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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP - Annual Report: 2005 (Form 10-K)

Form 10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-K

 


(Mark One)

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 0-27812

 


MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

DELAWARE   04-3291176
(State of Incorporation)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

437 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(212) 328-2100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


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

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

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of class)

 


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    YES  ¨    NO  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    YES  ¨    NO  x

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

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

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

Large Accelerated Filer  ¨            Accelerated Filer  x            Non-Accelerated Filer  ¨

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

The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the last reported price at which the stock was sold on June 30, 2005 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter) was $9.45.

The number of outstanding shares of registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.01, as of March 13, 2006 was 18,589,098.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the registrant’s fiscal
year-end of December 31, 2005, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 



Table of Contents

MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

2005 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

   3

ITEM 1. BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

   3

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

   16

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMMENTS

   21

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

   21

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   22

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   22

PART II

   22

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON STOCK, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

   22

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   23

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   24

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   42

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

   42

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

   42

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   43

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

   45

PART III

   45

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

   45

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   45

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

   45

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

   45

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

   45

PART IV

   46

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

   46

SIGNATURES

   49

CERTIFICATIONS

   53

 

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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes to those statements and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.

This report contains forward-looking statements relating to future events and future performance of the Company within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s expectations, beliefs, intentions, or future strategies that are signified by the words expects, anticipates, intends, believes, or similar language. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that its business and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties.

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY

GENERAL

Medallion Financial Corp. (the Company) is a specialty finance company that has a leading position in originating, acquiring, and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses, and in originating consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, and horse trailers. Our core philosophy has been “In niches there are riches.” We try to identify markets that are profitable and where we can be an industry leader. Since 1996, the year in which the Company became a public company, we have increased our taxicab medallion loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 14%, and our commercial loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 15%. Total assets under our management, which includes assets serviced for third party investors, were approximately $802,000,000 as of December 31, 2005, and have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 16% from $215,000,000 at the end of 1996.

The Company conducts its business through various wholly-owned subsidiaries including its primary taxicab medallion lending company, Medallion Funding Corp. (MFC). The Company also currently conducts business through Medallion Business Credit, LLC (MBC), an originator of loans to small businesses for the purpose of financing inventory and receivables; Medallion Capital, Inc. (MCI), which conducts a mezzanine financing business; Freshstart Venture Capital Corp. (FSVC), a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans; and Medallion Bank (MB), a bank regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions to originate taxicab medallion, commercial, and consumer loans; to raise deposits; and to conduct other banking activities. MFC, MCI, and FSVC operate as SBICs and are regulated and financed in part by the SBA. Until October 2005, the Company also conducted business through Business Lenders, LLC (BLL), licensed under the US Small Business Administration (SBA) Section 7(a) program. On October 17, 2005, the Company completed the sale of the loan portfolio and related assets of BLL. In connection with this transaction, the Company sold assets in the amount of $22,799,000, less liabilities assumed by the buyer in the amount of $2,327,000. The assets were sold at book value, and therefore no gain or loss, excluding transaction costs, was recognized as a result of this transaction. For 2005, BLL generated net decrease in net assets resulting from operations of $1,003,000, compared to a net decrease of $419,000 for 2004, and BLL’s net investment loss after taxes was $696,000, compared to a loss of $201,000 in 2004.

As an adjunct to the Company’s taxicab medallion finance business, the Company previously operated a taxicab rooftop advertising business through two subsidiaries, the primary operator Medallion Taxi Media, Inc. (Media), and a small operating subsidiary in Japan (MMJ) (together MTM). During the 2004 third quarter, Media was merged with and into a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (CCU), and MMJ was sold in a stock sale to its management. The Company no longer conducts a taxicab rooftop advertising business.

Alvin Murstein, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has over 45 years of experience in the ownership, management, and financing of taxicab medallions and other commercial businesses. Andrew Murstein, the Company’s President, is the third generation in his family to participate in the business.

We are a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act). Our investment objectives are to provide a high level of distributable income, consistent with the preservation of capital, as well as long-term growth of net asset value. Since our initial public offering (IPO) in 1996, we have paid dividends in excess of $90,000,000 or $6.31 per share.

 

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We have elected to be treated as a Business Development Company registered under the 1940 Act. Traditionally, the Company and each of its corporate subsidiaries other than Media and MB (the RIC subsidiaries) have elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). As RICs, the Company and each of the RIC subsidiaries are not subject to US federal income tax on any gains or investment company taxable income (which includes, among other things, dividends and interest income reduced by deductible expenses) that it distributes to its shareholders, if at least 90% of its investment company taxable income for that taxable year is distributed. It is the Company’s and the RIC subsidiaries’ policy to comply with the provisions of the Code. The Company did not qualify to be treated as a RIC for 2003. As a result, the Company was treated as a taxable entity in 2003, which had an immaterial effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations for 2003. The Company qualified and filed its federal tax returns as a RIC for 2004 and anticipates doing so again in 2005.

As a result of the above, for 2003 income taxes were provided under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” as the Company was treated as a taxable entity for tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company recognized current and deferred tax consequences for all transactions recognized in the consolidated financial statements, calculated based upon the enacted tax laws, including tax rates in effect for current and future years. Valuation allowances were established for deferred tax assets when it was more likely than not that they would not be realized.

Media and MB are not RICs and are taxed as regular corporations. For 2003, Media’s losses were included in the tax calculation of the Company along with MFC. For 2004, Media filed a partial year tax return covering the period prior to the merger with CCU.

During the 2004 second quarter, BLL changed its tax status from that of a disregarded “pass-through” entity of the Company to that of a company taxable as a corporation. For the 2005 and 2004 periods, BLL had no tax liability as a result of this election.

MEDALLION LOAN PORTFOLIO

Taxicab medallion loans of approximately $449,673,000 comprised 62% of our $723,253,000 net investment portfolio as of December 31, 2005. Since 1979, we have originated, on a combined basis, approximately $532,407,000 in medallion loans in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Newark, Cambridge, and other cities within the United States. Our medallion loan portfolio consists of mostly fixed-rate loans, collateralized by first security interests in taxicab medallions and related assets. As of December 31, 2005, approximately 78% of the principal amount of our medallion loans were in New York City. We estimate that the average loan-to-value ratio of all of the medallion loans was approximately 60% at December 31, 2005.

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) estimates that the total value of all of New York City taxicab medallions and related assets exceeds $5 billion. We estimate that the total value of all taxicab medallions and related assets in the US exceeds $6.4 billion. We believe that we will continue to develop growth opportunities by further penetrating the highly fragmented medallion financing marketplace. Additionally, in the future, the Company may enhance its portfolio growth rate through selective acquisitions of medallion financing businesses and their related portfolios. Since our initial public offering, we have acquired several additional medallion loan portfolios.

Portfolio Characteristics

Medallion loans generally require equal monthly payments covering accrued interest and amortization of principal over a ten to fifteen year schedule, subject to a balloon payment of all outstanding principal after four or five years. More recently, we have begun to originate loans with one-to-three year maturities where interest rates are adjusted and a new maturity period set. Borrowers may prepay medallion loans upon payment of a fee of approximately 90 days’ interest. We believe that the likelihood of prepayment is a function of changes in interest rates and medallion values. Borrowers are more likely to exercise prepayment rights in a decreasing interest rate environment when the interest rates payable on their loans are high relative to prevailing interest rates, and we believe that they are less likely to prepay in a rising interest rate environment. We generally retain the medallion loans we originate; however, from time to time, we participate or sell shares of some loans or portfolios to interested third party financial institutions. In these cases, we retain the borrower relationships and service the sold loans. The total amount of medallion loans under management was $458,457,000 at December 31, 2005, compared to $409,001,000 at December 31, 2004.

 

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At December 31, 2005, substantially all medallion loans were collateralized by first security interests in taxicab medallions and related assets (vehicles, meters, and the like), and were originated at an approximate loan-to-value ratio range of 80-90%. In addition, we have recourse against the vast majority of direct and indirect owners of the medallions who personally guarantee the loans. Although personal guarantees increase the commitment of borrowers to repay their loans, there can be no assurance that the assets available under personal guarantees would, if required, be sufficient to satisfy the obligations subject to such guarantees.

We believe that our medallion loan portfolio is of high credit quality because medallions have generally increased in value and are relatively simple to repossess and resell in an active market. In the past, when a borrower has defaulted on a loan, we have repossessed the medallion collateralizing that loan. If the loan was not brought current, the medallion was sold in the active market at prices at or in excess of the amounts due. Although some of the medallion loans have from time to time been in arrears or in default, our loss experience on medallion loans has been negligible.

Market Position

We have originated and serviced medallion loans since 1979, and have established a leading position in the industry. Management has a long history of owning, managing, and financing taxicab fleets, taxicab medallions, and corporate car services, dating back to 1956. Medallion loans collateralized by New York City taxicab medallions and related assets comprised 78% of the value of the medallion loan portfolio at December 31, 2005. The balance of medallion loans is collateralized by taxicab medallions in Chicago, Boston, Newark, Cambridge, and other cities within the United States. We believe that there are significant growth opportunities in these and other metropolitan markets nationwide.

The following table displays information on medallion loans outstanding in each of our major markets at December 31, 2005.

 

     # of Loans   

% of

Medallion

Loan

Portfolio (1)

   

Average

Interest

Rate (2)

   

Principal

Balance

 

Medallion loans

         

New York

   1,303    78 %   6.23 %   $ 351,013,972  

Chicago

   342    12     6.99       52,241,611  

Boston

   171    6     7.47       27,879,446  

Newark

   68    2     8.49       6,541,369  

Cambridge

   32    1     7.21       5,663,785  

Other

   45    1     7.53       6,464,175  
                     

Total medallion loans

   1,961    100 %   6.46       449,804,358  
                   

Deferred loan acquisition costs

            1,216,687  

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            (1,348,535 )
               

Net medallion loans

          $ 449,672,510  
               

(1) Based on principal balance outstanding.
(2) Based on the contractual adjustable or fixed rates of the portfolios at December 31, 2005.

The New York City Market. A New York City taxicab medallion is the only permitted license to operate a taxicab and accept street hails in New York City. As reported by the TLC, individual (owner-driver) medallions sold for approximately $350,000 and corporate medallions sold for approximately $391,000 at December 31, 2005. The number of taxicab medallions is limited by law, and as a result of the limited supply of medallions, an active market for medallions has developed. The law limiting the number of medallions also stipulates that the ownership for the 12,779 medallions outstanding at December 31, 2005 shall remain divided into 5,112 individual medallions and 7,667 fleet or corporate medallions. Corporate medallions are more valuable because they can be aggregated by businesses, leased to drivers, and operated for more than one shift. In 2003 the state legislature and city council authorized the TLC to sell up to 900 additional medallion licenses, 592 of these were sold via auctions in 2004. It is anticipated that the remaining 308 will be auctioned off in 2006. The City announced a 25% fare hike to support the increased level of medallions, which took effect in the 2004 second quarter. The results of the auctions held were highly successful with a large number of bids received, and record-setting medallion values established. The floor on the remaining auction bids is expected to be the current market values at the date of the auction, which as of January 2006 are in excess of $390,000 for a corporate medallion. Although there can be no assurances, in past auctions, the establishment of a bid floor has tended to support the existing valuation level of the medallions.

 

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A prospective medallion owner must qualify under the medallion ownership standards set and enforced by the TLC. These standards prohibit individuals with criminal records from owning medallions, require that the funds used to purchase medallions be derived from legitimate sources, and mandate that taxicab vehicles and meters meet TLC specifications. In addition, before the TLC will approve a medallion transfer, the TLC requires a letter from the seller’s insurer stating that there are no outstanding claims for personal injuries in excess of insurance coverage. After the transfer is approved, the owner’s taxicab is subject to quarterly TLC inspections.

Most New York City medallion transfers are handled through approximately 30 medallion brokers licensed by the TLC. In addition to brokering medallions, these brokers also arrange for TLC documentation insurance, vehicles, meters, and financing. The Company has excellent relations with many of the most active brokers and regularly receives referrals from them. However, the Company receives most of its referrals from a small number of brokers. Brokers generated 23% of the loans originated for the year-ended December 31, 2005.

The Chicago Market. We estimate that Chicago medallions currently sell for approximately $50,000. Pursuant to a municipal ordinance, the number of outstanding medallions is currently capped at 6,800, which includes an additional 150 and 200 medallions that were auctioned and placed into service in July 1999 and December 2000, respectively. We estimate that the total value of all Chicago medallions and related assets is over $475,000,000.

The Boston Market. We estimate that Boston medallions currently sell for approximately $325,000. The number of Boston medallions had been limited by law since 1934 to 1,525 medallions. In March 1990 an immediate increase to 1,825 was ordered with additional increases over a two and one-half year period to a total of 2,025. We estimate that the total value of all Boston medallions and related assets is over $699,000,000.

The Newark Market. We estimate that Newark medallions currently sell for approximately $210,000. The number of Newark medallions currently has been limited to 600 since 1950 by local law. We estimate that the total value of all Newark medallions and related assets is over $138,000,000.

The Cambridge Market. We estimate that Cambridge medallions currently sell for approximately $312,000. The number of Cambridge medallions has been limited to 248 since 1945 by a Cambridge city ordinance. We estimate that the total value of all Cambridge medallions and related assets is over $82,000,000.

COMMERCIAL LOAN PORTFOLIO

Commercial loans of $145,797,000 comprised 20% of the $723,253,000 net investment portfolio as of December 31, 2005. From the inception of the commercial loan business in 1987 through December 31, 2005, we have originated more than 10,000 commercial loans for an aggregate principal amount of approximately $718,440,000. The commercial loan portfolio consists of floating-rate, adjustable, and fixed-rate loans. We had increased our commercial loan activity in recent years to 20% of net investments, primarily because of the attractive higher yielding, floating rate nature of most of this business. The outstanding balances of commercial loans grew at a compound annual rate of 15% since 1996, although balances declined during 2002 and 2003, as the Company sought to increase liquidity by selling and not renewing certain loans, grew 55% during 2004, reflecting a return to the Company’s historical growth patterns, and grew 7% in 2005 which was dampened by the sale of $19,414,000 of BLL loans. The increase since 1996 has been primarily driven by internal growth through the origination of additional commercial loans. We plan to continue expanding our commercial loan activities by developing a more diverse borrower base, a wider geographic area of coverage, and by expanding targeted industries.

Commercial loans are generally secured by equipment, accounts receivable, real estate, and other assets, and have interest rates averaging 325 basis points over the prevailing prime rate. As with medallion loans, the vast majority of the principals of borrowers personally guarantee commercial loans. The aggregate realized loss of principal on commercial loans has averaged less than 2% per annum for the last five years.

 

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Asset Based Loans

The Company originates, manages, and services asset-based loans to small businesses who require working capital credit facilities ranging from $500,000 to $3,600,000 through its MBC subsidiary. These loans represent approximately 47% of the commercial loan portfolio. The credit facilities are secured principally by the borrower’s accounts receivable, but may also be secured by inventory, machinery, equipment and/or real estate, and are personally guaranteed by the principals. Currently, our clients are mostly located in the New York metropolitan area and include manufacturers, distributors, and service organizations. We had successfully established 46 credit lines at December 31, 2005.

Secured Mezzanine Loans

Through our MCI subsidiary we originate both senior and subordinated loans to businesses in a variety of industries, including radio and television stations, airport food service operations, and various manufacturing concerns. These loans are primarily secured by a second position on all assets of the businesses, range from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000, and represent approximately 35% of the commercial loan portfolio. Frequently, we receive warrants to purchase an equity interest in the borrowers of secured mezzanine loans.

SBA Section 7(a) loans

The Company originated loans under the Section 7(a) program of the SBA through its BLL subsidiary. The Company sold all of the Section 7(a) loans in its portfolio in connection with the sale of the assets of BLL to a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch in October 2005.

Other Secured Commercial Loans

The Company originates other commercial loans that are not concentrated in any particular industry. These loans represent approximately 18% of our commercial loan portfolio. Historically this portfolio had been made up of fixed-rate loans, but substantially all business originated over the last four years has been at adjustable interest rates, generally repricing on their anniversary date. Borrowers include food service, real estate, dry cleaner, and laundromat businesses.

The following table displays information on the types of loans outstanding in our commercial loan portfolio at December 31, 2005.

 

     # of Loans   

% of

Commercial

Net

Portfolio (1)

   

Average

Interest

Rate (2)

   

Principal

Balance

 

Commercial Loans

         

Asset-based

   78    47 %   9.64 %   $ 72,084,697  

Secured mezzanine

   35    35     14.06       53,207,394  

Other secured commercial

   154    18     7.06       28,058,435  
                     

Total commercial loans

   267    100 %   10.70       153,350,526  
                   

Deferred loan acquisition costs

            67,283  

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            (7,621,157 )
               

Net commercial loans

          $ 145,796,652  
               

(1) Based on principal balance outstanding
(2) Based on the contractual rates of the portfolios at December 31, 2005.

Portfolio Characteristics

Commercial loans finance either the purchase of the equipment and related assets necessary to open a new business or the purchase or improvement of an existing business. We have originated commercial loans in principal amounts ranging from $50,000 to approximately $5,000,000. These loans are generally retained and typically have maturities ranging from one to ten years and require equal monthly payments covering accrued interest and amortization of principal over a four to five year term. Substantially all loans generally may be prepaid with a fee ranging from 30 to 120 days’ interest. The term of, and interest rate charged on, certain of our outstanding loans are subject to SBA regulations. Under SBA regulations, the maximum rate of interest permitted on loans originated by the Company is 19%. Unlike medallion loans, for which competition precludes us from charging the maximum rate of interest permitted under SBA regulations, we are able to charge the maximum rate on certain commercial loans. We believe that the increased yield on commercial loans compensates for their higher risk relative to medallion loans and further illustrates the benefits of diversification.

 

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Commercial loans are generally originated at an average loan-to-value ratio of 70 to 75%. Substantially all of the commercial loans are collateralized by security interests in the assets being financed by the borrower. In addition, we have recourse against the vast majority of the principals of borrowers who personally guarantee the loans. Although personal guarantees increase the commitment of borrowers to repay their loans, there can be no assurance that the assets available under personal guarantees would, if required, be sufficient to satisfy the obligations secured by such guarantees. In certain cases, equipment vendors may provide full and partial recourse guarantees on loans.

CONSUMER LOAN PORTFOLIO

Consumer loans of $85,678,000 comprised 12% of our $723,253,000 net investment portfolio as of December 31, 2005. About half of the existing portfolio was purchased on April 1, 2004 from an unrelated financial institution and the transaction closed May 6, 2004. The Company started originating new adjustable rate consumer loans during the 2004 third quarter. Recreational vehicles, boats, and horse trailers located in all 50 states collateralize the loans. The portfolio is serviced by a third party subsidiary of a major commercial bank.

Portfolio Characteristics

Consumer loans generally require equal monthly payments covering accrued interest and amortization of principal over a negotiated term, generally around ten years. Interest rates offered are both floating and fixed, and certain of the floating rate notes have built in caps or floors. Borrowers may prepay consumer loans without any prepayment penalty. In general, MB has established relationships with dealers in the industry, who source most of the customers to MB.

At December 31, 2005, substantially all consumer loans were collateralized by first security interests in the recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers, and were originated at an approximate loan-to-value ratio of 95%.

We believe that our consumer loan portfolio is of acceptable credit quality given the high interest rates earned on the loans, which compensate for the higher degree of credit risk in the portfolio.

INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

The following table sets forth the components of investment activity in the investment portfolio for the periods indicated.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  

Net investments at beginning of period

   $ 643,541,008     $ 379,158,525     $ 356,246,444  

Investments originated

     337,885,639       303,369,002       248,225,892  

Repayments of investments

     (225,381,052 )     (144,835,651 )     (232,171,193 )

Cash received for sold BLL SBA Section 7(a) loans

     (19,414,095 )     —         —    

Transfers from (to) other assets/liabilities

     (7,011,897 )     (439,841 )     2,362,534  

Net increase in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (1) (2)

     (6,558,733 )     (4,539,807 )     (6,672,904 )

Amortization of origination costs

     (1,935,600 )     (1,704,194 )     (1,376,641 )

Net realized gains (losses) on investments (3)

     1,243,041       (256,347 )     11,688,310  

Realized gains on sales of loans

     884,608       474,074       856,083  

Purchase of consumer loan portfolio

     —         80,631,534       —    

CCU stock received in exchange for investment in Media

     —         31,683,703       —    
                        

Net increase (decrease) in investments

     79,711,911       264,382,483       22,912,081  
                        

Net investments at end of period

   $ 723,252,919     $ 643,541,008     $ 379,158,525  
                        

(1) Net of unrealized depreciation related to MTM of $0, $2,826,600, and $3,932,828 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.
(2) Excludes net unrealized depreciation of $1,123,136, $512,281, and $317,361 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively, related to foreclosed properties, which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(3) Excludes net realized losses of $162,037, $38,639, and $161,682 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, related to foreclosed properties, which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

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Investment Strategy

Our core philosophy has been “In niches there are riches.” We try to identify markets that are profitable and where we can be an industry leader. Core lending areas include taxicab medallion lending, automobile lending (taxicabs and limousines only), asset-based financing, and Consumer RV and marine lending. Additionally, we lend to small businesses that meet our overall credit criteria of strong collateral values and personal ability to repay the debt. Until October 2005, the Company also conducted business through Business Lenders, LLC (BLL), licensed under the US Small Business Administration (SBA) Section 7(a) program. The Company sold all of the assets of BLL to a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co. in October 2005 for book value for the assets, and received payment for all intercompany funding provided, in total, $20,472,000. In all lending divisions, we focus on making secured loans to achieve favorable yield to risk profiles and below average losses. In addition to increasing market share in existing lending markets and identifying new niches, we seek to acquire specialty finance companies that make secured loans to small businesses which have experienced historically low loan losses similar to our own. Since the Company’s initial public offering in May 1996, eight specialty finance companies, four loan portfolios, and three taxicab rooftop advertising companies have been acquired. Our most recent acquisition was the purchase of a consumer loan portfolio by MB in April 2004 for $86,309,000.

Marketing, Origination, and Loan Approval Process

We employ 16 loan originators to originate medallion and commercial loans. Each loan application is individually reviewed through analysis of a number of factors, including loan-to-value ratios, a review of the borrower’s credit history, public records, personal interviews, trade references, personal inspection of the premises, and approval from the TLC, SBA, or other regulatory body, if applicable. Each applicant is required to provide personal or corporate tax returns, premises leases, and/or property deeds. Senior management establishes loan origination criteria. Loans that conform to such criteria may be processed by a loan officer with the proper credit authority, and non-conforming loans must be approved by the Chief Executive Officer and/or the Chief Credit Officer. Both medallion and commercial loans are sourced from brokers with extensive networks of applicants, and commercial loans are also referred by contacts with banks, attorneys, and accounting firms. Consumer loans are primarily sourced through relationships which have been established with RV and boat dealers throughout our market area.

TAXICAB ROOFTOP ADVERTISING

In addition to its finance business, the Company also conducted a taxicab rooftop advertising business primarily through Media, which began operations in November 1994, and ceased operations during the 2004 third quarter upon the merger of Media with and into a subsidiary of CCU, and the sale of MMJ to its management. See Note 3 to the financial statements for additional information. Media’s revenue was affected by the number of taxicab rooftop advertising displays showing advertisements, and the rate charged customers for those displays, which totaled 6,800 in the US at the date of sale. Although Media was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, its results of operations were not consolidated with the Company’s operations because SEC regulations prohibit the consolidation of non-investment companies with investment companies.

SOURCES OF FUNDS

Overview

We have historically funded our lending operations primarily through credit facilities with bank syndicates and, to a lesser degree, through fixed-rate, senior secured notes and long-term subordinated debentures issued to or guaranteed by the SBA. Since the inception of MB, substantially all of MB’s funding has been provided by FDIC insured brokered certificates of deposit. The determination of funding sources is established by our management, based upon an analysis of the respective financial and other costs and burdens associated with funding sources. Our funding strategy and interest rate risk management strategy is to have the proper structuring of debt to minimize both rate and maturity risk, while maximizing returns with the lowest cost of funding over an intermediate period of time.

 

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The table below summarizes our cash levels and borrowings as of December 31, 2005, and amounts outstanding under credit facilities and their respective end of period weighted average interest rates at December 31, 2005. See notes 4 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information about each credit facility.

 

     Total  

Cash

   $ 43,036,000  

Bank loans (1)

     19,000,000  

Amounts available

     13,500,000  

Amounts outstanding

     8,550,000  

Average interest rate

     6.76 %

Maturity

     2/06-6/07  

Lines of credit (2)

   $ 325,000,000  

Amounts undisbursed

     20,547,000  

Amounts outstanding

     304,453,000  

Average interest rate

     4.53 %

Maturity

     9/06  

Margin loan

   $ 10,663,000  

Average interest rate

     5.00 %

Maturity

     N/A  

SBA debentures (3)

   $ 77,250,000  

Amounts undisbursed

     0  

Amounts outstanding

     77,250,000  

Average interest rate

     6.02 %

Maturity

     9/11-9/15  

Brokered CD’s

   $ 219,107,000  

Average Interest Rate

     3.47 %

Maturity

     1/06-9/09  
        

Total cash and remaining amounts undisbursed under credit facilities

   $ 77,083,000  
        

Total debt outstanding

   $ 620,022,000  
        

(1) In January 2005, MFC entered into a $4,000,000 revolving note agreement with Atlantic Bank that matures in August 2006, and is secured by medallion loans in process of being sold to the Trust.
(2) In January 2006, this line of credit was extended for an additional two years to September 2008, with the committed amount adjusting to $475,000,000.
(3) In March 2006, the SBA approved a $13,500,000 commitment for MCI to issue additional debentures to the SBA during a ten year period upon payment of a 1% fee and the infusion of $4,500,000 of additional capital.

We fund our fixed-rate loans with variable-rate credit lines and bank debt, and with fixed-rate senior secured notes and SBA debentures. The mismatch between maturities and interest-rate sensitivities of these balance sheet items results in interest rate risk. We seek to manage our exposure to increases in market rates of interest to an acceptable level by:

 

    Originating adjustable rate loans;

 

    Incurring fixed-rate debt; and

 

    Purchasing interest rate caps to hedge a portion of variable-rate debt against increases in interest rates.

Nevertheless, we accept varying degrees of interest rate risk depending on market conditions. For additional discussion of our funding sources and asset liability management strategy, see Asset/Liability Management on page 39.

OUR OPERATION AS A RIC

We previously elected to be taxed as a RIC under Sections 851 through 855 of the Internal Revenue Code for each taxable year, assuming we satisfied the qualification requirements for RIC treatment in each year. As further described herein, and in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, during taxable year 2002 we did not qualify as a RIC and were therefore subject to tax as an ordinary corporation under Subchapter C of the Code. Importantly, because we had a net operating loss for 2002, our non-qualification of RIC status did not materially affect dividend distributions to our stockholders, and produced a potentially beneficial taxable loss to carry forward. The Company qualified as a RIC in 2003, but chose to be taxed as a C Corporation in 2003 in order to better utilize the net operating loss carryforwards generated in 2002 and prior years.

 

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The sections of the Code relating to qualification and operation as a RIC are highly technical and complex. The following discussion summarizes material aspects of the sections of the Code that govern the federal income tax treatment of a RIC and the treatment of stockholders. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, rules and regulations developed under the Code and the rules, and administrative and judicial interpretations of these provisions, rules and regulations.

