Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

 

for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

 

- or -

 

o

 

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

for the transition period from                                     to                              

 

Commission file number 014140

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

22-2655804

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York

 

10104

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code  (212) 273-7100

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large Accelerated Filer o

 

Accelerated Filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated Filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller Reporting Company o

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

127,182,189 shares of Common Stock were outstanding as of the close of business on April 30, 2012

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

Page

Part I

 

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part II

 

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

62

 

2



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

Part I — Financial Information

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(In thousands, except for per share amounts)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions

 

$

21,320

 

$

45,341

 

Commissions

 

19,151

 

18,459

 

Investment banking

 

6,678

 

10,322

 

Investment gains/(losses), net

 

132

 

(686

)

Interest income

 

19,204

 

15,068

 

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition (Refer to Note 11)

 

 

2,330

 

Fees and other

 

2,877

 

1,124

 

Total revenues

 

69,362

 

91,958

 

Interest expense

 

4,619

 

2,569

 

Net revenues

 

64,743

 

89,389

 

Expenses (excluding interest):

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

43,719

 

59,088

 

Clearing, settlement and brokerage

 

12,993

 

4,787

 

Communications and data processing

 

3,319

 

3,215

 

Occupancy, depreciation and amortization

 

2,134

 

1,912

 

Business development

 

1,018

 

1,525

 

Other

 

6,842

 

4,134

 

Total expenses (excluding interest)

 

70,025

 

74,661

 

(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

(5,282

)

14,728

 

Income tax (benefit)/expense

 

(566

)

6,129

 

(Loss)/income from continuing operations

 

(4,716

)

8,599

 

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (Refer to Note 24)

 

32

 

(1,394

)

Net (loss)/income

 

$

(4,684

)

$

7,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share data:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.07

 

Discontinued operations

 

(0.00

)

(0.01

)

Net loss per share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.06

 

Diluted loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.07

 

Discontinued operations

 

(0.00

)

(0.01

)

Net loss per share

 

$

(0.04

)

$

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

119,510

 

123,564

 

Dilutive

 

119,510

 

130,766

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars, except for share and per share amounts)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

32,688

 

$

36,672

 

Cash and securities segregated for regulatory and other purposes

 

2,000

 

9,612

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

2,984,884

 

1,523,227

 

Receivables from:

 

 

 

 

 

Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

89,834

 

58,776

 

Related parties

 

1,337

 

1,337

 

Others

 

15,364

 

16,161

 

Financial instruments owned, at fair value (includes financial instruments pledged of $1,456,154 and $1,553,610 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)

 

1,457,273

 

1,554,660

 

Investments

 

18,440

 

18,310

 

Office equipment and leasehold improvements, net

 

6,608

 

6,735

 

Goodwill

 

21,096

 

21,096

 

Intangible assets

 

4,187

 

4,311

 

Income taxes receivable

 

9,094

 

12,102

 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

27,193

 

30,766

 

Other assets

 

9,843

 

9,791

 

Total Assets

 

$

4,679,841

 

$

3,303,556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Payables to:

 

 

 

 

 

Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

$

1,054,028

 

$

1,108,664

 

Related parties

 

4,956

 

4,939

 

Others

 

3,773

 

3,243

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

2,979,606

 

1,478,081

 

Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value

 

233,499

 

184,996

 

Secured borrowings

 

117,195

 

213,611

 

Accrued compensation

 

10,596

 

26,274

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

13,562

 

18,223

 

Income taxes payable

 

4,082

 

3,979

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

1,746

 

1,622

 

Subordinated debt

 

801

 

801

 

Total Liabilities

 

4,423,844

 

3,044,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Refer to Note 16)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock; $.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares, issued 133,769,219 and 133,714,786 shares; and outstanding 127,072,570 and 120,883,601 shares, at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively

 

1,337

 

1,337

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

455,540

 

463,497

 

Deferred compensation

 

161

 

161

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(190,571

)

(185,887

)

Treasury stock, at cost (6,696,649 shares and 12,831,185 shares, at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)

 

(10,470

)

(19,985

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

255,997

 

259,123

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

4,679,841

 

$

3,303,556

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income

 

$

(4,684

)

$

7,205

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss)/income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of stock-based compensation

 

4,497

 

5,221

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,697

 

5,586

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

487

 

475

 

Investment losses/(gains), net

 

(132

)

686

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

124

 

794

 

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition

 

 

(2,330

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes

 

7,612

 

(400

)

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

(1,461,657

)

(74,624

)

Net receivable/payable from/to related parties

 

 

451

 

Net receivable from others

 

1,327

 

5,088

 

Financial instruments owned, at fair value

 

97,387

 

(104,255

)

Income taxes receivable/payable, net

 

2,725

 

(807

)

Other assets

 

 

1,434

 

Net payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations

 

(85,694

)

129,669

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

1,501,525

 

35,636

 

Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value

 

48,503

 

32,545

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(4,964

)

(1,926

)

Accrued compensation

 

(15,835

)

(38,999

)

Drafts payable

 

269

 

(744

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

95,187

 

705

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

ClearPoint acquisition — net cash acquired (Refer to Note 11)

 

 

626

 

Purchases of office equipment and leasehold improvements

 

(360

)

(535

)

Return of capital — investments

 

 

515

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

(360

)

606

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from secured borrowings

 

583,000

 

161,612

 

Repayments of secured borrowings

 

(679,416

)

(157,474

)

Purchases of treasury stock

 

 

(5,803

)

Payment for employee tax withholdings on stock-based compensation

 

(2,403

)

(5,041

)

Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation

 

8

 

202

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(98,811

)

(6,504

)

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(3,984

)

(5,193

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 

36,672

 

40,009

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

$

32,688

 

$

34,816

 

 

NON CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued approximately 6.9 million and 0.4 million shares out of treasury stock, net of forfeitures, respectively, for stock-based compensation exercises and vesting.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued approximately 0.1 million and 2.3 million, respectively, shares of common stock for settlement of stock-based compensation awards.

 

The fair value of non-cash assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition on January 3, 2011 were $51.6 million and $49.9 million, respectively (Refer to Note 11).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part

of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.        Basis of Presentation

 

Organization and Nature of Business

 

Gleacher & Company, Inc. (the “Parent” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is an independent investment bank that provides corporate and institutional clients with strategic and financial advisory services, including merger and acquisition, restructuring, recapitalization, and strategic alternative analysis.  The Company also provides capital raising, research-based investment analysis, and securities brokerage services, and, through the Company’s ClearPoint Funding, Inc. subsidiary (“ClearPoint”), engages in residential mortgage lending.  The Company offers a diverse range of products through its Investment Banking, Mortgage Backed/Asset Backed & Rates (“MBS/ABS & Rates”), Corporate Credit and ClearPoint divisions.  The Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.  The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “GLCH.”

 

Policies and Presentation

 

The accounting and financial reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  The consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could be different from these estimates.  In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of this interim financial information are contained in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of those for the full year.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and are unaudited.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted.  Reference should be made to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for additional information, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies.

 

Reclassification

 

Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation with no impact to previously reported net income or stockholders’ equity.  This includes the prior period results of the Equities division, which is now being reported as discontinued operations.  Refer to Note 24 herein for additional information.  In addition, revenues earned on a riskless principal basis in the amount of $18.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 have been reclassified from principal transactions to commission income in order to distinguish such revenues (commission equivalents) from revenues earned on financial instruments held in inventory.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”), which requires new disclosures about balance sheet offsetting and related arrangements.  For derivative financial assets and liabilities, the amendments require disclosure of gross asset and liability amounts, amounts offset on the balance sheet, and amounts subject to offsetting requirements but not offset in the balance sheet.  This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and is to be applied retrospectively.  This guidance does not amend the existing guidance on when it is appropriate to offset, and since these amended principles require only additional disclosures, the adoption of ASU 2011-11 will not affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08 “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other:  Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (“ASU 2011-08”), in order to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment.  ASU 2011-08 permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in FASB Topic 350.  ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-05”), in order to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income.  The amendments in this ASU include the requirement that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, and eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, except for new presentation requirements about reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income which are currently deferred indefinitely.  ASU 2011-05 is not applicable to the Company as it has no items reported as other comprehensive income.

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurements:  Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS” (“ASU 2011-04”), in order to develop common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  The amendments in this ASU include clarification of (i) the application of the highest and best use valuation premise concepts and specifies that such concepts are relevant only when measuring the fair value of nonfinancial assets, (ii) the requirement to measure certain instruments classified in stockholders’ equity at fair value, such as equity interests issued as consideration in a business combination and (iii) disclosure requirements regarding quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in a fair value measurement that is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  In addition, ASU 2011-04 changes particular principles or requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including (a) measuring the fair value of financial instruments that are managed within a portfolio by permitting entities to measure such financial instruments on a net basis if such entities manage such financial instruments on the basis of their net exposure, (b) clarifying that premiums or discounts related to size as a characteristic of the reporting entity’s holding (specifically, a blockage factor) rather than as a characteristic of the asset or liability (for example, a control premium) are not permitted in a fair value measurement and (c) the expansion of disclosures about fair value measurements, including the valuation processes of financial instruments categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs and the interrelationships between those unobservable inputs, if any.  ASU 2011-04 is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note 8 which includes the disclosures as required by this ASU.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03 “Transfers and Servicing:  Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements” (“ASU 2011-03”), in order to improve the accounting for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity.  The amendments in this ASU remove from the assessment of effective control (i) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (ii) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion.  ASU 2011-03 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-03 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, “When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts” (“ASU 2010-28”), in order to address questions about entities with reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts as some entities concluded that Step 1 of the test is passed in those circumstances because the fair value of their reporting unit will generally be greater than zero.  For reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, taking into consideration any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist.  ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2010-28 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

2.        (Loss)/Earnings Per Common Share

 

The Company calculates its basic and diluted (loss)/earnings per share in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.”  Basic (loss)/earnings per share is computed based upon weighted-average shares outstanding during the period.  Dilutive (loss)/earnings per share is computed consistently with the basic computation while giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares and common share equivalents that were outstanding during the period. The Company uses the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of unvested stock awards, warrants, and unexercised options.  The weighted average shares outstanding were calculated as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Weighted average shares for basic (loss)/earnings per share

 

119,510

 

123,564

 

Effect of dilutive common share equivalents

 

 

7,202

 

Weighted average shares and dilutive common share equivalents for dilutive (loss)/earnings per share

 

119,510

 

130,766

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company was in a net loss position and therefore excluded approximately 10.1 million of shares underlying stock options and warrants, 9.2 million of shares of restricted stock, and 4.9 million of shares underlying restricted stock units (“RSUs”) from its computation of dilutive loss per share because they were anti-dilutive.  For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company excluded approximately 5.8 million of shares underlying stock options and warrants, 3.3 million of shares of restricted stock and 0.2 million of shares underlying RSUs from its computation of dilutive earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

 

3.        Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company has defined cash equivalents as highly liquid investments, with original maturities of less than 90 days that are not segregated for regulatory purposes or held for sale in the ordinary course of business.  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, cash equivalents were approximately $2.9 million and $10.3 million, respectively.  Cash and cash equivalents of approximately $16.0 million and $18.4 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, were held at one financial institution.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

4.        Cash and Securities Segregated for Regulatory and Other Purposes

 

In November 2010, Gleacher & Company Securities, Inc. (“Gleacher Securities”) began self-clearing its trading activities in U.S. government securities (the “Rates business”) and is therefore subject to the Customer Protection rules under Rule 15c3-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company segregated cash of $1.0 million and $4.0 million respectively, in a special reserve bank account for the exclusive benefit of customers pertaining to the results of the activities of the Company’s Rates business and outstanding checks issued to customers and vendors when the Company was previously conducting self-clearing in prior years.

 

Cash segregated also includes $1.0 million of cash on deposit in connection with ClearPoint’s secured borrowings at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

At December 31, 2011, cash segregated also included approximately $4.6 million of cash received in connection with a working capital loan agreement between an unaffiliated borrower and certain lenders.  In connection with this agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, acting as agent, has a commitment to pay funding advances on behalf of the lenders with respect to any unfunded commitments drawn upon by the borrower under the working capital loan agreement.  An equal and offsetting liability is recorded within Accounts payable and accrued expenses within the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition.

 

5.        Resale and Repurchase Agreements

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 for a detailed discussion of accounting policies related to the Company’s resale and repurchase agreements.

 

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the fair value of financial instruments received as collateral by the Company that it was permitted to deliver or repledge in connection with resale agreements was approximately $3.1 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, substantially all of which was repledged in the form of repurchase agreements at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2011.

 

The following tables provide detail on the composition of the outstanding repurchase agreements at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

(In thousands)

 

Overnight

 

< 30 days

 

30-90 days

 

> 90 days

 

On
Demand

 

Total

 

Collateral Type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and federal agency obligations

 

$

1,527,562

 

$

450,000

 

$

550,000

 

$

 

$

452,044

 

$

2,979,606

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011

 

(In thousands)

 

Overnight

 

< 30 days

 

30-90 days

 

> 90 days

 

On
Demand

 

Total

 

Collateral Type

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and federal agency obligations

 

$

1,204,641

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

273,440

 

$

1,478,081

 

 

9



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

6.

Receivables from and Payables to Brokers, Dealers, and Clearing Organizations

 

Amounts receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations consists of the following:

 

(In thousands)

 

March 31,
2012

 

December 31,
 2011

 

Fails to deliver

 

$

68,715

 

$

24,654

 

Deposits with clearing organizations

 

18,081

 

16,467

 

Receivable from clearing organizations

 

2,942

 

2,950

 

Underwriting and syndicate fees receivable

 

96

 

 

Receivable for unsettled trading activities

 

 

14,705

 

Total receivables

 

$

89,834

 

$

58,776

 

Payable to clearing organizations

 

930,682

 

1,093,518

 

Fails to receive

 

99,492

 

15,146

 

Payable for unsettled trading activities

 

23,854

 

 

Total payables

 

$

1,054,028

 

$

1,108,664

 

 

Included within deposits with clearing organizations at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 is a deposit with the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (“FICC”) of approximately $17.3 million and $15.2 million, respectively, related to the Company’s self clearing activities associated with the Rates business.

 

Securities transactions are recorded on their trade date.  The related amounts receivable and payable for unsettled securities transactions are recorded net, by clearing organization, in Receivables from or Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

The clearing organizations may re-hypothecate all securities held on behalf of the Company.

 

7.

Receivables from and Payables to Others

 

Amounts Receivable from and Payable to Others consist of the following:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

March 31,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Interest receivable

 

$

6,363

 

$

7,250

 

Principal paydowns — Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

3,901

 

4,468

 

Investment banking and advisory fees receivable

 

1,201

 

1,713

 

Receivable from customers

 

1,092

 

 

Loans and advances

 

332

 

280

 

Management fees receivable

 

163

 

140

 

Others

 

2,312

 

2,310

 

Total receivables from others

 

$

15,364

 

$

16,161

 

Payable to employees for the Employee Investment Funds (Refer to Note 10)

 

$

947

 

$

972

 

Customer deposits held in escrow — ClearPoint

 

801

 

849

 

Draft payables

 

404

 

135

 

Others

 

1,621

 

1,287

 

Total payables to others

 

$

3,773

 

$

3,243

 

 

The Company maintains a group of “zero balance” bank accounts which are included in Payable to others on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  Drafts payable represent the balance in these accounts related to outstanding checks that have not yet been presented for payment at the bank.  The Company has sufficient funds on deposit to clear these checks, and these funds will be transferred to the “zero-balance” accounts upon presentment.

