jmp20140930_10q.htm

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

 


 

(Mark One)

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

   
 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014 OR

  

 

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 ☒  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

 

       

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 ☒

 

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of October 31, 2014 was 20,551,582. 

 



 
 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

        

Item 1.

Financial Statements - JMP Group Inc.

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition – September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations - For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 (Unaudited)

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

10 

Item 2.

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

 

36 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

64 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

65 

       

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

65 

        

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

65 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

65 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

66 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

66 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

66 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

66 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

66 

      

SIGNATURES

 

67 

      

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

68 

 

 
- 2 -

 

 

 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 (the "Exchange Act"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). 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. provides 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 free of charge on the Investor Relations section of its website located at http://www.jmpg.com. These filings will become available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. From time to time JMP Group Inc. may use its website as a channel of distribution of material company information.

 

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 and inclusions of our internet address in this Form 10-Q are inactive textual references only.

 

 
- 3 -

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.        Financial Statements

 

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

   

September 30, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

 
                 

Assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 87,735     $ 65,906  

Restricted cash and deposits (includes cash on deposit with clearing broker of $220 and $150 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)

    199,496       68,029  

Receivable from clearing broker

    1,579       1,280  

Investment banking fees receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $15 and zero at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

    9,081       13,161  

Marketable securities owned, at fair value

    35,630       29,295  

Incentive fee receivable

    6,152       7,910  

Other investments (includes $197,890 and $161,518 measured at fair value at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)

    199,781       161,773  

Loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses

    1,786       825  

Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued, net of allowance for loan losses (1)

    917,715       727,270  

Interest receivable

    2,257       1,876  

Fixed assets, net

    2,287       2,092  

Deferred tax assets

    7,220       12,492  

Other assets

    20,949       30,022  

Total assets

  $ 1,491,668     $ 1,121,931  
                 

Liabilities and Equity

               

Liabilities:

               

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

  $ 18,462     $ 13,749  

Accrued compensation

    46,800       51,347  

Asset-backed securities issued

    1,013,849       716,423  

Interest payable

    3,455       2,767  

Note payable

    -       15,000  

Line of credit

    -       2,895  

Bond payable

    94,300       46,000  

Deferred tax liability

    6,984       3,625  

Other liabilities

    29,829       32,885  

Total liabilities

    1,213,679       884,691  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies

               

JMP Group Inc. Stockholders' Equity

               

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 22,780,052 shares issued at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 21,619,369 and 21,819,446 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

    23       23  

Additional paid-in capital

    137,933       132,547  

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,160,683 and 960,606 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

    (7,383 )     (6,076 )

Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)

    6,114       (109 )

Total JMP Group Inc. stockholders' equity

    136,687       126,385  

Nonredeemable Non-controlling Interest

    141,302       110,855  

Total equity

    277,989       237,240  

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 1,491,668     $ 1,121,931  

 

 

(1)

As of December 31, 2013, includes loans which were subsequently used to collateralize CLO III upon its securitization in September 2014.

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

 

 
- 4 -

 

 

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

Assets and liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") included in total assets and total liabilities above:

 

   

September 30, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

 
                 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 682     $ 211  

Restricted cash

    179,663       43,497  

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

    917,716       726,774  

Interest receivable

    2,212       1,851  

Incentive fees receivable

    676       495  

Deferred tax assets

    2,689       1,935  

Other assets

    5,908       3,107  

Total assets of consolidated VIEs

  $ 1,109,546     $ 777,870  
                 

Accrued compensation

    363       405  

Asset-backed securities issued

    1,013,849       716,423  

Note payable (1)

    4,105       4,053  

Interest payable

    1,931       1,947  

Deferred tax liability

    1,400       1,647  

Other liabilities

    951       882  

Total liabilities of consolidated VIEs

  $ 1,022,599     $ 725,357  

 

 

(1)

September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 balances are inclusive of intercompany loan.

 

 The asset-backed securities issued (“ABS”) 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, only the assets of the VIE can be used to settle the obligations of the VIE.

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
- 5 -

 

 

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 
                                 

Revenues

                               

Investment banking

  $ 17,063     $ 19,137     $ 65,177     $ 52,301  

Brokerage

    6,455       5,750       19,585       17,924  

Asset management fees

    9,630       5,328       30,032       15,606  

Principal transactions

    (4,276 )     640       1,719       4,849  

Gain (loss) on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans

    (12 )     166       (183 )     1,591  

Net dividend income

    242       243       739       290  

Other income

    1,192       267       1,564       581  

Non-interest revenues

    30,294       31,531       118,633       93,142  
                                 

Interest income

    9,973       8,734       27,773       24,603  

Interest expense

    (5,614 )     (4,421 )     (15,866 )     (25,825 )

Net interest income (expense)

    4,359       4,313       11,907       (1,222 )
                                 

Provision for loan losses

    (956 )     (467 )     (1,665 )     (2,391 )
                                 

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

    33,697       35,377       128,875       89,529  
                                 

Non-interest expenses

                               

Compensation and benefits

    28,315       24,685       97,670       69,066  

Administration

    1,901       1,919       5,383       7,255  

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

    772       939       2,515       2,851  

Travel and business development

    890       994       2,721       2,991  

Communications and technology

    970       907       2,860       2,592  

Occupancy

    846       822       2,522       2,434  

Professional fees

    1,157       632       3,233       2,468  

Depreciation

    235       231       689       695  

Other

    236       342       778       649  

Total non-interest expenses

    35,322       31,471       118,371       91,001  

Net income (loss) before income tax expense

    (1,625 )     3,906       10,504       (1,472 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

    1,460       1,634       5,606       178  

Net income (loss)

    (3,085 )     2,272       4,898       (1,650 )

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable non-controlling interest

    (4,580 )     (1,017 )     (3,790 )     (1,785 )

Net income (loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 1,495     $ 3,289     $ 8,688       135  
                                 

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

                               

Basic

  $ 0.07     $ 0.15     $ 0.38     $ 0.01  

Diluted

  $ 0.06     $ 0.14     $ 0.37     $ 0.01  
                                 

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.060     $ 0.035     $ 0.155     $ 0.105  
                                 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

                               

Basic

    21,686       22,014       21,739       22,271  

Diluted

    23,834       22,713       23,680       22,669  

  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
- 6 -

 

 

  JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 
                                 

Net income (loss)

  $ (3,085 )   $ 2,272     $ 4,898     $ (1,650 )

Other comprehensive income

                               

Unrealized gain on cash flow hedge, net of tax

    -       13       -       41  

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

    (3,085 )     2,285       4,898       (1,609 )

Less: Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest

    (4,580 )     (1,017 )     (3,790 )     (1,785 )

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 1,495     $ 3,302     $ 8,688     $ 176  

 

 

 

 

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

                                   

Retained

                 
    Common              

Additional

   

Earnings

   

Nonredeemable

         
   

Stock

   

Treasury

   

Paid-In

   

(Accumulated

   

Non-controlling

         
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Stock

   

Capital

   

Deficit)

   

Interest

   

Total Equity

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

    22,780     $ 23     $ (6,076 )   $ 132,547     $ (109 )   $ 110,855     $ 237,240  

Net income

    -       -       -       -       8,688       (3,790 )     4,898  

Additonal paid-in capital - stock-based compensation

    -       -       -       6,136       -       -       6,136  

Dividends and dividend equivalents declared on common stock and restricted stock units

    -       -       -       -       (3,562 )     -       (3,562 )

Purchases of shares of common stock for treasury

    -       -       (1,899 )     -       -       -       (1,899 )

Reissuance of shares of common stock from treasury

    -       -       592       94       -       -       686  

Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interest holders

    -       -       -       (844 )     -       (5,156 )     (6,000 )

Distributions to non-controlling interest holders

    -       -       -       -       -       (3,032 )     (3,032 )

Capital contributions from non-controlling interest holders

    -       -       -       -       -       18,202       18,202  

Sale of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interest holders

    -       -       -       -       1,097       24,223       25,320  

Balance, September 30, 2014

    22,780     $ 23     $ (7,383 )   $ 137,933     $ 6,114     $ 141,302     $ 277,989  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
- 7 -

 

 

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net income (loss)

  $ 4,898     $ (1,650 )

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

               

Provision for doubtful accounts

    15       2  

Provision for loan losses

    1,665       2,391  

Accretion of deferred loan fees

    (934 )     (1,522 )

Amortization of liquidity discount, net

    (88 )     14,911  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

    296       31  

Amortization of original issue discount, related to CLO II

    684       360  

Interest paid in kind

    (111 )     (284 )

Loss (gain) on sale and payoff of loans

    183       (1,591 )

Change in other investments:

               

Fair value

    (2,121 )     (3,850 )

Incentive fees reinvested in general partnership interests

    (13,641 )     (5,424 )

Change in fair value of small business loans

    -       (90 )

Realized gain on other investments

    (680 )     (175 )

Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets

    689       695  

Stock-based compensation expense

    6,945       3,883  

Deferred income taxes

    8,631       (2,830 )

Net change in operating assets and liabilities:

               

(Increase) decrease in interest receivable

    (270 )     220  

Decrease (increase) in receivables

    4,694       (9,585 )

Increase in marketable securities

    (6,335 )     (5,222 )

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash (excluding restricted cash reserved for lending activities), deposits and other assets

    (9,927 )     13,703  

Increase in marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

    4,713       3,830  

Increase in interest payable

    688       3,829  

(Decrease) increase in accrued compensation and other liabilities

    (7,602 )     10,642  

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

    (7,608 )     22,274  
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Purchases of fixed assets

    (884 )     (269 )

Investment in subsidiary

    -       (17,325 )

Purchases of other investments

    (43,408 )     (80,058 )

Sales of other investments

    37,795       9,873  

Funding of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued

    (466,932 )     (494,924 )

Funding of small business loans

    -       (1,451 )

Funding of loans held for investment

    (961 )     (517 )

Sale and payoff of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued

    222,284       157,951  

Principal receipts on loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued

    53,377       33,066  

Net change in restricted cash reserved for lending activities

    (126,147 )     325,625  

Cash associated with consolidation / deconsolidation of subsidiaries

    -       (13,343 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (324,876 )     (81,372 )

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

 

 
- 8 -

 

 

JMP Group Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)  

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Proceeds from issuance of note payable

    5,000       15,000  

Proceeds from CLO III credit warehouse

    207,393       -  

Proceeds from bond issuance

    48,300       46,000  

Proceeds from asset-backed securities issued

    329,339       -  

Payments of debt issuance costs

    (1,740 )     (1,694 )

Repayment of note payable

    (20,000 )     (8,302 )

Repayment of line of credit

    (2,895 )     (28,227 )

Repayment of credit warehouse

    (207,393 )     -  

Repayment of asset-backed securities issued

    (32,597 )     (20,647 )

Dividends and dividend equivalents paid on common stock and RSUs

    (3,562 )     (2,420 )

Purchases of shares of common stock for treasury

    (1,899 )     (4,342 )

Capital contributions of redeemable non-controlling interest holders

    -       134  

Capital contributions of nonredeemable non-controlling interest holders

    18,202       56,240  

Distributions to non-controlling interest shareholders

    (3,032 )     (3,552 )

Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interest holders

    (6,000 )     -  

Cash settlement of stock-based compensation

    (123 )     (427 )

Sale of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interest holders

    25,320       -  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    354,313       47,763  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    21,829       (11,335 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    65,906       67,075  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ 87,735     $ 55,740  
                 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

               

Cash paid during the period for interest

  $ 14,472     $ 5,938  

Cash paid during the period for taxes

  $ 9,439     $ 7,046  
                 

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

  $ 592     $ 225  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 

 

 
- 9 -

 

 

JMP GROUP INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2014

(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. The Company conducts its brokerage business through JMP Securities LLC (“JMP Securities”), its asset management business through Harvest Capital Strategies LLC (“HCS”) and HCAP Advisors LLC (“HCAP Advisors“), 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”). The above entities, other than HCAP Advisors, 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. From September 2011 through May 2013, the Company also conducted corporate credit business through partially owned Harvest Capital Credit LLC (“HCC LLC”). On December 18, 2012, HCAP Advisors was formed as a Delaware Limited Liability Company. Effective May 1, 2013, HCAP Advisors provides investment advisory services to Harvest Capital Credit Corporation (“HCC”). Through JMPCA, the Company manages JMPCA CLO I Ltd (“CLO I”), JMPCA CLO II Ltd (“CLO II”) and JMPCA CLO III Ltd (“CLO III”).

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Recent Transactions

 

In January 2014, the Company contributed an additional $15.0 million investment to CLO III, bringing its total equity in the entity to $25.0 million. The $25.0 million equity financing was used to purchase loans, prior to leveraging the existing CLO III credit warehouse held at BNP Paribas. The equity investment increased to $30.0 million in the third quarter of 2014, and the warehouse facility increased to $150.0 million. On September 30, 2014, CLO III closed a $370.5 million CLO transaction. The senior notes offered in this transaction (the “Secured Notes”) were issued by JMP Credit Advisors CLO III Ltd., and coissued in part by JMP Credit Advisors CLO III LLC, and are backed primarily by a diversified portfolio of broadly syndicated leveraged loans. The Secured Notes are subject to a two-year non-call period. The CLO has a four-year reinvestment period, through October 17, 2018, that allows for the use of the proceeds from principal repayments on, or sales of, collateral assets towards the purchase of qualifying replacement assets, subject to certain conditions and limitations. A third party and employees of JMPCA purchased subordinated notes in CLO III, reducing the Company’s investment in the subordinated notes to $4.7 million, or 13.5%. As of September 30, 2014, the Company owned 13.5% of the subordinated notes.

 

Upon the closing of CLO III, the Company performed a consolidation analysis to determine appropriate consolidation treatment. An entity is considered a VIE and, therefore, would be subject to the consolidation provisions of ASC 810-10-15 if, by design, 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. In the analysis, 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. As of September 30, 2014, CLO III was determined to be a VIE. The Company was identified as the primary beneficiary based on the ability to direct activities of CLO III through its subsidiary manager, JMP Credit Advisors, and the 13.5% ownership of the subordinated notes. As a result, the Company consolidates the assets and liabilities of CLO III, and the underlying loans owned by the CLO are shown on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition under loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued and the asset-backed securities issued to third parties are shown under asset-backed securities issued.

 

 
- 10 -

 

 

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased $6.0 million of the unsecured subordinated notes from CLO II non-controlling interests, increasing the Company’s ownership from 72.8% to 98.0%. The effects of changes on the Company’s equity from net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. and the purchase of CLO II non-controlling interest are noted below.

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 
                                 

Net income (loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 1,495     $ 3,289     $ 8,688     $ 135  

Transfers from non-controlling interest

                               

Decrease in JMP Group Inc. paid-in capital for purchase of CLO II interest

    -       -       (844 )     -  

Net transfers from non-controlling interest

    -       -       (844 )     -  

Change from net income (loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc and transfers from non-controlling interest

  $ 1,495     $ 3,289     $ 7,844     $ 135  

 

In the third quarter of 2014, the board of directors approved a transaction to convert its corporate form into a limited liability company that would be taxed as a partnership, and not as a corporation, contingent upon the approval by its stockholders at a December 1, 2014 meeting. In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with a newly formed, wholly owned, limited liability company subsidiary, JMP Group LLC, and a newly formed Delaware corporation and indirect wholly owned subsidiary, JMP Merger Corp. Subject to the approval of JMP's stockholders and the decision of its board of directors to complete the transaction, JMP would be merged with and into JMP Merger Corp., with JMP continuing as the surviving entity and as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of JMP Group LLC (the "Reorganization Transaction"). The Reorganization Transaction, if completed, would result in each share of currently issued and outstanding JMP stock being exchanged for a limited liability company interest in JMP Group LLC. If approved by the stockholders, the Reorganization Transaction is anticipated to be completed by January 1, 2015.

 

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 2013 10-K. These consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

 

The consolidated accounts of the Company include the wholly-owned subsidiaries, JMP Securities, HCS, JMP Capital, JMP Credit, JMPCA, and the partially-owned subsidiaries Harvest Growth Capital LLC (“HGC”), Harvest Growth Capital II LLC (“HGC II”), HCC LLC (from August 18, 2011 through May 2, 2013), CLO I, CLO II (effective April 30, 2013), HCAP Advisors (effective May 1, 2013), and CLO III (effective December 11, 2013). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Non-controlling interest on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 relate to the interest of third parties in the partly-owned subsidiaries.

 

See Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Company's 2013 10-K for the Company's significant accounting policies.

 

3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists was issued to provide guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits and will better reflect the manner in which an entity settles at the reporting date any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 on January 1, 2014 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

 

In May 2014, ASU 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers was issued to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues. The provisions of this standard are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and do not allow early adoption. The adoption of ASC 2014-9 may have an impact on the Company’s financial statements; however, the extent is not yet determined.

 

ASU 2014-12, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period was issued to provide guidance on share-based payments with terms where a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. The provisions of this standard are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015, and allows for early adoption. The adoption of ASC 2014-12 may have an impact on the Company’s financial statements; however, the extent is not yet determined.

 

In August 2014, ASU 2014-13, Consolidation: Measuring the Financial Assets and the Financial Liabilities of a Consolidated Collateralized Financial Entity was issued to address discrepancy in the fair value measurement of a collateralized financing entity’s financial assets from the fair value of their financial liabilities even when the financial liabilities have recourse only to the financial assets. Prior to this update, there was no specific guidance on how to account for this difference. As the Company does not carry its CLOs’ financial assets and liabilities at fair value, the adoption of ASU 2014-13 for annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 2015 will not impact the Company’s financial statement. Given the size of the existing discrepancy between the fair value of the Company’s CLOs’ financial assets and liabilities, the adoption of this ASU is not anticipated to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

 

 
- 11 -

 

 

ASU 2014- 15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern was issued in August 2014 to provide guidance regarding management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern or to provide related footnote disclosures. This standard will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The adoption of ASU 20104-15 is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

4. Fair Value Measurements

 

The following tables provide fair value information related to the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

   

At September 30, 2014

 

(In thousands)

 

Carrying Value

   

Fair Value

 
           

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Assets:

                                       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 87,735     $ 87,735     $ -     $ -     $ 87,735  

Restricted cash and deposits

    199,496       199,496       -       -       199,496  

Marketable securities owned

    35,630       35,630       -       -       35,630  

Other investments

    199,781       3,515       72,532       123,733       199,780  

Loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses

    1,786       -       -       1,546       1,546  

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

    917,715       -       919,707       -       919,707  

Long term receivable

    939       -       -       1,068       1,068  

Total assets:

  $ 1,443,082     $ 326,376     $ 992,239     $ 126,347     $ 1,444,962  
                                         

Liabilities:

                                       

Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

  $ 18,462     $ 18,462     $ -     $ -     $ 18,462  

Asset-backed securities issued

    1,013,849       -       1,008,582       -       1,008,582  

Bond payable

    94,300       -       94,886       -       94,886  

Total liabilities:

  $ 1,126,611     $ 18,462     $ 1,103,468     $ -     $ 1,121,930  

 

 

   

At December 31, 2013

 

(In thousands)

 

Carrying Value

   

Fair Value

 
           

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Assets:

                                       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 65,906     $ 65,906     $ -     $ -     $ 65,906  

Restricted cash and deposits

    68,029       68,029       -       -       68,029  

Marketable securities owned

    29,295       29,295       -       -       29,295  

Other investments

    161,773       57       49,389       112,072       161,518  

Loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses

    825       -       -       693       693  

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

    727,270       -       737,327       -       737,327  

Long term receivable

    1,152       -       -       1,364       1,364  

Total assets:

  $ 1,054,250     $ 163,287     $ 786,716     $ 114,129     $ 1,064,132  
                                         

Liabilities:

                                       

Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

  $ 13,749     $ 13,749     $ -     $ -     $ 13,749  

Asset-backed securities issued

    716,423       -       710,961       -       710,961  

Note payable

    15,000       -       15,000       -       15,000  

Line of credit

    2,895       -       2,895       -       2,895  

Bond payable

    46,000       -       46,552       -       46,552  

Total liabilities:

  $ 794,067     $ 13,749     $ 775,408     $ -     $ 789,157  

 

 
- 12 -

 

 

Recurring Fair Value Measurement

 

The following tables provide information related to the Company’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013: 

 

(In thousands)

 

September 30, 2014

 
   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 
                                 

Marketable securities owned

  $ 35,630     $ -     $ -     $ 35,630  

Other investments:

                               

Investments in hedge funds managed by HCS

    -       72,254       -       72,254  

Investments in funds of funds managed by HCS

    -       -       156       156  

Total investment in funds managed by HCS

    -       72,254       156       72,410  

Investments in private equity/ real estate funds

    -       -       6,731       926,438  

Warrants and other held at JMPS and JMPG LLC

    -       -       647       647  

Equity securities in HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital

    3,515       278       108,075       111,868  

Forward purchase contract and swaption

    -       -       6,234       6,234  

Total other investments

    3,515       72,532       121,843       197,890  

Total assets:

  $ 39,145     $ 72,532     $ 121,843     $ 233,520  
                                 

Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

    18,462       -       -       18,462  
                                 

Total liabilities:

  $ 18,462     $ -     $ -     $ 18,462  

 

(In thousands)

 

December 31, 2013

 
   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 
                                 

Marketable securities owned

  $ 29,295     $ -     $ -     $ 29,295  

Other investments:

                               

Investments in hedge funds managed by HCS

    -       44,647       -       44,647  

Investments in funds of funds managed by HCS

    -       -       139       139  

Total investment in funds managed by HCS

    -       44,647       139       44,786  

Investments in private equity/ real estate funds

    -       -       5,967       5,967  

Warrants and other held at JMPS and JMPG LLC

    -       -       1,121       1,121  

Equity securities in HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital

    57       4,742       97,981       102,780  

Forward purchase contract

    -       -       6,864       6,864  

Total other investments

    57       49,389       112,072       161,518  

Total assets:

  $ 29,352     $ 49,389     $ 112,072     $ 190,813  
                                 

Marketable securities sold, but not yet purchased

    13,749       -       -       13,749  
                                 

Total liabilities:

  $ 13,749     $ -     $ -     $ 13,749  

 

The Company holds a limited partner investment in a private equity fund. This fund aims to achieve medium to long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of technology companies that leverage the growth of Greater China. The Company also holds investments in real estate funds, which aim to generate revenue stream from investments in real estate joint ventures. The Company recognizes this investment using the fair value option. The primary reason for electing the fair value option was to measure gains on the same basis as the Company’s other equity securities, which are stated at fair value.