In general, if certain detailed conditions of the Code are met (including the election of RIC taxation in each such year), Business Development Companies, like us in previous taxable years, are generally not taxed at the corporate level on the “investment company taxable income” and net capital gains that are distributed to stockholders, where they are taxed at ordinary income and capital gains rates, respectively. The income of a non-RIC corporation is generally subject to corporate tax. In addition, stockholders who receive income from non-RIC corporations are also taxed on the income they receive at the lower capital gains rate. Thus, the income of a non-RIC corporation is subject to “double taxation” (i.e., taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels). RIC treatment reduces this “double taxation.” A RIC is, however, generally subject to federal income tax, at regular corporate rates, on undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gains.

To avoid a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on undistributed income and capital gains, we must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31st of each year at least 98% of the sum of (1) our ordinary income for such year; (2) our capital gain net income (which is the excess of our capital gain over our capital loss and is generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31st of such year); and (3) any amounts that were not distributed in the previous calendar year and on which no income tax has been paid.

As in 2002, if we do not qualify as a RIC in any year, we will be subject to income taxes as if we were a domestic corporation, and our stockholders will be taxed on any amounts distributed to them in the same manner as stockholders of an ordinary corporation. Depending on the relevant circumstances, if this were to occur, we could be subject to potentially significant tax liabilities and the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders could be reduced. In 2002, however, because we had a net operating loss we did not suffer any significant tax liabilities as a result of our loss of RIC status. Likewise, in 2003, we were not taxed as a RIC on our federal tax return, and were able to offset substantially all of our federal and state tax liabilities by the use of net operating loss carryforwards generated in prior years.

The Code’s definition of the term “RIC” includes a domestic corporation that has elected to be treated as a Business Development Company under the 1940 Act and meets certain requirements. These requirements are:

 

  (a) The Company derives at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from dividends, interest, interest payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks or securities or foreign currencies; and

 

  (b) The Company diversifies its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year,

 

  (i) At least 50% of the value of its total assets is represented by (A) cash, and cash items (including receivables), US Government securities and securities of other RICs, and (B) other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the total assets of the Company and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and

 

  (ii) Not more than 25% of the value of total assets is invested in the securities (other than US Government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or two or more issuers controlled by the company and engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses.

These income and asset diversification requirements could restrict the expansion of our banking business conducted by MB.

In addition, to qualify as a RIC under the Code, in each taxable year a company also must distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of (a) its investment company taxable income and (b) the excess of its tax-exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions.

If we satisfy these requirements, we would not be subject to federal income tax on the investment company taxable income and net capital gain distributed to our stockholders. However, any investment company taxable income and/or net capital gains retained by us would be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate income tax rates. However, we may designate retained net capital gains as a “deemed distribution” and pay a tax on this for the benefit of our stockholders.

As a RIC, if we acquire debt obligations that were originally issued at a discount, or bear interest rates that do not

 

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call for payments at fixed rates (or certain “qualified variable rates”) at regular intervals over the life of the obligation, we will be required to include, as interest income, in each year, a portion of the “original issue discount” that accrues over the life of the obligation regardless of whether we receive the income, and we will be obligated to make distributions accordingly. If this were to occur, we may borrow funds or sell assets to meet the distribution requirements. However, the 1940 Act prohibits us from making distributions to stockholders while senior securities are outstanding unless we meet certain asset coverage requirements. If we are unable to make the required distributions, we may be subject to the nondeductible 4% excise tax or we may fail to qualify as a RIC. In addition, the SBA restricts the amount of distributions to the amount of undistributed net realized earnings less the allowance for unrealized loan losses (which in our case includes unrealized depreciation).

If we qualify as a RIC, distributions made to our taxable domestic stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not designated as capital gain dividends) will be considered ordinary income to them. Distributions that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed as long-term capital gains, (to the extent they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year) without regard to the period for which the stockholder has held the stock. Corporate stockholders, however, are subject to tax on capital gain dividends at the same rate as ordinary income.

To the extent that we made (or continue to make in 2005 and beyond) distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions were (and would be) treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the stockholder, reducing the tax basis of a stockholder’s common stock by the amount of such distribution (but not below zero). Distributions in excess of the stockholder’s tax basis are taxable as capital gains (if the common stock is held as a capital asset). In addition, any dividends declared by us in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specific date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31st of such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by us during January of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any net operating losses or capital losses by us.

If we choose to retain and pay tax on any net capital gain rather than distribute such gain to our stockholders, we will designate such deemed distribution in a written notice to stockholders within 60 days after the close of the taxable year. Each stockholder would then be treated, for federal income tax income tax purposes, as if we had distributed to such stockholder, on the last day of its taxable year, the stockholder’s pro rata share of the net long-term capital gain retained by us and the stockholder had paid its pro rata share of the taxes paid by and reinvested the remainder in us.

In general, any losses upon a sale or exchange of common stock by a stockholder who has held the stock for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules) will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that distributions from us are required to be treated by the stockholder as long-term capital gains.

As noted above, we were not taxed as a RIC in 2002 or 2003, and were taxed as a RIC in 2004. If we fail to meet the RIC requirements for more than two consecutive years and then seek to requalify as a RIC, we would be required to recognize gain to the extent of any unrealized appreciation on our assets unless we make a special election to pay corporate-level tax on any such unrealized appreciation recognized during the succeeding 10-year period. Absent such special election, any gain we recognized would be deemed distributed to our stockholders as a taxable distribution.

OUR OPERATION AS A BDC

As a Business Development Company, or BDC, we are subject to regulation under the 1940 Act, and we are periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between investment companies and their affiliates, principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business in a way which would cause us to lose our status as a BDC or withdraw our election as a BDC, unless we are authorized by a vote of a “majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities,” as defined under the 1940 Act.

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock (collectively, “senior securities,” as defined under the 1940 Act) senior to the shares of common stock if the asset coverage of the indebtedness and all senior securities is at least 200% immediately after the issuance. Subordinated SBA debentures guaranteed by or issued to the SBA by our RIC subsidiaries are not subject to this asset coverage test. In addition, while senior securities are outstanding, provisions must be made to prohibit the declaration of any dividend or other distribution to stockholders (except stock dividends) or the repurchase of securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the declaration of the dividend or distribution or repurchase after deducting such dividend, distribution or repurchase price.

 

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Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act (Qualifying Assets) unless, at the time the acquisition is made, certain Qualifying Assets represent at least 70% of the value of the Company’s total assets. The principal categories of Qualifying Assets relevant to our business are the following:

 

  (1) Securities purchased in transactions not involving a public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer is an eligible portfolio company. An “eligible portfolio company” is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:

 

  (a) Is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;

 

  (b) Is not an investment company other than a SBIC wholly-owned by the BDC; and

 

  (c) Satisfies one or more of the following requirements:

 

  (i) The issuer does not have a class of securities with respect to which a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer may extend margin credit, or

 

  (ii) The issuer is controlled by a BDC, such BDC exercises a controlling influence over the issuer’s management or policies as a result of such control, and the BDC has an affiliated person serving as a director of issuer;

 

  (iii) The issuer has total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus (shareholder’s equity less retained earnings) of not less than $2 million, or such other amounts as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may establish by rule, regulation, or order; or

 

  (iv) Issuer meets such other criteria as the SEC may establish from time to time by rule;

 

  (2) Securities for which there is no public market and which are purchased in transactions not involving a public offering from the issuer of such securities where the issuer is an eligible portfolio company which is controlled by the BDC;

 

  (3) Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) or (2) above, or pursuant to the exercise of options, warrants or rights relating to such securities; and

 

  (4) Cash.

In addition, a BDC’s cash items, government securities, or high quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, must have been organized (and have its principal place of business) in the US for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1) or (2) above.

To count securities as Qualifying Assets for the purpose of the 70% test, a BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must make available to the issuer of the securities significant managerial assistance; except that, where a BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available the required managerial assistance.

REGULATION BY THE SBA

MFC, MCI, and FSVC each operate as an SBIC. The Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (SBIA) authorizes the organization of SBICs as vehicles for providing equity capital, long term financing, and management assistance to small business concerns. The SBIA and the SBA regulations define a “small business concern” as a business that is independently owned and operated, which does not dominate its field of operation and which (i) has a net worth, together with any affiliates, of $18.0 million or less and average annual net income after US federal income taxes for the preceding two years of $6.0 million or less (average annual net income is computed without the benefit of any carryover loss), or (ii) satisfies alternative criteria under SBA regulations that focus on the industry in which the business is engaged and the number of persons employed by the business or its gross revenues. In addition, at the end of each year, at least 20% of the total amount of loans made after April 25, 1994 must be made in “smaller businesses” which have a net worth of $6.0 million or less and average net income after federal income taxes for the preceding two years of $2.0 million or less. SBA Regulations also prohibit an SBIC from providing funds to a small business concern for certain purposes, such as relending and reinvestment.

 

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MFC is authorized to make loans to borrowers other than disadvantaged businesses (that is, businesses that are at least 50% owned, and controlled and managed, on a day to day basis, by a person or persons whose participation in the free enterprise system is hampered because of social or economic disadvantage) if, at the time of the loan, MFC has in its portfolio, outstanding loans to disadvantaged businesses with an aggregate cost basis equal to or exceeding the value of the unamortized repurchase discount under the preferred stock repurchase agreement between MFC and the SBA, which is currently zero.

Under current SBA Regulations, the maximum rate of interest that MFC may charge may not exceed the higher of (i) 19% or (ii) the sum of (a) the higher of (i) that company’s weighted average cost of qualified borrowings, as determined under SBA Regulations, or (ii) the current SBA debenture rate, plus (b) 11%, rounded to the next lower eighth of one percent. At December 31, 2005, our outstanding medallion loans had a weighted average rate of interest of 6.46% and our outstanding commercial loans had a weighted average rate of interest of 10.70%. Current SBA Regulations also require that each loan originated by an SBIC have a term of between one and 20 years; loans to disadvantaged businesses also may be for a minimum term of one year.

The SBA restricts the ability of SBICs to repurchase their capital stock, to retire their SBA debentures, and to lend money to their officers, directors, and employees or invest in affiliates thereof. The SBA also prohibits, without prior SBA approval, a “change of control” or transfers which would result in any person (or group of persons acting in concert) owning 10% or more of any class of capital stock of an SBIC. A “change of control” is any event which would result in the transfer of the power, direct or indirect, to direct the management and policies of an SBIC, whether through ownership, contractual arrangements or otherwise.

Under SBA Regulations, without prior SBA approval, loans by licensees with outstanding SBA leverage to any single small business concern may not exceed 20% of an SBICs regulatory capital, as defined, however, under the terms of the respective conversion agreements with the SBA, MFC is authorized to make loans to disadvantaged borrowers in amounts not exceeding 30% of its respective regulatory capital.

SBICs must invest idle funds that are not being used to make loans in investments permitted under SBA Regulations. These permitted investments include direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the government of the US with a term of 15 months or less and deposits maturing in one year or less issued by an institution insured by the FDIC. These permitted investments must be maintained in (i) direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the US, which mature within 15 months from the date of the investment; (ii) repurchase agreements with federally insured institutions with a maturity of seven days or less if the securities underlying the repurchase agreements are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the US, and such securities must be maintained in a custodial account in a federally insured institution; (iii) certificates of deposit with a maturity of one year or less, issued by a federally insured institution; (iv) a deposit account in a federally insured institution, subject to a withdrawal restriction of one year or less; (v) a checking account in a federally insured institution; or (vi) a reasonable petty cash fund.

SBICs may purchase voting securities of small business concerns in accordance with SBA Regulations. Although prior regulations prohibited an SBIC from controlling a small business concern except in limited circumstances, regulations adopted by SBA on October 22, 2002 (pursuant to Public Law 106-554) now allow an SBIC to exercise control over a small business for a period of seven years from the date on which the SBIC initially acquires its control position. This control period may be extended for an additional period of time with SBA’s prior written approval.

MEDALLION BANK’S OPERATION AS AN INDUSTRIAL BANK

In May 2002, the Company formed MB, which received approval from the FDIC for federal deposit insurance in October 2003. MB, a Utah-chartered industrial bank, is a depository institution subject to regulatory oversight and examination by both the FDIC and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Under its banking charter, MB is empowered to make consumer and commercial loans, and may accept all FDIC-insured deposits other than demand deposits (checking accounts). The creation of MB allows the Company to apply stable and low-cost bank deposit funding for key lending business activities throughout the Company, which initially included taxicab medallion and asset-based lending, and now also includes consumer loans.

 

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MB is subject to certain federal laws that restrict and control its ability to extend credit and provide or receive services between affiliates. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements. In addition, the FDIC has regulatory authority to prohibit MB from engaging in any unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its business. The effects of, and changes in, the level of regulatory scrutiny, regulatory requirements and initiatives, including certain mandatory and possibly discretionary actions by federal and State of Utah regulators, restrictions and limitations imposed by banking laws, examinations, audits, and possible agreements between MB and it regulators may affect the operations of MB.

MB is further subject to capital adequacy guidelines issued by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (the FFIEC). These guidelines make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banking organizations and consider off-balance sheet exposures in determining capital adequacy. Under the rules and regulations of the FFIEC, at least half of a bank’s total capital is required to be Tier I capital, comprised of common equity, retained earnings and a limited amount of non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock. The remaining capital, Tier II capital, may consist of other preferred stock, certain hybrid debt/equity instruments, a limited amount of term-subordinated debt, or a limited amount of the reserve for possible credit losses. The FFIEC has also adopted minimum leverage ratios for banks, which are calculated by dividing Tier I capital by total average assets. Recognizing that the risk-based capital standards address only credit risk, and not interest rate, liquidity, operational, or other risks, many banks are expected to maintain capital in excess of the minimum standards.

In addition, pursuant to provisions of the FDIC Improvement Act of 1991 (FDICIA) and related regulations with respect to prompt corrective action, FDIC-insured institutions such as MB may only accept brokered deposits without FDIC permission if they meet specified capital standards, and are subject to restrictions with respect to the interest they may pay on deposits unless they are well-capitalized. To be well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action provisions, a bank must have a ratio of combined Tier I and Tier II capital to risk-weighted assets of not less than 10%, Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets of not less than 6%, and a Tier I capital to average assets of not less than 5%.

The FDIC, the Company, and MB have agreed that the capital levels of MB will at all times meet or exceed the levels required for MB to be considered well capitalized under the FDIC rules and regulations, that MB’s Tier 1 capital to total assets ratio will be maintained at not less than 15%, and that MB will maintain an adequate allowance for loan and lease losses. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements.

Transfers of Funds

Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and applicable regulations also impose restrictions on MB. These restrictions limit the transfer of funds by a depository institution to certain of its affiliates, including the Company, in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments, or purchases of assets. Sections 23A and 23B also require generally that the depository institution’s transactions with its affiliates be on terms no less favorable to MB than comparable transactions with unrelated third parties. See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements.

Legislative and Regulatory Developments

The banking and finance businesses in general are the subject of extensive regulation at the state and federal levels, and numerous legislative and regulatory proposals are advanced each year which, if adopted, could affect our profitability or the manner in which we conduct our activities. It is impossible to determine the extent of the impact of any new laws, regulations or initiatives, or whether any of the federal or state proposals will become law.

The USA Patriot Act and the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001 (the USA Patriot Act) was enacted on October 26, 2001, and is intended to detect and prosecute terrorism and international money laundering. The USA Patriot Act establishes new standards for verifying customer identification incidental to the opening of new accounts. MB has undertaken appropriate measures to comply with the USA Patriot Act and associated regulations. Other provisions of the USA Patriot Act provide for special information sharing procedures governing communications with the government and other financial institutions with respect to suspected terrorists and money laundering activity, and enhancements to suspicious activity reporting, including electronic filing of suspicious activity reports over a secure filing network.

 

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COMPETITION

Banks, credit unions, and finance companies, some of which are SBICs, compete with the Company in originating medallion, commercial, and consumer loans. In addition, finance subsidiaries of equipment manufacturers also compete with the Company in originating commercial loans. Many of these competitors have greater resources than the Company and certain competitors are subject to less restrictive regulations than the Company. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to identify and complete the financing transactions that will permit it to compete successfully.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2005, the Company employed 99 persons. The Company believes that relations with all of its employees are good.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our corporate website is located at www.medallion.com. We make copies of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendment to those reports filed with or furnished to the SEC available to investors on or through our website free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with or furnish them to the SEC. Our SEC filings can be found in the For Investors section of our website, the address of which is http://www.medallion.com/investors.htm. Our Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy can be located in the Corporate Governance section of our website at http://www.medallion.com/investors_governance.htm. These documents, as well as our SEC filings are available in print to any stockholder who requests a copy from our Secretary.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Interest rate fluctuations may adversely affect the interest rate spread we receive on our taxicab medallion and commercial loans.

Because we borrow money to finance the origination of loans, our income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we loan funds. While the loans in our portfolio in most cases bear interest at fixed-rates or adjustable-rates (which adjust at various intervals), we finance a substantial portion of such loans by incurring indebtedness with adjustable or floating interest rates (which adjust immediately to changes in rates). As a result, our debt may adjust to a change in interest rates more quickly than the loans in our portfolio. In periods of sharply rising interest rates, our costs of funds would increase, which would reduce our portfolio income before net realized and unrealized gains. Accordingly, like most financial services companies, we face the risk of interest rate fluctuations. Although we intend to continue to manage our interest rate risk through asset and liability management, including the use of interest rate caps, to achieve a positive asset/liability gap at year end, general rises in interest rates may reduce our interest rate spread in the short term. In addition, we rely on our counterparties to perform their obligations under such interest rate caps.

A decrease in prevailing interest rates may lead to more loan prepayments, which could adversely affect our business.

Our borrowers generally have the right to prepay their loans upon payment of a fee ranging from 30 to 120 days interest. A borrower is likely to exercise prepayment rights at a time when the interest rate payable on the borrower’s loan is high relative to prevailing interest rates. In a lower interest rate environment, we will have difficulty re-lending prepaid funds at comparable rates, which may reduce the net interest margin we receive.

We have traditionally qualified to be a RIC, and in order to be taxed as a RIC we must distribute our income. Therefore, we may have a continuing need for capital if we continue to be taxed as a RIC in the future.

We have a continuing need for capital to finance our lending activities. Our current sources of capital and liquidity are the following:

 

    line of credit for medallion lending;

 

    raising deposits at MB;

 

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    loan amortization and prepayments;

 

    sales of participation interests in loans; and

 

    borrowings from other financial intermediaries.

In order to be taxed as a RIC, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income; consequently, we have primarily relied upon external sources of funds to finance growth. At December 31, 2005, we had $15,000,000 under a Fed Funds Line with a commercial bank, $12,343,000 available under revolving credit agreements with commercial banks, and $1,950,000 of additional deposits that can be raised by MB at existing capital levels. Additionally, In March 2006, the SBA approved a $13,500,000 commitment for MCI to issue additional debentures to the SBA during a ten year period upon payment of a 1% fee and the infusion of $4,500,000 of additional capital.

We may have difficulty raising capital to finance our planned level of lending operations.

Although the Company has demonstrated an ability to meet significant debt amortization requirements in the past, received approval to operate MB and begin raising federally-insured deposits, and has several existing sources of liquidity, there can be no assurance that additional funding sources to meet amortization requirements or future growth targets will be successfully obtained. See the additional discussion related to the credit facilities and note agreements in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section on page 40.

Due to the Company’s late filing of the 2004 Form 10-K, the Company could have restrictions imposed on it by rules of NASDAQ and the SEC. Such restrictions could include, and are not limited to, such items as not being able to file short form registration statements if the Company were to issue additional common stock to the public. The Company has no current plans for additional equity offerings.

Lending to small businesses involves a high degree of risk and is highly speculative.

Lending to small businesses involves a high degree of business and financial risk, which can result in substantial losses and should be considered speculative. Our borrower base consists primarily of small business owners that have limited resources and that are generally unable to achieve financing from traditional sources. There is generally no publicly available information about these small business owners, and we must rely on the diligence of our employees and agents to obtain information in connection with our credit decisions. In addition, these small businesses often do not have audited financial statements. Some smaller businesses have narrower product lines and market shares than their competition. Therefore, they may be more vulnerable to customer preferences, market conditions or economic downturns, which may adversely affect the return on, or the recovery of, our investment in these businesses.

Our borrowers may default on their loans.

We primarily invest in and lend to companies that may have limited financial resources. Numerous factors may affect a borrower’s ability to repay its loan, including:

 

    the failure to meet its business plan;

 

    a downturn in its industry or negative economic conditions;

 

    the death, disability or resignation of one or more of the key members of management; or

 

    the inability to obtain additional financing from traditional sources.

Deterioration of a borrower’s financial condition and prospects may be accompanied by deterioration of the collateral for the loan. Expansion of our portfolio and increases in the proportion of our portfolio consisting of commercial loans could have an adverse impact on the credit quality of the portfolio.

We borrow money, which may increase the risk of investing in our common stock.

We use financial leverage through banks and our long-term subordinated SBA debentures. Leverage poses certain risks for our stockholders, including the following:

 

    it may result in higher volatility of both our net asset value and the market price of our common stock;

 

    since interest is paid to our creditors before any income is distributed to our stockholders, fluctuations in the interest payable to our creditors may decrease the dividends and distributions to our stockholders; and

 

    in the event of a liquidation of the Company, our creditors would have claims on our assets superior to the claims of our stockholders.

 

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If we are unable to continue to diversify geographically, our business may be adversely affected if the New York City taxicab industry experiences a sustained economic downturn.

Although we have diversified from the New York City area, a significant portion of our loan revenue is derived from New York City medallion loans collateralized by New York City taxicab medallions. An economic downturn in the New York City taxicab industry could lead to an increase in defaults on our medallion loans. There can be no assurance that we will be able to sufficiently diversify our operations geographically.

An economic downturn could result in certain of our commercial and consumer loan customers experiencing declines in business activities, which could lead to difficulties in their servicing of their loans with us, and increasing the level of delinquencies, defaults, and loan losses in our commercial and consumer loan portfolios. Although the Company believes the estimates and assumptions used in determining the recorded amounts of net assets and liabilities at December 31, 2005 are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from the estimated amounts recorded in the Company’s financial statements.

The loss of certain key members of our senior management could adversely affect us.

Our success is largely dependent upon the efforts of senior management. The death, incapacity, or loss of the services of certain of these individuals could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial results. There can be no assurance that other qualified officers could be hired.

Acquisitions may lead to difficulties that could adversely affect our operations.

By their nature, corporate acquisitions entail certain risks, including those relating to undisclosed liabilities, the entry into new markets, operational, and personnel matters. We may have difficulty integrating acquired operations or managing problems due to sudden increases in the size of our loan portfolio. In such instances, we might be required to modify our operating systems and procedures, hire additional staff, obtain and integrate new equipment, and complete other tasks appropriate for the assimilation of new business activities. There can be no assurance that we would be successful, if and when necessary, in minimizing these inherent risks or in establishing systems and procedures which will enable us to effectively achieve our desired results in respect of any future acquisitions.

Competition from entities with greater resources and less regulatory restrictions may decrease our profitability.

We compete with banks, credit unions, and other finance companies, some of which are SBICs, in the origination of taxicab medallion, commercial, and consumer loans. Many of these competitors have greater resources than the Company, and certain competitors are subject to less restrictive regulations than the Company. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to identify and complete financing transactions that will permit us to continue to compete successfully.

The valuation of our loan portfolio is subjective and we may not be able to recover our estimated value in the event of a foreclosure or sale of a substantial portion of portfolio loans.

Under the 1940 Act, our loan portfolio must be recorded at fair value or “marked-to-market.” Unlike other lending institutions, we are not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses. Instead, the valuation of our investment portfolio is adjusted quarterly to reflect our estimate of the current realizable value of our loan portfolio. Since no ready market exists for this portfolio, fair value is subject to the good faith determination of our management and the approval of our Board of Directors. Because of the subjectivity of these estimates, there can be no assurance that in the event of a foreclosure or the sale of portfolio loans we would be able to recover the amounts reflected on our balance sheet. If liquidity constraints required the sale of a substantial portion of the portfolio, such an action may require the sale of certain assets at amounts less than their carrying amounts.

 

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In determining the value of our portfolio, management and the Board of Directors may take into consideration various factors such as the financial condition of the borrower and the adequacy of the collateral. For example, in a period of sustained increases in market interest rates, management and the Board of Directors could decrease its valuation of the portfolio if the portfolio consists primarily of fixed-rate loans. Our valuation procedures are designed to generate values that approximate the value that would have been established by market forces and are therefore subject to uncertainties and variations from reported results.

Considering these factors, we have determined that the fair value of our portfolio is below its cost basis. At December 31, 2005, our net unrealized depreciation on investments was approximately $12,535,793 or 1.70% of our investment portfolio. Based upon current market conditions and current loan-to-value ratios, management believes, and our Board of Directors concurs, that the net unrealized depreciation on investments is adequate to reflect the fair value of the portfolio.

Changes in taxicab industry regulations that result in the issuance of additional medallions could lead to a decrease in the value of our medallion loan collateral.

Every city in which we originate medallion loans, and most other major cities in the US, limits the supply of taxicab medallions. This regulation results in supply restrictions that support the value of medallions. Actions that loosen these restrictions and result in the issuance of additional medallions into a market could decrease the value of medallions in that market. If this were to occur, the value of the collateral securing our then outstanding medallion loans in that market could be adversely affected. New York City determined to increase the number of medallions by 900, auctioned over a three year period beginning in 2004, preceded by a 25% fare hike. The first of these auctions for 300 medallions concluded in April 2004, and the second for 300 medallions concluded in October 2004, and both generated high levels of bid activity and record medallion prices. Although there can be no assurances, we would expect the final auction in 2006 to obtain similar results. We are unable to forecast with any degree of certainty whether any other potential increases in the supply of medallions will occur.

In New York City, Chicago, Boston, and in other markets where we originate medallion loans, taxicab fares are generally set by government agencies. Expenses associated with operating taxicabs are largely unregulated. As a result, the ability of taxicab operators to recoup increases in expenses is limited in the short term. Escalating expenses can render taxicab operations less profitable, and could cause borrowers to default on loans from the Company, and could potentially adversely affect the value of the Company’s collateral. As mentioned above, New York City approved a 25% fare increase as a part of the auction program which was effective May 1, 2004.

A significant portion of our loan revenue is derived from loans collateralized by New York City taxicab medallions. According to New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission data, over the past 20 years New York City taxicab medallions have appreciated in value an average of 10% each year. However, for sustained periods during that time, taxicab medallions have declined in value. During 2005, the value of New York City taxicab medallions increased by approximately 5% for individual medallions and 4% for corporate medallions.

Our failure to re-establish our RIC status in 2004 and beyond could lead to a substantial reduction in the amount of income distributed to our shareholders.

In 2003, changes were enacted to the federal tax laws which, among other things, significantly reduced the tax rate on dividends paid to shareholders from a corporation’s previously taxed income. Assuming we qualify as a RIC for 2005 or subsequent taxable years, we are unable to predict the effect of such changes upon our common stock.

If we do not file as a RIC for more than two consecutive years, and then seek to requalify and elect RIC status, we would be required to recognize gain to the extent of any unrealized appreciation on our assets unless we make a special election to pay corporate-level tax on any such unrealized appreciation recognized during the succeeding 10-year period. Absent such special election, any gain we recognize would be deemed distributed to our stockholders as a taxable distribution.

To qualify and be taxed as a RIC, we must meet certain income, diversification, and distribution requirements. However, because we use leverage, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements set forth in the 1940 Act. These asset coverage requirements could, under certain circumstances, prohibit us from making distributions that are necessary to maintain our RIC status or require that we reduce our leverage.

