OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| ☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021
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 1-12043
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 98-0080034 | ||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||
85 Broad Street
New York, NY 10004
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 668-8000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
| Class A non-voting common stock | OPY | The New York Stock Exchange | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Not Applicable
(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 ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). 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. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated Filer | ☒ | |||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||||||||||
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 ☐ No ☒
The number of shares of the Company's Class A non-voting common stock and Class B voting common stock (being the only classes of common stock of the Company) outstanding on April 30, 2021 was 12,586,043 and 99,665 shares, respectively.
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
| Page No. | ||||||||
| PART I | ||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||
| PART II | ||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||
| Item 1A. | ||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
| (Expressed in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 28,545 | $ | 35,424 | |||||||
| Deposits with clearing organizations | 77,294 | 83,343 | |||||||||
| Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations | 233,915 | 203,494 | |||||||||
| Receivable from customers, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,919 ($410 in 2020) | 1,152,499 | 1,110,835 | |||||||||
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell | 25,937 | — | |||||||||
| Securities owned, including amounts pledged of $336,488 ($440,531 in 2020), at fair value | 605,330 | 610,517 | |||||||||
| Notes receivable, net | 48,847 | 46,161 | |||||||||
| Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation of $91,741 ($90,958 in 2020) | 26,835 | 27,762 | |||||||||
Right-of-use lease assets, net of accumulated amortization of $56,837 ($50,336 in 2020) | 155,658 | 153,502 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 137,889 | 137,889 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets | 32,100 | 32,100 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 184,302 | 272,876 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 2,709,151 | $ | 2,713,903 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||
| Drafts payable | $ | 12,392 | $ | — | |||||||
| Bank call loans | 75,100 | 82,000 | |||||||||
| Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations | 421,413 | 259,911 | |||||||||
| Payable to customers | 462,450 | 502,807 | |||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 7,150 | 342,438 | |||||||||
| Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value | 360,486 | 126,171 | |||||||||
| Accrued compensation | 207,300 | 298,263 | |||||||||
| Income tax payable | 15,776 | 9,726 | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities | 57,220 | 44,791 | |||||||||
| Lease liabilities | 194,771 | 193,373 | |||||||||
| Senior secured notes, net of debt issuance costs of $1,114 ($1,154 in 2020) | 123,886 | 123,846 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities, net of deferred tax assets of $42,979 ($44,104 in 2020) | 51,467 | 44,909 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,989,411 | 2,028,235 | |||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (note 13) | |||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | |||||||||||
| Share capital | |||||||||||
| Class A non-voting common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 12,586,043 and 12,381,778 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively | 43,008 | 39,200 | |||||||||
| Class B voting common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 99,665 shares authorized, issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 | 133 | 133 | |||||||||
| 43,141 | 39,333 | ||||||||||
| Contributed capital | 35,429 | 41,481 | |||||||||
| Retained earnings | 638,558 | 601,406 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 2,612 | 3,448 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 719,740 | 685,668 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 2,709,151 | $ | 2,713,903 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (Expressed in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| REVENUE | |||||||||||
| Commissions | $ | 113,471 | $ | 103,249 | |||||||
| Advisory fees | 104,496 | 86,164 | |||||||||
| Investment banking | 124,501 | 25,728 | |||||||||
| Bank deposit sweep income | 4,008 | 18,826 | |||||||||
| Interest | 8,666 | 10,890 | |||||||||
| Principal transactions, net | 10,865 | (868) | |||||||||
| Other | 7,275 | (9,219) | |||||||||
| Total revenue | 373,282 | 234,770 | |||||||||
| EXPENSES | |||||||||||
| Compensation and related expenses | 255,601 | 157,676 | |||||||||
| Communications and technology | 20,607 | 19,891 | |||||||||
| Occupancy and equipment costs | 15,182 | 16,078 | |||||||||
| Clearing and exchange fees | 6,275 | 5,659 | |||||||||
| Interest | 2,647 | 6,550 | |||||||||
| Other | 20,843 | 18,693 | |||||||||
| Total expenses | 321,155 | 224,547 | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income | 52,127 | 10,223 | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 13,469 | 2,405 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 38,658 | $ | 7,818 | |||||||
| Earnings per share | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 3.07 | $ | 0.61 | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | 2.91 | $ | 0.58 | |||||||
| Weighted average shares | |||||||||||
| Basic | 12,579,130 | 12,895,729 | |||||||||
| Diluted | 13,299,243 | 13,456,233 | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (Expressed in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 38,658 | $ | 7,818 | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | ||||||||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | (836) | (537) | ||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | 37,822 | $ | 7,281 | ||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited)
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| (Expressed in thousands, except per share amounts) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Share capital | |||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 39,333 | $ | 46,557 | |||||||
| Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock | 3,808 | 6,183 | |||||||||
| Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation | — | (8,434) | |||||||||
| Balance at end of period | 43,141 | 44,306 | |||||||||
| Contributed capital | |||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | 41,481 | 47,406 | |||||||||
| Share-based expense | 2,460 | 2,062 | |||||||||
| Vested employee share plan awards | (8,512) | (11,523) | |||||||||
| Balance at end of period | 35,429 | 37,945 | |||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | 601,406 | 496,998 | |||||||||
| Net income | 38,658 | 7,818 | |||||||||
| Dividends paid | (1,506) | (1,561) | |||||||||
| Balance at end of period | 638,558 | 503,255 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | |||||||||||
| Balance at beginning of period | 3,448 | 1,761 | |||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | (836) | (537) | |||||||||
| Balance at end of period | 2,612 | 1,224 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders' equity | $ | 719,740 | $ | 586,730 | |||||||
| Dividends paid per share | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.12 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
| (Expressed in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 38,658 | $ | 7,818 | |||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| Non-cash items included in net income: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements | 1,926 | 2,057 | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 1,885 | 3,019 | |||||||||
| Amortization of notes receivable | 3,438 | 3,059 | |||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 62 | 49 | |||||||||
| Write-off of debt issuance costs | — | 4 | |||||||||
| Provision for credit losses | 1,509 | 358 | |||||||||
| Share-based compensation | 10,598 | (1,376) | |||||||||
| Amortization of right-of-use lease assets | 6,501 | 6,213 | |||||||||
| Gain on repurchase of senior secured notes | — | (86) | |||||||||
| Decrease (increase) in operating assets: | |||||||||||
| Deposits with clearing organizations | 6,049 | (71,165) | |||||||||
| Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations | (30,421) | (35,124) | |||||||||
| Receivable from customers | (43,173) | (168,196) | |||||||||
| Income tax receivable | — | (1,113) | |||||||||
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell | (25,937) | — | |||||||||
| Securities owned | 5,187 | 490,373 | |||||||||
| Notes receivable | (6,124) | (4,349) | |||||||||
| Other assets | 87,739 | 49,744 | |||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Drafts payable | 12,392 | 19,066 | |||||||||
| Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations | 161,502 | (281,392) | |||||||||
| Payable to customers | (40,357) | 78,911 | |||||||||
| Income taxes payable | 6,050 | — | |||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | (335,288) | (163,162) | |||||||||
| Securities sold but not yet purchased | 234,315 | (65,932) | |||||||||
| Accrued compensation | (99,101) | (101,513) | |||||||||
| Accounts payable and other liabilities | 9,858 | (8,286) | |||||||||
| Cash (used in)/provided by operating activities | 7,268 | (241,023) | |||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||||||
| Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements | (999) | (1,326) | |||||||||
| Cash used in investing activities | (999) | (1,326) | |||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||||||
| Cash dividends paid on Class A non-voting and Class B voting common stock | (1,506) | (1,561) | |||||||||
| Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation | — | (8,434) | |||||||||
| Payments for employee taxes withheld related to vested share-based awards | (4,720) | (5,340) | |||||||||
| Repurchase of senior secured notes | — | (1,426) | |||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | (22) | — | |||||||||
| Increase in bank call loans, net | (6,900) | 203,100 | |||||||||
| Cash provided by/(used in) financing activities | (13,148) | 186,339 | |||||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (6,879) | (56,010) | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 35,424 | 79,550 | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 28,545 | $ | 23,540 | |||||||
| Schedule of non-cash financing activities | |||||||||||
| Employee share plan issuance | $ | 6,228 | $ | 10,032 | |||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | |||||||||||
| Cash paid during the period for interest | $ | 4,578 | $ | 9,095 | |||||||
| Cash paid during the period for income taxes, net | $ | 797 | $ | 516 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
1. Organization
Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. ("OPY" or the "Parent") is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OPY and its consolidated subsidiaries (together, the "Company"). Oppenheimer Holdings Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading middle market investment bank and full service broker-dealer that is engaged in a broad range of activities in the financial services industry, including retail securities brokerage, institutional sales and trading, investment banking (corporate and public finance), equity and fixed income research, market-making, trust services, and investment advisory and asset management services.
The Company is headquartered in New York and has 92 retail branch offices in the United States and institutional businesses located in London, Tel Aviv, and Hong Kong. The principal subsidiaries of OPY are Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. ("Oppenheimer"), a registered broker-dealer in securities and investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. ("OAM") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Oppenheimer Investment Management LLC, both registered investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware ("Oppenheimer Trust"), a limited purpose trust company that provides fiduciary services such as trust and estate administration and investment management; OPY Credit Corp., which offers syndication as well as trading of issued corporate loans; Oppenheimer Europe Ltd., based in the United Kingdom, with offices in the Isle of Jersey, Germany and Switzerland, which provides institutional equities and fixed income brokerage and corporate finance and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority; and Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited, based in Hong Kong, China, which provides fixed income and equities brokerage services to institutional investors and is regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission.
Oppenheimer owns Freedom Investments, Inc. ("Freedom"), a registered broker dealer in securities, which provides discount brokerage services, and Oppenheimer Israel (OPCO) Ltd., which is engaged in offering investment services in the State of Israel. Oppenheimer holds a trading permit on the New York Stock Exchange and is a member of several other regional exchanges in the United States.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies and estimates
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the "Form 10-K"). The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statement purposes. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts that are reported in the financial statements and the accompanying disclosures. Although these estimates are based on management's knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future, actual results may differ materially from the estimates. The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future interim or annual period.
On January 30, 2020, the spread of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization ("WHO"). Subsequently, on March 11, 2020, the WHO characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic (the "COVID-19 Pandemic"). The United States has the world’s most reported COVID-19 cases, and all 50 states and the District of Columbia have reported cases of infected individuals. The COVID-19 Pandemic coupled with the current market volatility has created an economic environment which may have significant accounting and financial reporting implications. The disruption of businesses around the globe due to COVID-19 may be a "trigger event" for companies to reassess valuation and accounting estimates and assumptions such as, impairment of goodwill, valuation allowances of deferred tax assets, fair value of investments and collectability of receivables.
8
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
The Company has reviewed the assumptions on which it values its goodwill, as well as valuation allowances on certain assets and the collectability of its receivables as of March 31, 2021, which did not result in any impairment or write off.
3. Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which replaces the incurred loss methodology with a current expected credit loss ("CECL") methodology. The Company elected the modified retrospective method which did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment at the date of adoption.
The Company can elect to use an approach to measure the allowance for credit losses using the fair value of collateral where the borrower is required to, and reasonably expected to, continually adjust and replenish the amount of collateral securing the instrument to reflect changes in the fair value of such collateral. The Company has elected to use this approach for securities borrowed, margin loans and reverse repurchase agreements. No material historical losses have been reported on these assets. See note 9 for details.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $48.8 million of notes receivable. Notes receivable represents recruiting and retention payments generally in the form of upfront loans to financial advisors and key revenue producers as part of the Company's overall growth strategy. These notes generally amortize over a service period of 3 to 10 years from the initial date of the note or based on productivity levels of employees. All such notes are contingent on the employees' continued employment with the Company. The unforgiven portion of the notes becomes due on demand in the event the employee departs during the service period. At this point any uncollected portion of the notes gets reclassified into a defaulted notes category.
The allowance for uncollectibles is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the defaulted notes balance to present the net amount expected to be collected. Balances are charged-off against the allowance when management deems the amount to be uncollectible.
The Company reserves 100% of the uncollected balance of defaulted notes which are five years and older and applies an expected loss rate to the remaining balance. The expected loss rate is based on historical collection rates of defaulted notes. The expected loss rate is adjusted for changes in environmental and market conditions such as changes in unemployment rates, changes in interest rates and other relevant factors. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 no adjustments were made to the expected loss rates. The Company will continuously monitor the effect of these factors on the expected loss rate and adjust it as necessary.
The allowance is measured on a pool basis as the Company has determined that the entire defaulted portion of notes receivable has similar risk characteristics.
As of March 31, 2021, the uncollected balance of defaulted notes was $6.5 million and the allowance for uncollectibles was $4.8 million. The allowance for uncollectibles consisted of $3.5 million related to defaulted notes balances (five years and older) and $1.3 million (under five years) using an expected loss rate of 42.7%.
9
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
The following table presents the disaggregation of defaulted notes by year of origination as of March 31, 2021:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||
| As of March 31, 2021 | |||||
| 2021 | $ | 1,064 | |||
| 2020 | 644 | ||||
| 2019 | 444 | ||||
| 2018 | 173 | ||||
| 2017 | 662 | ||||
| 2016 and prior | 3,491 | ||||
| Total | $ | 6,478 | |||
The following table presents activity in the allowance for uncollectibles of defaulted notes for the three months ended
March 31, 2021:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||
| For the Three Months Ended | |||||
| March 31, 2021 | |||||
| Beginning balance | $ | 4,234 | |||
| Additions and other adjustments | 532 | ||||
| Ending balance | $ | 4,766 | |||
4. Leases
In the first quarter of 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, "Leases". The ASU requires the recognition of a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheet by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. The Company elected the modified retrospective method which did not result in a cumulative-effect adjustment at the date of adoption.
The Company and its subsidiaries have operating leases for office space and equipment expiring at various dates through 2034. The Company leases its corporate headquarters at 85 Broad Street, New York, New York which houses its executive management team and many administrative functions for the firm as well as its research, trading, investment banking, and asset management divisions and an office in Troy, Michigan, which among other things, houses its payroll and human resources departments. In addition, the Company has 92 retail branch offices in the United States as well as offices in London, England, St. Helier, Isle of Jersey, Geneva, Switzerland, Munich, Germany, Tel Aviv, Israel and Hong Kong, China.
The Company is constantly assessing its needs for office space and, on a rolling basis, has many leases that expire in any given year.
The majority of the leases are held by the Company's subsidiary, Viner Finance Inc., which is a consolidated subsidiary and 100% owned by the Company.
10
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; the Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Most leases include an option to renew and the exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company's sole discretion. The Company did not include the renewal options as part of the right of use assets and liabilities.
The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements is limited by the expected lease term. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had right-of-use operating lease assets of $155.7 million (net of accumulated amortization of $56.8 million) which are comprised of real estate leases of $153.2 million (net of accumulated amortization of $52.6 million) and equipment leases of $2.5 million (net of accumulated amortization of $4.2 million). As of March 31, 2021, the Company had operating lease liabilities of $194.8 million which are comprised of real estate lease liabilities of $192.3 million and equipment lease liabilities of $2.5 million. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had not made any cash payments for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities or right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations. The Company had no finance leases or embedded leases as of March 31, 2021.
As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company used the incremental borrowing rate on January 1, 2019 for operating leases that commenced prior to that date. The Company used the incremental borrowing rate as of the lease commencement date for the operating leases that commenced subsequent to January 1, 2019.
The following table presents the weighted average lease term and weighted average discount rate for the Company's operating leases as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively:
| As of | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) | 7.66 | 7.84 | |||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate | 7.32% | 7.43% | |||||||||
The following table presents operating lease costs recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, respectively, which are included in occupancy and equipment costs on the condensed consolidated income statements:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Operating lease costs: | |||||||||||
| Real estate leases - Right-of-use lease asset amortization | $ | 6,056 | $ | 5,740 | |||||||
| Real estate leases - Interest expense | 3,596 | 3,911 | |||||||||
| Equipment leases - Right-of-use lease asset amortization | 445 | 473 | |||||||||
| Equipment leases - Interest expense | 39 | 54 | |||||||||
11
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
The maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are as follows:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||
| As of | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
| 2021 | $ | 31,480 | $ | 40,981 | |||||||
| 2022 | 38,610 | 36,999 | |||||||||
| 2023 | 35,592 | 33,984 | |||||||||
| 2024 | 30,916 | 29,425 | |||||||||
| 2025 | 25,377 | 23,872 | |||||||||
| After 2025 | 94,474 | 92,069 | |||||||||
| Total lease payments | $ | 256,449 | $ | 257,330 | |||||||
| Less interest | (61,678) | (63,957) | |||||||||
| Present value of lease liabilities | $ | 194,771 | $ | 193,373 | |||||||
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $18.7 million of additional operating leases that have not yet commenced ($19.2 million as of December 31, 2020).
5. Revenue from contracts with customers
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, the Company satisfies its performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to customers. A good or service is transferred to a customer when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring the Company's progress in satisfying the performance obligation in a manner that depicts the transfer of the goods or services to the customer.
Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time that the Company determines the customer obtains control over the promised good or service. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those promised goods or services (i.e., the "transaction price"). In determining the transaction price, the Company considers multiple factors, including the effects of variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainties with respect to the amount are resolved. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, the Company considers the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of its past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties expect to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of the Company's influence, such as market volatility or the judgment and actions of third parties.
The Company earns revenue from contracts with customers and other sources (principal transactions, interest and other). The following provides detailed information on the recognition of the Company's revenue from contracts with customers:
Commissions
Commissions from Sales and Trading — The Company earns commission revenue by executing, settling and clearing transactions with clients primarily in exchange-traded and over-the-counter corporate equity and debt securities, money market instruments and exchange-traded options and futures contracts. A substantial portion of Company's revenue is derived from commissions from private clients through accounts with transaction-based pricing. Trade execution and clearing services, when provided together, represent a single performance obligation as the services are not separately identifiable in the context of the contract. Commission revenue associated with combined trade execution and clearing services, as well as trade execution services on a standalone basis, is recognized at a point in time on trade date when the performance obligation is satisfied.
12
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Commission revenue is generally paid on settlement date, which is generally two business days after trade date for equity securities and corporate bond transactions and one day for government securities and commodities transactions. The Company records a receivable on the trade date and receives a payment on the settlement date.
Mutual Fund Income — The Company earns mutual fund income for sales and distribution of mutual fund shares. Many mutual fund companies pay distribution fees to intermediaries, such as broker-dealers, for selling their shares. The fees are operational expenses of the mutual fund and are included in its expense ratio. The Company recognizes mutual fund income at a point in time on trade date when the performance obligation is satisfied which is when the mutual fund interest is sold to the investor. Mutual fund income is generally received within 90 days.
Advisory Fees
The Company earns management and performance (or incentive) fees in connection with the advisory and asset management services it provides to various types of funds and investment vehicles through its subsidiaries. Management fees are generally based on the account value at the valuation date per the respective asset management agreements and are recognized over time as the customer receives the benefits of the services evenly throughout the term of the contract. Performance fees are recognized when the return on client AUM exceeds a specified benchmark return or other performance targets over a 12-month measurement period are met. Performance fees are considered variable as they are subject to fluctuation and/or are contingent on a future event over the measurement period and are not subject to adjustment once the measurement period ends. Such fees are computed as of the fund's year-end when the measurement period ends and generally are recorded as earned in the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year. Both management and performance fees are generally received within 90 days.
Investment Banking
The Company earns underwriting revenues by providing capital raising solutions for corporate clients through initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, equity-linked offerings, private investments in public entities, and private placements. Underwriting revenues are recognized at a point in time on trade date, as the client obtains the control and benefit of the capital markets offering at that point. These fees are generally received within 90 days after the transactions are completed. Transaction-related expenses, primarily consisting of legal, travel and other costs directly associated with the transaction, are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related investment banking transaction revenue. Underwriting revenues and related expenses are presented gross on the condensed consolidated income statements.
Revenue from financial advisory services includes fees generated in connection with mergers, acquisitions and restructuring transactions and such revenue and fees are primarily recorded at a point in time when services for the transactions are completed and income is reasonably determinable, generally as set forth under the terms of the engagement. Payment for advisory services is generally due upon completion of the transaction or milestone. Retainer fees and fees earned from certain advisory services are recognized ratably over the service period as the customer receives the benefit of the services throughout the term of the contracts, and such fees are collected based on the terms of the contracts.
Bank Deposit Sweep Income
Bank deposit sweep income consists of revenue earned from the FDIC-insured bank deposit program. Under this program, client funds are swept into deposit accounts at participating banks and are eligible for FDIC deposit insurance up to FDIC standard maximum deposit insurance amounts. Fees are earned over time and are generally received within 30 days.
13
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following presents the Company's revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by major business activity and other sources of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
| (Expressed in thousands) | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reportable Segments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private Client | Asset Management | Capital Markets | Corporate/Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from contracts with customers: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions from sales and trading | $ | 48,398 | $ | — | $ | 55,800 | $ | (3) | $ | 104,195 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual fund income | 9,198 | — | 2 | 76 | 9,276 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advisory fees | 80,254 | 24,227 | 3 | 12 | 104,496 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment banking - capital markets | 8,510 | — | 80,069 | — | 88,579 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment banking - advisory | — | — | 35,922 | — | 35,922 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank deposit sweep income | 4,008 | — | — | — | 4,008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 3,120 | — | 559 | 14 | 3,693 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | 153,488 | 24,227 | 172,355 | 99 | 350,169 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other sources of revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest | 6,476 | — | 2,152 | 38 | 8,666 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal transactions, net | 630 | — | 8,954 | 1,281 | 10,865 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 3,429 | 3 | 138 | 12 | 3,582 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other sources of revenue | 10,535 | 3 | 11,244 | 1,331 | 23,113 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 164,023 | $ | 24,230 | $ | 183,599 | $ | 1,430 | $ | 373,282 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (Expressed in thousands) | For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reportable Segments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Private Client | Asset Management | Capital Markets | Corporate/Other | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue from contracts with customers: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commissions from sales and trading | $ | 47,105 | $ | — | $ | 46,287 | $ | 20 | $ | 93,412 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mutual fund income | 9,827 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9,837 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advisory fees | 66,883 | 19,270 | 2 | 9 | 86,164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment banking - capital markets | 3,950 | — | 11,942 | — | 15,892 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment banking - advisory | — | — | 9,836 | — | 9,836 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank deposit sweep income | 18,826 | — | — | — | 18,826 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 3,131 | — | 640 | 101 | 3,872 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue from contracts with customers | 149,722 | 19,273 | 68,710 | 134 | 237,839 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other sources of revenue: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest | 7,680 | — | 2,824 | 386 | 10,890 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal transactions, net | (2,715) | — | 3,984 | (2,137) | (868) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | (13,269) | 3 | 24 | 151 | (13,091) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other sources of revenue | (8,304) | 3 | 6,832 | (1,600) | (3,069) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 141,418 | $ | 19,276 | $ | 75,542 | $ | (1,466) | $ | 234,770 | |||||||||||||||||||
14
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Contract Balances
The timing of the Company's revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by its customers. The Company records receivables when revenue is recognized prior to payment and it has an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, the Company records deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied.
The Company had receivables related to revenue from contracts with customers of $48.9 million and $30.8 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company had no significant impairments related to these receivables during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Deferred revenue relates to IRA fees received annually in advance on customers' IRA accounts managed by the Company and retainer fees and other fees earned from certain advisory transactions where the performance obligations have not yet been satisfied. Total deferred revenue was $2.2 million and $613,000 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
The following presents the Company's contract assets and deferred revenue balances from contracts with customers, which are included in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheet:
| (Expressed in thousands) | As of | ||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Contract assets (receivables): | |||||||||||
Commission (1) | $ | 5,601 | $ | 3,107 | |||||||
Mutual fund income (2) | 6,222 | 5,989 | |||||||||
Advisory fees (3) | 2,873 | 1,590 | |||||||||
Bank deposit sweep income (4) | 670 | 687 | |||||||||
Investment banking fees (5) | 29,398 | 16,119 | |||||||||
| Other | 4,185 | 3,324 | |||||||||
| Total contract assets | $ | 48,949 | $ | 30,816 | |||||||
| Deferred revenue (payables): | |||||||||||
Investment banking fees (6) | $ | 528 | $ | 613 | |||||||
IRA fees (7) | 1,718 | — | |||||||||
| Total deferred revenue | $ | 2,246 | $ | 613 | |||||||
(1)Commission recorded on trade date but not yet settled.
(2)Mutual fund income earned but not yet received.
(3)Management and performance fees earned but not yet received.
(4)Fees earned from FDIC-insured bank deposit program but not yet received.
(5)Underwriting revenue and advisory fees earned but not yet received.
(6)Retainer fees and fees earned from certain advisory transactions where the performance
obligations have not yet been satisfied.
(7)Fee received in advance on an annual basis.
15
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
6. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income over the weighted average number of shares of Class A non-voting common stock ("Class A Stock") and Class B voting common stock ("Class B Stock") outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes the weighted average number of shares of Class A Stock and Class B Stock outstanding and options to purchase Class A Stock and unvested restricted stock awards of Class A Stock using the treasury stock method.
Earnings per share have been calculated as follows:
| (Expressed in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts) | |||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding | 12,579,130 | 12,895,729 | |||||||||
Net dilutive effect of share-based awards, treasury method (1) | 720,113 | 560,504 | |||||||||
| Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding | 13,299,243 | 13,456,233 | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 38,658 | $ | 7,818 | |||||||
| Earnings per share | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 3.07 | $ | 0.61 | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | 2.91 | $ | 0.58 | |||||||
(1) For the three months ended March 31, 2021, there was no Class A Stock granted under share-based compensation
arrangements that were anti-dilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the diluted net income per share
computation did not include the anti-dilutive effect of 10,770 shares of Class A Stock granted under share-based
compensation arrangements.
7. Receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||
| As of | |||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
| Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations consists of: | |||||||||||
| Other | 744 | 15,634 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 233,915 | $ | 203,494 | |||||||
| Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations consists of: | |||||||||||
| Securities loaned | $ | 257,342 | $ | 249,499 | |||||||
| Payable to brokers | 1,336 | 4,102 | |||||||||
| Securities failed to receive | 38,100 | 6,218 | |||||||||
Other (1) | 124,635 | 92 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 421,413 | $ | 259,911 | |||||||
(1) Balance as of March 31, 2021 is primarily related to a trade/settlement date adjustment for U.S. Government Securities.
16
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
8. Fair value measurements
Securities owned, securities sold but not yet purchased, investments and derivative contracts are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period.
Valuation Techniques
A description of the valuation techniques applied, and inputs used in measuring the fair value of the Company's financial instruments, is as follows:
U.S. Government Obligations
U.S. Treasury securities are valued using quoted market prices obtained from active market makers and inter-dealer brokers.
U.S. Agency Obligations
U.S. agency securities consist of agency issued debt securities and mortgage pass-through securities. Non-callable agency issued debt securities are generally valued using quoted market prices. Callable agency issued debt securities are valued by benchmarking model-derived prices to quoted market prices and trade data for identical or comparable securities. The fair value of mortgage pass-through securities are model driven with respect to spreads of the comparable to-be-announced ("TBA") security.
Sovereign Obligations
The fair value of sovereign obligations is determined based on quoted market prices when available or a valuation model that generally utilizes interest rate yield curves and credit spreads as inputs.
Corporate Debt and Other Obligations
The fair value of corporate bonds is estimated using recent transactions, broker quotations and bond spread information.
Mortgage and Other Asset-Backed Securities
The Company values non-agency securities collateralized by home equity and various other types of collateral based on external pricing and spread data provided by independent pricing services. When specific external pricing is not observable, the valuation is based on yields and spreads for comparable bonds.
Municipal Obligations
The fair value of municipal obligations is estimated using recently executed transactions, broker quotations, and bond spread information.
Convertible Bonds
The fair value of convertible bonds is estimated using recently executed transactions and dollar-neutral price quotations, where observable. When observable price quotations are not available, fair value is determined based on cash flow models using yield curves and bond spreads as key inputs.
Corporate Equities
Equity securities and options are generally valued based on quoted prices from the exchange or market where traded. To the extent quoted prices are not available, fair values are generally derived using bid/ask spreads.
17
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Auction Rate Securities ("ARS")
Background
In February 2010, Oppenheimer finalized settlements with each of the New York Attorney General's office ("NYAG") and the Massachusetts Securities Division ("MSD") and, together (the "Regulators") concluding proceedings by the Regulators concerning Oppenheimer's marketing and sale of ARS. Pursuant to the settlements with the Regulators, Oppenheimer agreed to extend offers to repurchase ARS from certain of its clients. Over the last ten years, the Company has bought back $143.4 million of ARS pursuant to these settlements. These buybacks coupled with ARS issuer redemptions and tender offers have significantly reduced the level of ARS held by Eligible Investors (as defined). As of March 31, 2021, the Company had $435,000 of ARS to purchase from Eligible Investors related to the settlements with the Regulators. In addition to the settlements with the Regulators, Oppenheimer has also reached settlements of and received adverse awards in legal proceedings with various clients where the Company is obligated to purchase ARS. Over the last ten years, the Company has purchased $106.1 million of ARS pursuant to these legal settlements and awards. The Company has completed its ARS purchase obligations under such legal settlements and awards.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company owned $31.5 million of ARS. This amount represents the unredeemed or unsold amount that the Company holds as a result of ARS buybacks pursuant to the settlements with the Regulators and legal settlements and awards referred to above.
Valuation
The Company’s ARS owned and ARS purchase commitments referred to above have, for the most part, been subject to issuer tender offers. The Company has valued the ARS securities owned and the ARS purchase commitments at the tender offer price and categorized them in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy due to the illiquid nature of the securities and the period of time since the last tender offer. The ARS purchase commitments related to the settlements with the Regulators and legal settlements and awards are considered derivative assets or liabilities. The ARS purchase commitments represent the difference between the principal value and the fair value of the ARS the Company is committed to purchase. The fair value of ARS and ARS purchase commitments is particularly sensitive to movements in interest rates. However, an increase or decrease in short-term interest rates may or may not result in a higher or lower tender offer in the future or the tender offer price may not provide a reasonable estimate of the fair value of the securities. In such cases, other valuation techniques might be necessary.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had a valuation adjustment totaling $5.2 million which consists of $5.1 million for ARS owned (which is included as a reduction to securities owned on the condensed consolidated balance sheet) and $0.1 million for ARS purchase commitments from settlements with regulators (which is included in accounts payable and other liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet).
Investments
In its role as general partner in certain hedge funds and private equity funds, the Company, through its subsidiaries, holds direct investments in such funds. The Company uses the net asset value of the underlying fund as a basis for estimating the fair value of its investment.
The following table provides information about the Company's investments in Company-sponsored funds as of March 31, 2021:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Unfunded Commitments | Redemption Frequency | Redemption Notice Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hedge funds (1) | $ | 1,112 | $ | — | Quarterly - Annually | 30 - 120 Days | |||||||||||||||||
Private equity funds (2) | 3,709 | 3,011 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 4,821 | $ | 3,011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Includes investments in hedge funds and hedge fund of funds that pursue long/short, event-driven, and activist strategies.
(2) Includes private equity funds and private equity fund of funds with a focus on diversified portfolios, real estate and
global natural resources
18
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
The following table provides information about the Company's investments in Company-sponsored funds as of December 31, 2020:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value | Unfunded Commitments | Redemption Frequency | Redemption Notice Period | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hedge funds (1) | $ | 1,126 | $ | — | Quarterly - Annually | 30 - 120 Days | |||||||||||||||||
Private equity funds (2) | 3,710 | 1,238 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 4,836 | $ | 1,238 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Includes investments in hedge funds and hedge fund of funds that pursue long/short, event-driven, and activist strategies.
(2) Includes private equity funds and private equity fund of funds with a focus on diversified portfolios, real estate and
global natural resources.
During 2020, the Company made an investment in a financial technologies firm. The Company elected the fair value option for this investment and it is included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company determined the fair value of the investment based on an implied market-multiple approach and observable market data, including comparable company transactions. As of March 31, 2021, the fair value of the investment was $4.4 million and was categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
The Company's assets and liabilities, recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, have been categorized based upon the above fair value hierarchy as follows:
19
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements as of March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits with clearing organizations | $ | 25,899 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 25,899 | |||||||||||||||
| Securities owned: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 427,489 | — | — | 427,489 | |||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Agency securities | — | 18,339 | — | 18,339 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sovereign obligations | — | 409 | — | 409 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt and other obligations | — | 21,227 | — | 21,227 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage and other asset-backed securities | — | 5,541 | — | 5,541 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal obligations | — | 40,296 | — | 40,296 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible bonds | — | 18,782 | — | 18,782 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate equities | 41,364 | — | — | 41,364 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Money markets | 413 | — | — | 413 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Auction rate securities | — | — | 31,470 | 31,470 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Securities owned, at fair value | 469,266 | 104,594 | 31,470 | 605,330 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments (1) | — | 4,440 | — | 4,440 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative contracts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| TBAs | — | 83 | — | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 495,165 | $ | 109,117 | $ | 31,470 | $ | 635,752 | |||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold but not yet purchased: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 324,612 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 324,612 | |||||||||||||||
| U.S. Agency securities | — | 5 | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sovereign obligations | — | 1,609 | — | 1,609 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt and other obligations | — | 6,199 | — | 6,199 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage and other asset-backed securities | — | 1 | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible bonds | — | 5,873 | — | 5,873 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate equities | 22,187 | — | — | 22,187 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value | 346,799 | 13,687 | — | 360,486 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative contracts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Futures | 296 | — | — | 296 | |||||||||||||||||||
| TBAs | — | 56 | — | 56 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ARS purchase commitments | — | — | 65 | 65 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative contracts, total | 296 | 56 | 65 | 417 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 347,095 | $ | 13,743 | $ | 65 | $ | 360,903 | |||||||||||||||
(1) Included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
20
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits with clearing organizations | $ | 23,991 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 23,991 | |||||||||||||||
| Securities owned: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | 448,312 | — | — | 448,312 | |||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Agency securities | — | 24,616 | — | 24,616 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sovereign obligations | — | 367 | — | 367 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt and other obligations | — | 23,977 | — | 23,977 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mortgage and other asset-backed securities | — | 3,103 | — | 3,103 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Municipal obligations | — | 25,190 | — | 25,190 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible bonds | — | 17,497 | — | 17,497 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate equities | 36,554 | — | — | 36,554 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Money markets | 200 | — | — | 200 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Auction rate securities | — | — | 30,701 | 30,701 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Securities owned, at fair value | 485,066 | 94,750 | 30,701 | 610,517 | |||||||||||||||||||
Investments (1) | — | 4,181 | — | 4,181 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative contracts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| TBAs | — | 15 | — | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 509,057 | $ | 98,946 | $ | 30,701 | $ | 638,704 | |||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold but not yet purchased: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities | $ | 93,261 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 93,261 | |||||||||||||||
| U.S. Agency securities | — | 9 | — | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sovereign obligations | — | 623 | — | 623 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate debt and other obligations | — | 5,283 | — | 5,283 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate equities | 17,892 | — | — | 17,892 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value | 111,153 | 15,018 | — | 126,171 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative contracts: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Futures | 22 | — | — | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||
| TBAs | — | 3 | — | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| ARS purchase commitments | — | — | 195 | 195 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative contracts, total | 22 | 3 | 195 | 220 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 111,175 | $ | 15,021 | $ | 195 | $ | 126,391 | |||||||||||||||
(1) Included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
21
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
The following tables present changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
| (Expressed in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Level 3 Assets and Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total Realized | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning | and Unrealized | Purchases | Sales and | Transfers | Ending | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance | Gains (Losses)(3)(4) | and Issuances | Settlements | In (Out) | Balance | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities (1) | $ | 30,701 | $ | (131) | $ | 1,875 | $ | (975) | $ | — | $ | 31,470 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ARS Purchase Commitments (2) | 195 | — | — | (130) | — | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Represents auction rate securities that failed in the auction rate market.
(2) Represents the difference in principal and fair value for auction rate securities purchase commitments outstanding at the end of the period.
(3) Included in principal transactions in the condensed consolidated income statement.
(4) Unrealized gains are attributable to assets or liabilities that are still held at the reporting date.
There were no balances or changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
The table below presents the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy category of certain financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The table below excludes non-financial assets and liabilities (e.g., right-of-use lease assets, lease liabilities, furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements and accrued compensation).
The carrying value of financial instruments not measured at fair value categorized in the fair value hierarchy as Level 1 or Level 2 (e.g., cash and receivables from customers) approximates fair value because of the relatively short-term nature of the underlying assets. The fair value of the Company's senior secured notes, categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, is based on quoted prices from the market in which the notes trade.
