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 December  3 1 , 2013

 

Commission File Number: 333-43664

 

INVESTORS CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LTD.

(Exact name of registra nt as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE

04-3284631

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

 

Six Kimball Lane, Suite 150

Lynnfield, Massachusetts     01940

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(781) 593-8565

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer  [  ]

Accelerated filer  [  ]

Non-accelerated filer  [  ]

Smaller reporting company  [X]

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

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

 

  There were   7,093,161 shares outsta nding of the issuer’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, as of February   7 , 201 4 .

1


 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

PART I

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCIAL INFORMATION  

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS  

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES  

 

PART II

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER INFORMATION  

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS  

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS  

SIGNATURES  

 

 

 

 

2


 

 

PART I        FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

INVESTORS CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

March 31, 2013

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

6,366,036 

 

 

$           6,589,698

Deposit with clearing organization, restricted

 

175,000 

 

 

175,000 

Accounts receivable and other receivables

 

5,733,003 

 

 

7,160,553 

Loans receivable from registered representatives (current), net of allowance

 

725,518 

 

 

593,730 

Prepaid income taxes

 

209,069 

 

 

136,972 

Securities owned at fair value

 

300,255 

 

 

258,903 

Prepaid expenses

 

456,937 

 

 

722,427 

 

 

13,965,818 

 

 

15,637,283 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

73,777 

 

 

194,446 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Term Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Loans receivable from registered representatives

 

1,055,541 

 

 

893,703 

Non-qualified deferred compensation investment

 

2,406,202 

 

 

1,771,044 

Cash surrender value life insurance policies

 

225,525 

 

 

176,402 

 

 

3,687,268 

 

 

2,841,149 

Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax asset, net

 

1,584,213 

 

 

1,059,480 

Capitalized software, net

 

69,101 

 

 

107,590 

Other asset

 

56,704 

 

 

56,704 

 

 

1,710,018 

 

 

1,223,774 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

$

19,436,881 

 

 

$         19,896,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

1,532,097 

 

 

$           1,327,691

Accrued expenses

 

1,272,311 

 

 

1,818,379 

Commissions payable

 

3,981,906 

 

 

3,279,921 

Notes payable

 

92,718 

 

 

1,488,876 

Unearned revenue

 

1,210,812 

 

 

188,651 

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value

 

 

 

 

28,946 

 

 

8,089,844 

 

 

8,132,464 

Long-Term Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Non-qualified deferred compensation plan

 

2,673,015 

 

 

1,968,691 

Subordinated borrowings

 

2,000,000 

 

 

2,000,000 

 

 

4,673,015 

 

 

3,968,691 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

12,762,859 

 

 

12,101,155 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized;

 

 

 

 

 

7,100,608 issued and 7,096,723 outstanding at December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

7,101,427 issued and 7,097,542 outstanding at March 31, 2013

 

71,004 

 

 

71,013 

Additional paid-in capital

 

12,899,697 

 

 

12,594,370 

Accumulated deficit

 

(6,266,544)

 

 

(4,839,751)

Less: Treasury stock, 3,885 shares at cost

 

(30,135)

 

 

(30,135)

Total stockholders' equity

 

6,674,022 

 

 

7,795,497 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

19,436,881 

 

 

$         19,896,652

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1


 

INVESTORS CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

  Commissions

$

18,583,079 

 

$

15,510,183 

  Advisory fees

 

4,917,295 

 

 

4,162,082 

  Other fee income

 

904,314 

 

 

935,375 

  Other revenue

 

444,071 

 

 

158,722 

Total revenue

 

24,848,759 

 

 

20,766,362 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

  Commissions and advisory fees

 

19,591,094 

 

 

16,125,987 

  Compensation and benefits

 

1,664,710 

 

 

1,484,416 

  Regulatory, legal and professional services

 

2,371,820 

 

 

1,378,066 

  Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

 

425,632 

 

 

385,100 

  Technology and communications

 

265,261 

 

 

337,495 

  Advertising, marketing and promotion

 

576,439 

 

 

188,808 

  Occupancy and equipment

 

116,092 

 

 

170,539 

  Other administrative

 

238,046 

 

 

409,092 

  Interest

 

2,986 

 

 

3,588 

Total operating expenses

 

25,252,080 

 

 

20,483,091 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating (loss) income

 

(403,321)

 

 

283,271 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(117,627)

 

 

149,555 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Net (loss) income

$

(285,694)

 

$

133,716 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net (loss) income  per share

$

(0.04)

 

$

0.02 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net (loss) income  per share

$

(0.04)

 

$

0.02 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in basic per share calculations

 

6,729,264 

 

 

6,647,700 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in diluted per share calculations

 

6,729,264 

 

 

6,647,700 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2


 

INVESTORS CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

NINE MONTHS ENDED

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

  Commissions

$

53,740,490 

 

$

47,378,076 

  Advisory fees

 

13,895,844 

 

 

12,252,067 

  Other fee income

 

1,437,442 

 

 

1,611,705 

  Other revenue

 

1,135,781 

 

 

649,804 

Total revenue

 

70,209,557 

 

 

61,891,652 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

  Commissions and advisory fees

 

56,202,416 

 

 

48,862,794 

  Compensation and benefits

 

5,016,183 

 

 

4,524,385 

  Regulatory, legal and professional services

 

6,241,110 

 

 

3,231,325 

  Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

 

1,174,598 

 

 

1,087,898 

  Technology and communications

 

982,034 

 

 

961,713 

  Advertising, marketing and promotion

 

1,364,345 

 

 

661,505 

  Occupancy and equipment

 

337,620 

 

 

534,839 

  Other administrative

 

733,556 

 

 

847,870 

  Interest

 

145,468 

 

 

17,390 

Total operating expenses

 

72,197,330 

 

 

60,729,719 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating (loss) income

 

(1,987,773)

 

 

1,161,933 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

(560,977)

 

 

486,316 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Net (loss) income

$

(1,426,796)

 

$

675,617 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net (loss) income  per share

$

(0.21)

 

$

0.10 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net (loss) income  per share

$

(0.21)

 

$

0.10 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in basic per share calculations

 

6,711,816 

 

 

6,628,389 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in diluted per share calculations

 

6,711,816 

 

 

6,628,389 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTORS CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended December 31,

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

$

(1,426,796)

 

$

675,617 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash

 

 

 

 

 

provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

168,211 

 

 

246,056 

Deferred taxes, net

 

(524,733)

 

 

650,915 

Stock-based compensation

 

290,980 

 

 

121,256 

Unrealized gain (loss) in marketable securities

 

(29,719)

 

 

16,252 

Non-qualified deferred compensation investment

 

49,858 

 

 

45,033 

Market adjustment cash surrender value life insurance policy

 

(31,123)

 

 

(4,222)

Charge to commission expense (forgivable loans)

 

228,961 

 

 

181,599 

Allowance for bad debt expense

 

 

 

 

12,708 

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and Other receivables

 

1,427,550 

 

 

(988,063)

Prepaid expenses and other

 

284,802 

 

 

(81,637)

Loans receivable from registered representatives

 

(522,587)

 

 

(236,116)

Income taxes

 

(72,097)

 

 

(18,938)

Accounts payable

 

204,406 

 

 

(219,452)

Securities, net

 

 -

 

 

(26,052)

Accrued expenses

 

(546,068)

 

 

17,689 

Commissions payable

 

701,985 

 

 

124,245 

Unearned revenue

 

1,022,161 

 

 

1,086,636 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,225,791 

 

 

1,603,526 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition of property and equipment

 

(9,054)

 

 

(67,937)

Cash surrender value life insurance policies

 

(18,000)

 

 

 -

Trading investments

 

(40,580)

 

 

 -

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(67,634)

 

 

(67,937)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

     Excess tax benefit related to stock awards

 

14,339 

 

 

32,336 

Payments on note payable

 

(1,396,158)

 

 

(1,554,251)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,381,819)

 

 

(1,521,915)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(223,662)

 

 

13,674 

 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

6,589,698 

 

 

4,537,713 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

6,366,036 

 

$

4,551,387 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

$

104,218 

 

$

14,569 

Income taxes paid

$

19,524 

 

$

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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INVESTORS CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2013

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Note 1 – Organization AND Basis of Presentation

  Incorporated in 1995 under Massachusetts law and redomesticated under Delaware law in 2007, Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd. ("ICH") is a holding company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries assist a nationwide network of independent registered representatives ("representatives") in providing a diversified line of financial services to the public including securities brokerage, investment advice, asset management, financial planning and insurance. Our subsidiaries include the following:

·

Investors Capital Corporation ("ICC") is duly registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and applicable state law to provide broker-dealer and investment advisory services nationwide.  ICC’s national network of independent financial representatives is licensed to provide these services through ICC under the regulatory purview of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and state securities regulators.  ICC executes and clears its public customer accounts on a fully disclosed basis through Pershing, LLC (“Pershing”).  ICC, doing business as Investors Capital Advisors (“ICA”), also provides investment advisory services.