 

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In addition, the asset coverage and distribution requirements impose significant cash flow management restrictions on us and limit our ability to retain earnings to cover periods of loss, provide for future growth and pay for extraordinary items. Qualification as a RIC is made on an annual basis and, although we and some of our subsidiaries qualified as regulated investment companies in the past, no assurance can be given that each will qualify for such treatment in 2005 and beyond. Failure to qualify as a RIC would subject us to tax on our income and could have material adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our SBIC subsidiaries may be unable to meet the investment company requirements, which could result in the imposition of an entity-level tax.

The SBIA regulates some of our subsidiaries. The SBIA restricts distributions by a SBIC. Our SBIC subsidiaries that are also RICs could be prohibited by SBA regulations from making the distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. Each year, in order to comply with the SBA regulations and the RIC distribution requirements, we must request and receive a waiver of the SBA’s restrictions. While the current policy of the SBA’s Office of SBIC Operations is to grant such waivers if the SBIC makes certain offsetting adjustments to its paid-in capital and surplus accounts, there can be no assurance that this will continue to be the SBA’s policy or that our subsidiaries will have adequate capital to make the required adjustments. If our subsidiaries are unable to obtain a waiver, compliance with the SBA regulations may result in loss of RIC status and a consequent imposition of an entity-level tax.

The Internal Revenue Code’s diversification requirements may limit our ability to expand our business.

These requirements provide that to qualify as a RIC, not more than 25% of the value of our total assets may be invested in the securities (other than US Government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer. While our investments in RIC subsidiaries are not subject to this diversification test so long as these subsidiaries qualify as RICs, our investments in CCU and MB would be subject to this test, and could impact requalification as a RIC.

The merger of Media into CCU in exchange for stock created a diversification issue as well, as it represents 12% of the Company’s RIC assets. The level of the investment will need to be monitored to ensure it remains within the diversification guidelines.

Additionally the Company’s investment in MB, while representing 22% of the Company’s total RIC assets at December 31, 2005, currently falls within the guidelines of the 25% test described above. However, as an anticipated future growth vehicle of the Company, the investment in MB will need to be monitored for continued compliance with the test.

Our past use of Arthur Andersen LLP as our independent auditors may pose risks to us and also limit your ability to seek potential recoveries from them related to their work.

Effective July 29, 2002, the Company dismissed its independent auditors, Arthur Andersen LLP (Andersen), in view of recent developments involving Andersen, at that time.

As a public company, we are required to file periodic financial statements with the SEC that have been audited or reviewed by an independent accountant. As our former independent auditors, Andersen provided a report on our consolidated financial statements as of and for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2001. SEC rules require us to obtain Andersen’s consent to the inclusion of its audit report in our public filings. However, Andersen was indicted and found guilty of federal obstruction of justice charges, and has informed the Company that it is no longer able to provide such consent as a result of the departure from Andersen of the former partner and manager responsible for the audit report. Under these circumstances, Rule 437A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, permits the Company to incorporate the audit report and the audited financial statements without obtaining the consent of Andersen.

The SEC has recently provided regulatory relief designed to allow public companies to dispense with the requirement that they file a consent of Andersen in certain circumstances. Notwithstanding this relief, the inability of Andersen to provide either its consent or customary assurance services to us now and in the future could negatively affect our ability to, among other things, access the public capital markets. Any delay or inability to access the public markets as a result of this situation could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

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We depend on cash flow from our subsidiaries to make dividend payments and other distributions to our shareholders.

We are primarily a holding company, and we derive most of our operating income and cash flow from our subsidiaries. As a result, we rely heavily upon distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to make dividend payments and other distributions to our shareholders. Funds are provided to us by our subsidiaries through dividends and payments on intercompany indebtedness, but there can be no assurance that our subsidiaries will be in a position to continue to make these dividend or debt payments. Furthermore, as a condition of its approval by its regulators, MB is precluded from making any dividend payments for its first three years of operations.

We operate in a highly regulated environment.

We are regulated by the SEC, the SBA, the FDIC, and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. In addition, changes in the laws or regulations that govern BDCs, RICs, SBICs, or banks may significantly affect our business. Laws and regulations may be changed from time to time, and the interpretations of the relevant laws and regulations also are subject to change. Any change in the laws or regulations that govern our business could have a material impact on our operations.

Our use of brokered deposit sources for MB’s deposit-gathering activities may not be available when needed.

MB relies on the established brokered deposit market to originate deposits to fund its operations. While MB has developed contractual relationships with a diversified group of investment brokers, and the brokered deposit market is well-developed and utilized by many banking institutions, conditions could change that might affect the availability of deposits. If the capital levels at MB fall below the “well-capitalized” level, or if MB experiences a period of sustained operating losses, the cost of attracting deposits from the brokered deposit market could increase significantly, and the ability of MB to raise deposits from this source could be impaired. MB’s ability to manage its growth to stay within the “well-capitalized” level, and the capital level currently required by the FDIC during MB’s first three years of operation, which is also considerably higher than the level required to be classified as “well-capitalized”, is critical to MB’s retaining open access to this funding source.

Consumer lending is a new product line for us that carries a higher risk of loss and could be adversely affected by an economic downturn.

The acquisition of the consumer loan portfolio, and the subsequent commencement of lending operations in this line of business, represents an entry into a new lending market for the Company. Although the purchased portfolio was seasoned, and MB management has considerable experience in originating and managing consumer loans, there can be no assurances that these loans will perform at their historical levels as expected under MB’s management.

By its nature, lending to consumers that have blemishes on their credit reports carries with it a higher risk of loss. Although the net interest margins should be higher to compensate the Company for this increased risk, an economic downturn could result in higher loss rates and lower returns than expected, and could affect the profitability of the consumer loan portfolio.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company leases approximately 17,000 square feet of office space in New York City for its corporate headquarters under a lease expiring in June 2016, and leases a facility in Long Island City, New York, of approximately 6,000 square feet for certain corporate back-office operations. The Company also leases office space for loan origination offices and subsidiaries operations in Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Minneapolis, MN, and Princeton, NJ. MB leases space in Salt Lake City, UT. The Company does not own any real property, other than that obtained as a result of lending relationships. The Company believes that its leased properties, taken as a whole, are in good operating condition and are suitable for the Company’s current business operations.

 

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company and its subsidiaries are currently involved in various legal proceedings incident to the ordinary course of its business, including collection matters with respect to certain loans. The Company intends to vigorously defend any outstanding claims and pursue its legal rights. In the opinion of the Company’s management and based upon the advice of legal counsel, there is no proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of management threatened, which in the event of an adverse decision would result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the 2005 fourth quarter.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON STOCK, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “TAXI.” Our common stock commenced trading on May 23, 1996. As of March 13, 2006, there were approximately 114 holders of record of the Company’s common stock.

On March 14, 2006, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $12.74 per share. Historically, our common stock has traded at a premium to net asset value per share, and although there can be no assurance, the Company anticipates that its stock will again trade at a premium in the future.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low closing prices for the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq National Market.

 

2005

   HIGH    LOW

Fourth Quarter

   $ 11.50    $ 9.20

Third Quarter

     10.77      9.51

Second Quarter

     9.78      9.10

First Quarter

     9.80      8.92

2004

         

Fourth Quarter

   $ 9.70    $ 8.52

Third Quarter

     9.19      6.78

Second Quarter

     9.03      7.46

First Quarter

     9.25      7.91

Information about our equity compensation plan is incorporated by reference in all information under caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” included in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 16, 2006.

As a RIC, we intend to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income to our shareholders. Distributions of our income are generally required to be made within the calendar year the income was earned as a RIC; however, in certain circumstances distributions can be made up to a full calendar year after the income has been earned. Investment company taxable income includes, among other things, interest, dividends, and capital gains reduced by deductible expenses. Our ability to make dividend payments as a RIC is restricted by certain asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act and has been dependent upon maintenance of our status as a RIC under the Code in the past, by SBA regulations, and under the terms of the SBA debentures. There can be no assurances, however, that we will have sufficient earnings to pay such dividends in the future.

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan pursuant to which shareholders may elect to have distributions reinvested in additional shares of common stock. When we declare a dividend or distribution, all participants will have credited to their plan accounts the number of full and fractional shares (computed to three decimal places) that could be obtained with the cash, net of any applicable withholding taxes that would have been paid to them if they were not participants. The number of full and fractional shares is computed at the weighted average price of all shares of common stock purchased for plan participants within the 30 days after the dividend or distribution is declared plus brokerage commissions. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not release plan participants of any income tax that may be payable on the dividend or capital gains distribution. Shareholders may terminate their participation in the dividend reinvestment plan by providing written notice to the Plan Agent at least 10 days before any given dividend payment date. Upon termination, we will

 

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issue to a shareholder both a certificate for the number of full shares of common stock owned and a check for any fractional shares, valued at the then current market price, less any applicable brokerage commissions and any other costs of sale. There are no additional fees or expenses for participation in the dividend reinvestment plan. Shareholders may obtain additional information about the dividend reinvestment plan by contacting the American Stock Transfer & Trust Company at 59 Maiden Lane, New York, NY, 10038.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES (1)

 

Period

  

Total
Number of

Shares
Purchased

  

Average Price

Paid per Share

  

Total Number of

Shares Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced

Plans or Programs

   Maximum Number of Shares
(or Approximate Dollar
Value) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs

November 5 through December 31, 2003

   10,816    $ 9.20    10,816    $ 9,900,492

January 1 through December 31, 2004

   952,517      9.00    952,517      11,329,294

January 1 through December 31, 2005(2)

   389,900      9.26    389,900      7,720,523
               

Total

   1,353,233      9.07    1,353,233      —  
               

(1) The Company publicly announced its Stock Repurchase Program in a press release dated November 5, 2003, after the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to $10,000,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock, which was increased by an additional $10,000,000 authorization on November 3, 2004. The stock repurchase program expires after a certain number of days, except in certain cases where it is extended through completion of the authorized amounts. In November 2005, the Company extended the terms of the Stock Repurchase Program. Purchases were to commence no earlier than December 4, 2005 and were to conclude 180 days after the commencement of the purchases.
(2) There were no repurchases made during the 2005 fourth quarter.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Summary Consolidated Financial Data

You should read the consolidated financial information below with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001.

 

     Year ended December 31,  

Dollars in thousands

   2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  

Statement of operations

          

Investment income

   $ 57,173     $ 39,119     $ 26,214     $ 33,875     $ 42,102  

Interest expense

     24,397       16,063       12,042       20,243       25,576  
                                        

Net interest income

     32,776       23,056       14,172       13,632       16,526  

Noninterest income

     3,880       3,479       4,457       6,121       3,592  

Operating expenses

     21,235       18,937       17,174       27,565       17,619  
                                        

Net investment income (loss) before income taxes

     15,421       7,598       1,455       (7,812 )     2,499  

Income tax provision (benefit)

     1,959       2,171       41       85       (16 )
                                        

Net investment income (loss) after income taxes (1)

     13,462       5,427       1,414       (7,897 )     2,515  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     1,081       (26 )     11,527       (6,335 )     (3,015 )

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (2)

     (7,681 )     17,111       (10,923 )     1,620       (3,558 )
                                        

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (3)

   $ 6,862     $ 22,512     $ 2,018     $ (12,612 )   $ (4,058 )
                                        

Per share data

          

Net investment income (loss) (1)

   $ 0.88     $ 0.41     $ 0.08     $ (0.44 )   $ 0.13  

Income tax (provision) benefit

     (0.11 )     (0.12 )     (0.00 )     (0.00 )     0.00  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     0.06       0.00       0.63       (0.35 )     (0.17 )

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (0.44 )     0.93       (0.60 )     0.10       (0.20 )
                                        

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (3)

   $ 0.39     $ 1.22     $ 0.11     $ (0.69 )   $ (0.24 )
                                        

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.54     $ 0.37     $ 0.16     $ 0.03     $ 0.38  
                                        

Weighted average common shares outstanding

          

Basic

     17,087,034       18,001,604       18,245,774       18,242,728       16,582,179  

Diluted

     17,552,228       18,424,518       18,287,952       18,242,728       16,582,179  
                                        

Balance sheet data

          

Net investments

   $ 723,253     $ 643,541     $ 379,159     $ 356,246     $ 455,595  

Total assets

     792,973       709,910       456,494       425,288       507,756  

Total borrowed funds

     620,022       525,933       287,454       250,767       321,845  

Total liabilities

     626,919       539,448       294,378       263,423       332,732  

Total shareholders’ equity

     166,354       170,461       162,116       161,865       175,024  
                                        

 

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     Year ended December 31,  

Dollars in thousands

   2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  

Selected financial ratios and other data

          

Return on average assets (ROA) (4)

          

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

   1.78 %   0.93 %   0.34 %   (1.71 )%   0.46 %

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   0.91     3.86     0.47     (2.72 )   (0.75 )

Return on average equity (ROE) (5)

          

Net investment income (loss) after taxes

   8.02     3.33     0.90     (4.71 )   1.48  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   4.09     13.82     1.24     (7.47 )   (2.44 )
                              

Weighted average yields

   8.16 %   7.47 %   6.93 %   8.21 %   8.71 %

Weighted average cost of funds

   3.51     3.10     3.21     4.91     5.27  
                              

Net interest margin (6)

   4.65     4.37     3.72     3.30     3.44  

Noninterest income ratio (7)

   0.56     0.68     1.20     1.50     0.75  

Operating expense ratio (8)

   3.06     3.68     4.62     6.84     3.71  
                              

As a percentage of net investment portfolio

          

Medallion loans

   62 %   61 %   76 %   59 %   55 %

Commercial loans

   20     21     23     39     44  

Consumer loans

   12     11     —       —       —    

Equity investments

   3     2     1     2     1  

Investment securities

   3     5     —       —       —    
                              

Investments to assets (9)

   91 %   91 %   83 %   84 %   90 %

Equity to assets (10)

   21     24     36     38     34  

Debt to equity (11)

   373     309     177     155     184  
                              

(1) Excluding the $63,000 and $9,417,000 costs of debt extinguishment in 2003 and 2002, the $6,700,000 of charges related to Chicago Yellow, the excess servicing asset, the additional bank charges, and the writeoff of transaction costs in 2001, net investment income after taxes would have been $1,519,000 or $0.08, $1,605,000 or $0.09 per share, and $9,199,000 or $0.55 in 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.
(2) Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments represents the increase (decrease) for the year in the fair value of the Company’s investments, including the results of operations for MTM, where applicable.
(3) Excluding the costs and charges described in note (1) and the $1,350,000 tax reserve adjustment in Media in 2001, net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations would have been $2,081,000 or $0.11 per share, ($3,195,000) or ($0.18) per share, and $4,692,000 or $0.18 in 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.
(4) ROA represents the net investment income after taxes or net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations, divided by average total assets. Excluding the costs and charges described in note (1), ROAs based on net investment income after taxes would have been 0.35%, 0.35%, and 1.71%, for 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. ROAs based on net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations would have been 0.48%, (0.69%),and 0.49%, respectively.
(5) ROE represents the net investment income after taxes or net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations divided by average shareholders’ equity. Excluding the costs and charges described in note (1), ROEs based on net investment income after taxes would have been 0.91%, 0.90%, and 5.54% for 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively. ROEs based on net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations would have been 1.28%, (1.89%), and 1.59%, respectively.
(6) Net interest margin represents net interest income for the year divided by average interest earning assets. Excluding the interest income-related costs described in note (1), net interest margin would have been 4.08% for 2001.
(7) Noninterest income ratio represents noninterest income divided by average interest earning assets. For 2001, noninterest income ratio adjusted for the excess servicing asset of $2,050,000 was 3.39%.
(8) Operating expense ratio represents operating expenses divided by average interest earning assets. Excluding the $63,000 and $9,417,000 costs of debt extinguishment in 2003 and 2002, and $550,000 in 2001 to write off transaction, acquisition-related, and other non-recurring charges, the ratios would have been 4.60%, 4.52%, and 3.60%, respectively.
(9) Represents net investments divided by total assets as of December 31.
(10) Represents total shareholders’ equity divided by total assets as of December 31.
(11) Represents total debt (floating rate and fixed rate borrowings) divided by total shareholders’ equity as of December 31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003. In addition, this section contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors that could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements are described in the Risk Factors section on page 16.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The SEC has recently issued cautionary advice regarding disclosure about critical accounting policies. The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that are both most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition

 

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and results, and that require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain and may change materially in subsequent periods. The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements requires estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and related notes. Significant estimates made by the Company include valuation of loans, evaluation of the recoverability of accounts receivable and income tax assets, and the assessment of litigation and other contingencies. The matters that give rise to such provisions are inherently uncertain and may require complex and subjective judgments. Although the Company believes that estimates and assumptions used in determining the recorded amounts of net assets and liabilities at December 31, 2005, are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from the estimated amounts recorded in the Company’s financial statements.

GENERAL

The Company is a specialty finance company that has a leading position in originating and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. Since 1996, the year in which the Company became a public company, it has increased its medallion loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 14%, and its commercial loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 15%. Total assets under our management, which includes assets serviced for third party investors, were approximately $802,000,000 at December 31, 2005, and have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 16% from $215,000,000 at the end of 1996.

The Company’s loan-related earnings depend primarily on its level of net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between the total yield on the Company’s loan portfolio and the average cost of borrowed funds. The Company funds its operations through a wide variety of interest-bearing sources, such as revolving bank facilities, bank certificates of deposit issued to customers, debentures issued to and guaranteed by the SBA, and bank term debt. Net interest income fluctuates with changes in the yield on the Company’s loan portfolio and changes in the cost of borrowed funds, as well as changes in the amount of interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities held by the Company. Net interest income is also affected by economic, regulatory, and competitive factors that influence interest rates, loan demand, and the availability of funding to finance the Company’s lending activities. The Company, like other financial institutions, is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-earning assets reprice on a different basis than its interest-bearing liabilities.

The Company also invests in small businesses in selected industries through its subsidiary MCI. MCI’s investments are typically in the form of secured debt instruments with fixed interest rates accompanied by warrants to purchase an equity interest for a nominal exercise price (such warrants are included in equity investments on the consolidated balance sheets). Interest income is earned on the debt investments.

Realized gains or losses on investments are recognized when the investments are sold or written off. The realized gains or losses represent the difference between the proceeds received from the disposition of portfolio assets, if any, and the cost of such portfolio assets. In addition, changes in unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments are recorded and represent the net change in the estimated fair values of the portfolio assets at the end of the period as compared with their estimated fair values at the beginning of the period. Generally, realized gains (losses) on investments and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments are inversely related. When an appreciated asset is sold to realize a gain, a decrease in the previously recorded unrealized appreciation occurs. Conversely, when a loss previously recorded as unrealized depreciation is realized by the sale or other disposition of a depreciated portfolio asset, the reclassification of the loss from unrealized to realized causes a decrease in net unrealized depreciation and an increase in realized loss.

The Company’s investment in MTM, as wholly owned portfolio investments, was also subject to quarterly assessments of fair value. The Company used MTM’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the results as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

 

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Trends in Investment Portfolio

The Company’s investment income is driven by the principal amount of and yields on its investment portfolio. To identify trends in the yields, the portfolio is grouped by medallion loans, commercial loans, consumer loans, equity investments, and investment securities. The following table illustrates the Company’s investments at fair value and the portfolio yields at the dates indicated.

 

     December 31, 2005     December 31, 2004     December 31, 2003  

(Dollars in thousands)

   Interest
Rate (1)
    Principal
Balance
    Interest
Rate (1)
    Principal
Balance
    Interest
Rate (1)
    Principal
Balance
 

Medallion loans

            

New York

   6.23 %   $ 351,014     5.76 %   $ 305,157     6.00 %   $ 231,955  

Chicago

   6.99       52,242     6.33       52,883     6.74       26,543  

Boston

   7.47       27,879     7.31       19,857     7.54       15,490  

Newark

   8.49       6,541     9.14       6,841     9.52       7,744  

Cambridge

   7.21       5,664     7.19       4,947     7.20       4,077  

Other

   7.53       6,464     8.18       2,804     9.77       2,556  
                              

Total medallion loans

   6.46       449,804     6.01       392,489     6.29       288,365  
                        

Deferred loan acquisition costs

       1,217         851         905  

Unrealized depreciation on loans

       (1,348 )       (1,209 )       (1,058 )
                              

Net medallion loans

     $ 449,673       $ 392,131       $ 288,212  
                              

Commercial loans

            

Asset based

   9.64 %   $ 72,085     7.97 %   $ 47,959     7.23 %   $ 18,179  

Secured mezzanine

   14.06       53,207     14.28       49,006     13.02       27,166  

Other secured commercial

   7.06       28,058     8.28       27,247     7.58       30,202  

SBA Section 7(a) (2)

   —         —       7.65       19,703     6.93       17,540  
                              

Total commercial loans(2)

   10.70       153,350     10.13       143,915     8.98       93,087  
                        

Deferred loan acquisition costs

       67         798         741  

Discount on SBA Section 7(a) loans sold(2)

       —           (602 )       (998 )

Unrealized depreciation on loans

       (7,621 )       (7,276 )       (6,860 )
                              

Net commercial loans

     $ 145,796       $ 136,835       $ 85,970  
                              

Consumer loans

            

Marine

   18.39 %   $ 42,052     18.60 %   $ 35,933     —   %   $ —    

RV

   18.49       41,945     18.56       15,896     —         —    

Other

   18.57       4,283     18.79       17,808     —         —    
                              

Total consumer loans

   18.45       88,280     18.64       69,637     —         —    
                        

Deferred loan acquisition costs

       1,350         106         —    

Unrealized depreciation on loans

       (3,952 )       (3,412 )       —    
                              

Net consumer loans

     $ 85,678       $ 66,331       $ —    
                              

Equity investments

   1.53 %   $ 23,384     1.37 %   $ 32,960     0.00 %   $ 4,690  
                        

Unrealized appreciation on equities

       629         685         287  
                              

Net equity investments

     $ 24,013       $ 33,645       $ 4,977  
                              

Investment securities

   4.11 %   $ 17,873     3.92 %   $ 14,144     —   %   $ —    
                        

Unrealized depreciation on investment securities

       (243 )       (49 )       —    

Premiums paid on purchased securities

       463         504         —    
                              

Net equity investments

     $ 18,093       $ 14,599       $ —    
                              

Investments at cost (3)

   8.58 %   $ 732,691     7.99 %   $ 653,146     6.86 %   $ 386,142  
                        

Deferred loan acquisition costs

       2,634         1,755         1,646  

Unrealized appreciation on equities

       629         685         287  

Discount on SBA Section 7(a) loans sold(2)

       —           (602 )       (998 )

Unrealized depreciation on investment securities

       (243 )       (49 )       —    

Premiums paid on purchased securities

       463         504         —    

Unrealized depreciation on loans

       (12,921 )       (11,898 )       (7,918 )
                              

Net investments

     $ 723,253       $ 643,541       $ 379,159  
                              

(1) Represents the weighted average interest rate of the respective portfolio as of the date indicated.
(2) The Company sold substantially all of the SBA Section 7(a) loans in its portfolio in connection with the sale of the assets of BLL to a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch in October 2005.
(3) The weighted average interest rate for the entire loan portfolio (medallion, commercial, and consumer loans) was 8.93%, 8.44%, and 6.95% at December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.

 

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PORTFOLIO SUMMARY

Total Portfolio Yield

The weighted average yield of the total portfolio at December 31, 2005 was 8.58% (8.93% for the loan portfolio), an increase of 59 basis points from 7.99% at December 31, 2004, which was an increase of 113 basis points from 6.86% at December 31, 2003. The increase from 2004 to 2005 primarily reflected the market increase in interest rates. The increase from 2003 to 2004 primarily reflected the impact of the RV/Marine portfolio purchase and strong growth in the commercial loan portfolio, both at higher yields. The Company expects to try to increase the percentage of commercial and consumer loans in the total portfolio, the origination of floating and adjustable-rate loans, and the level of non-New York medallion loans to enhance our yields.

Medallion Loan Portfolio

The Company’s medallion loans comprised 62% of the net portfolio of $723,253,000 at December 31, 2005, compared to 61% of $643,541,000 at December 31, 2004 and 76% of $379,159,000 at December 31, 2003. The medallion loan portfolio increased by $57,541,000 or 15% in 2005, primarily reflecting increases in New York and Boston. The increase in the New York market can be attributed to new business marketing efforts, the conversion of participations into owned loans, and the general increase in medallion values and related refinancings. Total medallion loans serviced for third parties were $8,784,000, $16,658,000, and $36,245,000 at December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.

The weighted average yield of the medallion loan portfolio at December 31, 2005 was 6.46%, an increase of 45 basis points from 6.01% at December 31, 2004, which was a decrease of 28 basis points from 6.29% at December 31, 2003. The increase in yield primarily reflected the impact of rising interest rates in the economy and the effects of borrower refinancings. The decreases in yield a year ago primarily reflected the generally lower level of interest rates in the economy, and the effects of borrower refinancings. At December 31, 2005, 22% of the medallion loan portfolio represented loans outside New York, compared to 22% and 19% at year-end 2004 and 2003. The Company continues to focus its efforts on originating higher yielding medallion loans outside the New York market.

Commercial Loan Portfolio

Since 1997, and until 2002, the Company shifted the total portfolio mix toward a higher percentage of commercial loans, which historically had higher yields than medallion loans, and represented 20% of the net investment portfolio as of December 31, 2005, compared to 21% and 23% at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Commercial loans increased by $8,962,000 or 7% during 2005 primarily reflecting increased loan originations in the asset-based and mezzanine loan portfolios, partially offset by the sale of $19,414,000 of SBA Section 7 (a) loans. Total commercial loans serviced for third parties were $349,000, $106,508,000, and $138,643,000 at December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, and included $0, $98,773,000, and $117,548,000, respectively, related to the SBA Section 7(a) business. The Company sold substantially all of the Section 7(a) loans in its portfolio in connection with the sale of the assets of BLL to a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch in October 2005.

The weighted average yield of the commercial loan portfolio at December 31, 2005 was 10.70%, an increase of 57 basis points from 10.13% at December 31, 2004, which was up 115 basis points from 8.98% at December 31, 2003. The increased yield reflected the increases in market interest rates. The increase in 2004 was primarily due to the higher origination volume in the high yielding mezzanine loan portfolio, partially offset by increased customer refinancing activities at lower rates. The Company continues to originate adjustable-rate and floating-rate loans tied to the prime rate to help mitigate its interest rate risk in a rising interest rate environment. At December 31, 2005, variable-rate loans represented approximately 54% of the commercial portfolio, compared to 43% and 58% at December 31, 2004 and 2003. Although this strategy initially produces a lower yield, we believe that this strategy mitigates interest rate risk by better matching our earning assets to their adjustable-rate funding sources.

Consumer loan portfolios

The Company’s consumer loans represented 12% of the net investment portfolio as of December 31, 2005 compared to 11% at December 31, 2004. About half of the existing portfolio was purchased on April 1, 2004 from an unrelated financial institution and the transaction closed May 6, 2004. The Company started originating new adjustable rate consumer loans during the 2004 third quarter. Recreational vehicles, boats, and horse trailers located in all 50 states collateralize the loans. The portfolio is serviced by a third party subsidiary of a major commercial bank.

 

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The weighted average gross yield of the consumer loan portfolio at December 31, 2005 was 18.45%, a decrease of 19 basis points from 18.64% at December 31, 2004. For 2005 and 2004, the amortization of the portfolio purchase premium reduced the yield by an average of 1.90% and 2.62%, respectively. At December 31, 2005, adjustable rate loans represented approximately 89% of the consumer portfolio compared to 85% at December 31, 2004.