Assets and liabilities not measured at fair value as of March 31, 2021:
| (Expressed in thousands) | Fair Value Measurement: Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 28,545 | $ | 28,545 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 28,545 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits with clearing organization | 51,395 | 51,395 | — | — | 51,395 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities borrowed | 109,763 | — | 109,763 | — | 109,763 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables from brokers | 32,994 | — | 32,994 | — | 32,994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities failed to deliver | 62,193 | — | 62,193 | — | 62,193 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clearing organizations | 28,221 | — | 28,221 | — | 28,221 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 717 | — | 717 | — | 717 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 233,888 | — | 233,888 | — | 233,888 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivable from customers | 1,152,499 | — | 1,152,499 | — | 1,152,499 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities purchased under agreements to resell | 25,937 | — | 25,937 | — | 25,937 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes receivable, net | 48,847 | — | 48,847 | — | 48,847 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments (1) | 88,963 | — | 88,963 | — | 88,963 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
22
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
| (Expressed in thousands) | Fair Value Measurement: Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Drafts payable | $ | 12,392 | $ | 12,392 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 12,392 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bank call loans | 75,100 | — | 75,100 | — | 75,100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities loaned | 257,342 | — | 257,342 | — | 257,342 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payable to brokers | 1,336 | — | 1,336 | — | 1,336 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities failed to receive | 38,100 | — | 38,100 | — | 38,100 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 124,339 | — | 124,339 | — | 124,339 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 421,117 | — | 421,117 | — | 421,117 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables to customers | 462,450 | — | 462,450 | — | 462,450 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 7,150 | — | 7,150 | — | 7,150 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior secured notes | 125,000 | — | 129,375 | — | 129,375 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets and liabilities not measured at fair value as of December 31, 2020:
| (Expressed in thousands) | Fair Value Measurement: Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 35,424 | $ | 35,424 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 35,424 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits with clearing organization | 59,352 | 59,352 | — | — | 59,352 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities borrowed | 110,932 | — | 110,932 | — | 110,932 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables from brokers | 30,133 | — | 30,133 | — | 30,133 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities failed to deliver | 17,840 | — | 17,840 | — | 17,840 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Clearing organizations | 28,955 | — | 28,955 | — | 28,955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 15,622 | — | 15,622 | — | 15,622 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 203,482 | — | 203,482 | — | 203,482 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivable from customers | 1,110,835 | — | 1,110,835 | — | 1,110,835 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notes receivable, net | 46,161 | — | 46,161 | — | 46,161 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments (1) | 85,552 | — | 85,552 | — | 85,552 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
23
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
| (Expressed in thousands) | Fair Value Measurement: Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Value | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bank call loans | $ | 82,000 | $ | — | $ | 82,000 | $ | — | $ | 82,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities loaned | 249,499 | — | 249,499 | — | 249,499 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payable to brokers | 4,102 | — | 4,102 | — | 4,102 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities failed to receive | 6,218 | — | 6,218 | — | 6,218 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 70 | — | 70 | — | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 259,889 | — | 259,889 | — | 259,889 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables to customers | 502,807 | — | 502,807 | — | 502,807 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | 342,438 | — | 342,438 | — | 342,438 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior secured notes | 125,000 | — | 127,033 | — | 127,033 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Option
The Company elected the fair value option for securities sold under agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements") and securities purchased under agreements to resell ("reverse repurchase agreements") that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date. The Company has elected the fair value option for these instruments to reflect more accurately market and economic events in its earnings and to mitigate a potential mismatch in earnings caused by using different measurement attributes (i.e. fair value versus carrying value) for certain assets and liabilities. As of March 31, 2021, the Company did not have any repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company transacts, on a limited basis, in exchange traded and over-the-counter derivatives for both asset and liability management as well as for trading and investment purposes. Risks managed using derivative instruments include interest rate risk and, to a lesser extent, foreign exchange risk. All derivative instruments are measured at fair value and are recognized as either assets or liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Foreign exchange hedges
From time to time, the Company also utilizes forward and options contracts to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with compensation obligations to Oppenheimer Israel (OPCO) Ltd. employees denominated in New Israeli Shekel ("NIS"). Such hedges have not been designated as accounting hedges. Unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and other income in the condensed consolidated income statement.
Derivatives used for trading and investment purposes
Futures contracts represent commitments to purchase or sell securities or other commodities at a future date and at a specified price. Market risk exists with respect to these instruments. Notional or contractual amounts are used to express the volume of these transactions and do not represent the amounts potentially subject to market risk. The Company uses futures contracts, including U.S. Treasury notes, Federal Funds, general collateral futures and Eurodollar contracts primarily as an economic hedge of interest rate risk associated with government trading activities. Unrealized gains and losses on futures contracts are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet in payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and in the condensed consolidated income statement as principal transactions revenue, net.
24
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
To-be-announced securities
The Company also transacts in pass-through mortgage-backed securities eligible to be sold in the TBA market as economic hedges against mortgage-backed securities that it owns or has sold but not yet purchased. TBAs provide for the forward or delayed delivery of the underlying instrument with settlement up to 180 days. The contractual or notional amounts related to these financial instruments reflect the volume of activity and do not reflect the amounts at risk. Net unrealized gains and losses on TBAs are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet in receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations or payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and in the condensed consolidated income statement as principal transactions revenue, net.
The notional amounts and fair values of the Company's derivatives as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 by product were as follows:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
| Description | Notional | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other contracts | TBAs | $ | 40,550 | $ | 83 | ||||||||||||
| $ | 40,550 | $ | 83 | ||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (1) | |||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts | Futures | $ | 2,860,000 | $ | 296 | ||||||||||||
| Other contracts | TBAs | 34,884 | 56 | ||||||||||||||
| ARS purchase commitments | 435 | 65 | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 2,895,319 | $ | 417 | ||||||||||||||
(1)See "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" above for a description of derivative financial instruments. Such derivative instruments are not subject to master netting agreements, thus the
related amounts are not offset.
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| Description | Notional | Fair Value | |||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other contracts | TBAs | $ | 7,970 | $ | 15 | ||||||||||||
| $ | 7,970 | $ | 15 | ||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (1) | |||||||||||||||||
Commodity contracts | Futures | $ | 3,440,000 | $ | 22 | ||||||||||||
| Other contracts | TBAs | 7,936 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| ARS purchase commitments | 1,313 | 195 | |||||||||||||||
| $ | 3,449,249 | $ | 220 | ||||||||||||||
(1)See "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" above for a description of derivative financial instruments. Such derivative instruments are not subject to master netting agreements, thus the related amounts are not offset.
25
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
The following table presents the location and fair value amounts of the Company's derivative instruments and their effect in the condensed consolidated income statements for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
| (Expressed in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Effect of Derivative Instruments in the Income Statement | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Recognized in Income on Derivatives (pre-tax) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Types | Description | Location | Net Gain | |||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | Futures | Principal transactions revenue | $ | 1,020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other contracts | TBAs | Principal transactions revenue | 37 | |||||||||||||||||
| ARS purchase commitments | Principal transactions revenue | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,057 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (Expressed in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| The Effect of Derivative Instruments in the Income Statement | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Recognized in Income on Derivatives (pre-tax) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Types | Description | Location | Net Gain (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||
| Commodity contracts | Futures | Principal transactions revenue | $ | (8,093) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other contracts | Foreign exchange forward contracts | Other revenue | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| TBAs | Principal transactions revenue | (12) | ||||||||||||||||||
| ARS purchase commitments | Principal transactions revenue | 136 | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | (7,967) | |||||||||||||||||||
9. Collateralized transactions
The Company enters into collateralized borrowing and lending transactions in order to meet customers' needs and earn interest rate spreads, obtain securities for settlement and finance trading inventory positions. Under these transactions, the Company either receives or provides collateral, including U.S. Government and Agency, asset-backed, corporate debt, equity, and non-U.S. Government and Agency securities.
The Company obtains short-term borrowings primarily through bank call loans. Bank call loans are generally payable on demand and bear interest at various rates. As of March 31, 2021, the outstanding balance of bank call loans was $75.1 million ($82.0 million as of December 31, 2020). Such loans were collateralized by the Firm's securities and customer securities with market values of approximately $45.4 million and $44.5 million, respectively, with commercial banks.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $1.6 billion of customer securities under customer margin loans that are available to be pledged, of which the Company has re-pledged approximately $216.9 million under securities loan agreements.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had pledged $284.1 million of customer securities directly with the Options Clearing Corporation to secure obligations and margin requirements under option contracts written by customers.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company had no outstanding letters of credit.
The Company enters into reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, securities borrowed and securities loaned transactions to, among other things, acquire securities to cover short positions and settle other securities obligations, to accommodate customers' needs and to finance the Company's inventory positions. Except as described below, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, principally involving U.S. Government and Agency securities, are carried at amounts at which the securities subsequently will be resold or reacquired as specified in the respective agreements and include accrued interest.
26
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements are presented on a net-by-counterparty basis, when the repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements are executed with the same counterparty, have the same explicit settlement date, are executed in accordance with a master netting arrangement, the securities underlying the repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements exist in "book entry" form and certain other requirements are met.
The following table presents a disaggregation of the gross obligation by the class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of the repurchase agreements and securities loaned transactions as of March 31, 2021:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||
| Overnight and Open | |||||
| Repurchase agreements: | |||||
| U.S. Government and Agency securities | $ | 301,882 | |||
| Securities loaned: | |||||
| Equity securities | 257,342 | ||||
| Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements and securities loaned | $ | 559,224 | |||
The following tables present the gross amounts and the offsetting amounts of reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, securities borrowed and securities loaned transactions as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
| As of March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Expressed in thousands) | Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet | Net Amounts of Assets Presented on the Balance Sheet | Financial Instruments | Cash Collateral Received | Net Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reverse repurchase agreements | $ | 320,669 | $ | (294,732) | $ | 25,937 | $ | (25,937) | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities borrowed (1) | 109,763 | — | 109,763 | (107,957) | — | 1,806 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 430,432 | $ | (294,732) | $ | 135,700 | $ | (133,894) | $ | — | $ | 1,806 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Included in receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the condensed
consolidated balance sheet.
| Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet | Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented on the Balance Sheet | Financial Instruments | Cash Collateral Pledged | Net Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase agreements | $ | 301,882 | $ | (294,732) | $ | 7,150 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7,150 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities loaned (2) | 257,342 | — | 257,342 | (253,320) | — | 4,022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 559,224 | $ | (294,732) | $ | 264,492 | $ | (253,320) | $ | — | $ | 11,172 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(2)Included in payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the condensed consolidated
balance sheet.