 

10



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

8.

Financial Instruments

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained within Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of accounting policies related to the Company’s financial instruments & investments, loans and derivative financial instruments.

 

The Company’s financial instruments are recorded within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value.  ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon the transfer of a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

 

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the reporting date, for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2: Directly or indirectly observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar items in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, volatilities); or “market corroborated inputs.”

 

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would make.

 

** Prices are not adjusted for the effects, if any, of the Company holding a large block relative to the overall trading volume (referred to as a “blockage factor”).

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from product to product and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of product, whether the product is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

ASC 820 also provides (i) general guidance on determining fair value when markets are inactive including the use of judgment in determining whether a transaction in a dislocated market represents fair value, the inclusion of market participant risk adjustments when an entity significantly adjusts observable market data based on unobservable inputs, and the degree of reliance to be placed on broker quotes or pricing services as well as (ii) additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly declined and guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly.

 

Fair Valuation Methodology

 

Cash Equivalents — These financial assets represent cash in banks or cash invested in highly liquid investments with original maturities less than 90 days that are not segregated for regulatory purposes or held for sale in the ordinary course of business.  These investments are valued at par, which represent fair value, and are considered Level 1.  Refer to Note 3 “Cash and Cash Equivalents” for additional information.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Financial Instruments Owned/Securities Sold But Not Yet Purchased — These financial instruments primarily consist of investments in fixed income securities, as well as holdings in equity securities.  The Company has no exposure to European sovereign debt.

 

Level 1 Cash Instruments

 

Level 1 cash instruments include U.S. government obligations and actively traded listed preferred stock and equity securities (if not subject to legal restriction on transfer).  These instruments are generally traded in active, quoted and highly liquid markets.

 

Level 2 Cash Instruments

 

Level 2 cash instruments include agency mortgage-backed securities, federal agency obligations, mortgage loans originated by ClearPoint for which the fair value option (“FVO”) has been elected and certain preferred stock, asset-backed and non-agency mortgage-backed securities.

 

In determining fair value for Level 2 financial instruments, management considers recent purchases or sales of the financial assets, benchmark securities and yields, recently executed market transactions of comparable size, issuer spreads and bids/offers.  Fair value for ClearPoint’s loans is determined utilizing observable market factors and is principally based upon the fair value of the “to-be-announced” (“TBA”) forward securities market (Refer to “Derivatives” below).

 

Level 3 Cash Instruments

 

Level 3 cash instruments primarily include non-agency commercial and residential mortgage backed securities positions.  In determining fair value for Level 3 financial instruments, management maximizes the use of market observable information when available.  Management considers factors such as recent purchases or sales of the financial assets, bids that were received, and various benchmarking techniques, including spread comparisons to other similar financial assets recently traded, or spreads to observable factors such as yield curves.  Management considers its valuation methodologies consistent with assumptions in how other market participants value certain financial assets.

 

Level 3 cash instruments also includes the Company’s investment in  FA Technology Ventures, L.P. (“FATV” or “the Partnership”), further described below.

 

Derivatives — These financial instruments primarily consist of TBAs, forward sales and interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”).

 

TBAs and forward sales:  In connection with mortgage-backed and U.S. government securities trading, and the mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint, the Company economically hedges certain exposures through the use of TBAs and forward sale agreements.  A TBA is a forward mortgage-backed security whose collateral remains “to-be-announced” until just prior to the trade settlement.  Forward sale agreements are entered into by ClearPoint and are valued based upon the TBA.  TBAs are traded in an active quoted market and therefore generally classified as Level 1.

 

IRLCs:  The Company enters into mortgage loan IRLCs in connection with its mortgage lending activities.  The fair value of the IRLCs are determined on an individual loan basis and are based on investor pricing tables stratified by product, note rate and term and considers the servicing release premium, expected loan origination fees and costs and loan pricing adjustments specific to each loan.  The Company also applies an estimated rate of closure based on historical experience in determining the notional amount of the loans expected to be funded.  All of these factors combined results in the classification of the IRLCs as Level 3.

 

12



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Investments — These financial assets primarily represent the Company’s investment in FATV, a venture capital limited partnership which provides early stage growth capital to companies in the information and new energy technology sectors.  Valuation techniques applied by FATV GP LLC (the “General Partner”) to the underlying portfolio companies predominantly include consideration of comparable market transactions and the use of valuation models to determine the discounted value of estimated future cash flows, adjusted as appropriate for market and/or other risk factors.  In addition, from time to time, FATV holds equity securities in public companies which are valued based upon quoted market prices.  This investment is classified as Level 3 as the majority of the valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.

 

Valuation Processes and Controls

 

Our sales and trading professionals in our revenue producing units are responsible for pricing our financial instruments.  The Company employs an independent control process in order to validate these prices.  This control process, which involves both the Company’s risk management and finance personnel, is designed to ensure that the values used for financial reporting are based on observable inputs wherever possible.  In the event that observable inputs are not available, the control processes are designed to assure that the valuation approach utilized is appropriate and consistently applied and that the assumptions are reasonable.

 

Fair value is generally determined through a variety of factors, such as recent purchases or sales of the financial assets, bids that were received, and various benchmarking techniques, including spread comparisons to other similar assets recently traded or spreads to other observable factors such as yield curves.  The Company’s independent control process includes leveraging pricing information obtained from external data providers to assess the reasonableness of its marks, generally for the Company’s most highly liquid financial instruments, as this data tends to be generally reliable for positions that are actively traded.  For the Company’s less liquid financial instruments, the Company’s independent control process includes comparing month-end marks to recent trading activity, benchmarking price changes to observable market indices, reviewing benchmarking techniques, analyzing external pricing data for trends and qualitatively assessing changes in the collateral underlying certain structured products, principally our commercial mortgage-backed securities positions.  These independent procedures are critical to ensuring our financial instruments are properly valued.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

 

The following table summarizes the categorization of the financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy including those for which the Company accounts for under the FVO, at March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

Assets at Fair Value

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Financial instruments owned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

$

 

$

832,485

 

$

362

 

$

832,847

 

Federal agency obligations

 

 

369,550

 

 

369,550

 

Loans

 

 

147,448

 

 

147,448

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

8,386

 

26,603

 

34,989

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

1,347

 

27,850

 

29,197

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

21,125

 

 

21,125

 

Preferred stock

 

14,645

 

 

 

14,645

 

U.S. government obligations

 

4,607

 

 

 

4,607

 

Equity securities

 

974

 

 

103

 

1,077

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

 

 

585

 

585

 

Other debt obligations

 

 

 

318

 

318

 

Derivatives (1)

 

 

 

885

 

885

 

Investments

 

 

 

18,440

 

18,440

 

Total financial assets at fair value

 

$

20,226

 

$

1,380,341

 

$

75,146

 

$

1,475,713

 

 

13



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Liabilities at Fair Value

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Securities sold but not yet purchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

$

228,907

 

$

 

$

 

$

228,907

 

Equity securities

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

4,086

 

 

4,086

 

Preferred stock

 

50

 

 

 

50

 

Derivatives (1)

 

454

 

 

 

454

 

Total financial liabilities at fair value

 

$

229,413

 

$

4,086

 

$

 

$

233,499

 

 


(1)         Unrealized gains/(losses) relating to derivatives are reported in Securities owned and Securities sold, but not yet purchased, at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

Included below is a discussion of the characteristics of the Company’s Level 2 and Level 3 holdings at March 31, 2012.  Unless otherwise stated, fair value of Level 2 assets are determined based upon observable third party information including recent trading activity, broker quotes and other relevant market data as noted above.  Fair value for Level 3 assets are based predominantly on management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market  participants would make.

 

Financial Instruments Classified as Level 2

 

The Company’s agency mortgage-backed securities positions classified as Level 2, of approximately $832.5 million, have a weighted average loan size of approximately $0.2 million paying interest of 5.9%, with a weighted average FICO score of 702.  This portfolio has a weighted average coupon remitting payment of 5.0% and has a weighted average annualized constant prepayment rate of approximately 18.0%.  Fair value is determined through a combination of matrix pricing as well as the information noted in the preceding paragraph.

 

The Company’s net Level 2 U.S. Government and federal agency obligations of approximately $369.6 million have a weighted average coupon of 1.7% and a weighted average maturity of 2018.

 

The Company’s Level 2 loans of approximately $147.4 million (unpaid principal of approximately $143.7 million), which are related to the mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint and for which the FVO has been elected, have a weighted average loan size of approximately $0.2 million and has a weighted average coupon remitting payment of 3.9%.  Unrealized losses arising from fair value changes of approximately $0.8 million have been recorded within Principal transactions within the Consolidated Statements of Operations as of March 31, 2012.  There are no loans 90 days or more past due and no loans are in non-accrual status.  The loans are underwritten using standards prescribed by conventional mortgage lenders and loan buyers such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

 

The Company’s net holdings of corporate debt securities classified as Level 2 of approximately $17.0 million have a weighted average credit rating of B, have a weighted average issuance year of 2006 and a weighted average maturity of 2021.

 

The Company’s Level 2 non-agency residential mortgage backed securities of approximately $8.4 million are primarily senior tranches, have a weighted average credit rating of BB, and have experienced on average, a weighted average default rate of 4.7% and 49% severity.

 

The Company’s Level 2 commercial mortgage backed securities of approximately $1.3 million are primarily mezzanine, have a weighted average credit rating of B and a weighted average issuance year of 2006.

 

14



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Financial Instruments Classified as Level 3

 

Non-Agency Residential Mortgage Backed Securities — Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

The Company’s Level 3 non-agency residential mortgage backed securities of approximately $26.6 million are primarily senior tranches, have a weighted average credit rating of CC, and have experienced on average, a weighted average default rate of 8.4% and 53.9% severity.

 

Valuation Technique

 

Fair Value at 
March 31, 
2012

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range (Weighted Average)

 

Benchmarking techniques

 

$

26,603

(1)

Offer price

 

$9.50-$100.03 ($40.83)

 

 


(1) Market value determined through benchmarking valuation techniques including spread and price comparisons to similar financial assets, consideration for changes in relevant market indices in general and recent trading activity.  Includes $16.5 million of financial instruments purchased within 30 days of March 31, 2012.

 

Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities — Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

The Company’s Level 3 commercial mortgage backed securities of approximately $27.9 million are primarily mezzanine, have a weighted average credit rating of BBB and a weighted average issuance year of 2006. 

 

Valuation Technique

 

Fair Value at 
March 31, 
2012

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range (Weighted Average)

 

Benchmarking techniques

 

$

27,850

(1)

Offer price

 

$8.64-$113.00 ($46.86)

 

 


(1) Market value principally determined through benchmarking to spreads offered on similar financial assets, determined based upon the expected performance of the underlying collateral.  Includes $5.0 million of financial instruments purchased within 30 days of March 31, 2012.

 

Interest Rate Lock Commitments — Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

IRLCs are reported as derivatives and are classified Level 3.  The significant unobservable input is ClearPoint’s estimated rate of closure of 80.2%, representing the percentage of ClearPoint’s loan commitments expected to fund, which is based on historical experience.  A reduction in this unobservable input would result in a lower fair value for these financial instruments.

 

Refer to Note 9 for additional information.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Investments — Quantitative Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

The Company’s investments of approximately $18.4 million classified as Level 3, includes the Company’s investment in FATV of approximately $16.0 million.  Refer to Note 10 for additional information.

 

 

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range (Weighted Average)

Market comparable companies

 

Enterprise value/Revenue multiple

 

1.0x — 8.8x (6.1x)

 

 

EBITA multiple

 

18.3x - 20.3x (19.3x)

 

 

Discount applied to multiples

 

0% - 80% (34%)

 

 

 

 

 

Discounted future exit value

 

Revenue multiple

 

5.0x

 

 

EBITA multiple

 

8.5x

 

 

Discount applied to multiples

 

30% - 50% (37%)

 

An increase in the enterprise value/revenue, EBITA and revenue multiples would result in a higher fair value for these investments, whereas, an increase in the discounts applied to these multiples would reduce fair value.

 

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements — Quantitative Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

The Company’s assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis solely relate to Goodwill arising from various business combinations which would be classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.  Refer to Note 12 for additional information.

 

16



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the categorization of the financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy including those for which the Company accounts for under the FVO at December 31, 2011:

 

 

 

Assets at Fair Value

 

(In thousands)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Financial instruments owned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

$

 

$

1,084,254

 

$

1,367

 

$

1,085,621

 

Loans

 

 

228,226

 

 

228,226

 

Federal agency obligations

 

 

158,774

 

 

158,774

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

38,154

 

38,154

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

18,419

 

18,419

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

14,524

 

 

14,524

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

5,789

 

 

 

5,789

 

Preferred stock

 

316

 

 

1,301

 

1,617

 

Equity securities

 

889

 

 

112

 

1,001

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

 

 

647

 

647

 

Other debt obligations

 

 

 

192

 

192

 

Derivatives

 

 

 

1,696

 

1,696

 

Investments

 

 

 

18,310

 

18,310

 

Total financial assets at fair value

 

$

6,994

 

$

1,485,778

 

$

80,198

 

$

1,572,970

 

 

 

 

Liabilities at Fair Value

 

(In thousands)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Securities sold but not yet purchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government and federal agency obligations

 

$

158,059

 

$

 

$

 

$

158,059

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

12,254

 

 

12,254

 

Federal agency obligations

 

 

11,796

 

 

11,796

 

Preferred stock

 

184

 

 

730

 

914

 

Equity securities

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Derivatives

 

1,971

 

 

 

1,971

 

Total financial liabilities at fair value

 

$

160,216

 

$

24,050

 

$

730

 

$

184,996

 

 

The Company reviews its financial instrument classification on a quarterly basis.  As the observability and strength of valuation attributes change, reclassifications of certain financial assets or liabilities may occur between levels.  The Company’s policy is to utilize an end-of-period convention for determining transfers in or out of Levels 1, 2 and 3.  During the three months ended March 31, 2011, there were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2.

 

17



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2012:

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance at 
December 31,
2011

 

Total gains or
(losses) 
(realized and 
unrealized) (1)

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Settlements

 

Transfers in 
and/or out of 
Level 3(2)

 

Balance at 
March 31, 
2012

 

Changes in 
unrealized 
gains/(losses) 
on Level 3 
assets still 
held at the 
reporting date 
(1)

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

$

38,154

 

$

(3,505

)

$

14,845

 

$

(20,163

)

$

(134

)

$

(1,347

)

$

27,850

 

$

(3,019

)

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

18,419

 

(548

)

26,529

 

(16,156

)

(682

)

(959

)

26,603

 

(32

)

Other debt obligations

 

192

 

3

 

3,254

 

(3,131

)

 

 

318

 

(2

)

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

1,367

 

(68

)

295

 

(1,232

)

 

 

362

 

(60

)

Collateralized debt obligations

 

647

 

(62

)

 

 

 

 

585

 

(61

)

Equities

 

112

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

103

 

(10

)

Preferred stock

 

571

 

106

 

682

 

(1,359

)

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

18,310

 

132

 

 

 

(2

)

 

18,440

 

325

 

Derivatives

 

1,696

 

885

 

 

 

(1,696

)

 

885

 

885

 

Total

 

$

79,468

 

$

(3,066

)

$

45,605

 

$

(42,041

)

$

(2,514

)

$

(2,306

)

$

75,146

 

$

(1,974

)

 


(1)          Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) are reported in Principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

(2)          During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company transferred approximately $1.3 million of commercial mortgage backed securities and approximately $1.0 million of residential mortgage-backed securities from Level 3 to Level 2 due to price discovery resulting from Company trading activity occurring in close proximity to March 31, 2012.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2011:

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance at 
December 31,
2010

 

Total gains or
(losses)
(realized and 
unrealized) (1)

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 

Settlements

 

Transfers in
and/or out of 
Level 3

 

Balance at 
March 31, 
2011

 

Changes in 
unrealized 
gains/(losses) 
on Level 3 
assets still 
held at the 
reporting date 
(1)

 

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 

$

46,571

 

$

14,602

 

$

88,321

 

$

(81,192

)

$

(55

)

$

 

$

68,247

 

$

1,661

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 

33,604

 

 

15,574

 

(15,248

)

(1,545

)

 

32.385

 

(290

)

Other debt obligations

 

5,843

 

(10

)

10,367

 

(6,563

)

(82

)

 

9,555

 

9

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

806

 

(53

)

3,157

 

(1,480

)

 

 

2.430

 

125

 

Collateralized debt obligations

 

23,235

 

10,579

 

9,139

 

(35,292

)

(526

)

 

7,135

 

(508

)

Equities

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

60

 

 

Investments

 

18,084

 

(686

)

 

 

(515

)

 

16,883

 

(636

)

Derivatives

 

 

685

 

 

 

 

 

685

 

685

 

Total

 

$

128,203

 

$

25,117

 

$

126,558

 

$

(139,775

)

$

(2,723

)

$

 

$

137,380

 

$

1,046

 

 


(1)          Realized and unrealized gains/(losses) are reported in Principal transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

18



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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

9.

Derivatives

 

The Company utilizes derivatives for various economic hedging strategies to actively manage its market and liquidity exposures.  In addition, the Company enters into mortgage loan IRLCs in connection with its mortgage lending activities.  The following table summarizes the Company’s derivative instruments as of March 31, 2012 and December 30, 2011:

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

(In thousands)

 

Number 
of 
Contracts

 

Notional

 

Fair 
Value

 

Number 
of 
Contracts

 

Notional

 

Fair 
Value

 

Purchase Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBA purchase agreements

 

 

$

 

$

 

1

 

$

589

 

$

 

U.S. treasury futures contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IRLCs

 

667

 

109,288

 

885

 

708

 

127,227

 

1,696

 

Total

 

667

 

109,288

 

$

885

 

709

 

$

127,816

 

$

1,696

 

Sale Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBA sale agreements

 

19

 

$

342,500

 

$

(467

)

17

 

$

371,000

 

$

(1,183

)

Forward sale agreements

 

1

 

5,000

 

13

 

11

 

120,900

 

(788

)

U.S. treasury futures contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

20

 

$

347,500

 

$

(454

)

28

 

$

491,900

 

$

(1,971

)

 

Total losses associated with these activities, which are recorded within Principal transactions within the Consolidated Statements of Operations were $1.5 million and $3.0 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

10.

Investments

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policies related to the Company’s investments included within the policy titled “Financial Instruments and Investments” and Note 8 herein for additional information regarding valuation techniques and inputs related to the Company’s investment in FATV.  The Company’s investment portfolio includes interests in publicly and privately held companies and private equity securities.  Information regarding these investments has been aggregated and is presented below.

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

March 31, 
2012

 

December 31, 
2011

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in FATV

 

$

16,018

 

$

15,863

 

Employee Investment Funds, net of Company’s ownership interest

 

1,222

 

1,247

 

Other investment

 

1,200

 

1,200

 

Total Investments

 

$

18,440

 

$

18,310

 

 

Investment gains and losses are comprised of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Investments (realized and unrealized gains/(losses))

 

$

132

 

$

(686

)

 

The Company has an investment in FATV of approximately $16.0 million and approximately $15.9 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  FATV’s primary purpose is to provide investment returns consistent with the risk of investing in venture capital.   FA Technology Ventures Corporation, a wholly-owned

 

19



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

subsidiary of the Company, is the investment advisor to FATV.  There are no material open commitments to fund this portfolio at March 31, 2012.  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, total Partnership capital for all investors in FATV equaled $64.7 million and $63.7 million, respectively.  The Partnership was scheduled to end in July 2011, subject to extension by the vote of a majority of the limited partners, as provided in the limited partnership agreement applicable to the Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”).  The term of the Partnership was extended for one year pursuant to such provision and is now scheduled to terminate on July 19, 2012.  Although the term may be again extended for another one-year period under the Partnership Agreement, the Company currently expects the Partnership to terminate on such date.  The Partnership is considered a variable interest entity. The Company is not the primary beneficiary, due to other investors’ level of investment in the Partnership.  Accordingly, the Company has not consolidated the Partnership in these consolidated financial statements, but has only recorded the fair value of its investment, which also represented the Company’s maximum exposure to loss in the Partnership at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The Company’s share of management fee income derived from the Partnership for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

 

The Employee Investment Funds (“EIF”) are limited liability companies, established by the Company for the purpose of having select employees invest in private equity securities.  The EIF is managed by Broadpoint Management Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which has contracted with FATV to act as an investment advisor with respect to funds invested in parallel with the Partnership.  The Company has consolidated EIF resulting in approximately $1.2 million and $1.2 million of Investments and a corresponding Payable to others being recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  Management fees are not material.

 

Other investment is an investment in a privately held company.

 

11.  Business Combinations

 

ClearPoint Funding, Inc. Acquisition

 

On January 3, 2011, the Company completed its acquisition of ClearPoint.  Pursuant to the related Stock Purchase Agreement, a newly formed subsidiary of the Company, Descap Mortgage Funding, LLC (“Descap LLC”), paid approximately $0.3 million of cash as transaction consideration for all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of ClearPoint.  Descap LLC is also obligated to pay the former stockholder of ClearPoint no more than approximately $2.0 million payable in installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing date, contingent upon the continued employment of the former stockholder and certain indemnification matters.  The Company recorded a bargain purchase gain of approximately $2.3 million, as the majority of the consideration payable to the former stockholder will be recognized as compensation expense for future services.  Therefore, no goodwill was recognized.

 

20



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The ClearPoint acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations.”  The following condensed statement of net assets acquired reflects the value assigned to ClearPoint’s net assets as of the acquisition date:

 

Condensed Statement of Net Asset Acquired

 

(In thousands)

 

January 3, 2011

 

Assets

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

876

 

Loans

 

45,726

 

Derivative assets

 

1,117

 

Intangible assets*

 

803

 

Other assets

 

3,994

 

Total assets acquired

 

$

52,516

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Secured borrowings

 

$

44,339

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

5,597

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

$

49,936

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

2,580

 

 


*Consists primarily of customer relationships with an estimated useful life of 8 years.

 

Pro forma information for the three months ended March 31, 2011 has not been provided given the proximity of the acquisition date to the beginning of the prior year.  Refer to Note 25 herein for additional information regarding ClearPoint’s financial information.

 

12.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to goodwill and intangible assets.

 

Goodwill

 

The Company has designated its annual goodwill impairment testing dates for its MBS/ABS & Rates and Investment Banking reporting units to be December 31, and June 1, respectively.  The fair value of the MBS/ABS & Rates reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 70% as of December 31, 2011.  The goodwill assigned to the Investment Banking reporting unit was written down to its fair value during the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Reporting Unit
MBS/ABS &Rates

 

Reporting Unit
Investment Banking

 

Total

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

 

$

17,364

 

$

3,732

 

$

21,096

 

Increases/(decreases)

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2012

 

$

17,364

 

$

3,732

 

$

21,096

 

 

The Company considered a combination of the market and income approaches to determine fair value of its reporting units.  Key assumptions utilized in the market approach included the use of multiples of earnings before interest and taxes and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization based upon available comparable company market data.  The income approach, which is a discounted cash flow analysis, utilized a discount rate which included an estimated cost of debt and cost of equity and capital structure.

 

21



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

There is a degree of uncertainty associated with the key assumptions utilized within the annual goodwill impairment tests.  The discounted cash flow assumptions included an estimated growth rate which may not be indicative of actual future results.  In addition, a downturn in the market may widen credit spreads resulting in a larger discount rate being utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis and could also have an adverse effect on the market multiples of our guideline companies.  Such uncertainties may cause varying results in future periods.

 

The Company continues to monitor its market capitalization in relation to its book value for purposes of determining whether its remaining goodwill should be impaired.  The goodwill is at risk of future impairment to the extent the Company’s market capitalization remains significantly below its book value for an extended period of time.

 

Intangible Assets

 

(In thousands)

 

March 31,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Intangible assets (amortizable):

 

 

 

 

 

MBS/ABS & Rates — Customer relationships

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

$

641

 

$

641

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(423

)

(410

)

Net carrying amount

 

218

 

231

 

Corporate Credit - Customer relationships

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

795

 

795

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(650

)

(610

)

Net carrying amount

 

145

 

185

 

Investment Banking — Trade name

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

7,300

 

7,300

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(919

)

(874

)

Impairment of intangible asset — September 1, 2011

 

(3,234

)

(3,234

)

Net carrying amount

 

3,147

 

3,192

 

ClearPoint — Customer relationships

 

 

 

 

 

Gross carrying amount

 

803

 

803

 

Accumulated amortization

 

(126

)

(100

)

Net carrying amount

 

677

 

703

 

Total Intangible assets

 

$

4,187

 

$

4,311

 

 

Customer-related intangible assets are being amortized from 3 to 12 years and trademark assets are being amortized over 20 years (with approximately 17 years remaining).   Total amortization expense recorded within Other in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

 

Future amortization expense is estimated as follows:

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2012 (remaining)

 

$

372

 

2013

 

364

 

2014

 

337

 

2015

 

337

 

2016

 

301

 

Thereafter

 

2,476

 

Total

 

$

4,187

 

 

22



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

13.  Office Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to office equipment and leasehold improvements.

 

Office equipment and leasehold improvements consist of the following:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

March 31,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Communications and data processing equipment

 

$

5,131

 

$

4,968

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

3,281

 

3,251

 

Leasehold improvements

 

1,793

 

1,766

 

Software

 

832

 

692

 

Total

 

11,037

 

10,677

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(4,429

)

(3,942

)

Total office equipment and leasehold improvements, net

 

$

6,608

 

$

6,735

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

 

14.  Other Assets

 

Other assets consist of the following:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

March 31,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Collateral deposits

 

$

5,180

 

$

5,180

 

Prepaid expenses

 

2,850

 

2,959

 

Other

 

1,813

 

1,652

 

Total other assets

 

$

9,843

 

$

9,791

 

 

23



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

15.  Secured Borrowings

 

Pursuant to certain master repurchase agreements, ClearPoint was extended secured mortgage warehouse lines of credit in order to fund mortgage originations.  These lines of credit carry floating rates of interest and are collateralized by ClearPoint’s mortgage loans.

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Current Year

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

Facility

 

Outstanding

 

Description

 

Expiration Date

 

Facility Limit

 

Balance

 

Limit

 

Balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Facility No. 1

 

April 1, 2012

 

$

 

$

13,137

 

$

75,000

 

$

68,756

 

Credit Facility No. 2

 

September 11, 2012

 

75,000

 

47,158

 

75,000

 

49,704

 

Credit Facility No. 3

 

September 5, 2012

 

100,000

(1)

55,723

 

100,000

 

92,802

 

 

 

 

 

$

175,000

(2)

$

116,018

 

$

250,000

(2)

$

211,262

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accelerated Purchase Facility

 

N/A

 

 

1,177

 

50,000

 

2,349

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

175,000

 

$

117,195

 

$

300,000

 

$

213,611

 

 


(1)     Effective April 30, 2012, warehouse capacity was reduced to $75.0 million.  This line can be terminated at will by the lender on 90-days’ notice.

 

(2)     Committed capacity under the facilities is $0.0 million and $100 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

The lender to Credit Facility No. 1 and the Accelerated Purchase Facility elected not to renew Credit Facility No. 1 and instead agreed to a 120-day extension.  As of April 30, 2012, all amounts advanced under the credit facility were paid in full and, pursuant to an amendment to the master repurchase agreement, the warehouse covenants are no longer in force and ClearPoint has no further continuing reporting or notice obligations to this lender.

 

If ClearPoint does not sell loans it originates from funds advanced under ClearPoint’s mortgage warehouse lines of credit to investors within certain periods of time, the lenders can incrementally curtail, or reduce, such advances.  Under these circumstances, ClearPoint would be required to repay the curtailed amounts to the lenders prior to receiving any proceeds from the sale of the loan to an investor.

 

ClearPoint is required, among other things, to comply with certain financial covenants, including maintaining (i) a minimum tangible net worth, (ii) a maximum leverage ratio, (iii) certain levels of profits/losses, and (iv) a minimum level of liquid assets.  If ClearPoint fails to comply with these covenants, the lenders could declare the credit lines to be in default and require the payment of all amounts then outstanding under the lines.  Also, the applicable agreements contain “cross default” provisions, so that a default under one agreement triggers a default under the others.

 

The Company previously disclosed within Notes 15 and 29 contained within Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, notices of default (along with simultaneous waivers) of certain of ClearPoint’s financial covenants relating to ClearPoint’s liquidity from October 2011 to March 2012 and certain levels of profits/losses in February 2012.

 

24



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

As noted above, ClearPoint is required to achieve certain profitability levels to remain in compliance under its warehouse lines.  ClearPoint has incurred losses since its acquisition and is engaged in a remediation plan, as further described in Note 21 herein, that will, at least temporarily, make it probable that ClearPoint will not achieve profitability levels that satisfy its financial covenants.  Under those circumstances, ClearPoint likely would request waivers and/or amendments with respect to these covenants.  Assuming ClearPoint is unable to right size its business in a manner that achieves profitability, and if the profitability covenants are not amended, it will breach these covenants in future periods.  If ClearPoint is unable to comply with the terms of its warehouse credit lines, these lines could be terminated, potentially resulting in the acceleration of all amounts due under the lines.

 

16.  Commitments and Contingencies

 

Guaranties Relating to Certain Contractual Obligations of ClearPoint

 

The Company previously disclosed within Note 29 contained within Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, separate limited guaranties entered into by the Parent on February 29, 2012, relating to certain contractual obligations of ClearPoint.  The guaranties were entered into with Citibank (the “Citibank Guaranty”) and certain of ClearPoint’s lenders (the “Curtailment Guaranties”).

 

Under the Citibank Guaranty, the Parent guaranteed payment to Citibank for any required repurchase of loans to the extent conditions regarding documentation, underwriting and similar matters were not resolved favorably by March 30, 2012 (subsequently extended until April 30, 2012), with respect to a certain population of loans purchased by Citibank, of approximately $56.0 million.  In connection with the extension granted on March 30, 2012, Citibank and ClearPoint agreed that ClearPoint would repurchase loans in the amount of approximately $2.1 million under a staggered repurchase schedule ending no later than May 3, 2012.  ClearPoint has marked these loans at an average price of 88% of par and has arranged for the sale of a majority of these loans to a third party.  As of April 30, 2012, there are an additional $2.1 million of these loans required to be repurchased by ClearPoint under a staggered repurchase process.  ClearPoint expects its ultimate recovery for these loans through subsequent sale to investors will be at levels at least as favorable as those obtained on the initial $2.1 million repurchased.  The repurchases are being made directly by ClearPoint without giving effect to the Parent’s guaranty.