Delinquency and Loan Loss Experience

We generally follow a practice of discontinuing the accrual of interest income on our loans that are in arrears as to interest payments for a period of 90 days or more. We deliver a default notice and begin foreclosure and liquidation proceedings when management determines that pursuit of these remedies is the most appropriate course of action under the circumstances. A loan is considered to be delinquent if the borrower fails to make a payment on time; however, during the course of discussion on delinquent status, we may agree to modify the payment terms of the loan with a borrower that cannot make payments in accordance with the original loan agreement. For loan modifications, the loan will only be returned to accrual status if all past due interest payments are brought fully current. For credit that is collateral based, we evaluate the anticipated net residual value we would receive upon foreclosure of such loans, if necessary. There can be no assurance, however, that the collateral securing these loans will be adequate in the event of foreclosure. For credit that is cash flow-based, we assess our collateral position, and evaluate most of these relationships on an “enterprise value” basis, expecting to locate and install a new operator to run the business and reduce the debt.

For the consumer loan portfolio, the process to repossess the collateral is started at 60 days past due. If the collateral is not located and the account reaches 120 days delinquent, the account is charged off to realized losses. If the collateral is repossessed, a realized loss is recorded to write the loan down to 75% of its net realizable value, and the collateral is sent to auction. When the collateral is sold, the net auction proceeds are applied to the account, and any remaining balance is written off as a realized loss, and any excess proceeds are recorded as a realized gain. Proceeds collected on charged off accounts are recorded as a realized gain. All collection, repossession, and recovery efforts are handled on behalf of MB by the servicer.

The following table shows the trend in loans 90 days or more past due as of December 31,

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Medallion loans

   $ 6,080,000    0.9 %   $ 7,547,000    1.2 (1)   $ 4,569,000    1.2 %(1)
                                       

Commercial loans

               

Secured mezzanine

     7,970,000    1.1       8,171,000    1.4       7,543,000    2.0  

SBA Section 7(a)(2)

     —      0.0       1,884,000    0.3       4,143,000    1.1  

Asset-based receivable

     —      0.0       —      0.0       —      0.0  

Other secured commercial

     2,673,000    0.4       1,251,000    0.2       2,842,000    0.7  
                                       

Total commercial loans

     10,643,000    1.5       11,306,000    1.9       14,528,000    3.8  
                                       

Total consumer loans

     695,000    0.1       541,000    0.1       —      0.0  
                                       

Total loans 90 days or more past due

   $ 17,418,000    2.5 %   $ 19,394,000    3.2 %   $ 19,097,000    5.0 %
                                       

(1) Percentage is calculated against the total loan portfolio.
(2) The company sold all of the SBA section 7 (a) loans in its portfolio in connection with the sale of the assets of BLL to a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch in October 2005.

In general, collection efforts since the establishment of our collection department have substantially contributed to the sizable reduction in overall delinquencies. The decreases in medallion delinquencies primarily reflected the foreclosure of $2,869,000 of Chicago medallions, and improvements in other borrower payment patterns. Secured mezzanine financing delinquencies have decreased, primarily reflecting payment activity, and to a lesser extent chargeoffs. The Company sold all of the Section 7(a) loans in its portfolio in connection with the sale of the assets of BLL to a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch in October 2005. Included in the SBA Section 7(a) delinquency figures are $0, $288,000, and $845,000 at December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, which represented loans repurchased for the purpose of collecting on the SBA guarantee. The increase in other secured commercial loans primarily related to several customers being monitored by the collections group, and from an overall standpoint was down from a year ago. The Company is actively working with each delinquent borrower to bring them current, and believes that any potential loss exposure is reflected in the Company’s mark-to-market estimates on each loan. Although there can be no assurances as to changes in the trend rate, management believes that any loss exposures are properly reflected in reported asset values.

 

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We monitor delinquent loans for possible exposure to loss by analyzing various factors, including the value of the collateral securing the loan and the borrower’s prior payment history. Under the 1940 Act, our loan portfolio must be recorded at fair value or “marked-to-market.” Unlike other lending institutions, we are not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses. Instead, the valuation of our portfolio is adjusted quarterly to reflect our estimate of the current realizable value of our loan portfolio. Since no ready market exists for this portfolio, fair value is subject to the good faith determination of management and the approval of our Board of Directors. Because of the subjectivity of these estimates, there can be no assurance that in the event of a foreclosure or the sale of portfolio loans we would be able to recover the amounts reflected on our balance sheet.

In determining the value of our portfolio, management and the Board of Directors may take into consideration various factors such as the financial condition of the borrower and the adequacy of the collateral. For example, in a period of sustained increases in market interest rates, management and the Board of Directors could decrease its valuation of the portfolio if the portfolio consists primarily of long-term, fixed-rate loans. Our valuation procedures are designed to generate values that approximate that which would have been established by market forces, and are therefore subject to uncertainties and variations from reported results. Based upon these factors, net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments is determined, or the amount by which our estimate of the current realizable value of our portfolio is above or below our cost basis.

The following table sets forth the changes in the Company’s unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (excluding MTM and foreclosed properties) on investments for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

 

     Loans     Equity
Investments
    Total  

Balance December 31, 2002 (1)

   $ (6,997,426 )   $ 6,039,584     $ (957,842 )

Increase in unrealized

      

Appreciation on investments

     —         1,857,627       1,857,627  

Depreciation on investments

     (3,223,280 )     122,400       (3,100,880 )

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

      

Gains on investments

     (11,811 )     (7,732,566 )     (7,744,377 )

Losses on investments

     2,314,726       —         2,314,726  
                        

Balance December 31, 2003 (1)

     (7,917,791 )     287,045       (7,630,746 )

Increase in unrealized

      

Appreciation on investments

     —         2,820,058       2,820,058  

Depreciation on investments (2)

     (6,258,518 )     (2,478,552 )     (8,737,070 )

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

      

Gains on investments

     —         —         —    

Losses on investments

     5,522,591       7,588       5,530,179  

RV/Marine reserve (3)

     (4,243,854 )     —         (4,243,854 )

Other (4)

     1,000,000       —         1,000,000  
                        

Balance December 31, 2004 (1)

     (11,897,572 )     636,139       (11,261,433 )

Increase in unrealized

      

Appreciation on investments

     157,693       (469,587 )     (311,894 )

Depreciation on investments (2)

     (5,412,455 )     (1,266,799 )     (6,679,254 )

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

      

Gains on investments

     —         1,485,883       1,485,883  

Losses on investments

     3,151,315       —         3,151,315  

Reversal of reserves on sold SBA Section 7(a) loans

     1,339,875       —         1,339,875  

Other

     (260,284 )     (1 )     (260,285 )
                        

Balance December 31, 2005 (1)

   $ (12,921,428 )   $ 385,635     $ (12,535,793 )
                        

(1) Excludes unrealized depreciation of $1,396,750, $512,281, $317,361, and $128,738 on foreclosed properties at December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.
(2) Includes $193,878 and $49,220 of depreciation on investment securities for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
(3) Reflects the difference between the purchase price of the portfolio and the actual nominal value of the loan contracts acquired.
(4) Reflects the reclassification of a reserve related to collateral appreciation participation loans to accounts payable and accrued expenses.

 

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The following table presents credit-related information for the investment portfolios as of December 31.

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Total loans

      

Medallion loans

   $ 449,672,510     $ 392,131,108     $ 288,211,557  

Commercial loans

     145,796,651       136,834,891       85,970,205  

Consumer loans

     85,678,412       66,330,748       —    
                        

Total loans

     681,147,573       595,296,747       374,181,762  

Equity investments (1)

     24,012,508       33,645,424       4,976,763  

Investment securities

     18,092,838       14,598,837       —    
                        

Net investments

   $ 723,252,919     $ 643,541,008     $ 379,158,525  
                        

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

      

Medallion loans

   $ (1,348,535 )   $ (1,209,187 )   $ (1,058,196 )

Commercial loans

     (7,621,156 )     (7,275,972 )     (6,859,595 )

Consumer loans

     (3,951,737 )     (3,412,413 )     —    
                        

Total loans

     (12,921,428 )     (11,897,572 )     (7,917,791 )

Equity investments

     628,732       685,359       287,045  

Investment securities

     (243,097 )     (49,220 )     —    
                        

Total unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

   $ (12,535,793 )   $ (11,261,433 )   $ (7,630,746 )
                        

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as a % of balances outstanding (2)

      

Medallion loans

     (0.30 )%     (0.31 )%     (0.37 )%

Commercial loans

     (4.97 )     (5.06 )     (7.98 )

Consumer loans

     (4.41 )     (4.90 )     —    

Total loans

     (1.86 )     (1.96 )     (2.12 )

Equity investments

     2.69       2.08       5.77  

Investment securities

     (1.33 )     (0.35 )     —    

Net investments

     (1.70 )     (1.72 )     (2.01 )
                        

(1) Represents common stock and warrants held as investments.
(2) Unlike other lending institutions, we are not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses. Instead, the valuation of our portfolio is adjusted quarterly to reflect estimates of the current realizable value of the loan portfolio. These percentages represent the discount or premiums that investments are carried on the books at, relative to their par or gross value.

The following table presents the gain/loss experience on the investment portfolios for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Realized gains (losses) on loans and equity investments

      

Medallion loans

   $ (390,990 )   $ 7,059     $ (121,664 )

Commercial loans

     (326,483 )     (3,305,799 )     (2,153,677 )

Consumer loans (1)

     (2,524,609 )     (2,348,862 )     —    
                        

Total loans

     (3,242,082 )     (5,647,602 )     (2,275,341 )

Equity investments

     4,323,087       5,627,794       13,801,969  

Investment securities

     —         (5,983 )     —    
                        

Total realized gains (losses) on loans and equity investments

   $ 1,081,005     $ (25,791 )   $ 11,526,628  
                        

Realized gains (losses) as a % of average balances outstanding

      

Medallion loans

     (0.09 )%     0.00 %     (0.05 )%

Commercial loans

     (0.21 )     (2.64 )     (2.13 )

Consumer loans (2)

     (3.18 )     (5.25 )     —    

Total loans

     (0.49 )     (1.12 )     (0.62 )

Equity investments

     14.85       39.74       274.56  

Investment securities

     —         (0.08 )     —    

Net investments

     0.15       (0.01 )     3.10  
                        

(1) Includes realized losses of $162,037, $38,639, and $161,682 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively, related to foreclosed properties which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Realized losses represented 2.69% of the acquired consumer portfolio in 2004, the lower average balance for the year has a distortive effect on the calculated number shown in the table above.

 

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Equity Investments

Equity investments were 3%, 5%, and 1%, of the Company’s total portfolio at December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003. Equity investments are comprised of common stock and warrants. The decrease in equity investments during 2005 primarily reflected the sale of 200,000 of the 933,521 shares of common stock of CCU, and the increase during 2004 primarily reflected the receipt of 933,521 shares of common stock of CCU in a tax-free exchange for 100% of our ownership interest in Media, partially offset by the sale of 100,000 of the CCU shares.

Investment Securities

Investment securities were 3% and 2% of the Company’s total portfolio at December 31, 2005 and 2004. The investment securities are primarily adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities purchased by MB to better utilize required cash liquidity.

Trend in Interest Expense

The Company’s interest expense is driven by the interest rates payable on its short-term credit facilities with banks, bank certificates of deposit, fixed-rate, long-term debentures issued to the SBA, and other short-term notes payable. The establishment of the Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance Corp. (MLB) line of credit in September 2002 and its favorable renegotiation in September 2003 and January 2005 had the effect of substantially reducing the Company’s cost of funds. In addition, MB began raising brokered bank certificates of deposit during 2004, which were at the Company’s lowest borrowing costs. As a result of MB raising funds through certificates of deposits as previously noted, the Company was able to realign the ownership of some of its medallion loans and related assets to MB allowing the Company and its subsidiaries to use cash generated through these transactions to retire debt with higher interest rates. In addition, MB is able to bid on these deposits at a wide variety of maturity levels which allows for improved interest rate management strategies.

During the 2002 third quarter, the Trust closed a $250,000,000 line of credit with MLB for lending on medallion loans (which was $325,000,000 through the end of 2005, and which was increased to $475,000,000 in January 2006), which was priced at LIBOR plus 1.50%, excluding fees and other costs. All of the draws on this line were paid to MFC for medallion loans purchased, and were used by MFC to repay higher priced debt with the banks and noteholders, and to purchase loans for the Trust from participants and affiliates. During the 2003 third quarter, this line was renewed and extended, and borrowings were generally at LIBOR plus 1.25%. During the 2005 first quarter, this line was further renewed and extended, and borrowings are now generally at LIBOR plus 0.75%. In addition, $20,060,000 of higher priced SBA debentures were repaid during 2003, and $15,150,000 was drawn back at lower borrowing rates.

The September 13, 2002 amendments repriced the bank loans to 5.25% for the Company and 4.75% for MFC, and repriced MFC’s senior secured notes to 8.85%. In addition to the interest rate charges, approximately $15,980,000 had been incurred through December 31, 2005 for attorneys and other professional advisors, most working on behalf of the lenders, and for prepayment penalties and default interest charges, of which $0, $0, and $63,000 was expensed as part of costs of debt extinguishment, and $765,000, $1,462,000, and $2,325,000 was expensed as part of interest expense in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.

The Company’s cost of funds is primarily driven by the rates paid on its various debt instruments and their relative mix, and changes in the levels of average borrowings outstanding. See Notes 4 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements for details on the terms of all outstanding debt. The Company’s debentures issued to the SBA typically have terms of ten years.

 

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The Company measures its borrowing costs as its aggregate interest expense for all of its interest-bearing liabilities divided by the average amount of such liabilities outstanding during the period. The following table shows the average borrowings and related borrowing costs for 2005, 2004, and 2003. Average balances have increased from a year ago, primarily reflecting the establishment of MB and its resulting growth, and the funding needs to support the growth in the Company’s other investment portfolios. The increase in borrowing costs reflected the trend of increasing interest rates in the economy and additional long-term SBA debt at higher rates, partially offset by the raising of low-cost deposits by MB.

 

     Interest
Expense
  

Average

Balance

  

Average

Borrowing

Costs

 

December 31, 2005

        

Floating rate borrowings

   $ 13,398,536    $ 306,236,000    4.38 %

Fixed rate borrowings

     10,998,237      267,370,000    4.11  
                

Total

   $ 24,396,773    $ 573,606,000    4.25  
                    

December 31, 2004

        

Floating rate borrowings

   $ 8,921,750    $ 221,098,000    4.04 %

Fixed rate borrowings

     7,141,833      192,000,000    3.72  
                

Total

   $ 16,063,583    $ 413,098,000    3.88  
                    

December 31, 2003(1)

        

Floating rate borrowings

   $ 7,862,552    $ 198,207,000    3.97 %

Fixed rate borrowings

     4,179,379      60,900,000    6.87  
                

Total

   $ 12,041,931    $ 259,107,000    4.65  
                    

(1) Included in interest expense in 2003 was $543,000 of interest reversals. Adjusted for this amount, the floating rate borrowings average borrowing costs would have been 4.24%, and the total average borrowing costs would have been 4.86%.

The Company will continue to seek SBA funding to the extent it offers attractive rates. SBA financing subjects its recipients to limits on the amount of secured bank debt they may incur. The Company uses SBA funding to fund loans that qualify under SBIA and SBA regulations. The Company believes that financing operations primarily with short-term floating rate secured bank debt has generally decreased its interest expense, but has also increased the Company’s exposure to the risk of increases in market interest rates, which the Company mitigates with certain hedging strategies. At December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, short-term floating rate debt constituted 52%, 52%, and 80% of total debt, respectively. The decrease in 2004 reflects the issuance of bank certificates of deposit by MB, that are primarily of a short-term nature.

Taxicab Advertising

In addition to the Company’s finance business, MTM also conducted a taxicab rooftop advertising business primarily through Media, which began operations in November 1994, and ceased operations upon the merger of Media with and into a subsidiary of CCU, and the sale of MMJ to its management. See Note 3 to the financial statements for additional information. Although Media was a wholly-owned portfolio investment of the Company, its results of operations were not consolidated with the Company’s operations because SEC regulations prohibit the consolidation of non-investment companies with investment companies.

Factors Affecting Net Assets

Factors that affect the Company’s net assets include net realized gain or loss on investments and change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments. Net realized gain or loss on investments is the difference between the proceeds derived upon sale or foreclosure of a loan or an equity investment and the cost basis of such loan or equity investment. Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments is the amount, if any, by which the Company’s estimate of the fair value of its investment portfolio is above or below the previously established fair value or the cost basis of the portfolio. Under the 1940 Act and the SBIA, the Company’s loan portfolio and other investments must be recorded at fair value.

Unlike certain lending institutions, the Company is not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses, but adjusts quarterly the valuation of the loan portfolio to reflect the Company’s estimate of the current value of the total loan portfolio. Since no ready market exists for the Company’s loans, fair value is subject to the good faith determination of the Company. In determining such fair value, the Company and its Board of Directors consider factors such as the financial condition of its borrowers and the adequacy of its collateral. Any change in the fair value of portfolio loans or other investments as determined by the Company is reflected in net unrealized depreciation or appreciation of investments and affects net increase in net assets resulting from operations but has no impact on net investment income or distributable income.

 

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The Company’s investment in MTM, as wholly-owned portfolio investments, were also subject to quarterly assessments of its fair value. The Company used MTM’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the result as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

Consolidated Results of Operations

For the Years Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $6,862,000 or $0.39 per diluted common share in 2005, down $15,651,000 or 70% from $22,512,000 or $1.22 in 2004, which included net realized/unrealized gains of $22,417,000 primarily related to the 2004 exchange of our investment in Media for stock of Clear Channel. Excluding those gains, net increase in net assets resulting from operations increased primarily from higher net interest income resulting from portfolio growth, partially offset by increased operating expenses and increased net realized/unrealized losses in the portfolio for various mezzanine and consumer investments. Also reflected in 2005 was the full impact of the consumer business line, which commenced May 2004. Net investment income after taxes was $13,462,000 or $0.77 per diluted common share in 2005, up $8,035,000 from $5,427,000 or $0.29 per share in 2004.

Investment income was $57,173,000 in 2005, up $18,054,000 or 46% from $39,119,000 a year ago, and included $13,027,000 in income earned on the purchased/originated consumer portfolio, compared to $8,953,000 for 2004. Investment income in 2005 also benefited from interest recoveries of $1,480,000 from certain investments. Excluding those items, investment income increased $12,500,000 or 41% compared to a year ago, primarily reflecting growth in the other investment portfolios. The yield on the investment portfolio was 8.16% in 2005, up 9% from 7.47% a year ago, reflecting the impact of the higher yielding consumer portfolio, the general increase in market interest rates, and the interest recoveries. The yield on the investment portfolio excluding the consumer portfolio and the interest recoveries was 6.81% in 2005, up 9% from 6.25% in 2004. Average investments outstanding were $694,920,000 in 2005, up 34% from $518,078,000 a year ago. Excluding the consumer portfolio, average investments outstanding were $619,412,000, in 2005, up 30% from $475,566,000 a year ago, reflecting the growth in the other portfolios.

Medallion loans were $449,673,000 at year end, up $57,542,000 or 15% from $392,131,000 a year ago, representing 62% of the investment portfolio compared to 61% in 2004, and were yielding 6.46% compared to 6.01% in 2004, an increase of 7%. The increase in outstandings primarily reflected efforts to book new business and repurchase certain participations, primarily in the New York City and Boston markets, and also reflected the increase in medallion values. The managed medallion portfolio was $458,457,000 at year end, up $49,678,000 or 12% from $408,779,000 a year ago. The commercial loan portfolio was $145,797,000 at year end, compared to $136,835,000 a year ago, an increase of $8,962,000 or 7%, and represented 20% of the investment portfolio compared to 21% in 2004. Included in the 2004 amounts were $19,457,000 of SBA 7(a) loans which were sold for book value during 2005. Excluding those loans, commercial loans increased 24%. Commercial loans yielded 10.70% at year end, compared to 10.13% a year ago, an increase of 4%, reflecting the increases in market interest rates during year, the floating rate nature of much of the portfolio, and the growth in higher yielding portfolios. The increase in commercial loans was concentrated in asset based receivables and high-yield mezzanine loans. The managed commercial portfolio was $146,146,000 at year end, down $97,197,000 or 40% from $243,343,000 a year ago, but up $21,033,000 or 17% from $125,113,000 excluding the sold SBA 7(a) loans, primarily reflecting the increases described above, partially offset by increased loan participations purchased. The consumer loan portfolio of $85,678,000 was up $19,347,000 or 29% from $66,331,000 a year ago, and represented 12% of the investment portfolio at year end compared to 11% a year ago, and yielded 18.45% compared to 18.64% a year ago. The increase reflected the new origination volumes over the last year, partially offset by the runoff in the acquired portfolio. Equity investments were $24,013,000, down $9,632,000 or 29% from $33,645,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting the sale of a portion of the CCU common stock received for our ownership interest in Media, and losses taken on certain mezzanine investments, and represented 3% of the investment portfolio and had a dividend yield of 1.53%, compared to 5% and 1.37% a year ago. Investment securities of $18,093,000 were up $3,494,000 or 24% from $14,599,000 a year ago, and represented 3% of the investment portfolio, and yielded 4.11%, compared to 2% and 3.92% a year ago. See page 28 for a table that shows balances and yields by type of investment.

Interest expense was $24,397,000 in 2005, up $8,333,000 or 52% from $16,064,000 in 2004. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to higher average borrowed funds outstanding. Average debt outstanding was

 

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$573,606,000 for 2005, compared to $413,098,000 a year ago, an increase of 39%, primarily reflecting increased utilization of the MLB Line, the increase in brokered CD’s, and in other borrowings used to fund portfolio investment growth. The cost of borrowed funds was 4.25% in 2005, compared to 3.89% a year ago, an increase of 9%, reflecting increases in the general level of interest rates over the last year. See page 34 for a table which shows average balances and cost of funds for the Company’s funding sources.

Net interest income was $32,776,000 and the net interest margin was 4.65% for 2005, up $9,720,000 or 42% from $23,056,000 in 2004, which represented a net interest margin of 4.37%, all reflecting the items discussed above.

Noninterest income was $3,880,000 in 2005, up $401,000 or 12% from $3,479,000 a year ago. Gains on the sale of loans were $885,000 in 2005, down $19,000 or 2% from $904,000 in 2004. During 2005, $10,785,000 of guaranteed loans were sold under the SBA program, compared to $10,311,000 in 2004, an increase of 5%. The change in gains on sale under the SBA program primarily reflected the sale of the SBA loan portfolio during the 2005 fourth quarter, as well as the level of loan origination and sales activities during the rest of the year, partially offset by lower market-determined net premiums received on the sales in 2005. Other income, which is comprised of servicing fee income, prepayment fees, late charges, and other miscellaneous income, was $2,996,000 in 2005, compared to $2,575,000 a year ago, an increase of $421,000 or 16%. Included in 2005 were $892,000 of prepayment penalties from several large paid-off loans. Excluding the prepayment penalties, other income in 2005 decreased $471,000 or 18%, primarily reflecting the $447,000 decline in servicing fee income and other related income amounts associated with the sold SBA (7a) loan portfolio.

Operating expenses were $21,235,000 in 2005, compared to $18,937,000 in 2004, an increase of $2,298,000 or 12%, primarily reflecting increased expenses associated with the growth of MB, partially offset by the reduced costs associated with the sold SBA 7(a) loan portfolio. Salaries and benefits expense was $10,930,000 in 2005, up $1,513,000 or 16% from $9,417,000 in 2004, primarily reflecting an increase in headcount compared to 2004, mostly related to MB and BLL, and higher levels of salaries and bonuses, partially offset by higher amounts of salary deferrals related to loan originations. Professional fees were $2,267,000 in 2005, up $491,000 or 28% from $1,776,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting higher investment project-related professional costs, increased legal and accounting costs, including costs related to the Company’s compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley, and in 2004 was reduced by expense reimbursements for professional fees associated with the Media sale. Other operating expenses of $8,038,000 in 2005 were up $294,000 or 4% from $7,744,000 a year ago. The increase primarily reflected increased expenses associated with the growth of MB, including servicing costs for the consumer portfolio, greater usage of temporary help, and increased expenses associated with business development activities, partially offset by reduced levels of miscellaneous taxes, loan collections, insurance, and other expenses.

Income tax expense was $1,959,000 in 2005, compared to $2,171,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting MB’s provision for taxes, which in 2005 included a credit for refunded taxes of $365,000, and a reduction in the tax valuation reserve of $226,000.

Net unrealized depreciation on investments was $7,682,000 in 2005, compared to appreciation of $17,110,000 in 2004, a decrease of $24,792,000. During the 2004 third quarter, the Company exchanged its investment in Media for common stock of Clear Channel, resulting in an unrealized gain of $23,512,000 and a realized gain of $1,477,000. Net unrealized depreciation net of the exchange gain and Media’s pre-sale operations was $3,575,000 in 2004, resulting in increased depreciation of $4,107,000 in 2005. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) arises when the Company makes valuation adjustments to the investment portfolio. When investments are sold or written off, any resulting realized gain (loss) is grossed up to reflect previously recorded unrealized components. As a result, movement between periods can appear distorted. The 2005 activity resulted from reversals of unrealized appreciation associated with equity investments that were sold of $5,514,000, net unrealized depreciation on loans of $5,049,000, and net unrealized depreciation on foreclosed property of $1,123,000, partially offset by reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with fully depreciated loans which were charged off of $3,602,000 and net unrealized appreciation on equity investments of $402,000. The 2004 activity resulted from net unrealized depreciation on loans of $6,258,000, the reversals of unrealized appreciation associated with equity investments that were sold of $2,676,000, net decreases in the valuation of equity investments of $2,479,000, and net unrealized depreciation of $512,000 on foreclosed property, partially offset by the reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with fully depreciated loans which were charged off of $5,530,000 and unrealized appreciation on equity investments of $2,820,000.

Also included in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments were the net losses of the MTM divisions of the Company prior to their sale during the 2004 third quarter. MTM generated net losses of $2,827,000 in 2004. The Company’s investment in Media was exchanged for stock in Clear Channel, as described above, and Japan was sold to its management, which resulted in a realized gain of $255,000.

 

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Table of Contents

The Company’s net realized gain on investments was $1,081,000 in 2005, compared to losses of $26,000 in 2004, reflecting the above and net direct gains on sales of equity investments of $2,439,000, partially offset by net direct chargeoffs of $3,115,000 and net direct losses on sales of foreclosed property of $162,000. The 2004 activity reflected the above and net direct chargeoffs of $86,000 and direct losses on sales of foreclosed property of $25,000, partially offset by direct gains on sales of equity investments of $1,462,000.

The Company’s net realized/unrealized losses on investments were $6,601,000 in 2005, compared to gains of $17,085,000 in 2004, reflecting the above.

For the Years Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $22,512,000 or $1.22 per diluted common share in 2004, up $20,494,000 from $2,018,000 or $0.11 per share in 2003, primarily reflecting the unrealized appreciation associated with the exchange of our investment in Media for CCU stock and the increased net interest income resulting from the RV/Marine portfolio purchase, partially offset by higher taxes and higher operating expenses associated with servicing those acquired assets, and the 2003 realized gains associated with the sale of Select Comfort. Net investment income after taxes was $5,427,000 or $0.29 per diluted common share in 2004, up $4,013,000 from $1,414,000 or $0.08 per share in 2003.

Investment income was $39,119,000 in 2004, up $12,905,000 or 49% from $26,214,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting $8,953,000 in income earned on the newly purchased/originated RV/Marine portfolio. Excluding that, investment income increased $3,952,000 or 15% compared to a year ago, primarily reflecting the growth in the other investment portfolio’s, partially offset by lower investment yields. The yield on the investment portfolio was 7.47% in 2004, up 8% from 6.93% a year ago, reflecting the impact of the higher yielding RV/Marine portfolio, partially offset by the reduction in market interest rates in the traditional businesses over the last several years as borrowers refinance. The yield on the investment portfolio excluding the RV/Marine portfolio purchase was 6.25% in 2004, down 10% from 2003. Average investments outstanding were $518,078,000 in 2004 ($475,566,000 excluding the RV/Marine portfolio), up 38% from $375,491,000 a year ago (up 27% excluding the RV/Marine portfolio), reflecting the RV/Marine purchase and growth in most other portfolios.

Medallion loans were $392,131,000 at year end, up $103,919,000 or 36% from $288,212,000 a year ago, representing 61% of the investment portfolio compared to 76% in 2003, and were yielding 6.01% compared to 6.29%, a decrease of 4%. The increase in outstandings primarily reflected efforts to book new business and repurchase certain participations, primarily in the New York City and Chicago markets, to maximize the utilization of the lower cost MLB line, and reflects the success of the recent New York medallion auctions and the increase in medallion values. As medallion loans renewed during the year and new business was booked, they were priced at generally lower current market rates compared to a year ago. The commercial loan portfolio was $136,835,000 at year end, compared to $85,970,000 a year ago, an increase of $50,865,000 or 59%, and represented 21% of the investment portfolio compared to 23% in 2003. Commercial loans yielded 10.13% at year end, compared to 8.98% a year ago, reflecting the increases in market interest rates during the last half of the year, the floating rate nature of much of the portfolio, and the growth in higher yielding portfolios. The increase in commercial loans was concentrated in asset based receivables (including repurchased participations) and high-yield mezzanine loans. The new consumer loan portfolio of $66,331,000, which is composed primarily of purchased loans, represented 11% of the investment portfolio at year end, and yielded 18.64%. Equity investments were $33,645,000, up $28,668,000 from a year ago, primarily reflecting the receipt of CCU common stock for our ownership interest in Media, and represented 5% of the investment portfolio and had a dividend yield of 1.37% at year end. Investment securities of $14,599,000, or 2% of the investment portfolio, represented more liquid investments in 2004 required by MB, and yielded 3.92%. See page 28 for a table that shows balances and yields by type of investment.

Interest expense was $16,064,000 in 2004, up $4,022,000 or 33% from $12,042,000 in 2003. Included in interest expense in 2004 was $1,432,000 related to the amortization of debt origination costs on the ML Line, compared to $2,325,000 in 2003, which was partially offset by $543,000 of interest reversals. The increase in interest expense was due to higher average borrowed funds outstanding, partially offset by lower borrowing costs. Average debt outstanding was $413,098,000, compared to $259,107,000 a year ago, an increase of 59%, reflecting the newly raised brokered CD’s, increased utilization of the ML Line, and other borrowings used to fund portfolio investment growth, including the RV/Marine portfolio purchase. The cost of borrowed funds was 3.88% in 2004, compared to 4.65% a year ago, a decrease of 17%, primarily attributable to the increased utilization of low cost brokered deposit financing and the lower cost ML Line. Approximately 53% of the Company’s debt was short-term and floating or adjustable rate at year end, compared to 80% a year ago. See page 34 for a table which shows average balances and cost of funds for the Company’s funding sources.

 

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Net interest income was $23,056,000, and the net interest margins was 4.37%, for 2004, up $8,884,000 or 63% from $14,172,000 in 2003, which represented a net interest margin of 3.72%, all reflecting the items discussed above.

Noninterest income was $3,479,000 in 2004, down $978,000 or 22% from $4,457,000 a year ago. Gains on the sale of loans were $904,000 in 2004, up $48,000 or 6% from $856,000 in 2003, which included $202,000 of gains from the sale of $4,395,000 of unguaranteed portions of the SBA portfolio. During 2004, $10,311,000 of guaranteed loans were sold under the SBA program, compared to $7,163,000 in 2003, an increase of 44%. The increase in gains on sale under the SBA program primarily reflected the pickup in loan origination and sales activities as new loan originators began producing, partially offset by lower market-determined net premiums received on the sales in 2004. Other income, which is comprised of servicing fee income, prepayment fees, late charges, and other miscellaneous income, was $2,575,000 in 2004, compared to $3,601,000 a year ago, a decrease of $1,026,000 or 28%. Included in 2003 was $400,000 related to reversing a portion of the servicing asset impairment reserve which was no longer required due to improved prepayment patterns in the servicing asset pools and $246,000 from deal-termination and extension fees. Excluding those items, the decreases generally reflected lower servicing fee income from the SBA 7(a) business and lower fee income from prepayments and other refinancing activities.

Operating expenses were $18,937,000 in 2004, compared to $17,174,000 in 2003, an increase of $1,763,000 or 10%. Salaries and benefits expense was $9,417,000, up $307,000 or 3% from $9,110,000 in 2003, primarily reflecting higher levels of salaries and increased headcount in 2004, including the first full year of MB operations , partially offset by reductions related to loan origination activities. Professional fees were $1,776,000 in 2004, up $528,000 or 42% from $1,248,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting increased legal and accounting costs, including costs related to the Company’s compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley, compared to unusually low amounts in 2003, which reflected transitional changes in the Company’s accounting and legal relationships. Other operating expenses of $7,744,000 in 2004 were up $928,000 or 14% from $6,816,000 a year ago (which included $63,000 of costs of debt extinguishment), primarily reflecting a higher level of operating expenses, mostly due to the growth of MB, including $892,000 of newly incurred service costs for the RV/Marine portfolio, increased directors fees, and higher levels of rent, partially offset by lower loan collection expenses.

Income tax expense was $2,171,000 in 2004, compared to $41,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting MB’s provision for taxes.

Net unrealized appreciation on investments was $17,110,000 in 2004, compared to depreciation of $10,923,000 a year ago, an improvement of $28,033,000. During the 2004 third quarter, the Company exchanged its investment in Media for common stock of CCU, resulting in an unrealized gain of approximately $23,512,000 and a realized gain of approximately $1,477,000. Net unrealized depreciation net of the exchange gain and Media’s pre-sale operations was $3,575,000 in 2004, compared to $6,990,000 in 2003, an improvement of $3,415,000. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) arises when the Company makes valuation adjustments to the investment portfolio. When investments are sold or written off, any resulting realized gain (loss) is grossed up to reflect previously recorded unrealized components. As a result, movement between periods can appear distorted. The 2004 activity resulted from net unrealized depreciation on loans of $6,258,000, the reversals of unrealized appreciation associated with equity investments that were sold of $2,676,000, net decreases in the valuation of equity investments of $2,479,000, and net unrealized depreciation of $512,000 on foreclosed property, partially offset by the reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with fully depreciated loans which were charged off of $5,530,000 and unrealized appreciation on equity investments of $2,820,000. The 2003 activity resulted from the reversals of unrealized appreciation primarily associated with appreciated equity investments that were sold of $7,744,000, net unrealized depreciation on loans and equities of $3,101,000, and net unrealized depreciation of $318,000 on foreclosed property, partially offset by reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with fully depreciated loans which were charged off of $2,315,000, and increases in the valuation of equity investments of $1,858,000.

Also included in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments were the net losses of the MTM divisions of the Company prior to their sale during the 2004 third quarter. MTM generated net losses of $2,827,000 in 2004, improvements of $1,106,000 or 28% from net losses of $3,933,000 in 2003. Included in 2003 was a $985,000 net gain from the settlement of a lawsuit with one of our fleet operators and a $389,000 reversal of accrued fleet costs which resulted from continued contract renegotiations, partially offset by a $346,000 writeoff of damaged/missing tops. The Company’s investment in Media was exchanged for stock in CCU, as described above, and MMJ was sold to its management, which resulted in a realized gain of $255,000.

 

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The Company’s net realized loss on investments was $26,000 in 2004, compared to a gain of $11,527,000 in 2003, reflecting the above, and net direct chargeoffs of $86,000 and direct losses on sales of foreclosed property of $25,000, partially offset by direct gains on sales of equity investments of $1,462,000. The 2003 activity reflected the above and direct gains on sales of equity investments of $6,223,000 and by net recoveries of $36,000, partially offset by $161,000 of realized losses on foreclosed properties.

The Company’s net realized/unrealized gains on investments was $17,085,000 in 2004, compared to a gain of $604,000 in 2003, reflecting the above.

ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The Company, like other financial institutions, is subject to interest rate risk to the extent its interest-earning assets (consisting of medallion, commercial, and consumer loans; and investment securities) reprice on a different basis over time in comparison to its interest-bearing liabilities (consisting primarily of credit facilities with banks, bank certificates of deposit, and subordinated SBA debentures).

Having interest-bearing liabilities that mature or reprice more frequently on average than assets may be beneficial in times of declining interest rates, although such an asset/liability structure may result in declining net earnings during periods of rising interest rates. Abrupt increases in market rates of interest may have an adverse impact on our earnings until we are able to originate new loans at the higher prevailing interest rates. Conversely, having interest-earning assets that mature or reprice more frequently on average than liabilities may be beneficial in times of rising interest rates, although this asset/liability structure may result in declining net earnings during periods of falling interest rates. This mismatch between maturities and interest rate sensitivities of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities results in interest rate risk.

The effect of changes in interest rates is mitigated by regular turnover of the portfolio. Based on past experience, the Company anticipates that approximately 40% of the taxicab medallion portfolio will mature or be prepaid each year. The Company believes that the average life of its loan portfolio varies to some extent as a function of changes in interest rates. Borrowers are more likely to exercise prepayment rights in a decreasing interest rate environment because the interest rate payable on the borrower’s loan is high relative to prevailing interest rates. Conversely, borrowers are less likely to prepay in a rising interest rate environment. However, borrowers may prepay for a variety of other reasons, such as to monetize increases in the underlying collateral values, particularly in the medallion loan portfolio.

In addition, the Company manages its exposure to increases in market rates of interest by incurring fixed-rate indebtedness, such as ten year subordinated SBA debentures, and by setting repricing intervals or the maturities of tranches drawn under the revolving line of credit or issued as certificates of deposit, for terms of up to five years. The Company had outstanding SBA debentures of $77,250,000 with a weighted average interest rate of 6.02%, constituting 13% of the Company’s total indebtedness as of December 31, 2005. Also, as of December 31, 2005, portions of the adjustable rate debt with Banks repriced at intervals of as long as 22 months, and certain of the certificates of deposit were for terms of up to 45 months, further mitigating the immediate impact of changes in market interest rates.

A relative measure of interest rate risk can be derived from the Company’s interest rate sensitivity gap. The interest rate sensitivity gap represents the difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, which mature and/or reprice within specified intervals of time. The gap is considered to be positive when repriceable assets exceed repriceable liabilities, and negative when repriceable liabilities exceed repriceable assets. A relative measure of interest rate sensitivity is provided by the cumulative difference between interest sensitive assets and interest sensitive liabilities for a given time interval expressed as a percentage of total assets.

 

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The following table presents the Company’s interest rate sensitivity gap at December 31, 2005, compared to the respective positions at the end of 2004 and 2003. The principal amount of interest earning assets are assigned to the time frames in which such principal amounts are contractually obligated to be repriced. The Company has not reflected an assumed annual prepayment rate for such assets in this table.

 

     December 31, 2005 Cumulative Rate Gap (1) (In 000’s)

(Dollars in thousands)

  

Less

Than 1
Year

   

More

Than 1

and Less
Than 2
Years

    More
Than 2
and Less
Than 3
Years
   More
Than 3
and Less
Than 4
Years
   More
Than 4
and Less
Than 5
Years
  

More

Than 5

and Less
Than 6
Years

    Thereafter     Total

Earning assets

                   

Floating-rate

   $ 112,688     $ —       $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —       $ —       $ 112,688

Adjustable rate

     98,944       15,047       54,018      716      1,196      7       499       170,427

Fixed-rate

     54,605       70,504       171,699      72,627      50,217      6,841       19,897       446,390

Cash

     22,838       —         —        —        —        —         —         22,838
                                                           

Total earning assets

   $ 289,075     $ 85,551     $ 225,717    $ 73,343    $ 51,413    $ 6,848     $ 20,396     $ 752,343
                                                           

Interest bearing liabilities

                   

Revolving

line of credit

   $ 235,115     $ 80,000     $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —       $ —       $ 315,115

Certificates of deposit

     127,768       40,188       31,358      19,793      —        —         —         219,107

Notes payable to banks

     8,550       —         —        —        —        —         —         8,550

SBA debentures

     —         —         —        —        —        17,985       59,265       77,250
                                                           

Total liabilities

   $ 371,433     $ 120,188     $ 31,358    $ 19,793    $ —      $ 17,985     $ 59,265     $ 620,022
                                                           

Interest rate gap

   $ (82,358 )   $ (34,637 )   $ 194,359    $ 53,550    $ 51,413    $ (11,137 )   $ (38,869 )   $ 132,321
                                                           

Cumulative interest rate gap (2)

   $ (82,358 )   $ (116,995 )   $ 77,364    $ 130,914    $ 182,327    $ 171,190     $ 132,321       —  
                                                           

December 31, 2004 (2)

   $ 27,175     $ 52,388     $ 62,710    $ 108,181    $ 173,610    $ 176,752     $ 131,520       —  

December 31, 2003 (2)

     (61,987 )     (6,176 )     104,121      123,280      181,851      189,272       141,674       —  
                                                           

(1) The ratio of the cumulative one year gap to total interest rate sensitive assets was 11%, 4%, and (14%) as of December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.
(2) Adjusted for the medallion loan 40% prepayment assumption results in cumulative one year positive interest rate gap and related ratio of $47,912,000 or 6%, $136,030,000 or 21%, and $19,136,000 or 4% for December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively.

The Company’s interest rate sensitive assets were approximately $752,343,000 and interest rate sensitive liabilities were $620,022,000 at December 31, 2005. The one-year cumulative interest rate gap was a negative $82,358,000 or 11% of interest rate sensitive assets, compared to a positive $27,175,000 or 4% at December 31, 2004. However, using our estimated 40% prepayment/refinancing rate for medallion loans to adjust the interest rate gap resulted in a positive gap of $47,912,000 or 6% at December 31, 2005. The Company seeks to manage interest rate risk by originating adjustable-rate loans, by incurring fixed-rate indebtedness, by evaluating appropriate derivatives, pursuing securitization opportunities, and by other options consistent with managing interest rate risk.

Interest Rate Cap Agreements

From time-to time, the Company enters into interest rate cap agreements to manage the exposure of the portfolio to increases in market interest rates by hedging a portion of its variable-rate debt against increases in interest rates. There were no interest rate caps outstanding during 2005, 2004, and 2003.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our sources of liquidity are the revolving line of credit with MLB, revolving lines of credit with other financial institutions, loan amortization and prepayments, participations or sales of loans to third parties, and our ability to raise brokered certificates of deposit through MB. As a RIC, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income; consequently, we have primarily relied upon external sources of funds to finance growth. The Trust’s 325,000,000 revolving line of credit with MLB had availability of $20,547,000 as of December 31, 2005. At the current required capital levels, it is expected, although there can be no guarantee, that deposits of approximately $1,950,000 could be raised by MB to fund future loan origination activity. In addition, MB as a non-RIC subsidiary of the Company is allowed (and for three years required) to retain all earnings in the business to fund future growth, and has $15,000,000 available under a Fed Funds Line with a commercial bank. Lastly, $12,343,000 was available under a revolving credit agreements with commercial banks, and in March 2006, the SBA approved a $13,500,000 commitment for MCI to issue additional debentures to the SBA during a ten year period upon payment of a 1% fee and the infusion of $4,500,000 of additional capital.

 

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The components of our debt were as follows at December 31, 2005:

 

     Balance    Percentage     Rate (1)  

Revolving line of credit

   $ 304,453,000    49 %   4.53 %

Certificates of deposit

     219,107,000    35     3.47  

SBA debentures

     77,250,000    13     6.02  

Margin loan

     10,662,000    2     5.00  

Notes payable to banks

     8,550,000    1     6.76  
               

Total outstanding debt

   $ 620,022,000    100 %   4.38  
                   

(1) Weighted average contractual rate as of December 31, 2005.

The Company’s contractual obligations expire on or mature at various dates through September 1, 2015. The following table shows all contractual obligations at December 31, 2005.

 

     Payments due by period
     Less than 1
year
  

1 – 2

years

  

2 – 3

years

  

3 – 4

years

  

4 – 5

years

   More than 5
years
   Total

Floating rate borrowings

   $ 322,106,000    $ 1,559,000    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 323,665,000

Fixed rate borrowings

     127,768,000      40,188,000      31,358,000      19,793,000      —        77,250,000      296,357,000

Operating lease obligations

     1,067,000      1,153,000      1,032,000      1,025,000      1,025,000      5,144,000      10,446,000
                                                

Total

   $ 450,941,000    $ 42,900,000    $ 32,390,000    $ 20,818,000    $ 1,025,000    $ 82,394,000    $ 630,468,000
                                                

The Company values its portfolio at fair value as determined in good faith by management and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Company’s valuation policy. Unlike certain lending institutions, the Company is not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses. Instead, the Company must value each individual investment and portfolio loan on a quarterly basis. The Company records unrealized depreciation on investments and loans when it believes that an asset has been impaired and full collection is unlikely. The Company records unrealized appreciation on equities if it has a clear indication that the underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, the Company’s equity investment has also appreciated in value. Without a readily ascertainable market value, the estimated value of the Company’s portfolio of investments and loans may differ significantly from the values that would be placed on the portfolio if there existed a ready market for the investments. The Company adjusts the valuation of the portfolio quarterly to reflect management’s estimate of the current fair value of each investment in the portfolio. Any changes in estimated fair value are recorded in the Company’s statement of operations as net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. The Company’s investment in MTM, as wholly-owned portfolio investments, was also subject to quarterly assessments of its fair value. The Company used MTM’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the result as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

In addition, the illiquidity of our loan portfolio and investments may adversely affect our ability to dispose of loans at times when it may be advantageous for us to liquidate such portfolio or investments. In addition, if we were required to liquidate some or all of the investments in the portfolio, the proceeds of such liquidation may be significantly less than the current value of such investments. Because we borrow money to make loans and investments, our net operating income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest these funds. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our interest income. In periods of sharply rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which would reduce our net operating income before net realized and unrealized gains. We use a combination of long-term and short-term borrowings and equity capital to finance our investing activities. Our long-term fixed-rate investments are financed primarily with short-term floating-rate debt, and to a lesser extent by term fixed-rate debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Company has analyzed the potential impact of changes in interest rates on interest income net of interest expense. Assuming that the balance sheet were to remain constant and no actions were taken to alter the existing interest rate sensitivity, a hypothetical immediate 1% change in interest rates would have negatively impacted net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations as of at December 31, 2005 by approximately ($100,000) on an annualized basis, compared to a positive impact of $992,000 as of December 31, 2004, and the impact of such an immediate 1% change over a one year period would have been ($753,000), compared to $517,000 for 2004. Although management believes that this measure is indicative of the Company’s sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for potential changes in credit quality, size and composition of the assets on the balance sheet, and other

 

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business developments that could affect net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations in a particular quarter or for the year taken as a whole. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that actual results would not differ materially from the potential outcome simulated by these estimates.

The Company continues to work with investment banking firms and other financial intermediaries to investigate the viability of a number of other financing options which include, among others, the sale or spin off certain assets or divisions, the development of a securitization conduit program, and other independent financing for certain subsidiaries or asset classes. These financing options would also provide additional sources of funds for both external expansion and continuation of internal growth.

The following table illustrates sources of available funds for the Company and each of the subsidiaries, and amounts outstanding under credit facilities and their respective end of period weighted average interest rates at December 31, 2005. See notes 4 and 5 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information about each credit facility.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   The Company     MFC     MCI     MBC    FSVC     MB     Total     12/31/04  

Cash

   $ 2,119     $ 2,200     $ 9,813     $ 3,492    $ 5,185     $ 20,227     $ 43,036     $ 37,267  

Bank loans (1)

     15,000       4,000                19,000       15,000  

Amounts undisbursed

     9,500       4,000                13,500       3,300  

Amounts outstanding

     5,500       3,050                8,550       15,003  

Average interest rate

     7.25 %     5.86 %              6.76 %     4.97 %

Maturity

     06/06       02/06-6/07                2/06-6/07       4/05-6/07  

Lines of Credit (2)

       325,000                325,000       250,000  

Amounts undisbursed

       20,547                20,547       43  

Amounts outstanding

       304,453                304,453       249,957  

Average interest rate

       4.53 %              4.53 %     3.85 %

Maturity

       9/06                9/06       9/05  

Margin loan

     10,663                  10,663       10,000  

Average interest rate

     5.00 %                5.00 %     3.01 %

Maturity

     N/A                  N/A       N/A  

SBA debentures (3)

         33,250          44,000         77,250       80,000  

Amounts undisbursed

         0          0         0       15,565  

Amounts outstanding

         33,250          44,000         77,250       64,435  

Average interest rate

         6.02 %        6.02 %       6.02 %     6.11 %

Maturity

         9/11-9/15          9/11-9/15         9/11-9/15       9/11-3/14  

Certificates of deposit

                219,107       219,107       186,538  

Average interest rate

                3.47 %     3.47 %     2.46 %

Maturity

                1/06-9/09       1/06-9/09       1/05-5/09  
                                                               

Total cash and amounts remaining undisbursed under credit facilities

   $ 11,619     $ 26,748     $ 9,813     $ 3,492    $ 5,185       20,227     $ 77,083     $ 56,175  
                                                               

Total debt outstanding

   $ 16,163     $ 307,503     $ 33,250     $ —      $ 44,000       219,107     $ 620,022     $ 525,933  
                                                               

(1) In January 2005, MFC entered into a $4 MM revolving note agreement with Atlantic Bank that matures in August 2006, and is secured by medallion loans in process of being sold to the Trust.
(2) In January 2006, this line of credit was extended for an additional two years to September 2008, with the committed amount adjusting to $475,000,000.
(3) In March 2006, the SBA approved a $13,500,000 commitment for MCI to issue additional debentures to the SBA during a ten year period upon payment of a 1% fee and the infusion of $4,500,000 of additional capital.

Loan amortization, prepayments, and sales also provide a source of funding for the Company. Prepayments on loans are influenced significantly by general interest rates, medallion loan market rates, economic conditions, and competition. The Company believes that its credit facilities with MLB, deposits generated at MB, and cash flow from operations (after distributions to shareholders) will be adequate to fund the continuing operations of the Company’s loan portfolio. Also, MB is not a RIC, and therefore is able to retain earnings to finance growth.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

        In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments,” an amendment of SFAS No. 133 and 140. This statement permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation, clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of SFAS No. 133, establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are free standing derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that

 

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contain an embedded derivative that require bifurcation, clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives, and amends SFAS No. 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying special-purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial instrument. This statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006, as defined. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 155 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS No. 123R), which supercedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The revised statement addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions with employees and other third parties, eliminates the ability to account for share-based transactions using APB No. 25 and requires that the compensation costs relating to such transactions be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. FAS No. 123R requires additional disclosures relating to the income tax and cash flow effects resulting from share-based payments. On April 14, 2005, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission announced it would permit most registrants subject to its oversight additional time to implement the requirements in SFAS No. 123(R). As announced, the SEC will permit companies to implement SFAS No. 123(R) at the beginning of their next fiscal year (instead of their next reporting period) that begins after June 15, 2005. The Company is evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) and expects that the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), effective January 1, 2006, will have an immaterial impact on its consolidated results of operations and earnings per share. The Company has not yet determined the method of adoption or the potential financial impact of adopting SFAS No. 123(R).

In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (revised), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46R), an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements”. Variable interest entities, some of which were formerly referred to as special purpose entities, are generally entities for which their other equity investors (1) do not provide significant financial resources for the entity to sustain its activities, (2) do not have voting rights or (3) have voting rights that are disproportionately high compared with their economic interests. Under FIN 46R, variable interest entities must be consolidated by the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is generally defined as having the majority of the risks and rewards of ownership arising from the variable interest entity. FIN 46R also requires certain disclosures if a significant variable interest is held but not required to be consolidated. This standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In December 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position No. 03-3, “Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer” (“SOP 03-3”). Loans carried at fair value and loans to borrowers in good standing under revolving credit agreements are excluded from the scope of SOP 03-3, thus the adoption of this standard had no impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150 “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (“SFAS No. 150”). This statement requires that an issuer classify financial instruments that are within its scope as a liability. Many of those instruments were classified as equity under previous guidance. Most of the guidance in SFAS No. 150 is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. This standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS No. 149). The provisions of SFAS No.149 that relate to SFAS No. 133 and No. 138 implementation issues that have been effective for fiscal quarters that began prior to June 15, 2003, should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective effective dates. In addition, provisions of SFAS No. 149 which relate to forward purchases or sales of when-issued securities or other securities that do not yet exist, should be applied to both existing contracts and new contracts entered into after June 30, 2003. The changes in SFAS No. 149 improve financial reporting by requiring that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly. In particular, SFAS No. 149 (1) clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative discussed in paragraph 6(b) of SFAS No. 133 and No. 138, (2) clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, (3) amends the definition of an underlying financing component to conform it to language used in FIN 45, and (4) amends certain other existing pronouncements. Those changes resulted in more consistent reporting of contracts as either derivatives or hybrid instruments. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, except as stated above and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. In addition, except as stated above, all provisions of SFAS No.149 should be applied prospectively. This standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s business activities contain elements of risk. The Company considers the principal types of risk to be fluctuations in interest rates and portfolio valuations. The Company considers the management of risk essential to conducting its businesses. Accordingly, the Company’s risk management systems and procedures are designed to identify and analyze the Company’s risks, to set appropriate policies and limits and to continually monitor these risks and limits by means of reliable administrative and information systems and other policies and programs.

The Company values its portfolio at fair value as determined in good faith by management and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Company’s valuation policy. Unlike certain lending institutions, the Company is not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses. Instead, the Company must value each individual investment and portfolio loan on a quarterly basis. The Company records unrealized depreciation on investments and loans when it believes that an asset has been impaired and full collection is unlikely. The Company records unrealized appreciation on equities if it has a clear indication that the underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, the Company’s security has also appreciated in value. Without a readily ascertainable market value, the estimated value of the Company’s portfolio of investments and loans may differ significantly from the values that would be placed on the portfolio if there existed a ready market for the investments. The Company adjusts the valuation of the portfolio quarterly to reflect management’s estimate of the current fair value of each investment in the portfolio. Any changes in estimated fair value are recorded in the Company’s statement of operations as net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. The Company’s investment in MTM, as wholly-owned portfolio investments, were also subject to quarterly assessments of its fair value. The Company used MTM’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the result as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

In addition, the illiquidity of our loan portfolio and investments may adversely affect our ability to dispose of loans at times when it may be advantageous for us to liquidate such portfolio or investments. In addition, if we were required to liquidate some or all of the investments in the portfolio, the proceeds of such liquidation may be significantly less than the current value of such investments. Because we borrow money to make loans and investments, our net operating income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest these funds. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our interest income. In periods of sharply rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which would reduce our net operating income before net realized and unrealized gains. We use a combination of long-term and short-term borrowings and equity capital to finance our investing activities. Our long-term fixed-rate investments are financed primarily with short term floating rate debt, and to a lesser extent with long-term fixed-rate debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Company has analyzed the potential impact of changes in interest rates on interest income net of interest expense. Assuming that the balance sheet were to remain constant and no actions were taken to alter the existing interest rate sensitivity, a hypothetical immediate 1% change in interest rates would have negatively affected net increase (decrease) in net assets at December 31, 2005, by approximately ($100,000) on an annualized basis, compared to a positive impact of $992,000 as of December 31, 2004, and the impact of such an immediate 1% change over a one year period would have been ($753,000) compared $517,000 for 2004. Although management believes that this measure is indicative of the Company’s sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for potential changes in credit quality, size and composition of the assets on the balance sheet, and other business developments that could affect net increase (decrease) in net assets in a particular quarter or for the year taken as a whole. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that actual results would not differ materially from the potential outcome simulated by these estimates.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Reference is made to the financial statements set forth under Item 15(A)(1) in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in response to this Item 8.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

In April and early May of 2005, management made contact with potential candidates to replace Eisner LLP (“Eisner”) as the Company’s independent registered public accountants. Management held several meetings with such firms,

 

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and also received a bid offer. Eisner later resigned. On July 25, 2005, the Company engaged Weiser LLP (“Weiser”) of New York, New York as the independent registered public accountants to audit the Company’s financial statements. Prior to formally engaging Weiser, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved said action at a meeting held on July 13, 2005.