·

ICC Insurance Agency , Inc.   (“ICCIA”) facilitates the sale of insurance and annuities by our representatives.

 

·

Investors Capital Holdings Securities Corporation ("ICH Securities") holds cash, cash equivalents, interest income and dividend income for ICH.

 

·

Advisor Direct, Incorporated (“AD”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary. On January 24, 2013, Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd. acquired all the assets of a shell broker-dealer for the cash purchase price of $32,500 . AD is a Broker-Dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of FINRA. AD is registered to operate as a (k)(1) Broker-Dealer where principal transactions are limited to mutual funds and/or variable annuities only. 

 

  On October 2, 2013, RCS Capital Corporation (NYSE: RCAP) (“RCAP”) and Investors Capital Holdings, LTD. (“ICH”) announced its entry on October 1, 2013 into a letter of intent (the “Letter of Intent”) under which RCAP expects to acquire ICH for aggregate consideration of approximately $52.2 million , or for a share purchase price of $7.25 for each share of ICH common stock outstanding, on a fully diluted basis.   On October 27, 2013, the Company executed a definitive merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with RCAP, pursuant to which RCAP will acquire ICH and its subsidiaries, including Investors Capital Corporation, for a total consideration of approximately $52.5 million comprised of ca sh and RCAP stock. T he definitive merger agreement between RCAP and ICH will require that ICH pay RCAP a $3 million termination fee, in certain specific circumstances, should the merger not be consummated and ICH consummates a business combination transaction with another party other than RCAP.  In addition, ICH has agreed to a 45-day exclusivity period subject to reimbursement of certain expenses of RCAP.  The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including FINRA approval of the proposed change in control for ICC, approval of the transaction by ICH stockholders and registration of the Class A common stock of RCAP to be issued as merger consideration. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2014.

 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

 

  The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of

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management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Because of the nature of the Company’s business, interim period results may not be indicative of full year or future results.

 

  The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all of the adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented. Operating results for the three month s and nine months   period ended December  3 1 , 201 3 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 201 4 . The balance sheet at March 31, 201 3 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statement presentation . For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 201 3 filed with the SEC, for additional disclosures and a description of accounting policies.

 

  There have been no material changes from the critical accounting policies set forth in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 201 3 . Please refer to those sections for disclosures regarding the critical accounting policies related to our business

 

Certain prior year items have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations.   All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.     The Company has evaluated subsequent event s through the date of this filing .  

 

 

Note 2 - L oans to Registered Representatives  

  ICC has granted loans to certain registered representatives with the stipulation that the loans will be forgiven if the representatives remain licensed with the Company for an agreed upon period of time, generally one to five years, and/or meet specified performance and/or revenue targets.  Upon forgiveness, the loans are charged to commission expense for financial reporting purposes. Loans charged to commission expense totaled $ 10,750 and $7,240, for the three months period ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively and $228,961 and $181,599 for the nine months period ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

      Some loans to registered representatives are not subject to a forgiveness contingency.   These loans, as well as loans that have failed the forgiveness contingency, are repaid to the Company by deducting a portion of the representatives’ commission payouts throughout the commission cycle until the loans are repaid. 

  Interest charged on these loans to representatives range from 4.25 % to 8.25 % annually.  Loans to registered representatives are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

March 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forgivable loans

$

1,451,948 

 

 

$

1,115,765 

Other loans

 

507,590 

 

 

 

604,264 

Less:  allowance

 

(178,479)

 

 

 

(232,596)

Total loans

$

1,781,059 

 

 

$

1,487,433 

 

  Included in other loans is a loan receivable from a registered representative in connection with a regulatory matter settled with the Massachusetts Securities Division on October 27, 2010 . This representative has agreed to reimburse the Company for certain amounts paid by the Company with respect to this regulatory matter. The amount due on this receivable at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013 was $ 291,141 and $ 330,587 , respectively.  

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NOTE 3 - INCOME   TAXES

 

  The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets, subject to valuation allowances, and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income or loss in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

The Company, in preparing its income tax provision, bases the calculation on its annual projection of income or loss from operations. The annual projection is reconciled on a quarterly basis to changes in estimates, and at year end the calculation is based on the reported results of operations. Certain expenses are not deductible for tax purposes, creating permanent differences that increase or decrease the income tax provision and effective income tax rate.

 

 

 Deferred income taxes are the result of timing differences between book and taxable income and consist primarily of representative deferred compensation, legal settlement accruals, differences between depreciation expenses, and a state net operating loss for financial statement purposes versus tax return purposes.    

 

 T he Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets to determine whether or not a valuation allowance was required for some or all of its deferred tax assets.  The Company considered negative evidence, including its current cumulative loss position for financial reporting purposes over the past three fiscal years, and positive evidence, including its recent earnings and history of taxable income in three of the past five years and its projections of taxable income in the future.  The Company also considered that its GAAP losses generated in prior fiscal years included certain significant non-deductible and other non-recurring expenses.

 

   Management concluded that due to the lack of predictability of financial markets, recent instability along with the ongoing regulatory and legal risks and their related defense costs inherent in our industry necessitate we maintain a valuation allowance of approximately $0.5 million .   If future operations exceed current projections, management may conclude such valuation allowance is no longer needed.  Conversely, if future operating results do not meet current projections, it is possible that an additional valuation allowance may be needed in future periods.

 

   The Company recognizes and measures its unrecognized tax benefit or expense.  The Company assesses the likelihood, based on their technical merit, that tax positions will be sustained upon examination based on the facts, circumstances and information available at the end of each period. The measurement of unrecognized tax expense or benefit is adjusted when new information is available or when an event occurs that requires a change.   The Company recognizes the accrual of any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax expense in income tax expense. No interest or penalties were recognized for the three months and nine months period ended   December  3 1 , 2013 and 2012.  The Company does not have any tax positions as of December 31, 2013 for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefit or expense will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the reporting date.         

 

NOTE 4 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

        The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability .  Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. Valuation techniques that are consistent with the market, income or cost approach are used to measure fair value.

  The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

7


 

·

Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities the Company have the ability to access.

·

Level 2 - Inputs are inputs (other than quoted prices included within Level 1) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

·

Level 3 - Inputs include unobservable inputs for the asset or liability and rely on management's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. (The unobservable inputs should be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances and may include the Company’s own data.)

