgiven. For two of the TDR loans, the Company received an equity interest in the debtor as compensation for reducing the loan principal balance. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were no remaining commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in a TDR.

Non-Accrual Status and Past Due Loans

At March 31, 2011, three loans, all of which were Cash Flow loans, with the aggregate principal amount of $7.2 million and recorded investment amount of $0.6 million were on non-accrual status. At December 31, 2010, four loans, all of which were Cash Flow loans, with the aggregate principal amount of $13.9 million and recorded investment amount of $2.8 million were on non-accrual status. The Company recognized $0.1 million in interest income, other than the accretion of liquidity discounts, for four impaired loans with a weighted average loan balance of $11.3 million that were on non-accrual status during the three months ended March 31, 2011. The Company did not recognize any interest income, other than the accretion of liquidity discounts, for 10 impaired loans with a weighted average loan balance of $71.3 million that were on non-accrual status during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, none of the loans, including non-accrual status loans, were past due.

Credit Quality of Loans

The Company’s management, at least on a quarterly basis, reviews each loan and evaluates the credit quality of the loan. The review primarily includes the following credit quality indicators with regard to each loan: 1) Moody’s rating, 2) current internal rating and 3) performance. The tables below present, by credit quality indicator, the Company’s recorded investment in loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

(In thousands)    Cash Flow (CF)      Asset Based
Loan (ABL)
     Enterprise Value (EV)      Total  
   March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Moody’s rating:

                       

Baa1 - Baa3

   $ 5,744       $ 5,750       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 5,744       $ 5,750   

Ba1 - Ba3

     152,956         139,351         —           —           —           —           152,956         139,351   

B1 - B3

     249,917         235,394         1,562         6,851         1,971         1,975         253,450         244,220   

Caa1 - Caa3

     6,385         12,865         —           —           —           —           6,385         12,865   

Ca

     582         569         —           —           —           —           582         569   

C

     —           —           —           —           —           —           —           —     

D

     —           —           —           —           —           —           —           —     
                                                                       

Total:

   $ 415,584       $ 393,929       $ 1,562       $ 6,851       $ 1,971       $ 1,975       $ 419,117       $ 402,755   
                                                                       

Internal rating:

                       

Performing

   $ 390,112       $ 366,522       $ 1,562       $ 6,851       $ 1,971       $ 1,975       $ 393,645       $ 375,348   

Moderate

     18,764         18,895         —           —           —           —           18,764         18,895   

Watchlist

     6,126         5,839         —           —           —           —           6,126         5,839   

Substandard

     —           2,104         —           —           —           —           —           2,104   

Non-Accrual

     582         569         —           —           —           —           582         569   

Charge Off

     —           —           —           —           —           —           —           —     
                                                                       

Total:

   $ 415,584       $ 393,929       $ 1,562       $ 6,851       $ 1,971       $ 1,975       $ 419,117       $ 402,755   
                                                                       

Performance:

                       

Performing

   $ 414,965       $ 391,177       $ 1,562       $ 6,851       $ 1,971       $ 1,975       $ 418,498       $ 400,003   

Non-performing

     619         2,752         —           —           —           —           619         2,752   
                                                                       

Total:

   $ 415,584       $ 393,929       $ 1,562       $ 6,851       $ 1,971       $ 1,975       $ 419,117       $ 402,755   
                                                                       

 

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The following sets forth the Company’s credit quality indicators:

 

   

Moody’s Ratings: If there is not already a published rating on one of our loans, the Company engages Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) to assign the loan a credit estimate factor/or rating. Moody uses factors such as, but not limited to, the borrower’s leverage, use of proceeds, cash flows, growth rate, industry condition, concentration of risks, EBITDA margins and others factors. The lower the rating a loan carries, the higher the risk. Moody’s publishes a probability of default for each rating class. The higher the loan is rated, the less probability there is of a default. The Company updates Moody’s rating assigned to a loan whenever Moody’s changes its published rating for the loan.

 

   

Internal Ratings: The Internal Rating System is an internal portfolio monitoring mechanism allowing the Company to proactively manage portfolio risk and minimize losses. There are six account rating categories: Performing, Moderate Risk, Watch List, Sub-Standard, Non-Accrual and Charge off. Performing and Moderate Risk indicate lower risks while Non-Accrual and Default indicate higher risks. Internal ratings are updated at least quarterly. The following describes each of the Company’s internal ratings:

 

Performing

   Financial and collateral performance is good with no adverse trends or weakening factors noted. There is sufficient loan liquidity, with positive cash flow. Reporting is accurate and timely.

Moderate Risk

   Collateral and financial performance is good; some adverse trends may have begun to develop. There is sufficient loan liquidity, with breakeven or better cash flow. The quality and timeliness of reporting is still sufficient.

Watch List

   Negative trends in financial performance, collateral quality and/or reporting accuracy and timeliness. Loan liquidity has begun to deteriorate. Positive cash flow is low and restructuring of capital structure may be required.

Sub-Standard

   Negative trends in financial performance, collateral quality and/or reporting accuracy and timeliness. Loan liquidity has deteriorated requiring periodic over advance accommodations. Cash flow is negative and turnaround efforts have been implemented or account may be in bankruptcy. Specific reserve is needed.

Non-Accrual

   Probability of a turnaround is doubtful or the account is in liquidation. Recovery of interest is unlikely and principal is doubtful. Specific reserve is needed.

Charge Off

   Considered uncollectible and the continuance of full asset value is not warranted. This does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery value but a portion of the principal loan, if not all should be written off even though a recovery may be effected in the future.

•       Performance:

Performing

Non-performing

  

Non-impaired loans

Impaired loans

The Company determined the fair value of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities to be $444.9 million and $432.5 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively; using anticipated cash flows, discounted at an appropriate market credit adjusted interest rate.

7. Fixed Assets

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, fixed assets consisted of the following:

 

(In thousands)    March 31, 2011     December 31, 2010  

Furniture and fixtures

   $ 1,768      $ 1,638   

Computer and office equipment

     4,468        4,376   

Leasehold improvements

     2,790        2,472   

Software

     604        590   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (7,753     (7,595
                

Total fixed assets, net

   $ 1,877      $ 1,481   
                

Depreciation expense was $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

8. Purchased Management Contract

On June 11, 2010, the Company agreed to purchase the collateral management contracts for two collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs, from Princeton Advisory Group, Inc., for up to $5.0 million. The transfers of the contracts were subject to the receipt of certain consents and other conditions. On September 8, 2010, the Company completed the purchase of one of the two management contracts for $3.8 million, and the contract was transferred to JMPCA. However, since a single investor had previously acquired control of the right to transfer the management contract without cause at any time with 90 days’ notice, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $2.8

 

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million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. The Company later restructured the transaction to provide the Company with indemnity from the seller in the amount of $2.6 million, which is collateralized by certain assets and $1.0 million in cash. The Company determined the initial carrying value of the purchased management contract to be $1.0 million. The Company amortized the purchased management contract on a straight-line basis over its estimated life of 2.5 years corresponding to the indemnity period through February 2013 and tests it for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the asset’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company was released from the obligation to purchase the second CLO management contract from Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. An impairment loss, calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset, is recognized if the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows relating to the asset is less than the corresponding carrying value. The Company has determined that the carrying value of the purchased management contract was impaired and recorded a $0.7 million impairment charge for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. In addition, the Company revised the estimated useful life of the asset and expects the remaining carrying value of $0.1 million, net of accumulated amortization to be amortized in the second quarter of 2011.

9. Note Payable

Note payable consists of two term loans related to the Company’s credit facility with City National Bank (the “Lender”) initially entered into on August 3, 2006.

On December 31, 2008, the Company entered into Amendment Number Three to Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”), which amends certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2006, by and between the Company and the Lender, as amended by Amendment Number One to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2007 and as further amended by Amendment Number Two to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2008; the Company subsequently entered into Amendment Number Four to Credit Agreement and Waiver, dated as of January 28, 2010 (collectively, the “Credit Agreement”).

The Third Amendment converted the Company’s outstanding revolving loans of $8.7 million into a single term loan as of December 31, 2008. The term loan is being repaid in equal quarterly payments of $0.4 million which commenced on March 31, 2009 and continues through December 31, 2013 and bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%. The outstanding balance on this term loan was $4.8 million as of March 31, 2011. The Third Amendment also provided that of the original $30.0 million revolving line of credit, $21.0 million remained available under the revolving portion of the Credit Agreement and the annual interest rate provisions of the Credit Agreement were increased from the prime rate minus 1.25% to the prime rate and from LIBOR plus 1.25% to LIBOR plus 2.25%. The Lender agreed to continue to provide revolving loans of up to $21.0 million through December 31, 2010, on which date the then existing revolving loans convert into term loans. On December 31, 2010, pursuant to the provisions of the Third Amendment, the outstanding revolving loan of $21.0 million was converted into a single term loan which will fully mature on December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2010, the revolving line of credit was no longer available for future use.

The two term loans had an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $25.8 million and $26.2 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The following table shows the repayment schedules for the principal portion of the term loans at March 31, 2011:

 

(In thousands)    March 31, 2011  

2011

   $ 8,302   

2012

     8,736   

2013

     8,736   

2014

     —     

2015

     —     

Thereafter

     —     
        
   $ 25,774   
        

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 certain 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. The Third Amendment modified the financial covenants in the Credit Agreement to remove both the minimum requirement of Net Income (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the minimum requirement of EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Third Amendment also removed the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and added a new financial covenant regarding the Company’s liquidity. At March 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with the loan covenants. The term loan is collateralized by a pledge of the Company’s assets, including its interests in each of JMP Securities and HCS.

On May 29, 2010 the Company entered into an interest rate cap with the Lender to effectively lock in or fix the interest rate on its revolving line of credit and term loan from July 1, 2010 through maturity. The interest rate cap will allow the Company to receive payments from the counterparty in the event that LIBOR plus 2.25% exceeds 3.75%, limiting the interest rate on the outstanding balance of the line of credit and term loan to such rate. The cap had an initial notional principal amount of $27.1 million, indexed to LIBOR and amortizes in accordance with the amortization of the revolving line of credit and term loan. The notional principal amount of the cap was $25.8 million at March 31, 2011. See Note 4 for additional information on the interest rate cap.

 

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10. Asset-backed Securities Issued

On May 17, 2007, Cratos CLO completed a $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes (the “Notes”) on-balance sheet debt securitization and obtained $455.0 million of third-party financing. The Notes will be repaid from the cash flows generated by the loan portfolio owned by the CLO. The Notes were issued in seven separate classes as set forth in the table below. The Company owns approximately 94.0% of the unsecured subordinated notes and $13.8 million of Class C, D and E notes ($2.0 million of Class C, $4.1 million of Class D and $7.7 million of Class E notes). These unsecured subordinated notes and the Class C, D and E notes owned by the Company are eliminated upon consolidation of JMP Credit, and therefore, are not reflected on the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

(In millions)    As of March 31, 2011  
   Notes
Originally
Issued
     Outstanding
Principal
Balance
    Liquidity
Discount
    Net
Outstanding
Balance
    Interest Rate
Spread to
LIBOR
    Ratings
(Moody’s
/S&P) (1)
 

Class A Senior Secured Floating Rate Revolving Notes due 2021

   $ 326.0       $ 315.8      ($ 25.8   $ 290.0        0.26% 0.29%        Aaa/AAA   

Class B Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2021

     30.0         30.0        (6.4     23.6        0.50%        Aa2/AA+   

Class C Senior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

     35.0         35.0        (15.4     19.6        1.10%        Baa1/AA-   

Class D Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

     34.0         34.0        (15.2     18.8        2.40%        Ba1/BBB+   

Class E Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

     30.0         30.0        (14.5     15.5        5.00%        B3/BB-   
                                                 

Total secured notes sold to investors

   $ 455.0       $ 444.8      ($ 77.3   $ 367.5       

Unsecured subordinated notes due 2021

     45.0         45.0        (39.9     5.1       
                                     

Total notes for the CLO I offering

   $ 500.0       $ 489.8      ($ 117.2   $ 372.6       

Consolidation elimination

     N/A         (58.8     44.8        (14.0    
                                     

Total asset-backed securities issued

     N/A       $ 431.0      ($ 72.4   $ 358.6       
                                     

 

(1) These ratings are unaudited and were the current ratings as of March 31, 2011 and are subject to change from time to time.

 

(In millions)    As of December 31, 2010  
   Notes
Originally
Issued
     Outstanding
Principal
Balance
    Liquidity
Discount
    Net
Outstanding
Balance
    Interest Rate
Spread to
LIBOR
    Ratings
(Moody’s
/S&P) (1)
 

Class A Senior Secured Floating Rate Revolving Notes due 2021

   $ 326.0       $ 315.8      ($ 28.3   $ 287.5        0.26% - 0.29%        Aaa/AAA   

Class B Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2021

     30.0         30.0        (7.1     22.9        0.50%        Aa2/AA   

Class C Senior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

     35.0         35.0        (16.9     18.1        1.10%        Baa1/A   

Class D Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

     34.0         34.0        (16.7     17.3        2.40%        Ba1/BBB   

Class E Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

     30.0         30.0        (16.0     14.0        5.00%        B3/CCC-   
                                                 

Total secured notes sold to investors

   $ 455.0       $ 444.8      ($ 85.0   $ 359.8       

Unsecured subordinated notes due 2021

     45.0         45.0        (39.9     5.1       
                                     

Total notes for the CLO I offering

   $ 500.0       $ 489.8      ($ 124.9   $ 364.9       

Consolidation elimination

     N/A         (58.8     45.2        (13.5    
                                     

Total asset-backed securities issued

     N/A       $ 431.0      ($ 79.7   $ 351.3       
                                     

 

(1) These ratings are unaudited and were the current ratings as of December 31, 2010 and are subject to change from time to time.

The secured notes and subordinated notes are limited recourse obligations payable solely from cash flows of the CLO loan portfolio and related collection and payment accounts pledged as security. Payment on the Class A-1 notes rank equal, or pari-passu, in right of payment with payments on the Class A-2 notes and payment on the Class A-1 and Class A-2 notes rank senior in right of payment to the other secured notes and the subordinated notes. Payment on the Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E notes generally rank subordinate in right of payment to any other class of notes which has an earlier alphabetical designation. The subordinated notes are subordinated in right of payment to all other classes of notes and will not accrue interest. Interest on the secured notes is payable

 

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quarterly at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus the applicable spread set forth in the table above. Payment of interest on the Class C, Class D and Class E notes is payable only to the extent proceeds are available under the applicable payment priority provisions. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, all interest on the secured notes was current. To the extent proceeds are not so available, interest on the Class C, Class D and Class E notes will be deferred. The CLO is also required to pay a commitment fee of 0.18% on the unused portion of the funding commitments of the Class A-1 notes. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, all of the Class A-1 notes were drawn. The secured notes are secured by the CLO loan portfolio and the funds on deposit in various related collection and payment accounts. The terms of the debt securitization subject the loans included in the CLO loan portfolio to a number of collateral quality, portfolio profile, interest coverage and overcollateralization tests. Total interest expense related to the asset-backed securities issued for both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 was $8.4 million and $8.2 million, respectively, which comprised cash coupon of $1.1 million for both quarters and liquidity discount amortization of $7.3 million and $7.1 million, respectively. As of both March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, accrued interest payable on the Notes was $0.5 million.

The Notes recorded upon the acquisition of Cratos in April 2009 at fair value reflect a liquidity discount. The activity in the note principal and liquidity discount for the three months ended March 31, 2011 comprised the following:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31, 2011  
   Principal      Liquidity
Discount
    Net  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 431,003       $ (79,681   $ 351,322   

Amortization of discount

     —           7,299        7,299   
                         

Balance at end of period

   $ 431,003       $ (72,382   $ 358,621   
                         

The activity in the note principal and liquidity discount for the three months ended March 31, 2010 comprised the following:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31, 2010  
   Principal     Liquidity
Discount
    Net  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 434,478      $ (107,846   $ 326,632   

Repayments

     (3,475     —          (3,475

Amortization of discount

     —          7,059        7,059   
                        

Balance at end of period

   $ 431,003      $ (100,787   $ 330,216   
                        

The Company determined the fair value of asset-backed securities issued to be $388.1 million and $379.2 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

11. Stockholders’ Equity

Stock Repurchase Program

The Company’s board of directors authorized in August and November 2007 a 1.5 million share repurchase program, which was fully executed as of January 18, 2008. On March 10, 2008 and March 3, 2009, the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 2.0 million shares during the subsequent eighteen months and the repurchase of an additional 0.5 million shares during the subsequent twelve months, respectively. On May 4, 2010, with 0.6 million shares remaining under prior authorizations the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 1.0 million shares during the subsequent eighteen months. During the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company repurchased 218,799 and 98,428 shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $8.32 per share and $8.03 per share, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively. All the shares repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were deemed to have been repurchased in connection with employee stock plans, whereby the Company’s shares were issued on a net basis to employees for the payment of applicable statutory withholding taxes and therefore such withheld shares are deemed to be purchased by the Company.

The timing and amount of any future open market stock 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.

 

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12. 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 three months ended March 31, 2011:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011
 
     Shares Subject
to Option
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

Balance, beginning of year

     1,800,565      $ 11.23   

Granted

     —          —     

Exercised

     —          —     

Forfeited

     —          —     

Expired

     (7,400     10.00   
                

Balance, end of period

     1,793,165      $ 11.23   
                

Options exercisable at end of period

     1,793,165      $ 11.23   
                

The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding as well as stock options vested and exercisable as of March 31, 2011:

 

     As of March 31, 2011  
     Options Outstanding      Options Vested and Exercisable  

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
     Number
Exercisable
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

$10.00—$12.50

     1,793,165         3.73       $ 11.23       $ —           1,793,165         3.73       $ 11.23       $ —     

The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense for stock options over the graded vesting period of the options using the accelerated attribution method. The Company recognized compensation expense related to stock options of $0 and $1,468 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

As of March 31, 2011, there was no unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options.

Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Shares

Under the JMP Group 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, 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.

On January 31, 2011, the Company granted 921,876 RSUs to certain employees for long term incentive purposes. These units have Company performance-based vesting conditions and will vest when the Company performance target set for such RSUs is met. The aggregate fair value of this grant, assuming the performance condition is met, was $6.9 million based on the market value of the underlying stock on grant date.

 

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On February 16, 2011, as a part of the 2010 annual compensation program, the Company granted 42,869 restricted shares to certain employees. These shares vested immediately with a two-year restricted period during which the holders are subject to non-competition, non-solicitation and certain other covenants. Fifty-percent of such holders’ shares will be released from restriction on each of December 31, 2011 and 2012. The aggregate fair value of this grant was $0.4 million, and the fair value per share was based on the market value of the underlying stock on grant date.

On March 7, 2011, the Company granted 7,202 RSUs to the Company’s independent directors. One-half of these units vested immediately and the remaining units will vest on the first anniversary.

The following table summarizes the RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2011:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011
 
     Restricted
Stock
Units
    Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Balance, beginning of year

     1,630,026      $ 8.52   

Granted

     929,078        7.50   

Vested

     (522,530     8.04   

Forfeited

     (295     10.43   
                

Balance, end of period

     2,036,279      $ 8.17   
                

The aggregate fair value of RSUs vested during the three months ended March 31, 2011 was $4.3 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the income tax benefits realized from the vested RSUs were $1.8 million.

The Company recognizes compensation expense over a graded vesting period using the accelerated attribution method. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded compensation expense of $0.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively, related to RSUs awarded in connection with the initial public offering. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded compensation expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for RSUs granted after the initial public offering.

For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized income tax benefits of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to the compensation expense recognized for RSUs. As of March 31, 2011, there was $10.9. million of unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.92 years.

13. Net Income (Loss) per Share of Common Stock

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.

The computations of basic and diluted net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are shown in the tables below:

 

(In thousands, except per share data)    Three Months Ended March 31,  
         2011                  2010        

Numerator:

     

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

   $ 3,538       $ 1,718   
                 

Denominator:

     

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     21,843         21,612   

Effect of potential dilutive securities:

     

Restricted stock units

     993         872   
                 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     22,836         22,484   
                 

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. per common share

     

Basic

   $ 0.16       $ 0.08   

Diluted

   $ 0.15       $ 0.08   

 

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Stock options to purchase 1,796,865 and 1,902,694 shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding. Restricted stock units for 1,040 and zero shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding.

14. 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 three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

15. Income Taxes

The Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded a total tax expense of $2.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively.

The components of the Company’s income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31,  
         2011                  2010        

Federal

   $ 1,914       $ 54   

State

     263         (9
                 

Total current income tax expense

     2,177         45   

Federal

     260         1,063   

State

     46         280   
                 

Total deferred income tax expense

     306         1,343   
                 

Total income tax expense

   $ 2,483       $ 1,388   
                 

A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
           2011                 2010        

Tax at federal statutory tax rate

     35.00     35.00

State income tax, net of federal tax benefit

     5.75     5.75

Adjustment for other permanent items

     0.31     0.81

Adjustment for permanent items (HGC noncontrolling interest)

     -11.53     0.00
                

Rate before one-time events

     29.53     41.56

Adjustment for prior year taxes

     -0.28     0.00

California state enterprise zone tax credit

     -0.31     -0.83
                

Effective tax rate

     28.94     40.73
                

The Company determined that a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets was not necessary as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 based on the assessment of future ordinary income and capital gains and that the deferred tax assets will, more-likely-than-not, be realized. The 11.79% decrease in the effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to same period in 2010 was primarily attributable to the income associated with HGC which is consolidated on a book basis but not for tax purposes.

The Company adopted the accounting principles related to uncertainty in income taxes on May 16, 2007, the date the Company became subject to federal and state income taxes. The Company has analyzed the filing positions in its federal and state income tax returns for all open tax years, which are 2007 through 2009 for federal income tax purposes and 2006 through 2009 for state income tax purposes. 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 recorded no liability for uncertain income tax positions at March 31, 2011. In addition, the Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment related to the adoption of the amended accounting principles related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, and no liabilities for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded pursuant to the amended accounting principles.

 

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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 Operations.

16. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company leases office space in California, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts and New York under various operating leases. Rental expense for both the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were $0.7 million.

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

 

(In thousands)    March 31, 2011  

2011

   $ 2,144   

2012

     1,321   

2013

     1,412   

2014

     1,624   

2015

     1,650   

Thereafter

     3,703   
        
   $ 11,854   
        

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 March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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 March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had $0.3 million of cash on deposit with JMP Securities’ clearing broker. Furthermore, the marketable securities owned may be hypothecated or borrowed by the clearing broker.

Unfunded commitments are agreements to lend to a borrower, provided that all conditions have been met. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had unfunded commitments of $2.0 million and zero, respectively, in the Corporate Credit segment (as defined in Note 22).

17. 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 $29.2 million and $29.7 million, which were $28.1 million and $28.7 million in excess of the required net capital of $1.1 million and $1.0 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. JMP Securities’ ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 0.55 to 1 and 0.39 to 1 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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.

18. Related Party Transactions

The Company earns base management fees and incentive fees from serving as investment advisor for various affiliated entities, including corporations, partnerships and offshore investment companies. The Company also owns an investment in most of such affiliated entities. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the aggregate fair value of the Company’s investments in the affiliated entities for which we serve as the investment advisor was $35.8 million and $33.7 million, respectively, which consisted of general partner investments in hedge funds of $25.6 million and $23.6 million, respectively, general partner investments in funds of funds of $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and an investments in NYMT common stock of $10.1 million and $10.0 million, respectively. Base management fees earned from these affiliated entities were $2.3 million for both quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Also, the Company earned incentive fees of $0.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively, from these affiliated entities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had incentive fees receivable from these affiliated entities of $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

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19. 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 March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 have subsequently settled with no resulting material liability to the Company. For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had no material loss due to counterparty failure, and has no obligations outstanding under the indemnification arrangement as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

The Company is engaged in various investment banking and brokerage activities whose counterparties primarily include broker-dealers, banks and brokerage or investment banking clients. 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.

20. Litigation

The Company is involved in a number of judicial, regulatory and arbitration matters arising in connection with our business. The outcome of matters we have been and currently 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. The Company 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.

The Company reviews 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 other than for reasonably estimable legal fees and expenses. 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.

21. 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.

In connection with Cratos CLO, the Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include unfunded commitments to lend and standby letters of credit. The instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet of the Company.

 

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Unfunded commitments are agreements to lend to a borrower, provided that all conditions have been met. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since certain commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each borrower’s creditworthiness on a case by case basis.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance by a borrower to a third party. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on balance sheet instruments. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to borrowers. In its Corporate Credit segment, the Company had unfunded commitments of $2.0 million and zero at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and standby letters of credit of $0.4 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

22. Business Segments

The Company’s business results are categorized into the following four business segments: Broker-Dealer, Asset Management, Corporate Credit and Corporate. In the first quarter of 2011, the Company determined that a new segment “Corporate” would be used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate segment revenue and segment operating income and to make resource allocation decisions. 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, hedge funds of funds, as well as the Company’s principal investments in public and private securities. The Corporate Credit segment includes the management of collateralized loan obligations and certain principal investments through JMP Capital. The new Corporate segment includes revenues and expenses related to JMP Group Inc., the holding company, and JMP Group LLC, and is mainly comprised of corporate overhead expenses and interest expense related to the Company’s credit facility with City National Bank. With the disclosure of this new segment, beginning in 2011, the results and assets for comparative 2010 periods have been revised to reflect the four segments.

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 as well as fees paid by the Corporate Credit segment to the Asset Management segment for co-management of its investment portfolio.

The Company’s segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 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.

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

 

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Segment Operating Results

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

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31,  
         2011                 2010        

Broker-Dealer

    

Non-interest revenues

   $ 27,378      $ 14,030   

Net interest income

     113        17   

Provision for loan losses

     —          —     
                

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

   $ 27,491      $ 14,047   

Non-interest expenses

     21,937        14,804   
                

Segment income (loss) before income tax expense

   $ 5,554      $ (757
                

Segment assets

   $ 70,318      $ 48,325   

Asset Management

    

Non-interest revenues

   $ 7,125      $ 3,703   

Net interest income

     10        15   

Provision for loan losses

     —          —     
                

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

   $ 7,135      $ 3,718   

Non-interest expenses

     3,992        3,226   
                

Segment income (loss) before income tax expense

   $ 3,143      $ 492   
                

Segment assets

   $ 68,852      $ 60,033   

Corporate Credit

    

Non-interest revenues

   $ 6,640      $ 3,933   

Net interest income

     1,999        3,297   

Provision for loan losses

     (220     (164
                

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

   $ 8,419      $ 7,066   

Non-interest expenses

     4,485        2,629   
                

Segment income (loss) before income tax expense

   $ 3,934      $ 4,437   
                

Segment assets

   $ 466,241      $ 418,434   

Corporate

    

Non-interest revenues

   $ 328      $ 660   

Net interest income

     (142     9   

Provision for loan losses

     —          —     
                

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

   $ 186      $ 669   

Non-interest expenses

     4,240        1,432   
                

Segment income (loss) before income tax expense

   $ (4,054   $ (763
                

Segment assets

   $ 158,084      $ 147,998   

Eliminations

    

Non-interest revenues

   $ (329   $ (282

Net interest income

     —          —     

Provision for loan losses

     —          —     
                

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

   $ (329   $ (282

Non-interest expenses

     (329     (282
                

Segment income (loss) before income tax expense

   $ —        $ —     
                

Segment assets

   $ (137,341   $ (123,299

Consolidated Entity

    

Non-interest revenues

   $ 41,142      $ 22,044   

Net interest income

     1,980        3,338   

Provision for loan losses

     (220     (164
                

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

   $ 42,902      $ 25,218   

Non-interest expenses

     34,325        21,810   
                

Income (loss) before income tax expense

   $ 8,577      $ 3,408   
                

Total assets

   $ 626,154      $ 551,491   

 

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23. Summarized financial information for equity method investments

The tables below present summarized financial information of the hedge funds which the Company accounts for under the equity method. The financial information below represents 100% of the net assets, net realized and unrealized gains (losses) and net investment income (loss) of such hedge funds as of the dates and for the periods indicated.

 

(In thousands)    March 31, 2011      December 31, 2010  
   Net Assets      Net Assets  

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

   $ 80,008       $ 70,622   

Harvest Small Cap Partners

     251,437         270,498   

Harvest Agriculture Select (1)

     10,719         8,702   

Harvest Technology Partners

     26,771         26,029   

Harvest Diversified Partners

     32,793         31,413   

 

(1) Harvest Consumer Partners changed its name to Harvest Agriculture Select effective February 14, 2011.

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31,  
   2011     2010  
   Net Realized and
Unrealized Gains
(Losses)
     Net Investment
Income (Loss)
    Net Realized and
Unrealized Gains
(Losses)
    Net Investment
Income (Loss)
 

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

   $ 563       $ (289   $ 1,447      $ (269

Harvest Small Cap Partners

     3,098         (3,068     (11,138     (2,922

Harvest Agriculture Select (1)

     345         (78     (393     (66

Harvest Technology Partners

     573         (147     (264     (105

Harvest Global Select Partners

     —           —          593        (53

Harvest Diversified Partners

     576         (154     744        (143

 

(1) Harvest Consumer Partners changed its name to Harvest Agriculture Select effective February 14, 2011.

24. Subsequent Events

On April 8, 2011, JMP Securities entered into a $20.0 million revolving line of credit with City National Bank to be used for regulatory capital purposes during its securities underwriting activities. Draws on the revolving line of credit bear interest at the rate of prime and are available through April 8, 2012 on which date, if there is an existing outstanding amount, it coverts to a loan that matures on April 8, 2013.

On April 21, 2011, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell up to 3,000,000 shares of its common stock from time to time through placement agents. The sales, if any, of the securities under the distribution agreement will be made in “at the market” offerings. The securities sold in the offering will be issued pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-161538) previously filed with the SEC, including a related prospectus dated September 17, 2009, as supplemented by a prospectus supplement dated April 21, 2011, which the Company filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) under the Securities Act.

On May 3, 2011, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.025 per share of common stock for the first quarter of 2011 to be paid on June 3, 2011, to common stockholders of record on May 20, 2011.

On May 3, 2011, the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 500,000 shares during the next 12 months.

 

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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, 2010 contained in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 8, 2011, 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 our annual report on Form 10-K and this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. 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, California. 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 five target industries;

 

   

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

 

   

management of collateralized loan obligations.

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, asset management fees in our asset management business and interest income on collateralized loan obligations we manage. 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, selling concessions and realized and unrealized net gains and losses on equity positions held in inventory for a period of time to facilitate the completion of certain underwritten transactions. 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.

 

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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 in valuation analyses. We record strategic advisory revenues when the transactions or the services (or, if applicable, separate components thereof) to be performed are substantially completed, 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”) transactions, 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 (“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 for hedge funds, hedge funds of funds, private equity funds and REITs include base management fees and incentive fees earned from managing investment partnerships sponsored by us and from managing a portion of the net assets of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (“NYMT”) pursuant to the advisory agreement between HCS and NYMT entered into in January 2008. The advisory agreement was terminated effective July 26, 2010 upon execution of an amended and restated advisory agreement between HCS and NYMT. Under the amended advisory agreement, HCS manages certain assets of NYMT, which are subject to the base advisory fee and incentive fee calculations, and receives an annual consulting fee equal to $1.0 million. Base management fees earned by us are generally based on the fair value of assets under management or aggregate capital commitments 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. For most of the funds, 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. For private equity funds, incentive fees are based on a specified percentage of realized gains from the disposition of each portfolio investment in which each investor participates, and are earned by the Company after returning contributions by the investors for that portfolio investment and for all other portfolio investments in which each such investor participates that have been disposed of at the time of distribution.

As of March 31, 2011, the contractual base management fees earned from each of these investment funds ranged between 1% and 2% of assets under management or were 2% of aggregate committed capital. The contractual incentive fees were generally (i) 20%, subject to highwater marks, for the hedge funds; (ii) 5% to 20%, subject to high-water marks or a performance hurdle rate, for the funds of funds; (iii) 35%, subject to high-water marks for NYMT; and (iv) 20%, subject to high-water marks, for HGC. 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.

 

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Asset management fees for the two CLOs the Company manages currently consist only of base management fees. For one of the CLOs, the Company earns incentive fees in the event that specified cumulative investment returns are achieved, but such investment returns have not been achieved yet. The Company recognizes base management fees for the CLOs on a monthly basis over the period in which the collateral management services are performed. The base management fees for the CLOs are calculated as a percentage of the average aggregate collateral balances for a specified period. As we consolidate Cratos CLO, the management fees earned at JMPCA from Cratos CLO are eliminated on consolidation in accordance with U.S. GAAP. At March 31, 2011, the contractual base management fees earned from the CLOs ranged from 0.40% to 0.50% of the average aggregate collateral balance for a specified period.