 

The Curtailment Guaranties relate to two pools of loans:  approximately $114 million which were financed under the warehouse lines on or about February 29, 2012 (the “legacy loans”), and new loans funded by the warehouse lines thereafter (the “new loans”). The Parent guaranteed curtailment payments with respect to these loans, ranging from 5% to 100% of the lesser of, in general, the market value or the principal amount of loans financed under the warehouse lines, depending on the length of time such loans persist on the warehouse lines, and only in the event ClearPoint cannot satisfy those payments itself.  As of April 30, 2012, $109.2 million of the legacy loans had been sold to third parties and are therefore no longer on the warehouse lines.  The remaining curtailment exposure on $4.8 million of unsold legacy loans is approximately $1.5 million.

 

The Company’s exposure under these guaranties for new loans is mitigated by the progress made under ClearPoint’s remediation program, including the implementation of loan origination limits and enhancements to the operational infrastructure to improve the pace at which loans are sold.  New loans financed by these warehouse lines as of April 30, 2012 were approximately $62.6 million, as ClearPoint sold $184.8 million of loans during the month of April while expecting to finance new loans of $107.8 million.  Given the pace with which ClearPoint is currently selling loans, exposure under these guaranties is significantly diminished.

 

ClearPoint — Acquisition

 

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of ClearPoint on January 3, 2011 the former stockholder of ClearPoint is entitled to receive payments consisting of no more than approximately $2.0 million payable in installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the closing date, contingent upon the continued employment of the former stockholder.  These payments are to be reduced for certain matters for which the Company is indemnified, including losses resulting from any loan losses with respect to loans presented to ClearPoint or originated on or prior to January 3, 2011.  As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company has accrued approximately $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in relation to this obligation which is recorded within Accrued compensation in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

25



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Leases

 

The Company’s headquarters and sales offices, and certain office and communication equipment, are leased under non-cancelable operating leases, certain of which contain renewal options, free rent periods, and escalation clauses.  These leases expire at various times through 2025. To the extent the Company is provided tenant improvement allowances funded by the lessor, they are amortized over the initial lease period and serve to reduce rent expense.  The Company recognizes the rent expense over the entire lease term on a straight-line basis.

 

Future minimum annual lease payments, and sublease rental income as of March 31, 2012, are as follows:

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Future
Minimum
Lease
Payments

 

Sublease
Rental
Income

 

Net Lease
Payments

 

2012 (remaining)

 

$

6,899

 

$

1,438

 

$

5,461

 

2013

 

8,626

 

1,715

 

6,911

 

2014

 

6,929

 

860

 

6,069

 

2015

 

6,364

 

502

 

5,862

 

2016

 

5,332

 

 

5,332

 

Thereafter

 

44,397

 

 

44,397

 

Total

 

$

78,547

 

$

4,515

 

$

74,032

 

 

Rental expense, net of sublease rental income, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 approximated $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

 

Litigation

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to contingencies.

 

Due to the nature of the Company’s business, the Company and its subsidiaries are exposed to risks associated with a variety of legal proceedings and claims.  These include litigations, arbitrations and other proceedings initiated by private parties and arising from underwriting, financial advisory, securities trading or other transactional activities, client account activities, mortgage lending and employment matters.  Third parties who assert claims may do so for monetary damages that are substantial, particularly relative to the Company’s financial position.  The Company has been in the past, and currently is, subject to a variety of claims and litigations arising from its business, most of which it considers to be routine.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to both routine and unscheduled regulatory examinations of their respective businesses and investigations of securities industry practices by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations.  In recent years, securities and mortgage lending firms have been subject to increased scrutiny and regulatory enforcement activity.  Regulatory investigations can result in substantial fines being imposed on the Company and/or its subsidiaries.  In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries receive inquiries and subpoenas from the SEC, FINRA, state regulators and other regulatory organizations.  The Company does not always know the purpose behind these communications or the status or target of any related investigation.  Some of these communications have, in the past, resulted in disciplinary actions which have sometimes included monetary sanctions, and in the Company and/or its subsidiaries being cited for regulatory deficiencies.  To date, none of these communications have had a material adverse effect on the Company’s business nor does the Company believe that any pending communications are likely to have such an effect.  Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that any pending or future communications will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.  In addition, the Company is also subject to claims by employees alleging discrimination, harassment or wrongful discharge, among other things, and seeking recoupment of compensation claimed (whether for cash or forfeited equity awards), and other damages.

 

26



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company recognizes a liability in its financial statements with respect to legal proceedings or claims when incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable.  However, accurately predicting the timing and outcome of legal proceedings and claims, including the amounts of any settlements, judgments or fines, is inherently difficult insofar as it depends on obtaining all of the relevant facts (which is sometimes not feasible) and applying to them often-complex legal principles.  It is reasonably possible that the Company incurs losses pertaining to these matters in the form of settlements and/or adverse judgments and incurs legal and other expenses in defending against these matters.  Based on currently available information, the Company does not believe that any current litigation, proceeding, claim or other matter to which it is a party or otherwise involved will result in a material loss or otherwise have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, although an adverse development, or an increase in associated legal fees, could be material to the Company’s financial results in a particular period, depending in part on the Company’s operating results in that period.

 

Letters of Credit

 

The Company is contingently liable under bank stand-by letter of credit agreements, executed primarily in connection with office leases totaling $4.9 million at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  These agreements were all collateralized by cash which is included within Other assets within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

Other

 

The Company, in the normal course of business, provides guarantees to third parties with respect to the obligations of certain of its subsidiaries.

 

In the normal course of business, Gleacher Securities guarantees certain service providers, such as clearing and custody agents, trustees, and administrators, against specified potential losses in connection with their acting as an agent of, or providing services to, the Company or its affiliates.  Gleacher Securities also indemnifies some clients against potential losses incurred in the event of non-performance by specified third-party service providers, including subcustodians.  The maximum potential amount of future payments that Gleacher Securities could be required to make under these indemnifications cannot be estimated.  However, Gleacher Securities has historically made no material payments under these arrangements and believes that it is unlikely it will have to make material payments in the future.  Therefore, the Company has not recorded any contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

 

The Company provides representations and warranties to counterparties in connection with a variety of transactions and occasionally agrees to indemnify them against potential losses caused by the breach of those representations and warranties and occasionally other liabilities.  The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Company could be required under these indemnifications cannot be estimated.  However, the Company has historically made no material payments under these agreements and believes that it is unlikely it will have to make material payments in the future; therefore it has not recorded any contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements for these indemnifications.

 

The Company is required to maintain a deposit at the FICC in connection with the self-clearing activities associated with the Rates business, which began in November 2010.  The size of the deposit is subject to change from time to time and is dependent upon the volume of business transacted.  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had a deposit with the FICC of approximately $17.3 million and $15.2 million, respectively, which is recorded within Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

In the ordinary course of business, ClearPoint indemnifies counterparties, including under its loan sale and warehouse line agreements, against potential losses incurred by such parties in connection with particular arrangements.  ClearPoint reserves for its exposures to these obligations which is included within Accrued expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  In connection with the Company’s acquisition of ClearPoint, the Company is indemnified for any such losses with respect to any loans presented to ClearPoint or originated on or prior to January 3, 2011.

 

27



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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

17.  Stockholders’ Equity

 

Stock Repurchase

 

The Board of Directors of the Company has renewed the Company’s share repurchase program and has authorized up to $25 million in repurchases of Company common stock through the date on which the Company publicly releases its results of operations for fiscal 2012.  No shares have been repurchased by the Company under this renewed program up through the date of issuance of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

18.  Income Taxes

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to income taxes.  During interim periods, the Company calculates and reports an estimated annual effective income tax rate pursuant to ASC 740-270, “Income Taxes — Interim Reporting.”

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 of 10.7% resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $0.6 million.  The Company’s tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to non-deductible discrete tax expense associated with stock compensation shortfalls, partially offset by a state and local income tax benefit.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 of 41.6% resulted in income tax expense of approximately $6.1 million.  The effective income tax rate includes a net benefit for discrete items, including a benefit related to the ClearPoint bargain purchase gain which is non-taxable, partially offset by an expense related to a re-measurement of net deferred tax assets due to a change in estimate of our apportioned statutory income tax rate.  The effective income tax rate also differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state and local income taxes.

 

No valuation allowance has been provided on the Company’s deferred tax assets as it is more likely than not that they will be realized.  Such determination is based upon the Company’s net cumulative income position, the Company’s ability to carry back net operating losses, as well as the projection of future taxable income.

 

However, if the Company does not generate sufficient taxable income in 2012, it is possible that the Company may be in a cumulative tax loss position and may need to re-evaluate the realizability of the deferred tax asset.  If warranted, the establishment of a valuation allowance could be material, depending on its magnitude, in relation to the Company’s operating results during the period in which it is recorded.

 

In addition, a high concentration of the Company’s deferred tax assets is attributable to stock-based compensation.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company offset stock compensation shortfalls against its remaining windfall tax pool within additional paid-in capital, with incremental shortfalls being recorded as an increase to income tax expense.  To the extent that stock-based compensation vests prospectively at a share price less than the grant price, the related shortfall will result in an increase in income tax expense as the Company no longer has a cumulative windfall tax pool.

 

There were no significant changes to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

19.  Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for a detailed discussion of the accounting policy related to stock-based compensation.

 

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to its various employee and non-employee director stock-based incentive plans of approximately $4.5 million and $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company granted approximately 5.8 million shares of restricted stock (“RSA”), with an average grant date fair value of $1.60 per RSA.

 

20.  Net Capital Requirements

 

Gleacher Securities is subject to the net capital requirements of Rule 15c3-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act (the “Net Capital Rule”), as well as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s net capital requirements (“Regulation 1.16”), which require the maintenance of a minimum net capital.  Gleacher Securities has elected to use the alternative method permitted by the Net Capital Rule, which requires it to maintain a minimum net capital amount equal to the greater of 2% of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions (as defined) or $0.25 million, subject to certain adjustments related to market making activities in certain securities.  Based upon the activities of Gleacher Securities, its minimum requirement under Regulation 1.16 is the same as under the Net Capital Rule.  As of March 31, 2012, Gleacher Securities had net capital, as defined by both the Net Capital Rule and Regulation 1.16, of $54.1 million, which was $53.8 million in excess of the $0.3 million required minimum net capital.

 

Gleacher Partners, LLC is also subject to the Net Capital Rule.  Gleacher Partners, LLC has elected to use the alternative method permitted by the rule, which requires it to maintain a minimum net capital amount of 2% of aggregate debit balances arising from customer transactions as defined or $0.25 million, whichever is greater.  As of March 31, 2012, Gleacher Partners, LLC had net capital, as defined by the Net Capital Rule, of $0.8 million, which was $0.5 million in excess of the $0.3 million required minimum net capital.

 

The Company’s ClearPoint subsidiary is subject to net worth requirements, as required by the HUD.  At March 31, 2012, ClearPoint’s net worth was $15.2 million, which was $14.2 million in excess of the $1.0 million required minimum net worth.

 

21.  Concentrations of Credit and Liquidity Risk

 

Risks Related to ClearPoint and Other Related Matters

 

ClearPoint is subject to liquidity constraints resulting from liquidity risk concentrations, as ClearPoint currently relies on a limited number of investors to purchase its originated mortgage loans and a limited number of lenders to finance these activities.  If ClearPoint does not sell loans it originates from funds advanced under ClearPoint’s mortgage warehouse lines of credit within certain periods of time, the lenders can incrementally curtail, or reduce, such advances.  Under these circumstances, ClearPoint would be required to repay the curtailed amounts to the lenders prior to receiving any proceeds from the sale of the loans to investors.  Failure of ClearPoint’s investors to continue purchasing its loans and/or a slowdown in such purchases could result in additional curtailments as the loans persist on the warehouse lines.  This could also decrease available capacity for funding new loans and satisfying ClearPoint’s unfunded loan commitments.

 

As previously disclosed within Note 23 contained within Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, ClearPoint had experienced liquidity constraints due to curtailment payments, which were caused by the rapid expansion of ClearPoint’s business, coupled with an unanticipated slow-down in loan purchases by one of ClearPoint’s principal loan purchasers.  Curtailment exposure has been mitigated by actions taken by ClearPoint, including the implementation of loan origination limits and enhancements to its operational infrastructure, which have improved the pace at which loans are cleared.  During the month of April

 

29



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

2012 ClearPoint sold $184.8 million of loans while expecting to finance $107.8 million of loans.  Given the pace with which ClearPoint is currently selling loans, its exposure to curtailment payments is significantly diminished.

 

As further discussed in Note 15 “Secured Borrowings,” one of ClearPoint’s lenders elected not to renew a warehouse line which was scheduled to expire on March 10, 2012.  The discretionary facility instead expired on April 1, 2012.  As of April 30, 2012, all advances under this line were paid in full.  In addition, ClearPoint’s remaining warehouse lines, both of which expire in September 2012, are uncommitted and one, in the amount of $100 million (subsequently reduced as of April 30, 2012 to $75.0 million), can be terminated at will by the lender on 90-days notice.  Failure of the lenders to renew the warehouse lines upon expiration and/or not provide financing on the uncommitted portions of the lines would adversely impact ClearPoint’s ability to conduct business.  If ClearPoint is unable to replace the borrowing capacity when the warehouse lines expire or the lenders do not continue to fund requests, it may be required to reduce its loan origination activities and may not be able to satisfy its unfunded loan commitments.

 

ClearPoint also has restructured its senior management and continues to focus on other elements of its remediation program, including increasing the number of loan purchasers with which ClearPoint transacts, and pursuing additional warehouse lenders and loan distribution channels.  If ClearPoint is unable to execute on these strategies and/or other events occur which reduce its ability to obtain continued financing, these matters ultimately could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.

 

Risks Related to the Company’s Broker-Dealer Operations

 

Concentrations of credit risk can be affected by changes in political, industry, or economic factors. The Company’s most significant industry credit concentration is with financial institutions. Financial institutions include other brokers and dealers, commercial banks, finance companies, insurance companies and investment companies. This concentration arises in the normal course of the Company’s brokerage, trading, financing, and underwriting activities. To reduce the potential for concentration of risk, credit exposures are monitored in light of changing counterparty and market conditions.

 

The Company may also purchase securities that are individually significant positions within its inventory.  Should the Company find it necessary to sell such a security, it may not be able to realize the full carrying value of the security due to the significance of the position sold.

 

The majority of securities transactions of customers of the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiary, Gleacher Securities, are cleared through third parties under clearing agreements.  Under these agreements, the clearing agents settle customer securities transactions, collect margin receivables related to these transactions, monitor the credit standing and required margin levels related to these customers and, pursuant to margin guidelines, require the customer to deposit additional collateral with them or to reduce positions, if necessary.

 

Refer to Note 16 within the section labeled “Other” for additional information regarding credit risks of the Company.

 

22.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Substantially all of the financial instruments of the Company are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at market or fair value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their short-term nature, with the exception of subordinated debt.  Financial instruments recorded at carrying amounts approximating fair value consist largely of Receivables from and Payables to brokers, dealer and clearing organizations, related parties and others, Securities purchased under agreements to resell and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.  The carrying value of the subordinated debt at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 approximated fair value based on current rates available.

 

30



Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

23.      Restructuring

 

On August 22, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a plan to exit the Equities business, effective immediately.  The principal reasons for this decision were that the Equities division was an underperforming non-core asset, and that its closure would allow the Company to improve focus and invest in its core competencies.  Exiting the Equities business impacted 62 employees.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s liability related to this restructuring for the three months ended March 31, 2012:

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Balance — January 1, 2012

 

$

1,427

 

Restructuring expense

 

(162

)

-       Less: Non-cash charges

 

29

 

Payments for severance

 

 

Payments for real estate

 

(161

)

Payments for third party vendor contracts

 

(308

)

Payments for legal and other related costs

 

 

Restructuring reserve — March 31, 2012

 

$

825

 

 

The restructuring reserve of $0.8 million as of March 31, 2012 is included within Accrued expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  The majority of this remaining reserve pertains to third party vendor contracts.  Payments are expected to be substantially completed during the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

24.      Discontinued Operations

 

The Company has classified the results of the Equities division as discontinued operations due to its exiting this business on August 22, 2011.