  The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.  The following table s present the Company's fair value hierarchy for those financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of December   31 , 201 3 and March 31, 2013, respectively :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements on Recurring Basis December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets:

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Securities owned at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mutual funds

$

298,476 

 

$

298,476 

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

Equities

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Asset backed securities

 

1,779 

 

 

 -

 

 

1,779 

 

 

 -

 

Total Assets

$

300,255 

 

$

298,476 

 

$

1,779 

 

$

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities sold, not yet purchased  at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange traded funds

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

Equities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Total Liabilities

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements on Recurring Basis March 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities owned at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mutual funds

$

256,509 

 

$

256,509 

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

Equities

 

354 

 

 

354 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Asset backed securities

 

2,040 

 

 

 -

 

 

2,040 

 

 

 -

 

Total assets

$

258,903 

 

$

256,863 

 

$

2,040 

 

$

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities sold, not yet purchased  at fair value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equities

 

28,946 

 

 

28,946 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Total Liabilities

$

28,946 

 

$

28,946 

 

$

 -

 

$

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE 5 – Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

 

    Effective December 2007, the Company established the Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd. Deferred Compensation Plan (the “NQ Plan”) as well as a Rabbi Trust Agreement for this Plan, for which ICC is the NQ Plan’s sponsor.  The unfunded NQ Plan enables eligible ICC’s Representatives to elect to defer a portion of earned commissions, as defined by the NQ Plan.  The asset represents the representatives’ invested contributions of deferred commissions, investment gains and losses as well as insurance charges while the liability is comprised of the participant deferrals, unrealized gains and losses and any distributions.  The total amount of deferred compensation was $ 150,114  a nd $ 123,749   for the three months period ended December 31 , 201 3 and 2012, respectively and $452,451 and $ 338,181 for the nine months period ended December 31 , 201 3 and 2012, respectively.

 

 

NOTE 6 - LITIGATION AND REGULATORY MATTERS

 

        In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are routinely defendants in or parties to arbitrations and other legal actions and proceedings brought on behalf of various claimants, some of which seek material and/or indeterminable amounts. Certain of these actions and proceedings are based on alleged violations of securities, consumer protection, labor and other laws and may involve claims for substantial monetary damages asserted against the Company and its subsidiaries.  Also, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries, investigations and formal administrative proceedings that may result in fines or other negative impact on the Company.  ICC, as a duly registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, is subject to regulation by the SEC, FINRA, NYSE-Amex, and state securities regulators .  

 

  The Company maintains Errors and Omissions (“E&O”) insurance to protect itself from potential damages and/or legal costs associated with certain litigation and arbitration proceedings and, as a result, in the majority of cases, the Company’s exposure is limited to $100,000 ,   or $1,000,000 aggregate  (effective January 201 4 for only certain alternative investment products related to defense costs and indemnities) in any one case, subject to policy limitations and exclusions. Thereafter the $1,000,000 aggregate threshold, the Company’s exposure on these same investments is limited to $150,000 and a ten (10) percent coinsurance. For all other investment products, the Company’s exposure is $100,000 per claim.

 

   The Company also maintains a fidelity bond to protect itself from potential damages and/or legal costs related to fraudulent activities pursuant to which the Company’s exposure is usually limited to a $350,000 deductible per case, subject to policy limitations and exclusions.

 

   The Company recognizes a legal liability when management believes it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  Conclusions on the likelihood that a liability has been incurred and estimates as to the amount of the liability are based on consultations with the Company’s General Counsel who, when situations warrant, may engage and consult external counsel to assist with the evaluation and handle certain matters.  Legal fees for defense costs are expensed as incurred and classified as professional services within the consolidated statements of income.

 

     As of December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013, the Company had accrued professional fees relating to the Company’s defense in various legal matters and estimated probable settlement costs of approximately $ 1,201,600 and $ 1,534,660 , respectively, included in accrued expenses and accounts payable on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

    It is possible that some of the matters could require the Company to pay damages or make other payments or establish accruals in amounts that could not be estimated and/or could ex ceed those accrued as of December 31 , 201 3 .  Key components of the accrual include claims arising from alleged poor performance of certain alternative investments in real estate investments trusts that have experienced bankruptcy or other financial difficulties during or in connection with the recent recession and credit crisis .

 

Note 7 - Stock Based Compensation

 

9


 

  The Company periodically issues common stock to employees, directors, officers, representatives and other key individuals in accordance with the provisions of the shareholder approved equity compensation plans. The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based awards made to representatives, officers, employees and directors based on estimated fair values. 

 

Stock Awards

  Shares of stock granted under the Company’s equity incentive plans (the “Equity Plans”) as of December 31 , 201 3 have been either fully vested at the date of grant or subject to vesting over time periods varying from one to seven years after the date of grant, unvested shares being subject to forfeiture in the event of termination of the grantee’s relationship with the Company, other than for death or disability.  The compensation cost associated with these stock grants is recognized over the vesting period of the shares and is calculated as the market value of the shares on the date of grant.  Stock grants have been recorded as deferred compensation, which is a component of paid-in capital within stockholders’ equity on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

  The following activity occurred during the three months ended December 31 , 201 3 and 201 2 :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Ave

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Stock Price

Vested Life

 

Fair Value

Non-vested at October 1, 2013

 

388,818 

 

$

3.83 

2.30 years

$

1,489,173 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: vested

 

(21,359)

 

$

3.95 

 

$

(84,368)

Less: canceled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-vested at December 31, 2013

 

367,459 

 

$

3.83 

2.07 years

$

1,407,368 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Ave

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Stock Price

Vested Life

 

Fair Value

Non-vested at October 1, 2012

 

47,502 

 

$

4.33 

1.95 years

$

205,684 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: vested

 

(7,805)

 

$

4.36 

 

$

(34,030)

Less: canceled

 

(2,494)

 

$

4.32 

 

$

(10,774)

Non-vested at December 31, 2012

 

37,203 

 

$

4.33 

1.76 years

$

161,089 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  The Company’s net loss for the three months ended December 31 , 201 3 includes $0.0 5   million of compensation costs related to the Company’s grants of restricted stock to employees, $0.01   million   for grants to directors and $ 0.03   mi llion for grants to independent representatives under the Plans.   In the prior p eriod, the Company’s net income included $0.0 1 million in stock compensation to directors, and $0.03   million in stock compensation to independent representatives under the Equity Plans.

 

  The following activity occurred during the nine months ended December 31 , 201 3 and 201 2 :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Ave

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Stock Price

Vested Life

 

Fair Value $

Non-vested at April 1,2013

 

440,437 

$

3.85 

2.74 years

$

1,695,682 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: vested

 

(72,159)

$

3.94 

 

$

(284,306)

Less: canceled

 

(819)

$

4.46 

 

$

(3,653)

Non-vested at December 31,2013

 

367,459 

$

3.83 

2.07 years

$

1,407,368 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10


 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Ave

Weighted Average

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Stock Price

Vested Life

 

Fair Value $

Non-vested at April 1, 2012

 

77,402 

$

4.41 

2.54 years

$

341,343 

Granted

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

Less: vested

 

(32,929)

$

4.45 

 

$

(146,534)

Less: canceled

 

(7,270)

$

4.69 

 

$

(34,096)

Non-vested at December 31,2012

 

37,203 

$

4.33 

1.76 years

$

161,089 

 

 

  T he Company’s net loss for the nine months ended December 31 , 201 3 includes $0. 1 5   million of compensation costs related to the Company’s grants of restricted stock to employees, $0. 0 3 million for grants to directors and $0. 10   million for grants to independent representatives under the Plans.  In the prior period, the Company’s net income included $0.0 3 million in stock compensation to directors, and $0. 09 million in stock compensation to independent representatives under the Equity Plans.    

 

 

Stock Option Grants

 

  The following table summarizes information regarding the Company's employee and director fixed stock options as of December 31 , 201 3 and, 201 2 :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

Fixed Options

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

 

Shares

Exercise Price

 

Shares

Exercise Price

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

150,000

$1.00

 

150,000

$1.00

Granted

 

 

 

 

 -

 

Canceled

 

 

 

 

 -

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 -

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

150,000

$1.00

 

150,000

$1.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercisable at period end

 

150,000

 

 

150,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average fair value of

 

 

 

 

 

 

options granted during the period

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 

    The intrinsic value of the stock options was $928,500 at December 31 , 201 3   and $ 390,000 at December 31 , 201 2 .

