Mill City Ventures III, Ltd - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

__________________________

FORM 10-Q

__________________________

Commission File Number 814-00991

__________________________

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

__________________________

(952) 479-1923

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

__________________________

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

__________________________

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.     x   Yes    ¨  No

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

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

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

As of May 11, 2018, Mill City Ventures III, Ltd. had 11,067,402 shares of common stock, and no other classes of capital stock, outstanding.

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

Index to Form 10-Q

for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2018

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (UNAUDITED)

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

MARCH 31, 2018

At March 31, 2018, aggregate non-qualifying assets represented approximately 1.2% of our total assets.

At March 31, 2018, the estimated net unrealized gain for federal tax purposes was $1,078,681, based on a tax cost basis of $7,403,546.

At March 31, 2018, the estimated aggregate gross unrealized gain for federal income tax purposes was $2,984,953 and the estimated aggregate gross unrealized loss for federal income tax purposes was $1,906,272

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2017

At December 31, 2017, aggregate non-qualifying assets represented approximately 1.1% of our total assets.

At December 31, 2017, the estimated net unrealized gain for federal tax purposes was $541,796, based on a tax cost basis of $6,699,064.

At December 31, 2017, the estimated aggregate gross unrealized gain for federal income tax purposes was $2,365,077, and the estimated aggregate gross unrealized loss for federal income tax purposes was $1,823,281

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

March 31, 2018

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd. is an investment company incorporated in the State of Minnesota on January 10, 2006. In this report, we generally refer to Mill City Ventures III, Ltd. in the first person “we.” On occasion, we refer to our company in the third person as “Mill City Ventures” or the “company.” The company follows accounting and reporting guidance in Accounting Standards (“ASC”) 946.

We are an internally managed closed-end non-diversified management investment company. We have elected to be regulated as a business development company, or “BDC,” under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). To date, we have not made an election to be treated as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”).

We primarily focus on investing in or lending to privately held and small-cap publicly traded U.S. companies, and making managerial assistance available to such companies. These investments are typically structured as purchases of preferred or common stock, investment contracts, or loans evidenced by promissory notes that may be convertible into stock by their terms or that may be accompanied by the issuance to us of warrants or similar rights to purchase stock. Our investments may be made for purposes of financing acquisitions, recapitalizations, buyouts, organic growth and working capital. Our future revenues will relate to the gain we realize from the sale of securities we purchase, and to dividends and interest we derive from those securities. Our investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation that ultimately result in gains.

NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of presentation: The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements of Mill City Ventures have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018.

The condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management and our independent board members to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. For more information, see the “Valuation of portfolio investments” caption below, and “Note 4 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments” below.

Cash deposits: We maintain our cash balances in financial institutions and with regulated financial investment brokers. Cash on deposit in excess of FDIC and similar coverage is subject to the usual banking risk of funds in excess of those limits.

Valuation of portfolio investments: We carry our investments in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is generally based on quoted market prices provided by independent pricing services, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative price sources. In the absence of quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative price sources, investments are measured at fair value as determined by the Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors based on, among other things, the input of our executive management, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and any independent third-party valuation experts that may be engaged by management to assist in the valuation of our portfolio investments, but in all cases consistent with our written valuation policies and procedures.

Due to the inherent uncertainties of valuation, certain estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these investments existed, and these differences could be material. In addition, such investments are generally less liquid than publicly traded securities. If we were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded it.

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

March 31, 2018

For more information, see Note 4 “Fair Value of Financial Instruments.”

Income taxes: We account for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. For more information, see Note 7 “Income Taxes.”

Revenue recognition: Realized gains or losses on the sale of investments are calculated using the specific investment method.

Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is recorded on an accrual basis. Discounts from and premiums to par value on securities purchased are accreted or amortized, as applicable, into interest income over the life of the related security using the effective-yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost, adjusted for the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, if any. Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more, or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past-due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. We may make exceptions to the policy described above if a loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded as dividend income on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.