The following tables present certain information with respect to the investment funds managed by Harvest Capital Strategies (“HCS”) and CLOs managed by JMP Credit Advisors LLC (“JMPCA”):

 

(In thousands)    Assets Under Management (1) at      Company’s Share of Assets Under
Management at
 
   March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Funds Managed by HCS:

           

Hedge Funds:

           

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

   $ 80,008       $ 70,622       $ 3,896       $ 3,873   

Harvest Small Cap Partners

     251,437         270,498         4,407         4,378   

Harvest Agriculture Select (2)

     10,719         8,702         2,157         580   

Harvest Technology Partners

     26,771         26,029         174         106   

Harvest Diversified Partners

     32,793         31,413         14,950         14,708   

Private Equity Funds:

           

Harvest Growth Capital LLC (3)

     15,682         10,698         938         891   

Funds of Funds:

           

JMP Masters Fund

     64,277         75,196         106         102   

REITs:

           

New York Mortgage Trust

     49,503         48,191         N/A         N/A   
                                   

HCS Totals

   $ 531,190       $ 541,349       $ 26,628       $ 24,638   
                                   

CLOs Managed by JMPCA:

           

Cratos CLO (3)

     471,857         474,824         N/A         N/A   

Other

     283,518         284,264         N/A         N/A   
                                   

JMPCA Totals

   $ 755,375       $ 759,088       $ N/A       $ N/A   
                                   

JMP Group Inc. Totals

   $ 1,286,565       $ 1,300,437       $ 26,628       $ 24,638   
                                   

 

(1) For hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds, assets under management represent the net assets of such funds. For New York Mortgage Trust (“NYMT”), assets under management represent the portion of the net assets of 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. The advisory agreement was terminated effective July 26, 2010 upon execution of an amended and restated advisory agreement between HCS and NYMT. Under the amended advisory agreement, HCS manages certain assets of NYMT, which are subject to the base advisory fee and incentive fee calculations, and receives an annual consulting fee equal to $1.0 million. For CLOs, assets under management represent the sum of the aggregate collateral balance and restricted cash to be reinvested in collateral, upon which management fees are earned.
(2) Harvest Consumer Partners changed its name to Harvest Agriculture Select effective February 14, 2011.
(3) HGC and Cratos CLO were consolidated in the Company’s Statements of Financial Condition at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. HMOP was consolidated through December 31, 2010 when it was liquidated, with all of its partners redeeming their interests as of that date. The assets of HMOP were distributed to its partners in January 2011.

 

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(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31, 2011  
   Company’s Share
of Change
in Fair Value
     Management
Fee
     Incentive
Fee
 

Hedge Funds:

        

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

   $ 23       $ 179       $ 1   

Harvest Small Cap Partners

     26         1,267         11   

Harvest Agriculture Select (1)

     54         21         22   

Harvest Technology Partners

     2         81         67   

Harvest Diversified Partners

     225         75         40   

Private Equity Funds:

        

Harvest Growth Capital LLC (2)

     92         203         —     

Funds of Funds:

        

JMP Masters Fund

     4         152         —     

REITs:

        

New York Mortgage Trust

     —           270         721   

CLOs:

        

Cratos CLO (2)

     N/A         585         —     

Other

     N/A         295         —     
                          

Totals

   $ 426       $ 3,128       $ 862   
                          

 

(1) Harvest Consumer Partners changed its name to Harvest Agriculture Select effective February 14, 2011.
(2) Revenues earned from HGC and Cratos are consolidated and then eliminated in consolidation in the Company’s Statements of Operations, net of noncontrolling interest.

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31, 2010  
   Company’s Share
of Change
in Fair Value
    Management
Fee
     Incentive
Fee
 

Hedge Funds:

       

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

   $ (4   $ 163       $ 94   

Harvest Small Cap Partners

     (304     1,622         —     

Harvest Agriculture Select (1)

     (223     20         —     

Harvest Technology Partners

     (239     58         10   

Harvest Mortgage Opportunities Partners (2)

     234        39         53   

Harvest Global Select Partners (3)

     56        17         99   

Harvest Diversified Partners

     475        56         120   

Funds of Funds:

       

JMP Masters Fund

     85        177         1   

REITs:

       

New York Mortgage Trust

     —          163         282   

CLOs:

       

Cratos CLO (4)

     —          618         —     
                         

Totals

   $ 80      $ 2,933       $ 659   
                         

 

(1) Harvest Consumer Partners changed its name to Harvest Agriculture Select effective February 14, 2011.
(2) Revenues earned from HMOP are consolidated and then eliminated in consolidation in the Company’s Statements of Operations, net of noncontrolling interest. HMOP was liquidated on December 31, 2010, with all of its partners redeeming their interests as of that date. The assets of HMOP were distributed to its partners in January 2011.
(3) Harvest Global Select Partners was liquidated on May 31, 2010 and its assets were distributed to its partners.
(4) Revenues earned from Cratos are consolidated and then eliminated in consolidation in the Company’s Statements of Operations, net of noncontrolling interest.

 

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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. Principal transaction revenues also include unrealized gains and losses on the private equity securities owned by HGC, a private equity fund managed by HCS which is consolidated in our financial statements, as well as unrealized gains and losses on the investments in private companies sponsored by HCS and JMP Capital.

Gain on Sale and Payoff of Loans

Gain on sale and payoff of loans consists of gains from the sale and payoff of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities at JMP Credit. Gains are recorded when the proceeds exceed the carrying value of the loan.

Gain on Repurchase of Asset-Backed Securities Issued

Gain on repurchase of asset-backed securities issued (“ABS”) primarily consists of gains from repurchases of our ABS from third parties. Gains are recorded when the repurchase price is less than the carrying value of the ABS.

Net Dividend Income

Net dividend income comprises dividends from our investments offset by dividend expense for paying short positions in our principal investment portfolio.

Other Income

Other income includes loan restructuring fees at JMP Credit and revenues from fee sharing arrangements with, and fees earned to raise capital for third-party investment partnerships, or funds.

Interest Income

Interest income primarily consists of interest income earned on loans collateralizing asset backed securities issued and loans held for investment. Interest income on loans comprises the stated coupon as a percentage of the face amount receivable as well as accretion of accretable or purchase discounts and deferred fees. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the respective loans unless such loans are placed on non-accrual status.

Interest Expense

Interest expense primarily consists of interest expense incurred on asset-backed securities issued and note payable. Interest expense on asset-backed securities is the stated coupon payable as a percentage of the principal amount as well as amortization of the liquidity discount which was recorded at the acquisition date of Cratos. Interest expense is recorded on the accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the respective asset-backed securities issued and note payable.

Provision for Loan Losses

Loans held for investment are net of reserves recognized on our loan notes and non-revolving credit agreements at our JMP Capital LLC subsidiary (collectively, loans held for investment) and loans collateralizing ABS at JMP Credit to record them at their estimated net realizable value. The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses that is intended to estimate loan losses inherent in its loan portfolio. A provision for loan losses is charged to expense to establish the allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level, in the opinion of management, sufficient to offset estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements. The appropriateness of the allowance and the allowance components are reviewed quarterly. The Company’s estimate of each allowance component is based on observable information and on market and third party data that the Company believes are reflective of the underlying loan losses being estimated.

The Company provides an allowance for loans that are considered impaired. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company measures impairment of a loan based upon either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral securing the loan if the loan is collateral dependent, depending on the circumstances and the Company’s collection strategy. For those loans held by Cratos at the date of acquisition by JMP Credit, and deemed impaired at that date or a subsequent date, allowance for loan losses is calculated considering two further factors. For loans deemed impaired at the date of acquisition, if there is a further decline in expected future cash flows, this reduction is recognized as a specific reserve in the current quarter in accordance with above. For those loans deemed impaired subsequent to the acquisition date, if the net realizable value is lower than the current carrying value then the carrying value is reduced and the difference is booked as provision for loan losses. If the total discount from unpaid principal balance to carrying value is larger than the expected loss at the date of assessment, no provision for loan losses is recognized.

 

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In addition, the Company provides an allowance on a loan by loan basis at JMP Credit for loans that were purchased after the Cratos acquisition. The Company employs internally developed and third party estimation tools for measuring credit risk (loan ratings, probability of default and exposure at default), which are used in developing an appropriate allowance for loan losses. The Company performs periodic detailed reviews of its loan portfolio to identify risks and to assess the overall collectibility of loans.

Loans which are deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and the charged-off amount is deducted from the allowance.

Components of Expenses

We classify our expenses as compensation and benefits, administration, brokerage, clearing and exchange fees, travel and business development, communications and technology, professional fees, impairment loss on purchased management contract and other expenses. A significant portion of our expense base is variable, including compensation and benefits, brokerage clearing and exchange fees, travel and business development and communication and technology expenses.

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 Operations. 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.

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. Effective February 23, 2011, the Company changed its clearing broker from Penson Financial Services Inc. to J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp. The arrangements with the new clearing broker are consistent with those of the previous clearing broker, including the indemnification agreement described in Note 19. Changes in brokerage, clearing and exchange fees fluctuate largely in line with the volume of sales and trading activity.

Travel and Business Development

Travel and business development expense is net of expenses reimbursed by clients.

Communications and Technology

Communications and technology expense primarily relates to communication and information processing as well as the subscription of certain market data.

Professional Fees

Professional fees primarily relate to legal and accounting professional services.

Impairment Loss on Purchased Management Contract

Impairment loss on purchased management contract relates to a CLO management contract we purchased from Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. on September 8, 2010 for $3.8 million. Since a single investor had previously acquired control of the right to transfer the management contract without cause at any time with 90 days’ notice, the Company initially recorded an impairment charge of $2.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and an additional impairment charge of $0.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 (explained below).

Other Expenses

Other operating expenses primarily include occupancy, depreciation and CLO administration expense at JMP Credit.

 

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Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest for three months ended March 31, 2011 includes the interest of third parties in Cratos CLO and Harvest Growth Capital (“HGC”), partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements. Noncontrolling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2010 includes the interest of third parties in JMP Credit and Harvest Mortgage Opportunities Partners (“HMOP”), partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements.

The Company follows the authoritative guidance under GAAP regarding the determination of 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. Such guidance applies when a general partner controls a limited partnership and is required to consolidate the limited partnership in its financial statements. Under the guidance, the general partner in a limited partnership is presumed to control the limited partnership regardless of the extent of the general partners’ ownership interest in the limited partnership. If the limited partners have either (a) the substantive ability to liquidate the limited partnership or otherwise remove the general partner without cause or (b) substantive participating rights, the general partner does not control the limited partnership. The partnership agreements for HMOP provide for the right of the limited partners to remove the general partner by a simple majority vote of the non-affiliated limited partners. Because of these substantive kick-out rights, the Company, as the general partner, did not control HMOP and therefore did not consolidate HMOP from January 2, 2009 through April 30, 2009. During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, several non-affiliated limited partners redeemed their interest in HMOP, and the remaining limited partners were no longer deemed to have substantive kick-out rights. As a result, the Company consolidated HMOP in its consolidated financial statements from May 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

The limited liability company agreements of HGC do not provide for the right of the members to remove the manager by a simple majority vote of the non-affiliated members and therefore the manager (with a minority interest in the limited liability company) is deemed to control HGC. As a result, the Company consolidated HGC from its inception on April 1, 2010.