27
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
| As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Expressed in thousands) | Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet | Net Amounts of Assets Presented on the Balance Sheet | Financial Instruments | Cash Collateral Received | Net Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reverse repurchase agreements | $ | 88,349 | $ | (88,349) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities borrowed (1) | 110,932 | — | 110,932 | (109,922) | — | 1,010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 199,281 | $ | (88,349) | $ | 110,932 | $ | (109,922) | $ | — | $ | 1,010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Included in receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the condensed
consolidated balance sheet.
| Gross Amounts Not Offset on the Balance Sheet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | Gross Amounts Offset on the Balance Sheet | Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented on the Balance Sheet | Financial Instruments | Cash Collateral Pledged | Net Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase agreements | $ | 430,787 | $ | (88,349) | $ | 342,438 | $ | (340,632) | $ | — | $ | 1,806 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities loaned (2) | 249,499 | — | 249,499 | (242,318) | — | 7,181 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 680,286 | $ | (88,349) | $ | 591,937 | $ | (582,950) | $ | — | $ | 8,987 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(2)Included in payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the condensed consolidated
balance sheet.
The Company elected the fair value option for those repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date. As of March 31, 2021, the Company did not have any repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date.
The Company receives collateral in connection with securities borrowed and reverse repurchase agreement transactions and customer margin loans. Under many agreements, the Company is permitted to sell or re-pledge the securities received (e.g., use the securities to enter into securities lending transactions, or deliver to counterparties to cover short positions). As of March 31, 2021, the fair value of securities received as collateral under securities borrowed transactions and reverse repurchase agreements was $108.1 million ($108.0 million as of December 31, 2020) and $328.6 million ($88.3 million as of December 31, 2020), respectively, of which the Company has sold and re-pledged approximately $35.5 million ($36.2 million as of December 31, 2020) under securities loaned transactions and $328.6 million under repurchase agreements ($88.3 million as of December 31, 2020).
The Company pledges certain of its securities owned for securities lending and repurchase agreements and to collateralize bank call loan transactions. The carrying value of pledged securities owned that can be sold or re-pledged by the counterparty was $336.5 million, as presented on the face of the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021 ($440.5 million as of December 31, 2020).
The Company manages credit exposure arising from repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements by, in appropriate circumstances, entering into master netting agreements and collateral arrangements with counterparties that provide the Company, in the event of a customer default, the right to liquidate securities and the right to offset a counterparty's rights and obligations. The Company manages market risk of repurchase agreements and securities loaned by monitoring the market value of collateral held and the market value of securities receivable from others. It is the Company's policy to request and obtain additional collateral when exposure to loss exists. In the event the counterparty is unable to meet its contractual obligation to return the securities, the Company may be exposed to off-balance sheet risk of acquiring securities at prevailing market prices.
28
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Credit Concentrations
Credit concentrations may arise from trading, investing, underwriting and financing activities and may be impacted by changes in economic, industry or political factors. In the normal course of business, the Company may be exposed to credit risk in the event customers, counterparties including other brokers and dealers, issuers, banks, depositories or clearing organizations are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. The Company seeks to mitigate these risks by actively monitoring exposures and obtaining collateral as deemed appropriate. Included in receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations as of March 31, 2021 were receivables from three major U.S. broker-dealers totaling approximately $72.6 million.
The Company is obligated to settle transactions with brokers and other financial institutions even if its clients fail to meet their obligations to the Company. Clients are required to complete their transactions on the settlement date, generally one to two business days after the trade date. If clients do not fulfill their contractual obligations, the Company may incur losses. The Company has clearing/participating arrangements with the National Securities Clearing Corporation, the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation ("FICC"), R.J. O'Brien & Associates (commodities transactions), Mortgage-Backed Securities Division (a division of FICC) and others. With respect to its business in reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements, substantially all open contracts as of March 31, 2021 were with the FICC. In addition, the Company clears its non-U.S. international equities business carried on by Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. through Global Prime Partners, Ltd. The clearing organizations have the right to charge the Company for losses that result from a client's failure to fulfill its contractual obligations. Accordingly, the Company has credit exposures with these clearing brokers. The clearing brokers can re-hypothecate the securities held on behalf of the Company. As the right to charge the Company has no maximum amount and applies to all trades executed through the clearing brokers, the Company believes there is no maximum amount assignable to this right. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had recorded no liabilities with regard to this right. The Company's policy is to monitor the credit standing of the clearing brokers and banks with which it conducts business.
10. Variable interest entities ("VIEs")
The Company's policy is to consolidate all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, as well as any VIEs where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary when it has the power to make the decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb significant losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
The Company serves as general partner of hedge funds and private equity funds that were established for the purpose of providing investment alternatives to both its institutional and qualified retail clients. The Company holds variable interests in these funds as a result of its right to receive management and incentive fees. The Company's investment in and additional capital commitments to these hedge funds and private equity funds are also considered variable interests. The Company's additional capital commitments are subject to call at a later date and are limited to the amount committed.
The Company assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of the hedge funds and private equity funds in which it holds a variable interest in the form of general and limited partner interests. In each instance, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary and therefore need not consolidate the hedge funds or private equity funds. The subsidiaries' general and limited partnership interests, additional capital commitments, and management fees receivable represent its maximum exposure to loss. The subsidiaries' general partnership and limited partnership interests and management fees receivable are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
In addition, the Company has variable interests as a sponsor of two Special Purpose Acquisition Companies ("SPAC”), that are seeking to effect a transaction which could be in the form of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.
The following tables set forth the total VIE assets, the carrying value of the subsidiaries' variable interests, and the Company's maximum exposure to loss in Company-sponsored non-consolidated VIEs in which the Company holds variable interests and other non-consolidated VIEs in which the Company holds variable interests as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
29
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total VIE Assets (1) | Carrying Value of the Company's Variable Interest | Capital Commitments | Maximum Exposure to Loss in Non-consolidated VIEs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hedge funds | $ | 546,555 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Special Purpose Acquisition Companies | 1,365 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 547,920 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
(1) Represents the total assets of the VIEs and does not represent the Company's interests in the VIEs.
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total VIE Assets (1) | Carrying Value of the Company's Variable Interest | Capital Commitments | Maximum Exposure to Loss in Non-consolidated VIEs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hedge funds | $ | 643,251 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Special Purpose Acquisition Companies | 1,384 | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 644,635 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
(1) Represents the total assets of the VIEs and does not represent the Company's interests in the VIEs.
11. Long-term debt
| (Expressed in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Issued | Maturity Date | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| 5.50% Senior Secured Notes | 10/1/2025 | $ | 125,000 | $ | 125,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs | (1,114) | (1,154) | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 123,886 | $ | 123,846 | |||||||||||||||||
5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "Notes")
On September 22, 2020, in a private offering, the Company issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "Unregistered Notes") under an Indenture at an issue price of 100% of the principal amount. Interest on the Unregistered Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1st and October 1st. We used the net proceeds from the offering of the Unregistered Notes, along with cash on hand, to redeem in full our 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due July 1, 2022 (the "Old Notes") in the principal amount of $150.0 million (the Company held $1.4 million in treasury for a net outstanding amount of $148.6 million), and pay all related fees and expenses in relation thereto.
On November 23, 2020, we completed an exchange offer in which we exchanged 99.8% of the Unregistered Notes for a like principal amount of notes with identical terms (the "Notes"), except that such new notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). We did not receive any proceeds in the exchange offer. The Notes will mature on October 1, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 5.50% per annum, payable semiannually on April 1st and October 1st, respectively, of each year.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
The Parent used the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes, along with cash on hand, to redeem in full its Old Notes, in the principal amount of $150.0 million (the Parent held $1.4 million in treasury for a net outstanding amount of $148.6 million), and pay all related fees and expenses in relation thereto. The cost to issue the Notes was $3.1 million, of which $1.9 million was paid to its subsidiary, (Oppenheimer & Co Inc., who served as the initial purchaser of the offering), and was eliminated in consolidation. The remaining $1.2 million was capitalized and is amortized over the term of the Notes.
The Indenture governing the Notes contains covenants which place restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness, the payment of dividends, the repurchase of equity, the sale of assets, the issuance of guarantees, mergers and acquisitions and the granting of liens. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. These exceptions and qualifications include, among other things, a variety of provisions that are intended to allow the Company to continue to conduct its brokerage operations in the ordinary course of business. In addition, certain of the covenants will be suspended upon the Parent attaining an investment grade debt rating for the Notes from both S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Pursuant to the Indenture, the following covenants apply to the Parent and its restricted subsidiaries, but generally do not apply, or apply only in part, to its Regulated Subsidiaries (as defined):
•limitation on indebtedness and issuances of preferred stock, which restricts the Parent’s ability to incur additional indebtedness or to issue preferred stock;
•limitation on restricted payments, which generally restricts the Parent’s ability to declare certain dividends or distributions, repurchase its capital stock or to make certain investments;
•limitation on dividends and other payment restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries or Regulated Subsidiaries, which generally limits the ability of certain of the Parent’s subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other transfers;
•limitation on future Subsidiary Guarantors, which prohibits certain of the Parent’s subsidiaries from guaranteeing its indebtedness or indebtedness of any restricted subsidiary unless the Notes are comparably guaranteed;
•limitation on transactions with shareholders and affiliates, which generally requires transactions among the Parent’s affiliated entities to be conducted on an arm’s-length basis;
•limitation on liens, which generally prohibits the Parent and its restricted subsidiaries from granting liens unless the Notes are comparably secured; and
•limitation on asset sales, which generally prohibits the Parent and certain of its subsidiaries from selling assets or certain securities or property of significant subsidiaries.
The Indenture also provides for events of default which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal of and accrued interest on the Notes to become or to be declared due and payable. As of March 31, 2021, the Parent was in compliance with all of its covenants.
The Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Subsidiary Guarantors and future subsidiaries are required to guarantee the Notes pursuant to the Indenture. The Notes are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of the Parent’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ existing and future tangible and intangible assets, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens.
Interest expense on the Notes for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $1.7 million.
6.75% Senior Secured Notes (the "Old Notes")
On June 23, 2017, the Parent issued in a private offering $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 under an indenture at an issue price of 100% of the principal amount. Interest on the Old Notes was payable semi-annually on January 1st and July 1st, beginning January 1, 2018.
The Company redeemed $50.0 million (25%) of the Old Notes on August 25, 2019 plus accrued and unpaid interest and incurred $1.9 million in costs associated with paying the associated Call Premium ($1.7 million) and the write-off of debt issuance costs ($0.2 million) during the third quarter of 2019.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
During the first quarter of 2020, the Company repurchased $1.4 million of the Old Notes. The Company recorded a gain of $85,560 on the repurchase during the first quarter of 2020. The Old Notes were scheduled to mature on July 1, 2022.
On August 28, 2020, the Parent issued a conditional notice of redemption to redeem the entire $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Old Notes on September 28, 2020 (the “Redemption Date”). The Company held $1.4 million in treasury for a net outstanding amount of $148.6 million. The redemption was conditioned upon the consummation of a financing sufficient to provide funds to deposit with the Trustee to redeem the Old Notes. On September 22, 2020, the Parent issued a notice to satisfy and discharge all of its obligations under the Indenture governing the Old Notes (the "Old Notes Indenture"). In connection therewith, on September 22, 2020, the Parent deposited, with the Trustee for the Old Notes, funds sufficient to redeem all outstanding Old Notes on the Redemption Date and instructed the Trustee to apply such funds to redeem the Old Notes on the Redemption Date. The redemption payment deposit was an amount equal to the redemption price of 101.6875% of the aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes, which includes a call premium of $2.5 million plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the Redemption Date. In addition, the Parent wrote off unamortized debt issuance costs of $341,200.
On September 28, 2020, the Old Notes were fully redeemed. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of the Old Notes Indenture, all of the obligations of the Parent and the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than certain customary provisions of the Old Notes Indenture, including those relating to the compensation and indemnification of the Trustee, that expressly survive pursuant to the terms of the Old Notes Indenture) were discharged and the guarantees of the Subsidiary Guarantors and the liens on the collateral securing the Old Notes were released.
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 on the Old Notes was $2.5 million.
12. Share capital
The Company's authorized share capital consists of (a) 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share; (b) 50,000,000 shares of Class A Stock, par value $0.001 per share; and (c) 99,665 shares of Class B Stock, par value $0.001 per share. No Preferred Stock has been issued. 99,665 shares of Class B Stock have been issued and are outstanding.
The Class A Stock and the Class B Stock are equal in all respects except that the Class A Stock is non-voting.
The following table reflects changes in the number of shares of Class A Stock outstanding for the periods indicated:
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Class A Stock outstanding, beginning of period | 12,381,778 | 12,698,703 | |||||||||
| Issued pursuant to share-based compensation plans | 204,265 | 321,541 | |||||||||
| Repurchased and canceled pursuant to the stock buy-back | — | (409,504) | |||||||||
| Class A Stock outstanding, end of period | 12,586,043 | 12,610,740 | |||||||||
Stock buy-back
On May 15, 2020, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the Company to purchase up to 530,000 shares of the Company's Class A Stock, representing approximately 4.2% of its 12,636,523 then issued and outstanding shares of Class A Stock. This authorization supplemented the 98,625 shares that remained authorized and available under the Company's previous share repurchase program for a total of 628,625 shares authorized and available for repurchase at May 15, 2020.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company did not purchase or cancel Class A Stock under this program. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company purchased and canceled an aggregate of 409,504 shares of Class A Stock for a total consideration of $8.4 million ($20.60 per share) under this program. As of March 31, 2021, 401,013 shares remained available to be purchased under the share repurchase program.
Any such share purchases will be made by the Company from time to time in the open market at the prevailing open market price using cash on hand, in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange and federal and state securities laws and the terms of the Company's Notes. All shares purchased will be canceled. The share repurchase program is expected to continue indefinitely. The timing and amounts of any purchases will be based on market conditions and other factors including price, regulatory requirements and capital availability. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares of Class A Stock. Depending on market conditions and other factors, these repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time without prior notice.
13. Contingencies
Many aspects of the Company's business involve substantial risks of liability. In the normal course of business, the Company has been named as defendant or co-defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions and other litigation, creating substantial exposure and periodic expenses. Certain of the actual or threatened legal matters include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. These proceedings arise primarily from securities brokerage, asset management and investment banking activities. The Company is also involved, from time to time, in other reviews, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental and self-regulatory agencies regarding the Company's business, which may result in expenses, adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. The investigations include inquiries from the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") and various state regulators.
The Company accrues for estimated loss contingencies related to legal and regulatory matters when available information indicates that it is probable a liability had been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss. In many proceedings, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount of any loss. In addition, even where a loss is possible or an exposure to loss exists in excess of the liability already accrued with respect to a previously recognized loss contingency, it is often not possible to reasonably estimate the size of the possible loss or range of loss or possible additional losses or range of additional losses.
For certain legal and regulatory proceedings, the Company cannot reasonably estimate such losses, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek substantial, indeterminate or special damages. Counsel may be required to review, analyze and resolve numerous issues, including through potentially lengthy discovery and determination of important factual matters, and by addressing novel or unsettled legal questions relevant to the proceedings in question, before the Company can reasonably estimate a loss or range of loss or additional loss for the proceeding. Even after lengthy review and analysis, the Company, in many legal and regulatory proceedings, may not be able to reasonably estimate possible losses or range of loss.
For certain other legal and regulatory proceedings, the Company can estimate possible losses, or range of loss in excess of amounts accrued, but does not believe, based on current knowledge and after consultation with counsel, that such losses individually, or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements as a whole.
For legal and regulatory proceedings where there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss or an additional loss may be incurred, the Company estimates a range of aggregate loss in excess of amounts accrued of $0 to $4.0 million. This estimated aggregate range is based upon currently available information for those legal proceedings in which the Company is involved, where the Company can make an estimate for such losses. For certain cases, the Company does not believe that it can make an estimate. The foregoing aggregate estimate is based on various factors, including the varying stages of the proceedings (including the fact that some are currently in preliminary stages), the numerous yet-unresolved issues in many of the proceedings and the attendant uncertainty of the various potential outcomes of such proceedings. Accordingly, the Company's estimate will change from time to time, and actual losses may be more than the current estimate.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
14. Regulatory requirements
The Company's U.S. broker dealer subsidiaries, Oppenheimer and Freedom, are subject to the uniform net capital requirements of the SEC under Rule 15c3-1 (the "Rule") promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Oppenheimer computes its net capital requirements under the alternative method provided for in the Rule which requires that Oppenheimer maintain net capital equal to two percent of aggregate customer-related debit items, as defined in SEC Rule 15c3-3. As of March 31, 2021, the net capital of Oppenheimer as calculated under the Rule was $314.4 million or 25.75% of Oppenheimer's aggregate debit items. This was $290.0 million in excess of the minimum required net capital at that date. Freedom computes its net capital requirement under the basic method provided for in the Rule, which requires that Freedom maintain net capital equal to the greater of $100,000 or 6-2/3% of aggregate indebtedness, as defined. As of March 31, 2021, Freedom had net capital of $4.8 million, which was $4.7 million in excess of the $100,000 required to be maintained at that date.
As of March 31, 2021, the capital required and held under the Capital Requirements Directive ("CRD IV") for Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. was as follows:
•Common Equity Tier 1 ratio 16.54% (required 4.5%);
•Tier 1 Capital ratio 16.54% (required 6.0%); and
•Total Capital ratio 22.06% (required 8.0%).
In December 2017, Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. received approval from the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") for a variation of permission to remove the limitation of "matched principal business" from the firm's scope of permitted businesses and become a "Full-Scope Prudential Sourcebook for Investment Firms (IFPRU) €730K" firm which was effective January 2018. In addition to the capital requirement under CRD IV above, Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. is required to maintain a minimum capital of EUR 730,000. As of March 31, 2021, Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. is in compliance with its regulatory requirements.
As of March 31, 2021, the regulatory capital of Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited was $3.5 million, which was $3.1 million in excess of the $385,887 required to be maintained on that date. Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited computes its regulatory capital pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. As of March 31, 2021, Oppenheimer Investment Asia Limited is in compliance with its regulatory requirements.