 

  The following table summarizes further information about employee and Directors' fixed stock options outstanding as of December 31 , 201 3 :  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            Options Outstanding

 

 

          Options Exercisable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Range of Exercise Prices

Number Outstanding

Weighted-Average RemainingContractual Life

 

 

Exercise Price

Number Exercisable

 

 

Weighted-Average Exercise Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1.00 
150,000 

 

 

$

1.00 
150,000 

 

$

1.00 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 8 - Segment Information

 

11


 

    Operating segments are defined as components of a business about which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company evaluates performance based on profit and loss from operations before income taxes not including nonrecurring gains and losses.

 

   The Company's has two operating segments, the independent broker-dealer provided by ICC and AD, and asset management and investment advisory services provided by ICA.  ICCIA conducts the sale of insurance products and reports that activity at ICC.

 

  The segments are strategic business units that are managed separately. They operate under different regulatory systems, provide different services and require distinct marketing strategies and varied technological and operational support. They also have differing revenue models; ICC earns transactional commissions and various fees in connection with the brokerage of securities for its customers. ICCIA generates commissions from insurance products. ICA generates recurring revenue from fees earned on the value of assets under management.  Lastly, AD   is eligible to receive commissions on principal transactions of mutual funds and/or variable annuities only.   AD , acquired on   January 24, 2013 , is operational but had no principal transactions during the current period.

 

   The Company accounts for inter-segment services and transfers as if the services or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices. In presenting segment data, all corporate overhead items are allocated to the segments, and inter-segment revenue, expense, receivables and payables are eliminated. Currently it is impractical to report segment information using geographical concentration.

 

  Management allocates all expenses separately to the parent and ICC, including allocation of costs associated with shared personnel, based upon time studies and a determination of which entities are the beneficiaries of the services rendered by the personnel. Within ICC, expenses are further allocated between the two segments, ICC and ICA, as follows: overhead expenses pro rata to revenue, direct full-time and time-shared employee costs based on the segments being served, and other personnel-related expenses pro rata to head count. There was no allocation of expenses for AD as there was only direct costs for regulatory and professional services in maintaining its shell broker-dealer status. The Company will be allocating expenses for AD for administrative, record-keeping, and compliance purposes pursuant to the expense sharing agreement between, ICH , ICC , and AD , filed with FINRA in February   2014.

 

    In addition, ICC reimburses ICH in the form of a management fee for ICH-incurred overhead expenses that are necessary for ICC to effectively conduct its operations. This overhead primarily is in the nature of salaries and professional and legal fees incurred to obtain such services as audit engagements, legal advice, and industry expertise.   The Company periodically reviews the effect that these agreements described above may have on the firm’s net capital.

   Segment reporting primarily based on revenue components is as follows for the three months ended:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Commissions

 

Advisory

 

ICH

 

ICH Securities

 

 

Totals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest revenue

$

19,808,832 

 

4,963,844 

 

(16,841)

 

 

 

$

24,755,835 

Revenue from transaction with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 other operating segments:

$

249,984 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

249,984 

Interest and dividend income, net

$

92,917 

 

 

 

 

 

$

92,924 

Depreciation and amortization

$

46,465 

 

917 

 

 

 

 

 

$

47,382 

Income (loss) from operations

$

(1,340,390)

 

1,769,022 

 

(831,958)

 

 

$

(403,321)

Period end total assets

$

17,249,914 

 

699,280 

 

3,234,919 

 

10,369 

 

$

21,194,482 

Corporate items and eliminations

$

 

 

 

 

(1,757,601)

 

 

 

$

(1,757,601)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

12


 

 

 

Commissions

 

Advisory

 

ICH

 

ICH Securities

 

 

Totals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest revenue

$

16,471,237 

$

4,212,060 

$

(14,649)

$

 -

 

$

20,668,648 

Revenue from transaction with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 other operating segments:

$

245,588 

 

 -

 

 

 

 -

 

$

245,588 

Interest and dividend income, net

$

97,706 

 

 -

 

 

 

$

97,715 

Depreciation and amortization

$

80,872 

 

1,167 

 

 -

 

 -

 

$

82,039 

Income (loss) from operations

$

(226,066)

 

526,885 

 

(17,554)

 

 

$

283,271 

Period end total assets

$

14,256,786 

 

587,996 

 

2,832,933 

 

10,343 

 

$

17,688,058 

Corporate items and eliminations

$

 -

 

 -

 

(1,617,168)

 

 -

 

$

(1,617,168)

 

+

  Segment reporting primarily based on revenue components is as follows for the nine months ended:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Commissions

 

Advisory

 

ICH

 

ICH Securities

 

 

Totals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest revenue

$

55,977,212 

 

14,048,485 

 

(49,714)

 

 

 

$

69,975,983 

Revenue from transaction with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 other operating segments:

$

882,248 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

882,248 

Interest and dividend income, net

$

233,554 

 

 

 

 

16 

 

$

233,574 

Depreciation and amortization

$

167,294 

 

917 

 

 

 

 

 

$

168,211 

Income (loss) from operations

$

(3,982,057)

 

2,948,312 

 

(954,044)

 

16 

 

$

(1,987,773)

Period end total assets

$

17,249,914 

 

699,280 

 

3,234,919 

 

10,369 

 

$

21,194,482 

Corporate items and eliminations

$

 

 

 

 

(1,757,601)

 

 

 

$

(1,757,601)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

Commissions

 

Advisory

 

ICH

 

ICH Securities

 

 

Totals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-interest revenue

$

49,270,354 

$

12,421,432 

$

(45,022)

$

 -

 

$

61,646,764 

Revenue from transaction with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 other operating segments:

$

742,063 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 -

 

$

742,063 

Interest and dividend income, net

$

244,866 

 

 -

 

 

19 

 

$

244,888 

Depreciation and amortization

$

244,889 

 

1,167 

 

 -

 

 -

 

$

246,056 

Income (loss) from operations

$

(233,098)

 

1,704,281 

 

(309,269)

 

19 

 

$

1,161,933 

Period end total assets

$

14,256,786 

 

587,996 

 

2,832,933 

 

10,348 

 

$

17,688,063 

Corporate items and eliminations

$

 -

 

 -

 

(1,617,168)

 

 -

 

$

(1,617,168)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13


 

ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

  Management's Discussion and Analysis is a review , a discussion, and an analysis of our consolidated financial condition as of December 31 , 201 3 and March 31, 2013, the consolidated results of operations for the three months and nine months period ended December 31 , 201 3 and 2012 and, as appropriate, factors that may affect future financial performance. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.  Unless context requires otherwise, as used in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis (i) the “current period” means the three months and nine months period ended December 31 , 201 3 , (ii) the “prior period” means the three months and nine months period ended December 31 , 201 2 , (iii) an increase or decrease compares the current period to the prior period, and (iv) non-comparative amounts refer to the current period.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

  This report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans, strategies, anticipated events, trends and other matters that are not historical facts and may include words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "may," and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that might cause future events, achievements or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Readers are directed to discussions of risks and uncertainties that may be found in this report and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC. We specifically disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Overview

 

  We are a financial services holding company that, through our subsidiaries, provides brokerage, investment advisory, insurance and related services. We operate in a highly regulated and competitive industry that is influenced by numerous external factors such as economic conditions, marketplace liquidity and volatility, monetary policy, global and national political events, regulatory developments, competition and investor preferences. Our revenues and net earnings may be either enhanced or diminished from period to period by these and other external factors.

OUR BUSINESS

  We operate primarily through our subsidiary, ICC, as a broker-dealer and, doing business as ICA, as a registered investment advisor, with a national network of independent financial representatives. ICCIA facilitates the sale of insurance products.AD, also a broker-dealer subsidiary, is l imited to principal transactions in mutual funds and/or variable annuities only.AD had no principal transactions during the current period. Our principal business location, executive offices, and administration offices are located at Six Kimball Lane, Suite 150, Lynnfield, MA 01940 and it is referred to as our Home office.