On August 6, 2010, the Company and individual employee security holders (the “Unitholders”) of JMP Credit entered into an Exchange Agreement providing for, among other things, an offer to buy the minority interest units and shares in JMP Credit held by the Unitholders in exchange for a combination of (i) restricted common stock of the Company par value $.001 per share, (ii) cash and (iii) certain Cratos CLO subordinated notes. In connection with the Exchange Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 381,310 shares of restricted stock and transferred 109 subordinated notes to the Unitholders and the Company received all the remaining units and shares of JMP Credit that it did not previously own. The restricted stock and the Cratos CLO notes are subject to limitations on transfer and repurchase rights of the Company in the event of certain terminations of the Unitholder’s employment with the Company or its affiliates through June 1, 2013. As a result of the aforementioned transaction, the Company owns 100% of JMP Credit and approximately 94% of the subordinated notes of Cratos CLO.

Revision to 2010 Consolidated Financial Statements

In preparing the consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company discovered an error that impacted the company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements for the second quarter of 2010, the third quarter of 2010 and for the year ended December 31, 2010. The net after tax effect of this error together with errors previously identified, was an understatement of net income of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 ($31,000 for the second quarter of 2010, $384,000 for the third quarter of 2010 and $327,000 for the fourth quarter of 2010). The adjustments were primarily related to the newly identified error, a difference in the determination of taxable income, causing a $0.6 million impact to income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2010 ($31,000 for the second quarter of 2010, $397,000 for the third quarter of 2010 and $148,000 for the fourth quarter of 2010.) The Company evaluated these errors and concluded that they did not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a material misstatement of the company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements. However, the Company also concluded that the effect of correcting the errors in the first quarter of 2011 would have been misleading to the users of the financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and expected results for the year ended December 31, 2011. Accordingly, the Company has determined to revise, in this report and future filings, its previously reported Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2010, September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010 and its Consolidated Statements of Operations and Changes in Equity for the periods ended June 30, 2010, September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2010 to adjust for these errors. As the above mentioned errors did not impact the period ended March 31, 2010, there are no changes to the financial statements as of and for the period ended March 31, 2010, as originally filed. The effect of this revision had no impact on our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. (See Note 2 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements for more information).

 

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Results of Operations

The following tables set forth our results of operations for the three ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 and is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31,     Change from
2010 to 2011
 
   2011     2010     $     %  

Revenues

        

Investment banking

   $ 20,225      $ 5,469      $ 14,756        269.8

Brokerage

     6,285        7,670        (1,385     -18.1

Asset management fees

     3,153        2,891        262        9.1

Principal transactions

     3,630        1,421        2,209        155.5

Gain on sale and payoff of loans

     6,771        3,479        3,292        94.6

Net dividend income

     250        616        (366     -59.4

Other income

     828        498        330        66.3
                                

Non-interest revenues

     41,142        22,044        19,098        86.6
                                

Interest income

     10,620        11,578        (958     -8.3

Interest expense

     (8,640     (8,240     (400     4.9
                                

Net interest income

     1,980        3,338        (1,358     -40.7
                                

Provision for loan losses

     (220     (164     (56     34.1
                                

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

     42,902        25,218        17,684        70.1
                                

Non-interest Expenses

        

Compensation and benefits

     28,231        15,521        12,710        81.9

Administration

     1,070        1,022        48        4.7

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

     1,098        1,352        (254     -18.8

Travel and business development

     670        920        (250     -27.2

Communication and technology

     921        1,073        (152     -14.2

Professional fees

     708        975        (267     -27.4

Impairment loss on purchased management contract

     700        —          700        N/A   

Other

     927        947        (20     -2.1
                                

Total non-interest expenses

     34,325        21,810        12,515        57.4
                                

Income before income tax expense

     8,577        3,408        5,169        151.7

Income tax expense

     2,483        1,388        1,095        78.9
                                

Net income

     6,094        2,020        4,074        201.7

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     2,556        302        2,254        746.4
                                

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

   $ 3,538      $ 1,718      $ 1,820        105.9
                                

 

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Three Months Ended March 31, 2011, Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

Overview

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses increased $17.7 million, or 70.1%, from $25.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $42.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, driven by an increase in non-interest revenues of $19.1 million offset by a decrease in net interest income of $1.3 million.

Non-interest revenues increased $19.1 million, or 86.6%, primarily due to an increase in investment banking revenues of $14.8 million, an increase in gains on sale and payoff of loans of $3.3 million, and an increase in principal transaction revenues of $2.2 million, partly offset by a decrease in brokerage revenues of $1.4 million.

Net interest income decreased $1.3 million, or 40.7%, from $3.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $2.0 million for the same period in 2011. The decrease was primarily related to net interest income of JMP Credit which decreased from $3.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $2.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 as a result of increased net liquidity discount amortization.

Provision for loan losses remained at $0.2 million for both quarters ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011.

Total non-interest expenses increased $12.5 million, or 57.4%, from $21.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $34.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits of $12.7 million, partly offset by a decrease of $0.3 million in professional fees compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. increased $1.8 million from $1.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $3.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and includes income tax expense of $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and $2.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Revenues

Investment Banking

Investment banking revenues increased $14.7 million, or 269.8%, from $5.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $20.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, investment banking revenues increased from 21.7% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 47.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Public equity underwriting revenues increased $9.6 million, or 360.6%, from $2.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $12.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. We executed twenty-three public equity underwriting transactions in the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to one in the quarter ended March 31, 2010. We acted as a lead manager on four transactions in the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to one in the same period in 2010. Private placement revenues increased $6.4 million, from $0.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $6.9 million for the same period in 2011. We executed five private placement transactions in the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to one in the same period in 2010. Our strategic advisory revenues decreased $1.3 million, or 56.5%, from $2.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $1.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. We executed two strategic advisory transactions in the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to three in the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Brokerage Revenues

Brokerage revenues decreased $1.4 million, or 18.1%, from $7.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $6.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The decrease was the result of lower trading volume. Brokerage revenues decreased as a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, from 30.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 14.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Asset Management Fees

Asset management fees increased $0.3 million, or 9.1%, from $2.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $3.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Asset management fees include base management fees and incentive fees for funds and CLOs under management. Base management fees were $2.3 million for both quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2011. Incentive fees increased $0.3 million from $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $0.9 million for the same period in 2011. The increase in incentive fees primarily relates to an increase of $0.4 million related to NYMT, partly offset by a decrease of $0.2 million related to incentive fees from the family of hedge funds. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, asset management fees decreased from 11.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 7.3% for the same period in 2011.

Principal Transactions

Principal transaction revenues increased $2.2 million, or 155.5%, from $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $3.6 million for the same period in 2011. The increase reflects higher revenues from equity and other securities and from our family of hedge funds and funds of funds. Revenues from equity and other securities increased $1.9 million, or 136.3%, from $1.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $3.2 million for the same period in 2011, driven primarily by an increase in unrealized gains in our equity security investments related to HGC, which did not exist in the prior period in 2010. Revenues from our family of hedge funds and funds of funds increased $0.4 million,

 

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from a $0.1 million loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $0.3 million gain for the same period in 2011. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, principal transaction revenues increased from 5.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 8.5% for the same period in 2011.

Gain on Sale and Payoff of Loans

Gain on sale and payoff of loans increased $3.3 million from $3.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $6.8 million for the same period in 2011, with all of the gain generated at JMP Credit. During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, 39 loans were sold or paid off, resulting in a total net gain of $6.8 million. Of the $6.8 million net gain, $1.0 million was the result of normal portfolio managed activity and $5.8 million resulted from loans acquired in the 2009 acquisition of JMP Credit. $2.6 million of the net gain was related to 33 loan payoffs, where the borrowers repaid the loans at a premium to our carrying value. The remaining $4.2 million was related to six loans, three of which were sold at par, which was a premium to our carrying value, and three of which were sold at a discount to our carrying value. While we expect further gains in future periods, these revenues are highly unpredictable as we are not actively marketing the loans collateralized by asset-backed securities for sale and the remaining amount of discount from the 2009 acquisition continues to be reduced by the loan liquidity discount accretion even if there are no further gains to be recognized. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, gain on sale and payoff of loans increased from 13.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 15.8% for the same period in 2011.

Net Dividend Income

Net dividend income decreased $0.4 million, or 59.4%, from $0.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $0.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The decrease was primarily due to lower net dividends in our principal investment portfolio.

Other Income

Other income increased $0.3 million, or 66.3%, from $0.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $0.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. For both quarters other income was primarily comprised of revenues from fee sharing arrangements with, and fees earned to raise capital for, third-party investment partnerships or funds.

Interest Income

Interest income decreased $1.0 million, or 8.3%, from $11.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $10.6 million for the same period in 2011. The decrease was primarily related to JMP Credit, which recorded interest income of $10.4 million and $11.5 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, interest income decreased from 45.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 24.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

The following table sets forth components of net interest income for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31,  
   2011     2010  

Cratos CLO loan contractual interest income

   $ 5,602      $ 5,204   

Cratos CLO ABS issued contractual interest expense

     (1,116     (1,080
                

Net Cratos CLO contractual interest

     4,486        4,124   
                

Cratos CLO loan liquidity discount accretion

     4,305        5,810   

Cratos CLO ABS liquidity discount amortization

     (7,298     (7,059
                

Net Cratos CLO liquidity discount amortization

     (2,993     (1,249
                

Other interest income

     713        564   

Other interest expense

     (226     (101
                

Total net interest income

   $ 1,980      $ 3,338   
                

Total net interest income decreased from $3.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $2.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 due to reduced loan liquidity discount accretion. As loans acquired in the 2009 acquisition of JMP Credit are sold or payoff, the remaining loan liquidity discount to amortize is reduced, thereby lowering the discount accretion and total net interest income.

 

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The following table sets forth contractual interest income and expense related to Cratos CLO loans and ABS issued and their weighted average contractual interest rates:

 

(In thousands)    Three Months Ended March 31, 2011  
   Interest Income
(Expense)
    Average CLO
Loan (CLO ABS
Issued) Balance
    Weighted Average
Contractual
Interst Rate
    Weighted Average
LIBOR
    Spread to
Weighted  Average
LIBOR
 

Cratos CLO loan contractual interest income

   $ 5,602      $ 445,350        5.03     0.30     4.73

Cratos CLO ABS issued contractual interest expense

     (1,116     (431,003     1.04     0.30     0.74
                                        

Net Cratos CLO contractual interest

     4,486        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   
                                        
     Three Months Ended March 31, 2010  
(In thousands)    Interest Income
(Expense)
    Average CLO
Loan (CLO ABS
Issued) Balance
    Weighted Average
Contractual
Interst Rate
    Weighted Average
LIBOR
    Spread to
Weighted Average
LIBOR
 

Cratos CLO loan contractual interest income

   $ 5,204      $ 407,279        5.11     0.26     4.85

Cratos CLO ABS issued contractual interest expense

     (1,080     (432,895     1.00     0.26     0.73
                                        

Net Cratos CLO contractual interest

     4,124        N/A        N/A        N/A        N/A   
                                        

At JMP Credit, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, total interest income of $10.4 million was comprised of contractual interest on Cratos CLO loans of $5.6 million, purchase discounts and other deferred fee amortization of $0.5 million and non-cash liquidity discount amortization of $4.3 million. Contractual interest was earned on 196 performing loans held by Cratos CLO. Of the non-cash liquidity discount amortization of $4.3 million, $1.2 million was accelerated due to unscheduled principal payments on these loans. The annualized weighted average contractual interest rate (excluding the liquidity discount accretion) on the performing loans was 5.03% with a spread to weighted average LIBOR of 4.73% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The Company did not recognize any interest income, other than the accretion of liquidity discounts on those loans deemed impaired at the acquisition of Cratos, 4 impaired loans with an aggregate weighted average loan balance of $11.3 million that were on non-accrual status during the quarter.