The audit report of Eisner on the financial statements of the Company for the 2004 fiscal year contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principle. In connection with its audit and reviews of the Company’s financial statements through the date hereof, there were no reportable events and there were no disagreements with Eisner on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Eisner, would have caused Eisner to make reference thereto in their report on the financial statements for such years.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the Audit Committee) of the Company annually considers and recommends to the Board of Directors the selection of the Company’s independent public accountants. During the 2004 third quarter, the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors recommended that the Company change audit firms, and directed the process of review of candidate firms to replace PwC, who had previously served as the Company’s independent accountants, and selected the registered public accounting firm of Eisner LLP (Eisner). On August 25, 2004, the Company dismissed PwC and engaged Eisner as its new accounting firm.

The reports of PwC on the financial statements of the Company for the 2003 fiscal year contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.

In connection with its audits and reviews of the Company’s financial statements through the date hereof, there were no disagreements with PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PwC, would have caused PwC to make reference thereto in their report on the financial statements for such years.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) were effective as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

As required by Rule 13a-15(d) under the Exchange Act, the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the fourth quarter of 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there has been no such material change during the fourth quarter of 2005.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

 

    Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

 

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    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 of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

 

    Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management of the Company assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on its assessment and those criteria, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005.

The Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Weiser LLP, has audited and issued a report on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The report of Weiser LLP appears below.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Medallion Financial Corp.

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Medallion Financial Corp. (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s 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 the assets of the company; (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 of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

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In our opinion, management’s assessment that Medallion Financial Corp. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO. Also, in our opinion, Medallion Financial Corp. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Medallion Financial Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and our report dated February 21, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Weiser LLP

New York, New York

February 21, 2006

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement expected to be filed by April 30, 2006 for its fiscal year 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption “Directors and Officers of the Registrant.”

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement expected to be filed by April 30, 2006 for its fiscal year 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption “Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers.”

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement expected to be filed by April 30, 2006 for its fiscal year 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement expected to be filed by April 30, 2006 for its fiscal year 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption “Certain Transactions.”

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement expect to be filed by April 30, 2006 for its fiscal year 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders under the caption “Independent Public Accountants.”

 

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(A)   1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements of Medallion Financial Corp. and the Report of Independent Public Accountants thereon are included as set forth on the Index to Financial Statements on F-1.

2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

See Index to Financial Statements on F-1.

3. EXHIBITS

 

Number  

Description

2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated September 3, 2004, between Medallion Financial Corp., Medallion Taxi Media, Inc., Clear Channel Communications, Inc., and Checker Acquisition Corp. Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 10, 2004 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
2.2   Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated October 17, 2005, by and among Medallion Financial Corp., Business Lenders, LLC, and BLL Acquisition LLC. Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 18, 2005 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
3.1(a)   Restated Medallion Financial Corp. Certificate of Incorporation. Filed as Exhibit 2(a) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-1670) and incorporated by reference herein.
3.1(b)   Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Filed as Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
3.2   Restated By-Laws. Filed as Exhibit (b) to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-1670) and incorporated by reference herein.
4.1   Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated January 7, 2005, in the amount of $325,000,000, from Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I, payable to Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance Corp. Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 11, 2005 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
4.2   Promissory Note, dated April 30, 2003, in the amount of $7,000,000 from Medallion Financial Corp., payable to Atlantic Bank of New York. Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein.
4.3   Revolving Secured Line of Credit Promissory Note, dated January 25, 2005, in the amount of $4,000,000 from Medallion Funding Corp., payable to Atlantic Bank of New York. Filed herewith.
10.1   First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, between Medallion Financial Corp. and Alvin Murstein dated May 29, 1998. Filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.*
10.2   First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, between Medallion Financial Corp. and Andrew Murstein dated May 29, 1998. Filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.*

 

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10.3   Medallion Financial Corp. Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.*
10.4   Medallion Financial Corp. Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan. Filed as Exhibit A to the Company’s Request Form on Amendment and the Order by the Commission approving the plan as of April 3, 2000 (File No. 812-11800) and incorporated by reference herein.*
10.5   Non-Employee Director Compensation Summary Sheet. Filed herewith.*
10.6   Indenture of Lease, dated October 31, 1997, by and between Sage Realty Corporation, as Agent and Landlord, and Medallion Financial Corp., as Tenant. Filed as Exhibit 10.64 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and incorporated by reference herein.
10.7   First Amendment of Lease, dated September 6, 2005, by and between Medallion Financial Corp. and Sage Realty Corporation. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 12, 2005 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.8   Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September 13, 2003, by and among Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I and Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance Corp. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.9   Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated August 12, 2004, by and between Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I and Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance Corp. Filed herewith.
10.10   Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 7, 2005, by and between Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I and Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance Corp. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 11, 2005 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.11   Loan and Sale Contribution Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2002, between Medallion Financial Corp. and Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I. Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2002 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.12   Loan Sale and Exchange Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2002, between Medallion Financial Corp. and Medallion Funding Corp. Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2002 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.13   Servicing Agreement, by and among Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I, Medallion Funding Corp., and Merrill Lynch Bank USA, dated as of September 13, 2002. Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2002 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.14   Amendment to Servicing Agreement, by and among Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I, Medallion Funding Corp. and Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance Corp. as successor in interest to Merrill Lynch Bank USA, dated as of September 12, 2003. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.15   Amendment No. 2 to Servicing Agreement, by and among Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I, Medallion Funding Corp. and Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance Corp. as successor in interest to Merrill Lynch Bank USA, dated as of September 1, 2004. Filed herewith.
10.16   Custodial Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2002, among the lenders thereto, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I, Medallion Funding Corp. and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2002 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.

 

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10.17   Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2002, by and between Medallion Funding Corp. and Wachovia Trust Company, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 18, 2002 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.18   Loan and Security Agreement, dated April 26, 2004, by and between Medallion Financial Corp. and Sterling National Bank. Filed herewith.
10.19   Extension Letter to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2005, by and between Medallion Financial Corp. and Sterling National Bank. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.20   First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2005, by and between Medallion Financial Corp. and Sterling National Bank. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
10.21   Amendment to Revolving Secured Line of Credit Promissory Note, dated December 1, 2005, by Medallion Funding Corp., in favor of Atlantic Bank of New York. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 5, 2005 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
12.1   Computation of ratio of debt to equity.
16.1   Letter, dated June 3, 2005, from Eisner LLP to the Securities and Exchange Commission, regarding change in certifying accountant of Medallion Financial Corp. Filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2005 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
21.1   List of Subsidiaries of Medallion Financial Corp. Filed herewith.
23.1   Consent of Weiser LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2   Consent of Eisner LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.3   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1   Certification of Alvin Murstein pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
31.2   Certification of Larry D. Hall pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to section 302 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
32.1   Certification of Alvin Murstein pursuant to 18 USC. Section 1350, as adopted, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
32.2   Certification of Larry D. Hall pursuant to 18 USC. Section 1350, as adopted, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.

* Compensatory plan or arrangement required to be identified pursuant to Item 15(a)(3) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements. In connection with certain forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K and those that may be made in the future by or on behalf of the Company, the Company notes that there are various factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K

 

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were prepared by management and are qualified by, and subject to, significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K will be realized or that actual results will not be significantly higher or lower. The statements have not been audited by, examined by, compiled by or subjected to agreed-upon procedures by independent accountants, and no third-party has independently verified or reviewed such statements. Readers of this Form 10-K should consider these facts in evaluating the information contained herein. In addition, the business and operations of the Company are subject to substantial risks which increase the uncertainty inherent in the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K. The inclusion of the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K will be achieved. In light of the foregoing, readers of this Form 10-K are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein. These risks and others that are detailed in this Form 10-K and other documents that the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and any current reports on Form 8-K must be considered by any investor or potential investor in the Company.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange of Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

 

Date:   March 15, 2006
By:  

/s/ Alvin Murstein

  Alvin Murstein
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

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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 and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Alvin Murstein

Alvin Murstein

   Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)  

March 15, 2006

/s/Larry D. Hall

Larry D. Hall

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)  

March 15, 2006

/s/ Andrew M. Murstein

Andrew M. Murstein

   President and Director  

March 15, 2006

/s/ Henry L. Aaron

Henry L. Aaron

   Director  

March 15, 2006

/s/ Mario M. Cuomo

Mario M. Cuomo

   Director  

March 15, 2006

/s/ Henry D. Jackson

Henry D. Jackson

   Director  

March 15, 2006

/s/ Stanley Kreitman

Stanley Kreitman

   Director  

March 15, 2006

/s/ Frederick A. Menowitz

Frederick A. Menowitz

   Director  

March 15, 2006

/s/ David L. Rudnick

David L. Rudnick

   Director  

March 15, 2006

/s/ Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.

   Director  

March 15, 2006

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

   F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003

   F-5

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2004

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003

   F-7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003

   F-8

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-9

Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 2005 and 2004

   F-30

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Medallion Financial Corp.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Medallion Financial Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Medallion Financial Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005, and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements enumerated above, we audited the consolidated schedule of investments as of December 31, 2005. In our opinion, the consolidated schedule of investments, when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information stated therein.

We also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Medallion Financial Corp. and subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework Issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated February 21, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.

Weiser LLP

New York, New York

February 21, 2006

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Medallion Financial Corp.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Medallion Financial Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004, including the consolidated schedule of investments as of December 31, 2004 and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows and the selected ratios and other data (Note 15) for the year then ended. These financial statements and the selected ratios and other data are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and the selected ratios and other data based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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 and the selected ratios and other data are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and the selected ratios and other data referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Medallion Financial Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows and the selected ratios and other data for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Florham Park, New Jersey

March 25, 2005

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Medallion Financial Corp.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, including the consolidated schedules of investments, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Medallion Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at December 31, 2003 and 2002, the results of its operations, the changes in its shareholders’ equity and its cash flows for the two years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Company’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

March 15, 2004

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  

Interest income on investments

   $ 55,008,203     $ 37,875,698     $ 25,794,577  

Dividends and interest income on short-term investments

     1,700,263       809,368       223,178  

Medallion lease income

     464,750       434,315       196,610  
                        

Total investment income

     57,173,216       39,119,381       26,214,365  
                        

Interest on floating rate borrowings

     13,398,536       8,921,750       7,862,552  

Interest on fixed rate borrowings

     10,998,237       7,141,833       4,179,379  
                        

Total interest expense

     24,396,773       16,063,583       12,041,931  
                        

Net interest income

     32,776,443       23,055,798       14,172,434  
                        

Gain on sales of loans

     884,608       904,074       856,083  

Other income

     2,995,749       2,575,355       3,600,783  
                        

Total noninterest income

     3,880,357       3,479,429       4,456,866  
                        

Salaries and benefits

     10,930,137       9,417,185       9,110,058  

Professional fees

     2,266,839       1,776,251       1,247,687  

Other operating expenses

     8,038,363       7,743,645       6,815,918  
                        

Total operating expenses

     21,235,339       18,937,081       17,173,663  
                        

Net investment income before income taxes

     15,421,461       7,598,146       1,455,637  

Income tax provision

     1,959,095       2,170,737       41,149  
                        

Net investment income after income taxes

     13,462,366       5,427,409       1,414,488  
                        

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     1,081,005       (25,791 )     11,526,628  

Net change in unrealized appreciation

(depreciation) on investments

     (7,681,869 )     17,110,411       (10,923,093 )
                        

Net realized/unrealized gain (loss) on investments

     (6,600,864 )     17,084,620       603,535  
                        

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 6,861,502     $ 22,512,029     $ 2,018,023  
                        

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per common share

      

Basic

   $ 0.40     $ 1.25     $ 0.11  

Diluted

     0.39       1.22       0.11  
                        

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.54     $ 0.37     $ 0.16  
                        

Weighted average common shares outstanding

      

Basic

     17,087,034       18,001,604       18,245,774  

Diluted

     17,552,228       18,424,518       18,287,952  
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,  
     2005     2004  

Assets

    

Medallion loans, at fair value

   $ 449,672,510     $ 392,131,108  

Commercial loans, at fair value

     145,796,651       136,834,891  

Consumer loans, at fair value

     85,678,412       66,330,748  

Equity investments, at fair value

     24,012,508       33,645,424  

Investment securities, at fair value

     18,092,838       14,598,837  
                

Total investments ($380,267,000 at December 31, 2005 and $312,330,000 at December 31, 2004 pledged as collateral under borrowing arrangements)

     723,252,919       643,541,008  
                

Cash ($574,000 in 2005 and $690,000 in 2004 restricted as to use by lender)

     43,035,506       37,267,122  

Accrued interest receivable

     3,580,460       3,062,608  

Servicing fee receivable

     —         2,312,040  

Fixed assets, net

     614,858       991,901  

Goodwill, net

     5,007,583       5,007,583  

Other assets, net

     17,481,876       17,727,362  
                

Total assets

   $ 792,973,202     $ 709,909,624  
                

Liabilities

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 4,837,461     $ 11,756,337  

Accrued interest payable

     1,759,737       1,758,956  

Floating rate borrowings

     323,664,951       274,959,911  

Fixed rate borrowings

     296,357,214       250,973,035  
                

Total liabilities

     626,619,363       539,448,239  
                

Shareholders’ equity

    

Preferred Stock (1,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value stock authorized - none outstanding)

     —         —    

Common stock (50,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value stock authorized - 18,546,648 shares and 18,328,450 shares in December 31, 2005 and 2004 outstanding)

     185,271       183,077  

Treasury stock at cost, 1,373,351 shares in 2005 and 983,451 shares in 2004

     (12,611,113 )     (9,002,382 )

Capital in excess of par value

     175,259,730       174,095,094  

Accumulated net investment income

     3,519,951       5,185,596  
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     166,353,839       170,461,385  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 792,973,202     $ 709,909,624  
                

Number of common shares outstanding

     17,173,297       17,344,999  

Net asset value per share

   $ 9.69     $ 9.83  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

    

 

 

Common Stock

  

 

 

Treasury Stock

   

Capital In
Excess

Of Par Value

   Cumulative
Effect of
Foreign
Currency
Translation
   

Accumulated

Net Investment

Income
(Losses)

 
     # of Shares(1)     Amount    # of Shares     Amount         

Balance at December 31, 2002

   18,242,728     $ 182,421    (20,118 )   $ (331,640 )   $ 173,781,362    $ —       $ (11,767,464 )

Exercise of stock options

   10,266       103    —           49,687      —         —    

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   —         —      —         —         —        —         2,018,023  

Dividends declared on common stock ($0.09 per share)

   —         —      —         —         —        —         (1,643,365 )

Treasury stock acquired

   (10,816 )     —      (10,816 )     (99,944 )     —        —         —    

Cumulative effect of foreign currency translation

   —         —      —         —         —        (72,861 )     —    
                                                  

Balance at December 31, 2003

   18,242,178       182,524    (30,934 )     (431,584 )     173,831,049      (72,861 )     (11,392,806 )

Exercise of stock options

   55,338       553    —         —         264,045      —         —    

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   —         —      —         —         —        —         22,512,029  

Dividends declared on common stock ($0.33 per share)

   —         —      —         —         —        —         (5,933,627 )

Treasury stock acquired

   (952,517 )     —      (952,517 )     (8,570,798 )     —        —         —    

Cumulative effect of foreign currency translation

   —         —      —         —         —        72,861       —    
                                                  

Balance at December 31, 2004

   17,344,999       183,077    (983,451 )     (9,002,382 )     174,095,094      —         5,185,596  

Exercise of stock options

   218,198       2,194    —         —         1,164,636      —         —    

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   —         —      —         —         —        —         6,861,502  

Dividends declared on common stock ($0.50 per share)

   —         —      —         —         —        —         (8,527,147 )

Treasury stock acquired

   (389,900 )      (389,900 )     (3,608,731 )     —        —         —    
                                                  

Balance at December 31, 2005

   17,173,297     $ 185,271    (1,373,351 )   $ (12,611,113 )   $ 175,259,730    $ —       $ 3,519,951  
                                                  

(1) Shown net of Treasury shares held

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 6,861,502     $ 22,512,029     $ 2,018,023  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     703,731       635,758       643,809  

Amortization of origination costs

     1,935,600       1,704,194       1,376,641  

Increase in net unrealized depreciation on investments

     7,681,869       3,575,088       6,990,265  

Net realized (gains) losses on investments

     (1,081,005 )     1,502,791       (11,526,628 )

Gains on sales of loans

     (884,608 )     (904,074 )     (856,083 )

(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable

     (660,562 )     (430,333 )     960,570  

Decrease in servicing fee receivable

     182,969       786,428       574,949  

(Increase) decrease in other assets, net

     4,984,276       4,134,367       (1,067,518 )

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (4,511,859 )     1,074,536       (1,481,477 )

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable

     (79,496 )     561,708       (4,392,505 )

Gain on sale of Media

     —         (24,989,099 )     —    

Increase in unrealized depreciation on MTM

     —         2,826,600       3,932,828  

Increase in valuation of servicing fee receivable

     —         —         (400,000 )
                        

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     15,132,417       12,989,993       (3,227,126 )
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Investments originated

     (337,885,639 )     (303,369,002 )     (248,225,892 )

Proceeds from principal receipts, sales, and maturities of investments

     225,381,052       144,835,651       232,171,193  

Cash received for sold BLL SBA Section 7 (a) loans

     20,472,386       —         —    

Capital expenditures

     (451,357 )     (281,741 )     (301,346 )

Purchase of consumer loan portfolio

     —         (87,213,656 )     —    

Investments in and loans to MTM, net

     —         (1,608,722 )     (3,103,874 )
                        

Net cash used for investing activities

     (92,483,558 )     (247,637,470 )     (19,459,919 )
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds from floating rate borrowings

     130,431,934       165,493,591       193,216,383  

Repayments of floating rate borrowings

     (81,727,539 )     (121,052,737 )     (143,305,813 )

Proceeds from fixed rate borrowings

     192,797,000       260,973,102       9,150,000  

Repayments of fixed rate borrowings

     (147,412,821 )     (66,935,067 )     (22,373,753 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     1,166,830       264,598       49,790  

Payments of declared dividends

     (8,527,147 )     (5,933,627 )     (1,643,366 )

Purchase of treasury stock at cost

     (3,608,731 )     (8,570,798 )     (99,944 )
                        

Net cash provided by financing activities

     83,119,526       224,239,062       34,993,297  
                        

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

     5,768,384       (10,408,415 )     12,306,252  

CASH, beginning of year

     37,267,122       47,675,537       35,369,285  
                        

CASH, end of year

   $ 43,035,506     $ 37,267,122     $ 47,675,537  
                        

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

      

Cash paid during the year for interest

   $ 22,699,270     $ 13,387,325     $ 13,745,950  

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

     1,198,750       2,157,000       41,149  

Non-cash investing activities-net transfers to (from) other assets

     7,011,897       1,439,831       (2,362,534 )
                        

The accompanying notes are in integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2005

(1) ORGANIZATION OF MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

Medallion Financial Corp. (the Company) is a closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware corporation. The Company has elected to be regulated as a Business Development Company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Company conducts its business through various wholly-owned subsidiaries including its primary operating company, Medallion Funding Corp. (MFC), a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans. As an adjunct to the Company’s taxicab medallion finance business, the Company had wholly owned portfolio investments which conducted taxicab rooftop advertising through two subsidiaries, the primary operator Medallion Taxi Media, Inc. (Media), and a small operating subsidiary in Japan (MMJ), (together MTM). During the 2004 third quarter, Media was merged with and into a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (CCU), and MMJ was sold in a stock sale to its management. (See Note 3).

The Company also conducts business through Medallion Business Credit, LLC (MBC), an originator of loans to small businesses for the purpose of financing inventory and receivables; Medallion Capital, Inc. (MCI), an SBIC which conducts a mezzanine financing business; Freshstart Venture Capital Corp. (FSVC), an SBIC which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans; and Medallion Bank (MB), a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured industrial bank that primarily originates medallion loans, commercial loans, and consumer loans, raises deposits, and conducts other banking activities. MFC, MCI, and FSVC, as SBICs, are regulated and financed in part by the SBA. Until October 2005, the Company also conducted business through Business Lenders, LLC (BLL), licensed under the Small Business Administration (SBA) Section 7(a) program. On October 17, 2005, the Company completed the sale of the loan portfolio and related assets of BLL. In connection with this transaction, the Company sold assets in the amount of $22,799,000, less liabilities assumed by the buyer in the mount of $2,327,000. The assets were sold at book value, and therefore no gain or loss, excluding transaction costs, was recognized as a result of this transaction. For 2005, BLL generated net decease in net assets resulting from operations of $1,003,000, compared to a net decrease of $419,000 for 2004, and BLL’s net investment loss after taxes was $696,000, compared to a loss of $201,000 in 2004.

MB was capitalized on December 16, 2003, with $22,000,000 from the Company. On December 22, 2003, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the FDIC’s order of October 2, 2003 approving MB’s application for federal deposit insurance, the FDIC certified that the deposits of each depositor in MB were insured to the maximum amount provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and MB opened for business. MB is subject to competition from other financial institutions and to the regulations of certain federal and state agencies, and undergoes examinations by those agencies.

MB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and was initially formed for the primary purpose of originating commercial loans in three categories: 1) loans to finance the purchase of taxicab medallions (licenses), 2) asset-based commercial loans and 3) SBA 7(a) loans. The loans are marketed and serviced by MB’s affiliates who have extensive prior experience in these asset groups. The Company sold all of the SBA Section 7(a) loans in its portfolio in connection with the sale of the assets of BLL to a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch in October 2005. Additionally, MB began issuing brokered certificates of deposit in January 2004, and purchased over $84,150,000 of taxicab medallion and asset-based loans from affiliates of the Company. Additionally, on April 1, 2004, MB purchased a consumer loan portfolio with a principal amount of $84,875,000, net of $4,244,000, or 5.0%, of unrealized depreciation, from an unrelated financial institution for consideration of $86,309,000. The purchase was funded with $7,700,000 of additional capital contributed by the Company and with deposits raised by MB. The purchase included a premium of approximately $5,678,000 to the book value of assets acquired, which is amortized to interest income over the expected life of the acquired loans, and which is carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

In June 2003, MFC established several wholly-owned subsidiaries which, along with an existing subsidiary (together, Medallion Chicago), purchased certain City of Chicago taxicab medallions which are leased to fleet operators while being held for long-term appreciation in value.

In September 2002, MFC established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I (Trust), for the purpose of owning medallion loans originated by MFC or others. The Trust is a separate legal and corporate entity with its own creditors who, in any liquidation of the Trust, will be entitled to be satisfied out of the Trust’s assets prior to any value in the Trust becoming available to the Trust’s equity holders. The assets of the Trust, aggregating $344,594,000 at December 31, 2005 and $280,414,000 at December 31, 2004, are not available to pay obligations of its affiliates or any other party, and the assets of affiliates or any other party are not available to pay obligations of the Trust. The Trust’s loans are serviced by MFC.

 

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(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the US and general practices in the investment company industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the US requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reporting and disclosure of assets and liabilities, including those that are of a contingent nature, at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates are subject to change over time, and actual results could differ from those estimates. The determination of fair value of the Company’s investments is subject to significant change within one year.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except for MTM. All significant intercompany transactions, balances, and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. As non-investment companies, MTM could not be consolidated with the Company, which is an investment company under the 1940 Act. See Note 3 for the presentation of financial information for MTM.

Investment Valuation

The Company’s loans, net of participations and any unearned discount, are considered investments under the 1940 Act and are recorded at fair value. As part of the fair value methodology, loans are valued at cost adjusted for any unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Since no ready market exists for these loans, the fair value is determined in good faith by management, and approved by the Board of Directors. In determining the fair value, the Company and Board of Directors consider factors such as the financial condition of the borrower, the adequacy of the collateral, individual credit risks, historical loss experience, and the relationships between current and projected market rates and portfolio rates of interest and maturities. The Company’s consumer portfolio purchase was net of unrealized depreciation of $4,244,000, or 5.0% of the balances outstanding, and included a purchase premium of approximately $5,678,000. Adjustments to the fair value of this portfolio are based on the historical loan loss data obtained from the seller, adjusted for changes in delinquency trends and other factors as described above.

Equity investments (common stock and stock warrants) and investment securities (mortgage backed bonds) are recorded at fair value, represented as cost, plus or minus unrealized appreciation or depreciation, respectively. The fair value of investments that have no ready market are determined in good faith by management, and approved by the Board of Directors, based upon assets and revenues of the underlying investee companies as well as general market trends for businesses in the same industry. Included in equity investments at December 31, 2005 are marketable and non-marketable securities of $23,032,000 and $981,000, respectively. At December 31, 2004, the respective balances were $29,926,000 and $3,719,000. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuations, management’s estimates of the values of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed, and the differences could be material.

The Company’s investments consist primarily of long-term loans to persons defined by SBA regulations as socially or economically disadvantaged, or to entities that are at least 50% owned by such persons. Approximately 62% and 61% of the Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 had arisen in connection with the financing of taxicab medallions, taxicabs, and related assets, of which 78% were in New York City in both periods. These loans are secured by the medallions, taxicabs, and related assets, and are personally guaranteed by the borrowers, or in the case of corporations, are generally guaranteed personally by the owners. A portion of the Company’s portfolio (20% in 2005 and 21% in 2004) represents loans to various commercial enterprises, in a variety of industries, including wholesaling, food services, financing, broadcasting, communications, real estate, and lodging. These loans are made primarily in the metropolitan New York City area, and historically included loans guaranteed by the SBA under its Section 7(a) program, less the sale of the guaranteed portion of those loans. The Company sold all of the SBA Section 7(a) loans in its portfolio in connection with the sale of the assets of BLL to a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch in October 2005. Approximately 12% of the Company’s portfolio (up from 11% in 2004) consists of consumer loans in all 50 states collateralized by recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers.

 

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Investment Transactions and Income Recognition

Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the yield of the related loans. At December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 net origination costs totaled approximately $2,634,000 and $1,755,000. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 was approximately 1,936,000, $1,704,000 and $1,377,000.

Investment securities are purchased from time-to-time in the open market at prices that are greater or lesser than the par value of the investment. The resulting premium or discount is deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the yield of the related investment. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the net premium on investment securities totaled $463,000 and $504,000, and amortization expense was $177,000 and $81,000 for 2005 and 2004. There were no premiums or amortization expense in 2003.

Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Taxicab medallion and commercial loans are placed on nonaccrual status, and all uncollected accrued interest is reversed, when there is doubt as to the collectibility of interest or principal, or if loans are 90 days or more past due, unless management has determined that they are both well-secured and in the process of collection. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is generally recognized when cash is received, unless a determination has been made to apply all cash receipts to principal. At December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, total nonaccrual loans were approximately $22,641,000, $28,523,000, and $26,769,000, and represented 4%, 5%, and 7% of the gross medallion and commercial loan portfolio, respectively. The amount of interest income on nonaccrual loans that would have been recognized if the loans had been paying in accordance with their original terms was approximately $6,744,000, $6,016,000, and $3,856,000 as of December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, of which $2,904,000, $2,812,000, and $2,310,000 would have been recognized in the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.