 

The Company’s Level 2 assets held in other investments consist of small business loans (through May 2, 2013), investments in hedge funds managed by HCS, and equity securities in HGC, HGC II, and JMP Capital. The fair value of the Level 2 small business loans is calculated using the average market bid and ask quotation obtained from a loan pricing service. The fair value of the investment in hedge funds is calculated using the net asset value. These assets are considered Level 2, as the underlying hedge funds are mainly invested in publicly traded stocks whose value is based on quoted market prices. The Level 2 equity securities in HGC, HGC II, and JMP Capital reflect investments in public securities, where the Company is subject to a lockup period. The fair value of the Level 2 equity securities in HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital is calculated by applying a discount rate to the quoted market prices of the portfolio securities due to lack of marketability.

 

 
- 13 -

 

The tables below provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the assets held at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of

June 30, 2014

   

Purchases

   

Sales

   

Settlements

   

Total gains

(losses) -

realized and

unrealized

included in

earnings (1)

   

Transfers

in/(out) of

Level 3

   

Balance as of

September 30,

2014

   

Unrealized

gains/(losses)

included in

earnings related to

assets still held at 

reporting date

 

Investments in funds of funds managed by HCS

  $ 147     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 9     $ -     $ 156     $ 9  

Investments in private equity/ real estate funds

    6,909       -       -       -       (178 )     -       6,731       (178 )

Warrants and other held at JMPS

    916       -       -       -       (269 )     -       647       (269 )

Equity securities held by HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital

    101,001       9,850       -       -       (2,776 )     -       108,075       (2,776 )

Forward Purchase Contract and Swaption

    6,434       -       -       -       (200 )     -       6,234       (200 )

Total Level 3 assets

  $ 115,407     $ 9,850     $ -     $ -     $ (3,414 )   $ -     $ 121,843     $ (3,414 )

 

(1) No Level 3 asset gains (losses) are included in other comprehensive income. All realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to Level 3 assets are included in earnings.

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of

June 30, 2013

   

Purchases

   

Sales

   

Settlements

   

Total gains

(losses) -

realized and

unrealized

included in

earnings (1)

   

Transfers

in/(out) of

Level 3

   

Balance as of

September 30,

2013

   

Unrealized

gains/(losses)

included in

earnings related to

assets still held at 

reporting date

 

Investments in funds of funds managed by HCS

  $ 128     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 2     $ -     $ 130     $ 2  

Investments in private equity/ real estate funds

    2,691       2,734       -       (634 )     153       -       4,944       153  

Warrants and other held at JMPS

    783       -       -       -       503       -       1,286       503  

Equity securities held by HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital

    77,741       9,884       -       -       (1,628 )     (2,572 )     83,425       (1,628 )

Forward Purchase Contract

    5,000       -       -       -       1,076       -       6,076       1,076  

Total Level 3 assets

  $ 86,343     $ 12,618     $ -     $ (634 )   $ 106     $ (2,572 )   $ 95,861     $ 106  

 

(1) No Level 3 asset gains (losses) are included in other comprehensive income. All realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to Level 3 assets are included in earnings.

 

The tables below provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the assets held at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of

December 31,

2013

   

Purchases

   

Sales

   

Settlements

   

Total gains

(losses) -

realized and

unrealized

included in

earnings (1)

   

Transfers

in/(out) of

Level 3

   

Balance as of

September 30,

2014

   

Unrealized

gains/(losses)

included in

earnings related to

assets still held at

reporting date

 

Investments in funds of funds managed by HCS

  $ 139     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 17     $ -     $ 156     $ 17  

Investments in private equity/ real estate funds

    5,967       1,080       -       (396 )     80       -       6,731       80  

Warrants and other held at JMPS

    1,121       -       -       (19 )     (455 )     -       647       -  

Equity securities held by HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital

    97,981       12,869       (2,204 )     -       (350 )     (221 )     108,075       (556 )

Forward Purchase Contract and Swaption

    6,864       460       -       -       (1,090 )     -       6,234       (1,090 )

Total Level 3 assets

  $ 112,072     $ 14,409     $ (2,204 )   $ (415 )   $ (1,798 )   $ (221 )   $ 121,843     $ (1,549 )

 

(1) No Level 3 asset gains (losses) are included in other comprehensive income. All realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to Level 3 assets are included in earnings.

 
- 14 -

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of

December 31,

2012

   

Purchases

   

Sales

   

Settlements

   

Total gains

(losses) -

realized and

unrealized

included in

earnings (1)

   

Transfers

in/(out) of

Level 3

   

Balance as of

September 30,

2013

   

Unrealized

gains/(losses)

included in

earnings related to

assets still held at

reporting date

 

Investments in funds of funds managed by HCS

  $ 109     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 21     $ -     $ 130     $ 21  

Investments in private equity/ real estate funds

    2,332       2,734       -       (634 )     512       -       4,944       512  

Warrants and other held at JMPS

    413       42       -       -       831       -       1,286       831  

Warrants and equity held at HCC

    2,577       100       -       -       425       (3,102 )     -       -  

Small business loans

    35,447       1,771       (43 )     -       30       (37,205 )     -       -  

Equity securities held by HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital

    41,075       45,922       -       -       (1,000 )     (2,572 )     83,425       (1,000 )

Forward Purchase Contract

    5,437       -       -       -       639       -       6,076       639  

Total Level 3 assets

  $ 87,390     $ 50,569     $ (43 )   $ (634 )   $ 1,458     $ (42,879 )   $ 95,861     $ 1,003  

 

(1) No Level 3 asset gains (losses) are included in other comprehensive income. All realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to Level 3 assets are included in earnings.

 

Purchases and sales of Level 3 assets shown above were recorded at fair value at the date of the transaction.

 

Total gains and losses included in earnings 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 between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the three months ended September 30, 2014. There were two transfers of $4.3 million into Level 1 from Level 2 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as a result of the expiration of a lockup discount. There was one transfer of $0.2 million into Level 2 from Level 3 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as a result of the observability of fair value associated with the equity securities in HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital.

 

There was one transfer into Level 1 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, as a result of the expiration of the lockup discount on the Company’s investment in HCC. There were transfers into Level 2 from Level 3 of $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, as a result of the observability of fair value associated with the equity securities in HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital.

 

In connection with the deconsolidation of HCC LLC on May 2, 2013, Level 3 assets previously consolidated were no longer reflected in the Company's assets as of the second quarter of 2013. The deconsolidation resulted in the exclusion of $3.1 million warrants and other equity and $37.2 million in small business loans from the Company's Level 3 assets.

 

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 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Company's 2013 10-K. The Company’s proportionate share of those investments is included in the tables above. In addition, other investments include warrants and investments in funds managed by third parties. The investments in private investment funds managed by third parties are generally not redeemable at the option of the Company. As of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had unfunded investment commitments of $0.1 million related to private investment funds managed by third parties, and $2.2 million related to an investment company focusing on real estate joint ventures.

 

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.

 

 
- 15 -

 

 

The Company used the following valuation techniques with unobservable inputs when estimating the fair value of the Level 3 assets:

 

Dollars in thousands

 

Fair Value

at September 30,

2014

 

Valuation Technique

       

Unobservable Input

 

Range

(Weighted Average)

 
                             

Investments in Funds of Funds managed by HCS (1)

  $ 156  

Net Asset Value

       

N/A

 

N/A

 

Investments in Private Equity /Real Estate Fund (1)

  $ 6,731  

Net Asset Value

       

N/A

 

N/A

 

Warrants and Other held at JMPS and JMPG LLC

  $ 647  

Black-Scholes Option Model

       

Annualized volatility of credit

  0%-13.0% (11.9%)  

Equity securities in HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital (2)

  $ 108,075  

Market comparable companies

       

Revenue multiples

 

1.3x-12.5x (5.2x)

 
                   

EBITDA multiples

 

11.6x-15.7x (13.1x)

 
                (3 )

Discount for lack of marketability

  30%-40% (31%)  
         

Market transactions

       

Revenue multiples

 

4.2x-8.7x (6.2x)

 
                   

EBITDA multiples

 

13.7x-20.9x (19.3x)

 
                   

Control premium

  25%  

Forward purchase contract and swaption (2)

  $ 6,234  

Market comparable companies

       

Revenue multiples

 

6.2x-11.8x (7.9x)

 
                   

Billing multiples

 

5.3x-6.9x (6.0x)

 
                (3 )

Discount for lack of marketability

  30%  
         

Market transactions

       

Revenue multiples

 

6.7x-8.4x (7.2x)

 
                   

Control premium

  25%  

(1) The Company uses the reported net asset value per share as a practical expedient to estimate the fair value of the investments in funds of funds managed by HCS and limited partner investment in private equity funds.

(2) The fair value of each HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital investment is calculated using a weighted allocation between the fair values assessed by the public comparables and M&A comparable valuation techniques.

(3) The Company applies a discount for lack of marketability (“DLOM”) to its investments, ranging from 30% to 50%. The discount is determined by the level of revenue of the investee and proximity to filing. The minimum discount applied is 30% for investees that either generate revenue exceeding $100 million, or have filed a registration statement. Higher discounts are applied to investees with less than $100 million of revenue or that are not on file, reflecting the longer anticipated term to a liquidity event. When HGC and HGC II investments become public, the Company is typically subject to a lock up period. In valuing these public companies, the Company has incorporated 5% per month of lockup into its valuations. As the typical lockup period is six months, the DLOM methodology has a floor threshold of 30% to mirror the discount rates applied once the investment goes public.

 

Dollars in thousands

 

Fair Value at

December 31,

2013

 

Valuation Technique

       

Unobservable Input

 

Range

(Weighted Average)

 
                             

Investments in Funds of Funds managed by HCS (1)

  $ 139  

Net Asset Value

       

N/A

 

N/A

 

Investments in Private Equity /Real Estate Fund (1)

  $ 5,967  

Net Asset Value

       

N/A

 

N/A

 

Warrants and Other held at JMPS and JMPG LLC

  $ 1,121  

Black-Scholes Option Model

       

Annualized volatility of credit

  0%-25.4% (13.4%)  

Equity securities in HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital (2)

  $ 97,981  

Market comparable companies

       

Revenue multiples

 

2.4x-14.5x (6.3x)

 
                   

EBITDA multiples

 

14.9x-31.9x (22.1x)

 
                (3 )

Discount for lack of marketability

  30%-40% (32%)  
         

Market transactions

       

Revenue multiples

 

3.4x-7.6x (5.7x)

 
                   

EBITDA multiples

 

11.8x-26.6x (17.7x)

 
                   

Control premium

  25%  

Forward purchase contract (2)

  $ 6,864  

Market comparable companies

       

Revenue multiples

 

10.6x-14.5x (12.3x)

 
                   

Billing multiples

 

8.7x-11.6x (10.0x)

 
                (3 )

Discount for lack of marketability

  30%  
         

Market transactions

       

Revenue multiples

 

7.0x

 
                   

Control premium

  25%  

(1) The Company uses the reported net asset value per share as a practical expedient to estimate the fair value of the investments in funds of funds managed by HCS and limited partner investment in private equity funds.

(2) The fair value of each HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital investment is calculated using a weighted allocation between the fair values assessed by the public comparables and M&A comparable valuation techniques.

(3) The Company applies a DLOM to its investments, ranging from 30% to 50%. The discount is determined by the level of revenue of the investee and proximity to filing. The minimum discount applied is 30% for investees that either generate revenue exceeding $100 million, or have filed a registration statement. Higher discounts are applied to investees with less than $100 million of revenue or that are not on file, reflecting the longer anticipated term to a liquidity event. When HGC and HGC II investments become public, the Company is typically subject to a lock up period. In valuing these public companies, the Company has incorporated 5% per month of lockup into its valuations. As the typical lockup period is six months, the DLOM methodology has a floor threshold of 30% to mirror the discount rates applied once the investment goes public.

 

 
- 16 -

 

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the warrants held at JMP Securities is the annualized volatility of credit. Significant increases in the rate would result in a significantly higher fair value measurement.

 

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the equity securities, the forward purchase contract, and swaption in HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital are Revenue, EBITDA and Billing multiples, discount for lack of marketability, and control premiums. Significant increases in the multiples in isolation would result in a significantly higher fair value measurement. Increases in the discounts and premium in isolation would result in decreases to the fair value measurement.

 

Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company's assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis result from the application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. The Company held no assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

 

Small Business Loans

 

Small business loans represent the secured subordinated debt extended by HCC LLC to small to mid-sized companies. At inception, the loans were carried at the principal amount outstanding net of deferred fees, deferred costs and the allowance for loan losses. Changes to adopt investment company accounting were retrospectively applied and as of September 30, 2012, HCC LLC reported all investments, including debt investments, at market value or, in the absence of a readily available market value, at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in Gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recorded unrealized gains of $0.1 million relating to the fair value adjustment of small business loans in the first quarter of 2013, prior to the deconsolidation of HCC LLC on May 2, 2013.

 

In connection with the HCC initial public offering on May 2, 2013, the Company ceased consolidating HCC LLC and began recognizing its investment, including common stock and warrants of HCC, using the fair value option. The primary reason for electing the fair value option was to measure gains on the same basis as the Company’s other equity securities, which are stated at fair value. The Company’s investments in HCC common stock and warrants are included in other investments. The Company recorded unrealized loss of $1.2 million and $1.3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 related to its investments in HCC. The Company recorded unrealized gains of $0.2 million and $0.1 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to its investments in HCC. Dividends received during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 on HCC stock of $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, were recorded in net dividend income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company received $0.2 million and $0.3 million of dividends on HCC stock during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

 

Loans Held for Investment

 

At both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, loans held for investment included two loans. 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.

 

Effective July 1, 2013, the Company agreed to lend a health sciences fund investment advising company up to $2.0 million, at an interest rate of 10% per year. The outstanding principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest is due and payable on July 1, 2018. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s loan outstanding to this entity was $1.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

The Company determined the fair value of loans held for investment to be $1.5 million and $0.7 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, using anticipated cash flows, discounted at an appropriate market credit adjusted interest rate.

 

Investments at Cost

 

On February 11, 2010, the Company made a $1.5 million investment in Class D Preferred Units of Sanctuary Wealth Services LLC (“Sanctuary”), which provides a turnkey platform that allows independent wealth advisors to establish an independent advisory business without the high startup costs and regulatory hurdles. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company determined that its investment in Sanctuary was fully impaired and recorded an impairment loss of $1.5 million, which was included in Principal Transactions on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

On April 3, 2012, the Company purchased a $2.3 million receivable for $1.4 million from Sanctuary. The $1.4 million was comprised of $0.5 million in cash consideration and $0.9 million in connection with the partial redemption of the $1.5 million investment in Sanctuary. The Company recognized the $0.9 million as a gain in Principal Transactions, and the $2.3 million receivable in Other Assets. The carrying value of the long-term receivable was $0.9 million and $1.2 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company determined the fair value of the long-term receivable to be $1.1 million and $1.4 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, using anticipated cash flows, discounted at an appropriate market credit adjusted interest rate. Significant increases in the market credit adjusted interest rate in isolation would result in decreases to the fair value measurement.

 

In May 2014, the Company entered into a commitment to purchase $2.5 million preferred shares of a real estate investment banking private equity company, which was identified as a VIE. As of September 30, 2014, the Company purchased $0.6 million of the preferred shares. The investment was determined to be a debt security, and is held at cost in the Other Investments line item. The carrying value of the debt security was $0.6 million as of September 30, 2014. The risks associated with this investment are limited to the commitment amount. The acquisition price is considered to reflect the fair value of the investment as of September 30, 2014.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company entered into a forward purchase contract to secure the acquisition of shares of a privately-held company. The contract and subsequent amendment incorporates downside protection for up to two years, for a cost basis of $5.0 million. In January 2012, the Company exchanged $5.0 million for physical custody of the shares. For two years beginning December 1, 2012, the Company could, at its discretion, become the beneficial and record holder of the shares. If the Company has not yet exercised its option at December 1, 2014, the shares will be assigned automatically to the Company. This contract is recorded in Other Investments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. The Company records changes in the fair value of this forward contract as unrealized gain or loss in Principal Transactions. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded unrealized loss of $0.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $1.1 million and $0.6 million unrealized gain, respectively. Once the shares are in the Company’s name, the shares will be accounted for as equity securities, remaining in Other Investments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 
- 17 -

 

 

The Company entered into a swaption contract to secure the acquisition of shares of a privately-held company. This contract is recorded in Other Investments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. The Company records changes in the fair value of this derivative as unrealized gain or loss in Principal Transactions. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded an unrealized loss of $0.1 million on this investment. Once the shares are in the Company’s name, the shares will be accounted for as equity securities, remaining in Other Investments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

5. Loans Collateralizing Asset-backed Securities Issued

 

Loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued are commercial loans securitized and owned by the Company’s CLOs. The loans consist of those loans within the CLO securitization structure at the acquisition date of CLO I and loans purchased by CLO I, CLO II and CLO III (“the CLOs”) subsequent to the CLO I acquisition date. The following table presents the components of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

(In thousands)

 

Loans Collateralizing Asset-backed Securities

 
   

September 30, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

 

Outstanding principal

  $ 929,157     $ 735,891  

Allowance for loan losses

    (5,536 )     (3,871 )

Liquidity discount

    (1,080 )     (1,168 )

Deferred loan fees, net

    (4,826 )     (3,582 )

Total loans, net

  $ 917,715     $ 727,270  

 

The table below summarizes the activity in the loan principal, allowance for loan losses, liquidity discount, deferred loan fees and carrying values, net for the loans relating to CLO I, CLO II and CLO III as of and for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Loans recorded upon the acquisition of CLO I at fair value reflect a liquidity discount.

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

 
   

Principal

   

Allowance for Loan

Losses

   

Liquidity Discount

   

Deferred Loan Fees

   

Carrying Value,

Net

 

Non-impaired Loans

                                       

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 825,979     $ (4,580 )   $ (1,110 )   $ (4,618 )   $ 815,671  

Purchases

    185,282       -       -       (661 )     184,621  

Repayments

    (15,562 )     -       -       -       (15,562 )

Accretion of discount

    -       -       30       371       401  

Provision for loan losses

    -       (956 )     -       -       (956 )

Sales and payoff

    (66,542 )     -       -       82       (66,460 )

Balance at end of period

  $ 929,157     $ (5,536 )   $ (1,080 )   $ (4,826 )   $ 917,715  

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Principal

   

Allowance for Loan

Losses

   

Liquidity Discount

   

Deferred Loan Fees

   

Carrying Value,

Net

 

Non-impaired Loans

                                       

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 641,902     $ (3,158 )   $ (1,291 )   $ (4,100 )   $ 633,353  

Purchases

    148,400       -       -       (83 )     148,317  

Repayments

    (13,621 )     -       -       -       (13,621 )

Accretion of discount

    -       -       67       384       451  

Provision for loan losses

    -       (467 )     -       -       (467 )

Sales and payoff

    (58,778 )     -       -       -       (58,778 )

Transfers to loans held for sale (1)

    -       -       -       148       148  

Balance at end of period

  $ 717,903     $ (3,625 )   $ (1,224 )   $ (3,651 )   $ 709,403  

 

 
- 18 -

 

 

The table below summarizes the activity in the loan principal, allowance for loan losses, liquidity discount, deferred loan fees and carrying values, net for the loans relating to CLO I, CLO II and CLO III as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Loans recorded upon the acquisition of CLO I at fair value reflect a liquidity discount.

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

 
   

Principal

   

Allowance for Loan

Losses

   

Liquidity Discount

   

Deferred Loan Fees

   

Carrying Value,

Net

 

Non-impaired Loans

                                       

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 735,891     $ (3,871 )   $ (1,168 )   $ (3,582 )   $ 727,270  

Purchases

    469,860       -       -       (2,928 )     466,932  

Repayments

    (53,377 )     -       -       -       (53,377 )

Accretion of discount

    -       -       88       934       1,022  

Provision for loan losses

    -       (1,665 )     -       -       (1,665 )

Sales and payoff

    (223,217 )     -       -       750       (222,467 )

Balance at end of period

  $ 929,157     $ (5,536 )   $ (1,080 )   $ (4,826 )   $ 917,715  

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Principal

   

Allowance for Loan Losses

   

Liquidity Discount

   

Deferred Loan Fees

   

Carrying Value,

Net

 

Impaired Loans

                                       

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 3,517     $ (1,022 )   $ (720 )   $ (16 )   $ 1,759  

Repayments

    (11 )     -       -       -       (11 )

Accretion of discount

    -       -       -       2       2  

Provision for loan losses

    -       (870 )     -       -       (870 )

Sales and payoff

    (3,506 )     1,892       720       14       (880 )

Balance at end of period

  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                         

Non-impaired Loans

                                       

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 410,483     $ (2,105 )   $ (2,332 )   $ (6,802 )   $ 399,244  

Purchases

    494,883       -       -       41       494,924  

Repayments

    (33,055 )     -       -       -       (33,055 )

Accretion of discount

    -       -       636       1,520       2,156  

Provision for loan losses

    -       (1,520 )     -       -       (1,520 )

Sales and payoff

    (149,266 )     -       85       1,590       (147,591 )

Transfers to loans held for sale (1)

    (5,142 )     -       387       -       (4,755 )

Balance at end of period

  $ 717,903     $ (3,625 )   $ (1,224 )   $ (3,651 )   $ 709,403  

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The Company recorded a general reserve of $1.0 million and $0.5 million during the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively on non-impaired loans. The Company recorded a general reserve of $1.7 million and $1.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively on non-impaired loans. $0.6 million and $1.4 million of the reserve booked in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, related to the loans associated with CLO III, launched in December 2013. $0.3 million and $0.5 million of the reserve booked in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, related to the loans associated with CLO II, acquired in April 2013. $0.4 million and $1.5 million of the reserve booked in the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, related to the loans associated with CLO II, acquired in April 2013. The Company recorded $0.9 million as a specific reserve against non-performing loans that were purchased with the Cratos acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

A summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses for loans collateralizing asset-backed securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ (4,580 )   $ (3,158 )   $ (3,871 )     (3,127 )

Provision for loan losses:

                               

Specific reserve

    -       -       -       (870 )

General reserve

    (956 )     (467 )     (1,665 )     (1,521 )

Reversal due to sale, payoff or restructure of loans

    -       -       -       1,893  

Balance at end of period

  $ (5,536 )   $ (3,625 )   $ (5,536 )   $ (3,625 )

 

Impaired Loans, Non-Accrual, Past Due Loans and Restructured 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. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company held no impaired loans. The $923.4 million and $731.1 million of recorded investment amount of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued were collectively evaluated for impairment, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

 
- 19 -

 

 

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company classified all its loans as Cash Flow loans, as the key credit metrics are the revenues, EBITDA and free cash flows of the borrowers. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, no loans were on non-accrual status. The Company recorded no interest income, other than the accretion of deferred loan fees, for the impaired loans with a weighted average loan balance of $1.4 million and $4.0 million that were on non-accrual status during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. No loans were past due at September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

 

At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company held no loans whose terms were modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”).