 

Amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 related to the Equities division are presented in the following table.

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net revenues

 

$

37

 

$

5,271

 

Total expenses (excluding interest expense)

 

73

 

(7,733

)

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes

 

110

 

(2,462

)

Income tax expense/(benefit)

 

78

 

(1,068

)

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

$

32

 

$

(1,394

)

 

25.       Segment Analysis

 

Currently, our business model operates through the following four business segments:

 

·                     MBS/ABS & Rates  — This division provides sales, trading, research and advisory services on a wide range of mortgage and asset-backed securities, U.S. Treasury and government agency securities, structured products such as CLOs and CDOs, whole loans, and other securities.  Revenues are generated from spreads on principal transactions executed to facilitate trades for clients.  Revenues are also generated from changes in fair value and interest income on securities held in inventory.

 

·                     Corporate Credit — This division provides analysis, sales and trading on a wide range of debt securities including bank debt and loans, investment grade debt, high-yield debt, treasuries, convertibles, distressed debt, preferred debt, emerging market debt and reorganization equities to corporate and institutional investor clients.  The division also provides trade execution

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

services, liability management, corporate debt repurchase programs and new issue distributions.  Revenues are generated primarily from spreads on riskless principal transactions, and to a lesser extent, principal trading and commissions on trades executed on behalf of clients.  In addition, revenues are also generated on a smaller scale from interest income on securities held in inventory.

 

·                     Investment Banking — This division provides financial advisory and capital raising services in connection with mergers, acquisitions and other strategic matters.  The division is being realigned around existing M&A expertise, expanded capital markets capabilities and key industry verticals, including real estate, financial services, aerospace and defense, technology, media and telecom, general industrial and financial sponsor coverage. 

 

·                     ClearPoint — This division originates, processes and underwrites single and multi-family residential mortgage loans within 45 states.  The loans are underwritten using standards prescribed by conventional mortgage lenders and loan buyers such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.  Revenues are generated primarily from the sale of the residential mortgage loans with servicing released.

 

The Company’s sales and trading revenues consist of revenues derived from commissions, principal transactions and other fee related revenues.  Investment banking consists of revenues derived from capital raising and financial advisory services.  Investment gains/(losses) primarily reflect gains and losses on the Company’s FATV investment.

 

Prior period results have been revised to reclassify investment banking revenues and related expenses into the segments within which they are generated, as this is how the segments are currently evaluated.  Such revenues were all previously presented within the Investment Banking reportable segment.  In addition, prior period ClearPoint results, which were previously presented as a component of Other, have now been reclassified and separately disclosed for comparative purposes to current period results.  Prior period amounts were previously reported in Other due to the amount of ClearPoint’s net revenues in relation to total net revenues.

 

The Equities segment results have been reclassified as a discontinued operation and are no longer reported below.  In connection with this development, any previously reported intangible asset amortization related to the Equities reporting unit which was previously included within “Other” has also been reclassified within discontinued operations.

 

Items of revenues and expenses not allocated to one of the reportable segments are aggregated under the caption “Other” in the table below.  Included within “Other” are investment gains/(losses) and fees related to the Company’s investment in and management of FATV.  In addition, “Other” reflects expenses not directly associated with specific reportable segments, including costs related to corporate overhead and support, such as various fees associated with financing, legal and settlement expenses and amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions not reported within discontinued operations.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Information concerning operations in these reportable segments are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars) 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

MBS/ABS & Rates

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and trading

 

$

8,004

 

$

40,751

 

Investment banking

 

237

 

172

 

Interest income

 

16,427

 

14,289

 

Interest expense

 

(4,337

)

(3,506

)

Total MBS/ABS & Rates

 

20,331

 

51,706

 

Corporate Credit

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and trading

 

19,777

 

17,639

 

Investment banking

 

1,907

 

2,507

 

Interest income

 

132

 

462

 

Interest expense

 

(99

)

(144

)

Total Corporate Credit

 

21,717

 

20,464

 

Investment Banking

 

 

 

 

 

Investment banking

 

4,533

 

7,644

 

Other

 

 

 

Total Investment Banking

 

4,533

 

7,644

 

ClearPoint

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and trading

 

15,183

 

6,333

 

Interest income

 

2,443

 

315

 

Interest expense

 

(2,081

)

(290

)

Total ClearPoint

 

15,545

 

6,358

 

Total net revenues — Reportable segments

 

$

62,126

 

$

86,172

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

Investment gains/(losses), net

 

132

 

(686

)

Sales and trading

 

385

 

200

 

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint acquisition

 

 

2,330

 

Interest income

 

202

 

2

 

Interest expense

 

(59

)

(593

)

Interest expense — Intersegment allocations

 

1,957

 

1,964

 

Total Other

 

2,617

 

3,217

 

Total net revenues

 

$

64,743

 

$

89,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(loss) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

MBS/ABS & Rates

 

$

5,487

 

$

18,865

 

Corporate Credit

 

(688

)

2,212

 

Investment Banking

 

579

 

1,263

 

ClearPoint

 

(2,853

)

(1,120

)

Income before income taxes — Reportable segments

 

$

2,525

 

$

21,220

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

(7,807

)

(6,492

)

(Loss)/income before income taxes

 

$

(5,282

)

$

14,728

 

 

Information concerning the assets of these segments is as follows:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands) 

 

2012

 

2011

 

Total Assets

 

 

 

 

 

MBS/ABS & Rates

 

$

4,382,726

 

$

2,929,879

 

Corporate Credit

 

45,588

 

29,930

 

Investment Banking

 

10,125

 

10,916

 

ClearPoint

 

166,087

 

242,350

 

Total assets — Reportable segments

 

4,604,526

 

3,213,075

 

Other

 

109,891

 

126,358

 

Intersegment eliminations

 

(34,576

)

(35,877

)

Total assets

 

$

4,679,841

 

$

3,303,556

 

 

Substantially all assets and operations are located in the United States.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company’s segments’ financial policies are the same as those described in Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

26.       Related Party Transactions

 

During the third quarter of 2009, the Company received a Notice of Proposed Tax Adjustments from the New York City Department of Finance for underpayment by Gleacher Partners, LLC of Unincorporated Business Tax.  The Company has an off-setting claim against former pre-acquisition Gleacher stockholders for any pre-acquisition tax liabilities, which is collateralized by shares of its common stock held in an escrow account that was established at the closing of the Company’s acquisition of Gleacher Partners, Inc. to satisfy any indemnification obligations.  The Company does not believe, in any event, that the open tax years or other pre-acquisition tax matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.  The Company’s receivable for this indemnification claim at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $1.3 million.

 

In connection with the acquisition of Gleacher Partners, Inc., the Company has agreed to pay $10 million to the selling parties over five years after closing the Transaction, subject to acceleration under certain circumstances.  During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company paid approximately $4.9 million of this obligation.  No payments were made during the year ended December 31, 2011.  The remaining obligation of approximately $5.0 million and 4.9 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, is recorded as a liability within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

Details on the amounts receivable from or payable to related parties are below:

 

(In thousands)

 

March 31,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Receivables from related parties

 

 

 

 

 

Former stockholders of Gleacher Partners, Inc.

 

$

1,337

 

$

1,337

 

Payables to related parties

 

 

 

 

 

Former stockholders of Gleacher Partners, Inc.

 

$

4,956

*

$

4,939

*

 


*Represents the present value of the Company’s approximately $5.0 million remaining obligation.

 

27.       Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  There were no events requiring disclosure, other than the matter below.

 

Warehouse Lines of Credit

 

On April 30, 2012, all amounts advanced under a $75 million warehouse line were paid in full and pursuant to an amendment to the warehouse line master repurchase agreement, the warehouse covenants are no longer in force and ClearPoint has no further continued reporting or notice obligations to this lender.  In addition, warehouse capacity under another warehouse line of credit was reduced to $75 million (i.e. a $25 million reduction).

 

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GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

This document contains or incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements.” These statements are not historical facts but instead represent the Company’s belief or plans regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control.  The Company often, but not always, identifies forward-looking statements by using words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “expect,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “believe” and “intend.”  These statements may contain projections relating to revenues, earnings, operations, other financial measures, economic conditions, trends and known uncertainties, and may include statements regarding the Company’s future performance, strategies and objectives.  The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on facts as the Company understands them at the time the Company makes any such statement as well as estimates and judgments based on these facts, and speak only as of the date on which they are made.  The Company’s forward-looking statements are not intended to be guarantees and may turn out to be inaccurate for a variety of reasons, many of which are outside of its control.  Factors that could render the Company’s forward-looking statements subsequently inaccurate include the conditions of the securities markets, generally, and demand for the Company’s services within those markets, the risk of further credit rating downgrades of the U.S. government by major credit rating agencies, the impact of international and domestic sovereign debt uncertainties, the possibilities of localized or global economic recession, ClearPoint’s ability to maintain compliance with the covenants and other terms of its warehouse lines of credit, and other risks and factors identified from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, the Company is implementing a strategic plan designed to improve its operating results, and this plan may not be successful.  It is possible that future events will differ materially from those suggested by the Company’s forward-looking statements.  You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any of its forward-looking statements.

 

Any forward-looking statement should be read and interpreted together with these documents, including the following:

 

·                            the description of our business contained under Item 1 “Business,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011,

 

·                            the risk factors contained under Item 1A “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011,

 

·                            the discussion of our legal proceedings contained in this report under Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings,”

 

·                            the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations contained in this report under Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,”

 

·                            the discussion of market, credit, operational and other risks impacting our business contained in this report under Item 3 “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,”

 

·                            the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in this report contained in Item 1 “Financial Statements,” and

 

·                            cautionary statements we make in our public documents, reports and announcements.

 

As used herein, the terms “Company,” “Gleacher,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” refer to Gleacher & Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

35



Table of Contents

 

Business Overview

 

The Company is an independent investment bank that provides corporate and institutional clients with strategic and financial advisory services, including merger and acquisition, restructuring, recapitalization, and strategic alternative analysis.  The Company also provides capital raising, research-based investment analysis, and securities brokerage services, and, through the Company’s ClearPoint Funding, Inc. subsidiary (“ClearPoint”), engages in residential mortgage lending.  The Company offers a diverse range of products through its Investment Banking, Mortgage Backed/Asset Backed & Rates (“MBS/ABS & Rates”), Corporate Credit and ClearPoint divisions.

 

Currently, we operate through the following four business segments:

 

·                                          MBS/ABS & Rates — This division provides sales, trading, research and advisory services on a wide range of mortgage and asset-backed securities, U.S. Treasury and government agency securities, structured products such as CLOs and CDOs, whole loans, and other securities.  Revenues are generated from spreads on principal transactions executed to facilitate trades for clients.  Revenues are also generated from interest income on securities held in inventory. 

 

·                                          Corporate Credit — This division provides analysis, sales and trading on a wide range of debt securities including bank debt and loans, investment grade debt, high-yield debt, treasuries, convertibles, distressed debt, preferred debt, emerging market debt and reorganization equities to corporate and institutional investor clients.  The division also provides trade execution services, liability management, corporate debt repurchase programs and new issue distributions.  Revenues are generated primarily from spreads on riskless principal transactions, and to a lesser extent, principal trading and commissions on trades executed on behalf of clients.  In addition, revenues are also generated on a smaller scale from interest income on securities held in inventory. 

 

·                                          Investment Banking — This division provides financial advisory and capital raising services in connection with mergers, acquisitions and other strategic matters.  The division is being realigned around existing M&A expertise, expanded capital markets capabilities and key industry verticals, including real estate, financial services, aerospace and defense, technology, media and telecom, general industrial and financial sponsor coverage. 

 

·                                          ClearPoint — This division originates, processes and underwrites single and multi-family residential loans in 45 states.  The loans are underwritten using standards prescribed by conventional mortgage lenders and loan buyers such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.  Revenues are generated primarily from the sale of the residential mortgage loans with servicing released.

 

As previously disclosed within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, in early 2011, ClearPoint experienced liquidity constraints due to the rapid expansion of ClearPoint’s business, and an unanticipated slow-down in loan purchases by one of ClearPoint’s principal loan purchasers.   Refer to “Recent Developments - ClearPoint” herein, for additional information.

 

The Company also recognizes investment gains/(losses) and earns fees related to the Company’s investment in and management of FA Technology Ventures L.P. (“FATV” or “the Partnership”) which includes interests in publicly and privately held companies.  The Company’s results also include expenses not directly associated with specific reportable segments, including amortization of intangible assets from business acquisitions and costs related to corporate overhead and support, such as various fees associated with financing, legal and settlement expenses.

 

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Our business is dependent on our ability to attract, develop and retain highly skilled employees who are motivated and committed to providing the highest quality service and guidance to our clients.  We continue to focus on unifying our brand, integrating our operations, expanding our business, and identifying and completing consolidation opportunities.  The Company is well capitalized, with no significant long-term debt, positioning us well for continued growth through the hiring of experienced investment banking and sales and trading professionals and opportunistic acquisition of attractive targets.

 

Refer to Item 7 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, for additional information regarding material opportunities, challenges and risks related to our business.

 

Business Environment in the First Quarter 2012

 

The worldwide financial markets experienced gains during the three months ended March 31, 2012, with the Dow Jones Industrial Index and S&P 500 index rising 8% and 11%, respectively.

 

The positive market sentiment stemmed from easing of the European debt crisis, as Greece successfully restructured its debt and the European Central Bank extended $1.2 trillion of inexpensive loans to European banks through the Long-Term Refinancing Operations.  In addition, the U.S economy showed improvements with better than expected jobs reports and the U.S. central banks renewed focus to support economic growth.  As a result of these developments, investor optimism increased leading to a sell-off of government debt and investment being redirected into higher risk/higher yielding assets.  Market uncertainties however, continue to weigh negatively on the M&A markets as domestic M&A deal volumes were down 33% from a year ago.

 

Uncertainties continue to persist, as U.S. earnings are lagging behind historical standards, the economy continues to experience high unemployment and the housing markets have yet to fully recover.  In addition, the European economy remains unstable due to the heavy indebtedness of many of its nations.

 

Given the continued uncertainties both domestic and abroad, the results of our operations, which are highly dependent on the environment in which our businesses operates, may not necessarily be indicative of what may be recognized in the future.

 

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Recent Developments - ClearPoint

 

During the first quarter of 2012, the Company disclosed liquidity constraints experienced by ClearPoint, which were caused by the rapid expansion of ClearPoint’s business, coupled with an unanticipated slow-down in loan purchases by one of ClearPoint’s principal loan purchasers.  In connection with these matters, the Company entered into limited guaranties with Citibank (“Citibank Guaranty”), and with certain of ClearPoint’s warehouse lenders (“Curtailment Guaranties”).  ClearPoint has taken certain actions as described below that have substantially reduced the Company’s potential liabilities under these guaranties.