The consumer portfolio has different characteristics compared to commercial loans, typified by a larger number of lower dollar loans that have similar characteristics. As a result, these loans are not typically placed on nonaccrual, but are charged off in their entirety when deemed uncollectible, or when they become 120 days past due, whichever occurs first, at which time appropriate collection and recovery efforts against both the borrower and the underlying collateral are initiated.

Loan Sales and Servicing Fee Receivable

The Company accounts for its sales of loans in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities - a Replacement of FASB Statement No. 125” (SFAS 140). SFAS 140 provides accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities. The principal portion of loans serviced for others by the Company was approximately $9,133,000 and $123,166,000 at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004.

Gain or losses on loan sales were primarily attributable to the sale of commercial loans which have been at least partially guaranteed by the SBA, and was conducted by the Company’s BLL subsidiary. The Company sold all of the SBA Section 7 (a) loans in its portfolio in connection with the sale of the assets of BLL to a subsidiary of Merrill Lynch in October 2005. The Company recognized gains or losses from the sale of the SBA-guaranteed portion of a loan at the date of the sales agreement when control of the future economic benefits embodied in the loan was surrendered. The gains were calculated in accordance with SFAS 140, which required that the gain on the sale of a portion of a loan be based on the relative fair values of the loan portion sold and the loan portion retained. The gain on loan sales was due to the differential between the carrying amount of the portion of loans sold and the sum of the cash received and the servicing fee receivable. The servicing fee receivable represented the present value of the difference between the servicing fee received by the Company (generally 100 to 400 basis points) and the Company’s servicing costs and normal profit, after considering the estimated effects of prepayments and defaults over the life of the servicing agreement. In connection with calculating the servicing fee receivable, the Company made certain assumptions including the cost of servicing a loan including a normal profit, the estimated life of the underlying loan that would be serviced, and the discount rate used in the present value calculation. The Company considered 40 basis points to be its cost plus a normal profit and used the note rate plus 100 basis points for loans with an original maturity of ten years or less, and the note rate plus 200 basis points for loans with an original maturity of greater than ten years as the discount rate. The note rate was generally the prime rate plus 2.75%.

The servicing fee receivable was amortized as a charge to loan servicing fee income over the estimated lives of the underlying loans using the effective interest rate method. The Company reviewed the carrying amount of the servicing fee receivable for possible impairment by stratifying the receivables based on one or more of the predominant risk characteristics of the underlying financial assets. The Company stratified its servicing fee receivable into pools, generally by the year of creation,

 

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and within those pools, by the term of the loan underlying the servicing fee receivable. If the estimated present value of the future servicing income was less than the carrying amount, the Company established an impairment reserve and adjusted future amortization accordingly. If the fair value exceeded the carrying value, the Company may have reduced future amortization. The servicing fee receivable was carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

The estimated net servicing income was based, in part, on management’s estimate of prepayment speeds, including default rates, and accordingly, there was no assurance of the accuracy of these estimates. If the prepayment speeds occurred at a faster rate than anticipated, the amortization of the servicing asset would be accelerated and its value would have declined; and as a result, servicing income during that and subsequent periods would have declined. If prepayments occurred slower than anticipated, cash flows would have exceeded estimated amounts and servicing income would have increased. The constant prepayment rates utilized by the Company in estimating the lives of the loans depended on the original term of the loan, industry trends, and the Company’s historical data on prepayments and delinquencies, and ranged from 15% to 35%. The Company evaluated the temporary impairment to determine if any such temporary impairment would be considered to be permanent in nature. In the first quarter of 2003, the Company determined that $856,000 of the temporary impairment reserve had suffered a permanent loss in value and was now permanent. Additionally, during 2003, the Company determined that $400,000 of the temporary impairment reserve was no longer warranted due to the above discussed prepayment patterns and consequently, was reversed and recognized as servicing fee income. The prepayment rate of loans may have been affected by a variety of economic and other factors, including prevailing interest rates and the availability of alternative financing to borrowers.

The activity in the reserve for servicing fee receivable follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  

Beginning Balance

   $ 1,036,500     $ 1,037,500     $ 2,293,500  

Reversal related to sale of servicing asset

     (1,063,000 )     (1,000 )     —    

Increases (decreases) charged to operations

     26,500       —         (400,000 )

Adjustments to carrying values (1)

     —         —         (856,000 )
                        

Ending Balance

   $ —       $ 1,036,500     $ 1,037,500  
                        

(1) The Company determined that a fully reserved portion of the servicing asset had suffered a permanent loss in value, and accordingly, reduced both the balance of the gross servicing fee receivable and the related reserve by $856,000. There was no impact on the consolidated statement of income.

The Company also had the option to sell the unguaranteed portions of loans to third party investors. The gain or loss on such sales is calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 140. The discount related to unguaranteed portions sold would be reversed, and the Company would recognize a servicing fee receivable or liability based on servicing fees retained by the Company. The Company was required to retain at least 5% of loans sold under the SBA Section 7(a) program. The Company had sales of unguaranteed portions of loans to third party investors of $0, $0, and $4,395,000 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, generating net gains on sale of $0, $0, and $202,000.

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) and Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments

The change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments is the amount by which the fair value estimated by the Company is greater (less) than the cost basis of the investment portfolio. Realized gains or losses on investments are generated through sales of investments, foreclosure on specific collateral, and writeoffs of loans or assets acquired in satisfaction of loans, net of recoveries. Unrealized depreciation on net investments (which excludes MTM and foreclosed properties) was $12,536,000 as of December 31, 2005 and $11,261,000 as of December 31, 2004. The Company’s investment in MTM, as wholly-owned portfolio investments, was also subject to quarterly assessments of its fair value. The Company used MTM’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in its fair value, and recorded the result as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. See Note 3 for the presentation of financial information for MTM.

 

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The following table sets forth the changes in the Company’s unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (excluding MTM and foreclosed properties) on investments for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.

 

     Loans     Equity
Investments
    Total  

Balance December 31, 2002 (1)

   $ (6,997,426 )   $ 6,039,584     $ (957,842 )

Increase in unrealized

      

Appreciation on investments

     —         1,857,627       1,857,627  

Depreciation on investments

     (3,223,280 )     122,400       (3,100,880 )

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

      

Gains on investments

     (11,811 )     (7,732,566 )     (7,744,377 )

Losses on investments

     2,314,726       —         2,314,726  
                        

Balance December 31, 2003 (1)

     (7,917,791 )     287,045       (7,630,746 )

Increase in unrealized

      

Appreciation on investments

     —         2,820,058       2,820,058  

Depreciation on investments (2)

     (6,258,518 )     (2,478,552 )     (8,737,070 )

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

      

Gains on investments

     —         —         —    

Losses on investments

     5,522,591       7,588       5,530,179  

RV/Marine reserve (3)

     (4,243,854 )     —         (4,243,854 )

Other (4)

     1,000,000       —         1,000,000  
                        

Balance December 31, 2004 (1)

     (11,897,572 )     636,139       (11,261,433 )

Increase in unrealized

      

Appreciation on investments

     157,693       (469,587 )     (311,894 )

Depreciation on investments (2)

     (5,412,455 )     (1,266,799 )     (6,679,254 )

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

      

Gains on investments

     —         1,485,883       1,485,883  

Losses on investments

     3,151,315       —         3,151,315  

Reversal of reserves on sold SBA Section 7(a) loans

     1,339,875       —         1,339,875  

Other

     (260,284 )     (1 )     (260,285 )
                        

Balance December 31, 2005 (1)

   $ (12,921,428 )   $ 385,635     $ (12,535,793 )
                        

(1) Excludes unrealized depreciation of $1,396,750, $512,281, $317,361, and $128,738 on foreclosed properties at December 31, 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.
(2) Includes $193,878 and $49,220 of depreciation on investment securities for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
(3) Reflects the difference between the purchase price of the portfolio and the actual nominal value of the loan contracts acquired.
(4) Reflects the reclassification of a reserve related to collateral appreciation participation loans to accounts payable and accrued expenses.

The table below summarizes components of unrealized and realized gains and losses in the investment portfolio.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

      

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 1,136,016     $ 2,820,058     $ 1,857,627  

Unrealized depreciation

     (5,782,500 )     (8,737,070 )     (3,100,880 )

Unrealized gain on the sale of Media

     —         23,512,099       —    

Unrealized depreciation on MTM

     —         (2,826,600 )     (3,932,828 )

Realized gains

     (5,514,345 )     (2,675,974 )     (7,744,377 )

Realized losses

     3,602,096       5,530,179       2,314,726  

Unrealized gains (losses) on foreclosed properties

     (1,123,136 )     (512,281 )     (317,361 )
                        

Total

   $ (7,681,869 )   $ 17,110,411     $ (10,923,093 )
                        

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

      

Realized gains

   $ 5,514,345     $ 5,628,629     $ 13,966,891  

Realized losses

     (4,038,482 )     (5,530,179 )     (2,314,726 )

Direct recoveries (charge-offs)

     (2,765,918 )     (85,602 )     36,145  

Other gains

     2,533,097       —         —    

Realized losses on foreclosed properties

     (162,037 )     (38,639 )     (161,682 )
                        

Total

   $ 1,081,005     $ (25,791 )   $ 11,526,628  
                        

 

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Goodwill

Effective January 1, 2002, coincident with the adoption of SFAS No.142, “ Goodwill and Intangible Assets,” the Company tests its goodwill for impairment, and engages a consultant to help management evaluate its carrying value. The results of this evaluation demonstrated no impairment in goodwill for 2005, 2004, and 2003. The Company conducts annual appraisals of its goodwill, and will recognize any impairment in the period the impairment is identified.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated economic useful life of the improvement. Depreciation and amortization expense was $704,000, $636,000, and $644,000 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.

Deferred Costs

Deferred financing costs represent costs associated with obtaining the Company’s borrowing facilities, and is amortized over the lives of the related financing agreements. Amortization expense was $1,777,000, $2,085,000, and $2,771,000 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003. In addition, the Company capitalizes certain costs for transactions in the process of completion, including those for acquisitions and the sourcing of other financing alternatives, and during 2004 was increased by the purchase premium paid on the consumer portfolio purchase of $5,678,000, of which $1,511,000 and $1,288,000 was amortized into interest income during 2005 and 2004. Upon completion or termination of the transaction, any accumulated amounts will be amortized against income over an appropriate period, capitalized as goodwill, or written off. The amounts included in other assets on the balance sheet for all of these purposes were $5,501,000 and $7,460,000 as of December 31, 2005 and 2004.

Federal Income Taxes

Traditionally, the Company and each of its corporate subsidiaries other than Media and MB (the RIC subsidiaries) have qualified to be treated for federal income tax purposes as regulated investment companies (RICs) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). As RICs, the Company and each of the RIC subsidiaries are not subject to US federal income tax on any gains or investment company taxable income (which includes, among other things, dividends and interest income reduced by deductible expenses) that it distributes to its shareholders, if at least 90% of its investment company taxable income for that taxable year is distributed. It is the Company’s and the RIC subsidiaries’ policy to comply with the provisions of the Code. The Company did not qualify to be treated as a RIC for 2003, as a result, the Company was treated as a taxable entity in 2003, which had an immaterial effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations for 2003. The Company qualified and filed its federal tax returns as a RIC for 2004, and anticipates qualifying and filing as a RIC for 2005.

As a result of the above, for 2003, income taxes were provided under the provisions of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” as the Company was treated as a taxable entity for tax purposes. Accordingly, the Company recognized current and deferred tax consequences for all transactions recognized in the consolidated financial statements, calculated based upon the enacted tax laws, including tax rates in effect for current and future years. Valuation allowances were established for deferred tax assets when it was more likely than not that they would not be realized.

Media and MB are not RICs and are taxed as regular corporations. For 2004, Media filed a partial year tax return covering the period prior to the merger with CCU. The Trust is not subject to federal income taxation. Instead, the Trust’s taxable income is treated as having been earned by MFC.

During the 2004 second quarter, BLL changed its tax status from that of a disregarded “pass-through” entity of the Company to that of a company taxable as a corporation. For 2005 and 2004, BLL has no tax liability as a result of this election.

 

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Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations per Share (EPS)

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net increase in net assets resulting from operations available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if option contracts to issue common stock were exercised, and has been computed after giving consideration to the weighted average dilutive effect of the Company’s common stock and stock options. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate diluted EPS, which is a method of recognizing the use of proceeds that could be obtained upon exercise of options and warrants in computing diluted EPS. It assumes that any proceeds would be used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. The table below shows the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.

 

     Years Ended December 31,
     2005    2004    2003

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations available to common shareholders

   $ 6,861,502    $ 22,512,029    $ 2,018,023

Weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to basic EPS

     17,087,034      18,001,604      18,245,774

Effect of dilutive stock options

     465,194      422,914      42,178
                    

Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to diluted EPS

     17,552,228      18,424,518      18,287,952
                    

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.40    $ 1.25    $ 0.11

Diluted earnings per share

     0.39      1.22      0.11
                    

Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from the above calculations aggregated 585,677 and 721,840 shares as of December 31, 2005 and 2004.

Dividends to Shareholders

The table below shows the tax character of distributions for tax reporting purposes.

 

     Years Ended December 31,
     2005    2004    2003

Dividends paid from

        

Ordinary income

   $ 4,894,078    $ 2,582,057    $ 1,643,366

Long-term capital gain

     3,633,069      3,351,572      —  
                    

Total dividends

   $ 8,527,147    $ 5,933,629    $ 1,643,366
                    

Our ability to make dividend payments is restricted by SBA regulations and under the terms of the SBA debentures. As of December 31, 2005, the Company anticipates paying an estimated $2,057,000 of ordinary income dividends for tax purposes by September 15, 2006.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related Interpretations in accounting for all the plans. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized under these plans. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation and SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation Transition and Disclosure, which was released in December 2002 as an amendment to SFAS No. 123. The following table illustrates the effect on the Company’s increase net assets net value per share if the fair value based method had been applied to all awards:

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 6,861,502     $ 22,512,029     $ 2,018,023  

Add: stock-based employee compensation expense determined under APB No.25, included in net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     —         —         —    

Less: stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method

     (24,982 )     (150,717 )     (4,246 )
                        

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations, pro forma

   $ 6,836,520     $ 22,361,312     $ 2,013,777  
                        

Net value per share

      

Basic-as reported

   $ 0.40     $ 1.25     $ 0.11  

Basic-pro forma

     0.40       1.24       0.11  

Diluted-as reported

     0.39       1.22       0.11  

Diluted-pro forma

     0.39       1.21       0.11  
                        

Derivatives

The Company had no interest rate cap agreements or other derivative investments outstanding during 2005 and 2004.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year balances to conform with the current year presentation.

(3) INVESTMENT IN AND LOANS TO MTM

On September 3, 2004, Media entered into a merger agreement with CCU, whereby 100% of the Company’s investment in Media was exchanged on a tax deferred basis for 933,521 shares of CCU stock (NYSE: CCU) and a cash payment of $1,477,000, resulting in an unrealized gain of approximately $23,512,000 and a realized gain of approximately $1,477,000, after costs associated with completing the merger, including costs accrued for potential contractual purchase accounting adjustments in the 2004 third quarter. Additionally, during the 2004 third quarter, the Company sold its investment in MMJ to MMJ’s management team for $1,600,000, which after considering all sales costs, resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $255,000 in the 2004 third quarter.

 

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The following table presents MTMs combined statements of operations, where applicable, through the respective dates of sale in September 2004, and for the year ended December 31, 2003. As a result of the sale of MTM during the 2004 third quarter, there was no balance sheet for MTM as of December 31, 2005 and 2004.

 

    

Period Ended

September 30,
2004 (1)

    Year Ended
December 31,
2003
 

Advertising revenue

   $ 4,302,993     $ 6,234,409  

Cost of fleet services

     3,305,579       4,518,994  
                

Gross profit

     997,414       1,715,415  

Depreciation and other non cash adjustments

     860,431       2,413,071  

Other operating expenses

     3,031,722       4,299,096  
                

Loss from operations

     (2,894,739 )     (4,996,752 )

Other income

     —         1,035,633  
                

Loss before taxes

     (2,894,739 )     (3,961,119 )

Income tax provision (benefit)

     2,005       (28,291 )
                

Net loss

   $ (2,896,744 )   $ (3,932,828 )
                

(1) Represents combined statements of operations through the respective dates of sale in September 2004.

During 2003, continued negotiations with certain fleets were concluded with the result that $389,000 that Media had accrued as payments to these fleets was reversed against Media’s cost of fleet services. Also during 2003, Media settled a claim against one of its fleet operators. The result was a termination of certain contractual relations, the payment of $1,052,000 to Media, the transfer of certain assets to the fleet operator, and the forgiveness of certain liabilities Media owed the fleet operator. The net result of this settlement was a $985,000 gain reflected as other income in the Media’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2003. A portion of the proceeds from this settlement was used by Media to repay the balance of its US third-party outstanding debt. Also during 2003, Media determined that certain tops were no longer usable, and $196,000 of these tops were considered to be permanently impaired with a charge for such impairment reflected in depreciation expense.

The Company charged Media $94,000 in 2004 and $170,000 in 2003 for salaries and benefits and corporate overhead paid by the Company on Media’s behalf. During 2004 and 2003, these amounts owed by Media and MMJ to the Company were contributed to Media and MMJ as equity.

In July 2001, through its subsidiary MMJ, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of a taxi advertising operation similar to those operated by Media in the US, which had advertising rights on approximately 4,800 cabs servicing various cities in Japan. The terms of the agreement provided for an earn-out payment to the sellers based on average net income over the next three years. MMJ accounted for approximately 6% and 4% of MTM’s combined revenue during 2004 and 2003.

(4) FLOATING RATE BORROWINGS

The outstanding balances were as follows:

 

     Payments Due for year ended December 31,    December 31,   

Interest Rate (1)

 
     2006    2007    2008    2009    2010    Thereafter    2005    2004   

Revolving line of credit

   $ 304,453,000    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 304,453,000    $ 249,957,000    4.53 %

Notes payable to banks

     6,991,000      1,559,000      —        —        —        —        8,550,000      15,003,000    6.76  

Margin loan

     10,662,000      —        —        —        —        —        10,662,000      10,000,000    5.00  
                                                          

Total

   $ 322,106,000    $ 1,559,000    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 323,665,000    $ 274,960,000    4.60  
                                                              

(1) Weighted average contractual rate as of December 31, 2005.

(A) REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT

In September 2002, and as renegotiated in September 2003 and January 2005, the Trust entered into a revolving line of credit agreement (amended) with Merrill Lynch Commercial Finance Corp., as successor to Merrill Lynch Bank, USA (MLB) to

 

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provide up to $325,000,000 of financing to acquire medallion loans from MFC (MLB line). Borrowings under the Trust’s revolving line of credit are collateralized by the Trust’s assets. MFC is the servicer of the loans owned by the Trust. The MLB line includes a borrowing base covenant and rapid amortization in certain circumstances. In addition, if certain financial tests are not met, MFC can be replaced as the servicer. The MLB line matures in September 2006. Effective January 2005, the interest rate was generally LIBOR plus 0.75% with an unused facility fee of 0.375% on unused amounts up to $250,000,000, and effective September 2003, was LIBOR plus 1.25% and 0.125%, and prior to that was LIBOR plus 1.50% and 0.375%. The facility fee was $375,000 in September 2003, $900,000 in September 2004, and $300,000 in September 2005. See also Note 19.

(B) NOTES PAYABLE TO BANKS AND MARGIN LOAN

On January 25, 2005, MFC entered into a $4,000,000 revolving note agreement with Atlantic Bank of New York that matured on December 1, 2005, and which maturity was extended by Atlantic Bank to February 1, 2006. See also Note 19. The line is secured by medallion loans of MFC that are in process of being sold to the Trust, any draws being payable from the receipt of proceeds from the sale. The line bears interest at the prime rate minus 0.25%, payable monthly. As of December 31, 2005, $0 had been drawn down under this line.

In November 2004, the Company entered into a margin loan agreement with Bear Stearns, & Co. Inc. The margin loan is secured by the pledged stock of CCU held by the Company, and is generally available at 60% of the current fair market value of the CCU stock, or $12,577,000 as of December 31, 2005. The margin loan bears interest at the federal funds rate plus 0.75%. As of December 31, 2005, $10,662,000 had been drawn down under this margin loan.

On April 26, 2004, the Company entered into a $15,000,000 revolving note agreement with Sterling National Bank that matured on April 25, 2005, and which maturity was extended by Sterling National Bank for 60 days. On June 28 2005, the maturity date was further extended to July 31, 2005. On July 28, 2005, the note agreement was amended, and the maturity date was extended until June 30, 2006. The line is secured by certain pledged assets of the Company and MBC, and is subject to periodic borrowing base requirements. The line bears interest at the prime rate, payable monthly, and is subject to an unused fee of 0.125%. As of December 31, 2005, $5,500,000 had been drawn down under this line.

On July 11, 2003 certain operating subsidiaries of MFC entered into an aggregate $1,700,000 of note agreements with Atlantic Bank of New York and Israel Discount Bank, collateralized by certain taxicab medallions owned by Medallion Chicago of which $1,371,000 was outstanding at December 31, 2005. The notes mature July 8, 2006 and bear interest at LIBOR plus 2%, adjusted annually, payable monthly. Principal and interest payments of $17,000 are due monthly, with the balance due at maturity.

On June 30, 2003, an operating subsidiary of MFC entered into a $2,000,000 note agreement with Banco Popular North America, collateralized by certain taxicab medallions owned by Medallion Chicago, of which $1,679,000 was outstanding at December 31, 2005. The note matures June 1, 2007 and bears interest at Banco Popular’s prime rate less 0.25%, adjusted annually, payable monthly. Principal and interest payments of $18,000 are due monthly, with the balance due at maturity.

(5) FIXED RATE BORROWINGS

The outstanding balances of fixed rate borrowings were as follows:

 

     Payments Due for year ended December 31,    December 31,   

Interest

Rate (1)

 
     2006    2007    2008    2009    2010    Thereafter    2005    2004   

Certificates of deposit

   $ 127,768,000    $ 40,188,000    $ 31,358,000    $ 19,793,000    $ —      $ —      $ 219,107,000    $ 186,538,000    3.47 %

SBA debentures

     —        —        —        —        —        77,250,000      77,250,000      64,435,000    6.02  
                                                              

Total

   $ 127,768,000    $ 40,188,000    $ 31,358,000    $ 19,793,000    $ —      $ 77,250,000    $ 296,357,000    $ 250,973,000    4.14  
                                                              

(1) Weighted average contractual rate as of December 31, 2005.

In January 2004, MB commenced raising deposits to fund the purchase of various affiliates’ loan portfolios. The deposits were raised through the use of investment brokerage firms who package deposits qualifying for FDIC insurance into pools that are sold to MB. The rates paid on the deposits are highly competitive with market rates paid by other financial institutions and include a brokerage fee of 0.25% to 0.55%, depending on the maturity of the deposit, which is capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the life of the respective pool. The total amount capitalized at December 31, 2005 and 2004 was $747,000 and $624,000, and $585,000 and $395,000 was amortized to interest expense during 2005 and 2004. Interest on the deposits is accrued daily and paid monthly, semiannually, or at maturity.

 

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During 2001, FSVC and MCI were approved by the SBA to receive $36,000,000 each in funding over a period of five years. In November 2003, FSVC applied for and received an additional commitment of $8,000,000. As of December 31, 2005, these commitments had been fully utilized. See also note 19.

(6) INCOME TAXES

The Company and its RIC subsidiaries are non-taxpaying RICs in 2005 and 2004. MB and BLL were taxable entities in 2005, and MB, BLL, and MTM were taxable entities in 2004. The Company was considered to be a taxable entity for US Federal income tax purposes for 2003. The results of the Company’s operations were also subject to state taxation in various jurisdictions in 2003.

The provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following components for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003. For 2005 and 2004, the provision is primarily composed of the provision of MB. BLL had taxable losses of $215,000 for 2005, and both MTM and BLL (subsequent to its change in tax status) had taxable losses of $2,308,000 and $99,000, respectively, for 2004. MTM’s losses were transferred to CCU as a part of that merger and BLL’s losses reflect a net operating loss carryforward that is fully reserved.

 

     2005     2004     2003  

Current

      

US federal

   $ 1,924,730     $ 2,445,634     $ 41,149  

State

     303,255       220,412       —    
                        
     2,227,985       2,666,046       41,149  
                        

Deferred

      

US federal

     (37,107 )     (433,395 )     951,372  

State

     (5,580 )     (61,914 )     —    
                        
     (42,687 )     (495,309 )     951,372  
                        

Provision for income taxes before utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and valuation allowance for tax assets

     2,185,298       2,170,737       992,521  

Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards

     —         —         (951,372 )

Change in valuation allowance for tax assets

     (226,202 )     —         —    
                        

Net provision for income taxes

   $ 1,959,096     $ 2,170,737     $ 41,149  
                        

The following table reconciles the provision for income taxes to the US federal statutory income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.

 

     2005     2004     2003  

US federal statutory tax rate

   34.0 %   34.0 %   34.0 %

Nontaxable RIC income

   (6.2 )   (27.7 )   —    

Prior year overaccrual

   (2.5 )   —       —    

Change in valuation allowance

   (0.9 )   —       (32.0 )

Other

   (2.2 )   2.5     —    
                  

Effective income tax rate

   22.2 %   8.8 %   2.0 %
                  

Deferred income taxes, solely related to MB, reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. Total tax assets are primarily represented by temporary differences for unrealized losses on investments and income that was not recognized for financial reporting purposes but was taxable in the amount of approximately $934,000 in 2005, $577,000 in 2004, and $2,185,000 in 2003; partially offset by temporary differences for deferred income to be recognized in future years of $692,000 in 2005, $82,000 in 2004, and $1,199,000 in 2003. The resulting net deferred tax asset of $242,000 is carried in other assets on the balance sheet and is expected to be fully realizable. As the Company could not estimate if there will be sufficient taxable income in the years in which certain of the temporary tax differences will reverse, a valuation allowance had been established in the amount of $297,000 in 2003 for the net tax assets position described above, which has subsequently been reversed. The Company has qualified as a RIC for tax purposes, and net operating losses will not be utilizable unless the Company, in future periods, does not qualify as a regulated investment company for tax purposes and has capital gains, in which case some or all capital loss carryforwards may be available to be utilized.

 

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(7) STOCK OPTIONS

The Company has a stock option plan (1996 Stock Option Plan) available to grant both incentive and nonqualified stock options to employees. The 1996 Stock Option Plan, which was approved by the Board of Directors and shareholders on May 22, 1996, provides for the issuance of a maximum of 750,000 shares of common stock of the Company. On June 11, 1998, the Board of Directors and shareholders approved certain amendments to the Company’s 1996 Stock Option Plan, including increasing the number of shares reserved for issuance from 750,000 to 1,500,000. In addition, on June 11, 2002 an additional 750,000 shares were approved, bringing the shares reserved for issuance to 2,250,000. At December 31, 2005, 67,094 shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for future grants. The 1996 Stock Option Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The option price per share may not be less than the current market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. The term and vesting periods of the options are determined by the Compensation Committee, provided that the maximum term of an option may not exceed a period of ten years.

A non-employee director stock option plan (the Director Plan) was also approved by the Board of Directors and shareholders on May 22, 1996. On February 24, 1999, the Board of Directors amended and restated the Director Plan in order to adjust the calculation of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable under options to be granted to a non-employee director upon his or her re-election. Under the prior plan the number of options granted was obtained by dividing $100,000 by the current market price for the common stock. The Director Plan now calls for the grant of options to acquire 9,000 shares of common stock upon election of a non-employee director. It provides for an automatic grant of options to purchase 9,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to an Eligible Director upon election to the Board, with an adjustment for directors who are elected to serve less than a full term. A total of 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable under the Director Plan. At December 31, 2005, 3,827 shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for future grants. The grants of stock options under the Director Plan are automatic as provided in the Director Plan. The option price per share may not be less than the current market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. Options granted under the Director Plan are exercisable annually, as defined in the Director Plan. The term of the options may not exceed five years.