 

Credit Quality of Loans

 

The Company, 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

(In thousands)

 

Senior Secured Bonds/ Notes -

Cash Flow

   

Cash Flow (CF)

 
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 
                                 

Moody's rating:

                               

Baa1 - Baa3

  $ -     $ -     $ 14,675     $ 16,057  

Ba1 - Ba3

    -       -       224,253       215,281  

B1 - B3

    -       3,114       679,000       482,579  

Caa1 - Caa3

    -       -       5,097       13,729  

Ca

    -       -       386       381  

Total:

  $ -     $ 3,114     $ 923,411     $ 728,027  
                                 

Internal rating: (1)

                               
2   $ -     $ 3,114     $ 871,002     $ 700,168  
3     -       -       52,409       27,859  

Total:

  $ -     $ 3,114     $ 923,411     $ 728,027  
                                 

Performance:

                               

Performing

  $ -     $ 3,114     $ 923,411     $ 728,027  

Total:

  $ -     $ 3,114     $ 923,411     $ 728,027  

 

(1)

Loans with an internal rating of 4 or below are reviewed individually to identify loans to be designated for non-accrual status.

 

The Company determined the fair value of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities to be $919.7 million and $737.3 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; primarily using the average market bid and ask quotation obtained from a loan pricing service. Such loans are identified as Level 2 assets. When average market bid and ask quotations were not available, the fair values of these loans were calculated internally based on their performance. As such, these loans were identified as Level 3 assets. This analysis incorporates comparable loans traded in the marketplace, the obligor's industry, future business prospects, capital structure, and expected credit losses. Significant declines in the performance of the loan would result in decreases to the fair value measurement.

 

6. Debt

 

Bond Payable

 

In January 2013, we raised approximately $46.0 million from the sale of 8.00% Senior Notes (the “2013 Senior Notes”). In January 2014, we raised an additional approximate amount of $48.3 million from the sale of 7.25% Senior Notes (the “2014 Senior Notes”). The 2013 Senior Notes will mature on January 15, 2023 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option on or after January 15, 2016, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. The notes bear interest at a rate of 8.00% per year, payable quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year. The 2014 Senior Notes will mature on January 15, 2021, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option on or after January 15, 2017, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. The notes bear interest at a rate of 7.25% per year, payable quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, and began April 15, 2014.

 

 
- 20 -

 

 

The 2013 Senior Notes and 2014 Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) were issued pursuant to indentures with U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The indentures contain a minimum liquidity covenant that obligates the Company to maintain liquidity of at least an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount due on the next eight scheduled quarterly interest payments on the Senior Notes, or (ii) the aggregate amount due on all remaining scheduled quarterly interest payments on the Senior Notes until the maturity of the Senior Notes. The indenture also contains customary event of default and cure provisions. If an uncured default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Senior Notes may declare the Senior Notes immediately due and payable.

 

The Senior Notes will be the Company’s general unsecured senior obligations, will rank equally with all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and will be senior to any other indebtedness expressly made subordinate to the notes. The notes will be effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness (to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness) and structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, including trade payables.

 

The Company incurred $1.7 million of debt issuance costs, which were capitalized and included in Other Assets in each of the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014. These issuance costs are amortized over the estimated life of the bond. As of September 30, 2014, the Company held $3.0 million of unamortized debt issuance costs.

 

CLO III Warehouse Credit Facility

 

On December 11, 2013, CLO III closed on a $100.0 million warehouse credit agreement with BNP Paribas. As the Company consolidates CLO III, the warehouse credit facility was presented on the financial statements. However, in event of default, there was limited recourse to the Company. CLO III pays BNP Paribas an administrative agent fee of $25 thousand per year, in addition to interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus 1.40%, payable quarterly. The Company incurred $0.5 million and $0.9 million interest expense related to this warehouse credit facility for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The Company’s outstanding balance on this warehouse credit facility was zero as of December 31, 2013. On September 30, 2014, with the Company’s completion of the $370.5 million CLO III transaction, the warehouse credit facility was terminated.

 

Note Payable and Lines of Credit

 

As of September 30, 2014, the Company held revolving lines of credit related to JMP Holdings LLC (formerly known as JMP Group LLC), JMP Securities and HGC II.

 

Prior to April 30, 2014, a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with City National Bank (“CNB”) provided a line of credit of up to $30.0 million to the extent the aggregate outstanding balance of all facilities did not exceed $58.5 million. The unused portion of the line incurred an unused facility fee at the rate of 0.25% per annum, paid quarterly. The line of credit was available through April 30, 2014. On April 30, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment to its Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”) between JMP Group and CNB. The Amendment provides a $25.0 million line of credit with a revolving period of two years. At the end of these two years, any outstanding amounts convert to a term loan. This term loan will be repaid in equal quarterly installments over the following three years. Proceeds for this line of credit will be used to make financial investments, for working capital purposes, for general corporate purposes, as well as a $5.0 million sublimit to issue letters of credit. The Company’s outstanding balance on this line of credit was zero as of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, on April 25, 2013, JMP Group drew $15.0 million on a term loan. This term loan was to be repaid in quarterly installments of $1.2 million beginning March 31, 2014, with a final payment of approximately $1.3 million on December 31, 2016. The outstanding balance on this term loan was $15.0 million as of December 31, 2013. The Company paid the balance of the term loan in the first quarter of 2014.

 

JMP Securities holds a revolving line of credit with CNB to be used for regulatory capital purposes during its securities underwriting activities. The unused portion of the line bears interest at the rate of 0.25% per annum, paid monthly. Pursuant to the Amendment, the prior $15.0 million line of credit held at JMP Securities, which was scheduled to mature May 6, 2014, was increased to $20.0 million and renewed for one year. On May 6, 2015, any existing outstanding amount will convert to a loan maturing the following year. The remaining terms of this line of credit are consistent with those of the prior line of credit. There was no borrowing on this line of credit as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

 

On November 22, 2013, HGC II entered into a line of credit of $3.0 million with CNB. Draws on the line bear interest at the rate of prime plus 0.5% per annum, paid quarterly. The line of credit will be available through December 1, 2015 or fifteen days prior to the expiration of the commitment period of HGC II unless renewed. Proceeds from this line of credit are used to purchase investments, prior to capital calls from HGC II investors. The Company’s outstanding balance on this line of credit was zero and $2.9 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

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 Credit Agreement, which would permit CNB to terminate our note and require the immediate repayment of any outstanding principal and interest. At September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the loan covenants. The term loans are collateralized by a pledge of the Company’s assets, including its interests in each of JMP Securities and HCS.

 

7. Asset-backed Securities Issued

 

CLO I

 

On May 17, 2007, CLO I completed a $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes (the “Notes”) on-balance sheet debt securitization. The Notes will be repaid from the cash flows generated by the loan portfolio owned by CLO I. The Notes were issued in six 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. 

 

 
- 21 -

 

 

(In millions)

 

As of September 30, 2014

   

Notes

Originally

Issued

   

Outstanding

Principal

Balance

   

Net

Outstanding

Balance

   

Interest Rate

Spread to

LIBOR

 

Ratings

(Moody's

/S&P)

Class A Senior Secured Floating Rate Revolving Notes due 2021

  $ 326.0     $ 257.6     $ 257.6       0.26% - 0.29 %

Aaa/AAA

Class B Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2021

    30.0       30.0       30.0       0.50 %

Aaa/AAA

Class C Senior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

    35.0       35.0       35.0       1.10 %

Aaa/AA+

Class D Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

    34.0       34.0       34.0       2.40 %

A1/A-

Class E Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

    30.0       30.0       30.0       5.00 %

Ba1/BB

Total secured notes sold to investors

  $ 455.0     $ 386.6     $ 386.6            

Unsecured subordinated notes due 2021

    45.0       45.0       45.0            

Total notes for the CLO I offering

  $ 500.0     $ 431.6     $ 431.6            

Consolidation elimination

 

N/A

      (58.8 )     (58.8 )          

Total asset-backed securities issued

 

N/A

    $ 372.8     $ 372.8            

 

 

(In millions)

 

As of December 31, 2013

   

Notes

Originally

Issued

   

Outstanding

Principal

Balance

   

Net Outstanding

Balance

   

Interest Rate

Spread to

LIBOR

 

Ratings

(Moody's

/S&P)

Class A Senior Secured Floating Rate Revolving Notes due 2021

  $ 326.0     $ 289.0     $ 289.0       0.26% - 0.29 %

Aaa/AAA

Class B Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2021

    30.0       30.0       30.0       0.50 %

Aaa/AAA

Class C Senior Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

    35.0       35.0       35.0       1.10 %

Aaa/AA+

Class D Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

    34.0       34.0       34.0       2.40 %

A1/A-

Class E Secured Deferrable Floating Rate Notes due 2021

    30.0       30.0       30.0       5.00 %

Ba1/BB

Total secured notes sold to investors

  $ 455.0     $ 418.0     $ 418.0            

Unsecured subordinated notes due 2021

    45.0       45.0       45.0            

Total notes for the CLO I offering

  $ 500.0     $ 463.0     $ 463.0            

Consolidation elimination

 

N/A

      (58.7 )     (58.7 )          

Total asset-backed securities issued

 

N/A

    $ 404.3     $ 404.3            

 

The secured notes and subordinated notes are limited recourse obligations payable solely from cash flows of the CLO I 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 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. To the extent proceeds are not so available, interest on the Class C, Class D and Class E notes will be deferred. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, all interest on the secured notes was current. 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.

 

The reinvestment period for CLO I ended in May 2013. As of this date, all scheduled principal payments from the borrowers are applied to paying down the most senior (AAA) CLO notes. The Company is still permitted to reinvest unscheduled principal payments, which includes most loan payoffs, subject to certain restrictions. 

 

The Notes recorded upon the acquisition of CLO I in April 2009 at fair value reflect a liquidity discount. The activity in the note principal and liquidity discount for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 comprised the following:

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

 
   

Principal

   

Liquidity Discount

   

Net

   

Principal

   

Liquidity Discount

   

Net

 
                                                 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 398,269     $ -     $ 398,269     $ 404,280     $ -     $ 404,280  

Repayments

    (25,446 )     -       (25,446 )     (31,457 )     -       (31,457 )

Balance at end of period

  $ 372,823     $ -     $ 372,823     $ 372,823     $ -     $ 372,823  

 

 
- 22 -

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Principal

   

Liquidity Discount

   

Net

   

Principal

   

Liquidity Discount

   

Net

 
                                                 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 431,003     $ -     $ 431,003     $ 431,003     $ (15,548 )   $ 415,455  

Repayments

    (20,647 )     -       (20,647 )     (20,647 )     -       (20,647 )

Amortization of discount

    -       -       -       -       15,548       15,548  

Balance at end of period

  $ 410,356     $ -     $ 410,356     $ 410,356     $ -     $ 410,356  

 

 

CLO II

 

On April 30, 2013, CLO II completed a $343.8 million securitization with $320.0 million in aggregate principal amount of notes (the “Secured Notes”) and $23.8 million in unsecured subordinated notes. The Secured Notes offered in this proposed transaction were issued in multiple tranches and are rated by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and, in respect of certain tranches, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. The Secured Notes will be repaid from the cash flows generated by the loan portfolio owned by CLO II. The Company owned approximately 72.8% of the unsecured subordinated notes at December 31, 2013. In the first quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased $6.0 million of the unsecured subordinated notes from CLO II non-controlling interests, increasing the Company’s ownership from 72.8% to 98.0%. These unsecured subordinated notes are eliminated upon consolidation of JMP Credit, and therefore, are not reflected on the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition at September 30, 2014.

 

(In millions)

 

As of September 30, 2014

   

Notes

Originally

Issued

   

Outstanding

Principal

Balance

   

Issuance

Discount

   

Net

Outstanding

Balance

   

Interest Rate

Spread to

LIBOR

 

Ratings

(Moody's/S&P)

Class X Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2016

  $ 3.8     $ 2.7     $ -     $ 2.7       1.00 %

Aaa/AAA

Class A Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    217.6       217.6       (0.8 )     216.8       1.18 %

Aaa/AAA

Class B Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    34.0       34.0       (0.3 )     33.7       1.75 %

NR/AA

Class C Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    17.0       17.0       (0.5 )     16.5       2.75 %

NR/A

Class D Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    18.7       18.7       (1.4 )     17.3       3.85 %

NR/BBB

Class E Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    18.7       18.7       (2.3 )     16.4       5.25 %

NR/BB

Class F Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    10.2       10.2       (1.9 )     8.3       5.75 %

NR/B

Total secured notes sold to investors

  $ 320.0     $ 318.9     $ (7.2 )   $ 311.7            

Unsecured subordinated notes due 2023

    23.8       23.8       (0.3 )     23.5            

Total notes for the CLO II offering

  $ 343.8     $ 342.7     $ (7.5 )   $ 335.2            

Consolidation elimination

 

N/A

      (23.8 )     0.3       (23.5 )          

Total CLO II asset-backed securities issued

 

N/A

    $ 318.9     $ (7.2 )   $ 311.7            

 

(In millions)

 

As of December 31, 2013

   

Notes

Originally

Issued

   

Outstanding

Principal

Balance

   

Issuance

Discount

   

Net

Outstanding

Balance

   

Interest Rate

Spread to

LIBOR

 

Ratings

(Moody's/S&P)

Class X Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2016

  $ 3.8     $ 3.8     $ -     $ 3.8       1.00 %

Aaa/AAA

Class A Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    217.6       217.6       (0.8 )     216.8       1.18 %

Aaa/AAA

Class B Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    34.0       34.0       (0.3 )     33.7       1.75 %

NR/AA

Class C Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    17.0       17.0       (0.6 )     16.4       2.75 %

NR/A

Class D Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    18.7       18.7       (1.6 )     17.1       3.85 %

NR/BBB

Class E Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    18.7       18.7       (2.5 )     16.2       5.25 %

NR/BB

Class F Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2023

    10.2       10.2       (2.1 )     8.1       5.75 %

NR/B

Total secured notes sold to investors

  $ 320.0     $ 320.0     $ (7.9 )   $ 312.1            

Unsecured subordinated notes due 2023

    23.8       23.8       (0.3 )     23.5            

Total notes for the CLO II offering

  $ 343.8     $ 343.8     $ (8.2 )   $ 335.6            

Consolidation elimination

 

N/A

      (23.8 )     0.3       (23.5 )          

Total CLO II asset-backed securities issued

 

N/A

    $ 320.0     $ (7.9 )   $ 312.1            

 

 

 
- 23 -

 

The secured notes and subordinated notes are limited recourse obligations payable solely from cash flows of the CLO II loan portfolio and related collection and payment accounts pledged as security. Payment on the Class X notes rank equal, or pari-passu, in right of payment with payments on the Class A notes and payment on the Class X and Class A 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, Class E and Class F 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 was payable quarterly commencing October 2013 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, Class E and Class F notes is payable only to the extent proceeds are available under the applicable payment priority provisions. To the extent proceeds are not so available, interest on the Class C, Class D, Class E and Class F notes will be deferred. The secured notes are secured by the CLO II 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 II loan portfolio to a number of collateral quality, portfolio profile, interest coverage and overcollateralization tests.

 

The Notes recorded at fair value upon the issuance of CLO II in April 2013 include a discount to par value. The activity in the note principal and issuance discount for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 comprised the following:

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

 
   

Principal

   

Issuance Discount

   

Net

   

Principal

   

Issuance Discount

   

Net

 
                                                 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 319,240     $ (7,405 )   $ 311,835     $ 320,000     $ (7,857 )   $ 312,143  

Repayments

    (380 )     -       (380 )     (1,140 )     -       (1,140 )

Amortization of discount

    -       232       232       -       684       684  

Balance at end of period

  $ 318,860     $ (7,173 )   $ 311,687     $ 318,860     $ (7,173 )   $ 311,687  

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Principal

   

Issuance Discount

   

Net

   

Principal

   

Issuance Discount

   

Net

 
                                                 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 320,000     $ (8,294 )   $ 311,706     $ -     $ -     $ -  

CLO II issuance

    -       -       -       320,000       (8,437 )     311,563  

Amortization of discount

    -       217       217       -       360       360  

Balance at end of period

  $ 320,000     $ (8,077 )   $ 311,923     $ 320,000     $ (8,077 )   $ 311,923  

 

 

CLO III

 

On September 30, 2014, CLO III completed a $370.5 million securitization, comprised of $332.1 million aggregate principal amount of notes (the “Secured Notes”) and $38.4 million of unsecured notes. The Secured Notes offered in this proposed transaction were issued in multiple tranches and are rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and, in respect of certain tranches, Fitch. The Secured Notes will be repaid from the cash flows generated by the loan portfolio owned by CLO III. The Class X notes are the only notes that will be paid off during the reinvestment period, with ten quarterly payments of $380 thousand scheduled. The Company owned approximately 13.5% of the unsecured subordinated notes at September 30, 2014. These unsecured subordinated notes are eliminated upon consolidation of JMP Credit, and therefore, are not reflected on the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition at September 30, 2014.

 

(In millions)

 

As of September 30, 2014

   

Notes

Originally

Issued

   

Outstanding

Principal

Balance

   

Issuance

Discount

   

Net

Outstanding

Balance

   

Interest Rate

Spread to

LIBOR

 

Ratings

(Moody's/Fitch)

Class A Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2025

  $ 228.0     $ 228.0     $ (0.8 )   $ 227.2       1.53 %

Aaa/AAA

Class B Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2025

    41.7       41.7       (1.1 )     40.6       2.05 %

Aa2/NR

Class C Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2025

    22.5       22.5       (0.8 )     21.7       2.90 %

A2/NR

Class D Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2025

    21.6       21.6       -       21.6       5.10 %

Baa3/NR

Class E Senior Deferred Floating Rate Notes due 2025

    18.3       18.3       -       18.3       7.35 %

Ba2/NR

Total secured notes sold to investors

  $ 332.1     $ 332.1     $ (2.7 )   $ 329.4            

Unsecured subordinated notes due 2025

    38.4       38.4       (4.5 )     33.9            

Total notes for the CLO III offering

  $ 370.5     $ 370.5     $ (7.2 )   $ 363.3            

Consolidation elimination

 

N/A

      (38.4 )     4.5       (33.9 )          

Total CLO III asset-backed securities issued

 

N/A

    $ 332.1     $ (2.7 )   $ 329.4            

 

The secured notes and subordinated notes are limited recourse obligations payable solely from cash flows of the CLO III loan portfolio and related collection and payment accounts pledged as security. Payment on the Class X notes rank equal, or pari-passu, in right of payment with payments on the Class A notes and payment on the Class X and Class A 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 quarterly commencing April 2015 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. To the extent proceeds are not so available, interest on the Class C, Class D and Class E notes will be deferred. The secured notes are secured by the CLO III 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 III loan portfolio to a number of collateral quality, portfolio profile, interest coverage and overcollateralization tests.

 
- 24 -

 

 

The Notes recorded at fair value upon the issuance of CLO III in September 2014 include a discount to par value. The activity in the note principal and purchase discount for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 comprised the following:

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

 
   

Principal

   

Issuance Discount

   

Net

   

Principal

   

Issuance Discount

   

Net

 
                                                 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

CLO III issuance

    332,100       (2,761 )     329,339       332,100       (2,761 )     329,339  

Balance at end of period

  $ 332,100     $ (2,761 )   $ 329,339     $ 332,100     $ (2,761 )   $ 329,339  

 

Interest on Asset Backed Securities

 

Total interest expenses related to the asset-backed securities issued for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were $3.6 million and $10.0 million, respectively, which comprised of a cash coupon of $3.2 million and $9.0 million, respectively. Total interest expenses related to the asset-backed securities issued for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $3.3 million and $22.5 million, respectively, which comprised of a cash coupon of $2.9 million and $6.4 million and a liquidity discount amortization of zero and $15.5 million, respectively. As of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, accrued interest payable on the Notes was $1.9 million.

 

Fair Value of Asset Backed Securities

 

The Company determined the fair value of asset-backed securities issued to be $1,008.6 million and $711.0 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, based upon pricing from published market research for equivalent-rated CLO notes. Based on the fair value methodology, the Company has identified the asset-backed securities issued as Level 2 liabilities.

 

 8. Stockholders’ Equity

 

Stock Repurchase Program

On March 5, 2013, the Company's board of directors authorized the repurchase of 1.3 million shares, and extended the authorization of the repurchase of all previously authorized shares for repurchases through December 31, 2014.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased 82,949 and 187,256 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $6.43 and $6.48 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively. All of the shares repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2014 were purchased on the open market. 135,680 of the shares repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2013 were repurchased from an employee. 3,668 shares repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2013 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 remaining shares were purchased on the open market.

 

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 Exchange Act, or in privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases of common stock may also be made under an effective Rule 10b5-1 plan which permits common stock to be repurchased when the Company may otherwise be prohibited from doing so under insider trading laws. This repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

 

9. Stock-Based Compensation

 

The JMP Group Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (“JMP Group 2007 Plan”) authorized the issuance of 4,000,000 shares of its common stock. 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.

 

 
- 25 -

 

 

Stock Options

 

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30, 2014

 
   

Shares Subject

   

Weighted Average

 
   

to Option

   

Exercise Price

 
                 

Balance, beginning of year

    2,370,290     $ 7.54  

Granted (1)

    1,525,000       6.84  

Cancelled

    (103,600 )     10.00  

Forfeited

    (200,000 )     6.45  

Balance, end of period

    3,591,690     $ 7.23  
                 

Options exercisable at end of period

    716,690     $ 10.00  

 

(1)

These options have a Company performance-based condition and a three-year service condition and will vest when both conditions are met.

 

The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding as well as stock options vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2014:

 

             

September 30, 2014

 
             

Options Outstanding

   

Options Vested and Exercisable

 
                                                                           
                     

Weighted

                           

Weighted

                 
                     

Average

   

Weighted

                   

Average

   

Weighted

         
 

Range of

           

Remaining

   

Average

   

Aggregate

           

Remaining

   

Average

   

Aggregate

 
 

Exercise

   

Number

   

Contractual

   

Exercise

   

Intrinsic

   

Number

   

Contractual

   

Exercise

   

Intrinsic

 
 

Prices

   

Outstanding

   

Life in Years

   

Price

   

Value

   

Exercisable

   

Life in Years

   

Price

   

Value

 
                                                                           
  $ 6.05 - $10.00       3,591,690       4.05     $ 7.23     $ 57,000       716,690       1.22     $ 10.00       -  

 

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 $0.5 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The Company recognized compensation expense related to stock options of $0.3 million and $0.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

 

As of September 30, 2014, there was $3.8 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options.

 

There were no stock options exercised during the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. As a result, the Company did not recognize any current income tax benefits from the exercise of stock options during these periods.

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or other quantitative models to calculate the fair value of option awards.

 

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company granted stock options to purchase approximately 1.5 million shares of the Company's common stock to certain employees and directors for long-term incentive purposes. The options have an exercise price ranging from $6.79 to $7.33 per share, an exercise period of 5.8 years and a Company performance-based condition as well as a three-year requisite service period. The fair value of these options was determined using a quantitative model using the following assumptions: expected life of 5.8 years, risk-free interest rate ranging from 1.92% to 2.02%, dividend yield ranging from 2.41% to 2.64% and volatility ranging from 41.41% to 43.15%. The risk-free rate was interpolated from the U.S. constant maturity treasuries for a term corresponding to the maturity of the option. The volatility was calculated from the historical weekly stock prices of the Company as of the grant date for a term corresponding to the maturity of the option. The dividend yield was calculated as the sum of the last twelve-month dividends over the stock price as of the grant date. No additional stock options were granted in the second or third quarter of 2014.

 

Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Shares

 

In the first quarter of 2014, the Company granted approximately 428,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to certain employees as deferred compensation. In addition, approximately 334,000 and 67,000 RSUs were granted in the first quarter of 2014 to certain employees for long-term incentive purposes and as hiring bonuses, respectively. These RSUs have requisite service periods of two to three years and receive cash dividend equivalents during the vesting periods. The fair value of these RSUs was determined based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the grant date without any discount. Approximately 48,000 RSUs were granted in the first quarter of 2014 to Company directors. These RSUs have requisite service periods of two to three years. The fair value of these RSUs was determined based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the grant date, discounted for dividends not received during the vesting period. Approximately 55,000 RSUs were granted in the third quarter of 2014 to new hires. The fair value of these RSUs was determined based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the grant date, discounted for dividends not received during the vesting period.

 

 
- 26 -

 

 

The following table summarizes the RSUs activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30, 2014

 
   

Restricted

   

Weighted Average

 
   

Stock Units

   

Grant Date Fair Value

 
                 

Balance, beginning of year

    1,881,149     $ 6.70  

Granted

    931,456       6.93  

Vested

    (97,689 )     7.32  

Forfeited

    (169,445 )     6.54  

Balance, end of period

    2,545,471     $ 6.77  

 

The aggregate fair value of RSUs vested during both the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $0.1 million. The aggregate fair value of RSUs vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $0.7 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the income tax benefits realized from the vested RSUs was $49 thousand and $0.2 million, respectively. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the income tax benefits realized from the vested RSUs was zero.

 

The Company recognizes compensation expense for RSUs over the vesting period using the accelerated attribution method when they are subject to graded vesting and on a straight-line basis when they are subject to cliff vesting. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded compensation expenses of $2.0 million and $1.1 million for RSUs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded compensation expenses of $5.5 million and $3.2 million for RSUs.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized income tax benefits of $1.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to the compensation expense recognized for RSUs. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized income tax benefits of $2.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, related to the compensation expense recognized for RSUs. As of September 30, 2014, there was $6.7 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.12 years.

 

The Company pays cash dividend equivalents on certain unvested RSUs. Dividend equivalents paid on RSUs are generally charged to retained earnings. Dividend equivalents paid on RSUs expected to be forfeited are included in compensation expense. The Company accounts for the tax benefit related to dividend equivalents paid on RSUs as an increase on additional paid-in capital.

 

10. Net Income 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 the Company has 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 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the tables below: 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 
                                 

Numerator:

                               

Net income attributable to JMP Group, Inc

  $ 1,495     $ 3,289     $ 8,688     $ 135  
                                 

Denominator:

                               

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

    21,686       22,014       21,739       22,271  
                                 

Effect of potential dilutive securities:

                               

Restricted stock units

    2,148       699       1,941       398  
                                 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

    23,834       22,713       23,680       22,669  
                                 

Net income per share

                               

Basic

  $ 0.07     $ 0.15     $ 0.38     $ 0.01  

Diluted

  $ 0.06     $ 0.14     $ 0.37     $ 0.01  

 

In the table above, unvested non-forfeitable RSUs that have divided equivalent rights are treated as a separate class of securities in calculated net income or loss per share. The impact of applying this methodology was a reduction in basic net income per share of zero for both the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and $0.02 and zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

 
- 27 -

 

 

Stock options to purchase 3,652,560 and 2,925,892 shares of common stock for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding. Stock options to purchase 1,470,380 and 1,600,000 of these shares were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, because such performance-based condition has not been met.

 

Stock options to purchase 3,537,410 and 2,785,543 shares of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding. Stock options to purchase 1,294,451 and 1,355,586 of these shares were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, because such performance-based condition has not been met.

 

Restricted stock units for 47,799 and 23,964 shares of common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding. Restricted stock units for 38,158 and 708,224 shares of common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were anti-dilutive and, therefore, were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding. 

 

11. Employee Benefits

 

All salaried employees of the Company are eligible to participate in the JMP Group 401(k) Plan after three months of employment. Participants may contribute up to the limits set by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. There were no contributions by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.

 

12. Income Taxes

 

A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Tax at federal statutory tax rate

    35.00 %     34.00 %     35.00 %     34.00 %

State income tax, net of federal tax benefit and other permanent items

    4.29 %     -0.04 %     1.40 %     -5.74 %

Rate before one-time events

    39.29 %     33.96 %     36.40 %     28.26 %

Deferred tax asset written off related to options and RSUs

    0.00 %     0.81 %     0.00 %     -14.99 %

Adjustment for prior year taxes

    2.22 %     -0.24 %     0.51 %     0.65 %

Change in New York valuation

    -3.40 %     1.61 %     -1.57 %     3.08 %

Adjustment for permanent items (HGC, HGC II, HCC LLC, CLO II and HCAP Advisors non-controlling interest) (1)

    -77.40 %     7.04 %     15.08 %     -40.32 %

Adjustment for permanent items (Other)

    1.18 %     0.00 %     -1.00 %     0.00 %

California state enterprise zone tax credit

    0.00 %     -2.17 %     0.00 %     11.26 %

Change in state tax rate

    -14.63 %     0.00 %     3.94 %     0.00 %

Effective tax rate

    -52.74 %     41.01 %     53.36 %     -12.06 %

 

(1)

HCC LLC (until May 2, 2013), CLO II (effective April 30, 2013), HCAP Advisors (effective May 1, 2013), HGC and HGC II are consolidated for financial reporting purposes but not for tax purposes.

 

Income tax expense was $1.5 million on pre-tax loss of $1.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 compared to income tax expense of $1.6 million on pre-tax income of $3.9 million for the same period in 2013 and resulted in effective tax rates of negative 89.9% and 41.0%. Income tax expense was $5.6 million on pre-tax income of $10.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to income tax expense of $0.1 million on pre-tax loss of $1.5 million for the same period in 2013 and resulted in effective tax rates of 53.4% and negative 12.1%.

 

The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily attributable to the income and losses associated with HCC LLC (until May 2, 2013), CLO II (effective April 30, 2013) and HCAP Advisors (effective May 1, 2013), HGC and HGC II, which are consolidated for financial reporting purposes but excluded from the computation of income tax expense. The effective tax rate is calculated on a consolidated level using tax expense related to the Company (excluding non-controlling interest) divided by pre-tax loss including non-controlling interest.

 

The effective tax rate calculated excluding the non-controlling interest in pre-tax loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is 37.9% compared to 40.7% for the same period in 2013. The effective tax rate approach is used to compute the tax expense with the exception of the non-controlling interest which is calculated on a discrete basis due to its historical volatility.

 

New York Senate Bill 6359 was enacted on March 31, 2014 and becomes effective January 1, 2015. This bill includes changes to the corporate tax rate, establishing economic nexus provisions and unitary combined reporting requirements. These changes have an impact on the Company’s measurement of the New York State net deferred tax assets. As a result, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company partially released the valuation allowance related to non-NOL deferred tax assets and recorded an income tax benefit of $0.2 million.

 

 
- 28 -

 

 

13. Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company leases office space in California, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania under various operating leases. Occupancy expense for both the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $0.8 million. The Company recorded sublease income of $0.1 million and $17 thousand for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Occupancy expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were $2.5 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The Company recorded sublease income of $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The California, Illinois, Minnesota 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:

 

Year Ending December 31,

 

Minimum Future Lease 

Commitments

 

2014

    1,047  

2015

    4,242  

2016

    4,245  

2017

    3,645  

2018

    2,422  

Thereafter

    971  
    $ 16,572  

 

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into underwriting commitments. Settlement of transactions relating to such underwriting commitments, which were open at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, had no material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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 both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $0.2 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had unfunded commitments of $95.0 million and $40.4 million, respectively, in the Corporate Credit segment. $15.9 million and $8.7 million of the unfunded commitments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 relate to commitments traded but not yet closed in CLO II. $71.4 million and $10.4 million of the unfunded commitments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 relate to commitments traded but not yet closed in CLO III. The Company determined the fair value of the unfunded commitments to be $95.7 million and $41.0 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, using the average market bid and ask quotation obtained from a loan pricing service. In addition, the Company had unfunded commitments of $0.4 million and $1.2 million related to a health sciences fund investment advising company, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

14. Regulatory Requirements

 

JMP Securities is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital, as defined, and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15 to 1. JMP Securities had net capital of $57.5 million and $59.1 million, which were $56.5 million and $58.1 million in excess of the required net capital of $1.0 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. JMP Securities’ ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 0.16 to 1 at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

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

 

15. Related Party Transactions

 

The Company earns base management fees and incentive fees from serving as investment advisor for various affiliated entities, including corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and offshore investment companies. The Company also owns an investment in most of such affiliated entities. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the aggregate fair value of the Company’s investments in the affiliated entities for which the Company serves as the investment advisor was $81.5 million and $55.3 million, respectively, which consisted of investments in hedge and other private funds of $72.3 million and $44.6 million, respectively, investments in funds of funds of $0.1 million for both periods, and an investment in HCC common stock of $9.1 million and $10.6 million, respectively. Base management fees earned from these affiliated entities were $3.5 million and $2.8 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Also, the Company earned incentive fees of $6.2 million and $2.5 million, from these affiliated entities for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Base management fees earned from these affiliated entities were $9.6 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Also, the Company earned incentive fees of $20.4 million and $7.7 million, from these affiliated entities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had incentive fees receivable from these affiliated entities of $6.2 million and $7.9 million, respectively.

 

 
- 29 -

 

 

16. Guarantees

 

JMP Securities has agreed to indemnify its clearing broker for losses that the clearing broker may sustain from the accounts of customers introduced by JMP Securities. Should a customer not fulfill its obligation on a transaction, JMP Securities may be required to buy or sell securities at prevailing market prices in the future on behalf of its customer. JMP Securities’ obligation under the indemnification has no maximum amount. All unsettled trades at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 have subsequently settled with no resulting material liability to the Company. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no material loss due to counterparty failure, and has no obligations outstanding under the indemnification arrangement as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

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.

 

17. Litigation

 

The Company may be involved from time to time in a number of judicial, regulatory, litigation and arbitration matters arising in connection with our business. The outcome of such matters the Company has been and/or currently is 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 outcome could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

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, given the inherent difficulty of predicting the outcome of matters the Company is involved in, particularly 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. For these matters, no reserve is established until such 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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

In connection with the CLOs, 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.

 

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 $95.0 million and $40.4 million and standby letters of credit of $1.6 million and $1.8 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. $15.9 million and $8.7 million of the unfunded commitments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 relate to commitments traded but not yet closed in CLO II. $71.4 million and $10.4 million of the unfunded commitments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 relate to commitments traded but not yet closed in CLO III. In addition, the Company had unfunded commitments of $0.4 million and $1.2 million related to a health sciences fund investment advising company as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

 
- 30 -

 

 

19. Business Segments

 

The Company’s business results are categorized into the following five business segments: Broker-Dealer, Asset Management, Corporate Credit, Investment Income and Corporate Costs. The Broker-Dealer segment includes a broad range of services, such as underwriting and acting as a placement agent for public and private capital markets 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. The Corporate Credit segment includes the management of collateralized loan obligations and small business loans. The Investment Income segment includes income from the Company’s principal investments in public and private securities, as well as any other net interest and income from investing activities. The Corporate Costs segment includes 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.

 

Management uses Operating Net Income as a key metric when evaluating the performance of JMP Group’s core business strategy and ongoing operations. This measure adjusts the Company’s net income as follows: (i) reverses non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to historical equity awards granted in prior periods, (ii) recognizes 100% of the cost of deferred compensation in the period for which such compensation was awarded, instead of recognizing such cost over the vesting period as required under GAAP, (iii) excludes the net amortization of liquidity discounts on loans held and asset-backed securities issued by JMP Credit Corporation for periods prior to that ended September 30, 2013, (iv) reverses net unrealized gains and losses on strategic equity investments and warrants, (v) excludes unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on the investment portfolio at HCC LLC, (vi) excludes general loan loss reserves on the CLOs, and (vii) presents revenues and expenses on a basis that deconsolidates HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC. HGC and HGC II are excluded as we own a relatively small percentage of these funds, although they are consolidated. These charges may otherwise obscure the company’s operating income and complicate an assessment of the company’s core business activities. The operating pre-tax net income facilitates a meaningful comparison of the Company’s results in a given period to those in prior and future periods. The revenues and expenses are presented on a basis that deconsolidates the investment funds Harvest manages.

 

The Company’s segment information for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 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.

 

When evaluating the performance of JMP Group's core business strategy and ongoing operations, management also reviewed the Adjusted Operating Net Income through December 31, 2013, which excluded the non-cash gains and losses recognized by JMP Credit Corp due to the sale or payoff of loans originally included in the portfolio acquired by JMP Group in April 2009, as well as the specific reserve for loan losses related to this portfolio of loans. Management believed this metric to be instructive to assess the company's core earnings over time without regard to a relatively volatile revenue stream. Earnings derived from sales or payoffs of acquired loans, while once substantial, are no longer material, as the portfolio of acquired loans is almost entirely liquidated. Therefore, the segments are now based on operating net income. The reconciling items for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 from adjusted operating net income to operating net income include adding back $0.5 million non-cash gains on the acquired loan portfolio and adding back the related compensation expense of $0.2 million. The reconciling items for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from adjusted operating net income to operating net income include adding back $4.7 million non-cash gains on the acquired loan portfolio, adding back the specific reserve on loans from the portfolio of $1.0 million, and adding back the related compensation expense of $1.1 million.

 

 
- 31 -

 

 

Segment Operating Results

 

Management believes that the following information provides a reasonable representation of each segment’s contribution to revenues, income and assets:

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Broker-Dealer

                               

Non-interest revenues

  $ 23,518     $ 24,899     $ 84,900     $ 70,560  

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

  $ 23,518     $ 24,899     $ 84,900     $ 70,560  

Non-interest expenses

    20,107       21,452       69,983       60,671  

Segment operating pre-tax net income

  $ 3,411     $ 3,447     $ 14,917     $ 9,889  

Segment assets

  $ 106,510     $ 91,300     $ 106,510     $ 91,300  

Asset Management

                               

Non-interest revenues

  $ 11,212     $ 6,150     $ 32,897     $ 18,529  

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

  $ 11,212     $ 6,150     $ 32,897     $ 18,529  

Non-interest expenses

    9,899       5,792       30,813       19,739  

Non-controlling interest

    8       (115 )     (275 )     (1,466 )

Segment operating pre-tax net income

  $ 1,305     $ 473     $ 2,359     $ 256  

Segment assets

  $ 144,133     $ 102,075     $ 144,133     $ 102,075  

Corporate Credit

                               

Non-interest revenues

  $ 1,235     $ 1,351     $ 3,842     $ 3,511  

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

  $ 1,235     $ 1,351     $ 3,842     $ 3,511  

Non-interest expenses

    1,172       896       3,184       2,691  

Segment operating pre-tax net income

  $ 63     $ 455     $ 658     $ 820  

Segment assets

  $ 369,684     $ 6,333     $ 369,684     $ 6,333  

Investment Income

                               

Non-interest revenues

  $ 1,364     $ 1,137     $ 5,357     $ 6,855  

Net interest income

    4,369       4,314       11,937       11,997  

Provision for loan losses

    (36 )     (90 )     186       (886 )

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

  $ 5,697     $ 5,361     $ 17,480     $ 17,966  

Non-interest expenses

    1,544       2,655       4,370       2,014  

Non-controlling interest

    101       251       343       670  

Segment operating pre-tax net income

  $ 4,052     $ 2,455     $ 12,767     $ 15,282  

Segment assets

  $ 775,178       805,609     $ 775,178     $ 805,609  

Corporate Costs

                               

Non-interest expenses

    3,276       2,479       11,490       10,715  

Segment operating pre-tax net loss

  $ (3,276 )   $ (2,479 )   $ (11,490 )   $ (10,715 )

Segment assets

  $ 239,091     $ 186,421     $ 239,091     $ 186,421  

Eliminations

                               

Non-interest revenues

  $ (1,344 )   $ (1,531 )   $ (4,254 )   $ (4,414 )

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

  $ (1,344 )   $ (1,531 )   $ (4,254 )   $ (4,414 )

Non-interest expenses

    (1,344 )     (1,531 )     (4,166 )     (4,394 )

Segment operating pre-tax net loss

  $ -     $ -     $ (88 )   $ (20 )

Segment assets

  $ (142,928 )   $ (108,420 )   $ (142,928 )   $ (108,420 )

Total Segments

                               

Non-interest revenues

  $ 35,985     $ 32,006     $ 122,742     $ 95,041  

Net interest income

    4,369       4,314       11,937       11,997  

Provision for loan losses

    (36 )     (90 )     186       (886 )

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

  $ 40,318     $ 36,230     $ 134,865     $ 106,152  

Non-interest expenses

    34,654       31,743       115,674       91,436  

Non-controlling interest

    109       136       68       (796 )

Segment operating pre-tax net income

  $ 5,555     $ 4,351     $ 19,123     $ 15,512  

Total assets

  $ 1,491,668     $ 1,083,318     $ 1,491,668     $ 1,083,318  

 

 
- 32 -

 

 

The following tables reconcile the total segments to consolidated net income before income tax expense and total assets as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

 

(In thousands)

 

As of and Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

   

As of and Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Total

Segments

   

Consolidation

Adjustments and

Reconciling Items

     

JMP

Consolidated

   

Total

Segments

   

Consolidation

Adjustments and

Reconciling Items

     

JMP

Consolidated

 
                                                     
                                                     

Non-interest revenues

  $ 35,985     $ (5,691 )

(a)

  $ 30,294     $ 32,006     $ (475 )

(a)

  $ 31,531  

Net Interest Income

    4,369       (10 )

(b)

    4,359       4,314       (1 )

(b)

    4,313  

Provision for loan losses

    (36 )     (920 )       (956 )     (90 )     (377 )       (467 )

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

  $ 40,318     $ (6,621 )     $ 33,697     $ 36,230     $ (853 )     $ 35,377  

Non-interest expenses

    34,654       668  

(c)

    35,322       31,743       (272 )

(c)

    31,471  

Noncontrolling interest

    109       (4,689 )       (4,580 )     136       (1,153 )       (1,017 )

Operating pre-tax net income (loss)

  $ 5,555     $ (2,600 )

(d)

  $ 2,955     $ 4,351     $ 572  

(d)

  $ 4,923  

Total assets

  $ 1,491,668     $ -       $ 1,491,668     $ 1,083,318     $ -       $ 1,083,318  

 

(a) Non-interest revenue adjustments is comprised of loan sale gains, mark-to-market gains/losses, strategic equity investments and warrants, and fund-related revenues recognized upon consolidation of certain Harvest Funds.

(b) The Net Interest Income adjustment is comprised of the non-cash net amortization of liquidity discounts at JMP Credit, due to scheduled contractual repayments, and amortization expense related to an intangible asset.

(c) Non-interest expense adjustments relate to reversals of stock-based compensation and exclusion of fund-related expenses recognized upon consolidation of certain Harvest Funds.

(d) Reconciling operating pre-tax net income to Consolidated Net Income before income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations consists of the following:

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Operating net income

  $ 3,443     $ 2,698  

Addback of Income tax expense (assumed rate of 38%)

    2,112       1,654  

Total Segments operating pre-tax net income

  $ 5,555     $ 4,351  

Subtract / (Add back)

               

Stock options

    509       262  

Compensation expense - RSUs

    776       699  

Deferred compensation program accounting adjustment

    (991 )     (1,277 )

Net unrealized loss on strategic equity investments and warrants.

    1,393       (530 )

General loan loss reserve for CLOs

    913       274  

Total Consolidation Adjustments and Reconciling Items

    2,600       (572 )

Consolidated pre-tax net income (loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 2,955     $ 4,923  
                 

Income tax expense (benefit)

    1,460       1,634  

Consolidated Net Income (Loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 1,495     $ 3,289  

 

(In thousands)

 

As of and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

   

As of and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Total

Segments

   

Consolidation

Adjustments and

Reconciling Items

     

JMP

Consolidated

   

Total

Segments

   

Consolidation

Adjustments and

Reconciling Items

     

JMP

Consolidated

 
                                                     
                                                     

Non-interest revenues

  $ 122,742     $ (4,109 )

(a)

  $ 118,633     $ 95,041     $ (1,899 )

(a)

  $ 93,142  

Net Interest Income

    11,937       (30 )

(b)

    11,907       11,997       (13,219 )

(b)

    (1,222 )

Provision for loan losses

    186       (1,851 )       (1,665 )     (886 )     (1,505 )       (2,391 )

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

  $ 134,865     $ (5,990 )     $ 128,875     $ 106,152     $ (16,623 )     $ 89,529  

Non-interest expenses

    115,674       2,697  

(c)

    118,371       91,436       (435 )

(c)

    91,001  

Noncontrolling interest

    68       (3,858 )       (3,790 )     (796 )     (989 )       (1,785 )

Operating pre-tax net income (loss)

  $ 19,123     $ (4,829 )

(d)

  $ 14,294     $ 15,512     $ (15,199 )

(d)

  $ 313  

Total assets

  $ 1,491,668     $ -       $ 1,491,668     $ 1,083,318     $ -       $ 1,083,318  

 

(a) Non-interest revenue adjustments is comprised of loan sale gains, mark-to-market gains/losses, strategic equity investments and warrants, and fund-related revenues recognized upon consolidation of certain Harvest Funds.

(b) The Net Interest Income adjustment is comprised of the non-cash net amortization of liquidity discounts at JMP Credit, due to scheduled contractual repayments, and amortization expense related to an intangible asset.

(c) Non-interest expense adjustments relate to reversals of stock-based compensation and exclusion of fund-related expenses recognized upon consolidation of certain Harvest Funds.

(d) Reconciling operating pre-tax net income to Consolidated Net Income before income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations consists of the following:

 

 
- 33 -

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Operating net income

  $ 11,853     $ 9,617  

Addback of Income tax expense (assumed rate of 38%)

    7,270       5,895  

Total Segments operating pre-tax net income

  $ 19,123     $ 15,512  

Subtract / (Add back)

               

Stock options

    1,408       658  

Compensation expense - RSUs

    2,563       2,019  

Deferred compensation program accounting adjustment

    (2,479 )     (3,547 )

Net unrealized loss on strategic equity investments and warrants.

    1,499       (615 )

General loan loss reserve for CLOs

    1,838       1,095  

Net amortization of liquidity discounts on loans and asset-backed securities issued

    -       14,979  

Unrealized mark-to-market gain - HCC

    -       610  

Total Consolidation Adjustments and Reconciling Items

    4,829       15,199  

Consolidated pre-tax net income (loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 14,294     $ 313  
                 

Income tax expense (benefit)

    5,606       178  

Consolidated Net Income (Loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 8,688     $ 135  

 

20. 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.

 

   

As of

 

(In thousands)

 

September 30, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

 
   

Net Assets

   

Net Assets

 

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

  $ 3,885     $ 95,362  

Harvest Small Cap Partners

    120,850       321,714  

Harvest Franchise Fund

    7,700       114,145  

Harvest Agriculture Select

    4,108       43,089  

Harvest Technology Partners

    2,656       42,661  

Harvest Financial Partners

    77       -  

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
   

Net Realized and

Unrealized Gains

(Losses)

   

Net Investment

Income (Loss)

   

Net Realized and

Unrealized Gains

(Losses)

   

Net Investment

Income (Loss)

 

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

  $ 883     $ (190 )   $ (1,749 )   $ (322 )

Harvest Small Cap Partners

    35,397       (8,475 )     17,044       (5,563 )

Harvest Franchise Fund

    964       (1,447 )     (1,284 )     1,380  

Harvest Agriculture Select

    1,591       (244 )     1,489       (157 )

Harvest Technology Partners

    823       (197 )     301       (201 )

Harvest Financial Partners

    77       (19 )     -       -  

Harvest Diversified Partners

    -       -       177       (99 )

 

 
- 34 -

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

     

2013

 
   

Net Realized and

Unrealized Gains

(Losses)

   

Net Investment

Income (Loss)

     

Net Realized and

Unrealized Gains

(Losses)

   

Net Investment

Income (Loss)

 

Harvest Opportunity Partners II

  $ 3,885     $ (402 )     $ 4,492     $ (1,168 )

Harvest Small Cap Partners

    120,850       (20,771 )       49,519       (15,966 )

Harvest Franchise Fund

    7,700       (1,690 )       16,209       (604 )

Harvest Agriculture Select

    4,108       (704 )       2,479       (363 )

Harvest Technology Partners

    2,656       (570 )       82       (621 )

Harvest Financial Partners

    77       (19 )       -       -  

Harvest Diversified Partners

    -       -         1,103       (375 )

 

21. Subsequent Events

 

On October 30, 2014, the board declared a cash dividend of $0.07 per share of common stock for the third quarter of 2014 to be paid on November 28, 2014, to common stockholders of record on November 14, 2014.

 

On October 8, 2014, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 722,112 additional shares of the company's outstanding common stock, bringing the total number of shares eligible for purchase to 1,500,000. Subsequently, on October 30, 2014, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 526,284 additional shares, increasing the Company’s share repurchase authorization to 1,000,000 shares through December 31, 2015.

 

 
- 35 -

 

 

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, see the MD&A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “2013 10-K”) filed with the SEC on March 13, 2014, 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 2013 10-K. In preparing this MD&A, we presume that readers have access to and have read the MD&A in our 2013 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

 

JMP Group Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we” or “us”), is 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 four 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 and incentive 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 capital market transactions 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.

 

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.

 

 
- 36 -

 

 

Private Capital Market and other Revenues

 

We earn agency capital market and other 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, 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, HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013), and HCC include base management fees and incentive fees earned from managing our family of investment partnerships and a publicly-traded specialty finance company. Earned base management fees 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 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 high-water 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 we earn 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. Generally, we do not earn management fees on assets calculated on an average assets under management (“AUM”) basis.

 

As of September 30, 2014 the contractual base management fees earned from each of these investment funds or company 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 high-water marks, for the hedge funds; (ii) 5% to 20%, subject to high-water marks or a performance hurdle rate, for the hedge funds of funds; (iii) 20%, subject to high-water marks, for Harvest Growth Capital LLC (“HGC“) and Harvest Growth Capital II LLC (“HGC II”). 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. As we consolidate HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013), the management and incentive fees earned at HCS from HGC, HGC II, and HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013), are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Asset management fees for the collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) we manage currently consist only of senior and subordinated base management fees. We recognize 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 CLO I, CLO II, and CLO III, the management fees earned at JMP Credit Advisors LLC (“JMPCA“) from the CLOs are eliminated on consolidation in accordance with accounting principles GAAP. At September 30, 2014, the contractual senior and subordinated base management fees earned from CLO I and CLO II were 0.50% of the average aggregate collateral balance for a specified period. At September 30, 2014, the contractual senior and subordinated base management fees earned from CLO III were 0.175% of the average aggregate collateral balance for a specified period.

 

Redemption provisions of our funds require at least 90 days’ advance notice, except for one fund that requires twelve months advance notice.

 

 
- 37 -

 

 

The following tables present certain information with respect to the investment funds managed by HCS, HCAP Advisors, and CLOs managed by JMPCA:

 

     

(In thousands)

 

Assets Under Management (1) at

   

Company's Share of

Assets Under Management at

 
   

September 30, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

   

September 30, 2014

   

December 31, 2013

 

Funds Managed by HCS or HCAP Advisors:

                               

Hedge Funds:

                               

Harvest Opportunity Partners II (2)

  $ 118,945     $ 123,481     $ 19,418     $ 15,847  

Harvest Small Cap Partners

    416,270       322,883       5,688       1,003  

Harvest Franchise Fund

    115,135       114,145       4,244       2,909  

Harvest Agriculture Select (2)

    107,547       90,589       22,077       14,578  

Harvest Technology Partners (2)

    46,666       42,661       15,007       10,311  

Harvest Financial Partners

    15,074       -       5,820       -  

Private Equity Funds:

                               

Harvest Growth Capital LLC (3)

    34,907       35,130       1,675       1,649  

Harvest Growth Capital LLC II (3)

    82,180       73,552       1,925       1,748  

Funds of Funds:

                               

JMP Masters Fund

    52,714       50,686       156       139  

REITs:

                               

New York Mortgage Trust

    36,881       34,966    

N/A

   

N/A

 

Loans:

                               

Harvest Capital Credit Corporation

    98,500       72,361    

N/A

   

N/A

 

HCS and HCAP Advisors Totals

  $ 1,124,819     $ 960,454     $ 76,010     $ 48,184  
                                 

CLOs Managed by JMPCA:

                               

CLO I (3)

    410,566       441,533    

N/A

   

N/A

 

CLO II (3)

    331,083       330,431    

N/A

   

N/A

 

CLO III (3)

    359,731       10,003    

N/A

   

N/A

 

JMPCA Totals

  $ 1,101,380     $ 781,967    

N/A

   

N/A

 
                                 

JMP Group Inc. Totals

  $ 2,226,199     $ 1,742,421     $ 76,010     $ 48,184  

 


(1)

For hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds, assets under management represent the net assets of such funds. For NYMT, assets under management represent the portion of the net assets of NYMT that is subject to the incentive fee calculation. 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 Opportunity Partners II (“HOP II”) and Harvest Agriculture Select (“HAS”) include managed accounts in which the Company has neither equity investment nor control. These are included as they follow the respective funds' strategies and earn fees.

(3)

HGC, HGC II, HCAP Advisors, CLO I, CLO II and CLO III were consolidated in the Company’s Statements of Financial Condition at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

  

 
- 38 -

 

 

   

Funds Managed by HCS

         
   

Hedge Funds

   

Private Equity

Funds

   

Funds of

Funds

    Total  
                                 

AUM at December 31, 2013

  $ 693,759     $ 108,682     $ 50,686       853,127  

Contributions

    71,718       14,626       -       86,344  

Redemptions

    (65,936 )     -       (2,000 )     (67,936 )

Distributions from realization event

    -       (2,192 )     -       (2,192 )

Appreciation

    122,354       (4,029 )     4,028       122,353  

AUM at September 30, 2014

  $ 821,895     $ 117,087     $ 52,714       991,696  

 

    Funds Managed by HCS        
   

Hedge Funds

   

Private Equity

Funds

   

Funds of

Funds

    Total  
                                 

AUM at December 31, 2012

  $ 605,491     $ 47,354     $ 42,182       695,027  

Contributions

    127,589       47,245       25       174,859  

Redemptions

    (86,542 )     -       (750 )     (87,292 )

Distributions from realization event

    -       (3,384 )     -       (3,384 )

Appreciation

    56,348       112       6,847       63,307  

AUM at September 30, 2013

  $ 702,886       91,327       48,304       842,517  

 


AUM related to hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds increased $138.7 million, or 16.2%, from $853.1 million at December 31, 2013 to $991.7 million at September 30, 2014. This increase was primarily attributed to capital contributions of $71.7 million and appreciation of $122.4 million, related to hedge funds managed by HCS, partially offset by redemptions of $65.9 million in these funds.

 

AUM related to hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds increased $147.5 million, or 21.2%, from $695.0 million at December 31, 2012 to $842.5 million at September 30, 2013. This increase was primarily attributed to capital contributions of $127.6 million and appreciation of $56.3 million related to hedge funds managed by HCS, partially offset by $86.5 million of redemptions in these funds.

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

   

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Company's

Share of Change

in Fair Value

   

Management

Fee

   

Incentive Fee

   

Company's

Share of Change

in Fair Value

   

Management

Fee

   

Incentive Fee

 

Hedge Funds:

                                               

Harvest Opportunity Partners II (1)

  $ 163       230       25     $ (323 )     290     $ 1  

Harvest Small Cap Partners

    326       1,785       5,079       33       1,421       2,108  

Harvest Franchise Fund

    14       313       30       (33 )     301       -  

Harvest Agriculture Select (1)

    602       264       103       484       222       40  

Harvest Technology Partners (1)

    232       77       1       39       123       1  

Harvest Diversified Partners

    -       -       -       76       45       4  

Harvest Financial Partners

    17       16       3       -       -       -  

Private Equity Funds:

                                               

Harvest Growth Capital LLC (2)

    (42 )     -       -       (226 )     104       -  

Harvest Growth Capital II LLC (2)

    (121 )     281       -       193       281       -  

Funds of Funds:

                                               

JMP Masters Fund

    9       122       -       3       111       -  

REITs:

                                               

New York Mortgage Trust

    -       -       382       -       -       339  

Loans:

                                               

Harvest Capital Credit LLC (2)

 

N/A

      -       -    

N/A

      -       -  

Harvest Capital Credit Corporation

 

N/A

      488       538    

N/A

      250       -  

CLOs:

                                               

CLO I (2)

 

N/A

      547       -    

N/A

      586       -  

CLO II (2)

 

N/A

      418       -    

N/A

      323       -  

CLO III (2)

 

N/A

      237       -    

N/A

      -       -  

Totals

  $ 1,200     $ 4,778     $ 6,161     $ 246     $ 4,057     $ 2,493  

 


(1)

HOP II, HAS and HTP include managed accounts in which the Company has neither equity investment nor control. These are included with the funds, as they follow the respective strategies and earn fees.

(2)

Revenues earned from HGC, HGC II, HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013), CLO I, CLO II (effective April 30, 2013), CLO III (effective December 11, 2013) are consolidated and then eliminated in consolidation in the Company’s Statements of Operations, net of non-controlling interest.

 

 
- 39 -

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Company's

Share of Change

in Fair Value

   

Management

Fee

   

Incentive Fee

   

Company's

Share of Change

in Fair Value

   

Management

Fee

   

Incentive Fee

 

Hedge Funds:

                                               

Harvest Opportunity Partners II (1)

  $ 825       707       145     $ 429     $ 975     $ 351  

Harvest Small Cap Partners

    1,058       4,860       18,264       268       4,179       6,142  

Harvest Franchise Fund

    235       932       31       430       811       -  

Harvest Agriculture Select (1)

    1,577       763       253       580       516       221  

Harvest Technology Partners (1)

    699       233       3       (46 )     460       1  

Harvest Diversified Partners

    -       -       -       556       132       72  

Harvest Financial Partners

    17       16       3       -       -       -  

Private Equity Funds:

                                               

Harvest Growth Capital LLC (2)

    49       182       -       (109 )     315       30  

Harvest Growth Capital II LLC (2)

    (256 )     844       -       143       837       -  

Funds of Funds:

                                               

JMP Masters Fund

    17       364       16       21       315       -  

REITs:

                                               

New York Mortgage Trust

    -       -       1,036       -       -       932  

Loans:

                                               

Harvest Capital Credit LLC (2)

 

N/A

      -       -    

N/A

      108       386  

Harvest Capital Credit Corporation

 

N/A

      1,316       664    

N/A

      389       -  

CLOs:

                                               

CLO I (2)

 

N/A

      1,654       -    

N/A

      1,766       -  

CLO II (2)

 

N/A

      1,242       -               542       -  

CLO III (2)

 

N/A

      386       -    

N/A

      -       -  

Totals

  $ 4,221     $ 13,499     $ 20,415     $ 2,272     $ 11,345     $ 8,135  

 


(1)

HOP II, HAS and HTP include managed accounts in which the Company has neither equity investment nor control. These are included with the funds, as they follow the respective strategies and earn fees.

(2)

Revenues earned from HGC, HGC II, HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013), CLO I, CLO II (effective April 30, 2013), CLO III (effective December 11, 2013) are consolidated and then eliminated in consolidation in the Company’s Statements of Operations, net of non-controlling interest.

 

Principal Transactions

 

Principal transaction revenues includes realized and unrealized net gains and losses resulting from our principal investments, which include 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 and HGC II, two private equity funds managed by HCS which are consolidated in our financial statements, as well as unrealized gains and losses on the investments in private companies and investment partnerships sponsored by HCS and JMP Capital LLC (“JMP Capital”), and unrealized gains and losses on the warrants, options and equity securities owned by HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013).

 

Gain on Sale, Payoff and Mark-to-market of Loans

 

Gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans consists of gains from the sale and payoff of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities at JMP Credit and small business loans at HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013). Gains are recorded when the proceeds exceed the carrying value of the loan. Gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans also consists of lower of cost or market adjustments arising from loans held for sale and fair value market adjustments of the small business loans. Losses are recorded for the loan held for sale when the carrying value exceeds fair value. Changes to the fair value of the small business loans were recorded to this line item, when HCC LLC was consolidated.

 

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 revenues from equity method investments and revenues from fee-sharing arrangements with, and fees earned to raise capital for third-party investment partnerships, or funds.

 

 
- 40 -

 

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income primarily consists of interest income earned on loans collateralizing asset-backed securities issued, small business loans, 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, and the amortization of bond issuance costs. 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 CLO I. 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

 

Provision for loan losses includes provision for losses recognized on our loan notes and non-revolving credit agreements at JMP Capital (collectively loans held for investment), and on loans collateralizing asset-backed securities (“ABS”) at JMP Credit to record them at their estimated net realizable value. 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 we believe are reflective of the underlying loan losses being estimated.

 

A specific reserve is provided for loans that are considered impaired. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. We measure 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 our collection strategy. For those loans held by CLO I 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 additional 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 accordance with the guidance above. For those loans at CLO I deemed impaired subsequent to the acquisition date, or loans held at CLO II or CLO III, 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, we provide an allowance on a loan-by-loan basis at JMP Credit for loans that were purchased after the CLO I acquisition at CLO I, CLO II and CLO III. We employ 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. We perform periodic detailed reviews of its loan portfolio to identify risks and to assess the overall collectability 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.

 

 
- 41 -

 

 

Brokerage, Clearing and Exchange Fees

 

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees include the cost of floor and electronic brokerage and execution, securities clearance, and exchange fees. We clear our securities transactions through J.P. Morgan Clearing Corp. 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.

 

Other Expenses

 

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

 

Non-controlling Interest

 

Non-controlling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 includes the interest of third parties in CLO I, CLO II, CLO III, HGC, HGC II, HCC LLC, and HCAP Advisors, partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements.

 

HCS currently manages several asset management funds, which are structured as limited partnerships, and is the general partner of each. The Company assesses whether the partnerships meet the definition of a variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in accordance with ASC 810-10-15-14, and whether the Company qualifies as the primary beneficiary. Funds determined not to meet the definition of a VIE are considered voting interest entities for which the rights of the limited partners are evaluated to determine if consolidation is necessary. 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 HGC and HGC II, 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 consolidate them except for HGC and HGC II. The Company accounts for its investments in these non-consolidated funds under the equity method of accounting.

 

The limited liability company agreements of HGC and HGC II 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 the funds. As a result, we consolidated HGC from its inception on April 1, 2010 and HGC II from its inception on October 1, 2012.

 

On August 6, 2010, the Company transferred 109 subordinated notes of CLO I to certain employees in exchange for their interests in JMP Credit. As a result of the aforementioned transfer, we own approximately 94% of the subordinated notes of CLO I.

 

On April 30, 2013, entities sponsored by JMP Group Inc. closed on a $343.8 million CLO. The senior notes offered in this transaction (the “Secured Notes”) were issued by CLO II, a special purpose Cayman vehicle, and co-issued in part by JMP Credit Advisors CLO II LLC, a special purpose Delaware vehicle, and were backed by a diversified portfolio of broadly syndicated leveraged loans. The Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, manages CLO II and from issuance through December 31, 2013 owned $17.3 million, or 72.8%, of the subordinated notes of the Issuer (the “Subordinated Notes”). In the first quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased $6.0 million of the subordinated notes, increasing its ownership to 98.0%.

 

On September 30, 2014, JMP Group, Inc. closed on a $370.5 million CLO. The senior notes offered in this transaction were issued by CLO III, and are backed primarily by a diversified portfolio of broadly syndicated leveraged loans. These senior notes are subject to a two-year non-call period. The CLO has a four-year reinvestment period, through October 17, 2018, that allows for the use of the proceeds from any principal repayments on, or any sales of, collateral assets towards the purchase of qualifying replacement assets, subject to certain conditions and limitations. The Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, manages CLO III and as of September 30, 2014, the Company owned 13.5% of the subordinated notes of the Issuer. JMP Group, Inc. was identified as the primary beneficiary based on the ability to direct activities of CLO III through its subsidiary manager, JMP Credit Advisors, and its equity ownership.

 

HCC LLC launched on August 18, 2011 to make direct investments in the form of subordinated debt and, to a lesser extent, senior debt and minority equity investments, in privately-held U.S. small to mid-size companies. The Company and affiliates owned approximately 59% of HCC LLC at December 31, 2012. The Company consolidated HCC LLC into its consolidated financial statements. In 2013, the outstanding limited liability company units of HCC LLC were converted into a number of shares of HCC common stock. On May 2, 2013, HCC priced its initial pubic offering, which reduced the Company’s ownership of HCC to 11.6%. At such date, the Company no longer consolidated HCC.

 

HCAP Advisors was formed on December 18, 2012. HCAP Advisors appointed JMP Group LLC as its Manager effective May 1, 2013, and began offering investment advisory services. The Company owns 51% equity interest in the entity.

 

 
- 42 -

 

 

 Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and is not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

   

Change from

2013 to 2014

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

$

   

%

 

Revenues

                               

Investment banking

  $ 17,063     $ 19,137     $ (2,074 )     -10.8 %

Brokerage

    6,455       5,750       705       12.3 %

Asset management fees

    9,630       5,328       4,302       80.7 %

Principal transactions

    (4,276 )     640       (4,916 )  

N/A

 

Gain (loss) on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans

    (12 )     166       (178 )     -107.2 %

Net dividend income

    242       243       (1 )     -0.4 %

Other income

    1,192       267       925    

N/A

 

Non-interest revenues

    30,294       31,531       (1,237 )     -3.9 %
                                 

Interest income

    9,973       8,734       1,239       14.2 %

Interest expense

    (5,614 )     (4,421 )     (1,193 )     27.0 %

Net interest income

    4,359       4,313       46       1.1 %
                                 

Provision for loan losses

    (956 )     (467 )     (489 )     104.7 %
                                 

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

    33,697       35,377       (1,680 )     -4.7 %
                                 

Non-interest expenses

                               

Compensation and benefits

    28,315       24,685       3,630       14.7 %

Administration

    1,901       1,919       (18 )     -0.9 %

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

    772       939       (167 )     -17.8 %

Travel and business development

    890       994       (104 )     -10.5 %

Communication and technology

    970       907       63       6.9 %

Professional fees

    1,157       632       525       83.1 %

Other

    1,317       1,395       (78 )     -5.6 %

Total non-interest expenses

    35,322       31,471       3,851       12.2 %

Income (loss) before income tax expense

    (1,625 )     3,906       (5,531 )     141.6 %

Income tax expense

    1,460       1,634       (174 )     10.6 %

Net income (loss)

    (3,085 )     2,272       (5,357 )  

N/A

 

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

    (4,580 )     (1,017 )     (3,563 )  

N/A

 

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 1,495     $ 3,289     $ (1,794 )     54.5 %

 

 

 
- 43 -

 

 

(In thousands)  

Nine Months Ended September 30,

   

Change from

2013 to 2014

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

$

   

%

 
Revenues                                

Investment banking

  $ 65,177     $ 52,301     $ 12,876       24.6 %

Brokerage

    19,585       17,924       1,661       9.3 %

Asset management fees

    30,032       15,606       14,426       92.4 %

Principal transactions

    1,719       4,849       (3,130 )     -64.5 %

(Loss) gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans

    (183 )     1,591       (1,774 )     -111.5 %

Net dividend income

    739       290       449       154.8 %

Other income

    1,564       581       983       169.2 %

Non-interest revenues

    118,633       93,142       25,491       27.4 %
                                 

Interest income

    27,773       24,603       3,170       12.9 %

Interest expense

    (15,866 )     (25,825 )     9,959       -38.6 %

Net interest income (expense)

    11,907       (1,222 )     13,129    

N/A

 
                                 

Provision for loan losses

    (1,665 )     (2,391 )     726       -30.4 %
                                 

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses

    128,875       89,529       39,346       43.9 %
                                 
Non-interest expenses                                

Compensation and benefits

    97,670       69,066       28,604       41.4 %

Administration

    5,383       7,255       (1,872 )     -25.8 %

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

    2,515       2,851       (336 )     -11.8 %

Travel and business development

    2,721       2,991       (270 )     -9.0 %

Communication and technology

    2,860       2,592       268       10.3 %

Professional fees

    3,233       2,468       765       31.0 %

Other

    3,989       3,778       211       5.6 %

Total non-interest expenses

    118,371       91,001       27,370       30.1 %

Income (loss) before income tax expense

    10,504       (1,472 )     11,976    

N/A

 

Income tax expense

    5,606       178       5,428    

N/A

 

Net income (loss)

    4,898       (1,650 )     6,548    

N/A

 

Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

    (3,790 )     (1,785 )     (2,005 )     -112.3 %

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 8,688     $ 135     $ 8,553    

N/A

 

 

 
- 44 -

 

 

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

Overview

 

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses decreased $1.7 million, or 4.7%, from $35.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $33.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, driven by a decline in non-interest revenues of $1.2 million and an increase in provision for loan losses of $0.5 million.

 

Non-interest revenues decreased $1.2 million, or 3.9%, from $31.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $30.3 million in the same period in 2014. This decrease was primarily driven by a $4.9 million decline in principal transactions and $2.1 million decline in investment banking revenues, partially offset by an increase in asset management fees of $4.3 million.

 

Provision for loan losses increased $0.5 million from $0.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $1.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The increase was driven by the general reserve recorded in connection with the loan portfolio underlying CLO III whose warehouse closed in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

Total non-interest expenses increased $3.9 million, or 12.2%, from $31.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $35.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits of $3.6 million.

 

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. decreased $1.8 million, or 54.5%, from $3.3 million after income tax expense of $1.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $1.5 million net income after income tax expense of $1.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

Overview

 

Total net revenues after provision for loan losses increased $39.3 million, or 43.9%, from $89.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $128.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, driven by increases in non-interest revenues of $25.5 million and net interest income of $13.1 million.

 

Non-interest revenues increased $25.5 million, or 27.4%, from $93.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $118.6 million in the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily driven by a $14.4 million increase in asset management fees and a $12.9 million increase in investment banking revenues.

 

Net interest income increased $13.1 million, from $1.2 million net interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $11.9 million net interest income for the same period in 2014. This increase in net interest income is primarily attributed to an increase in net interest earned at JMP Credit, partially offset by $2.3 million interest expense related to the bond issued in January 2014.

 

Provision for loan losses decreased $0.7 million from $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease was driven by a specific reserve from one non-accrual loan held at JMP Credit recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 in addition to the general reserve recorded in connection with the loan portfolio underlying CLO II which closed in the first quarter of 2013, partially offset by general reserves recorded in 2014 in connection with the loan portfolio underlying CLO III which closed in the fourth quarter of 2013.

 

Total non-interest expenses increased $27.4 million, or 30.1%, from $91.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $118.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to an increase in compensation and benefits of $28.6 million.

 

Net income attributable to JMP Group Inc. increased $8.6 million, from $0.1 million after income tax expense of $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $8.7 million net income after income tax expense of $5.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Operating Net Income (Non-GAAP Financial Measure)

 

Management uses Operating Net Income as a key, non-GAAP metric when evaluating the performance of JMP Group’s core business strategy and ongoing operations, as management believes that this metric appropriately illustrates the operating results of JMP Group’s core operations and business activities. Operating Net Income is derived from our segment reported results and is the measure of segment profitability on an after-tax basis used by management to evaluate our performance. This non-GAAP measure is presented to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our current financial performance. Additionally, management believes that Operating Net Income is a useful measure because it allows for a better evaluation of the performance of JMP Group’s ongoing business and facilitates a meaningful comparison of the company’s results in a given period to those in prior and future periods.

 

However, Operating Net Income should not be considered a substitute for results that are presented in a manner consistent with GAAP. A limitation of the non-GAAP financial measures presented is that, unless otherwise indicated, the adjustments concern gains, losses or expenses that JMP Group generally expects to continue to recognize, and the adjustment of these items should not always be construed as an inference that these gains or expenses are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Therefore, management believes that both JMP Group’s GAAP measures of its financial performance and the respective non-GAAP measures should be considered together. Operating Net Income may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure presented by other companies.

 

 
- 45 -

 

 

Operating Net Income is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts the Company’s GAAP net income as follows:

 

 

(i)

reverses non-cash stock-based compensation expense recognized under GAAP related to historical equity awards granted in prior periods, as management generally evaluates performance by considering the full expense of equity awards granted in the period in which such compensation was awarded, even if the expense of that award will be recognized in future periods under GAAP;

 

 

(ii)

recognizes 100% of the cost of deferred compensation, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense, in the period for which such compensation was awarded, instead of recognizing such cost over the vesting period as required under GAAP, in order to match compensation expense with the actual period upon which the compensation was based;

 

 

(iii)

excludes the non-cash net amortization of liquidity discounts on loans held and asset-backed securities issued by JMP Credit Corporation, due to scheduled contractual principal repayments, which is not representative of the Company’s core operating results or core business activities, for periods prior to that ended September 30, 2013;

 

 

(iv)

reverses net non-cash unrealized gains and losses on strategic equity investments and warrants;

 

 

(v)

excludes non-cash unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on the investment portfolio at HCC, due to its adoption of investment company accounting in preparation for its pending initial public offering as a business development company;

 

 

(vi)

presents revenues and expenses on a basis that deconsolidates HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC. HGC and HGC II are investment funds that HCS manages; we own a relatively small percentage of these funds, even though they are consolidated under GAAP;

 

 

(vii)

excludes general loan loss reserves on the CLOs; and

 

 

(viii)

assumes a combined federal, state and local income tax rate of 38% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

 

Discussed below is our Operating Net Income by segment. This information is reflected in a manner utilized by management to assess the financial operations of the Company's various business lines.

 

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

 

(In thousands)

 

Broker-

Dealer

   

Asset

Management

   

Corporate

Credit

   

Operating

Platforms

   

Investment

Income

   

Corporate

Costs

   

Elimin-

ations

   

Total

Segments

 

Revenues

                                                               

Investment banking

  $ 17,063     $ -     $ -     $ 17,063     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 17,063  

Brokerage

    6,455       -       -       6,455       -       -       -       6,455  

Asset management related fees

    -       11,212       1,235       12,447       -       -       (1,344 )     11,103  

Principal transactions

    -       -       -       -       1,134       -       -       1,134  

Gain (loss) on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans

    -       -       -       -       (12 )     -       -       (12 )

Net dividend income

    -       -       -       -       242       -       -       242  

Net interest income

    -       -       -       -       4,369       -       -       4,369  

Provision for loan losses

    -       -       -       -       (36 )     -       -       (36 )

Adjusted net revenues

    23,518       11,212       1,235       35,965       5,697       -       (1,344 )     40,318  
                                                                 

Non-interest expenses

                                                               

Non-interest expenses

    20,107       9,899       1,172       31,178       1,544       3,276       (1,344 )     34,654  
                                                                 

Less: Non-controlling interest

    -       8       -       8       101       -       -       109  
                                                                 

Operating pre-tax net income

    3,411       1,305       63       4,779       4,052       (3,276 )     -       5,555  
                                                                 

Income tax expense (assumed rate of 38%)

    1,296       497       24       1,817       1,540       (1,245 )     -       2,112  
                                                                 

Operating net income (loss)

  $ 2,115     $ 808     $ 39     $ 2,962     $ 2,512     $ (2,031 )   $ -     $ 3,443  

 

 
- 46 -

 

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

(In thousands)

 

Broker-Dealer

   

Asset

Management

   

Corporate

Credit

   

Operating

Platforms

 

Investment

Income

   

Corporate Costs

   

Elimin-ations

   

Total Segments

Revenues

                                                               

Investment banking

  $ 19,149     $ -     $ -     $ 19,149     $ -     $ -     $ (12 )   $ 19,137  

Brokerage

    5,750       -       -       5,750       -       -       -       5,750  

Asset management related fees

    -       6,150       1,351       7,501       -       -       (1,519 )     5,982  

Principal transactions

    -       -       -       -       728       -       -       728  

Gain (loss) on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans

    -       -       -       -       166       -       -       166  

Net dividend income

    -       -       -       -       243       -       -       243  

Net interest income

    -       -       -       -       4,314       -       -       4,314  

Provision for loan losses

    -       -       -       -       (90 )     -       -       (90 )

Adjusted net revenues

    24,899       6,150       1,351       32,400       5,361       -       (1,531 )     36,230  
                                                                 

Non-interest expenses

                                                               

Non-interest expenses

    21,452       5,792       896       28,140       2,655       2,479       (1,531 )     31,743  
                                                                 

Less: Non-controlling interest

    -       (115 )     -       (115 )     251       -       -       136  
                                                                 

Operating pre-tax net income

    3,447       473       455       4,375       2,455       (2,479 )     -       4,351  
                                                                 

Income tax expense (assumed rate of 38%)

    1,310       180       173       1,663       933       (942 )     -       1,654  
                                                                 

Operating net income (loss)

  $ 2,137     $ 293     $ 282     $ 2,713     $ 1,522     $ (1,537 )   $ -     $ 2,698  

 

The following table reconciles the operating net income to Total Segments operating pre-tax net income, to consolidated pre-tax net income (loss) attributable to JMP Group, and to consolidated net income (loss) attributable to JMP Group, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014.

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Operating net income

  $ 3,443     $ 2,698  

Addback of Income tax expense (assumed rate of 38%)

    2,112       1,654  

Total Segments operating pre-tax net income

  $ 5,555     $ 4,351  

Subtract / (Add back)

               

Stock options

    509       262  

Compensation expense - RSUs

    776       699  

Deferred compensation program accounting adjustment

    (991 )     (1,277 )

Net unrealized loss on strategic equity investments and warrants.

    1,393       (530 )

General loan loss reserve for the CLOs

    913       274  

Total Consolidation Adjustments and Reconciling Items

    2,600       (572 )

Consolidated pre-tax net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 2,955     $ 4,923  
                 

Income tax expense

    1,460       1,634  

Consolidated Net Income (Loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 1,495     $ 3,289  

 

When evaluating the performance of JMP Group's core business strategy and ongoing operations, management also reviewed the Adjusted Operating Net Income through December 31, 2013, which excluded the non-cash gains and losses recognized by JMP Credit Corp due to the sale or payoff of loans originally included in the portfolio acquired by JMP Group in April 2009, as well as the provision for loan losses related to this portfolio of loans. Adjustments derived from sales or payoffs of acquired loans, while once substantial, are no longer material, as the portfolio of acquired loans is almost entirely liquidated. Therefore, the analysis below is based on operating net income. The adjusted operating net income, after a 38% tax rate, was $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. The reconciling items for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 from adjusted operating net income to operating net income include adding back $0.5 million non-cash gains on the acquired loan portfolio and adding back the related compensation expense of $0.2 million.

 

 
- 47 -

 

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

 

(In thousands)

 

Broker-Dealer

   

Asset Management

   

Corporate Credit

   

Operating Platforms

 

Investment Income

   

Corporate Costs

   

Elimin-ations

   

Total Segments

 

Revenues

                                                               

Investment banking

  $ 65,265     $ -     $ -     $ 65,265     $ -     $ -     $ (88 )   $ 65,177  

Brokerage

    19,585       -       -       19,585       -       -       -       19,585  

Asset management related fees

    50       32,897       3,842       36,789       -       -       (4,166 )     32,623  

Principal transactions

    -       -       -       -       4,801       -       -       4,801  

Gain (loss) on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans

    -       -       -       -       (183 )     -       -       (183 )

Net dividend income

    -       -       -       -       738       -       -       738  

Net interest income

    -       -       -       -       11,938       -       -       11,938  

Provision for loan losses

    -       -       -       -       186       -       -       186  

Adjusted net revenues

    84,900       32,897       3,842       121,639       17,480       -       (4,254 )     134,865  
                                                                 

Non-interest expenses

                                                               

Non-interest expenses

    69,983       30,813       3,184       103,980       4,370       11,490       (4,166 )     115,674  
                                                                 

Less: Non-controlling interest

    -       (275 )     -       (275 )     343       -       -       68  
                                                                 

Operating pre-tax net income

    14,917       2,359       658       17,934       12,767       (11,490 )     (88 )     19,123  
                                                                 

Income tax expense (assumed rate of 38%)

    5,668       898       250       6,817       4,851       (4,365 )     (33 )     7,270  
                                                                 

Operating net income (loss)

  $ 9,249     $ 1,461     $ 408     $ 11,118     $ 7,916     $ (7,125 )   $ (55 )   $ 11,853  

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

(In thousands)

 

Broker-Dealer

   

Asset Management

   

Corporate Credit

   

Operating Platforms

 

Investment Income

   

Corporate Costs

   

Elimin-ations

   

Total Segments

 

Revenues

                                                               

Investment banking

  $ 52,636     $ -     $ -     $ 52,636     $ -     $ -     $ (335 )   $ 52,301  

Brokerage

    17,924       -       -       17,924       -       -       -       17,924  

Asset management related fees

    -       18,529       3,511       22,040       -       -       (4,085 )     17,955  

Principal transactions

    -       -       -       -       4,386       -       6       4,392  

Gain (loss) on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans

    -       -       -       -       1,501       -       -       1,501  

Net dividend income

    -       -       -       -       968       -       -       968  

Net interest income

    -       -       -       -       11,997       -       -       11,997  

Provision for loan losses

    -       -       -       -       (886 )     -       -       (886 )

Adjusted net revenues

    70,560       18,529       3,511       92,600       17,966       -       (4,414 )     106,152  
                                                                 

Non-interest expenses

                                                               

Non-interest expenses

    60,671       19,739       2,691       83,101       2,014       10,715       (4,394 )     91,436  
                                                                 

Less: Non-controlling interest

    -       (1,466 )     -       (1,466 )     670       -       -       (796 )
                                                                 

Operating pre-tax net income

    9,889       256       820       10,965       15,282       (10,715 )     (20 )     15,512  
                                                                 

Income tax expense (assumed rate of 38%)

    3,758       98       312       4,167       5,807       (4,072 )     (8 )     5,895  
                                                                 

Operating net income (loss)

  $ 6,131     $ 158     $ 508     $ 6,798     $ 9,475     $ (6,643 )   $ (12 )   $ 9,617  

 

 
- 48 -

 

 

The following table reconciles The following table reconciles the operating net income to Total Segments operating pre-tax net income, to consolidated pre-tax net income (loss) attributable to JMP Group, and to consolidated net income (loss) attributable to JMP Group, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014.

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Operating net income

  $ 11,853     $ 9,617  

Addback of Income tax expense (assumed rate of 38%)

    7,270       5,895  

Total Segments operating pre-tax net income

  $ 19,123     $ 15,512  

Subtract / (Add back)

               

Stock options

    1,408       658  

Compensation expense - RSUs

    2,563       2,019  

Deferred compensation program accounting adjustment

    (2,479 )     (3,547 )

Net unrealized loss on strategic equity investments and warrants.

    1,499       (615 )

General loan loss reserve for the CLOs

    1,838       1,095  

Net amortization of liquidity discounts on loans and asset-backed securities issued

    -       14,979  

Unrealized mark-to-market gain - HCC

    -       610  

Total Consolidation Adjustments and Reconciling Items

    4,829       15,199  

Consolidated pre-tax net income attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 14,294     $ 313  
                 

Income tax expense

    5,606       178  

Consolidated Net Income (Loss) attributable to JMP Group Inc.

  $ 8,688     $ 135  

 

When evaluating the performance of JMP Group's core business strategy and ongoing operations, management also reviewed the Adjusted Operating Net Income through December 31, 2013, which excluded the non-cash gains and losses recognized by JMP Credit Corp due to the sale or payoff of loans originally included in the portfolio acquired by JMP Group in April 2009, as well as the provision for loan losses related to this portfolio of loans. Adjustments derived from sales or payoffs of acquired loans, while once substantial, are no longer material, as the portfolio of acquired loans is almost entirely liquidated. Therefore, the analysis below is based on operating net income. The adjusted operating net income, after a 38% tax rate, was $10.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The reconciling items for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from adjusted operating net income to operating net income include adding back $4.7 million non-cash gains on the acquired loan portfolio, adding back the specific reserve on loans from the portfolio of $1.0 million, and adding back the related compensation expense of $1.1 million.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

Revenues

 

Investment Banking

 

Investment banking revenues decreased $2.0 million, or 10.8%, from $19.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $17.1 million for the same period in 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, investment banking revenues decreased from 54.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 50.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

Our segment reported investment banking revenues, earned in our Broker-Dealer segment, decreased $2.0 million from $19.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $17.1 million for the same period in 2014. Our debt and convertible revenues decreased $3.0 million, or 86.6%, from $3.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $0.5 million for the same period in 2014. We executed four transactions related to debt and convertible revenue transactions in the quarter ended September 30, 2014 compared to five in the same period in 2013. Private capital markets and other transaction decreased $1.4 million from $1.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $0.1 million for the same period in 2014. We executed two private capital market and other transactions in the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to one in the same period in 2014. Public equity underwriting revenues decreased $1.0 million, or 9.1%, from $10.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $9.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. We executed 27 and 26 public equity underwriting transactions in the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively. We acted as a lead manager on 10 transactions in the quarter ended September 30, 2014 compared to nine in the same period in 2013. The decrease was attributed to declines in average revenues per transaction. These declines were partially offset by increases in our strategic advisory transactions. Our strategic advisory revenues increased $3.3 million, or 101.9%, from $3.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $6.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. We executed four strategic advisory transactions in both the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. This increase was driven by the average revenues per transaction.

 

Brokerage Revenues

 

Brokerage revenues earned in our Broker-Dealer segment increased $0.7 million, or 12.3%, from $5.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $6.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The increase was mainly the result of more volume. Brokerage revenues increased as a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, from 16.3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 19.2% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. On an adjusted basis, brokerage revenues were 15.9% and 16.0% for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively, as a percentage of adjusted net revenue after provision for loan losses.

 

 
- 49 -

 

 

Asset Management Fees

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Base management fees:

               

Fees reported as asset management fees

  $ 3,470     $ 2,835  

Fees earned at HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC

    281       386  

Total base management fees

    3,751       3,221  
                 

Incentive fees:

               

Fees reported as asset management fees

  $ 6,160     $ 2,493  

Total incentive fees

    6,160       2,493  
                 

Other fee income:

               

Fundraising and other income:

  $ 1,192     $ 267  

Total other fee income

    1,192       267  
                 

Asset management related fees:

               

Fees reported as asset management fees

  $ 9,630     $ 5,328  

Fees reported as other income

    1,192       267  

Fees earned at HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC

    281       386  

Total Segment asset management related fee revenues

  $ 11,103     $ 5,981  
                 

Consolidation adjustment

    (281 )     (386 )
                 

Adjusted total asset management related fees:

  $ 10,822     $ 5,595  

 

Fees reported as asset management fees were $5.3 million and $9.6 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, asset management revenues increased from 15.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 28.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Fees reported as other income increased $0.9 million, or 346.4% from $0.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $1.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, other income increased from 0.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 3.5% for the same period in 2014.

 

Total segment asset management related fees include base management fees and incentive fees for our funds, HCC and CLOs under management, as well as other income from fee-sharing arrangements with, and fees earned to raise capital for, third-party or equity-method investment partnerships or funds. Adjusted asset management related fees are a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts our total segment asset management related fees by reversing the elimination of those fees in the consolidation of HGC, HGC II, HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013) and HCAP Advisors (effective May 1, 2013). Adjusted asset management related fees are reconciled to the GAAP measure, total segment asset management fee revenues, in the table above. We believe that presenting adjusted asset management related fees is useful to investors as a means of assessing the performance of JMP Group's combined asset management activities, including its fundraising and other services for third parties. We believe that adjusted asset management-related fee revenues provide useful information by indicating the relative contributions of base management fees and performance-related incentive fees, thus facilitating a comparison of those fees in a given period to those in prior and future periods. We also believe that asset management-related fee revenue is a more meaningful measure than standalone asset management fees as reported, because asset management-related fee revenues represent the combined impact of JMP Group's various asset management activities on the Company's total net revenues.

 

Total segment asset management related fee revenue increased $5.1 million from $6.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $11.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The increase primarily was attributed to the $3.7 million increase in incentive fees, from $2.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $6.2 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in incentive fees was driven by a $3.0 million increase related to Harvest Small Cap Partners (“HSCP”). Total base management fee increased $0.6 million from $3.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $3.8 million for the same period in 2014. On an adjusted basis, adjusted asset management related fees were 16.5% and 27.5% for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively, as a percentage of adjusted net revenues after provision for loan losses.

 

Principal Transactions

 

Principal transaction revenues decreased $4.9 million from $0.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to a $4.3 million loss for the same period in 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, principal transaction revenues were 1.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and 12.7% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

 
- 50 -

 

 

Total segment principal transaction revenues increased $0.4 million from $0.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $1.1 million for the same period in 2014. Total segment principal transaction revenues are a non-GAAP financial measure that aggregates our segment reported principal transaction revenues across each segment. We believe that presenting total segment principal transaction revenues is useful to investors as a means of assessing the performance of JMP Group’s combined investment activities. The principal transaction revenues for both 2013 and 2014 were based in our Investment Income segment. Total segment principal transaction revenues are reconciled to the GAAP measure, total principal transaction revenues, in the table below.

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

(In thousands)

 

2014

   

2013

 
                 

Equity and other securities excluding non-controlling interest

  $ 596     $ 84  

Warrants and other investments

    (329 )     397  

Investment partnerships

    867       248  

Total Segment principal transaction revenues

    1,134       729  

Operating adjustment addbacks

    (1,060 )     531  

Non-controlling interest in HGC and HGC II

    (4,350 )     (620 )

Total principal transaction revenues

  $ (4,276 )   $ 640  

 

The increase primarily reflects additional revenues from investment partnerships, partially offset by declines in equity and other securities and in warrants and other investments. Revenues from investment partnerships increased $0.7 million from $0.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $0.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Revenues from equity and other securities increased $0.5 million from $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $0.6 million for the same period in 2014. Revenues from warrants and other investments decreased by $0.7 million from $0.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to a $0.3 million loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. On an adjusted basis, as a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, principal transaction revenues were 3.9% for both the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014.

 

Gain on Sale and Payoff of Loans

 

Gain on sale and payoff of loans was earned in our Investment Income segment. Gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans decreased $0.2 million, from $0.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to a $12 thousand loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, respectively. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, gain on sale and payoff of loans decreased from 0.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to less than 0.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans decreased from 0.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to less than 0.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 as a percentage of total segment adjusted net revenues.

 

Net Dividend Income

 

Net dividend income was $0.2 million for both the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. Net dividend income primarily related to dividends from our HCC investment.

 

Net Interest Income/Expense

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

CLO I loan contractual interest income

  $ 3,614     $ 4,424  

CLO I ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (1,009 )     (1,097 )

Net CLO I contractual interest

    2,605       3,327  
                 

CLO II loan contractual interest income

  $ 3,887     $ 3,294  

CLO II ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (1,702 )     (1,852 )

Net CLO II contractual interest

    2,185       1,442  
                 

CLO III loan contractual interest income

  $ 1,775     $ -  

CLO III warehouse/ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (529 )     -  

Net CLO III contractual interest

    1,246       -  
                 

Bond Payable interest expense

    (1,901 )     (963 )
                 

Other interest income

    234       508  
                 

Total Segment net interest income

  $ 4,369     $ 4,314  
                 

Other interest income adjustment

    (10 )     (1 )
                 

Total net interest income (expense)

  $ 4,359     $ 4,313  

 

Net interest income increased from $4.3 million net interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $4.4 million net interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The net interest income increase was driven primarily by the CLO III interest earned in the quarter ended September 30, 2014, offset by a decrease in net interest income from CLO I. These increases in net interest income were partially offset by additional bond interest expense from the 2014 bond issuance. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, net interest income was 12.2% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and 12.9% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

 
- 51 -

 

 

Total segment net interest income increased from $4.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $4.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Net interest income is earned in our Investment Income segment, and largely reflects net CLO I and CLO II contractual interest. Total segment net interest income is a non-GAAP financial measure that aggregates our segment reported net interest income (expense) across each segment. We believe that presenting total segment net interest income is useful to investors as a means of assessing the performance of JMP Group’s combined credit activities. Total segment net interest income is reconciled to the GAAP measure, total net interest expense, in the table above. As a percentage of total segment adjusted net revenues, net interest income decreased from 11.9% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 10.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

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

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

 
   

Interest Income

(Expense)

   

Average CLO

Loan (CLO ABS

Issued) Balance

   

Weighted

Average

Contractual

Interest Rate

   

Weighted

Average

LIBOR

   

Spread to

Weighted

Average

LIBOR

 

CLO I loan contractual interest income

  $ 3,614     $ 382,651       3.70 %     0.23 %     3.47 %

CLO I ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (1,009 )     (406,903 )     1.11 %     0.23 %     0.88 %

CLO II loan contractual interest income

    3,887       326,106       4.66 %     0.22 %     4.44 %

CLO II ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (1,702 )     (318,918 )     2.09 %     0.22 %     1.87 %

CLO III loan contractual interest income

    1,775       140,884       4.93 %     0.22 %     4.71 %

CLO III warehouse/ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (529 )     (122,480 )     1.62 %     0.22 %     1.40 %

Net CLO contractual interest

  $ 6,036    

N/A

   

N/A

   

N/A

   

N/A

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Interest Income

(Expense)

   

Average CLO

Loan (CLO ABS

Issued) Balance

   

Weighted

Average

Contractual

Interest Rate

   

Weighted

Average

LIBOR

   

Spread to

Weighted

Average

LIBOR

 

CLO I loan contractual interest income

  $ 4,425     $ 408,999       4.23 %     0.27 %     3.96 %

CLO I ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (1,097 )     421,353       1.02 %     0.27 %     0.75 %

CLO II loan contractual interest income

    3,294       288,681       4.46 %     0.40 %     4.06 %

CLO II ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (1,852 )     320,000       2.26 %     0.40 %     1.86 %

Net CLO contractual interest

  $ 4,770    

N/A

   

N/A

   

N/A

   

N/A

 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

Provision for loan losses increased $0.5 million, or 104.7%, from $0.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $1.0 million for the same period in 2014. The increase was driven by the general reserve recorded in connection with the loan portfolio underlying CLO III whose warehouse closed in the fourth quarter of 2013. As a percent of net revenues after provision for loan losses, provision for loan losses were 1.3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 and 2.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

Total segment provision for loan losses decreased from $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to a $0.1 million reversal for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. Total segment provision for loan losses is a non-GAAP financial measure that aggregates our segment reported provision for loan losses across each segment. Our total segment provision for loan losses in 2014 and 2013 was solely recognized in our Investment Income segment. As a percent of total segment adjusted net revenues, segment provision for loan losses were 0.2% and 0.1% for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

Expenses

 

Non-Interest 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 $3.6 million, or 14.7%, from $24.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $28.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

Employee payroll, taxes and benefits, and consultant fees were $9.2 million and $10.4 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Performance-based bonus and commission increased $1.3 million from $14.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $15.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

Equity-based compensation was $1.3 million and $2.5 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The increase is primarily due to $0.9 million of expense related to RSUs issued in connection with the 2013 annual bonus.

 

 
- 52 -

 

 

Compensation and benefits as a percentage of revenues increased from 69.8% of total net revenues after provision for loan losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 84.0% for the same period in 2014. Approximately $4.8 million of the unrealized loss at HGC, HGC II for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and $1.0 million of the unrealized gain at HGC, HGC II and HCC for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was attributable to non-controlling interest holders and therefore, did not have associated performance-based bonus expense, resulting in the higher percentages for these quarters.

 

Our segment reported compensation and benefits, which recognizes 100% of the cost of deferred compensation, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense, in the period for which such compensation was awarded, instead of recognizing such cost over the vesting period as required under GAAP, in order to match compensation expense with the actual period upon which the compensation was based. The segment reported compensation and benefits increased $2.7 million from $25.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $27.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. As a percent of total segment net revenues, compensation and benefits were 69.0% and 68.7% for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

Administration

 

Administration expense was $1.9 million for both the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, administration expense increased from 5.4% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 5.6% for the same period in 2014.

 

Brokerage, Clearing and Exchange Fees

 

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees decreased $0.1 million from $0.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $0.8 million for the same period in 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, our brokerage, clearing and exchange fees decreased from 2.7% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 2.3% for the same period in 2014.

 

Travel and Business Development

 

Travel and business development expenses were $1.0 million and $0.9 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, travel and business development expense decreased from 2.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 2.6% for the same period in 2014.

 

Communications and Technology

 

Communications and technology expenses were $0.9 million and $1.0 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, communications and technology expense increased from 2.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 2.9% for the same period in 2014.

 

 Professional Fees

 

Professional fees increased $0.6 million from $0.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $1.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. This increase was primarily attributed to fees associated with the proposed restructuring of the Company into a publicly traded partnership. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, professional fees increased from 1.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to 3.4% for the same period in 2014.

 

Other Expenses

 

Other expenses decreased $0.1 million from $1.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, other expenses were 3.9% for both the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014.

 

Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interest

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest decreased from a $1.0 million loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to a $4.6 million loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2014. The decrease primarily results from non-controlling interest in HGC and HGC II. Non-controlling interest for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 includes the interest of third parties in CLO I, CLO II, HCC LLC, HGC, HGC II, and HCAP Advisors, partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements. Non-controlling interest for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 also includes the interest of third parties in CLO III, a partially-owned subsidiary consolidated in our financial statements.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

For the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, we recorded income tax expense of $1.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The effective tax rates for the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 were 41.0% and a negative 52.7%, respectively.

 

Our operating net income assumes a combined federal, state and local income tax rate of 38% for both quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2014. Segment income tax expense increased $0.4 million from $1.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to $2.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

Revenues

 

Investment Banking

 

Investment banking revenues increased $12.9 million, or 24.6%, from $52.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $65.2 million for the same period in 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, investment banking revenues decreased from 58.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 50.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

 
- 53 -

 

 

Our segment reported investment banking revenues, earned in our Broker-Dealer segment, increased $12.9 million from $52.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $65.2 million for the same period in 2014. Public equity underwriting revenues increased $14.8 million, or 50.7%, from $29.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $44.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We executed 97 and 93 public equity underwriting transactions in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively. We acted as a lead manager on 26 transactions in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 23 in the same period in 2013. The increase was attributed to our role as a lead in more transactions, in addition to an increase in average revenues per transaction. Our strategic advisory revenues increased $8.3 million, or 97.8%, from $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $16.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We executed 15 strategic advisory transactions in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to nine in the same period in 2013. Our debt and convertible revenues decreased $6.9 million from $10.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $3.1 million for the same period in 2014. We executed 15 debt and convertible transactions in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to 23 in the same period in 2013. Private capital markets and other transaction revenues decreased $3.4 million, or 74.5%, from $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $1.1 million for the same period in 2014. We executed two transaction related to private capital markets and other transactions in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to four in the same period in 2013.

 

Brokerage Revenues

 

Brokerage revenues earned in our Broker-Dealer segment increased $1.7 million, or 9.3%, from $17.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $19.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase was mainly the result of increased volume. Brokerage revenues decreased as a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, from 20.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 15.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. On an adjusted basis, brokerage revenues were 16.9% and 14.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively, as a percentage of adjusted net revenue after provision for loan losses.

 

Asset Management Fees

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Base management fees:

               

Fees reported as asset management fees

  $ 9,617     $ 7,891  

Fees earned at HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC

    1,027       1,351  

Total base management fees

    10,644       9,242  
                 

Incentive fees:

               

Fees reported as asset management fees

  $ 20,415     $ 7,715  

Fees earned at HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC

    -       417  

Total incentive fees

    20,415       8,132  
                 

Other fee income:

               

Fundraising and other income:

  $ 1,564     $ 581  

Total other fee income

    1,564       581  
                 

Asset management related fees:

               

Fees reported as asset management fees

  $ 30,032     $ 15,606  

Fees reported as other income

    1,564       581  

Fees earned at HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC

    1,027       1,768  

Total Segment asset management related fee revenues

  $ 32,623     $ 17,955  

 

Fees reported as asset management fees were $15.6 million and $30.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, asset management revenues increased from 17.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 23.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Fees reported as other income increased $1.0 million, or 169.2% from $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, other income increased from 0.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 1.2% for the same period in 2014.

 

Total segment asset management related fees include base management fees and incentive fees for our funds, HCC and CLOs under management, as well as other income from fee-sharing arrangements with, and fees earned to raise capital for, third-party or equity-method investment partnerships or funds. Adjusted asset management related fees are a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts our total segment asset management related fees by reversing the elimination of those fees in the consolidation of HGC, HGC II, HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013) and HCAP Advisors (effective May 1, 2013). Adjusted asset management related fees are reconciled to the GAAP measure, total segment asset management fee revenues, in the table above. We believe that presenting adjusted asset management related fees is useful to investors as a means of assessing the performance of JMP Group's combined asset management activities, including its fundraising and other services for third parties. We believe that adjusted asset management-related fee revenues provide useful information by indicating the relative contributions of base management fees and performance-related incentive fees, thus facilitating a comparison of those fees in a given period to those in prior and future periods. We also believe that asset management-related fee revenue is a more meaningful measure than standalone asset management fees as reported, because asset management-related fee revenues represent the combined impact of JMP Group's various asset management activities on the Company's total net revenues.

 

 
- 54 -

 

 

Total segment asset management related fee revenue increased $14.7 million from $18.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $32.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase primarily was attributed to the $12.3 million increase in incentive fees from $8.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $20.4 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in incentive fees was driven by an increase of $12.1 million related to HSCP. Total base management fee increased $1.4 million from $9.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $10.6 million for the same period in 2014. The increase was driven by increases of $0.9 million in management fees from HCAP Advisors, which was created subsequent to the first quarter of 2013. On an adjusted basis, adjusted asset management related fees were 16.9% and 24.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively, as a percentage of adjusted net revenues after provision for loan losses.

 

Principal Transactions

 

Principal transaction revenues decreased $3.1 million from $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $1.7 million for the same period in 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, principal transaction revenues were 5.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 1.3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

Total segment principal transaction revenues were $4.4 million and $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Total segment principal transaction revenues are a non-GAAP financial measure that aggregates our segment reported principal transaction revenues across each segment. We believe that presenting total segment principal transaction revenues is useful to investors as a means of assessing the performance of JMP Group’s combined investment activities. The principal transaction revenues for both 2013 and 2014 were based in our Investment Income segment. Total segment principal transaction revenues are reconciled to the GAAP measure, total principal transaction revenues, in the table below.

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
                 

Equity and other securities excluding non-controlling interest

  $ 1,934     $ 1,544  

Warrants and other investments

    (320 )     1,079  

Investment partnerships

    3,187       1,924  

Total Segment principal transaction revenues

    4,801       4,547  

Operating adjustment addbacks

    (437 )     270  

Non-controlling interest in HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013)

    (2,645 )     32  

Total principal transaction revenues

  $ 1,719     $ 4,849  

 

The increase primarily reflects additional revenue from investment partnerships, partially offset by decreases in warrants and other investments and equity and other securities. Revenues from investment partnerships increased $1.3 million from $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Revenues from equity and other securities increased $0.4 million from $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $1.9 million for the same period in 2014. Revenues from warrants and other investments decreased by $1.4 million from $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to a $0.3 million loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. On an adjusted basis, as a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, principal transaction revenues decreased from 4.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 3.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Gain on Sale and Payoff of Loans

 

Gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans decreased $1.8 million, from $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to a $0.2 million loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans decreased from 1.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 0.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans was earned in our Investment Income segment. On a segment reporting basis, the gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans also excludes unrealized mark-to-market gains or losses on the investment portfolio at HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013). Our segment reported gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans in the Investment Income segment decreased $1.7 million, from $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to a $0.2 million loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Gain on sale, payoff and mark-to-market of loans decreased from 1.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 0.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 as a percentage of total segment adjusted net revenues.

 

Net Dividend Income/Loss

 

Net dividend income was $0.7 million and $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net dividend income primarily related to dividends from our HCC investment.

 

 
- 55 -

 

 

 

Net Interest Income/Expense

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

CLO I loan contractual interest income

  $ 11,428     $ 13,878  

CLO I ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (3,042 )     (3,330 )

Net CLO I contractual interest

    8,386       10,548  
                 

CLO II loan contractual interest income

  $ 11,341     $ 4,617  

CLO II ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (5,070 )     (3,100 )

Net CLO II contractual interest

    6,271       1,517  
                 

CLO III loan contractual interest income

  $ 3,213     $ -  

CLO III warehouse/ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (910 )     -  

Net CLO III contractual interest

    2,303       -  
                 

Bond Payable interest expense

    (5,400 )     (2,607 )
                 

Other interest income

    378       2,536  
                 

Total Segment net interest income

  $ 11,938     $ 11,994  
                 

CLO I loan liquidity discount accretion

    -       569  

CLO I ABS liquidity discount amortization

    -       (15,548 )

Net CLO I liquidity discount amortization

    -       (14,979 )
                 

HCC LLC interest income

    -       2,393  

HCC LLC interest expense

    -       (630 )

Net HCC LLC interest income

    -       1,763  
                 

Other interest income adjustment

    (31 )     -  
                 

Total net interest income (expense)

  $ 11,907     $ (1,222 )

 

Net interest income increased $13.1 million from $1.2 million net interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $11.9 million net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The net interest income increase was driven primarily by the $15.0 CLO I net liquidity discount amortization expense that was included in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, but not in the same period in 2014, increase in interest earned by CLO I, CLO II and CLO III, partially offset by $2.8 million increase in bond payable expense and $2.2 million and $1.8 million decrease in other interest income and net HCC LLC interest income respectively. CLO II launched subsequent to the first quarter of 2013. These increases in net interest income were partially offset by additional bond interest expense from the 2014 bond issuance, and the reduced interest income from HCC LLC due to its deconsolidation in the second quarter of 2013. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, net interest income was 1.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 9.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Total segment net interest income decreased from $12.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $11.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Our total segment net interest income excludes net amortization of liquidity discounts on loans and asset-backed securities issued and interest earned at HCC LLC (through May 2, 2013). Net interest income is earned in our Investment Income segment, and largely reflects net CLO I and CLO II contractual interest. Total segment net interest income is a non-GAAP financial measure that aggregates our segment reported net interest income (expense) across each segment. We believe that presenting total segment net interest income is useful to investors as a means of assessing the performance of JMP Group’s combined credit activities. Total segment net interest income is reconciled to the GAAP measure, total net interest expense, in the table above. As a percentage of total segment adjusted net revenues, net interest income decreased from 11.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 8.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

 
- 56 -

 

 

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

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

 
   

Interest Income (Expense)

   

Average CLO Loan (CLO ABS Issued) Balance

   

Weighted Average Contractual Interest Rate

   

Weighted Average LIBOR

   

Spread to Weighted Average LIBOR

 

CLO I loan contractual interest income

  $ 11,428     $ 395,730       3.81 %     0.23 %     3.58 %

CLO I ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (3,042 )     (410,160 )     1.11 %     0.23 %     0.88 %

CLO II loan contractual interest income

    11,341       325,899       4.59 %     0.23 %     4.36 %

CLO II ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (5,070 )     (319,296 )     2.09 %     0.23 %     1.86 %

CLO III loan contractual interest income

    3,213       87,985       4.82 %     0.17 %     4.65 %

CLO III warehouse/ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (910 )     (72,160 )     1.29 %     0.17 %     1.12 %

Net CLO contractual interest

  $ 16,960    

N/A

   

N/A

   

N/A

   

N/A

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 
   

Interest Income (Expense)

   

Average CLO Loan (CLO ABS Issued) Balance

   

Weighted Average Contractual Interest Rate

   

Weighted Average LIBOR

   

Spread to Weighted Average LIBOR

 

CLO I loan contractual interest income

  $ 13,878     $ 406,140       4.51 %     0.28 %     4.23 %

CLO I ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (3,330 )     (427,751 )     1.03 %     0.28 %     0.75 %

CLO II loan contractual interest income

    4,617       136,444       4.46 %     0.40 %     4.06 %

CLO II ABS issued contractual interest expense

    (3,100 )     (320,000 )     2.26 %     0.40 %     1.86 %

Net CLO contractual interest

  $ 12,065    

N/A

   

N/A

   

N/A

   

N/A

 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

Provision for loan losses decreased $0.7 million, or 30.4%, from $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $1.7 million for the same period in 2014. As a percent of net revenues after provision for loan losses, provision for loan losses decreased from 2.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 1.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Total segment provision for loan losses decreased from $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to a $0.2 million reversal for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Total segment provision for loan losses is a non-GAAP financial measure that aggregates our segment reported provision for loan losses across each segment. Our total segment provision for loan losses in 2014 and 2013 was solely recognized in our Investment Income segment. As a percent of total segment adjusted net revenues, segment provision for loan losses were 0.8% and 0.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

Expenses

 

Non-Interest 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 $28.6 million, or 41.4%, from $69.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $97.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

Employee payroll, taxes and benefits, and consultant fees were $27.9 million and $30.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

Performance-based bonus and commission increased $23.1 million from $37.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $60.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase was primarily due to the increase in total net revenues after provision for loan losses from $89.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $128.9 million for the same period in 2014.

 

Equity-based compensation was $3.9 million and $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The increase is primarily due to $2.1 million of expense related to RSUs issued in connection with the 2013 annual bonus.

 

Compensation and benefits as a percentage of revenues increased from 69.8% of total net revenues after provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 84.0% for the same period in 2014. Approximately $4.1 million of the unrealized loss at HGC, HGC II and HCAP Advisors for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $0.4 million of the unrealized loss at HGC, HGC II and HCAP Advisors for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was attributable to non-controlling interest holders and therefore, did not have associated performance-based bonus expense, resulting in the higher percentages for these periods. 

 

Our segment reported compensation and benefits recognizes 100% of the cost of deferred compensation, including non-cash stock-based compensation expense, in the period for which such compensation was awarded, instead of recognizing such cost over the vesting period as required under GAAP, in order to match compensation expense with the actual period upon which the compensation was based. The segment reported compensation and benefits decreased $25.3 million from $69.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $95.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. As a percent of total segment net revenues, compensation and benefits were 65.7% and 70.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

 
- 57 -

 

 

Administration

 

Administration expense decreased $1.9 million, from $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $5.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease was attributed to $2.5 million expense paid by HCAP Advisors to underwriters in connection with an agreement with HCC in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, administration expense decreased from 8.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 4.2% for the same period in 2014.

 

Brokerage, Clearing and Exchange Fees

 

Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees were $2.9 million and $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, our brokerage, clearing and exchange fees decreased from 3.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 2.0% for the same period in 2014.

 

Travel and Business Development

 

Travel and business development expense decreased from $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $2.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, travel and business development expense decreased from 3.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 2.1% for the same period in 2014.

 

Communications and Technology

 

Communications and technology expenses increased $0.3 million from $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $2.9 million for the same period in 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, communications and technology expense decreased from 2.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 2.2% for the same period in 2014.

 

Professional Fees

 

Professional fees increased $0.8 million, from $2.5 million or the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $3.2 million for the same period in 2014. This increase was primarily attributed to fees associated with the proposed restructuring of the Company into a publicly traded partnership. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, professional fees decreased from 2.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to 2.5% for the same period in 2014.