Certain investments may have contractual payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest or dividends. PIK represents accrued interested or accumulated dividends that are added to the loan principal or stated value of the investment on the respective interest- or dividend-payment dates rather than being paid in cash, and generally becomes due at maturity or upon being repurchased by the issuer. PIK interest or dividends is recorded as interest or dividend income, as applicable. If at any point we believe that PIK interest or dividends is not expected be realized, the PIK-generating investment will be placed on non-accrual status. Accrued PIK interest or dividends are generally reversed through interest or dividend income, respectively, when an investment is placed on non-accrual status.

Recent accounting pronouncements: In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in this ASU supersedes the leasing guidance in Leases (Topic 840). Under the new guidance, lessees are required to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases previously classified as operating leases. The guidance requires the use of a modified retrospective transition approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-02 are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. While we are currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-02, we expect an increase to the consolidated balance sheets for the lease assets and associated lease liabilities for our lease agreements previously accounted for as operating leases.

Allocation of net gains and losses: All income, gains, losses, deductions and credits for any investment are allocated in a manner proportionate to the shares owned.

Management and service fees: We do not incur expenses related to management and service fees. Our executive management team manages our investments as part of their employment responsibilities.

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

March 31, 2018

NOTE 3 – INVESTMENTS

The following table shows the composition of our investment portfolio by major class, at amortized cost and fair value, as of March 31, 2018 (together with the corresponding percentage of the fair value of our total portfolio of investments):

The following table shows the composition of our investment portfolio by major class, at amortized cost and fair value, as of December 31, 2017 (together with the corresponding percentage of the fair value of our total portfolio of investments):

The following table shows the composition of our investment portfolio by industry grouping, based on fair value as of March 31, 2018:

The following table shows the composition of our investment portfolio by industry grouping, based on fair value as of December 31, 2017:

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

March 31, 2018

We do not “control,” and we are not an “affiliate” (as each of those terms is defined in the 1940 Act), of any of our portfolio companies as of March 31, 2018. Under the 1940 Act, we would generally be presumed to “control” a portfolio company if we owned more than 25% of its voting securities, and be an “affiliate” of a portfolio company if we owned at least 5% and up to 25% of its voting securities.

NOTE 4 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

General information: Accounting guidance establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework that prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability of inputs used in measuring investments at fair value. Observable inputs must be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability based upon the best information available. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are to be categorized into one of the three hierarchy levels based on the relative observability of inputs used in the valuation. The three levels are defined as follows:

Our valuation policy and procedures: Under our valuation policies and procedures, we evaluate the source of inputs, including any markets in which our investments are trading, and then apply the resulting information in determining fair value. For our Level 1 investment assets, our valuation policy generally requires us to use a market approach, considering the last quoted closing price of a security we own that is listed on a securities exchange, and in a case where a security we own is listed on an over-the-counter market, to average the last quoted bid and ask price on the most active market on which the security is quoted. In the case of traded debt securities the prices for which are not readily available, we may value those securities using a present value approach, at their weighted-average yield to maturity.

The estimated fair value of our Level 3 investment assets is determined on a quarterly basis by the Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors, pursuant to our written Valuation Policy and Procedures. These policies and procedures generally require that we value our Level 3 equity investments at cost plus any accrued interest, unless circumstances warrant a different approach. Our Valuation Policy and Procedures provide examples of these circumstances, such as when a portfolio company has engaged in a subsequent financing of more than a de minimis size involving sophisticated investors (in which case we may use the price involved in that financing as a determinative input absent other known factors), or when a portfolio company is engaged in the process of a transaction that we determine is reasonably likely to occur (in which case we may use the price involved in the pending transaction as a determinative input absent other known factors). Other situations identified in our Valuation Policy and Procedures that may serve as input supporting a change in the valuation of our Level 3 equity investments include (i) a third-party valuation conducted by an independent and qualified professional, (ii) changes in the performance of long-term financial prospects of the portfolio company, (iii) a subsequent financing that changes the distribution rights associated with the equity security we hold, or (iv) sale transactions involving comparable companies, but only if further supported by a third-party valuation conducted by an independent and qualified professional.

When valuing preferred equity investments, we generally view intrinsic value as a key input. Intrinsic value means the value of any conversion feature (if the preferred investment is convertible) or the value of any liquidation or other preference. Discounts to intrinsic value may be applied in cases where the issuer’s financial condition is impaired or, in cases where intrinsic value relating to a conversion is determined to be a key input, to account for resale restrictions applicable to the securities issuable upon conversion.