The weighted average fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 was $1.97, $1.74, and $0.89 per share, respectively. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used for grants in 2005, 2004, and 2003:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003  

Risk free interest rate

   4.32 %   4.13 %   3.53 %

Expected dividend yield

   8.00     8.00     8.00  

Expected life of option in years

   7.00     7.00     7.00  

Expected volatility

   44.00     44.00     44.00  

 

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The following table presents the activity for the stock option program under the 1996 Stock Option Plan and the Director Plan for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003:

 

    

Number of

Options

   

Exercise

Price Per

Share

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise
Price

Outstanding at December 31, 2002

   1,810,538     $ 4.73-29.25    $ 12.16

Granted (1)

   278,659       3.50-8.40      4.55

Cancelled(1)

   (175,352 )     3.89-29.25      11.12

Exercised

   (10,266 )     4.85-4.85      4.85
                   

Outstanding at December 31, 2003

   1,903,579     $ 3.50-29.25    $ 10.91

Granted

   284,204       7.68-9.07      8.56

Cancelled

   (249,236 )     4.00-29.25      18.39

Exercised

   (55,338 )     4.00-6.98      4.79
                   

Outstanding at December 31, 2004

   1,883,209     $ 3.50-29.25    $ 9.75

Granted

   38,000       9.27-9.60      9.44

Cancelled

   (48,607 )     4.85-18.75      13.61

Exercised

   (218,198 )     3.87-8.72      5.30
                   

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

   1,654,404     $ 3.50-29.25    $ 10.21
                   

Options exercisable at

       

December 31, 2003

   1,116,034     $ 3.50-29.25    $ 14.90

December 31, 2004

   1,137,687       3.50-29.25      10.54

December 31, 2005

   1,505,067       3.50-29.25      10.10
                   

(1) As originally reported, these amounts were 283,910 for grants and 175,502 for cancellations. These numbers have been adjusted to reflect an adjustment to an overstated option grant and a 2004 forfeiture recorded in 2003. The proper inclusion of these amounts in prior calculations had no impact on calculations, such as EPS.

The following table summarizes information regarding options outstanding and options exercisable at December 31, 2005 under the 1996 Stock Option Plan and the Director Plan:

 

    Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable
    Weighted average   Weighted average

Range of

Exercise Prices

 

Shares at

December 31,
2005

  Remaining
contractual
life in years
 

Exercise

price

 

Shares at

December 31,
2005

  Remaining
contractual
life in years
 

Exercise

price

$ 3.50-5.51   688,952   6.55   $ 4.82   686,406   6.49   $ 4.82
  6.50-13.75   488,193   6.79     9.16   341,401   5.32     8.16
  14.25-15.56   52,848   4.24     14.67   52,848   4.24     14.67
  16.00-18.75   347,034   3.49     17.47   347,034   3.49     17.47
  29.25-29.25   77,377   2.34     29.25   77,378   2.34     29.25
                   
$ 3.50-29.25   1,654,404   5.71     10.21   1,505,067   5.24     10.10
                               

 

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(8) QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

The following table represents the Company’s quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003:

 

(In thousands except per share amounts)

   March 31     June 30    September 30    December 31  

2005 Quarter Ended

          

Investment income

   $ 12,966     $ 14,138    $ 14,699    $ 15,370  

Net investment income after income taxes

     2,760       3,753      3,186      3,763  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     2,236       447      3,575      603  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per common share

          

Basic

   $ 0.13     $ 0.03    $ 0.21    $ 0.04  

Diluted

     0.13       0.03      0.20      0.03  
                              

2004 Quarter Ended

          

Investment income

   $ 6,485     $ 10,401    $ 10,978    $ 11,255  

Net investment income(loss) after income taxes

     (62 )     1,510      1,841      2,138  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     (1,380 )     249      20,055      3,588  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per common share

          

Basic

   $ (0.08 )     0.01    $ 1.11    $ 0.21  

Diluted

     (0.08 )     0.01      1.09      0.20  
                              

2003 Quarter Ended

          

Investment income

   $ 6,528     $ 6,468    $ 6,693    $ 6,525  

Net investment income after income taxes (1)

     295       302      643      174  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     430       755      1,111      (278 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per common share

          

Basic

   $ 0.02     $ 0.04    $ 0.06    $ (0.01 )

Diluted

     0.02       0.04      0.06      (0.01 )
                              

(1) As originally reported, these amounts were $305,000, $312,000, and $696,000 for the 2003 quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, respectively, reflecting the exclusion of capital-based tax accruals which are now more properly reflected in operating expenses.

(9) NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments” an amendment of SFAS No. 133 and 140. This statement permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation, clarifies which interest-only strips and principal-only strips are not subject to the requirements of SFAS No. 133, establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that are free standing derivatives or that are hybrid financial instruments that contain an embedded derivative that require bifurcation, clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives, and amends SFAS No. 140 to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying special-purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial instrument. This statement is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006, as defined. The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 155 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (SFAS No. 123R), which supercedes Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The revised statement addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions with employees and other third parties, eliminates the ability to account for share-based transactions using APB No. 25 and requires that the compensation costs relating to such transactions be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. FAS No. 123R requires additional disclosures relating to the income tax and cash flow effects resulting from share-based payments. On April 14, 2005, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission announced it would permit most registrants subject to its oversight additional time to implement the requirements in SFAS No. 123(R). As announced, the SEC will permit companies to implement SFAS No. 123(R) at the

 

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beginning of their next fiscal year (instead of their next reporting period) that begins after June 15, 2005. The Company is evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) and expects that the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), effective January 1, 2006, will have an immaterial impact on its consolidated results of operations and earnings per share. The Company has not yet determined the method of adoption or the potential financial impact of adopting SFAS No. 123(R).

In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (revised), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46R), an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements”. Variable interest entities, some of which were formerly referred to as special purpose entities, are generally entities for which their other equity investors (1) do not provide significant financial resources for the entity to sustain its activities, (2) do not have voting rights or (3) have voting rights that are disproportionately high compared with their economic interests. Under FIN 46R, variable interest entities must be consolidated by the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is generally defined as having the majority of the risks and rewards of ownership arising from the variable interest entity. FIN 46R also requires certain disclosures if a significant variable interest is held but not required to be consolidated. This standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In December 2003, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position No. 03-3, “Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer” (“SOP 03-3”). Loans carried at fair value and loans to borrowers in good standing under revolving credit agreements are excluded from the scope of SOP 03-3, thus the adoption of this standard had no impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150 “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (SFAS No. 150). This statement requires that an issuer classify financial instruments that are within its scope as a liability. Many of those instruments were classified as equity under previous guidance. Most of the guidance in SFAS No. 150 is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. This standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS No. 149). The provisions of SFAS No.149 that relate to SFAS No. 133 and No. 138 implementation issues that have been effective for fiscal quarters that began prior to June 15, 2003, should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective effective dates. In addition, provisions of SFAS No. 149 which relate to forward purchases or sales of when-issued securities or other securities that do not yet exist, should be applied to both existing contracts and new contracts entered into after June 30, 2003. The changes in SFAS No. 149 improve financial reporting by requiring that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly. In particular, SFAS No. 149 (1) clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative discussed in paragraph 6(b) of SFAS No. 133 and No. 138, (2) clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, (3) amends the definition of an underlying financing component to conform it to language used in FIN 45, and (4) amends certain other existing pronouncements. Those changes resulted in more consistent reporting of contracts as either derivatives or hybrid instruments. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, except as stated above and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. In addition, except as stated above, all provisions of SFAS No.149 should be applied prospectively. This standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

(10) SEGMENT REPORTING

For 2003, the Company had two reportable business segments, lending and taxicab rooftop advertising. The lending segment originates and services medallion and secured commercial loans. The taxicab rooftop advertising segment sold advertising space to advertising agencies and companies in several major markets across the US and Japan, and was conducted by Media. Media was reported as a portfolio investment of the Company and was accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The lending segment is presented in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Financial information relating to the taxicab rooftop advertising segment is presented in Note 3.

For taxicab rooftop advertising, the increase in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Company’s investment in Media represents Media’s net income or loss, which the Company uses as the basis for assessing the fair market value of Media. Taxicab rooftop advertising segment assets were reflected in investment in and loans to Media on the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 3.

 

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As described in Note 3, in 2004 the Company exchanged its investment in Media, a portfolio investment company, for shares of CCU and other consideration.

(11) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

(a) Employment Agreements

The Company has employment agreements with certain key officers for either a three or five-year terms. Annually, the contracts with a five-year term will renew for new five-year terms unless prior to the end of the first year, either the Company or the executive provides notice to the other party of its intention not to extend the employment period beyond the current five-year term. In the event of a change in control, as defined, during the employment period, the agreements provide for severance compensation to the executive in an amount equal to the balance of the salary, bonus, and value of fringe benefits which the executive would be entitled to receive for the remainder of the employment period.

(b) Other Commitments

The Company had loan commitments outstanding of $4,571,000 at December 31, 2005 that are generally on the same terms as those to existing borrowers. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates. Since some commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. In addition, the Company had approximately $31,465,000 of undisbursed funds relating to revolving credit facilities with borrowers. These amounts may be drawn upon at the customer’s request if they meet certain credit requirements.

Commitments for leased premises expire at various dates through June 30, 2016. At December 31, 2005, minimum rental commitments for non-cancelable leases are as follows:

 

2006

   $ 1,067,000

2007

     1,153,000

2008

     1,032,000

2009

     1,025,000

2010

     1,025,000

2011 and thereafter

     5,144,000
      

Total

   $ 10,446,000
      

Rent expense was $1,361,000, $1,296,000, and $1,144,000, for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.

(c) Litigation

The Company and its subsidiaries become defendants to various legal proceedings arising from the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, based on the advice of legal counsel, there is no proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of management threatened, which in the event of an adverse decision would result in a material adverse impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

(12) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Certain directors, officers, and shareholders of the Company are also directors of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, MFC, BLL, MCI, MBC, FSVC, and MB. Officer salaries are set by the Board of Directors of the Company.

During 2005, 2004 and 2003, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company was also a partner in the Company’s primary law firm. Amounts paid to the law firm were approximately $198,000, $251,000, and $280,000 in 2005, 2004, and 2003.

 

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(13) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

In November 2003, the Company announced a stock repurchase program which authorized the repurchase of up to $10,000,000 of common stock during the following six months, with an option for the Board of Directors to extend the time frame for completing the purchases. In November 2004, the repurchase program was increased by an additional $10,000,000. As of December 31, 2005, 1,353,233, shares were repurchased for $12,279,000.

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries enter into agreements, or are subject to regulatory requirements, that result in dividend and loan restrictions.

FDIC-insured banks, including MB, are subject to certain federal laws, which impose various legal limitations on the extent to which banks may finance or otherwise supply funds to certain of their affiliates. In particular, MB is subject to certain restrictions on any extensions of credit to, or other covered transactions, such as certain purchases of assets, with the Company or its affiliates.

(14) OTHER INCOME AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

The major components of other income were as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31,
     2005    2004    2003

Prepayment penalties

   $ 998,261    $ 331,506    $ 444,213

Servicing fees

     580,037      978,806      1,311,399

Late charges

     363,213      526,708      795,512

Accretion of discount

     350,344      284,093      462,797

Revenue sharing

     —        —        34,275

Other

     703,894      454,242      552,587
                    

Total other income

   $ 2,995,749    $ 2,575,355    $ 3,600,783
                    

Included in prepayment penalties in 2005 was $892,000 related to the early payoff of several large loans; otherwise, the decreases in prepayment penalties and late charges reflected fewer refinancings and improved payment patterns. The decrease in servicing fees over the last year reflects the sale of the SBA Section 7 (a) loan portfolio, and its general shrinkage prior to the sale. Included in servicing fees was $400,000 in 2003 to reduce the valuation reserve for the servicing fee receivable, which resulted from improvements in prepayment patterns (see Note 2). The reduction in accretion of discount in 2004 from 2003 was primarily due to the lower amounts of SBA Section 7(a) loans outstanding. The increase in other income was primarily due to fee income received by MB reflecting the increased lending activity there, and included $115,000 of termination fees earned on deals that were not consummated in 2003.

 

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The major components of other operating expenses were as follows:

 

     Year ended December 31,
     2005    2004    2003

Rent expense

   $ 1,361,206    $ 1,295,871    $ 1,144,124

Consumer loan servicing

     1,072,294      639,352      —  

Travel meals and entertainment

     709,510      561,233      501,040

Depreciation and amortization

     703,731      635,758      643,809

Loan collection expense

     619,205      696,510      813,421

Directors fees

     496,517      416,341      229,556

Insurance

     477,015      555,741      631,586

Office expense

     368,032      287,446      308,141

Temporary help

     279,469      97,537      215,422

Telephone

     276,499      217,201      187,612

Miscellaneous taxes

     252,766      385,537      455,016

Advertising, marketing, and public relations

     208,088      108,573      86,551

Computer expense

     197,266      232,090      242,156

Printing and stationary

     163,919      156,037      121,686

Dues and subscriptions

     126,118      105,521      93,235

Bank charges

     91,995      155,284      212,596

Other expenses

     634,733      1,197,613      929,967
                    

Total operating expenses

   $ 8,038,363    $ 7,743,645    $ 6,815,918
                    

Consumer loan servicing increased in the 2005, reflecting the May 2004 consumer loan portfolio purchase and increase lending activity by MB. Travel and entertainment increased as a result of more extensive business development activities. Loan collections expense decreased in 2005 and 2004 as the number of loans over 90 days past due has declined due to better collection efforts. Directors fees increased primarily due to increases in the amounts paid to directors, in the number of directors serving on Boards, and in the number of Board meetings held. Insurance expense decreased as a result of lower premiums charged in a more competitive insurance market. Temporary help expense grew from increased use of temporary employees for special projects. Included in miscellaneous taxes for 2004 were $71,000 related to sales tax audit results covering years dating back to 1995, and in 2003 included capital-based state taxes due. Advertising, marketing, and public relations expense was up in 2005 primarily reflecting the consumer portfolio marketing efforts of MB. Bank charges continued to drop reflecting improved utilization of banking relationships.

 

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(15) SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS AND OTHER DATA

The following table provides selected financial ratios and other data:

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  

Net share data:

          

Net asset value at the beginning of the period

   $ 9.83     $ 8.89     $ 8.87     $ 9.59     $ 10.16  

Net investment income (loss)

     0.88       0.41       0.08       (0.44 )     0.13  

Income tax (provision) benefit

     (0.11 )     (0.12 )     (0.00 )     (0.00 )     0.00  

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     0.06       0.00       0.63       (0.35 )     (0.17 )

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (0.44 )     0.93       (0.60 )     0.10       (0.20 )
                                        

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     0.39       1.22       0.11       (0.69 )     (0.24 )

Issuance of common stock

     (0.06 )     0.00       0.00       0.00       0.01  

Repurchase of common stock

     0.02       0.05       —         —         —    

Distribution of net investment income

     (0.50 )     (0.33 )     (0.09 )     (0.03 )     (0.34 )
                                        

Net asset value at the end of the period

   $ 9.69     $ 9.83     $ 8.89     $ 8.87     $ 9.59  
                                        

Per share market value at beginning of period

   $ 9.70     $ 9.49     $ 3.90     $ 7.90     $ 14.63  

Per share market value at end of period

     11.26       9.70       9.49       3.90       7.90  

Total return (1)

     21 %     6 %     146 %     (50 )%     (44 )%

Ratios/supplemental data

          

Average net assets

   $ 167,909,130     $ 162,843,480     $ 162,265,000     $ 168,627,645     $ 166,379,846  

Operating expenses to average net assets (2)

     12.65 %     11.63 %     10.55 %     10.92 %     10.34 %

Net investment income (loss) after taxes to average net assets (3)

     8.02       3.33       0.91       (0.90 )     5.54  
                                        

(1) Total return is calculated by dividing the change in market value of a share of common stock during the year plus distributions, divided by the per share market value at the beginning of the year.
(2) Operating expense ratios presented exclude the $63,000 and $9,417,000 costs of debt extinguishment in 2003 and 2002, and $550,000 in 2001 to write off transaction, acquisition-related, and other nonrecurring charges. Unadjusted, the ratios would have been 10.59%, 16.50%, and 10.67% in 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.
(3) Net investment income ratios presented exclude the $63,000 and $9,417,000 costs of debt extinguishment in 2003 and 2002, and the $6,700,000 of charges related to Chicago Yellow, the excess servicing asset, the additional bank charges, and the write-off of transaction costs in 2001. Unadjusted, the ratios would have been 0.87%, (4.68%), and 1.51%, in 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

(16) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has a 401(k) Investment Plan (the 401(k) Plan) which covers all full-time and part-time employees of the Company who have attained the age of 21 and have a minimum of one year of service. Under the 401(k) Plan, an employee may elect to defer not less than 1% and no more than 15% of the total annual compensation that would otherwise be paid to the employee, provided, however, that employee’s contributions may not exceed certain maximum amounts determined under the Code. Employee contributions are invested in various mutual funds according to the directions of the employee. Beginning September 1, 1998, the Company elected to match employee contributions to the 401(k) Plan in an amount per employee up to one-third of such employee’s contribution but in no event greater than 2% of the portion of such employee’s annual salary eligible for 401(k) Plan benefits. The Company’s 401(k) plan expense was approximately $67,000, $68,000, and $61,000 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003.

(17) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

        Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 107, “Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments” (SFAS 107) requires disclosure of fair value information about certain financial instruments, whether assets, liabilities, or off-balance-sheet commitments, if practicable. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument. Fair value estimates that were derived from broker quotes cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.

(a) Investments-The Company’s investments are recorded at the estimated fair value of such investments.

 

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(b) Servicing fee receivable-The fair value of the servicing fee receivable is estimated based upon expected future service fee income cash flows discounted at a rate that approximates that currently offered for instruments with similar prepayment and risk characteristics.

(c) Floating rate borrowings-Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, the carrying amount approximates fair value.

(d) Commitments to extend credit-The fair value of commitments to extend credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and present creditworthiness of the counter parties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also includes a consideration of the difference between the current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the estimated fair value of these off-balance-sheet instruments was not material.

(e) Interest rate cap agreements-The fair value is estimated based on market prices or dealer quotes. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, the estimated fair value of these off-balance-sheet instruments was not material.

(f) Fixed rate borrowings-The fair value of federally insured bank certificates of deposit and of the debentures payable to the SBA is estimated based on current market interest rates for similar debt.

 

     December 31, 2005    December 31, 2004
     Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value    Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value

Financial Assets

           

Investments

   $ 723,253,000    $ 723,253,000    $ 643,541,000    $ 643,541,000

Cash

     43,036,000      43,036,000      37,267,000      37,267,000

Servicing fee receivable

     0      0      2,312,000      2,312,000

Financial Liabilities

           

Floating rate debt

     323,665,000      323,665,000      274,960,000      274,960,000

Fixed rate debt

     296,357,000      296,357,000      250,973,000      250,973,000
                           

(18) MB REGULATORY GUIDELINES

MB is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the FDIC and State of Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on MB’s and our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, MB must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of MB’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. MB’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the bank regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require MB to maintain minimum amounts and ratios as defined in the regulations (set forth in the table below). Additionally, as conditions of granting MB’s application for federal deposit insurance, the FDIC ordered that beginning paid-in-capital funds of not less than $22,000,000 be provided, and that the Tier I Leverage Capital to total assets ratio, as defined, of not less than 15% and an adequate allowance for loan losses shall be maintained and no dividends shall be paid to the Company for its first three years of operation.

 

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The following table represents MB’s actual capital amounts and related ratios as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, compared to required regulatory minimum capital ratios and the ratio required to be considered well capitalized. Management believes, as of December 31, 2005, that MB meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject, and is well-capitalized.

 

     Regulatory              
     Minimum     Well-capitalized     December 31, 2005     December 31, 2004  

Tier I capital

       $ 39,379,000     $ 33,492,000  

Total capital

         42,288,000       35,971,000  

Average assets

         234,976,000       210,906,000  

Risk-weighted assets

         276,402,000       195,964,000  

Leverage ratio (1)

   4 %   5 %     15.8 %     15.9 %

Tier I capital ratio (2)

   4     6       14.2       17.1  

Total capital ratio (2)

   8     10       15.3       18.4  

(1) Calculated by dividing Tier I capital by average assets.
(2) Calculated by dividing Tier I or total capital by risk-weighted assets.

(19) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On March 9, 2006, affiliates of the Company purchased $35,553,000 of floating rate New York medallion loans from Banco Popular for par plus a 1% premium. The purchase was funded by a combination of cash on hand and draws under the MLB line.

On March 6, 2006, the line of credit with Atlantic Bank was increased to $6,000,000. On February 1, 2006, the line’s maturity date was further extended until August 1, 2006.

On March 1, 2006, the SBA approved a $13,500,000 commitment for MCI to issue additional debentures to the SBA during a ten year period upon payment of a 1% fee and the infusion of $4,500,000 of additional capital.

On February 15, 2006, the Company’s board of directors declared a $0.15 per share common stock dividend, payable on March 27, 2006 to shareholders of record on March 10, 2006.

On January 10, 2006, an amendment was made to the MLB line to increase the facility to $475,000,000 from $325,000,000, and extend the maturity date to September 2008. The facility fee for the new amendment was $200,000 payable in January 2006 and $200,000 payable in February 2006.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2005

 

     # Of Loans    Balance
Outstanding
    Interest Rate  
   58    $ 2,579,463     0.00-4.99 %
   21      8,494,786     5.00-5.24  
   20      3,791,989     5.25-5.49  
   133      43,840,593     5.50-5.74  
   173      55,250,468     5.75-5.99  
   249      62,935,982     6.00-6.24  
   222      67,104,376     6.25-6.49  
   254      54,880,893     6.50-6.74  
   228      43,402,409     6.75-6.99  
   199      49,561,554     7.00-7.24  
   101      16,926,674     7.25-7.49  
   75      9,728,927     7.50-7.74  
   65      27,186,795     7.75-7.99  
   59      7,513,816     8.00-8.49  
   28      4,134,479     8.50-8.74  
   33      15,084,434     8.75-8.99  
   68      5,163,318     9.00-9.24  
   23      24,412,316     9.25-9.49  
   46      6,619,117     9.50-9.74  
   24      4,766,620     9.75-9.99  
   31      10,219,311     10.00-10.24  
   17      12,945,069     10.25-10.49  
   14      5,476,589     10.50-10.74  
   12      5,053,720     10.75-10.99  
   21      5,531,547     11.00-11.99  
   43      13,182,653     12.00-12.49  
   64      1,291,247     12.75-12.99  
   16      10,972,042     13.00-13.74  
   112      1,090,696     13.75-13.99  
   41      11,407,980     14.00-14.49  
   21      804,468     14.50-14.74  
   188      1,979,150     14.75-14.99  
   63      552,565     15.00-15.24  
   84      707,052     15.25-15.49  
   180      1,699,948     15.50-15.74  
   70      640,994     15.75-15.99  
   100      909,233     16.00-16.24  
   26      259,142     16.25-16.49  
   46      378,288     16.50-16.74  
   220      3,416,224     16.75-17.24  
   37      375,812     17.50-17.74  
   2,045      26,397926     17.75-18.24  
   15      196,614     18.25-18.49  
   216      6,730,708     18.50-18.74  
   1,878      27,992,644     18.75-18.99  
   13      5,280,294     19.00-19.49  
   97      883,910     19.50-19.74  
   1,959      21,679,829     19.75-20.49  
               

Total loans

   9,708    $ 691,434,664     8.93 %
                   

CCU

      $ 20,464,314    

LYV

        1,037,389    

PMC

        900,897    

Investment in Hampton LLC

        874,846    

Micromedics

        58,829    

Star Concession

        40,000    

Appliance

        7,500    

Total equity investments

      $ 23,383,775    
             

FNMA

      $ 7,299,404    

FHLMC

        5,693,019    

GNMA

        3,385,581    

UTHSG

        1,495,000    
             

Total investment securities

      $ 17,873,003    
             

Investments at cost

      $ 732,691,442     8.58 %
           

Deferred loan acquisition costs

        2,634,337    

Unrealized appreciation on equity investments

        628,732    

Unrealized depreciation on investment securities

        (243,097 )  

Premiums paid on purchased securities

        462,932    

Unrealized depreciation on loans

        (12,921,428 )  
             

Net investments

      $ 723,252,919    
             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated schedule.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2004

 

     # Of Loans    Balance
Outstanding
    Interest Rate  
   55    $ 3,399,348     0.00-3.74 %
   31      1,103,786     4.00-4.49  
   41      16,344,177     4.50-4.74  
   39      15,160,438     4.74-4.99  
   88      33,197,856     5.00-5.24  
   45      17,499,728     5.25-5.49  
   213      67,637,044     5.50-5.74  
   129      52,486,357     5.75-5.99  
   291      53,203,384     6.00-6.24  
   281      51,867,576     6.25-6.49  
   191      26,868,140     6.50-6.74  
   126      24,558,727     6.75-6.99  
   115      13,757,361     7.00-7.24  
   113      19,418,831     7.25-7.49  
   132      12,820,366     7.50-7.74  
   334      20,178,849     7.75-7.99  
   79      13,991,678     8.00-8.49  
   73      13,396,806     8.50-8.99  
   62      5,781,412     9.00-9.49  
   53      5,946,699     9.50-9.99  
   51      6,927,272     10.00-10.49  
   21      6,658,876     10.50-10.99  
   13      1,340,011     11.00-11.49  
   27      1,109,886     11.50-11.99  
   79      15,681,647     12.00-12.24  
   21      1,114,868     12.25-12.49  
   17      12,811,057     13.00-13.24  
   5      144,940     13.25-13.74  
   16      6,708,826     14.00-14.74  
   270      3,100,410     14.75-14.99  
   102      1,894,664     15.00-15.74  
   58      630,590     15.75-16.74  
   334      4,039,263     16.75-16.99  
   47      1,533,313     17.00-17.74  
   1,619      17,964,116     17.75-17.99  
   15      10,871,248     18.00-18.24  
   27      352,965     18.25-18.49  
   510      6,111,721     18.50-18.74  
   299      3,169,358     18.75-18.99  
   16      3,593,738     19.00-19.49  
   157      1,504,978     19.50-19.74  
   2,928      30,114,507     19.75-19.99  
   4      45,080     20.00-20.49  
               

Total loans

   9,127    $ 606,041,897     8.44 %
                   

CCU

      $ 28,289,702    

Unimark

        3,620,636    

PMC

        900,897    

Micromedics

        58,828    

Appliance

        50,000    

Star Concession

        40,000    
             

Total equity investments

      $ 32,960,063    
             

GNMA

      $ 5,717,087    

FNMA

        4,475,486    

FHLMC

        3,701,649    

UTHSG

        250,000    
             

Total investment securities

      $ 14,144,222    
             

Gross investments

      $ 653,146,182    

Deferred loan acquisition costs

        1,754,722    

Discounts on SBA Section 7(a) loans

        (602,301 )  

Unrealized depreciation on loans

        (11,897,571 )  

Unrealized appreciation on equity investments

        685,360    

Unrealized depreciation on investment securities

        (49,219 )  

Premiums paid on purchased securities

        503,835    
             

Net investments

      $ 643,541,008    
             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated schedule.

 

F-31