 

Other Expenses

 

Other expenses increased $0.2 million, from $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. As a percentage of total net revenues after provision for loan losses, other expenses were 4.2% and 3.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

 

Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interest

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interest decreased from a $1.8 million loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to a $3.8 million loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease primarily results from non-controlling interest in HGC and HGC II. Non-controlling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 includes the interest of third parties in CLO I, CLO II, CLO III, HGC, HGC II, and HCAP Advisors, partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements. Non-controlling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 includes the interest of third parties in CLO I, CLO II, HGC, HGC II, HCC LLC, and HCAP Advisors, partially-owned subsidiaries consolidated in our financial statements.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, we recorded income tax expense of $0.2 million and tax expense of $5.6 million, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 were 12.06% and 53.36%, respectively. The difference in the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to the income associated with HGC, HGC II and HCC LLC which are consolidated for financial reporting purposes but not for tax purposes.

 

Our operating net income assumes a combined federal, state and local income tax rate of 38% for both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014. Segment income tax expense increased $1.4 million from $5.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

 
- 58 -

 

 

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 resources and liquidity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to demonstrate where our capital is invested and the financial condition of the Company.

 

Overview

 

As of September 30, 2014, we had net liquid assets of $55.5 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 managed by HCS, net of marketable securities sold but not yet purchased, accrued compensation, deferred compensation paid in January 2014, note payable and non-controlling interest. We have satisfied our capital and liquidity requirements primarily through the net proceeds from the initial public offering, the January 2013 issuance of the 2013 Senior Notes, the January 2014 issuance of the 2014 Senior Notes, 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had Level 3 assets (financial instruments measured on a recurring basis whose fair value was determined using unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data) of $121.8 million and $112.1 million, respectively, which represented 8.2% and 10.0% of total assets, respectively. Level 3 assets increased by $9.7 million, due to the purchases of $14.4 million, partially offset by the sales and settlements of $2.6 million and unrealized loss of $1.8 million.

 

Liquidity Considerations Related to CLOs

 

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 CLO I. In December 2009, we repurchased the contingent consideration for $1.8 million. As we own substantially all 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 CLOs is the original April 7, 2009 investment of $4.0 million plus the $1.8 million paid to repurchase the contingent consideration related to the CLO I acquisition, $23.3 million related to CLO II, and $4.7 million investment related to CLO III plus any earnings retained in the CLOs since the acquisition or inception dates. However, for U.S. federal tax purposes, the CLOs are treated as a disregarded entity such that the taxable income earned in the CLO is taxable to us. If the CLOs are in violation of certain coverage tests, mainly any of its over-collateralization ratios, residual cash flows otherwise payable to us as owners of the subordinated notes would be required to be used to repay indebtedness senior to us in the securitization, or, for CLO II or CLO III, potentially to buy additional collateral. This could require us to pay income tax on earnings prior to the residual cash flow distributions to us.

 

The CLOs 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 CLO I, to sell assets and reinvest available principal proceeds into substitute assets is restricted. In addition, defaulted obligations, discounted assets (those purchased below 85% of the par value for CLO I and generally below 80% of the par value for CLO II and CLO III) and assets rated “CCC” or lower in excess of applicable limits in the CLOs investment criteria are not given full par credit for purposes of calculation of the CLO over-collateralization (“OC”) tests. We were in compliance with all OC tests on the determination dates since February 2010. However, we have been in violation and may be in the future. If CLOs were to violate any of the secured note OC 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 the CLOs 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 CLO I acquisition date, purchase discounts and allowance for loan losses. The asset-backed securities are recorded net of liquidity discount only. At September 30, 2014, we had $1,013.8 million of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities, net, $179.7 million of restricted cash and $2.2 million of interest receivable funded by $684.5 million of asset-backed securities issued, net, and interest payable of $0.5 million. These assets and liabilities represented 73.7% of total assets and 56.4% of total liabilities respectively, reported on our Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at September 30, 2014.

 

The tables below summarize the loans held by the CLOs grouped by range of outstanding balance, industry and Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. rating category as of September 30, 2014. 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

As of September 30, 2014

 

Range of Outstanding Balance

 

Number of Loans

 

Maturity Date

 

Total Principal

 
0 - 500     88  

12/2014-9/2021

  $ 18,822  
500 - 2,000     316  

5/2016-1/2022

    423,576  
2,000 - 5,000     125  

1/2015-8/2021

    356,111  
5,000  - 10,000     14  

5/2015-12/2020

    92,971  

$10,001

+       3  

4/2016-5/2016

    32,167  

Total

        546       $ 923,647  

 

 

 
- 59 -

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

As of September 30, 2014

 

Industry

 

Number of

Loans

   

Outstanding

Balance

   

% of Outstanding

Balance

 

Hotels, Motels, Inns and Gaming

    34     $ 54,949       6.0 %

Retail Store

    31       53,640       5.8 %

High Tech Industries

    34       52,744       5.7 %

Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber

    17       51,755       5.6 %

Healthcare, Education & Childcare

    16       44,802       4.9 %

Beverage, Food & Tobacco

    20       44,782       4.9 %

Services: Business

    31       42,551       4.6 %

Services: Consumer

    19       40,263       4.4 %

Banking

    24       36,627       4.0 %

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

    21       30,807       3.3 %

Automobile

    16       28,217       3.1 %

Telecommunications

    18       27,916       3.0 %

Electronics

    11       25,656       2.8 %

Aerospace & Defense

    19       24,897       2.7 %

Diversified/Conglomerate Service

    15       23,359       2.5 %

Capital Equipment

    14       21,430       2.3 %

Consumer Goods: Durable

    14       19,795       2.1 %

Containers, Packaging & Glass

    12       19,775       2.1 %

Media: Broadcasting & Subscription

    13       19,331       2.1 %

Mining, Steel, Iron and Non-Precious Metals

    10       18,743       2.0 %

Utilities

    10       15,816       1.7 %

Construction & Building

    13       15,228       1.6 %

Environmental Industries

    13       15,073       1.6 %

Media: Diversified & Production

    7       14,763       1.6 %

Energy: Oil & Gas

    12       14,183       1.5 %

Oil and Gas

    3       14,165       1.5 %

Leisure , Amusement, Motion Pictures & Entertainment

    6       11,677       1.3 %

Personal, Food and Miscellaneous Services

    7       11,034       1.2 %

Broadcasting and Entertainment

    3       10,639       1.1 %

Automotive

    12       10,396       1.1 %

Personal & Non-Durable Consumer Products

    5       9,886       1.1 %

Transportation: Cargo

    7       8,904       1.0 %

Consumer Goods: Non-durable

    7       8,730       0.9 %

Finance

    4       8,321       0.9 %

Printing & Publishing

    3       7,820       0.9 %

Energy: Electricity

    4       6,947       0.7 %

Forest Products & Paper

    4       6,811       0.7 %

Ecological

    5       6,384       0.7 %

Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing

    8       6,090       0.7 %

Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares and Durable Consumer Products

    2       5,546       0.6 %

Transportaion :Consumer

    3       5,104       0.5 %

Insurance

    2       4,611       0.5 %

Cargo Transport

    1       3,244       0.3 %

Personal Transportation

    2       2,974       0.3 %

Textiles & Leather

    1       2,747       0.3 %

Diversified Natural Resources, Precious Metals and Minerals

    2       2,528       0.3 %

Grocery

    2       2,450       0.3 %

Media, Advertising, Printing & Publishing

    3       1,968       0.2 %

Leisure, Amusement, Motion Pictures, Entertainment

    1       1,802       0.2 %

Wholesale

    1       1,496       0.2 %

Advertising, Printing, Publishing

    1       1,494       0.2 %

Farming & Agriculture

    1       1,470       0.2 %

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

    1       821       0.1 %

Personal and Non-Durable Consumer Products (mfg only)

    1       486       0.1 %
      546       923,647       100 %

  

 
- 60 -

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

As of September 30, 2014

 

Moody's Rating Category

 

Number of

Loans

   

Outstanding

Balance

   

% of Outstanding

Balance

 

Baa2

    1     $ 3,580       0.4 %

Baa3

    2       11,101       1.2 %

Ba1

    10       23,465       2.5 %

Ba2

    35       52,142       5.7 %

Ba3

    68       147,654       16.0 %

B1

    133       248,669       27.0 %

B2

    229       337,508       36.5 %

B3

    63       94,010       10.2 %

Caa1

    3       2,978       0.3 %

Caa2

    1       2,148       0.2 %

Ca

    1       394       0.0 %

Total

    546     $ 923,649       100 %

 

Other Liquidity Considerations

 

As of September 30, 2014, our indebtedness consists of our bonds payable. We have no outstanding balances on our revolving lines of credit with City National Bank (“CNB”), related to JMP Group LLC (“JMPG LLC”), JMP Securities, nor on the revolving line of credit of our wholly-owned subsidiary, HGC II, defined below.

 

In January 2013, we raised approximately $46.0 million from the sale of 8.00% Senior Notes (“2013 Senior Notes”). In January 2014, we raised an additional approximate $48.3 million from the sale of 7.25% Senior Notes (“2014 Senior Notes”). The 2013 Senior Notes will mature on January 15, 2023 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option on or after January 15, 2016, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. The 2013 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.00% per year, payable quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year. The 2014 Senior Notes will mature on January 15, 2021, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option on or after January 15, 2017, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. These 2014 Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.25% per year, payable quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning April 15, 2014.

 

Prior to April 30, 2014, a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with City National Bank (“CNB”) provided a line of credit of up to $30.0 million to the extent the aggregate outstanding balance of all facilities did not exceed $58.5 million. The unused portion of the line incurred an unused facility fee at the rate of 0.25% per annum, paid quarterly. The line of credit was available through April 30, 2014. On April 30, 2014, the Company entered into an amendment to its Credit Agreement (the “Amendment”) between JMP Group and CNB. The Amendment provides a $25.0 million line of credit with a revolving period of two years. At the end of these two years, any outstanding amounts convert to a term loan. This term loan will be repaid in equal quarterly installments over the following three years. Proceeds for this line of credit will be used to make financial investments, for working capital purposes, for general corporate purposes, as well as a $5.0 million sublimit to issue letters of credit. The Company’s outstanding balance on this line of credit was zero as of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, on April 25, 2013, JMP Group drew $15.0 million on a term loan. This term loan was to be repaid in quarterly installments of $1.2 million beginning March 31, 2014, with a final payment of approximately $1.3 million on December 31, 2016. The outstanding balance on this term loan was $15.0 million as of December 31, 2013. The Company paid the balance of the term loan in the first quarter of 2014.

 

The Credit Agreement provides that the proceeds of the CNB Loans are subject to the following restrictions: (i) the Initial Term Loan and up to $5.0 million of the Revolving Line of Credit Loans may not be used for any purpose other than to fund certain permitted investments and acquisitions and to fund JMPG LLC’s working capital needs in the ordinary course of its business; (ii) all other proceeds of the Revolving Line of Credit may not be used for any purpose other than to make investments in HCS and by HCS to make investments in loans that are made to persons that are not affiliates of borrower; and (iii) the Term Loan may not be used for any purpose other than to make equity investments in CLOs and by CLOs to make certain permitted investments in collateralized loan obligations.

 

The Credit Agreement includes minimum fixed charge and interest charge coverage ratios applicable to us and our subsidiaries, a minimum net worth covenant applicable to us and our subsidiaries and a minimum liquidity covenant applicable to JMPG LLC and its subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all of these financial covenants. The Credit Agreement also includes an event of default for a “change of control” that tests, in part, the composition of our ownership and an event of default if two or more of the members of the Executive Committee fail to be involved actively on an ongoing basis in the management of JMPG LLC or any of its subsidiaries. The CNB Loans are guaranteed by HCS and secured by a lien on substantially all assets of JMPG LLC and HCS.

 

Separately, under a Revolving Note and Cash Subordination Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2011, by and between CNB and JMP Securities, as amended, JMP Securities held a subordinated revolving line of credit with CNB (the “Broker/Deal Line of Credit”) to be used for regulatory capital purposes during its securities underwriting activities. The unused portion of the line bears interest at the rate of 0.25% per annum, paid monthly. Pursuant to the Amendment, the prior $15.0 million line of credit held at JMP Securities, which was scheduled to mature May 6, 2014, was increased to $20.0 million and renewed for one year. On May 6, 2015, any existing outstanding amount will convert to a loan maturing the following year. The remaining terms of this line of credit are consistent with those of the prior line of credit. There was no borrowing on this line of credit as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

 

 
- 61 -

 

 

On November 22, 2013, HGC II entered into a line of credit of $3.0 million with CNB. Draws on the line of credit bear interest at the rate of prime plus 0.5% per annum, paid quarterly. The line of credit will be available through December 1, 2015 or fifteen days prior to the expiration of the commitment period of HGC II unless renewed. Proceeds for this line of credit are used to purchase investments, prior to capital calls from HGC II investors. The Company had no borrowing on this line of credit as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

 

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 the first two months of 2014, we paid out $49.0 million of cash bonuses for 2013, excluding employer payroll tax expense.

 

The Company currently intends to declare quarterly cash dividends on all outstanding shares of common stock. In March 2014, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.045 per share of common stock, paid in April 2014 for the fourth quarter of 2013. In April 2014, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.050 per share of common stock, paid in May 2014 for the first quarter of 2014. In July 2014, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.060 per share of common stock, paid in August 2014 for the second quarter of 2014.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company repurchased 293,517 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $6.47 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.9 million. 20,915 of these repurchased shares 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 $199.5 million comprised primarily of $179.7 million of restricted cash at JMP Credit on September 30, 2014. This balance was comprised of $7.5 million in interest received from loans in the CLOs, and $172.2 million in principal cash. The interest and fees will be restricted until the next payment date to note holders of the CLOs. 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.

 

JMP Securities, our wholly-owned subsidiary and a registered securities broker-dealer, 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. 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 $57.5 million and $59.1 million, which were $56.5 million and $58.1 million in excess of the required net capital of $1.0 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. JMP Securities’ ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 0.16 to 1 at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

A condensed table of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is presented below.

   

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

   

Change from 2013 to 2014

 
   

2014

   

2013

    $    

%

 

Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities

  $ (7,608 )   $ 22,274     $ (29,882 )     -134.2 %

Cash flows used in investing activities

    (324,876 )     (81,372 )     (243,504 )     -299.2 %

Cash flows provided by financing activities

    354,313       47,763       306,550       641.8 %

Total cash flows

  $ 21,829     $ (11,335 )   $ 33,164       292.6 %

 

Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

 

Cash increased by $21.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as a result of cash provided by financing activities and cash provided in investing activities, partially offset by cash used in operating activities.

 

Our operating activities used $7.6 million of cash from the net income of $4.9 million, adjusted for the cash used by operating assets and liabilities of $14.0 million, and provided by non-cash revenue and expense items of $1.5 million. The cash used by the change in operating assets and liabilities included an increase in restricted cash, deposits and other assets of $9.9 million, a decrease in accrued compensation and other liabilities of $7.6 million an increase in marketable securities of $6.3 million, partially offset by a decrease in receivables of $4.7 million.

 

Our investing activities used $324.9 million of cash primarily due to the funding of loans collateralizing asset-backed securities of $466.9 million, and the net change in restricted cash reserved for lending activities of $126.1 million, partially offset by sale and payoff of loans collateralizing ABS of $222.3 million.

 

 
- 62 -

 

 

Our financing activities provided $354.3 million of cash primarily due to $329.3 million proceeds from asset-backed securities issued driven by the close of CLO III, $207.4 million proceeds from the CLO III warehouse credit facility, $48.3 million proceeds from the bond issuance, and the $25.3 million sale of shares of CLO III to non-controlling interests, partially offset by the $207.4 million repayment of the CLO III warehouse, $32.6 million repayment of ABS issued and the $20.0 million repayment of a term loan.

 

Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

Cash decreased by $11.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as a result of cash used in investing activities, partially offset by cash provided by operating and financing activities.

 

Our operating activities provided $22.3 million of cash from the net loss of $1.7 million, adjusted for the cash provided by operating assets and liabilities of $17.4 million and non-cash revenue and expense items of $6.5 million. The cash provided by the change in operating assets and liabilities included a decrease in other assets of $13.7 million, an increase in accrued compensation of $10.6 million, partially offset by an increase in receivables of $9.9 million and an increase in marketable securities of $5.2 million.

 

Our investing activities used $81.3 million of cash primarily due to funding of loans collateralizing ABS of $494.9 million, purchases of other investments of $80.1 million, partially offset by cash provided decreases of restricted cash reserved for lending activities of $325.6 million, and sales and payoff of loans collateralizing ABS of $158.0 million.

 

Our financing activities provided $47.8 million of cash primarily due to the contributions of non-controlling interest holders of $56.1 million, $46.0 million proceeds from the bond issuance, and proceeds from the issuance of $15.0 million, partially offset by the repayment on line of credit of $28.2 million and the repayment of asset-backed securities of $20.6 million.

 

 Contractual Obligations

 

As of September 30, 2014, our aggregate minimum future commitment on our leases was $16.6 million. See Note 13 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements for more information. In January 2014, the Company issued a $42.0 million bond, payable in 2021, with annual interest payments of $2.4 million in 2014, and subsequent annual interest payments of $3.2 million, from 2015 through 2021. Our remaining contractual obligations have not materially changed from those reported in our 2013 10-K.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

In connection with the CLOs, the Company had unfunded commitments to lend of $95.0 million and $40.4 million and standby letters of credit of $1.6 million and $1.8 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The funds for the unfunded commitments to lend and the cash collateral supporting these standby letters of credit are included in restricted cash on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of September 30, 2014. These commitments do not extend to JMP Group Inc. See Note 18 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements for more information on the financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in connection with the CLOs.

 

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 September 30, 2014. However, as described below under “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market 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. 

 

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 discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our 2013 10-K cause actual events to differ from the assumptions we used in applying the accounting policies, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be adversely affected.

 

 
- 63 -

 

 

 

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 estimates or assumptions 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 estimates or assumptions 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

 

 

Asset Management Investment Partnerships

 

 

Loans Collateralizing Asset-backed Securities Issued

 

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

 

Asset-backed Securities Issued

 

 

Legal and Other Contingent Liabilities

 

 

Income Taxes

 

Our significant accounting policies are described further in the “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” section and Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements in our 2013 10-K.

 

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative 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 approximately 900 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. We engaged in a forward contract derivative and a swaption derivative in 2012 and 2014, respectively, to secure the acquisition of certain private equity securities. In the future, we may utilize other hedging strategies such as equity derivative trades.

 

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 $35.6 million as of September 30, 2014. Our marketable securities sold but not yet purchased consist of short positions in equity securities and were recorded at a fair value of $18.5 million as of September 30, 2014. The net potential loss in fair value for our marketable equity securities portfolio as of September 30, 2014, using a hypothetical 10% decline in prices, is estimated to be approximately $1.7 million. In addition, as of September 30, 2014, we have invested $72.4 million of our own capital in our funds, which are invested primarily in publicly traded equity securities. The net potential loss in fair value for our investments at September 30, 2014, using a hypothetical 10% decline in the funds’ investment portfolios, is estimated to be approximately $6.9 million. A 10% decrease in the fair value of our investment in the equity securities in HGC, HGC II and JMP Capital is immaterial to the Company’s results of operations due to the impact of the non-controlling interest holders. As of September 30, 2014, our interest in HGC and HGC II was 4.80% and 2.34%, respectively.

 

 
- 64 -

 

 

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.

 

As of September 30, 2014, approximately 84.0% of our combined CLO portfolios had LIBOR floors with a weighted average floor of 0.99%. Many of the loans in CLO portfolios have variable interest rates indexed to LIBOR and subject to a LIBOR floor, which provides additional income during periods when LIBOR rates are below the floor levels. Loans with a LIBOR floor pay an interest rate of LIBOR plus the applicable margin so long as LIBOR remains above the specified floor level. If, however, LIBOR falls below the floor, the interest rate is the floor level plus the applicable margin. The asset backed securities issued by our CLOs typically have variable interest rates indexed to LIBOR, but do not have LIBOR floors. Accordingly, in a low interest rate environment, the equity holders of our CLOs benefit from a so called LIBOR floor benefit. If the LIBOR increases above the applicable LIBOR floors, the variable interest payments on the CLO asset backed securities will also increase, and the LIBOR floor benefit to us will decrease. This would diminish the return on equity of our CLOs that we hold, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

 

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.

 

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 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. 

 

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. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, believes that the currently known actions or threats against us will not result in any material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

  

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

 

The risk factors included in our 2013 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 2013 10-K.

 

 
- 65 -

 

 

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 Exchange Act), of our common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

                   

Total Number of

         
                   

Shares Purchased

   

Maximum Number of

 
   

Total Number

   

Average Price

   

as Part of Publicly

   

Shares that May Yet Be

 
   

of Shares

   

Paid

   

Announced Plans or

   

Purchased Under the

 

Period

 

Purchased

   

Per Share

   

Programs

   

Plans or Programs (1)

 
                                 

July 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014

    -     $ 0.00       -       902,340  

August 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014

    -     $ 0.00       -       902,340  

September 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014

    82,949     $ 6.43       82,949       819,391  

Total

    82,949               82,949          

 

(1)

The Company’s board of directors previously authorized the repurchase of 1.3 million shares through December 31, 2014. On October 8, 2014, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 722,112 additional shares of the company's outstanding common stock, increasing the total number of shares eligible for repurchase to 1,500,000. Subsequently, on October 30, 2014, the board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 526,284 additional shares, increasing the Company's share repurchase authorization to 1,000,000 shares through December 31, 2015.

 

 

ITEM 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

 Not Applicable.

 

ITEM 5.

Other Information

         None.     

 

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

 

See Exhibit Index.

 

 
- 66 -

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: November 4, 2014

 

     

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

  

 
- 67 -

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number       

Description       

   

4.8

Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2014, among JMP Credit Advisors CLO III Ltd., as Issuer, JMP Credit Advisors CLO III LLC, as Co-Issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2014).

   

10.6

Collateral Administration Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2014, by and among JMP Credit Advisors CLO III Ltd., JMP Credit Advisors LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral administrator (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2014).

   

10.7

Certificated Subordinated Notes Subscription Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2014, among JMP Credit Advisors LLC and JMP Credit Advisors CLO III Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 1, 2014).

   

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.

   

101

The following materials from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), include: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) related notes (furnished herewith).

 

 

 

 

- 68 -