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

March 31, 2018

When valuing warrants, our Valuation Policy and Procedures indicate that value will generally be the difference between closing price of the underlying equity security and the exercise price, after applying an appropriate discount for restriction, if applicable, in situations where the underlying security is marketable. If the underlying security is not marketable, then intrinsic value will be considered consistent with the principles described above. Generally, “out-of-the-money” warrants will be valued at cost or zero.

For non-traded (Level 3) debt securities with a residual maturity less than or equal to 60 days, the value will generally be based on a present value approach, considering the straight-line amortized face value of the debt unless justification for impairment exists.

On a quarterly basis, our management provides members of our Valuation Committee with (i) valuation reports for each portfolio investment (which reports include our cost, the most recent prior valuation and any current proposed valuation, and an indication of the valuation methodology used, together with any other supporting materials); (ii) Mill City Ventures’ bank and other statements pertaining to our cash and cash equivalents; (iii) quarter- or period-end statements from our custodial firms holding any of our portfolio investments; and (iv) recommendations to change any existing valuations of our portfolio investments or hierarchy levels for purposes of determining the fair value of such investments based upon the foregoing. The committee then discusses these materials and, consistent with the policies and approaches outlined above, makes final determinations respecting the valuation and hierarchy levels of our portfolio investments.

We made no changes to our Valuation Policy and Procedures during the reporting period.

Level 3 valuation information: Due to the inherent uncertainty in the valuation process, the estimate of the fair value of our investment portfolio as of March 31, 2018 may differ materially from values that would have been used had a readily available market for the securities existed.

The following table presents the fair value measurements of our portfolio investments by major class, as of March 31, 2018, according to the fair value hierarchy:

The following table presents the fair value measurements of our portfolio investments by major class, as of December 31, 2017, according to the fair value hierarchy

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

March 31, 2018

The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending fair value balances for our Level 3 portfolio investment assets for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

The net change in unrealized depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2018 attributable to Level 3 portfolio investments still held as of March 31, 2018 is $0.

The following table lists our level 3 investments held as of March 31, 2018 and the unobservable inputs used to determine their valuation:

The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending fair value balances for our Level 3 portfolio investment assets for the period ended December 31, 2017:

The net change in unrealized appreciation for the year ended December 31, 2017 attributable to Level 3 portfolio investments still held as of December 31, 2017 was $180,000, and is included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments on the statement of operations.

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

March 31, 2018

The following table lists our level 3 investments held as of December 31, 2017 and the unobservable inputs used to determine their valuation:

NOTE 5 – RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We maintain a Code of Ethics and certain other policies relating to conflicts of interest and related-party transactions, as well as policies and procedures relating to what regulations applicable to BDCs generally describe as “affiliate transactions.” Nevertheless, from time to time we may hold investments in portfolio companies in which certain members of our management, our Board of Directors, or significant shareholders of ours, are also directly or indirectly invested. Our Board of Directors has adopted a policy to require our disclosure of these instances in our periodic filings with the SEC. Our related-party transactions requiring disclosure under this policy are:

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

March 31, 2018

NOTE 6 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have an agreement to lease approximately 1,917 square feet of commercial space, and two parking spots, for a period of 62 months. The 62-month lease term began October 1, 2013 and runs through November 30, 2018. The total base rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $11,345 and $11,345, respectively. The table below sets forth the required annual minimum lease payments:

NOTE 7 – INCOME TAXES

We plan to be taxed as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” and intend to comply with the requirements of the Code applicable to RICs. Currently, however, we have not elected to be treated as a RIC. Upon our election to be taxed as a RIC, we will be required to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, and we intend at that time to distribute to shareholders (or retain through a deemed distribution) all of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain. Based on the foregoing, we have made no provision for income taxes. The characterization of income and gains that we will distribute is determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from GAAP. Book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder dividends and distributions and other permanent book and tax differences are reclassified to paid-in capital.

NOTE 8 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

At March 31, 2018, we had 11,067,402 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

NOTE 9 – PER-SHARE INFORMATION

Basic net gain (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net gain (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of basic and diluted net gain (loss) per common share is set forth below: