LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Form 10-K

 

 

 

 

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

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009
Commission File Number 1-15799

 

 

 

 

LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

(Exact Name Of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

 

(212) 409-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

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 þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statement incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o     No o

 

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

 

                    (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 o     No þ

 

As of June 30, 2009 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter), the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock (based on the closing price on the NYSE Amex on that date) held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $49,900,000.

 

As of March 11, 2010, there were 167,932,038 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

 

Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of the Registrant’s fiscal year covered by this report.

 

 

LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.

 

Form 10-K

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

General

 

We are engaged in investment banking, equity research, institutional sales and trading, independent brokerage and advisory services and asset management services through our principal subsidiaries, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (“Ladenburg”), Investacorp Inc. (collectively with related companies, “Investacorp”), Triad Advisors, Inc. (“Triad”) and Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management Inc. (“LTAM”). We are committed to establishing a significant presence in the financial services industry by meeting the varying investment needs of our corporate, institutional and retail clients.

 

Ladenburg is a full service broker-dealer that has been a member of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) since 1879. It provides its services principally for middle market and emerging growth companies and high net worth individuals through a coordinated effort among corporate finance, capital markets, asset management, brokerage and trading professionals.

 

Investacorp, headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida, is an independent broker-dealer and registered investment advisor that has been serving the independent financial advisor community since 1978. Investacorp’s national network of independent financial advisors primarily serves retail clients. We acquired Investacorp in October 2007.

 

Triad, headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, is an independent broker-dealer and registered investment advisor that offers a broad range of products, services and total wealth management solutions to independent contractor financial advisors located nationwide. Triad’s independent financial advisors primarily serve retail clients. Triad was founded in 1998 and we acquired Triad in August 2008.

 

LTAM, headquartered in New York, NY, is a registered investment advisor. LTAM offers various asset management products utilized by Ladenburg clients as well as clients of Investacorp and Triad’s financial advisors.

 

Through our acquisitions of Investacorp and Triad, we have become a significant presence in the independent broker-dealer space. During the past decade, this has been one of the fastest growing segments of the financial services industry. With combined revenues of approximately $112 million for 2009 and approximately 1,000 financial advisors for Investacorp and Triad, we have become one of the approximately 25 largest firms in the independent broker-dealer space. We believe that, as a result of the current market turmoil, we have the opportunity through acquisition and recruiting to significantly expand our market share in this segment over the next several years. Our goal remains as a public financial services company to marry the more recurring and predictable revenue and cash flows of the independent broker-dealer business with Ladenburg’s traditional investment banking, capital markets, institutional equity and related businesses. Ladenburg’s businesses are generally more volatile and subject to the cycles of the capital markets than our independent broker-dealer subsidiaries, but historically have enjoyed strong operating margins in good market conditions.

 

Each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad is subject to regulation by, among others, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) and is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Ladenburg and Triad are also subject to regulation by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and National Futures Association.

 

Ladenburg’s private client services and institutional sales departments serve approximately 12,000 accounts nationwide and LTAM provides investment management services to numerous individuals and institutions. At December 31, 2009, Investacorp’s approximately 460 financial advisors served approximately 134,000 accounts nationwide and Investacorp had approximately $7.3 billion in client assets. Triad’s approximately 540 financial advisors served approximately 130,000 accounts nationwide and had approximately $10.3 billion in client assets at December 31, 2009.

 

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida in February 1996. Our principal executive offices are located at 4400 Biscayne Boulevard, 12th Floor, Miami, Florida 33137. Our telephone number is (212) 409-2000. Ladenburg and LTAM’s principal executive offices are located at 520 Madison Avenue, New

York, New York 10022. Ladenburg has branch offices located in Melville, New York, Miami and Boca Raton, Florida, Lincolnshire, Illinois, Los Angeles, California and Princeton, New Jersey. Investacorp’s principal executive offices are located at 15450 New Barn Road, Miami Lakes, Florida 33014. Investacorp’s independent financial advisors are located in approximately 309 offices in 42 states. Triad’s principal executive offices are located at 5185 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 280, Norcross, GA 30092. Triad’s independent financial advisors are located in approximately 257 offices in 40 states.

 

Available Information

 

Our corporate filings, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, our proxy statements and reports filed by our officers and directors under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any amendments to those filings, are available, free of charge, on Ladenburg’s website, www.ladenburg.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material with the SEC. We do not intend for information contained in our website, or those of our subsidiaries, to be a part of this annual report on Form 10-K. In February 2004, our board of directors adopted a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees as well as those of our subsidiaries. We will provide to any person, without charge, a copy of our code of ethics. Requests for copies of our code of ethics should be sent in writing to Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc., 4400 Biscayne Blvd., 12th Floor, Miami, FL 33137, Attn: Corporate Counsel.

 

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

 

This annual report on Form 10-K includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from the expectations contained in this report due to changes in economic, business, competitive, strategic and/or regulatory factors, and other factors affecting the operation of our businesses. For more detailed information about these factors, and risk factors about our operations, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition — Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” below. We are not required (and expressly disclaim any obligation) to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

 

Recent Developments

 

Amendment of Clearing Arrangements and Forgivable Loan

 

In August 2009, we amended the terms of our clearing agreements with National Financial Services LLC (“NFS”), a Fidelity Investments company. NFS now serves as the exclusive clearing broker for Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad, and the clearing agreements between the firms and NFS have a seven-year term. We are realizing significant cost savings as a result of these new clearing arrangements.

 

On August 25, 2009, NFS provided us with a seven-year, $10,000,000 forgivable loan. Interest on the loan accrues at the prime rate plus 2%. If our broker-dealer subsidiaries meet certain aggregate annual clearing revenue targets set forth in the loan agreement, the principal balance of the loan will be forgiven in seven equal yearly installments of $1,429,000 commencing in August 2010 and continuing on an annual basis through August 2016. Interest payments due for each such year also will be forgiven if we meet the annual clearing revenue targets. Any principal amounts not forgiven will be due in August 2016, and any interest payments not forgiven are due annually. If any principal amount is not forgiven, we may have such principal forgiven in future years if our broker-dealer subsidiaries exceed subsequent annual clearing revenue targets. We have expensed, and expect to continue to expense, interest under the loan agreement until such interest is forgiven.

 

The loan agreement contains other covenants including limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, maintenance of minimum adjusted shareholders’ equity levels and a prohibition on the termination of our revolving credit agreement. If an event of default occurs, the outstanding principal and interest under the loan agreement may be accelerated and become immediately due and payable. If the clearing agreements are terminated prior to the loan maturity date, all amounts then outstanding must be repaid on demand. The loan agreement is

collateralized by our (but not our broker-dealer subsidiaries’) deposits and accounts held at NFS or its affiliates, which amounted to $468,000 at December 31, 2009.

 

We used the loan proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under our revolving credit agreement. We intend to use the increased availability under that facility to support our strategy to become a leader in the independent broker-dealer space.

 

Acquisition Strategy

 

We continue to explore opportunities to grow our businesses, including through potential acquisitions of other securities and investment banking firms, both domestically and internationally. These acquisitions may involve payments of material amounts of cash, the incurrence of material amounts of debt or the issuance of significant amounts of our equity securities, which may be dilutive to our existing shareholders and/or may increase our leverage. We cannot assure you that we will be able to complete any such potential acquisitions on acceptable terms or at all or, if we do, that any acquired business will be profitable. Also we may not be able to integrate successfully acquired businesses into our existing business and operations.

 

Business Segments

 

Effective as of October 19, 2007 (the date we acquired Investacorp), we have two operating segments which correspond to our Ladenburg subsidiary and our independent brokerage and advisory services business conducted by Investacorp and Triad. Financial and other information by segment for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is set forth in Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Ladenburg

 

Ladenburg is a full-service investment bank that provides investment banking, sales and trading and equity research to its corporate and institutional clients and high net-worth individuals.

 

Investment Banking Activities

 

Ladenburg’s investment banking professionals provide corporate finance and strategic and financial advisory services to public and private companies, primarily those companies with market capitalizations below $500 million, which we refer to as middle-market companies. Ladenburg provides these middle-market companies with capital raising and strategic advisory services throughout their growth cycles. Ladenburg offers its clients a high level of attention from senior personnel and has designed its organizational structure so that the investment bankers who are responsible for securing and maintaining client relationships also actively participate in providing all related transaction execution services to those clients. Ladenburg’s 19 investment banking professionals serve clients nationwide and worldwide from its offices in Miami, Florida and New York, New York.

 

Corporate Finance

 

Ladenburg’s capital markets group provides capital origination services primarily to middle-market companies. Ladenburg’s investment bankers develop financing strategies, transaction structures and financing instruments for its corporate clients. Ladenburg offers a broad range of financing options including underwritten public offerings, registered direct offerings, at-the-market offerings, PIPEs (private investment in public equity) and other private placements. Ladenburg’s ability to effectively structure offerings and to identify likely buyers of such offerings makes it a valuable advisor to small and middle-market companies. Although the initial public offering market may not be favorable consistently in the future, we expect that Ladenburg will participate in follow-on offerings, PIPEs, registered direct offerings and private placements to generate corporate finance revenues. We believe there is a significant opportunity for continued growth in the PIPE and registered direct areas given issuers’ desire to identify and pursue faster and less costly financing alternatives to traditional follow-on offerings and institutional investors’ continuing interest in these financing transactions. Further, we believe the establishment of relationships with issuers through our capital raising efforts will lead to additional investment banking services, including further capital raising, and other advisory services. In 2009, Ladenburg placed 11 registered direct and

PIPE offerings, which raised approximately $124 million for clients in the healthcare, biotechnology, energy and other industries.

 

Ladenburg seeks to capitalize on its distribution network by focusing on the financial services and energy/utilities sectors. These sectors have yield-oriented equities which are attractive to institutional and retail investors. These yield products include offerings by mortgage REITS, business development companies (BDCs) and master limited partnerships (MLPs). Ladenburg also has dedicated investment bankers focused on the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.

 

Strategic and Financial Advisory Services

 

Ladenburg advises clients on a wide range of strategic and financial issues. When Ladenburg advises a company in the potential acquisition of another company, business or assets, its services include evaluating potential acquisition targets, providing valuation analyses, evaluating and proposing financial and strategic alternatives and rendering, if appropriate, fairness opinions. Ladenburg also may provide advice regarding the timing, structure, financing and pricing of a proposed acquisition and may assist in negotiating and closing the acquisition. Ladenburg’s buy-side and sell-side mandates often require that it leverage its extensive relationships and capital markets expertise. These mandates generally have a limited duration so Ladenburg seeks to develop new engagements from existing and prior clients, as well as their legal and other advisors.

 

Ladenburg has extensive expertise in the fairness opinion market. Fairness opinions often are necessary or requested in a variety of situations, including mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, financings and privatizations. Ladenburg provides fairness opinions and analyses to boards of directors, independent committees of boards of directors and shareholders. The firm also provides objective advice on the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and restructurings, going-private transactions and certain other market activities. Also, Ladenburg’s professionals have extensive valuation expertise and regularly determine the value of private companies, closely-held business interests, limited partnership interests, intellectual property and other intangible assets and corporate securities with marketability concerns.

 

Sales and Trading

 

Ladenburg’s private client services and institutional sales departments currently serve a total of approximately 12,000 accounts nationwide. Ladenburg charges commissions to its individual and institutional clients for executing securities trading orders.

 

Ladenburg’s sales and trading operation distributes our equity research product and communicates our proprietary investment recommendations to our growing base of institutional investors. Also, our sales and trading staff executes equity trades on behalf of our clients and sells the securities of companies for which we act as an underwriter.

 

We have established a broad institutional client base through a consistent focus on the investment and trading objectives of our clients. Our sales and trading professionals work closely with our equity research staff to provide insight and differentiated investment advice to institutional clients nationwide.

 

We believe that our sales and trading clients turn to us for timely, differentiated investment advice. We believe that our equity research features proprietary themes and actionable ideas about industries and companies that are not widely evaluated by many other investment banks without our middle-market emphasis. In recent years, many investment banks have reduced equity research coverage and market making activities for companies with market capitalizations below certain thresholds. However, we continue to commit research and sales and trading resources to smaller-capitalization companies with the belief that institutional investors will value such specialized knowledge and service.

 

Our sales and trading personnel are also central to our ability to market equity offerings and provide after-market support. Our equity capital markets group manages the syndication, marketing, execution and distribution of equity offerings. Our syndicate activities include managing the marketing and order-taking process for underwritten transactions and conducting after-market stabilization and initial market making. Our syndicate staff is also responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with the syndicate departments of other investment banks.

Research Services

 

We believe that Ladenburg’s research department takes a fresh, critical approach to analyzing primary sources and developing proprietary research. Many individuals, institutions, portfolio managers and hedge fund managers, on all levels, have been neglected by brokerage firms that ignore the demand for unbiased research for small and mid-cap companies. Ladenburg provides a branded in-depth research product. Ladenburg’s research department focuses on investigating investment opportunities by utilizing fundamental, technical and quantitative methods to conduct in-depth analysis. Currently, our research department specializes in small- to mid-cap companies in the power and electric utilities, exploration and production, oil services, healthcare, healthcare technology and on a special situations basis and may expand to additional sectors in the future. Ladenburg recently initiated research coverage on numerous Florida-based companies and intends to increase its coverage in this geographic area. Research is provided on a fee basis to certain institutional accounts.

 

Our research department:

 

 

Asset Management

 

Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management

 

LTAM is a registered investment advisor. It offers various asset management products utilized by Ladenburg clients, as well as clients of Investacorp and Triad’s financial advisors.

 

Ladenburg Asset Management Program

 

The Ladenburg Asset Management Program provides centralized management of mutual fund and exchange-traded fund portfolios based on asset allocation models. Features of the program include active rebalancing at the asset class and security level, minimum account balance, risk analysis, customized investment policy statements and comprehensive performance reporting.

 

Investment Consulting Services

 

LTAM’s Investment Consulting Services (“ICS”) provides clients with access to professional money managers usually only available to large institutions, across the spectrum of major asset classes. Whether the client requires a complete asset allocation strategy or an investment manager for a single asset class, each of our managers has been thoroughly examined for inclusion in the ICS program. Once a manager has been added to the platform, it is regularly reviewed in order to ensure that it represents a suitable solution. Through ICS, LTAM services high net worth clients and institutions, such as foundations and hospitals.

 

Private Investment Management

 

The Private Investment Management program allows internal managers to provide portfolio services to clients on a discretionary basis with specific styles of investing for an annual asset-based fee. The Private Investment Management Program Accredited (“PIMA”) is offered for accredited investors. The internal PIMA managers manage certain accounts using various investment strategies, including short-selling and use of leverage. In addition to an annual asset-based fee, certain customers also are charged an incentive fee, if earned, at the end of each calendar year.

 

Retirement Plan Sponsor Services

 

LTAM provides investment consulting services to sponsors of retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans. These services include: identifying mutual funds for the plan sponsor’s review and final selection based on the selection criteria stated in the plan’s investment policy statement; assisting in the planning of, and participating in, enrollment

and communication meetings; and providing to the plan sponsor quarterly performance reports of the funds for the purpose of meeting the plan fiduciary’s obligation to monitor plan assets. Certain plan participants also may engage LTAM to manage their plan assets on a discretionary basis.

 

Alternative Investments

 

LTAM provides high net worth clients and institutional investors the opportunity to invest in proprietary and third party alternative investments. These include, but are not limited to, hedge funds, funds of funds, private equity, venture capital and real estate.

 

Ladenburg Architect Program

 

LTAM provides its customers the Ladenburg Architect Program as a non-discretionary, fee-based, advisory account that allows them to maintain control over the management of the account and choose from a diverse group of securities. The program features quarterly performance monitoring, check writing, a debit card and online account access.

 

Third Party Advisory Services

 

Together with its affiliates, LTAM may also provide advisory services, ranging from proprietary investment solutions to access to professional money managers for the clients of Triad and Investacorp Advisory Services, Inc. (“IAS”), Investacorp’s registered investment advisor.

 

Investment Activities

 

Ladenburg may from time to time seek to realize investment gains by purchasing, selling and holding securities for its own account on a daily basis. Ladenburg may also from time to time engage for its own account in the arbitrage of securities. We are required to commit the capital necessary for use in these investment activities. The amount of capital committed at any particular time will vary according to market, economic and financial factors, including the other aspects of our business. Also, Ladenburg regularly receives shares or warrants that entitle it to purchase securities of the corporate issuers for which it raises capital or provides advisory services.

 

Independent Brokerage and Advisory Services

 

Overview

 

Investacorp and Triad are independent broker-dealers and registered investment advisors, whose non-employee financial advisors offer securities brokerage and advisory services to their clients, which may include packaged products such as mutual funds, variable annuities and advisor managed accounts.

 

We believe that the financial services industry is experiencing an increase in the number of financial advisors at independent broker-dealers and registered investment advisors as financial advisors are leaving large national firms. These new independent financial advisors require client and back office support services and access to technology and typically become affiliated with an independent broker-dealer. We expect this trend to continue and possibly accelerate in the future.

 

A financial advisor who becomes affiliated with Investacorp or Triad generally establishes his or her own office and is solely responsible for the payment of all expenses associated with the operation of the branch office (including rent, utilities, furniture, equipment, quotation systems, and general office supplies); although all of that branch’s revenues from securities brokerage transactions and from advisory services conducted through Investacorp or Triad accrue to Investacorp or Triad. Because an independent financial advisor bears the responsibility for these expenses, the financial advisor receives a significant percentage of the commissions or advisory fees he or she generates, typically at least 80%. This compares with a payout rate of approximately 25% to 50% to financial advisors working in a traditional brokerage setting where the brokerage firm bears substantially all of sales force costs, including providing employee benefits, office space, sales assistants, telephone service and supplies. The independent brokerage model permits Investacorp and Triad to expand their respective base of revenue and retail distribution network of investment products and services without the capital expenditures that would be required to

open company-owned offices and the additional administrative and other costs of hiring financial advisors as in-house employees.

 

Investacorp’s and Triad’s financial advisors must possess a sufficient level of business experience to enable the individual to independently operate his or her own office. Insurance agents, financial planners, accountants and other financial professionals, who already provide financial services to their clients, often affiliate with independent broker-dealers. These professionals then offer financial products and services to their clients through Investacorp and Triad and earn commissions and fees for these transactions and services. Investacorp’s and Triad’s financial advisors have the ability to structure their own practices and to focus in different areas of the investment business, subject to Investacorp’s and Triad’s supervisory procedures as well as compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

 

Many of Investacorp’s and Triad’s financial advisors provide financial planning services to their clients, wherein the financial advisor evaluates a client’s financial needs and objectives, develops a detailed plan, and then implements the plan with the client’s approval. When the implementation of such objectives involves the purchase or sale of securities (including the placement of assets within a managed account) such transactions may be effected through Investacorp or Triad, for which Investacorp or Triad earns either a commission or a fee. Representatives may be permitted to conduct other approved businesses unrelated to their Investacorp or Triad activities, such as offering fixed insurance products and accounting, estate planning and tax services, among others.

 

Each financial advisor is required to obtain and maintain in good standing each license required by the SEC and FINRA to conduct the type of securities or advisory business in which he or she engages, and to register in the various states in which he or she has customers. Each of Investacorp and Triad is ultimately responsible for supervising all of its financial advisors wherever they are located. We can incur substantial liability from improper actions of any of Investacorp’s or Triad’s financial advisors.

 

Many of Investacorp’s and Triad’s financial advisors are also authorized agents of insurance companies. Investacorp and Triad process insurance business through subsidiaries or sister companies which are licensed insurance brokers, as well as through other licensed insurance brokers. We do not act as an insurance company and therefore retain no insurance risk related to insurance and annuity products.

 

Investacorp and Triad financial advisors also may provide consultation and financial planning services including: estate planning, retirement and financial goal planning, educational funding, asset allocation and insurance needs analysis, as well as general analysis and planning. These financial advisors may prepare a written financial plan based upon the client’s stated goals, needs and investment profile.

 

Strategy for our Independent Brokerage and Advisory Services Business

 

Investacorp and Triad are focused on increasing their networks of financial advisors, revenues and client assets as described below.

 

 

 

Investacorp

 

Investacorp supports its independent contractor financial advisors in providing products and services to their clients in approximately 309 branch offices located in 42 states. The number of financial advisors in these offices ranges from one to 15. Approximately one-quarter of the financial advisors are located in Florida with a significant number located in New York. Revenues generated from Investacorp’s business represented 34% of our total revenues in 2009.

 

Triad

 

Triad supports its independent contractor financial advisors in providing products and services to their clients in approximately 257 branch offices located in 40 states. The number of financial advisors in these offices ranges from one to seven. Approximately 15% of the financial advisors are located in Georgia with a significant number located in Michigan. Revenues generated from the business of Triad represented 40% of our total revenues in 2009.

 

Investacorp’s and Triad’s Brokerage Business

 

Each of Investacorp and Triad provides full support services to each of its financial advisors, including: access to stock and options execution; products such as insurance, mutual funds, unit trusts and investment advisory programs; and research, compliance, supervision, accounting and related services.

 

While an increasing number of clients are electing asset-based advisory fee platforms rather than the traditional commission schedule, in most cases Investacorp and Triad charge commissions on variable annuity, mutual fund, equity and fixed income transactions. Investacorp and Triad primarily derive revenue from commissions from the sale of variable annuity and mutual fund products by their independent financial advisors. Investacorp and Triad continue to focus on growing asset-based advisory fee platforms.

 

Investacorp’s Asset Management Business

 

Advisor Managed Accounts

 

IAS offers five account structures for advisor managed accounts, based on NFS technologies, allowing its financial advisors and their clients to determine the best structure for their needs. These accounts consist of:

 

 

 

IAS currently offers other account structures for advisor managed accounts, based on the technologies of its clearing firm, allowing its financial advisors and their clients to determine the best structure for their needs across multiple clearing options. The accounts in this series are titled Target. The services may include advisory, administrative and processing functions.

 

Third Party Programs

 

For financial advisors who prefer not to act as portfolio managers, IAS offers third party management options. These options employ managers who select diversified, fee-based asset management investment portfolios based on a client’s needs. The types of portfolios may include separately managed portfolios, multi-managed accounts, and mutual fund model portfolios. These portfolios may also include portfolio analytics, performance reporting and position-specific reporting.

 

Triad’s Asset Management Business

 

Advisor Managed Accounts

 

Triad offers four account structures for advisor managed accounts allowing its financial advisors and their clients to determine the best structure for their needs. These accounts consist of:

 

 

Third Party Managed Accounts

 

For financial advisors who prefer not to act as portfolio managers, Triad offers the following third party management options:

 

 

Investalink

 

Investalink^® is our proprietary and customized back-office and financial advisor workstation. We believe this proprietary technology provides a key competitive advantage in recruitment and retention of financial advisors in our independent brokerage and advisory services segment. Investalink^® allows for online account opening, consolidated statements for multiple clearing firms and fund families, compliance monitoring, commissions tracking, comprehensive client management and other features. Also, Investalink’s financial advisor desktop combines transactional and trend analysis, links to real-time market data, quick logins for inter-application

connectivity and integration of third-party applications. Investacorp’s financial advisors currently use Investalink^®. During 2010, Triad will make Investalink^® available to its financial advisors.

 

Administration, Operations, Securities Transactions Processing and Customer Accounts

 

Our broker-dealer subsidiaries do not hold funds or securities for their customers. Instead, each of Ladenburg, Triad and Investacorp use the services of NFS as its clearing agent on a fully disclosed basis. The clearing agent processes all securities transactions and maintains customer accounts on a fee basis. SIPC coverage protects client accounts up to $500,000 per customer, including up to $100,000 for cash. NFS also maintains excess securities bonds, “Excess SIPC”, providing additional protection. Clearing agent services include billing, credit control, and receipt, custody and delivery of securities. The clearing agent provides operational support necessary to process, record and maintain securities transactions for Ladenburg’s, Investacorp’s and Triad’s brokerage activities. The clearing agent also lends funds to Ladenburg’s, Investacorp’s and Triad’s customers through the use of margin credit. These loans are made to customers on a secured basis, with the clearing agent maintaining collateral in the form of saleable securities, cash or cash equivalents. We have agreed to indemnify the clearing agent for losses it may incur on these credit arrangements. During the first quarter of 2010, Investacorp consolidated from three clearing agents to one firm, NFS.

 

Seasonality and Cyclical Factors

 

Seasonality generally does not impact our results. Our revenues may be adversely affected by cyclical factors, such as the current financial market downturn as well as problems or recessions in the U.S. or global economies. These downturns may cause investor concern, which results in fewer investment banking transactions and less investing by institutional and retail investors, thereby reducing our revenues and potential profits. Such conditions might also expose us to the risk of being unable to raise additional capital to offset related significant reductions in revenues.

 

Competition

 

We encounter intense competition in all aspects of our business and compete directly with many other providers of financial services for clients as well as financial advisors. We compete directly with many national and regional full service financial services firms, discount brokers, investment advisors, broker-dealer subsidiaries of major commercial bank holding companies, insurance companies and other companies offering financial services in the U.S., globally, and through the Internet. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. Also, many firms offer discount brokerage services and generally effect transactions at substantially lower commission rates on an “execution only” basis, without offering other services such as investment recommendations and research. Moreover, there is substantial commission discounting by full-service broker-dealers competing for institutional and retail brokerage business.

 

A growing number of brokerage firms offer online trading which has further intensified the competition for brokerage customers. Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad currently do not offer any online trading services to their customers, although they offer on-line account access to their customers to review their account balances and activity. Competition also is increasing from other financial institutions, notably banking institutions, insurance companies and other organizations, which offer customers some of the same services and products presently provided by securities firms. We seek to compete through the quality of our financial advisors and investment bankers, our level of service, the products and services we offer and our expertise in certain areas.

 

There is significant competition for qualified personnel in the financial services industry. Our ability to compete effectively depends on attracting, retaining and motivating qualified financial advisors, investment bankers, trading professionals, portfolio managers and other revenue-producing or specialized personnel.

Government Regulation

 

The securities industry, including our business, is subject to extensive regulation by the SEC, state securities regulators and other governmental regulatory authorities. The principal purpose of these regulations is the protection of customers and the securities markets. The SEC is the federal agency charged with the administration of the federal securities laws. Much of the regulation of broker-dealers, however, has been delegated to self-regulatory organizations, principally FINRA and the MSRB. These self-regulatory organizations adopt rules, subject to approval by the SEC, which govern their members and conduct periodic examinations of member firms’ operations.

 

Securities firms are also subject to regulation by state securities commissions in the states in which they are registered. Ladenburg is a registered broker-dealer with the SEC and a member firm of the NYSE. Each of Investacorp and Triad is a registered broker-dealer with the SEC. Each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad is licensed to conduct activities as a broker-dealer in all 50 states.

 

The regulations to which broker-dealers are subject cover all aspects of the securities industry, including:

 

 

As registered investment advisors under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, Triad, LTAM and IAS are subject to the regulations under both the Investment Advisers Act and certain state securities laws and regulations. Such requirements relate to, among other things:

 

 

Additional legislation, changes in rules promulgated by the SEC and by self-regulatory bodies and changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules often directly affect the method of operation and profitability of broker-dealers. The SEC and the self-regulatory bodies may conduct administrative proceedings which can result in censure, fine, suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer, its officers, employees or financial advisors.

 

Net Capital Requirements

 

Our registered broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to the SEC’s net capital rule, which is designed to measure the general financial integrity and liquidity of a broker-dealer. Net capital is defined as the net worth of a broker-dealer subject to certain adjustments. In computing net capital, various adjustments are made to net worth which exclude assets not readily convertible into cash. Also, the regulations require that certain assets, such as a broker-dealer’s position in securities, be valued in a conservative manner to avoid over-inflation of the broker-dealer’s net capital.

Ladenburg is subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1 and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Regulation 1.17. Ladenburg has elected to compute its net capital under the alternative method allowed by these rules. At December 31, 2009, Ladenburg had net capital, as defined by such rules, of approximately $2,383,000, which exceeded its minimum capital requirement of $500,000 by $1,883,000. Each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad claims an exemption from the provisions of the SEC’s Rule 15c3-3 pursuant to paragraph (k)(2)(ii) as it clears its customer transactions through its correspondent broker on a fully disclosed basis.

 

Investacorp is subject to SEC Rule 15c3-1, which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined by such rule, shall not exceed 15 to 1. At December 31, 2009, Investacorp had net capital of approximately $694,000 which was $379,000 in excess of its required net capital of $315,000. At December 31, 2009, Investacorp’s net capital ratio was 6.8 to 1.

 

Triad is also subject to SEC Rule 15c3-1. At December 31, 2009, Triad had net capital, as defined by such rule of approximately $937,000, which was $645,000 in excess of its required net capital of $292,000. At December 31, 2009, Triad’s net capital ratio was 4.67 to 1.

 

Also, funds invested as equity capital may not be withdrawn, nor may any unsecured advances or loans be made to any stockholder of a registered broker-dealer, if, after giving effect to the withdrawal, advance or loan and to any other withdrawal, advance or loan as well as to any scheduled payments of subordinated debt which are scheduled to occur within six months, the net capital of the broker-dealer would fall below 120% of the minimum dollar amount of net capital required or the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital would exceed 10 to 1. Further, any funds invested in the form of subordinated debt generally must be invested for a minimum term of one year and repayment of such debt may be suspended if the broker-dealer fails to maintain certain minimum net capital levels. For example, scheduled payments of subordinated debt are suspended in the event that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital of the broker-dealer would exceed 12 to 1 or its net capital would be less than 120% of the minimum dollar amount of net capital required. The net capital rule also prohibits payments of dividends, redemption of stock and the prepayment, or payment in respect of principal or subordinated indebtedness if net capital, after giving effect to the payment, redemption or repayment, would be less than the specified percentage (120%) of the minimum net capital requirement.

 

Failure to maintain the required net capital may subject a firm to suspension or expulsion by FINRA, the SEC and other regulatory bodies and ultimately may require its liquidation. Compliance with the net capital rule could limit Ladenburg’s operations that require the intensive use of capital, such as underwriting and trading activities, and also could restrict our ability to withdraw capital from our subsidiaries, which in turn, could limit our ability to pay dividends and repay debt. In the past, Ladenburg has entered into, and from time to time in the future may enter into, temporary subordinated loan arrangements to borrow funds on a short-term basis from our shareholders or clearing broker to supplement the capital of our broker-dealers to facilitate underwriting transactions.

 

Besides regulatory net capital restrictions, Investacorp is restricted contractually from declaring a dividend to us that would result in its retained earnings and paid-in capital falling below the then outstanding principal balance of the $15,000,000 promissory note we issued to Investacorp’s former principal shareholder. At December 31, 2009, this note had an outstanding principal balance of $4,353,511.

 

Geographic Area

 

We are domiciled in the United States and substantially all of our revenue is attributed to activities in the United States. All of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.

 

Personnel

 

At December 31, 2009, Ladenburg had a total of 169 employees, of whom 107 are producers and 62 are other full time employees; Investacorp had approximately 460 non-employee financial advisors and 60 full time employees; and Triad had approximately 540 non-employee financial advisors and 41 full time employees. No employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relationship with our employees and independent contractors to be good.

 

You should carefully consider all of the risks described below regarding our company. Our business, financial condition or results of operation could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business operations.

 

Risk Factors Relating to Our Business

 

Changing conditions in financial markets and the economy could result in decreased revenues, losses or other adverse consequences.

 

Our financial results were adversely affected in 2009 and 2008 by the turmoil in the financial markets and economy in general. As a securities and investment banking firm, changes in the financial markets or economic conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world could materially adversely affect our business in many ways, including the following:

 

 

We have incurred, and may continue to incur, significant operating losses.

 

Although we had net income for the year ended December 31, 2007, we incurred significant losses from operations during the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 and during each of the four years ended December 31, 2006. We cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve revenue growth, profitability or positive cash flow on either a quarterly or annual basis. Although we believe that we have adequate cash and regulatory capital to fund our current level of operating activities through December 31, 2010, if we are unable to sustain profitability, we may not be financially viable in the future and may have to curtail, suspend or cease operations.

A large portion of our revenue for any period may result from a limited number of underwriting transactions.

 

A large part of our revenue for any period may be derived from a limited number of underwritings in which Ladenburg serves as either the lead or co-manager. We cannot assure you that Ladenburg will continue to serve as lead or co-manager of similar underwritings in the future. If Ladenburg is not able to do so, our revenue may significantly decrease and our results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate substantially due to the nature of our business and therefore we may fail to meet profitability expectations.

 

Our revenue and operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter and from year to year due to a combination of factors, including the level of underwriting and advisory transactions completed by us and the level of fees we receive from those transactions. Accordingly, our results of operations may fluctuate significantly due to an increased or decreased number of transactions in any particular quarter or year.

 

Our financial leverage impairs our ability to obtain financing and limits cash flow available for operations.

 

Our indebtedness:

 

 

Our ability to satisfy our obligations and to reduce our total debt which, as of December 31, 2009 was $35.4 million, depends on our future operating performance and prospects. Our future operating performance is subject to many factors, including economic, financial and competitive factors, which may be beyond our control. As a result, we may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow, and future financings may not be available to provide sufficient net proceeds, to meet these obligations which would have a material adverse effect on our business, profitability and results of operations.

 

Our business depends on commissions and fees generated from the distribution of financial products , and adverse changes in the structure or amount of fees paid by the sponsors of these products could materially adversely affect our cash flows, revenues and results of operations.

 

An important portion of our revenues is generated from commissions and fees related to the distribution of financial products such as mutual funds and variable annuities by the Investacorp and Triad financial advisors, and to a lesser extent, Ladenburg’s financial advisors. Changes in the structure or amount of the fees paid by the sponsors of these products could materially adversely affect our cash flows, revenues and results of operation.

 

Also, regulatory agencies and other industry participants have suggested that Rule 12b-1 distribution fees in the mutual fund industry should be reconsidered and, potentially, reduced or eliminated. Any reduction or restructuring of Rule 12b-1 distribution fees could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Misconduct by our employees and independent financial advisors is difficult to detect and deter and could harm our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Misconduct by our employees and independent financial advisors could result in violations of law by us, regulatory sanctions and/or serious reputational or financial harm.

Misconduct could include:

 

 

We cannot always deter misconduct by our employees and independent financial advisors, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Prevention and detection among our independent financial advisors, who are not employees of our company and tend to be located in small, decentralized offices, present additional challenges. Misconduct by our employees and independent financial advisors may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

We may be prohibited from underwriting securities due to capital limits.

 

From time to time, our underwriting activities may require that we temporarily receive an infusion of capital for regulatory purposes. This is predicated on the amount of commitment Ladenburg makes for each underwriting. In the past, we entered into temporary subordinated loan arrangements with our shareholders or clearing firm. Should we no longer be able to receive such funding from these sources, and if there are no other viable sources available, it would have an adverse impact on our ability to underwrite offerings, generate profits, recruit financial consultants and retain existing customers.

 

Our capital markets and strategic advisory engagements are singular in nature and do not generally provide for subsequent engagements.

 

Ladenburg’s investment banking clients generally retain it on a short-term, engagement-by-engagement basis in connection with specific capital markets or mergers and acquisitions transactions, rather than on a recurring basis under long-term contracts. As these transactions are typically singular in nature and our engagements with these clients may not recur, Ladenburg must seek out new engagements when its current engagements are successfully completed or are terminated. As a result, high activity levels in any period are not necessarily indicative of continued high levels of activity in any subsequent period. If we are unable to generate a substantial number of new engagements that generate fees from new or existing clients, our business and results of operations would likely be adversely affected.

 

We depend on our senior employees and the loss of their services could harm our business.

 

Our success is dependent in large part upon the services of several of our senior executives and employees, including those of our broker-dealer subsidiaries. We do not maintain and do not intend to obtain key man insurance on the life of any executive or employee. If our senior executives or employees terminate their employment with us and we are unable to find suitable replacements in relatively short periods of time, our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

 

We face significant competition for professional employees.

 

From time to time, individuals we employ may choose to leave our company to pursue other opportunities. We have experienced losses of financial advisors, trading and investment banking professionals in the past, and the level of competition for key personnel remains intense. We cannot assure you that the loss of key personnel will not occur again in the future. The loss of a financial advisor or a trading or investment banking professional, particularly a senior professional with a broad range of contacts in an industry, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

Poor performance of the investment products and services recommended or sold to asset management clients may have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

Our investment advisory clients generally may terminate their contracts upon 30 days’ notice. These clients can terminate their relationship, reduce the aggregate amount of assets under management or shift their funds to other types of accounts with different rate structures for any number of reasons, including investment performance, changes in prevailing interest rates, financial market performance and personal client liquidity needs. Poor performance of the investment products and services recommended or sold to such clients relative to the performance of other products available in the market or the performance of other investment management firms tends to result in the loss of accounts. The decrease in revenue that could result from such an event could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Systems failures could significantly disrupt our business.

 

Our business depends on our and our clearing firms’ ability to process, on a daily basis, many transactions across numerous and diverse markets and the transactions we process have become increasingly complex. We rely heavily on our communications and financial, accounting and other data processing systems, including systems we maintain and systems provided by our clearing broker and service providers. We face operational risk arising from mistakes made in the confirmation or settlement of transactions or from transactions not being properly recorded, evaluated or accounted.

 

If any of these systems do not operate properly or are disabled, we could suffer financial loss, a disruption of our business, liability to clients, regulatory intervention or reputational damage. Any failure or interruption of our systems, the systems of our clearing broker, or third party trading systems could cause delays or other problems in our securities trading activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Also, our clearing broker provides our principal disaster recovery system. We cannot assure you that we or our clearing broker will not suffer any systems failures or interruption, including ones caused by earthquake, fire, other natural disasters, power or telecommunications failure, act of God, act of war, terrorism, or otherwise, or that our or our clearing broker’s back-up procedures and capabilities in the event of any such failure or interruption will be adequate. The inability of our or our clearing broker’s systems to accommodate an increasing volume of transactions could also constrain our ability to expand our business.

 

A relatively small number of institutional customers generate a significant portion of our institutional trading revenue.

 

A relatively small number of our institutional investor customers generate a substantial portion of our institutional trading revenue. If any key customers depart or reduce their business with us and we fail to attract new customers that are capable of generating significant trading volumes, our business and results of operations will be adversely affected.

 

Our expenses may increase due to real estate commitments.

 

We have subleased office space in various locations to subtenants, some of whom are engaged in the financial services industry. Should any of the sub-tenants experience financial difficulty, or otherwise not pay their rent for an extended period of time, it may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Our risk management policies and procedures may leave us exposed to unidentified risks or an unanticipated level of risk.

 

The policies and procedures we employ to identify, monitor and manage risks may not be fully effective. Some methods of risk management are based on the use of observed historical market behavior. As a result, these methods may not predict future risk exposures, which could be significantly greater than the historical measures indicate. Other risk management methods depend on evaluation of information regarding markets, clients or other matters that are publicly available or otherwise accessible by us. This information may not be accurate, complete, up-to-date or properly evaluated. Management of operational, legal and regulatory risk requires, among other

things, policies and procedures to properly record and verify a large number of transactions and events. We cannot assure you that our policies and procedures will effectively and accurately record and verify this information.

 

We seek to monitor and control our risk exposure through a variety of separate but complementary financial, credit, operational and legal reporting systems. We believe that we effectively evaluate and manage the market, credit and other risks to which we are exposed. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of our ability to manage risk exposure can never be completely or accurately predicted or fully assured. For example, unexpectedly large or rapid movements or disruptions in one or more markets or other unforeseen developments can have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The consequences of these developments can include losses due to adverse changes in inventory values, decreases in the liquidity of trading positions, higher volatility in earnings, increases in our credit risk to customers as well as to third parties and increases in general systemic risk.

 

We rely on one clearing broker and the termination of the clearing agreements could disrupt our business.

 

As of the first quarter of 2010, each of Ladenburg, Triad and Investacorp uses one clearing broker to process securities transactions and maintain customer accounts on a fee basis. The clearing broker also provides billing services, extends credit and provides for control and receipt, custody and delivery of securities. Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad depend on the operational capacity and ability of their clearing broker for the orderly processing of transactions. By engaging the processing services of a clearing firm, each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad is exempt from some capital reserve requirements and other regulatory requirements imposed by federal and state securities laws. If these clearing agreements were terminated for any reason, we would be forced to find an alternative clearing firm. We cannot assure you that we would be able to find an alternative clearing firm on acceptable terms to us or at all. Also, the loss of the clearing firm could hamper Investacorp’s and Triad’s ability to recruit and retain their respective independent financial advisors.

 

Our clearing broker extends credit to our clients and we are liable if the clients do not pay.

 

Each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad permits its clients to purchase securities on a margin basis or sell securities short, which means that the clearing firm extends credit to the client secured by cash and securities in the client’s account. During periods of volatile markets, the value of the collateral held by the clearing broker could fall below the amount borrowed by the client. If margin requirements are not sufficient to cover losses, the clearing broker sells or buys securities at prevailing market prices, and may incur losses to satisfy client obligations. Each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad has agreed to indemnify the clearing broker for losses it may incur while extending credit to its clients.

 

Risk Factors Relating to Our Industry

 

Credit risk exposes us to losses caused by third parties’ financial or other problems.

 

We are exposed to the risk that third parties that owe us money, securities or other assets will not perform their obligations. These parties include:

 

 

These parties may default on their obligations owed to us due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. This risk may arise, for example, from:

 

 

Significant failures by third parties to perform their obligations owed to us could adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and perhaps our ability to borrow in the credit markets.

 

Intense competition from existing and new entities may adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

 

The securities industry is rapidly evolving, intensely competitive and has few barriers to entry. We expect competition to continue and intensify in the future. Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. Some of our competitors also offer a wider range of services and financial products than we do and have greater name recognition and a larger client base. These competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or changing opportunities, technologies and client requirements. They may also be able to undertake more extensive promotional activities, offer more attractive terms to clients, and adopt more aggressive pricing policies. We may not be able to compete effectively with current or future competitors and competitive pressures faced by us may harm our business and may adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

 

Errors and omissions claims may negatively affect our business and results of operations.

 

Our subsidiaries are subject to claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business resulting from alleged and actual errors and omissions in placing insurance, effecting securities transactions and rendering investment advice. These activities involve substantial amounts of money. Since errors and omissions claims against our subsidiaries or their financial advisors may allege liability for all or part of the amounts in question, claimants may seek large damage awards. These claims can involve significant defense costs. Errors and omissions could include, for example, failure, whether negligently or intentionally, to effect securities transactions on behalf of clients, to choose suitable investments for any particular client, to supervise a financial advisor or to provide insurance carriers with complete and accurate information. It is not always possible to prevent or detect errors and omissions, and the precautions our subsidiaries take may not be effective in all cases. Moreover, our Ladenburg subsidiary and its financial advisors do not carry errors and omissions insurance coverage and some of Investacorp’s financial advisors do not carry such coverage either. Our liability for significant and successful errors and omissions claims may materially and negatively affect our results of operations.

 

We are subject to various risks associated with the securities industry.

 

We are subject to uncertainties that are common in the securities industry. These uncertainties include:

 

 

As a result, revenues and earnings may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year. In periods of low volume, profitability is impaired because certain expenses remain relatively fixed. We are much smaller and have much less capital than many competitors in the securities industry. In the event of a market

downturn, our business could be adversely affected in many ways. Our revenues are likely to decline in such circumstances and, if we are unable to reduce expenses at the same pace, our profit margins would erode.

 

Legal liability may harm our business.

 

Many aspects of our business involve substantial risks of liability. An underwriter, such as Ladenburg, is exposed to substantial liability under federal and state securities laws, other federal and state laws, and court decisions, including decisions about underwriters’ liability and limitations on indemnification of underwriters by issuers. For example, a firm that acts as an underwriter may be held liable for material misstatements or omissions of fact in a prospectus used in connection with the securities being offered or for statements made by its securities analysts or other personnel. In recent years, there has been an increasing incidence of litigation involving the securities industry, including class actions that seek substantial damages. Our underwriting activities often involve offerings of the securities of smaller companies, which may involve a higher degree of risk and are more volatile than the securities of more established companies. In comparison with more established companies, smaller companies are also more likely to be the subject of securities class actions, to carry directors and officers liability insurance policies with lower limits or not at all, and to become insolvent. Each of these factors increases the likelihood that an underwriter of a smaller company’s securities will be required to contribute to an adverse judgment or settlement of a securities lawsuit.

 

In the normal course of business, our operating subsidiaries have been and continue to be the subject of numerous civil actions and arbitrations arising out of customer complaints relating to our activities as a broker-dealer, as an employer or as a result of other business activities. In general, the cases involve various allegations that our employees or financial advisors had mishandled customer accounts. We believe that, based on our historical experience and the reserves established by us, the resolution of the claims presently pending will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. However, although we typically reserve an amount we believe will be sufficient to cover any damages assessed against us, we have in the past been assessed damages that exceeded our reserves. If we misjudge the amount of damages that may be assessed against us from pending or threatened claims, or if we are unable to adequately estimate the amount of damages that will be assessed against us from claims that arise in the future and reserve accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

 

Risk Factors Relating to the Regulatory Environment

 

We are subject to extensive securities regulation and the failure to comply with these regulations could subject us to penalties or sanctions.

 

The securities industry and our business is subject to extensive regulation by the SEC, state securities regulators and other governmental regulatory authorities. We are also regulated by industry self-regulatory organizations, including FINRA and the MSRB. The regulatory environment is also subject to change and we may be adversely affected as a result of new or revised legislation or regulations imposed by the SEC, other federal or state governmental regulatory authorities, or self-regulatory organizations. We also may be adversely affected by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules by these governmental authorities and self-regulatory organizations.

 

Each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad is a registered broker-dealer with the SEC and FINRA. Broker-dealers are subject to regulations which cover all aspects of the securities business, including:

 

 

Compliance with many of these regulations involves a number of risks, particularly in areas where applicable regulations may be subject to varying interpretation. The requirements imposed by these regulators are designed to ensure the integrity of the financial markets and to protect customers and other third parties who deal with us. Consequently, these regulations often serve to limit our activities, including through net capital, customer protection and market conduct requirements. Much of the regulation of broker-dealers has been delegated to self-regulatory organizations, principally FINRA. FINRA adopts rules, subject to SEC approval, that govern broker-dealers and conducts periodic examinations of firms’ operations.

 

If we are found to have violated any applicable regulation, formal administrative or judicial proceedings may be initiated against us that may result in:

 

 

The imposition of any of these or other penalties could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

 

Legislative, judicial or regulatory changes to the classification of independent contractors could increase our operating expenses.

 

From time to time, various legislative or regulatory proposals are introduced at the federal or state levels to change the status of independent contractors’ classification to employees for either employment tax purposes (withholding, social security, Medicare and unemployment taxes) or other benefits available to employees. Currently, most individuals are classified as employees or independent contractors for employment tax purposes based on 20 “common law” factors, rather than any definition found in the Internal Revenue Code or Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regulations. Each of Investacorp and Triad classifies its financial advisors as independent contractors for all purposes, including employment tax and employee benefit purposes. We cannot assure you that legislative, judicial, or regulatory (including tax) authorities will not introduce proposals or assert interpretations of existing rules and regulations that would change the employee/independent contractor classification of Investacorp’s and Triad’s financial advisors. The costs associated with potential changes, if any, to these independent contractor classifications could have a material adverse effect on us, including our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Failure to comply with net capital requirements could subject us to suspension or revocation by the SEC or suspension or expulsion by FINRA.

 

Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to the SEC’s net capital rule which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Also, Ladenburg and Triad are each subject to the net capital requirements of CFTC Regulation 1.17. At December 31, 2009, each of our broker-dealer subsidiaries exceeded its minimum net capital requirement. The net capital rule is designed to measure the general financial integrity and liquidity of a broker-dealer. In computing net capital, various adjustments are made to net worth which exclude assets not readily convertible into cash. The regulations also require that certain assets, such as a broker-dealer’s position in securities, be valued in a conservative manner to avoid over-inflation of the broker-dealer’s net capital. The net capital rule requires a broker-dealer to maintain a minimum level of net capital. The particular levels vary depending upon the nature of the activity undertaken by a firm. Compliance with the net capital rule limits those operations of broker-dealers which require the intensive use of their capital, such as underwriting commitments and principal trading activities. The rule also limits the ability of securities firms to pay dividends or make payments on certain

indebtedness such as subordinated debt as it matures. A significant operating loss or any charge against net capital could adversely affect the ability of a broker-dealer to expand or, depending on the magnitude of the loss or charge, maintain its then present level of business. FINRA may enter the offices of a broker-dealer at any time, without notice, and calculate the firm’s net capital. If the calculation reveals a net capital deficiency, FINRA may immediately restrict or suspend some or all of the broker-dealer’s activities, including its ability to make markets. Our broker-dealer subsidiaries may not be able to maintain adequate net capital, or their net capital may fall below requirements established by the SEC or the CFTC, as applicable, and subject us to disciplinary action in the form of fines, censure, suspension, expulsion or the termination of business altogether.

 

A change in the tax treatment of insurance products or a determination that these products are not insurance contracts for federal tax purposes could reduce the demand for these products, which may reduce our revenue.

 

The market for many insurance products sold by Investacorp’s and Triad’s financial advisors depends on the favorable tax treatment, including the tax-free build up of cash values and the tax-free nature of death benefits that these products receive relative to other investment alternatives. A change in the tax treatment of insurance products or a determination by the IRS that certain of these products are not insurance contracts for federal tax purposes could remove many of the tax advantages policyholders seek in these policies. Also, the IRS periodically releases guidance on the tax treatment of products. If the provisions of the tax code were changed or new federal tax regulations and IRS rulings and releases were issued in a manner that would make it more difficult for holders of these insurance contracts to qualify for favorable tax treatment or subject holders to special tax reporting requirements, the demand for the insurance contracts could decrease, which may reduce our revenue and negatively affect our business.

 

Risk Factors Relating to Strategic Acquisitions and the Integration of Acquired Operations

 

We may be unable to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our existing business and operations.

 

We completed two acquisitions in 2008, one acquisition in 2007 and two acquisitions in 2006. We continue to explore opportunities to grow our businesses, including through potential acquisitions of other securities firms, both domestically and internationally. These acquisitions may involve payments of material amounts of cash incurrence of a material amount of debt or the issuance of significant amounts of our equity securities, which may increase our leverage and/or be dilutive to our existing shareholders. We may experience difficulty integrating the operations of these entities or any other entities acquired in the future into our existing business and operations. Furthermore, we may not be able retain all of the employees we acquire as a result of these transactions. If we are unable to effectively address these risks, we may be required to restructure the acquired businesses or write-off the value of some or all of the assets of the acquired business. If we are unable to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our existing business and operations in the future, it could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, cash flows and results of operations.

 

We may be adversely affected if the firms we acquire do not perform as expected.

 

Even if we successfully complete acquisitions, we may be adversely affected if the acquired firms do not perform as expected. The firms we acquire may perform below expectations after the acquisition for various reasons, including legislative or regulatory changes that affect the products in which a firm specializes, the loss of key clients, employees and/or financial advisors after the acquisition closing, general economic factors and the cultural incompatibility of an acquired firm’s management team with us. The failure of firms to perform as expected at the time of acquisition may have an adverse effect on our earnings and revenue growth rates, and may result in impairment charges and/or generate losses or charges to earnings.

 

We face numerous risks and uncertainties as we expand our business.

 

We expect the growth of our business to come primarily from internal expansion and through acquisitions. As we expand our business, there can be no assurance that our financial controls, the level and knowledge of our personnel, our operational abilities, our legal and compliance controls and our other corporate support systems will be adequate to manage our business and our growth. The ineffectiveness of any of these controls or systems could adversely affect our business and prospects. In addition, as we acquire new businesses, we face numerous risks and uncertainties

integrating their controls and systems into ours, including financial controls, accounting and data processing systems, management controls and other operations. A failure to integrate these systems and controls, and even an inefficient integration of these systems and controls, could adversely affect our business, cash flows and results of operations.

 

Risk Factors Relating to Owning Our Stock

 

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to resell the shares of our common stock at prices you find attractive.

 

The trading price of our common stock has ranged between $0.45 and $1.24 per share for the 52 week period ended March 12, 2010. We expect that the market price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate significantly.

 

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include:

 

 

Any one of these factors could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

 

Also, the stock market in recent years has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have materially affected the market prices of equity securities of many companies and that often have been unrelated to such companies’ operating performance. These market fluctuations have adversely impacted the price of our common stock in the past and may do so in the future. Also, shareholders may initiate securities class action lawsuits if the market price of our stock drops significantly, which may cause us to incur substantial costs and divert our management’s time and attention. These factors, among others, could significantly depress the price of our common stock.

 

Our principal shareholders including our directors and officers control a large percentage of our shares of common stock and can significantly influence our corporate actions.

 

At March 11, 2010, our executive officers, directors and companies that these individuals are affiliated with beneficially owned approximately 45% of our common stock. Accordingly, these individuals and entities can significantly influence most, if not all, of our corporate actions, including the election of directors and the appointment of officers. Also, this ownership of our common stock may make it difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, therefore possibly discouraging third parties from seeking to acquire us. A third party would have to negotiate any possible transactions with these principal shareholders, and their interests may be different from the interests of our other shareholders. This may depress the price of our common stock.

Possible additional issuances will cause dilution.

 

At December 31, 2009, we had outstanding 167,907,038 shares of common stock and options and warrants to purchase a total of 27,921,290 shares of common stock. We are authorized to issue up to 400,000,000 shares of common stock and are therefore able to issue additional shares without being required under corporate law to obtain shareholder approval. If we issue additional shares, or if our existing shareholders exercise their outstanding options and warrants, our other shareholders may find their holdings drastically diluted, which if it occurs, means that they will own a smaller percentage of our company.

 

We may issue preferred stock with preferential rights that may adversely affect your rights.

 

The rights of our shareholders will be subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of holders of any preferred stock that we may issue in the future. Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to issue up to 2,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock and to fix the rights, preferences, privilege and restrictions, including voting rights, of these shares without further shareholder approval.

 

We do not expect to pay any cash dividends.

 

We intend to retain any future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, you must rely on sales of your common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any positive return on your investment in our common stock. Net capital requirements imposed on our broker-dealer subsidiaries by the SEC and covenants contained in our outstanding debt agreements may also restrict our ability to pay dividends.

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 4400 Biscayne Boulevard, 12th Floor, Miami, Florida 33137, where we lease approximately 15,800 square feet of office space. The lessor is Frost Real Estate Holdings, LLC, an entity affiliated with Dr. Phillip Frost, our Chairman of the Board and principal shareholder. Our lease expires in January 2012.

 

Ladenburg’s principal executive offices are located at 520 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10022, where it subleases approximately 15,400 square feet of office space under a lease that expires in September 2014. Ladenburg previously leased office space at 590 Madison Avenue, New York, New York and has subleased all of this space to various unrelated parties at various terms and lease periods. The lease, under which Ladenburg is still obligated as the main lessor, expires in June 2015. Ladenburg also operates branch offices in leased office space located in Los Angeles, California, Lincolnshire, Illinois, Miami and Boca Raton, Florida, Princeton, New Jersey and Melville and New York, New York.

 

Investacorp’s principal executive offices are located at 15450 New Barn Road, Miami Lakes, Florida 33014, where it leases approximately 15,100 square feet of office space under a lease that expires in July 2011. Investacorp’s independent financial advisors are responsible for the office space they occupy, whether by lease or otherwise.

 

Triad’s principal executive offices are located at 5185 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 280 Norcross, Georgia, 30092, where it leases approximately 11,300 square feet of office space under a lease that expires in June 2012. Triad’s independent financial advisors are responsible for the office space they occupy, whether by lease or otherwise.

 

 

The information under the heading “Litigation and Regulatory Matters” contained in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference in this Item 3.

 

 

 

 

Our common stock trades on the NYSE Amex under the symbol “LTS.” The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock for the periods specified:

 

 

Holders

 

At March 11, 2010, there were approximately 4,033 record holders of our common stock.

 

Dividends

 

We have never paid or declared any dividends on our common stock. The payment of future dividends, if any, will be at our board of director’s discretion after taking into account our financial condition, operating results, anticipated cash needs and any other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. The net capital requirements imposed on our broker-dealer subsidiaries by the SEC and covenants contained in our outstanding debt agreements also restrict our ability to pay dividends.

 

 

The selected financial data set forth below is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. You should read this selected financial data together with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K:

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

 

We are engaged in investment banking, equity research, institutional sales and trading, independent brokerage and advisory services and asset management services through our principal subsidiaries, Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad. We are committed to establishing a significant presence in the financial services industry by meeting the varying investment needs of our corporate, institutional and retail clients.

 

We have two operating segments which correspond to the investment banking, sales and trading and asset management services and investment activities conducted by Ladenburg and LTAM and our independent brokerage and advisory services business conducted by Investacorp and Triad.

 

Acquisition Strategy

 

We continue to explore opportunities to grow our businesses, including through potential acquisitions of other securities and investment banking firms, both domestically and internationally. These acquisitions may involve payments of material amounts of cash, the incurrence of material amounts of debt or the issuance of significant amounts of our equity securities, which may be dilutive to our existing shareholders and/or may increase our leverage. We cannot assure you that we will be able to complete any such potential acquisitions on terms acceptable to us or, if we do, that any acquired business will be profitable. There is also a risk that we will not be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our existing business and operations. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Relating to Strategic Acquisitions and the Integration of Acquired Operations.”

 

Recent Developments

 

Amendment of Clearing Arrangements and Forgivable Loan

 

In August 2009, we amended the terms of our clearing agreements with NFS. NFS now serves as the exclusive clearing broker for Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad and the clearing agreements between the firms and NFS have a seven-year term. We are realizing significant cost savings as a result of this new clearing arrangement.

 

On August 25, 2009, NFS provided us with a seven-year, $10,000 forgivable loan. Interest on the loan accrues at the prime rate plus 2%. If our broker-dealer subsidiaries meet certain aggregate annual clearing revenue targets set forth in the loan agreement, the principal balance of the loan will be forgiven in seven equal yearly installments of $1,429 commencing in August 2010 and continuing on an annual basis through August 2016. Interest payments due for each such year also will be forgiven if we meet the annual clearing revenue targets. Any principal amounts not forgiven will be due in August 2016, and any interest payments not forgiven are due annually. If any principal amount is not forgiven, we may have such principal forgiven in future years if our broker-dealer subsidiaries exceed subsequent annual clearing revenue targets. We have expensed, and will continue to expense, interest under the loan agreement until such interest is forgiven.

 

The loan agreement contains other covenants including limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, maintenance of minimum adjusted shareholders’ equity levels and a prohibition on the termination of our revolving credit agreement. If an event of default occurs, the outstanding principal and interest under the loan agreement may be accelerated and become immediately due and payable. If the clearing agreements are terminated prior to the loan maturity date, all amounts then outstanding must be repaid on demand. The loan agreement is collateralized by our (but not our broker-dealer subsidiaries’) deposits and accounts held at NFS or its affiliates, which amounted to $468 at December 31, 2009.

 

We used the loan proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under our revolving credit agreement. We intend to use the increased availability under that facility to support our strategy to become a leader in the independent broker-dealer space.

Critical Accounting Policies

 

General.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, referred to as GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Clearing Arrangements.  Our broker-dealer subsidiaries do not carry accounts for customers or perform custodial functions related to customers’ securities. Each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad introduces all of its customer transactions, which are not reflected in these financial statements, to its clearing broker, which maintains the customers’ accounts and clears such transactions. Also, the clearing broker provides the clearing and depository operations for Ladenburg’s and Investacorp’s proprietary securities transactions. These activities may expose us to off-balance-sheet risk in the event that customers do not fulfill their obligations with the clearing broker, as we have agreed to indemnify our clearing broker for any resulting losses. We continually assess risk associated with each customer who is on margin credit and record an estimated loss when we believe collection from the customer is unlikely. We incurred losses from these arrangements, prior to any recoupment from our financial advisors, of $101, $74 and $58 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Customer Claims, Litigation and Regulatory Matters.  In the ordinary course of business, our operating subsidiaries have been and are the subject of numerous civil actions and arbitrations arising out of customer complaints relating to their activities as a broker-dealer, as an employer or supervisor and as a result of other business activities. In general, the cases involve various allegations that our employees or independent financial advisors had mishandled customer accounts. Due to the uncertain nature of litigation in general, we are unable to estimate a range of possible loss related to lawsuits filed against us, but based on our historical experience and consultation with counsel, we typically reserve an amount we believe will be sufficient to cover any damages assessed against us. We had accruals of $453 at December 31, 2009 and $460 at December 31, 2008 for potential arbitration and lawsuit losses. However, we have in the past been assessed damages that exceeded our reserves. If we misjudge the amount of damages that may be assessed against us from pending or threatened claims, or if we are unable to adequately estimate the amount of damages that will be assessed against us from claims that arise in the future and reserve accordingly, our operating income and liquidity would be reduced. Such costs may have a material adverse effect on our future financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

 

Fair Value.  “Trading securities owned” and “Securities sold, but not yet purchased” on our consolidated statements of financial condition are carried at fair value, with related unrealized gains and losses recognized in our results of operations. The determination of fair value is fundamental to our financial condition and results of operations and, in certain circumstances, it requires management to make complex judgments.

 

Fair values are based on listed market prices, where possible. If listed market prices are not available or if the liquidation of our positions would reasonably be expected to impact market prices, fair value is determined based on other relevant factors, including dealer price quotations. Fair values for certain derivative contracts are derived from pricing models that consider market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments or commodities, as well as time value and yield curve or volatility factors underlying the positions.

 

Pricing models and their underlying assumptions impact the amount and timing of unrealized gains and losses recognized, and the use of different pricing models or assumptions could produce different financial results. Changes in the fixed income and equity markets will impact our estimates of fair value in the future, potentially affecting principal trading revenues. The illiquid nature of certain securities or debt instruments also requires a high degree of judgment in determining fair value due to the lack of listed market prices and the potential impact of the liquidation of our position on market prices, among other factors.

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has issued authoritative accounting guidance that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques. The new guidance clarifies that fair value should be based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and became effective for us on January 1, 2008. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets.  We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of tax benefits or expense on the temporary differences between the tax basis and book basis of our assets and liabilities as well as tax loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax amounts as of December 31, 2009, which consist principally of the tax benefit of net operating loss carryforwards and compensation charges related to equity instruments, amount to $38,300. After consideration of all the evidence, both positive and negative, especially the fact that we sustained a cumulative pre-tax loss for the periods 2006 through 2009, we have determined that a valuation allowance at December 31, 2009 was necessary to fully offset the deferred tax assets based on the likelihood of future realization. At December 31, 2009, we had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $62,500, expiring in various years from 2015 through 2029.

 

Stock-Based Compensation.  Our stock based compensation uses a fair value-based method to recognize non-cash compensation expense for share-based transactions. The accounting guidance requires an entity to measure the cost of employee, officer and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments, including stock options, based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost is recognized as compensation expense over the service period, which would normally be the vesting period of the options.

 

Intangible Assets.  We amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives generally on a straight-line basis. Intangible assets subject to amortization are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be not recoverable. We assess the recoverability of our intangible assets by determining whether the unamortized balance can be recovered over the assets’ remaining life through undiscounted forecasted cash flows. If undiscounted forecasted cash flows indicate that the unamortized amounts will not be recovered, an adjustment will be made to reduce such amounts to an amount consistent with forecasted future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk associated with achieving future discounted cash flows. Future cash flows are based on trends of historical performance and our estimate of future performances, giving consideration to existing and anticipated competitive and economic conditions.

 

Goodwill.  Goodwill is not subject to amortization and is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. Fair value is typically based upon future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved or market based comparables. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value then an analysis will be performed to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount of goodwill. An impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to excess of the carrying amount over the implied fair value. After an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of goodwill is its new accounting basis. We did not identify any impairment of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following discussion provides an assessment of our consolidated results of operations, capital resources and liquidity and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of Ladenburg, Investacorp (since October 19, 2007), Triad (since August 13, 2008) and our other wholly-owned subsidiaries.

The following table presents a reconciliation of EBITDA, as adjusted, to net (loss) income as reported:

 

 

 

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, adjusted for gains or losses on sales of assets, non-cash compensation expense, clearing conversion expense and loss on extinguishment of debt is a key metric we use in evaluating our financial performance. EBITDA is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We consider EBITDA, as adjusted, important in evaluating our financial performance on a consistent basis across various periods. Due to the significance of non-cash and non-recurring items, EBITDA, as adjusted, enables the Company’s Board of Directors and management to monitor and evaluate the business on a consistent basis. We use EBITDA, as adjusted, as a primary measure, among others, to analyze and evaluate financial and strategic planning decisions regarding future operating investments and potential acquisitions. We believe that EBITDA, as adjusted, eliminates items that are not indicative of our core operating performance, such as debt extinguishment expense or expenses related to Investacorp’s conversion to a single clearing firm as part of a new seven-year clearing arrangement, or do not involve a cash outlay, such as stock-related compensation. EBITDA, as adjusted, should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, pre-tax income, net income and cash flows from operating activities.

 

Our EBITDA, as adjusted, increased $3,633 in 2009 compared to 2008 primarily as a result of a smaller net loss in 2009 as compared to 2008. EBITDA, as adjusted, decreased $27,896 in 2008 as compared to 2007 primarily due to a loss due to decreased investment banking revenue in 2008 as compared to 2007.

 

As a result of the Investacorp acquisition on October 19, 2007, we have two operating segments. For periods prior to October 19, 2007, we operated in only one segment. The Ladenburg segment includes the investment banking, sales and trading and asset management services and investment activities conducted by Ladenburg and LTAM. The independent brokerage and advisory services segment includes the broker-dealer and investment advisory services provided by Investacorp and Triad to their independent contractor financial advisors.

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2009 compared to year ended December 31, 2008

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, we had a net loss of $18,673 compared to a net loss of $20,263 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. Net loss for 2009 included $7,534 of non-cash compensation expense. Net loss for 2008 included $6,265 of non-cash compensation expense and was reduced by a $519 gain on the sale of exchange memberships.

 

Our total revenues for 2009 increased $29,705 (25%) from 2008, primarily as a result of increased commissions and fees of $26,544, increased principal transactions of $3,582, increased other income of $1,784 partially offset by decreased interest and dividends revenue of $1,927. 2008 revenues include $21,190 of revenues from Triad from the date of its acquisition (August 13, 2008). 2009 revenue includes $60,449 from Triad for the full year.

 

Our total expenses increased in 2009 by $28,065 (20%) from 2008 primarily as a result of an increase in commissions and fees of $26,375, an increase in other expense of $2,119, an increase in non-cash compensation expense of $1,269 and an increase in brokerage, communication and clearance fees of $826, partially offset by a decrease in compensation and benefits of $2,412. The 2008 expenses include $20,858 of expenses attributable to Triad’s operations commencing August 13, 2008. 2009 expenses include $59,990 from Triad for the full year.

 

The $26,544 (27%) increase in commissions and fees revenue in 2009 as compared to 2008 is attributable to an increase of $37,298 from the inclusion of Triad for the full 2009 year, partially offset by decreases at Ladenburg and Investacorp of $3,808 and $6,747, respectively. The decreases at Ladenburg and Investacorp were primarily due to unfavorable market conditions.

 

The $441 (3%) increase in 2009 investment banking revenue was primarily due to an increase in advisory fees of $437. Our investment banking revenue is derived from Ladenburg’s capital raising activities, including underwritten public offerings and private placements, and strategic advisory services. Revenue from underwritten public offerings was $7,608 and $9,159 in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Private placement revenue was $3,729, including $544 in warrants, and $2,174, including $368 in warrants, in 2009 and 2008, respectively. 2009 and 2008 investment banking revenue includes $5,939 and $5,289, respectively, of deferred fees from special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC) transactions. Typically, a significant portion of the underwriting fees for a SPAC transaction were deferred fees and were recognized only upon a SPAC’s successful completion of a business combination transaction. As of the date of this report, Ladenburg does not have a material backlog of deferred SPAC transaction fees.

The $719 (26%) decrease in asset management revenue in 2009 as compared to 2008 was due to the lower average assets under management at LTAM resulting from unfavorable market conditions. Revenues associated with Triad and Investacorp client assets are included in commissions and fees revenue, rather than asset management revenue, which relates to Ladenburg and LTAM. We expect asset management revenue to increase in 2010 due to improved market conditions and newly-added advisory assets.

 

The $3,582 (131%) increase in principal transactions in 2009 as compared to 2008 is primarily attributable to gains in the fair value of securities received as underwriting consideration.

 

The $1,927 (45%) decrease in interest and dividends in 2009 as compared to 2008 is primarily attributable to lower interest rates and a decrease in margin account balances. We expect continued lower interest and dividends revenue in 2010 due to expected low interest rates and lower interest sharing from our clearing broker.

 

The $1,784 (38%) increase in other income in 2009 as compared to 2008 is primarily attributable to the inclusion of Triad for the full 2009 year. Triad contributed $3,201 and $1,437 of other income in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

The $26,375 (43%) increase in commissions and fees expense in 2009 as compared to 2008 is primarily due to the inclusion of Triad for the full 2009 year. Triad’s commission and fees expense was $48,511 and $16,170 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our increase in commissions and fees expense for the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period was partially offset by a decrease of $5,966 in such expense at Investacorp. The decrease at Investacorp is directly correlated to the reduction in commissions and fees revenue at Investacorp. Commissions and fees expense comprises compensation payments earned by the registered representatives who serve as independent contractors in our independent brokerage and advisory services segment. These payments to the independent contractor registered representatives are calculated based on a percentage of revenues and vary by product. Accordingly, when the independent contractor registered representatives increase their business, both our revenues and expenses increase since they earn additional compensation based on the revenue produced.

 

The $2,412 (6%) decrease in compensation and benefits expense in 2009 as compared to 2008 was primarily due to a $2,957 decrease in producers’ compensation which is directly correlated to revenue production by such persons, a $2,036 decrease in salaries, bonus and benefits at Ladenburg and Investacorp which is a result of staff reductions, partially offset by the addition of Triad, which had a $2,580 increase in expense.

 

The $1,269 (20%) increase in non-cash compensation expense in 2009 as compared to 2008 is primarily attributable to new option grants and a reduction in the forfeiture rate for our stock options.

 

The $826 (14%) increase in brokerage, communication and clearance fees expense is primarily attributable to the inclusion of Triad for the full 2009 year. Triad and Investacorp had an increase of $1,275 and $56 in 2009, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in Ladenburg expense of $543 resulting from cost reduction measures in 2009. While brokerage, communication and clearance fee expense is directly correlated with brokerage activity, we have benefitted and expect to continue to benefit from reduced clearing and execution expenses under our new clearing arrangements.

 

The $254 (8%) increase in rent and occupancy, net of sublease revenue in 2009 as compared to 2008 is primarily attributable to additional Triad expense of $224 for the full year in 2009.

 

The $251 (4%) decrease in professional services expense for 2009 is primarily due to a decrease of $599 in legal, audit, tax and consulting expense at Investacorp and Ladenburg partially offset by the additional expense from Triad of $348. We expect similar levels of professional services expense for the near future.

 

The $557 (12%) decrease in interest expense in 2009 as compared to 2008 is a result of reduced average borrowings under our $30,000 revolving credit facility with Frost Gamma Investments Trust (“Frost Gamma”), an affiliate of Dr. Phillip Frost, our chairman of the board and principal shareholder, which we entered into in 2007, and repayments of promissory notes issued in connection with the Investacorp and Triad acquisitions. An approximate $33,000 average balance was outstanding for the 2009 period, as compared with an average debt outstanding of $35,000 for the 2008 period. As discussed above, in August, 2009, we entered into a seven-year, $10,000 forgivable loan with NFS. We used the NFS loan proceeds, which bear interest at a lower rate than our revolving credit agreement, to repay amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility.

The $442 (13%) increase in depreciation and amortization expense is primarily due to additional Triad expense of $713, of which $666 is attributed to the amortization of intangible assets related to the acquisition.

 

The $2,119 (28%) increase in other expense in 2009 as compared to 2008 is primarily attributable to the addition of Triad expense of $1,666, increased bad debt and settlement expense of $429 and a $112 increase in miscellaneous trading services.

 

We incurred income tax expense of $1,069 in 2009 as compared to $1,019 in 2008. After consideration of all the evidence, both positive and negative, management has determined that a valuation allowance at December 31, 2009 was necessary to fully offset the deferred tax assets based on the likelihood of future realization. Our current deferred income tax liabilities increased by approximately $946 during 2009 due to goodwill amortization for tax purposes. The income tax rates for the 2009 and 2008 periods do not bear a customary relationship to effective tax rates primarily as a result of the increase in the valuation allowance in the 2008 and 2009 period.

 

Year ended December 31, 2008 compared to year ended December 31, 2007

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, we had a net loss of $20,263 compared to net income of $9,391 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. Net loss for 2008 included $6,265 of non-cash compensation expense and was reduced by a $519 gain on the sale of exchange memberships. Net income for 2007 was reduced by a $1,833 loss on extinguishment of debt and $6,694 of non-cash compensation expense.

 

Our total revenues for 2008 increased $25,144 (26%) from 2007, primarily as a result of increased commissions and fees of $65,319 generated by Investacorp and Triad, offset by decreased investment banking revenue of $40,687. 2008 revenues include $58,000 of revenues from Investacorp and $21,190 of revenues from Triad from the date of acquisition (August 13, 2008). 2007 revenue did not include Triad and only included Investacorp revenue of $12,191 from October 19, 2007 to year end.

 

Excluding non-cash compensation expense of $6,265 in 2008 and $6,694 in 2007 and loss on extinguishment of debt of $1,833 in 2007, our expenses increased in 2008 by $56,554 (73%) from 2007 primarily as a result of an increase in commissions and fees of $51,778 primarily from Investacorp and Triad, an increase in interest expense of $2,230, an increase in professional services of $2,032, an increase in brokerage, communication and clearance fees of $2,034, an increase in rent and occupancy of $1,915, an increase in depreciation and amortization of $1,801, and an increase in other expenses of $1,038, offset by a decrease in compensation and benefits of $6,274. The 2008 expenses included $20,858 of expenses attributable to Triad’s operations commencing August 13, 2008 and the 2008 and 2007 periods included expenses for Investacorp of $55,975 and $11,246, respectively, attributable to Investacorp’s operations commencing with its acquisition on October 19, 2007.

 

The $40,687 (73%) decrease in 2008 investment banking revenue was primarily due to unfavorable market conditions, a decrease in the number of SPAC offerings in which Ladenburg participated and a decrease in the number of completed SPAC business combinations. Ladenburg led or co-managed five SPAC offerings in 2008 compared to 29 offerings in 2007. This reduction in the number of new SPAC offerings caused a $35,796 decline in revenues in 2008. The reduction in the number of completed SPAC business combinations resulted in a $4,420 decrease in investment banking revenue. Revenues from advisory services and private placement transaction fees decreased $471 from the prior year period.

 

The $65,319 (204%) increase in commissions and fees revenue in 2008 as compared to 2007 is attributable to an additional $62,764 from the operations of Triad and Investacorp and an increase in the number of institutional sales representatives at Ladenburg.

 

The $307 (10%) decrease in asset management revenue in 2008 as compared to 2007 was primarily due to unfavorable market conditions resulting in decreased assets under management. Revenues associated with Triad and Investacorp client assets are included in commissions and fees revenue, rather than asset management revenue, which relates to Ladenburg and LTAM.

 

The $2,987 (1,190%) decrease in principal transactions revenue in 2008 as compared to 2007 was primarily due to unfavorable market conditions, partially offset by realized gains in sales of Ladenburg’s Boston Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange memberships.

The $1,329 (45%) increase in interest and dividends in 2008 as compared to 2007 is primarily attributable to the addition of Investacorp and Triad, which combined had an increase of $1,668 in interest and dividends. Ladenburg interest and dividends decreased due to lower interest rates.

 

The $2,477 (112%) increase in other income in 2008 as compared to 2007 is primarily attributable to the addition of Investacorp and Triad which together contributed $3,682 and $804 in 2008 and 2007, respectively. Ladenburg’s other income decreased $397, primarily due to a decrease of $294 in transaction fee rebates.

 

The $6,274 (13%) decrease in compensation and benefits expense in 2008 as compared to 2007 was primarily due to a $18,092 decrease in producers’ compensation which is directly correlated with a decrease in Ladenburg’s revenue production, a $12,174 increase in salaries, bonuses, payroll taxes and employee benefits, and a $622 decrease in amortization of cash held in escrow as security for obligations under a prior acquisition agreement. The increase in salaries, bonuses and benefits resulted from an increase in the average headcount for salaried Ladenburg employees primarily resulting from the Punk Ziegel acquisition, and an increase of $7,074 for Investacorp’s and Triad’s employees in the 2008 period. During the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, Ladenburg reduced the size of its workforce.

 

The $429 (6%) decrease in non-cash compensation expense in 2008 as compared to 2007 is primarily due to a decrease of $3,162 for the amortization of unearned compensation for our warrants and common stock held in escrow for the principal shareholders of Capitalink, an investment bank we acquired, which was amortized over 15 months beginning on October 18, 2006, the date of acquisition, and a decrease of $90 for the amortization of unearned compensation from stock issued to employees in 2005 at below market prices, partially offset by increased compensation expense of $2,823 attributable to option grants to employees, directors and consultants (including $1,619 to Investacorp employees).

 

The $2,034 (51%) increase in brokerage, communication and clearance fees expense is primarily attributable to increased institutional trading and the addition of Investacorp and Triad expense of $1,585.

 

The $1,915 (147%) increase in rent and occupancy, net of sublease revenue in 2008 as compared to 2007 is primarily attributable to an increase of $1,371 for Ladenburg’s additional leased property and Investacorp and Triad expense of $551.

 

The $2,032 (52%) increase in professional services expense during 2008 is primarily due to an increase of $1,569 in legal, $414 for audit, tax and 404 compliance and $49 in consulting fees and corporate development activities.

 

The $2,230 (97%) increase in interest expense in 2008 as compared to 2007 is a result of borrowings under our credit facility which we entered into 2007 and promissory notes issued in connection with the Investacorp and Triad acquisitions. An approximate $35,000 average balance was outstanding for the 2008 period, as compared with an average debt outstanding of $6,000 for the 2007 period.

 

The $1,801 (121%) increase in depreciation and amortization expense is primarily attributable to the addition of Triad and Investacorp expense of $1,524 and the additional expense related to Punk Ziegel.

 

The $1,038 (16%) increase in other expense in 2008 as compared to 2007 is primarily attributable to the addition of Investacorp for the full year in 2008 and Triad expense of $2,307, partially offset by a decrease of $1,136 in Ladenburg’s bad debt and settlement expense.

 

We incurred income tax expense of $1,019 in 2008 as compared to $513 in 2007. After consideration of all the evidence, both positive and negative, management has determined that a valuation allowance at December 31, 2008 was necessary to fully offset the deferred tax assets based on the likelihood of future realization. Our current deferred income tax liabilities increased by approximately $780 during 2008 due to goodwill amortization for tax purposes. The income tax rates for the 2008 and 2007 periods do not bear a customary relationship to effective tax rates primarily as a result of the increase in the valuation allowance in the 2008 period and recognized tax benefits from net operating loss carryforwards from prior years utilized to offset taxable income in the 2007 and 2006 periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Approximately 23% of our total assets at December 31, 2009 consisted of cash and cash equivalents, securities owned and receivables from clearing brokers and other broker-dealers, all of which fluctuate, depending upon the levels of customer business and trading activity. Receivables from broker-dealers, which are primarily from clearing brokers, turn over rapidly. As a securities dealer, our broker-dealer subsidiaries may carry significant levels of securities inventories to meet customer needs. A relatively small percentage of our total assets are fixed. The total assets or the individual components of total assets may vary significantly from period to period because of changes relating to economic and market conditions, and proprietary trading strategies.

 

Each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad is subject to the SEC’s net capital rules. Ladenburg and Triad are also subject to the CFTC’s net capital rules. Therefore, they are subject to certain restrictions on the use of capital and their related liquidity. At December 31, 2009, Ladenburg’s regulatory net capital, as defined, of $2,383, exceeded minimum capital requirements of $500, by $1,883. At December 31, 2009, Investacorp’s regulatory net capital, as defined, of $694, exceeded minimum capital requirements of $315, by $379. At December 31, 2009, Triad’s regulatory net capital, as defined, of $937 exceeded minimum net capital requirements of $292 by $645. Failure to maintain the required net capital may subject Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad to suspension or expulsion by FINRA, the SEC and other regulatory bodies and ultimately may require its liquidation. The net capital rule also prohibits the payment of dividends, redemption of stock and prepayment or payment of principal of subordinated indebtedness if net capital, after giving effect to the payment, redemption or prepayment, would be less than specified percentages of the minimum net capital requirement. Compliance with the net capital rule could limit Ladenburg’s operations that require the intensive use of capital, such as underwriting and trading activities, and also could restrict our ability to withdraw capital from our subsidiaries, which in turn, could limit our ability to pay dividends and repay debt.

 

In addition to regulatory net capital restrictions, Investacorp also is contractually restricted from declaring a dividend to us which would result in its retained earnings and paid-in capital falling below the then outstanding principal balance of the promissory note issued to Investacorp’s former principal shareholder, which was $4,354 at December 31, 2009.

 

Our primary sources of liquidity include borrowings under our $30,000 revolving credit agreement with Frost Gamma. Borrowings under the $30,000 revolving credit agreement bear interest at a rate of 11% per annum, payable quarterly. At December 31, 2009, $18,450 was outstanding under the revolving credit agreement. We used the proceeds of the $10,000 NFS forgivable loan to repay a portion of the amount outstanding under our revolving credit facility. We may repay or re-borrow outstanding amounts under our revolving credit facility at any time prior to the amended maturity date of August 25, 2016, without penalty. We believe our existing assets and funds available under our $30,000 revolving credit facility provide adequate funds for continuing operations at current activity levels. We are currently in compliance with all debt covenants in our debt agreements.

 

Cash used in operating activities for 2009 was $2,297 primarily due to our net loss, an increase in other receivables, net, receivables from other broker-dealers and other assets, a decrease in securities sold , but not yet purchased, partially offset by a decrease in securities owned at fair value, and receivables from clearing brokers and an increase in accrued compensation and commissions and fees payable. In 2008, cash provided by operating activities was $23,765 primarily due to a decrease in receivables from clearing brokers, receivables from other broker dealers, and other assets partially offset by our net loss, an increase in other receivables, net, a decrease in securities sold , but not yet purchased, accrued compensation, commissions and fees payable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

 

Investing activities used $48 for 2009, primarily due to the purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements partially offset by a decrease in restricted assets related to the termination of a letter of credit securing obligations under one of Ladenburg’s office leases. In 2008, investing activities used $8,259, primarily due to payments for acquisitions, and the purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements partially offset by a decrease in exchange memberships, and restricted assets related to the termination of a letter of credit securing obligations under one of Ladenburg’s office leases.

 

Financing activities provided $1,426 for 2009, primarily due to the $10,000 NFS forgivable loan agreement, loan re-borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and the issuance of common stock upon option exercises and

under the employee stock purchase plan, partially offset by repayments of notes payable and common stock repurchases. In 2008, financing activities used $17,480 primarily due to repayments of amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility and other notes payable, and common stock repurchases partially offset by the issuance of common stock.

 

At December 31, 2009, we were obligated under several non-cancelable lease agreements for office space, which provide for future minimum lease payments aggregating approximately $32,865 through 2015, exclusive of escalation charges. We have subleased vacant space under subleases which entitle us to receive rents aggregating approximately $25,918 through such date.

 

In connection with the Investacorp acquisition, we entered into the $30,000 credit agreement and issued a $15,000 promissory note to Investacorp’s former principal shareholder. During 2009, we re-borrowed a net amount of $450 under the $30,000 credit agreement. Under the revolving credit facility, we may prepay outstanding amounts without penalty, and reborrow amounts up to the credit limit, prior to the August 2016 maturity date. The $15,000 promissory note bears interest at 4.11% per annum and is payable in 36 monthly installments. At December 31, 2009, the outstanding balance of this note was $4,354.

 

In connection with the Triad acquisition, we issued a $5,000 promissory note to Triad’s former shareholders. The note bears interest at a rate of 2.51% per annum and is payable quarterly. The outstanding balance of this note at December 31, 2009 was $2,962.

 

In March 2007, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2,500,000 shares of our common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions depending on market conditions. The repurchase program is being funded using approximately 15% of our EBITDA, as adjusted. As of December 31, 2009, 947,824 shares had been repurchased for $1,689 under the program.

 

In April 2009, the Company repurchased 4,500,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.60 per share (an aggregate of $2,700) in a privately-negotiated transaction. This purchase was not made under the Company’s share repurchase program, which remains in effect.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Each of Ladenburg, Investacorp and Triad, as guarantor of its customer accounts to its clearing broker, is exposed to off-balance-sheet risks in the event that its customers do not fulfill their obligations with the clearing broker. Also, if Ladenburg, Investacorp or Triad maintains a short position in certain securities, it is exposed to future off-balance-sheet market risk, since its ultimate obligation may exceed the amount recognized in the financial statements.

 

Please see Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The table below summarizes information about our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009 and the effects these obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in the future years.

 

 

 

We have subleased office space in various locations to subtenants, some of whom are engaged in the financial services industry. Should any of the sub-tenants experience financial difficulty, or otherwise not pay their rent for an extended period of time, it may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Market Risk

 

Market risk generally represents the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in the value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates, equity and commodity prices, changes in the implied volatility of interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity and commodity prices and also changes in the credit ratings of either the issuer or its related country of origin. Market risk is inherent to both derivative and non-derivative financial instruments, and accordingly, the scope of our market risk management procedures extends beyond derivatives to include all market risk sensitive financial instruments.

 

Current and proposed underwriting, corporate finance, merchant banking and other commitments are subject to due diligence reviews by our senior management, as well as professionals in the appropriate business and support units involved. Credit risk related to various financing activities is reduced by the industry practice of obtaining and maintaining collateral. We monitor our exposure to counterparty risk through the use of credit exposure information, the monitoring of collateral values and the establishment of credit limits.

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

We and our representatives may from time to time make oral or written “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including any statements that may be contained in the foregoing discussion in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, in this report and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in our reports to shareholders, which reflect our expectations or beliefs with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and, in connection with the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, we have identified under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A above, important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement made by or on behalf of us.

 

Results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results included in these forward-looking statements as a result of these or other factors. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of us.

 

 

The information in Item 7 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk” is incorporated herein by reference.

 

See the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, together with the report thereon of Eisner LLP dated March 15, 2010 beginning on page F-1 of this report which are incorporated by reference in this Item 8.

 

 

None.

 

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15)e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, and, based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and to our Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

 

(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

 

(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

In connection with this annual report on Form 10-K, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer evaluated, with the participation of our management, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on management’s evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer each concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009.

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

None.

 

 

 

This information will be contained in our definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year covered by this report, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

This information will be contained in our definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year covered by this report, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

This information will be contained in our definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year covered by this report, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

This information will be contained in our definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year covered by this report, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

This information will be contained in our definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of our fiscal year covered by this report, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(a)(1): Index to 2009 Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, together with the report thereon of Eisner LLP dated March 15, 2010, appear beginning on page F-1 of this report.

 

(a)(2): Financial Statement Schedules

 

Financial statement schedules not included in this report have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

(a)(3): Exhibits Filed

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
(Registrant)

 

Dated: March 16, 2010

 

Name:     Brett H. Kaufman

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

The undersigned directors and officers of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. hereby constitute and appoint Brett H. Kaufman, Richard J. Lampen and Mark Zeitchick, and each of them, with full power to act without the other and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact with full power to execute in our name and behalf in the capacities indicated below, this annual report on Form 10-K and any and all amendments thereto and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby ratify and confirm all that such attorneys-in-fact, or any of them, or their substitutes shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 16, 2010.

 

 

LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
ITEMS 8 and 15(a) (1) AND (2)

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Financial Statements of the Registrant and its subsidiaries required to be included in Items 8 and 15(a) (1) and (2) are listed below:

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

 

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ Eisner LLP

New York, New York

March 15, 2010

LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES
IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)