 

Under the Citibank Guaranty, the Company guaranteed ClearPoint’s payment to Citibank for any required repurchase of loans to the extent conditions regarding documentation, underwriting and similar matters were not resolved favorably by March 30, 2012 (subsequently extended until April 30, 2012), with respect to a certain population of loans purchased by Citibank, of approximately $56.0 million.  In connection with the extension granted on March 30, 2012, Citibank and ClearPoint agreed that ClearPoint would repurchase loans in the amount of approximately $2.1 million under a staggered repurchase schedule ending no later than May 3, 2012.  ClearPoint has marked these loans at an average price of 88% of par and has arranged for the sale of a majority of these loans to a third party.  As of April 30, 2012, there are an additional $2.1 million of these loans required to be repurchased by ClearPoint under a staggered repurchase process.  ClearPoint expects its ultimate recovery for these loans will be at levels at least as favorable as those obtained on the initial $2.1 million repurchased.  The repurchases are being made directly by ClearPoint without giving effect to the Company’s guaranty.

 

The Curtailment Guaranties relate to two pools of loans:  approximately $114 million which were financed under the warehouse lines on or about February 29, 2012 (the “legacy loans”), and new loans funded by the warehouse lines thereafter (the “new loans”). The Company guaranteed curtailment payments with respect to these loans, ranging from 5% to 100% of the lesser of, in general, the market value or the principal amount of loans financed under the warehouse lines, depending on the length of time such loans persist on the warehouse lines, and only in the event ClearPoint cannot satisfy those payments itself.  As of April 30, 2012, $109.2 million of the legacy loans had been sold to third parties and are therefore no longer on the warehouse lines.  The remaining curtailment exposure on $4.8 million of unsold legacy loans is approximately $1.5 million.

 

The Company’s exposure under these guaranties for new loans is mitigated by the progress made under ClearPoint’s remediation program, including the implementation of loan origination limits and enhancements to the operational infrastructure to improve the pace at which loans are sold.  New loans financed by these warehouse lines as of April 30, 2012 were approximately $62.6 million, as ClearPoint sold $184.8 million of loans during the month of April while expecting to finance new loans of $107.8 million.  Given the pace with which ClearPoint is currently selling loans, exposure under these guaranties is significantly diminished.

 

ClearPoint also has restructured its senior management and continues to focus on other elements of its remediation program, including increasing the number of loan purchasers with which ClearPoint transacts, and pursuing additional warehouse lenders and loan distribution channels.  If ClearPoint is unable to execute on these strategies and/or other events occur which reduce its ability to obtain continued financing, these matters ultimately could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.

 

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FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

 

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  These consolidated financial statements are contained within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Results of Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Principal transactions*

 

$

21,320

 

$

45,341

 

Commissions*

 

19,151

 

18,459

 

Investment banking

 

6,678

 

10,322

 

Investment gains/(losses), net

 

132

 

(686

)

Interest income

 

19,204

 

15,068

 

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint acquisition (Refer to Note 11 contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q)

 

 

2,330

 

Fees and other

 

2,877

 

1,124

 

Total revenues

 

69,362

 

91,958

 

Interest expense

 

4,619

 

2,569

 

Net revenues

 

64,743

 

89,389

 

Expenses (excluding interest):

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

43,719

 

59,088

 

Clearing, settlement and brokerage

 

12,993

 

4,787

 

Communications and data processing

 

3,319

 

3,215

 

Occupancy, depreciation and amortization

 

2,134

 

1,912

 

Business development

 

1,018

 

1,525

 

Other

 

6,842

 

4,134

 

Total expenses (excluding interest)

 

70,025

 

74,661

 

(Loss)/income from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

(5,282

)

14,728

 

Income tax (benefit)/expense

 

(566

)

6,129

 

(Loss)/income from continuing operations

 

(4,716

)

8,599

 

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (Refer to Note 24 contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q)

 

32

 

(1,394

)

Net (loss)/income

 

$

(4,684

)

$

7,205

 

 


* Revenues earned on riskless principal transactions in the amount of $18.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 have been reported as commission income in order to distinguish such revenues (commission equivalents) from revenues earned on financial instruments held in inventory, in order to conform to current year presentation.

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, net revenues from continuing operations were $64.7 million, compared to $89.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The 27.6% decrease in net revenues was due to decreases in net revenues in the MBS/ABS & Rates and Investment Banking segments, partially offset by increased net revenues in ClearPoint and the Corporate Credit segment and higher investment gains resulting from the change in value of the Company’s FATV investment.  The three months ended March 31, 2011 included a gain from bargain purchase of approximately $2.3 million related to the acquisition of ClearPoint.  Non-interest expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2012 of $70.0 million decreased $4.7 million, or 6.2%, compared to $74.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, primarily due to lower compensation expense attributable to lower net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012, partially offset by higher clearing settlement and brokerage expenses related to ClearPoint.

 

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The Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of ($4.7) million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to net income from continuing operations of $8.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  Net loss per diluted share from continuing operations was ($0.04) for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to net income per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.07 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  Income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $0.0 million and ($1.4) million, respectively.

 

Net Revenues

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, net revenues from continuing operations were $64.7 million, compared to $89.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, which included the ClearPoint acquisition gain from bargain purchase of approximately $2.3 million.  Commissions and principal transactions revenues decreased $23.3 million, or 35.6%, to $40.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 from $63.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 due to decreases of $32.7 million in the MBS/ABS & Rates segment, partially offset by increases in ClearPoint of $7.4 million and the Corporate Credit segment of $2.0 million.  Investment banking revenues decreased $3.6 million, or 35.3%, to $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and is comprised of capital markets fees of $4.2 million and advisory fees of $2.5 million.  Investment gains/(losses), which represent the change in the value of the Company’s investment in FATV, were $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to investment losses of ($0.7) million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  Net interest income of $14.6 million as of March 31, 2012, increased $2.1 million compared to $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  This was primarily due to higher average inventory levels and coupon interest.  Fees and other revenues of $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $1.8 million primarily due to fees earned in connection with the mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint.

 

Non-Interest Expense

 

Non-interest expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2012 of $70.0 million decreased $4.7 million, or 6.2%, compared to $74.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

Compensation and benefits expense decreased $15.4 million, or 26.0%, to $43.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, primarily due to lower variable compensation expense as a result of lower net revenues in the MBS/ABS & Rates and Investment Banking segments.  These decreases were partially offset by increases in the Corporate Credit segment due to higher variable cash compensation accruals and severance and stock-based compensation expense related to the departure of a senior executive. Compensation and benefits expense related to ClearPoint also increased, resulting from the expansion of the workforce since the acquisition date on January 3, 2011.

 

Clearing, settlement and brokerage costs of $13.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased by $8.2 million, or 171.4%, compared to the prior year three months ended March 31, 2011.  The increase was primarily due to ClearPoint broker fees resulting from higher loan commitment volumes.

 

Communications and data processing expense of $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 remained relatively unchanged compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

Occupancy and depreciation expense of $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 remained relatively unchanged compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011.

 

Business development expense of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 decreased by $0.5 million, or 33.2%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011 primarily due to decreased headcount resulting from the realignment of the Investment Banking division which took place in the third quarter of 2011.

 

Other expenses of $6.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased $2.9 million, or 65.5% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011 primarily due to ClearPoint loan processing fees due to increased loan commitment volumes, and increased legal and consulting expenses.

 

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Income Taxes

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 of 10.7% resulted in an income tax benefit of approximately $0.6 million.  The Company’s tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 35% primarily due to non-deductible discrete tax expense associated with stock compensation shortfalls, partially offset by a state and local income tax benefit.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2011 of 41.6% resulted in income tax expense of approximately $6.1 million.  The effective income tax rate includes a net benefit for discrete items, including a benefit related to the ClearPoint bargain purchase gain which is non-taxable, partially offset by an expense related to a re-measurement of net deferred tax assets due to a change in estimate of our apportioned statutory income tax rate.  The effective income tax rate also differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state and local income taxes.

 

No valuation allowance has been provided on the Company’s deferred tax assets as it is more likely than not that they will be realized.  Such determination is based upon the Company’s net cumulative income position, the Company’s ability to carry back net operating losses, as well as the projection of future taxable income.

 

However, if the Company does not generate sufficient taxable income in 2012, it is possible that the Company may be in a cumulative tax loss position and may need to re-evaluate the realizability of the deferred tax asset.  If warranted, the establishment of a valuation allowance could be material, depending on its magnitude, in relation to the Company’s operating results during the period in which it is recorded.

 

In addition, a high concentration of the Company’s deferred tax assets is attributable to stock-based compensation.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company offset stock compensation shortfalls against its remaining windfall tax pool within additional paid-in capital, with incremental shortfalls being recorded as an increase to income tax expense.  To the extent that stock-based compensation vests prospectively at a share price less than the grant price, the related shortfall will result in an increase in income tax expense as the Company no longer has a cumulative windfall tax pool.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

The Company has classified the results of the Equities division as discontinued operations as a result of its decision to exit the business on August 22, 2011.  Refer to Notes 23 and 24 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

 

Segment Highlights

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

 

For presentation purposes, net revenues within each of the businesses are classified, as applicable, into commissions and principal transactions, investment banking, investment gains/(losses), net interest, and other.  Commissions and principal transactions include commissions on agency trades and gains and losses from sales and trading activities.  Investment banking includes revenues generated from capital raising through underwritings and private placements of equity and debt securities, and financial advisory service fees in regards to mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and corporate finance related matters.  Investment gains/(losses) reflect gains and losses on the Company’s FATV investment.  Other revenues reflect management fees received from FATV, research fees and fees earned related to residential mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint.  Net interest includes interest income net of interest expense and reflects the effect of funding rates on the Company’s inventory levels.

 

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Prior period results have been revised to reclassify investment banking revenues and related expenses into the segments within which they are generated, as this is how the segments are currently evaluated.  Such revenues were all previously presented within the Investment Banking reportable segment.

 

The Equities segment results have been reclassified as a discontinued operation and are therefore no longer reported below.  In connection with this development, any previously reported intangible asset amortization related to the Equities reporting unit which was previously included within “Other” has also been reclassified within discontinued operations.

 

Refer to Note 25 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information on assets by segment.

 

MBS/ABS & Rates

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions and Principal transactions

 

$

8,004

 

$

40,751

 

(80.4

)%

Investment banking

 

237

 

172

 

37.8

%

Net interest

 

12,090

 

10,783

 

12.1

%

Other

 

 

 

 

Total net revenues

 

$

20,331

 

$

51,706

 

(60.7

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax income

 

$

5,487

 

$

18,865

 

(70.9

)%

 

MBS/ABS & Rates Q1 2012 vs. Q1 2011

 

Net revenues declined by $31.4 million to $20.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $51.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The decrease in net revenues was attributable to lower commissions and principal transactions revenues of $32.7 million, primarily resulting from gains on asset-backed securities of $36.2 million recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  Partially offsetting this decline was an increase in net interest income of $1.3 million due to higher inventory levels and coupon interest.  Pre-tax income of $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 declined by $13.4 million, compared to pre-tax income of $18.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  This reduction is a direct result of the lower revenues, partially offset by lower variable compensation expense (as a result of the lower revenues).

 

Corporate Credit

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions and Principal transactions

 

$

19,638

 

$

17,598

 

11.6

%

Investment banking

 

1,907

 

2,507

 

(23.9

)%

Net interest

 

33

 

318

 

(89.6

)%

Other

 

139

 

41

 

239.0

%

Total net revenues

 

$

21,717

 

$

20,464

 

6.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax (loss)/income

 

$

(688

)

$

2,212

 

N/A

 

 

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Corporate Credit Q1 2012 vs. Q1 2011

 

Net revenues increased by $1.2 million to $21.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $20.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The increase in net revenues was primarily attributable to higher commissions and principal transaction revenues of $2.0 million, due to higher volumes, partially offset by lower spreads.  This was partially offset by lower investment banking revenues of $0.6 million (all capital markets related), as this division recognized $1.9 million of investment banking revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $2.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  Pre-tax (loss)/income of (0.7) million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 decreased by $1.2 million, compared to pre-tax income of $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  This decrease is a result of higher variable cash compensation accruals recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2012 as well as severance expense of $1.7 million (including non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million).

 

Investment Banking

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment banking

 

$

4,533

 

$

7,644

 

(40.7

)%

Other

 

 

 

N/A

 

Total net revenues

 

$

4,533

 

$

7,644

 

(40.7

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax income

 

$

579

 

$

1,263

 

(54.2

)%

 

Investment Banking Q1 2012 vs. Q1 2011

 

Net revenues declined by $3.1 million to $4.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $7.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  Advisory revenues decreased $1.1 million to $2.5 million, compared to $3.6 million for the prior-year quarter.  Capital markets revenues decreased $2.0 million to $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $4.0 million for the prior-year quarter.  Pre-tax income of $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 decreased by $0.7 million, compared to pre-tax income of $1.3 million in the prior-year quarter.  This reduction is a direct result of the lower revenues, partially offset by lower variable compensation expense (as a result of the lower revenues) and lower non-compensation expenses as a result of the realignment which took place in the third quarter of 2011.

 

ClearPoint

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions and Principal transactions

 

$

12,822

 

$

5,448

 

135.4

%

Net interest

 

362

 

25

 

N/A

 

Other

 

2,361

 

885

 

166.8

%

Total net revenues

 

$

15,545

 

$

6,358

 

144.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax loss

 

$

(2,853

)

$

(1,120

)

154.7

%

 

ClearPoint Q1 2012 vs. Q1 2011

 

Net revenues increased by $9.2 million to $15.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $6.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The increase in net revenues was primarily attributable to higher loan commitment volumes given the expansion of the business since its acquisition on January 3, 2011.  As of March 31, 2012, ClearPoint conducted business in 45 states, compared to 20 states at March 31, 2011.  ClearPoint’s pre-tax results were impacted by fees paid to brokers and loan processing fees of $12.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $4.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  Despite the higher revenues (net of broker expenses and loan processing fees), pre-tax losses increased by $1.8 million, to $2.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to a pre-tax loss of $1.1 million during the three months

 

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ended March 31, 2011.  This was primarily a result of higher compensation expense resulting from the expansion of the workforce since the acquisition, coupled with the effects implementing limits on ClearPoint’s daily average loan commitments to a level that is aligned with its current distribution opportunities given the previously disclosed liquidity constraints experienced during the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

Refer to “Recent Developments — ClearPoint” herein for additional information.

 

Other

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012 vs. 2011

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions and Principal transactions

 

$

8

 

$

3

 

166.7

%

Investment gains/(losses)

 

132

 

(686

)

N/A

 

Net interest

 

2,100

 

1,373

 

52.9

%

Gain from bargain purchase — ClearPoint Funding, Inc. acquisition

 

 

2,330

 

N/A

 

Other

 

377

 

197

 

91.4

%

Total net revenues

 

$

2,617

 

$

3,217

 

18.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-tax loss

 

$

(7,807

)

$

(6,492

)

20.3

%

 

Other Q1 2012 vs. Q1 2011

 

Net revenues decreased by $0.6 million to $2.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012, compared to $3.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The decrease in net revenues is primarily attributable to the ClearPoint bargain purchase gain of $2.3 million recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2011.  This was partially offset by higher investment gains of $0.8 million from the change in value of the Company’s investment in FATV and higher net interest income of $0.6 million.  Pre-tax loss of $7.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased by $1.3 million compared to pre-tax loss of $6.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 primarily due to the lower net revenues, as well as increased consulting and legal expenses.