   

  On October 2, 2013, RCS Capital Corporation (NYSE: RCAP) (“RCAP”) and Investors Capital Holdings, LTD. (“ICH”) announced its entry on October 1, 2013 into a letter of intent (the “Letter of Intent”) under which RCAP expects to acquire ICH for aggregate consideration of approximately $52.2 million , or for a share purchase price of $7.25 for each share of ICH common stock outstanding, on a fully diluted basis.   On October 27, 2013, the Company executed a definitive merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with RCAP, pursuant to which RCAP will acquire ICH and its subsidiaries, including Investors Capital Corporation, for a total consideration of approximately $52.5 million comprised of cash and RCAP stock.  T he definitive merger agreement between RCAP and ICH will require that ICH pay RCAP a $3 million termination fee, in certain specific circumstances, should the merger not be consummated and ICH consummates a business combination transaction with another party other than RCAP.  In addition, ICH has agreed to a 45-day exclusivity period subject to reimbursement of certain expenses of RCAP.  The closing of the transaction is subject to customary

14


 

closing conditions, including FINRA approval of the proposed change in control for ICC, approval of the transaction by ICH stockholders and registration of the Class A common stock of RCAP to be issued as merger consideration. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2014.

 

    Broker-Dealer Services

  We provide broker-dealer services in support of trading and investment by our representatives’ customers in securities, including corporate equity and debt securities, U.S. Government securities, municipal securities, mutual funds, limited partnerships and other alternative investments, variable annuities and variable life insurance.  We also provide related services such as market information, Internet brokerage, portfolio tracking facilities and records management.

Investment Advisory Services

 

  We provide investment advisory services, including asset allocation and portfolio rebalancing, with our various programs.  These services, for the most part, are conducted through our online brokerage platform. Other allocation services are performed directly by fund companies. ICA offers several advisory wrap programs that provide managed advisory accounts for our advisors’ clients, as follows:

 

A-MAP Suite of Advisory Wrap Programs- Rep-As-Portfolio Manager Program

ICA’s suite of A-MAP Program, including A-MAP, A-MAP AT, & A-MAP FT, enables the advisor to assist a client in creating a personalized investment portfolio. The advisor acts as the portfolio manager, with full investment discretion. A-MAP and A-MAP AT are programs where a platform fee is charged by ICA for its services as a registered investment advisor (“RIA”). A-MAP- FT is a program where ICA charges a flat fee in lieu of a platform fee for its services as an RIA. 

 

Fund Select Advisory Wrap Program- Rep-As-Portfolio Manager Program

Fund Select is an advisory program where the advisor creates and manages a customized portfolio constructed primarily of mutual funds.

 

F-MAP Advisory Wrap Program – Firm managed ETF and Mutual Fund Wrap Program

F-MAP program utilizes a model portfolio established ICA which creates, manages, rebalances, reallocates, and reports on portfolios that consist of but are not limited to: no-load or load-waived mutual funds, ETF's, and/or variable annuities.

 

S-MAP Advisory Wrap Program – Separate Account Wrap Program

S-MAP is an advisory program where ICA has entered into agreements with Sub-Advisors who are selected by the representatives to provide advisory services to their clients. The S-MAP portfolios are not managed by ICA; rather they are managed by the Sub-Advisor on a discretionary basis.

Recruitment and Support of Representatives

  A key component of our business strategy is to recruit well-established, productive representatives who provide superior service to their clients.  Additionally, we assist our representatives in developing and expanding their business by providing a variety of support services and a diversified range of investment products for their clients.  We focus on providing substantial added value to our representatives’ practices, enabling them to be more productive, particularly in high margin lines such as advisory services and brokerage. 

  Support provided to assist representatives in pursuing consistent, profitable sales growth takes many forms, including automated trading systems, targeted financial assistance and a network of communication links with investment product companies.  Regional and national conventions provide forums for interaction to improve product knowledge, sales and client satisfaction.  In addition, we provide our representatives with programs and tools to grow their businesses both through new client acquisition and advancement of existing client relationships.  These programs enhance our ability to attract and retain productive representatives.

 

 

15


 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

In General  

  Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies and litigation and regulatory matters to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein), those dealing with revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, taxes and accrual of legal expenses involve a particularly high degree of judgment and complexity. Our accounting policies require estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements. By their nature, estimates involve judgment based upon available information. Actual results or amounts can and do differ from estimates and the differences can have a material effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements. Therefore, understanding these policies is important to understanding the reported results of operations and the financial position of the Company.

Off Balance Sheet Risk

   We execute securities transactions on behalf of our customers on a fully-disclosed basis. If either the customer or a counter-party fails to perform, we, by agreement with our clearing broker, may be required to discharge the obligations of the non-performing party. In such circumstances, we may sustain a loss if the market value of the security is different from the contract value of the transaction. We seek to control off-balance sheet risk by monitoring the market value of securities held or given as collateral in compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines. Pursuant to such guidelines, our clearing company requires that we reduce positions when necessary.   We also complete credit evaluations where there is thought to be credit risk.

Reserves

   We record reserves related to legal proceedings in “accrued expenses” in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The determination of these reserve amounts requires significant judgment on the part of management. Management considers many factors including, but not limited to: the amount of the claim; the amount of the loss in the client’s account; the basis and validity of the claim; the possibility of wrongdoing on the part of an employee or representative of the Company; previous results in similar cases; and legal precedents. Each legal proceeding is reviewed with counsel in each accounting period and the reserve is adjusted as deemed appropriate by management. Any change in the reserve amount is recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements and is recognized as a charge/credit to earnings in that period. The assumptions made by management in determining the estimates of reserves may be incorrect and the actual costs upon settlement of a legal proceeding may be greater or less than the reserved amount.  See “Note 6, Litigation and Regulatory Matters”.

 

KEY INDICATORS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR MANAGEMENT

 

  Management periodically reviews and analyzes our financial performance across a number of measurable factors considered to be particularly useful in understanding and managing our business.  Key metrics in this process include productivity and practice diversification of representatives, top line commission and advisory services revenues, operating expenses, legal defense and settlement costs, taxes, earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA.

16


 

PRODUCTIVITY OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

  Management believes that improving the overall quality of our independent representatives is a key to achieving growth in revenues and earnings.  We believe that upgrading the business practices of our representatives not only grows revenue, but assists in limiting the cost of overhead functions and representative noncompliance.  We strive to continually advance   the overall quality of our representatives by:

 

·

attracting productive and profitable representatives, and

·

supporting representatives further develop their skills and practices, and

·

terminating low quality representatives.

 

  A key metric that we use to assess the average quality of our producing (non-staff) representatives is per capita rep-generated revenue based on a rolling 12-month period.  Data for the 12-months ended December 31 , 201 3 and 2012 are presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

Change

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

Dollar

 

Percentage

Rep-generated revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Commission

$

71,940,220 

 

$

63,843,194 

 

$

8,097,026 

 

12.7% 

  Advisory

 

18,053,107 

 

 

16,146,716 

 

 

1,906,391 

 

11.8% 

  Other fee income

 

1,527,219 

 

 

1,452,893 

 

 

74,326 

 

5.1% 

 

$

91,520,546 

 

$

81,442,803 

 

$

10,077,743 

 

12.4% 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of representatives

 

441 

 

 

454 

 

 

(13)

 

-2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average revenue per representative

$

207,530 

 

$

179,389 

 

$

28,140 

 

15.7% 

 

 

  The continued growth in the per capita rep-generated revenue is a direct result of our dedicated strategy of attracting and recruiting new advisors, the f avorable market conditions and our enhanced practice management program. 