At JMP Credit for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, total interest income of $11.5 million was mainly comprised of interest earned on our 122 performing loans of $5.2 million, amortization of purchase discounts and other deferred fees of $0.5 million and the non-cash amortization of the liquidity discounts on our loans of $5.8 million. Of the non-cash liquidity discount amortization of $5.8 million, $0.4 million was accelerated due to unscheduled principal payments on these loans. The annualized weighted average interest rate on the loans was 5.11% with a spread to weighted average LIBOR of 4.85% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The Company did not recognize any interest income, other than the accretion of liquidity discounts, for 10 impaired loans with an aggregate weighted average loan balance of $71.3 million that were on non-accrual status during the quarter.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $0.4 million, or 4.9%, from $8.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 to $8.6 million for the same period in 2011. The increase was primarily related to JMP Credit, which recorded interest expense of $8.2 million and $8.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

At JMP Credit, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, interest expense of $8.4 million was comprised of interest expense on ABS issued of $1.1 million and non-cash amortization of the liquidity discount on the ABS issued of $7.3 million. The annualized weighted average cost of funds (excluding the liquidity discount amortization) for the ABS issued during the quarter was 1.04% with a spread to weighted average LIBOR of 0.74%.

At JMP Credit, for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, interest expense of $8.2 million was comprised of interest expense on ABS issued of $1.1 million and non-cash amortization of the liquidity discount on the ABS issued of $7.1 million. The annualized weighted average cost of funds for the ABS issued during the quarter was 1.00% with a spread to weighted average LIBOR of 0.73%.

 

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Provision for Loan Losses

Provision for loan losses was $0.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011. For both quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2011, the provision against loans collateralizing ABS issued of $0.2 million was recorded as a general reserve against performing loans that were purchased after the Cratos acquisition.

Expenses

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits, which includes employee payroll, taxes and benefits, performance-based cash bonus and commissions, as well as equity-based compensation to our employees and managing directors, increased $12.7 million, or 81.9%, from $15.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $28.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Employee payroll, taxes and benefits, and consultant fees, increased $0.5 million, or 5.6%, from $8.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $8.8 million for the same period in 2011 primarily due to severance payments made during the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Performance-based bonus and commission increased $12.7 million, or 201.4%, from $6.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $19.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The increase was primarily due to a the increase in total net revenues after provision for loan losses from $25.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $42.9 million for the same period in 2011. In addition, the Company recorded a performance based bonus accrual for senior management of $1.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 but did not record such accrual for the same period in 2010.

Equity-based compensation decreased $0.4 million, or 49.4%, from $0.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $0.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 primarily due to a $0.3 million reduction in the amortization expense for RSUs granted in connection with the initial public offering. The total equity-based compensation expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2011 included $0.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively, recognized for RSUs granted in connection with the initial public offering and $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, recognized for RSUs granted after the initial public offering.

Compensation and benefits as a percentage of revenues increased from 61.5% of total net revenues after provision for loan losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 65.8% for the same period in 2011. This was primarily due to a higher compensation to revenue ratio for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 compared to 2011 reflecting the higher employee discretionary bonus. Excluding expense related to RSUs of $0.5 million, compensation and benefits as a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses was 64.7% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Administration

Administration expenses increased $0.1 million, or 4.7%, from $1.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, administration expense decreased from 4.1% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 2.5% for the same period in 2011.

Brokerage, Clearing and Exchange Fees

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees decreased $0.3 million, or 18.8%, from $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in trading volume. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, our brokerage, clearing and exchange fees increased from 5.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 2.6% for the same period in 2011.

Travel and Business Development

Travel and business development expense decreased $0.2 million, or 27.2%, from $0.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $0.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The decrease primarily reflects a decrease in travel volume. In addition, reimbursements from clients increased $0.1 million. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, travel and business development expense decreased from 3.6% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 1.6% for the same period in 2011.

Communications and Technology

Communications and technology expense decreased $0.2 million, or 14.2%, from $1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $0.9 for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, communications and technology expense decreased from 4.3% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 2.1% for the same period in 2011.

 

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Impairment Loss on Purchased Management Contract

On June 11, 2010, the Company agreed to purchase the collateral management contracts for two collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs, from Princeton Advisory Group, Inc., for up to $5.0 million. The transfers of the contracts were subject to the receipt of certain consents and other conditions. On September 8, 2010, the Company completed the purchase of one of the two management contracts for $3.8 million, and the contract was transferred to JMPCA. However, since a single investor had previously acquired control of the right to transfer the management contract without cause at any time with 90 days’ notice, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $2.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. The Company later restructured the transaction to provide the Company with indemnity from the seller in the amount of $2.6 million, which is collateralized by certain assets and $1.0 million in cash. The Company determined the initial carrying value of the purchased management contract to be $1.0 million. The Company amortized the purchased management contract on a straight-line basis over its estimated life of 2.5 years corresponding to the indemnity period through February 2013 and tests it for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the asset’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company was released from the obligation to purchase the second CLO management contract from Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. An impairment loss, calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset, is recognized if the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows relating to the asset is less than the corresponding carrying value. The Company has determined that the carrying value of the purchased management contract was impaired and recorded a $0.7 million impairment charge for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. In addition, the Company revised the estimated useful life of the asset and expects the remaining carrying value of $0.1 million, net of accumulated amortization to be amortized in the second quarter of 2011.

Professional Fees

Professional fees decreased $0.3 million, or 27.4%, from $1.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $0.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, professional fees decreased from 3.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 1.7% for the same period in 2011.

Other Expenses

Other expenses were $0.9 million for both quarters ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, other expenses decreased from 3.8% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to 2.2% for the same period in 2011.

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest increased $2.3 million from $0.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to $2.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Noncontrolling interest for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 includes the interest of third parties in Cratos CLO and HGC, partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements. The members of HGC do not have substantive kick-out rights, and therefore, HGC has been consolidated from inception on April 1, 2010. Noncontrolling interest for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 relates to the interest of third parties in JMP Credit and HMOP, partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements. From May 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010, HMOP was consolidated in our financial statements. On December 31, 2010, HMOP was liquidated.

Provision for Income Taxes

For the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we recorded tax expense of $2.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 28.9% and 40.7%, respectively. The 11.8% decrease in the effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to same period in 2010 was primarily attributable to the income associated with HGC which is consolidated on a book basis but not for tax purposes.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

In the section that follows, we discuss the significant changes in the components of our balance sheet, cash flows and capital and liquidity for the three months ended March 31, 2011 to demonstrate where our capital is invested and the financial condition of the Company.

Overview

As of March 31, 2011, we had net liquid assets of $64.1 million, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, proceeds from short sales on deposit, receivable from clearing broker, marketable securities owned, and general partner investments in hedge funds

 

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managed by HCS, net of marketable securities sold but not yet purchased, accrued compensation, note payable and noncontrolling interest. We have satisfied our capital and liquidity requirements primarily through the net proceeds from the initial public offering and internally generated cash from operations. Most of our financial instruments, other than loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued, loans held for investment and asset-backed securities issued, are recorded at fair value or amounts that approximate fair value. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had Level 3 assets (financial instruments whose fair value was determined using unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data) of $16.3 million and $14.9 million, respectively, which represented 2.6% and 2.3% of total assets, respectively.

Liquidity Considerations Related to Cratos CLO

On April 7, 2009, we invested $4.0 million of cash and granted $3.0 million original par amount, with a $2.3 million estimated fair value, of contingent consideration (a zero coupon note) to acquire 100% of the membership interests and net assets of $7.5 million of Cratos. In December 2009, we repurchased the contingent consideration for $1.8 million. As we own approximately 94% of the subordinated securities of the CLO, in accordance with the authoritative guidance under GAAP on accounting for consolidation of variable interest entities, we are the primary beneficiary and are required to consolidate all of the assets and liabilities of the CLO securitization structure even though it is a bankruptcy remote entity with no recourse to us.

Our maximum exposure to loss of capital on the Cratos acquisition is the original April 7, 2009 investment of $4.0 million plus the $1.8 million paid to repurchase the contingent consideration, plus any earnings related to JMP Credit since the acquisition date. However, for U.S. federal tax purposes, Cratos CLO is treated as a disregarded entity such that the taxable income earned in the CLO is taxable to us. If the CLO is in violation of certain coverage tests, mainly any of its overcollateralization ratios, residual cash flows otherwise payable to us as owners of the subordinated notes would be required to be used to buy additional collateral or repay indebtedness senior to us in the securitization. This could require us to pay income tax on earnings prior to the residual cash flow distributions to us.

Cratos CLO must comply with certain asset coverage tests, such as tests that restrict the amount of discounted obligations and obligations rated “CCC” or lower it can hold. During any time the CLO exceeds such a limit, our ability, as the manager of Cratos CLO, to sell assets and reinvest available principal proceeds into substitute assets is restricted. In addition, defaulted obligations, discounted assets (those purchased below 85% of their par value) and assets rated “CCC” or lower in excess of applicable limits in the CLO’s investment criteria are not given full par credit for purposes of calculation of the CLO overcollateralization (“OC”) tests. Even though we were in compliance with all OC tests on the determination dates in February 2011, November, August and May 2010, on the quarterly determination dates in February 2010, August and November 2009, Cratos CLO was in violation of its Class E OC test. In order to remedy the deficiency, we were required to use $10.2 million of the CLO’s residual cash flows to pay down Class A note holders, rather than distribute the funds to us as owners of the CLO’s subordinated notes. If Cratos CLO were to violate the Class E test, or any more senior tests, we would be required to pay down the most senior notes with the residual cash flows until the violation was cured. In the most extreme case, if the CLO were in violation of the most senior OC test, the Class A note holders would have the ability to declare an event of default and cause an acceleration of all principal and interest outstanding on the notes.

For financial reporting purposes, the loans and asset-backed securities of Cratos CLO are consolidated on our balance sheet. The loans are reported at their cost adjusted for amortization of liquidity discount and credit reserves, both of which were recorded at the Cratos acquisition date, purchase discounts and allowance for loan losses. The asset-backed securities are recorded net of liquidity discount only. At March 31, 2011, we had $416.9 million of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities, net, $18.9 million of restricted cash and $1.2 million of interest receivable funded by $358.6 million of asset-backed securities issued, net, and interest payable of $0.5 million. These assets and liabilities represented 69.8% of total assets and 75.0% of total liabilities respectively, reported on our consolidated statement of financial condition at March 31, 2011.