 

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Explanation and Reconciliation of the Company’s Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

The Company has included certain financial metrics below that were not prepared in accordance with GAAP.  These non-GAAP financial results, which include presentations of net revenues, compensation and benefits, non-compensation expenses, income before income taxes from continuing operations, provision for income taxes, net income from continuing operations, compensation expense ratios, pre-tax margin, return on average tangible equity and diluted earnings per share, are presented as an additional aid in understanding and analyzing the Company’s financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.  Specifically, the Company believes that the non-GAAP results provide useful information by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of the Company’s core operating results or business outlook and also to emphasize information that the Company believes is important to understanding the Company’s performance.  These non-GAAP amounts exclude items reflected as adjustments within the “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Income from Continuing Operations” table below.  The Company believes these non-GAAP results will allow for a better evaluation of the operating performance of the business and facilitate a meaningful comparison of the Company’s results in the current period to those in prior periods and future periods.  References to these non-GAAP results should not be considered a substitute for results that are presented in a manner consistent with GAAP.

 

A limitation of utilizing these non-GAAP financial results is that the GAAP accounting effects of these excluded items do in fact reflect the underlying financial results of the Company’s business, and these effects should not be ignored in evaluating and analyzing its financial results.  Therefore, the Company believes that non-GAAP results should be considered together with their corresponding GAAP results.

 

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Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Loss from Continuing Operations (2012 - Unaudited) 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

64,743

 

$

 

$

64,743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding interest):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

43,719

 

(1,650

)(1)

42,069

 

Non-compensation expenses

 

26,306

 

 

26,306

 

Total expenses (excluding interest)

 

70,025

 

(1,650

)

68,375

 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(5,282

)

1,650

 

(3,632

)

Provision for income taxes

 

(566

)

703

(2)

137

 

Net loss from continuing operations

 

$

(4,716

)

$

947

 

$

(3,769

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted — continuing operations

 

$

(0.04

)

 

 

$

(0.03

)(3)

As a percentage of net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

67.5

%

 

 

65.0

%

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

 

(8.2

)%

 

 

(5.6

)%

 


(1)  Represents severance expense (of which $1.0 million is non-cash stock-based compensation).

 

(2)  Non-GAAP adjustments multiplied by the Company’s statutory rate of approximately 42.6%.

 

(3)  Non-GAAP net loss from continuing operations divided by 119.5 million dilutive shares.

 

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Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Income from Continuing Operations (2011 - Unaudited) 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues

 

$

89,389

 

$

(2,330

)(1)

$

87,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding interest):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

59,088

 

 

59,088

 

Non-compensation expenses

 

15,573

 

 

15,573

 

Total expenses (excluding interest)

 

74,661

 

 

74,661

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

14,728

 

(2,330

)

12,398

 

Provision for income taxes

 

6,129

 

(2)

6,129

 

Net income from continuing operations

 

$

8,599

 

$

(2,330

)

$

6,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted — continuing operations

 

$

0.07

 

 

 

$

0.05

(3)

As a percentage of net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

66.1

%

 

 

67.9

%

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

16.5

%

 

 

14.2

%

 


(1)  Represents the bargain purchase gain related to the ClearPoint acquisition on January 3, 2011.

 

(2)  ClearPoint bargain purchase gain was non-taxable.

 

(3)  Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations divided by 130.8 million shares.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Return on Average Tangible Stockholders’ Equity (Non-GAAP)

 

Presented below is information on the Company’s annualized return on average tangible stockholders’ equity (Non-GAAP):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income from continuing operations

 

$

(3,769

)(1)

$

6,269

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus: Amortization of intangibles, net of tax

 

124

 

794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income from continuing operations, adjusted (non-GAAP)

 

(3,645

)

7,063

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income from continuing operations, adjusted (non-GAAP) - annualized

 

$

(14,580

)

$

28,252

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average total stockholders’ equity (GAAP)

 

$

257,560

 

$

351,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus: non-GAAP adjustments to net (loss)/income from continuing operations

 

947

(1)

(2,330

)(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Average intangible assets

 

(25,345

)

(121,264

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average tangible stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP)

 

$

233,162

 

$

227,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annualized return on tangible equity (non-GAAP)

 

(6.3

)%

12.4

%

 

Return on Average Stockholders’ Equity (GAAP)

 

Presented below is information on the Company’s annualized return on average stockholders’ equity, which is the most directly comparable GAAP metric to the Non-GAAP metric above:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income from continuing operations

 

$

(4,716

)

$

8,599

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income from continuing operations - annualized

 

$

(18,864

)

$

34,396

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average total stockholders’ equity

 

$

257,560

 

$

351,579

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annualized return on stockholders’ equity

 

(7.3

)%

9.8

%

 


(1)  Designates non-GAAP financial results.  A reconciliation of the Company’s GAAP results to non-GAAP financial results is set forth above under the caption “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Income from Continuing Operations.”

 

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Financial Condition

 

The Company’s matched book repurchase activities comprised approximately 63.8% and 50.0% of total assets and 67.4% and 48.9% of total liabilities at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  The Company’s financial instruments owned comprised approximately 31.1% and 47.1% of total assets at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

The majority of the Company’s financial instruments owned are financed by the Company’s clearing agents and, to a lesser extent, through secured borrowings.  Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and secured borrowings comprised approximately 26.5% and 43.4% of the Company’s total liabilities at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

Financial instruments owned and securities sold, but not yet purchased consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

December 31, 2011

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Owned

 

Sold, but
not yet
Purchased

 

Owned

 

Sold, but
not yet
Purchased

 

Financial Instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

$

832,847

 

$

 

$

1,085,621

 

$

 

Loans

 

147,448

 

 

228,226

 

 

Federal agency obligations

 

369,550

 

 

158,774

 

11,796

 

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

 

64,186

 

 

56,573

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

21,125

 

4,086

 

14,524

 

12,254

 

Preferred stock

 

14,645

 

50

 

1,617

 

914

 

U.S. Government obligations

 

4,607

 

228,907

 

5,789

 

158,059

 

Equities

 

1,077

 

2

 

1,001

 

2

 

Other debt obligations

 

903

 

 

839

 

 

Derivatives

 

885

 

454

 

1,696

 

1,971

 

Total

 

$

1,457,273

 

$

233,499

 

$

1,554,660

 

$

184,996

 

 

Refer to the Note 1 within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Note 8 within the footnotes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information regarding the Company’s accounting policy over valuation of these financial instruments and classification of such financial instruments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”).

 

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Table of Contents

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The following discussion of the Company’s liquidity and capital resources highlights conditions which have changed since December 31, 2011 and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s discussion on Liquidity and Capital Resources within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Liquidity is of paramount importance to our success of operations.  The Company manages its liquidity by monitoring its funding and cash flow needs daily and measuring them against available cash levels in order to maintain available cash at its clearing agents so there is liquidity available for operations and for meeting financing obligations even under stressful market conditions.  The Company also maintains conservative leverage ratios and generally holds inventory that is readily convertible to cash.  The majority of the Company’s inventory is financed by our clearing agents and, to a lesser extent, through repurchase agreements.  We use these financing sources, and periodically consider others in order to reduce funding/liquidity risk.

 

The Company had Cash and cash equivalents of $32.7 million and $36.7 million, at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  In addition, the Company’s financial instruments that are readily marketable and actively traded were approximately $1.2 billion at March 31, 2012 compared to approximately $1.3 billion at December 31, 2011.  These financial instruments are substantially financed by the Company’s payable to its clearing broker and secured borrowings.  The level of assets and liabilities will fluctuate due to changing market conditions and customer demand.

 

The majority of the Company’s cash and readily marketable securities are assets of Gleacher Securities, a regulated broker-dealer subsidiary, which is subject to various laws and regulations including those that authorize regulatory bodies to monitor and/or restrict the flow of funds, in certain circumstances, to the parent holding company or any other affiliates.  Such regulations may prevent the Company from accessing liquidity from within the broker-dealer in order to conduct business activities or satisfy the obligations of the parent holding company and/or any other subsidiaries affiliated with the broker-dealer.

 

ClearPoint and Related Matters

 

ClearPoint finances its mortgage loan origination activity through short-term, secured mortgage warehouse lines of credit.  The advances under one of these warehouse lines were paid in full as of April 30, 2012, and pursuant to an amendment to the master repurchase agreement, those warehouse covenants are no longer in force and ClearPoint has no further continuing reporting or notice obligations to this lender.  ClearPoint has access to two warehouse lines of credit with a total capacity of $175 million (subsequently reduced to $150 million as of April 30, 2012).  Each of these warehouse lines, both of which are uncommitted, expire in September 2012, and one, in the amount of $75 million, can be terminated at will by the lender on 90-days notice.  Failure of the lenders to renew the warehouse lines upon expiration and/or not provide financing on the uncommitted portions of the lines would adversely impact ClearPoint’s ability to conduct business.  If ClearPoint is unable to replace the borrowing capacity when the warehouse lines expire or the lenders do not continue to fund requests, it may be required to reduce its loan origination activities and may not be able to satisfy its unfunded loan commitments.

 

Refer to Note 15 contained within Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding these warehouse lines of credit.

 

ClearPoint currently relies on a limited number of investors to purchase its originated mortgage loans and a limited number of lenders to finance these activities.  If ClearPoint does not sell loans it originates from funds advanced under ClearPoint’s mortgage warehouse lines of credit within certain periods of time, the lenders can incrementally curtail, or reduce, such advances.  Under these circumstances, ClearPoint would be required to repay the curtailed amounts to the lenders prior to receiving any proceeds from the sale of the loans to investors.  Failure of ClearPoint’s investors to continue purchasing its loans and/or a slowdown in such purchases could result in additional curtailments as the loans persist on the warehouse lines.  This could also decrease available capacity for funding new loans and satisfying ClearPoint’s unfunded loan commitments.

 

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As previously disclosed within Note 23 contained within Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, ClearPoint had experienced liquidity constraints due to curtailment payments, which were initially caused by the rapid expansion of ClearPoint’s business, coupled with an unanticipated slow-down in loan purchases by one of ClearPoint’s principal loan purchasers.  Curtailment exposure has been mitigated by actions taken by ClearPoint, including the implementation of loan origination limits and enhancements to its operational infrastructure, which have improved the pace at which loans are cleared.  During the month of April 2012, ClearPoint sold $184.8 million of loans while expecting to finance $107.8 million of loans.  Given the pace with which ClearPoint is currently selling loans, its exposure to curtailment payments is significantly diminished.

 

Refer to “Recent Developments — ClearPoint” herein for information on previously disclosed separate limited guarantees entered into by the Parent on February 29, 2012, related to certain contractual obligations of ClearPoint.  Actions taken by ClearPoint have substantially reduced the Parent’s potential liabilities under the guaranties.

 

Share Repurchase

 

In January 2012, the Board of Directors renewed the Company’s share repurchase program, authorizing up to $25 million in additional repurchases of Company common stock through the date on which the Company publicly releases its results of operations for fiscal 2012.  No additional shares have been repurchased since the renewal of this program.

 

Regulatory

 

As of March 31, 2012, each of the Company’s registered broker-dealer subsidiaries, Gleacher Securities and Gleacher Partners, were in compliance with the net capital requirements of FINRA and, in the case of Gleacher Securities, the NFA.  The net capital rules restrict the amount of a broker-dealer’s net assets that may be distributed. Also, a significant operating loss or extraordinary charge against net capital could compel the Company to make additional contributions to one or more of these subsidiaries or adversely affect the ability of the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries to expand or maintain their present levels of business and the ability to support the obligations or requirements of the Company. As of March 31, 2012, Gleacher Securities had net capital of $54.1 million, which exceeded minimum net capital requirements of FINRA and the NFA by $53.8 million and Gleacher Partners had net capital of $0.8 million, which exceeded net capital requirements of FINRA by $0.5 million.

 

In addition, ClearPoint is subject to net worth requirements, as required by the HUD.  At March 31, 2012, ClearPoint’s net worth was $15.2 million, which was $14.2 million in excess of the $1.0 million required minimum net worth.  ClearPoint continues to remain in compliance with this net worth requirement.

 

Derivatives

 

The Company utilizes derivatives for various economic hedging strategies to actively manage its market and liquidity exposures.  In addition, the Company enters into mortgage loan interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) in connection with its mortgage lending activities, which could adversely impact the Company’s liquidity to the extent there is insufficient capacity available on ClearPoint’s mortgage warehouse lines of credit and/or ClearPoint’s lenders fail to provide financing on the portions of the lines which are uncommitted .  Refer to Note 9, within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings or disputes. (See Part II — Item 1 - Legal Proceedings of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.)

 

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Expenses associated with investigating and defending against legal proceedings can put a strain on our cash resources.  In addition, any fines, penalties, or damages assessed against us, could also impact materially our liquidity. The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to both routine and unscheduled regulatory examinations of their respective businesses and investigations of securities industry practices by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations.  In recent years, securities and mortgage lending firms have been subject to increased scrutiny and regulatory enforcement activity.  Regulatory investigations can result in substantial fines being imposed on the Company and/or its subsidiaries.  In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries receive inquiries and subpoenas from the SEC, FINRA, state regulators and other regulatory organizations.  The Company does not always know the purpose behind these communications or the status or target of any related investigation.  Some of these communications have, in the past, resulted in disciplinary actions which have sometimes included monetary sanctions, and in the Company and/or its subsidiaries being cited for regulatory deficiencies.  To date, none of these communications have had a material adverse effect on the Company’s business nor does the Company believe that any pending communications are likely to have such an effect.  Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that any pending or future communications will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.  In addition, the Company is also subject to claims by employees alleging discrimination, harassment or wrongful discharge, among other things, and seeking recoupment of compensation claimed (whether for cash or forfeited equity awards), and other damages.

 

Based on currently available information, the Company does not believe that any current litigation, proceeding or other matter to which it is a party or otherwise involved will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, although an adverse development, or an increase in associated legal fees, could be material to the Company’s financial results in a particular period, depending in part on the Company’s operating results in that period.

 

Deferred Tax Assets

 

Liquidity also arises from the Company’s ability to utilize its net deferred tax assets in order to reduce current tax obligations.  The Company currently believes that it is more likely than not that its net deferred tax assets of $25.5 million will ultimately be realized, based upon the Company’s net cumulative income position, the Company’s ability to carry back net operating losses, as well as the projection of future taxable income.

 

The realization of the net deferred tax assets is ultimately dependent upon the Company’s ability to produce sufficient future taxable income prior to their expiration and the Company’s stock price.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

Certain liabilities or commitments of the Company that are not recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2012 are identified or described in the “Contractual Obligations” section which follows and within the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

In addition, refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources — ClearPoint and Related Matters” for discussion regarding the Parent’s obligations under certain guaranties issued with respect to ClearPoint.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

ClearPoint’s loan commitments decreased $40.6 million to $136.2 million as of March 31, 2012 (of which $109.3 million are expected to fund), compared to $176.8 million as of December 31, 2011.  Amounts borrowed by ClearPoint on its secured mortgage warehouse lines of credit decreased by $96.4 million to $117.2 million as of March 31, 2012, compared to $213.6 million as of December 31, 2011.

 

There were no other significant changes to the Company’s contractual obligations at March 31, 2012 since what was previously reported within Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

There are no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies from what was previously reported as of December 31, 2011.  For a full description of the Company’s critical accounting policies, refer to “Critical Accounting Policies” included within Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”), which requires new disclosures about balance sheet offsetting and related arrangements.  For derivative financial assets and liabilities, the amendments require disclosure of gross asset and liability amounts, amounts offset on the balance sheet, and amounts subject to offsetting requirements but not offset in the balance sheet.  This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and is to be applied retrospectively.  This guidance does not amend the existing guidance on when it is appropriate to offset, and since these amended principles require only additional disclosures, the adoption of ASU 2011-11 will not affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08 “Intangibles Goodwill and Other:  Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (“ASU 2011-08”), in order to simplify how entities test goodwill for impairment.  ASU 2011-08 permit an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in FASB Topic 350.  ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of ASU 2011-08 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-05”), in order to improve the comparability, consistency, and transparency of financial reporting and to increase prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income.  The amendments in this ASU include the requirement that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, and eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity.  ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, except for new presentation requirements about reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income which are currently deferred indefinitely.  ASU 2011-05 is not applicable to the Company as it has no items reported as other comprehensive income.