17


 

 

COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER  3 1 , 2013 AND 2012

 

Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Quarter Ended December 31,

 

Change

 

2013

 

2012

 

Dollar

 

Percentage

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Commission

$           18,583,079 

 

$         15,510,183 

 

$      3,072,896 

 

19.8%

  Advisory fees

4,917,295 

 

4,162,082 

 

755,213 

 

18.1%

  Other fee income

904,314 

 

935,375 

 

(31,061)

 

-3.3%

  Other income

444,071 

 

158,722 

 

285,349 

 

179.8%

Total revenue

24,848,759 

 

20,766,362 

 

4,082,397 

 

19.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Commissions and advisory fees expense

19,591,094 

 

16,125,987 

 

3,465,107 

 

21.5%

  Compensation and benefits

1,664,710 

 

1,484,416 

 

180,294 

 

12.1%

  Regulatory, legal and professional

2,371,820 

 

1,378,066 

 

993,754 

 

72.1%

  Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

425,632 

 

385,100 

 

40,532 

 

10.5%

  Technology and communications

265,261 

 

337,495 

 

(72,234)

 

-21.4%

  Advertising, marketing and promotion

576,439 

 

188,808 

 

387,631 

 

205.3%

  Occupancy and equipment

116,092 

 

170,539 

 

(54,447)

 

-31.9%

  Other administrative

238,046 

 

409,092 

 

(171,046)

 

-41.8%

  Interest

2,986 

 

3,588 

 

(602)

 

-16.8%

Total expenses

25,252,080 

 

20,483,091 

 

4,768,989 

 

23.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

(403,321)

 

283,271 

 

(686,592)

 

-242.4%

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

(117,627)

 

149,555 

 

(267,182)

 

-178.7%

Net (loss) income

$               (285,694)

 

$              133,716 

 

(419,410)

 

-313.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA:

$                509,235 

 

$              406,491 

 

$         102,744 

 

25.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to conform adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net (loss) income :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Benefit (provision) for  income taxes

117,627 

 

(149,555)

 

267,182 

 

-178.7%

 Interest expense

(2,986)

 

(3,588)

 

602 

 

-16.8%

 Depreciation and amortization

(47,382)

 

(82,039)

 

34,657 

 

-42.2%

 Non-recurring professional fees

(758,342)

 

 -

 

(758,342)

 

-100.0%

 Non-cash compensation

(93,096)

 

(30,353)

 

(62,743)

 

206.7%

 Forgivable loans charged to commission expense

(10,750)

 

(7,240)

 

(3,510)

 

48.5%

Net (loss) income

$               (285,694)

 

$              133,716 

 

$        (419,410)

 

-313.7%

 

 

ADJUSTED EBITDA

 

    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as adjusted by eliminating other non-cash expense, gains or losses on sales of assets, and various non-recurring items (“adjusted EBITDA”), is a key metric we use in evaluating our financial performance.  Adjusted EBITDA eliminates items that we believe are not part of our core operations, are non-recurring items of revenue or expense, or do not involve a cash outlay, such as stock-related compensation. We consider adjusted EBITDA important in monitoring and evaluating our financial performance on a consistent basis across multiple time periods. We also use adjusted

18


 

EBITDA as an important measure, among others, to analyze and evaluate financial and strategic planning decisions.

 

  Adjusted EBITDA is considered a non-US GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.  Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in conjunction with, rather than as a substitute for, important US GAAP financial measures including pre-tax income, net income and cash flows from operating activities.  Items excluded from adjusted EBITDA are significant and necessary components to the operations of our business; therefore, adjusted EBITDA should only be used as a supplemental measure of our operating performance.

 

  Third  q uarter  a djusted EBITDA, was $ 0. 5 million   in income , a n   increase of 25.3 % from a $0. 4 million income   Adjusted EBITDA i n the comparative quarter . This increase   is primarily due to $0.8 million in non-recurring professional fees related to the Merger Agreement   in the current period .

 

REVENUE

 

     Revenue   increased by $ 4.1 million, or by 19.7%, primarily due to an increase in top line revenue from commissions and advisory as the Company is focused on growth, both organically through targeted business development, advisor recruitment and improved market conditions.

 

   C ommissions revenue grew   19.8 % , or $ 3. 1 million primarily as a result of additional direct business, reflecting an increase in   investments   from our representative’s clients .   A dvisory services revenue increased 18.1% as the total assets under administration grew, benefiting from an improved stock market as compared to last year at this time and additional assets invested .

 

   Our advisor managed program continues to contribute the majority of advisory fee revenue.  Revenue decreased in the A-MAP program and revenue remained relatively flat for the F-MAP programs . These changes were offset by an increase in revenue and assets under management in our A-MAP FT program, another advisor managed program which includes a flat fee structure. These changes resulted both from new assets as well as from the continued shift of assets by our advisors into fee base programs that meet their clients’ needs.    

  Other fee income, which consists primarily of licensing fees, annual administrative fees, and technology fees, was consistent with the same three month period last year .

  Other revenue, which consists of net marketing revenues from strategic partners and interest income ,   increased primarily from marketing allowances for product sales offset by a decrease in marketing allowances for sponsorship of events.  

   

EXPENSES

 

  E xpenses increased by $ 4.8 million,   or   23.3 %, principally as a result of increases in commissions and advisory fees compensated to our independent representatives on increased sales volume, advertising and marketing costs for practice management and recruiting, a s well as increase in professional fees and legal and settlement costs. There were also increases in compensation and benefits . Offsetting these increases was a decrease in occupancy and equipment and technology and communications .  

 

  Commissions and advisory fees paid to our representatives represent a percentage of revenue of our broker-dealer; accordingly, the ratio of commissions and advisor fees payout is directly correlated to increased top line revenue in the current period as compared to the prior period.   Accordingly, when the independent registered representatives increase their business, both our revenues and expenses increase as our representatives earn additional compensation based on the revenue produced. For the three months comparative period December 31,   2013 versus 2012 , the payout ratio increased   due to enhanced compensation to recently recruited represtatives .

 

 Regulatory, legal and professional expenses increased by 72.1 % as the increase was driven principally by the $ 0 .8 million in legal and professional costs related to the Merger Agreement between RCAP and ICH. Legal fees and settlement costs related to securities litigation were consistent with the prior period; however in the current period our reserves for estimated settlement costs have increased. While t he Company had fewer cases

19


 

that settled in the current  p eriod versus the prior period, a h igher deductible amount per case applies .     These settlements continue to stem largely on claims made from the sales of alternative investment products prior to the recession, coupled with an increase in the Company’s deductible   specifically for th e alternative investment products.

 We will continue to incur legal fees, settlement costs and E&O premiums as we operate in a litigious, regulated industry. In addition, from time to time regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations institute investigations into industry or firm practices, that also may result in the imposition of financial or other sanctions. We deliberately apply resources to mitigate litigation and regulatory exposure by promoting operational procedures and obtaining comprehensive insurance coverage.

 

  The increase in compensation and benefits is attributable to the Company’s salaries returning to base pay levels in the current period as compared to salary reductions in the prior period, offset by increased non-cash compensation expense   of $0. 1 million,   or 206.7% for the vesting of non-restricted stock grants made to ICC employees and representatives , and independent ICH Board of Directors   awarded February , 2013.

 

    Advertising, m arketing and promotion costs doubled   a s the result of advertisements in trade publications t o promote our brand awareness and our targeted recruiting campaigns.  General marketing and advertising increased to promote ICC’s 2013 Broker Dealer of the Year award, as well as outside recruiting costs.

 

    Costs associated with occupancy and equipment decreased primarily as a result of reduced   d epreciation and amortization   incurred in the current period as compared to  the write off of leasehold improvements in our Home office relocation in the prior period .

    Other administrative costs decreased by 41.8%, principally due to one-time home office relocation costs incurred in the prior period.    

    We had an income tax benefit of $ 0. 1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $0. 2 million income tax provision for the prior period. The income tax rates for the 2013 and 2012 periods do not bear a customary relationship to effective tax rates primarily as a result of the increase in the permanent differences created by non -deductible fees related to the merger for each of the periods presented , where applicable

 

FINANCIAL   RESULTS SUMMARY

    The Company’s operating loss was largely attributed to the Merger Agreement between RCAP and ICH as the significant increase in revenues did not offset the $ 0 .8 million in merger related professional costs; however, we achieved our largest quarterly revenue in our Company’s history.  The Company, through its growth initiatives, its recruiting efforts, along with improved market conditions, was able to achieve notable revenue growth and will continue its efforts to sustain this growth. 