The tables below summarize the loans held by Cratos CLO grouped by range of outstanding balance, industry and Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. rating category as of March 31, 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)    As of March 31, 2011  

Range of Outstanding Balance

   Number of Loans      Maturity Date      Total
Principal
 

$0 - $500

     16         11/2014 - 2/2018       $ 6,988   

$501 - $2,000

     85         6/2013 - 9/2019         120,094   

$2,001 - $5,000

     89         10/2012 - 3/2018         272,499   

$5,001 - $10,000

     9         11/2011 - 3/2016         59,180   
                    

Total

     199          $ 458,761   
                    

 

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(Dollars in thousands)    As of March 31, 2011  
Industry    Number of Loans      Outstanding Balance      % of Outstanding
Balance
 

Healthcare, Education & Childcare

     22       $ 60,156         13.1

Retail Store

     14         36,007         7.8

Telecommunications

     16         29,262         6.4

Electronics

     11         26,291         5.7

Leisure , Amusement, Motion Pictures & Entertainment

     10         21,916         4.8

Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber

     11         21,852         4.8

Personal, Food & Misc Services

     12         21,391         4.7

Beverage, Food & Tobacco

     8         17,779         3.9

Hotels, Motels, Inns and Gaming

     5         17,296         3.8

Utilities

     5         16,992         3.7

Aerospace & Defense

     9         16,558         3.6

Diversified/Conglomerate Service

     9         16,133         3.5

Diversified/Conglomerate Mfg

     6         14,751         3.2

Personal &Non-Durable Consumer Products

     5         14,351         3.1

Cargo Transport

     3         14,159         3.1

Insurance

     3         14,083         3.1

Printing & Publishing

     4         11,091         2.4

Automobile

     5         9,169         2.0

Banking

     3         8,734         1.9

Buildings and Real Estate

     4         8,343         1.8

Farming & Agriculture

     4         7,901         1.7

Finance

     4         7,745         1.7

Containers, Packaging and Glass

     4         7,620         1.7

Machinery (Non-Agriculture,Non-Construction & Non-Electronic)

     4         7,450         1.6

Personal Transportation

     3         7,080         1.5

Ecological

     3         6,293         1.4

Textiles & Leather

     4         4,855         1.1

Mining, Steel, Iron and Non-Precious Metals

     2         4,461         1.0

Grocery

     2         2,980         0.6

Broadcasting & Entertainmt.

     2         2,450         0.5

Diversified Natural Resources, Precious Metals and Minerals

     1         2,244         0.5

Oil & Gas

     1         1,368         0.3
                          

Total

     199       $ 458,761         100.0
                          
(Dollars in thousands)    As of March 31, 2011  
Moody’s Rating Category    Number of Loans      Outstanding Balance      % of Outstanding
Balance
 

Baa3

     1       $ 5,818         1.3

Ba1

     12         33,239         7.2

Ba2

     19         42,933         9.4

Ba3

     33         80,886         17.6

B1

     50         100,165         21.8

B2

     66         136,982         29.9

B3

     14         39,487         8.6

Caa1

     1         8,343         1.8

Caa2

     1         4,861         1.1

Ca

     1         2,484         0.5

NR

     1         3,563         0.8
                          

Total

     199       $ 458,761         100.0
                          

 

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Other Liquidity Considerations

As of March 31, 2011 the Company had two term loans with City National Bank (“CNB”) in the aggregate amount of $25.8 million under the Credit Agreement entered into on August 3, 2006. One of the loans with CNB had $21.0 million outstanding at March 31, 2011. On December 31, 2010, pursuant to the provisions of the third amendment to the Credit Agreement, the outstanding revolving loan of $21.0 million was converted into a single term loan of $21.0 million which will fully matures on December 31, 2013. The Company also had $4.8 million outstanding on its other term loan with CNB as of March 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2010, the revolving line of credit was no longer available for future use by the Company.

Both term loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25%. On May 29, 2010 the Company entered into an interest rate cap with the lender to effectively lock in or fix the interest rate on its revolving line of credit and term loan from July 1, 2010 through maturity. The interest rate cap will allow the Company to receive payments from the counterparty in the event that LIBOR plus 2.25% exceeds 3.75%, limiting the interest rate on the outstanding balance of the line of credit and term loan to such rate. The cap had an initial notional principal amount of $27.1 million (as the remaining balance available under the revolving line of credit was drawn down on July 1, 2010), indexed to LIBOR and amortizes in accordance with the amortization of the revolving line of credit and term loan. The notional principal amount of the cap was $25.8 million at March 31, 2011, with a recorded fair value of $0.1 million. Changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income.

Subsequent to the quarter end, on April 8, 2011, JMP Securities entered into a $20.0 million revolving line of credit with City National Bank to be used for regulatory capital purposes during its securities underwriting activities. Draws on the revolving line of credit bear interest at the rate of prime and are available through April 8, 2012 on which date, if there is an existing outstanding amount, it coverts to a loan that matures on April 8, 2013.

In January 2008, we and certain affiliated entities completed the acquisition of 1.0 million shares of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible preferred stock of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (“NYMT”), a publicly traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”) 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 from JMP Group Inc., $5.0 million from certain funds managed by HCS, and $10.0 million from JMP Realty Trust (“JMPRT”), which was an affiliated REIT managed by HCS. We entered into an advisory agreement between HCS and NYMT to manage certain non-agency assets. The advisory agreement was terminated effective July 26, 2010 upon execution of an amended and restated advisory agreement between HCS and NYMT. Under the amended advisory agreement, HCS manages certain assets of NYMT, which are subject to the base advisory fee and incentive fee calculations, and receives an annual consulting fee equal to $1.0 million. On December 31, 2010, all of the 1.0 million shares of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible preferred stock of NYMT owned by JMP Group Inc. and the affiliated entities mentioned above were redeemed at a price per share of $20.00 for a total of $20.0 million. Under the amended advisory agreement, we have a minimum $10.0 million of investment commitment in NYMT’s common stock, subject to certain adjustments for variations in NYMT’s stock price subsequent to the effective date of the agreement. At March 31, 2011, we had an investment in NYMT’s common stock of $10.1 million which represented 15.2% of NYMT’s outstanding shares of common stock.

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 semi-monthly during the year, bonus compensation, which makes up a larger portion of total compensation, is generally paid once a year during the first two months of the following year. In February 2011, we paid out $33.8 million of cash bonuses for 2010, 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. In March 2011, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share of common stock which the Company paid in April 2011 for the fourth quarter of 2010.

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company repurchased 218,799 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $8.32 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $1.8 million. All the shares repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2011, were deemed to have been repurchased in connection with employee stock plans, whereby the Company’s shares were issued on a net basis to employees for the payment of applicable statutory withholding taxes and therefore such withheld shares are deemed to be purchased by the Company.

We had total restricted cash of $32.3 million comprised primarily of $18.9 million of restricted cash at JMP Credit on March 31, 2011. This balance was comprised of $3.6 million in interest received from loans in the CLO and $15.3 million in principal cash. The interest and fees will be restricted until the next payment date to note holders of the CLO. The principal restricted cash will be used to buy additional loans.

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 at least the next twelve months. If circumstances required it, we could improve our liquidity position by discontinuing repurchases of the Company’s common stock, halting cash dividends on our common stock and reducing cash bonus compensation paid.

 

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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 $29.2 million and $29.7 million, which were $28.1 million and $28.7 million in excess of the required net capital of $1.1 million and $1.0 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. JMP Securities’ ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 0.55 to 1 and 0.39 to 1 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

A condensed table of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 is presented below.

 

(Dollars in thousands)    Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Change from
2010 to 2011
 
   2011     2010     $     %  

Cash flows used in operations

   $ (13,301   $ (51,926   $ 38,625        74.4

Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities

     (1,151     8,529        (9,680     N/A   

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     (1,777     (4,580     2,803        61.2
                                

Total cash flows

   $ (16,229   $ (47,977   $ 31,748        66.2
                                
(Dollars in thousands)    Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Change from
2009 to 2010
 
   2010     2009     $             %          

Cash flows used in operations

   $ (51,926   $ (10,845   $ (41,081     -378.8

Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities

     8,529        (3,003     11,532        N/A   

Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities

     (4,580     1,199        (5,779     N/A   
                                

Total cash flows

   $ (47,977   $ (12,649   $ (35,328     -279.3
                                

Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

Cash decreased by $16.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011, primarily as a result of cash used in operating activities.

Our operating activities used $13.3 million of cash from the net income of $6.1 million, adjusted for the cash used in the change in operating assets and liabilities of $13.5 million and non-cash revenue and expense items of $5.9 million. The non-cash revenue and expense items included gain on sale and payoff of loans of $6.8 million, net amortization expense of liquidity discount of $3.0 million.

Our investing activities used $1.2 million of cash primarily due to funding of loans collateralizing ABS of $90.5 million, purchases of other investments of $2.9 million, partly offset by cash provided by sales and payoff of loans collateralizing ABS of $78.8 million, repayments on loans collateralizing ABS of $6.8 million, change in restricted cash used for lending activities of $4.8 million and sales of other investments of $2.2 million.

Our financing activities used $1.8 million of cash primarily due to repurchase of our common stock for treasury of $1.8 million, repayment of a note payable of $0.4 million, cash payments to noncontrolling interest holders of $0.7 million and dividends of $0.4 million to our stockholders, partly offset by capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders of $1.6 million.

Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

Cash decreased by $48.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2010, primarily as a result of cash used in operating activities.

Our operating activities used $51.9 million of cash from the net income of $2.0 million adjusted for the cash used in the change in operating assets and liabilities of $52.9 million, partly offset by non-cash revenue and expense items of $1.0 million. The decrease in cash from the change in operating assets and liabilities was primarily related to the bonus payout of $38.7 million. The non-cash revenue and expense items included gain on sale and payoff of loans of $3.5 million and net accretion expense of liquidity discount of $1.2 million.

Our investing activities provided $8.5 million of cash, which was primarily due to cash provided by sales and payoff of loans collateralizing ABS of $34.2 million, repayments on loans collateralizing ABS of $26.9 million, net change in restricted cash reserved for lending activities of $10.6 million and sales of other investments of $21.3 million, offset by cash used in funding of loans collateralizing ABS of $67.5 million and purchases of other investments of $16.7 million.

 

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Our financing activities used $4.6 million of cash primarily due to repayment of asset- backed securities issued of $3.5 million and repurchase of our common stock for treasury of $0.8 million.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations have not materially changed from those reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In connection with Cratos CLO, the Company had unfunded commitments to lend of $2.0 million and standby letters of credit of $0.4 million as of March 31, 2011. These commitments do not extend to JMP Group Inc. See Note 21 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements for more information on the financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in connection with Cratos CLO.

Unfunded commitments are agreements to lend to a borrower, provided that all conditions have been met. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since certain commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each borrower’s creditworthiness on a case by case basis.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance by a borrower to a third party. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on balance sheet instruments. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to borrowers.