 

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04 “Fair Value Measurements:  Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS” (“ASU 2011-04”), in order to develop common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  The amendments in this ASU include clarification of (i) the application of the highest and best use valuation premise concepts and specifies that such concepts are relevant only when measuring the fair value of nonfinancial assets, (ii) the requirement to measure certain instruments classified in stockholders’ equity at fair value, such as equity interests issued as consideration in a business combination and (iii) disclosure requirements regarding quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used in a fair value measurement that is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  In addition, ASU 2011-04 changes particular principles or requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including (a) measuring the fair value of financial instruments that are managed within a portfolio by permitting entities to measure such financial instruments on a net basis if such entities manage such financial instruments on the basis of their net exposure, (b) clarifying that premiums or discounts related to size as a characteristic of the reporting entity’s holding (specifically, a blockage factor) rather than as a characteristic of the asset or liability (for example, a control premium) are not permitted in a fair value measurement and (c) the expansion of disclosures about fair value measurements, including the valuation processes of financial instruments categorized within

 

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Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in unobservable inputs and the interrelationships between those unobservable inputs, if any.  ASU 2011-04 is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note 8 contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which includes the disclosures as required by this ASU.

 

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03 “Transfers and Servicing:  Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements” (“ASU 2011-03”), in order to improve the accounting for repurchase agreements and other agreements that both entitle and obligate a transferor to repurchase or redeem financial assets before their maturity.  The amendments in this ASU remove from the assessment of effective control (i) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and (ii) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion.  ASU 2011-03 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2011-03 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, “When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts” (“ASU 2010-28”), in order to address questions about entities with reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts as some entities concluded that Step 1 of the test is passed in those circumstances because the fair value of their reporting unit will generally be greater than zero.  For reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, taking into consideration any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist.  ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011.  The adoption of ASU 2010-28 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GLEACHER & COMPANY, INC.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

(Unaudited)

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Given the amount of capital we deploy, the financial products we trade and the large number of counterparties we deal with in our daily transactions, management believes that comprehensive and effective risk management is a key component for our success.

 

For a full discussion of the Company’s market risk management processes and procedures, refer to Item 9 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

Market Risk

 

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in the value of our trading or investment positions, or loans held for sale as a result of fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit spreads and equity prices, as well as changes in the implied volatility of interest rates and equity prices.  The Company’s exposure to market risk is primarily related to securities transactions in its MBS/ABS & Rates division, and to a lesser extent, loans related to the residential mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint.

 

The Company maintains inventory in agency mortgage-backed securities, debt securities issued by U.S. Government and federal agency obligations, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt, listed equities and preferred stock.  In addition, the Company originates residential mortgage loans for resale through ClearPoint.  In order to mitigate exposure to market risk, the Company enters into derivatives including the sale of TBAs and exchange traded treasury futures contracts, or by selling short U.S. Government securities.

 

The following table categorizes the Company’s market risk sensitive financial instruments.

 

 

 

Market Value (net)

 

(In thousands)

 

March 31,
 2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

Trading risk

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate

 

$

1,222,516

 

$

1,368,484

 

Equity

 

 

 

Foreign exchange

 

 

 

Commodity

 

 

 

Total trading risk

 

$

1,222,516

 

$

1,368,484

 

Other than trading risk

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

19,514

 

$

19,910

 

Interest rate

 

184

 

180

 

Foreign exchange

 

 

 

Commodity

 

 

 

Total other than trading risk

 

19,698

 

20,090

 

Total market value, net

 

$

1,242,214

 

$

1,388,574

 

 

Refer to Note 1 within the footnotes to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and Note 8 within the footnotes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information regarding the Company’s accounting policy over valuation of these financial instruments and classification of such financial instruments in accordance with ASC 820.

 

The following is a discussion of the Company’s primary market risk exposures as of March 31, 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Interest Rate Risk and Related Prepayment Risk

 

In connection with trading and residential mortgage lending activities, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk arising from changes in the level or volatility of interest rates or the shape and slope of the yield curve.  Interest rate risk exposure is a result of maintaining inventory positions (including originated residential mortgage loans) and trading in interest-rate-sensitive financial instruments.  These financial instruments include agency mortgage-backed securities, debt securities issued by U.S. Government and federal agency obligations, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt, preferred stock and residential mortgage loans.

 

Prepayment risk arises from the possibility that the rate of principal repayment on mortgages will fluctuate, affecting the value of mortgage-backed securities.  Prepayments are the full or partial repayment of principal prior to the original term to maturity of a mortgage loan and typically occur due to refinancing of mortgage loans and turnover in housing ownership.  Prepayment rates on mortgage-related securities vary from time to time and may cause changes in the amount of the Company’s net interest income, the valuations of mortgage-backed securities in inventory and the effectiveness of our interest rate hedging. Prepayments of mortgage loans usually can be expected to increase when mortgage interest rates fall below the then-current interest rates on such loans and decrease when mortgage interest rates exceed the then-current interest rate on such loans, although such effects are uncertain. Prepayment experience also may be affected by the conditions in the housing and financial markets, including the Government Sponsored Entities buying back delinquent loans at par value, general economic conditions and the relative interest rates on fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans underlying mortgage-backed securities. The purchase prices of mortgage-backed securities are generally based in part upon assumptions regarding the expected rates of prepayments.  The Company’s mortgage loans related to the residential mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint are subject to prepayment risk, however, these loans tend to be sold within a short period of time subsequent to origination which mitigates this risk to the Company.

 

The Company economically hedges its exposure to interest rate risk by shorting mortgage pass-through TBAs, government securities and exchange traded treasury futures contracts.  Hedging using government securities and exchange traded treasury futures contracts protects the Company from movements in the yield curve and changes in general levels of interest rates.  Hedging using TBAs reduces the basis risk between the mortgage-backed securities market and government securities market.

 

A large portion of the Company’s inventory consists of specified mortgage-backed securities pass-through pools, whose prices are linked to TBAs, which also, however, display their own idiosyncratic pricing behavior based on their underlying mortgage loan characteristics.  The Company believes that TBAs are the best hedging tool for these pools, but as with most hedges they cannot completely eliminate risk.

 

The fair market value of securities exposed to interest rate and related prepayment risk included in the Company’s inventory at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively. Interest rate risk is measured as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical one-half percent increase in interest rates across the yield curve, including its related effect on prepayment speeds. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the potential change in fair value under this stress scenario was a loss of $8.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively.  Interest rates may increase more than the amount assumed above and consequently, the actual change in fair value may exceed the change computed above.

 

The following table shows a breakdown of our interest rate exposure on March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

Market value change per one hundredth of one percent interest
rate increase (In thousands of dollars)

 

March 31,
2012

 

December 31,
2011

 

U.S. government and federal agency obligations

 

$

1

 

$

17

 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

 

(124

)

(85

)

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities

 

(17

)

(12

)

Corporate debt securities

 

(10

)

(1

)

Preferred stock

 

(14

)

(1

)

Total

 

$

(164

)

$

(82

)

Average duration (years)

 

1.7

 

0.82

 

 

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Credit Spread and Credit Rating Risk

 

The Company actively makes markets in various credit instruments, including corporate bonds (both high yield and investment grade), emerging market debt and structured securities (MBS/ABS/CMBS/CDO/CLO). As a consequence, the Company is exposed to credit spread and credit rating changes in these markets.  Credit spread and credit rating risk results from changes in the level or volatility of credit spreads, either as a result of macro market conditions (e.g., risk aversion sentiment) or from idiosyncratic development of certain debt issuers or their sectors.  The Company is generally not exposed to significant credit risk related to the residential mortgage lending activities of ClearPoint as the loans are underwritten using standards prescribed by conventional mortgage lenders and loan buyers such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

 

The Company believes the optimum strategy to manage credit spread and credit rating risk is high inventory turnover, thereby minimizing the amount of time during which we hold these types of securities, in some cases by arranging the sale before committing to the purchase.  Given this strategy, the Company maintains a low inventory level in these securities relative to the Company’s total securities owned.

 

The following tables show a breakdown of our exposure in these markets on March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

Credit Sensitive Holdings Market Value as of March 31, 2012

 

(In thousands of dollars)

 

Non-agency
mortgage-
backed
securities

 

Corporate
debt
securities

 

Preferred
stock

 

Other debt
obligations

 

Total

 

Investment grade

 

$

21,187

 

$

9,662

 

$

(50

)

$

318

 

$

31,117

 

Non-investment grade

 

42,999

 

7,377

 

14,645

 

585

 

65,606

 

Total

 

$

64,186

 

$

17,039

 

$

14,595

 

$

903

 

$

96,723

 

 

Credit Sensitive Holdings Market Value as of December 31, 2011

 

(In thousands)

 

Non-agency
mortgage-
backed
securities

 

Corporate
debt
securities, net

 

Preferred
stock

 

Other debt
obligations

 

Total

 

Investment grade

 

$

19,250

 

$

224

 

$

871

 

$

192

 

$

20,537

 

Non-investment grade

 

37,323

 

2,046

 

(168

)

647

 

39,848

 

Total

 

$

56,573

 

$

2,270

 

$

703

 

$

839

 

$

60,385

 

 

Equity Price Risk

 

The Company is exposed to equity price risk to the extent it holds equity securities in inventory.  Equity price risk results from changes in the level or volatility of equity prices, which affect the value of equity securities or instruments that derive their value from equity securities.  The Company attempts to reduce the risk of loss inherent in its inventory of equity securities by monitoring those security positions throughout each day.

 

The Company had no significant net long or short positions in marketable equity securities at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  The Company’s investment in FATV at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 had a fair market value of $16.0 million and $15.9 million, respectively. Equity price risk is estimated as the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in equity security prices or valuations of the underlying portfolio companies.  This risk measure, for the Company’s investment in FATV amounted to $1.6 million at March 31, 2012 and $1.6 million at December 31, 2011.  Equity prices may increase more than the amount assumed above, and consequently, the actual change in fair value may exceed the change computed above.

 

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Counterparty Credit Risk

 

Counterparty credit risk is the risk of loss due to failure of our counterparty to meet its obligations. The Company is engaged in various trading and brokerage activities whose counterparties primarily include broker-dealers, banks, and other financial institutions.  In the event counterparties do not fulfill their obligations, the Company may be exposed to risk.  The risk of default depends on the credit worthiness of the counterparty or issuer of the instrument.  In order to mitigate this risk, credit exposures are monitored in light of changing counterparty and market conditions.

 

Agency and principal securities transactions with customers of the Company’s subsidiaries, other than the Rates business, are cleared through third party clearing agreements on a fully disclosed basis.  Under these agreements, the clearing agents settle customer securities transactions, collect margin receivables related to these transactions, monitor the credit standing and required margin levels related to these customers and, pursuant to margin guidelines, require the customer to deposit additional collateral with them or to reduce positions, if necessary.

 

In the normal course of business, Gleacher Securities guarantees certain service providers, such as clearing and custody agents, trustees, and administrators, against specified potential losses in connection with their acting as an agent of, or providing services to, the Company or its affiliates.  Gleacher Securities also indemnifies some clients against potential losses incurred in the event of non-performance by specified third-party service providers, including subcustodians. The maximum potential amount of future payments that Gleacher Securities could be required to make under these indemnifications cannot be estimated.  However, Gleacher Securities has historically made no material payments under these arrangements and believes that it is unlikely it will have to make material payments in the future.  Therefore, the Company has not recorded any contingent liability in the consolidated financial statements, contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for these indemnifications.

 

In the ordinary course of business, ClearPoint indemnifies counterparties, including under its loan sale and warehouse line agreements, against potential losses incurred by such parties in connection with particular arrangements.  The maximum potential amount of future payments that ClearPoint could be required to make under these indemnification obligations cannot be estimated.  In connection with the Company’s acquisition of ClearPoint, the Company is indemnified for any such losses with respect to any loans presented to ClearPoint or originated on or prior to January 3, 2011.

 

The Company is required to maintain a deposit at the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (the “FICC”) in connection with the self-clearing activities associated with the Rates business which began in November 2010.  The size of the deposit is subject to change from time to time and is dependent upon the volume of business transacted.  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had a deposit with the FICC of approximately $17.3 million and $15.2 million, respectively, which is recorded within Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition contained in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Self clearing activities include trading activities which are conducted on a delivery versus payment basis and thereby reduces settlement risk, as well as the Company’s matched book repurchase activities which are collateralized transactions that contain provisions allowing for additional collateral to be provided, or excess collateral returned, when necessary.  The Company values such collateral daily and retrieves or returns excess collateral from/to counterparties, when appropriate.

 

Liquidity and Funding Risk

 

Liquidity risk is the risk that it takes longer or it is more costly than anticipated to sell inventory to raise cash due to adverse market conditions.  Funding liquidity risk is the risk that we are unable to meet margin calls or cash flow needs due to lack of cash or are unable to maintain leveraged positions due to margin calls or reduction in credit lines from lending counterparties.

 

Liquidity is of paramount importance to our success and operations.  Lack of liquidity tends to be the biggest contributor to the rapid failure of financial institutions.

 

Refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources” above Item 2 for further information about our liquidity as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Leverage Ratios

 

Leverage increases the risks (and potential rewards) we take.  To balance this risk/reward equation, we maintain adjusted target leverage ratios well below 10x, so that the risk from leveraging would still be manageable even in the event of market crisis.  This target excludes securities purchased under agreements to resell, as they are generally self-financed through matched book repurchase transactions and are therefore considered lower risk.  We view the resulting measure of adjusted leverage, also a non-GAAP financial measure, as a more relevant measure of financial risk when comparing financial services companies.

 

 

 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

4,679,841

 

$

3,303,556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

(2,984,884

)

(1,523,227

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted assets (non-GAAP)

 

1,694,957

 

1,780,329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

$

255,997

 

$

259,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leverage ratio(1) 

 

18.3

%

12.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leverage ratio - adjusted (non-GAAP)(2)

 

6.6

%

6.9

%

 


(1)  Leverage ratio equals total assets divided by total Stockholders’ equity.

 

(2)  Adjusted leverage ratio equals adjusted assets divided by total Stockholders’ equity.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.  In addition, no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Part II-Other Information

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is not a party to any legal proceeding required to be disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q per applicable SEC regulations.  Moreover, based on currently available information, the Company does not believe that any current litigation, proceeding or other matter to which it is a party or otherwise involved will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows, although an adverse development, or an increase in associated legal fees, could be material in a particular period, depending in part on the Company’s operating results in that period.

 

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

 

None

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 6. Exhibits

(a)          Exhibits

 

Exhibit 
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

3.1*

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Gleacher & Company, Inc., effective April 19, 2012.

 

 

 

31.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act.

 

 

 

31.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act.

 

 

 

32*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

 

 

 

101*

 

The following financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Gleacher & Company, Inc. are attached to this report formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 


*                                         Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Gleacher & Company, Inc.

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 10, 2012

 

/s/ Thomas J. Hughes

 

 

 

Thomas J. Hughes

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 10, 2012

 

/s/ Bryan J. Edmiston

 

 

 

Bryan J. Edmiston

 

 

 

Controller

 

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

63