    The Company’s net loss was $0. 3 million, or $0. 04 per basic net loss per share, compared to net income of $0. 1 million, or $0.0 2 basic and diluted net income per share, for the prior period.

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20


 

 

 

COMPARISON OF THE NINE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER  3 1 , 2013 AND 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Nine Months Ended December 31,

 

Change

 

2013

 

2012

 

Dollar

 

Percentage

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Commission

$          53,740,490 

 

$            47,378,076 

 

$      6,362,414 

 

13.4%

  Advisory fees

13,895,844 

 

12,252,067 

 

1,643,777 

 

13.4%

  Other fee income

1,437,442 

 

1,611,705 

 

(174,263)

 

-10.8%

  Other income

1,135,781 

 

649,804 

 

485,977 

 

74.8%

Total revenue

70,209,557 

 

61,891,652 

 

8,317,905 

 

13.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Commissions and advisory fees expense

56,202,416 

 

48,862,794 

 

7,339,622 

 

15.0%

  Compensation and benefits

5,016,183 

 

4,524,385 

 

491,798 

 

10.9%

  Regulatory, legal and professional

6,241,110 

 

3,231,325 

 

3,009,785 

 

93.1%

  Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees

1,174,598 

 

1,087,898 

 

86,700 

 

8.0%

  Technology and communications

982,034 

 

961,713 

 

20,321 

 

2.1%

  Advertising, marketing and promotion

1,364,345 

 

661,505 

 

702,840 

 

106.2%

  Occupancy and equipment

337,620 

 

534,839 

 

(197,219)

 

-36.9%

  Other administrative

733,556 

 

847,870 

 

(114,314)

 

-13.5%

  Interest

145,468 

 

17,390 

 

128,078 

 

736.5%

Total expenses

72,197,330 

 

60,729,719 

 

11,467,611 

 

18.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

(1,987,773)

 

1,161,933 

 

(3,149,706)

 

-271.1%

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

(560,977)

 

486,316 

 

(1,047,293)

 

-215.4%

Net (loss) income

$          (1,426,796)

 

$                 675,617 

 

(2,102,413)

 

-311.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA:

$             (307,730)

 

$              1,728,234 

 

$    (2,035,964)

 

-117.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to conform adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net (loss) income :

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Benefit (provision) for  income taxes

560,977 

 

(486,316)

 

1,047,293 

 

-215.4%

 Interest expense

(145,468)

 

(17,390)

 

(128,078)

 

736.5%

 Depreciation and amortization

(168,211)

 

(246,056)

 

77,845 

 

-31.6%

 Non-recurring professional fees

(846,423)

 

 -

 

(846,423)

 

-100.0%

 Non-cash compensation

(290,980)

 

(121,256)

 

(169,724)

 

140.0%

 Forgivable loans charged to commission expense

(228,961)

 

(181,599)

 

(47,362)

 

26.1%

Net (loss) income

$          (1,426,796)

 

$                 675,617 

 

$    (2,102,413)

 

-311.2%

 

 

ADJUSTED EBITDA

 

  See information, above, regarding the relevance, calculation and use of adjusted EBITDA set forth in the comparison of the three month periods ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

REVENUE  

 

 Revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2013   grew by 13.4 % or by $ 8.3 million primarily from top line revenue growth in commissions and advisory fees.   Facilitating this growth are continued efforts to attract new independent representatives, improved market conditions, and dedicated practice management initiatives.

21


 

   

    Commissions grew 13. 4   %, or $ 6. 4 million, while advisory fees grew by $1. 6 million, or 1 3 . 4 %, which comprise approximately 20% of total revenues.  Also, revenues from strategic partners , includ ed in o ther income , grew by more than 131.1 % as a direct result of specific product sales offset by a 235.4% decrease in sponsorship for marketing events .  The Company is focused on expansion and increasing its market share through marketing efforts to attract independent representatives to the firm along with retaining representatives by its 5-star service model and practice management and development initiatives.

  Expenses increased by $11.5 million or by 18.9 %.   The increased expense is primarily from commissions and advisory fees paid to our registered representatives on increase in sales volume , coupled with a n increased payout ratio. There were also increases in advertising and marketing costs for practice management, recruiting and promotion of our brand .

 Legal defense and settlement costs almost doubled, totaling $ 6.2 million and continue to negatively impact our operating results. The significant increases in legal and professional pertain to a case we settled for $0.7 million from sales in alternative investments in addition to the $0.8 million in merger related costs.   The remaining increase pertains to legal settlements primarily related to sales of alternative investments.  

  Compensation and benefits increased by 10.9 %, or $0. 5 million due to the Company’s salaries returning to base pay levels in the current fiscal year as compared to salary reductions in the prior period.  Also, the Company had new strategic hires in the marketing and compliance   departments , as well as non-cash compensation for restricted stock grants awarded in February 2013 resulting in additional compensation of $0. 2 million.

 Interest expense increased by $0.1 3 million as a result of quarterly interest charges for ICC’s subordinated loan which was funded in March, 2013.  

 

    The other expense categories had minor fluxes when comparing nine months ended December 31, 2013 versus nine months ended December 31, 2012 or the changes were consistent with that of the three month s   end ed analys es .  

 

FINANCIAL   RESULTS SUMMARY

   While revenue s are increasing to historic levels , it was outpaced by both actual settlement costs and reserves for settling of pending litigation . Legal settlements along with the merger costs attributed   to the operating loss in the current period.  Legal settlements stemming from products sold prior to the recent recessions have significantly impacted our results of operations for several reporting periods.  Management’s strategy and ultimately success for resolving these cases, along with its sustained organic and recruiting growth initiatives, will be necessary to improve the Company’s operating and net income results going forward.

 

  Liquidity and Capital Resources

  Our primary source of liquidity remains cash flows from operations, primarily from our broker-dealer and investment advisory business. Decisions on the allocation of capital include projected profitability and available cash flows, risk management and regulatory capital requirements. A key to this approach is ensuring that industry-standard controls are effective to support our operations and those of our representatives while ensuring sufficient liquidity.

 

  As of December 31, 2013 , cash and cash equivalents totaled $6. 4 million as compared to $6.6 million as of March 31, 2013. Working capital as of December 31, 2013 was $ 5.9 million as compared to $7.5 million as of March 31, 2013. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1. 7 to 1 as of   December 31, 2013 , as compared to 1.9 to 1 as of March 31, 2013.

 

  Operations provided $ 1.2 million in cash for the current period, as compared to $ 1. 6 million of operating cash provided in the prior period. When comparing the current period cash flow to the prior period cash flow   from operating activities the significant changes were from current period’s net loss versus the prior period’s net income, from account balances held at our clearing firm, from the change in the deferred tax asset , and

22


 

significant changes in accounts payable , accrued legal expenses , and accounts receivable and other receivables related to settlements , including a $1.0 million in a receivable for a related insurance recovery.  

 

    For our current level of operating activities, we believe that our operations and current capital resources will be sufficient to fund our working capital needs for the next twelve months. These needs are to grow top line re venue organically through practice management initiatives and by continuing to  recruit advisors to the firm. 

  Net cash flows used in investing activities in the current period were consistent with net cash flows used in the prior period. Net cash flows in investing activities represent purchases in equipment, contributions on an executive life insurance policy, and proceeds from other investments.

 

  Cash flows for financing activities in the current period decreased slightly when compared to the prior period as we paid $1. 4 million and $1. 6 million in loan payments to finance E&O insurance premiums, respectively, for the periods ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The Company has a line of credit (“line”) with specific financial covenants with its financial institution. Although there were no borrowings, the Company did achieve the required operating results to meet those covenants.