We had no other material off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2011. 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.

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 we trade in equity securities as an active participant in both listed and OTC markets and we make 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. Historically, in connection with our principal investments in publicly-traded equity securities, we have engaged 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 and Liquidity Risk

Equity price and liquidity risk represents the potential loss in value due to adverse changes in the level of market activity and volatility of equity prices. We are exposed to equity price and liquidity 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.

Our marketable securities owned include long positions in equity securities that were recorded at a fair value of $23.6 million as of March 31, 2011. Our marketable securities sold but not yet purchased consist of short positions in equity securities and were recorded at a fair value of $10.7 million as of March 31, 2011.

 

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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. We believe we have mitigated our interest rate risk on our interest-sensitive liabilities, except liabilities of Cratos CLO, by entering into an interest rate cap through the maturity of these liabilities.

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.

Credit risk also includes the risk that we will not fully collect the principal we have invested in loans held for investment and loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued due to borrower defaults. While we feel that our origination and underwriting of these loans will help to mitigate the risk of significant borrower defaults on these loans, we cannot assure you that all borrowers will continue to satisfy their payment obligations under these loans, thereby avoiding default.

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” 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.

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:

Valuation of Financial Instruments

The Company adopted the amended accounting principles related to fair value measurements as of January 1, 2008, which establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures with respect to fair value measurements. The amended accounting principles related to fair value measurement apply 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. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

 

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Most of our financial instruments, other than loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued, loans held for investment and asset-backed securities issued, 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 Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fair value of 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 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 over-the-counter (“OTC”) equity securities. Other investments include investments in private investment funds managed by us or our affiliates, as well as cash paid for a subscription 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 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. 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 warrants on public and private common stock, private equity securities owned by HGC and JMP Capital, the investments in private companies sponsored by HCS and JMP Capital and an interest rate cap derivative instrument. 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. The fair value of the private equity securities owned by HGC and JMP Capital is determined by the Company using comparable public company metrics discounted for private company market illiquidity. The interest rate cap derivative instrument fair value is determined from counterparty price quotations. The investments in private companies sponsored by HCS and JMP Capital are carried at cost and evaluated for impairment on a quarterly basis.

The Company follows the authoritative guidance included in GAAP on the fair value option which provides companies with a choice 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 Operations. Additionally, the guidance allows for a one-time election for existing positions upon adoption, with the transition adjustment recorded to beginning retained earnings.

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.

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. 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, as 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.

 

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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 a specified highwater mark or hurdle rate over a defined performance period. 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.

Purchased Management Contract

Purchased management contract relates to the CLO contract the Company purchased from Princeton Advisory Group, Inc. on September 8, 2010 and is included in other assets on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The purchased management contract is amortized over its estimated life. The Company tests the purchased management contract for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that the asset’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable. An impairment loss, calculated as the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset, is recognized if the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows relating to the asset is less than the corresponding carrying value (See Note 8).

Loans Collateralizing Asset-backed Securities Issued

Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued are commercial loans securitized and owned at Cratos CLO. The loans consist of those loans within the CLO securitization structure at the acquisition date of Cratos and loans purchased or originated into the CLO subsequent to the Cratos acquisition date.

Loans acquired during the purchase and resulting consolidation of Cratos were recorded at their fair value as of the acquisition date, which then became the new basis of the loans. Any unamortized deferred fees or costs that existed prior to the acquisition were written off at that date.

For those loans deemed impaired as of the date of the acquisition, the total discount from unpaid principal balance to fair value consists of a nonaccretable credit discount and an accretable liquidity (or market value) discount. For the remaining loans acquired through the purchase of Cratos the discount to fair value was all accretable liquidity discount as the discount was not attributable to credit quality. For both types of loans, the accretable portion of the discount is recognized into interest income as an adjustment to the yield of the loan over the contractual life of the loan using the interest method.

The Company continues to estimate the cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the loans acquired through the purchase of Cratos. If, upon subsequent evaluation, the Company believes it is unable to collect all cash flows expected at the acquisition date plus additional cash flows expected to be collected arising from changes in estimate after the acquisition, the loan is considered impaired for purposes of applying the authoritative guidance under GAAP on loss contingencies or, if applicable, the authoritative guidance under GAAP on loan impairment. Loans considered impaired at the acquisition date of Cratos can only continue to be assessed in accordance with the authoritative guidance under GAAP on loan impairment. If based on current information and events, it is probable that there is a significant increase in cash flows previously expected to be collected or if actual cash flows are significantly greater than cash flows previously expected, the Company will first reduce any remaining valuation allowance (or allowance for loan losses) for the loan established after its acquisition for the increase in the present value of cash flows expected to be collected. Then the Company will recalculate the amount of accretable yield for the loan as the excess of the revised cash flows expected to be collected over the sum of (a) the initial investment less (b) cash collected less (c) write-downs plus (d) amount of yield accreted to date. The Company will adjust the amount of accretable yield by reclassification from nonaccretable discount. The adjustment is accounted for as a change in estimate, with the amount of periodic accretion adjusted over the remaining life of the loan. The resulting yield is then used as the effective interest rate in any subsequent accounting.

Loans purchased or originated into Cratos CLO after the acquisition date of Cratos, are stated at the principal amount outstanding net of deferred fees, deferred costs and the allowance for loan losses. Net nonrefundable loan fees and related direct costs associated with the origination or purchase of loans are deferred and included in loans. The net deferred fees or costs are recognized as an adjustment to interest income over the contractual life of the loans using a method which approximates the interest method. Remaining amounts are recognized into income when the related loans are paid off or sold. Any discount from purchased loans is accreted into interest income as a yield adjustment over the contractual life of the loan.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due or when, in the opinion of management, reasonable doubt exists as to the full collection of principal and/or interest. When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income. Any reversals of income from previous years are recorded against the allowance for loan losses. When the Company receives a cash interest payment on a non-accrual loan, it is applied as a reduction of the principal balance. Non-accrual loans are returned to accrual status when the borrower becomes current as to principal and interest and has demonstrated a sustained period of payment performance. The amortization of loan fees is discontinued on nonaccrual loans and may be considered for write-off. Depending on the terms of the loan, a fee may be charged upon a prepayment which is recognized in the period of the prepayment.

 

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Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses that is intended to estimate loan losses inherent in its loan portfolio. A provision for loan losses is charged to expense to establish the allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level, in the opinion of management, sufficient to offset estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the date of the financial statements. The appropriateness of the allowance and the allowance components are reviewed quarterly. The Company’s estimate of each allowance component is based on observable information and on market and third party data that the Company believes are reflective of the underlying loan losses being estimated.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance under GAAP on loss contingencies, the Company provides a base allowance on a loan by loan basis for loans at JMP Credit that are not impaired and were purchased after the Cratos acquisition. The Company employs internally developed and third party estimation tools for measuring credit risk (loan ratings, probability of default, and exposure at default), which are used in developing an appropriate allowance for loan losses. The Company performs periodic detailed reviews of its loan portfolio to identify risks and to assess the overall collectibility of loans.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance under GAAP on loan impairment, any required impairment allowances are included in the allowance for loan losses. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company measures impairment of a loan based upon either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral securing the loan if the loan is collateral dependent, depending on the circumstances and the Company’s collection strategy. For those loans held by Cratos at the date of acquisition by JMP Credit, and deemed impaired at that date or a subsequent date, loan loss provisions are calculated considering two further factors. For loans deemed impaired at the date of acquisition if there is a further decline in expected future cash flows, this reduction is recognized as specific loan loss provision in the current quarter in accordance with above. For those loans deemed impaired subsequent to the acquisition date, if the net realizable value is lower than the current carrying value then that reduction from the carrying value is booked as provision for loan losses. Therefore at the date of assessment, if the total discount from unpaid principal balance to carrying value is larger than the expected loss, no provision for loan losses is recognized for those loans acquired at Cratos but deemed impaired subsequent to their acquisition.

Loans which are deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and deducted from the allowance. The provision for loan losses and recoveries on loans previously charged off are added to the allowance.

Asset-backed Securities Issued

Asset-backed securities issued (ABS) were issued to third parties from Cratos CLO securitization structure which the Company consolidates for financial reporting purposes as of the April 7, 2009 acquisition date. At the acquisition date, the ABS were recorded at fair value with a liquidity discount from the principal balance outstanding to the fair value recorded. The liquidity discount is amortized into interest expense over the maturity of the ABS using the interest method.

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 authoritative guidance under GAAP on contingencies, to the extent that 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 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 Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the authoritative guidance under GAAP on income taxes which 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.

 

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The Company adopted the accounting principles related to uncertainty in income taxes 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. Under the guidance, the Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain position only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable, based solely on its technical merits and consideration of the relevant taxing authority’s widely understood administrative practices and precedents. If this threshold is met, the Company measures the tax benefit as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

 

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 (the principal executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer (the principal financial officer), has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)) 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. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) 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.

 

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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 have been and currently 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.

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 other than for reasonably estimable legal fees and expenses.

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

The risk factors included in our December 31, 2010 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. There have not been any material changes from the risk factors previously described in our December 31, 2010 annual report on Form 10-K, except for the addition of the following risk factor.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public markets, or the perception that they might occur, could reduce the price that our common stock might otherwise attain.

On April 21, 2011, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. (collectively, the “Placement Agents”). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Company may offer and sell up to 3,000,000 shares of its common stock, $0.001 par value per share, from time to time through the Placement Agents, as the Company’s agents for the offer and sale of the securities, or to the Placement Agents for resale. The sales, if any, of the securities under the Distribution Agreement will be made in “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange, on any other existing trading market for the Securities or to or through a market maker. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and may make it more difficult for you to sell your common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.

 

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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 March 31, 2011.

 

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
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (1)
 

January 1, 2011 to January 31, 2011

     11,187 (2)    $ 7.49         11,187         469,816   

February 1, 2011 to February 28, 2011

     16,084 (2)    $ 8.79         16,084         453,732   

March 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011

     191,528 (2)    $ 8.33         191,528         262,204   
                      

Total

     218,799           218,799      
                      

 

(1) 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, March 3, 2009 and May 4, 2010, the Company’s board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 2.0 million shares during the subsequent eighteen months, the repurchase of an additional 0.5 million shares during the subsequent twelve months, and the repurchase of an additional 1.0 million shares during the subsequent eighteen months, respectively.
(2) For certain restricted stock units, the number of shares issued upon settlement of the restricted stock units was net of the statutory tax withholding requirements that we paid on behalf of our employees. The total number of shares purchased in January, February and March 2011 represents the shares that were not issued to employees in connection with the settlement of restricted stock units, and therefore such shares were deemed to have been purchased by the Company.

 

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

ITEM 4. (Removed and Reserved)

 

ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

 

ITEM 6. Exhibits

See Exhibit Index.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 5, 2011

 

JMP Group Inc.
By:   /s/    JOSEPH A. JOLSON        
Name:   Joseph A. Jolson
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
By:   /s/    RAYMOND S. JACKSON        
Name:   Raymond S. Jackson
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

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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.

 

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