 

  REGULATORY NET CAPITAL

 

  Cash disbursements can have a material impact on our registered broker dealer’s regulatory net capital. ICC is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1) which requires our broker-dealer subsidiary to maintain minimum net capital.  As of March 31, 2011 and going forward, ICC computes net capital requirements under the alternative method, which requires firms to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equal to the greater of $250,000 or 2% of aggregate debit balances. Repayment or prepayment of subordinated debt, currently $2,000,000, and withdrawal of equity from retiring partners or officers is subject to net capital not falling below 5% of aggregate debits or 120% of minimum net capital requirement.

 

   As of December 31, 2013 , ICC had net capital of $ 3.49 million (i.e., an excess of $ 3.24 million) a s compared to net capital of approximately $4.43 million (i.e., an excess of $4.18 million) as of March 31, 2013.  

23


 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

  Operating leases.     On October 19, 2012 the Company entered into a lease for 14,045 square feet and began occupying that space on December 1, 2012 in Lynnfield, MA.  This lease, which originally was for a term of sixteen months with expiration on March 31, 2014, has been amended to a three year extension ,   expiring on March 31 , 2017 . There was no change as to the rentable area of 14,045 square feet being leased; however, the lease calls for a “right of first refusal for additional space’ within that three year period contiguous with our space.

 

 The total minimum rental due in future periods under these existing agreements as of December 31 , 201 3   are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

$              100,745 

 

 

2015

345,027 

 

 

2016

356,681 

 

 

2017

331,995 

 

 

2018

24,000 

 

 

 

$           1,158,448 

 

 

Total lease expense for office space approximated $0.06 and $0.06 million for the three months ended and $ 0 .1 5 and $0 .18 million for the nine months ended December 31 , 201 3 and 2012, respectively.  

 Subsequent to March 31, 2013, the Company was released from its commercial lease agreement for its prior home office location at 230 Broadway, Lynnfield, MA.  The Company is actively purs u ing damages in this matter.

 

    Contingent transition loans The Company offers loans and transition assistance to representatives mainly for recruiting or retention purposes. These commitments are contingent upon certain events occurring, including, but not limited to, the representatives joining the Company and meeting certain production requirements.   As of December  3 1 , 2013 and March 31,2013 , there were $0.25 million and $0.0 million outstanding commitments , respectively .

 

ITEM 4 .  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

  Disclosure controls are procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this report, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as the Company's are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

  As of December 31 , 201 3 , we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act.  Based upon that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in enabling us to record, process, summarize and report information required to be included in our periodic SEC filings within the required time period, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed in such reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions required regarding required disclosure.

24


 

  There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company operates in a highly litigious and regulated business, and the Company often is made a defendant in arbitrations and other legal proceedings that are incidental to our securities business.  The Company typically vigorously contests the allegations of the complaints and believes that there are meritorious defenses in these matters.  From time to time the Company also is the subject of regulatory investigations and proceedings.  Counsel often is unable to confidently predict the likelihood of an outcome, whether favorable or unfavorable, in such matters because of routine and inherent uncertainties.

 

 The Company maintains Errors and Omissions (“E&O”) insurance to protect itself from potential damages and/or legal costs associated with certain litigation and arbitration proceedings and, as a result, in the majority of cases, the Company’s exposure is limited to $100,000 or $1,000,000 aggregate  (effective January 2013 for only certain alternative investment products related to defense costs and indemnities) in any one case, subject to policy limitations and exclusions. Thereafter the $1,000,000 aggregate threshold, the Company’s exposure on these same investments is limited to $150,000 and a 10 percent coinsurance. For all other investment products, the Company’s exposure is $100,000 per claim.

 

 The Company also maintains a fidelity bond to protect itself from potential damages and/or legal costs related to fraudulent activities pursuant to which the Company’s exposure is usually limited to $350,000, subject to policy limitations and exclusions.

 

 

ITEMS 2 – 5. 

 

 None.

 

 

 

 

 

25


 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit

 

 

Number

Description

Location

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among RCS Capital Corporation and ICH

(19)(Exh 2.1)

 

 

 

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation

(2)(Exh. 3.1)

3.2

By-Laws

(2)(Exh. 3.2)

 

 

 

4.1

Form of Stock Certificate

(2)(Exh. 4.1)

 

 

 

10.1

Employment Agreement with Theodore E. Charles (3)

(9)(Exh. 10.2)

10.1

Voting agreement by and among  Timothy B. Murphy and RCS Capital

(19)(Exh 10.1)

 

Corporation, Zoe Acquisition, LLC and Parent ("Merger Sub")

 

10.2

Employment Agreement with Timothy B. Murphy (3)

(9)(Exh. 10.1)

10.3

The 1994 Stock Option Plan (3)

(4)(Exh. 10.3)

10.4

The 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (3)

(2)(Exh. 10.3)

10.5

The 2001 Equity Incentive Plan (3)

(5)(Exh. 4.4)

10.6

The 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (3)

(6)(Exh. 4.5)

10.7

Form of June 2006 Stock Grant Agreement (3)

(7)(Exh. 10.8)

10.8

Form of February 2009 Stock Grant Agreement (3)

(7)(Exh. 10.9)

10.9

Consulting Agreement with Theodore E. Charles (3)

(9)(Exh. 10.3)

10.10

Registration Agreement with Theodore E. Charles et. al

(10)(Exh. 10.1)

10.11

Agreement between the Company and Theodore E. Charles

(11)(Exh. 10.1)

10.12

Amended and Restated Equity and Cash Bonus Incentive Plan  with

(13)(Exh. 5.02)

 

 Timothy B. Murphy and Kathleen L. Donnelly

 

10.13

Amended and Restated Equity and Cash Bonus Incentive Plan  with

(14)(Exh. 5.02)

 

 Timothy B. Murphy and Kathleen L. Donnelly (voluntarily declined)

 

10.14

Amended and Restated Equity and Cash Bonus Incentive Plan

(16)(Exh. 5.02)

10.15

Subordinated Loan Agreement and Rider A, dated March 8, 2013, between

(17)(Exh. 10.15)

 

 the Company and Pershing, LLC

 

 

 

 

23.1

Consent of MARCUM LLP

(17)

 

 

 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

(1)

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)

(1)

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

(1)

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

(1)

 

 

 

99.1

Earnings Press Release and Management Presentation

(15)(Exh.99.1)

99.1

RCS Capital Corporation Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Investors

(18)(Exh. 99.1)

 

Capital Holdings, Ltd.

 

99.1

Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd. and RCS Capital Corporation Sign Definitive

(19)(Exh. 99.1)

 

Merger Agreement

 

99.2

RCS Capital Corporation Announces Agreement to Acquire Investors Capital

(19)(Exh. 99.2)

 

Holdings, Ltd.

 

 

 

 

101.INS

XBRL Taxonomy Instance Document

(1)

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

(1)

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

(1)

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

(1)

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

(1)

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

(1)

 

1


 

 

 

 

 

(1) Filed herewith.

 

(2) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 14, 2007.

 

(3) A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 15(b) of this report.

 

(4)  Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed June 30,2005.

 

(5) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-117807) filed July 30, 2004.

 

(6) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-134885) filed June 9, 2006.

 

(7)  Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed June 30,2008.

 

(8)  Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed September 26, 2007.

 

(9)  Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K filed April 21, 2010.

 

(10) Incorporation by reference to the indicated exhibit of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 7, 2011.

 

(11) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K file July 5, 2011.

 

(12) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 9, 2011.

 

(13) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 1, 2011.

 

(14) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 29, 2011.

 

(15) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 8, 2013.

 

(16) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 21, 2013.

 

(17) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 10-K filed June 20, 2013.

 

(18) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 2, 2013.

 

 

2


 

(19) Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 28, 2013.

   

Any exhibit not included with this Form 10- Q when furnished to any shareholder of record will be furnished to such shareholder upon written request and payment of up to $0.25 per page plus postage. Such requests should be directed to Rebecca Hice, Assistant Corporate Secretary, Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd., Six Kimball Lane, Suite 150, Lynnfield, MA 01940.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

INVESTORS CAPITAL HOLDINGS, LTD .

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kathleen L. Donnelly

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

(Duly authorized officer)

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 14, 201 4

 

3


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