15. Segment information
The Company has determined its reportable segments based on the Company's method of internal reporting, which disaggregates its retail business by branch and its proprietary and investment banking businesses by product. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based upon profitability.
The Company's reportable segments are:
Private Client — includes commissions and a proportionate amount of fee income earned on assets under management ("AUM"), net interest earnings on client margin loans and cash balances, fees from money market funds, custodian fees, net contributions from stock loan activities and financing activities, and direct expenses associated with this segment.
Asset Management — includes a proportionate amount of fee income earned on AUM from investment management services of Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. Oppenheimer's asset management divisions employ various programs to manage client assets either in individual accounts or in funds, and includes direct expenses associated with this segment; and
Capital Markets — includes investment banking, institutional equities sales, trading, and research, taxable fixed income sales, trading, and research, public finance and municipal trading, as well as the Company's operations in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Israel, and direct expenses associated with this segment.
The Company does not allocate costs associated with certain infrastructure support groups that are centrally managed for its reportable segments. These areas include, but are not limited to, legal, compliance, operations, accounting, and internal audit.
34
OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | ||||||||
Costs associated with these groups are separately reported in a Corporate/Other category and primarily include compensation and benefits.
The table below presents information about the reported revenue and pre-tax income (loss) of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. Asset information by reportable segment is not reported since the Company does not produce such information for internal use by the chief operating decision maker.
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Revenue | |||||||||||
Private client (1) | $ | 164,023 | $ | 141,418 | |||||||
Asset management (1) | 24,230 | 19,276 | |||||||||
| Capital markets | 183,599 | 75,542 | |||||||||
| Corporate/Other | 1,430 | (1,466) | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 373,282 | $ | 234,770 | |||||||
| Pre-Tax Income (Loss) | |||||||||||
Private client (1) | $ | 24,263 | $ | 33,369 | |||||||
Asset management (1) | 7,553 | 4,305 | |||||||||
| Capital markets | 49,991 | (143) | |||||||||
| Corporate/Other | (29,680) | (27,308) | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 52,127 | $ | 10,223 | |||||||
(1)Clients investing in the OAM advisory program are charged fees based on the value of AUM.
Advisory fees were allocated 10.0% to the Asset Management and 90.0% to the Private Client
segments.
Revenue, classified by the major geographic areas in which it was earned, for the three months ended March 31, 2021
and 2020 was:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 356,707 | $ | 220,805 | |||||||
| Europe/Middle East | 15,410 | 12,367 | |||||||||
| Asia | 1,165 | 1,598 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 373,282 | $ | 234,770 | |||||||
16. Income taxes
The effective income tax rate for the current period was 25.8% compared with 23.5% for the prior period and reflects the Company's estimate of the annual effective tax rate adjusted for certain discrete items, including the tax impact of differences in the value of share based incentive compensation. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2021 was primarily impacted by favorable discrete items which were diluted by higher net income.
17. Subsequent events
On April 30, 2021, the Company announced a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.12 per share, payable on May 28, 2021 to holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock of record on May 14, 2021.
35
Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
BACKGROUND
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (together, the "Company", "Firm", "we", "our" or "us"). The Company's condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which appear elsewhere in this quarterly report.
Oppenheimer Holdings Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading middle market investment bank and full service broker-dealer that is engaged in a broad range of activities in the securities industry, including retail securities brokerage, institutional sales and trading, market-making, research, investment banking (both corporate and public finance), investment advisory and asset management services and trust services. Its principal subsidiaries are Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. ("Oppenheimer") and Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. ("OAM"). As of March 31, 2021, we provided our services from 92 offices in 24 states located throughout the United States, offices in Tel Aviv, Israel, Hong Kong, China, London, England, St. Helier, Isle of Jersey, Munich, Germany and Geneva, Switzerland. Client assets under administration ("CAUA") administered as of March 31, 2021 totaled $111.4 billion. The Company provides investment advisory services through OAM and Oppenheimer Investment Management LLC ("OIM") and Oppenheimer's financial advisor direct programs. At March 31, 2021, client assets under management ("AUM") totaled $40.2 billion. We also provide trust services and products through Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware and discount brokerage services through Freedom Investments, Inc. ("Freedom"). Through OPY Credit Corp., we offer syndication as well as trading of issued syndicated corporate loans. At March 31, 2021, the Company employed 2,894 employees (2,854 full-time and 40 part-time), of whom 1,000 were financial advisors.
Outlook
We are focused on growing our private client and asset management businesses through strategic additions of experienced financial advisors in our existing branch system and employment of experienced money management personnel in our asset management business as well as deploying our capital for expansion through targeted acquisitions. We are also focused on opportunities in our capital market businesses where we can acquire experienced personnel and/or business units that will improve our ability to attract institutional clients in both equities and fixed income without significantly raising our risk profile. In investment banking we are committed to grow our footprint by adding experienced bankers within our existing industry practices as well as new industry expansions where we believe we can be successful.
We continuously invest in and improve our technology platform to support client service and to remain competitive while continuously managing expenses. The Company's long-term growth plan is to continue to expand existing offices by hiring experienced professionals as well as expand through the purchase of operating branch offices from other broker-dealers or the opening of new branch offices in attractive locations, and to continue to grow and develop the existing trading, investment banking, investment advisory and other divisions. We are committed to continuing to improve our technology capabilities to ensure compliance with industry regulations, support client service and expand our wealth management and capital markets capabilities. We recognize the importance of compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and are committed to performing rigorous and ongoing assessments of our compliance and risk management effort, and investing in people and programs, while providing a platform with first class investment programs and services.
The Company is also reviewing its full service business model to determine the opportunities available to build or acquire closely related businesses in areas where competitors have shown some success. Equally important is the search for viable acquisition candidates. Our long-term intention is to pursue growth by acquisition where we can find a comfortable match in terms of corporate goals and personnel at a price that would provide our shareholders with incremental value. We review potential acquisition opportunities from time to time on the basis of fulfilling the Company's strategic goals, while evaluating and managing our existing businesses. In addition, the Company may from time to time make minority private investments out of excess capital in allied or unrelated businesses with the goal of syndicating the investment to eligible clients or to retain ownership because we believe them to be an attractive investment.
36
Impact of Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve has reduced short-term interest rates, largely due to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its out-sized negative impact on the economy, resulting in a decrease in fees the Company earned from FDIC insured deposits of clients through a program offered by the Company. Decreases in short-term interest rates, increases in deposit rates paid to clients, and/or a significant decline in our clients’ cash balances have a negative impact on our earnings. The Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark rate significantly during two separate unscheduled meetings in March 2020 by a total of 1.50%. Accordingly, the Company’s earnings during the first quarter of 2021 continued to be negatively impacted by such decreases. The impact will continue to be significant for the foreseeable future as the Federal Reserve has stated that these lower rates are likely to persist at least until next year.
CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 ("COVID-19 PANDEMIC")
The Company continues to monitor the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic both on a national level as well as regionally and locally and is responding accordingly. In addition, we continue to provide frequent communications to clients, employees, and regulators. We have adopted enhanced cleaning practices and other health protocols in our offices, taken measures to significantly restrict non-essential business travel and have practices in place to mandate that employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19, or show any relevant symptoms, self-quarantine. In early March 2020, the Company executed on its Business Continuity Plan whereby the vast majority of our employees began to work remotely with only "essential" employees reporting to our offices. We accomplished this by significantly expanding the use of technology infrastructure that facilitates remote operations. Our ability to avoid significant business disruptions is reliant on the continued ability to have the vast majority of employees work remotely. To date, there have been no significant disruptions to our business or control processes as a result of this dispersion of employees. Recently, there has been widespread distribution and inoculation of the U.S. population with vaccines that have generally been proven to be both safe and effective. Should this program continue at its present pace (there is no assurance that this will be the case), it is likely that the negative impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the economy will abate by the end of the current year, with likely improvements being seen beginning in the second quarter of 2021. We currently anticipate that a large number of our employees will continue to work remotely for the near term and anticipate to begin a broader re-entry to our offices later in the year.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Firm produced its best first quarter in its history following its best year in its history in 2020. Our performance reflected strong contributions across all of our businesses led by our Investment Banking Division. Our operating results were powered by a rapidly improving economy and optimism around the end of the pandemic as the availability of vaccines becomes more widespread. With continued stimulus spending, potential additional "infrastructure" spending, and a very accommodative Federal Reserve, investors moved equity markets to new highs with active engagement by investors of all types.
The outstanding results were driven by very robust equity underwriting activity in the healthcare and technology sectors which included our expanded activity assisting companies going public through special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). Our M&A advisory business also picked up considerably with large completed transactions in healthcare, technology, and consumer products. Institutional equities sales and trading activity continued to be strong as volatility and activity remained elevated during the period.
Equity markets were up 5.8% during the period, contributing to record assets under management at March 31, 2021, which will drive our advisory fee revenue for April 2021. Our Wealth Management business performed extremely well with solid transaction-based revenue as well as record fee-based revenue based on asset values at year end. Wealth Management's results were tempered by continued low short-term interest rates which substantially impacted the contribution from client margin borrowing and from deposits in FDIC-insured bank deposit accounts. The operating results were offset by increased compensation costs of $11.6 million during the quarter driven by increases in the fair value of a share-based compensation plan linked to the Company's stock price which ended the period at $40.05. All in all, we are extremely pleased with the performance of the business and the resilience of our employees as we continue to deal with the ongoing challenges associated with the pandemic. We are optimistic about the business going forward given the continued strength in the equity markets amid the backdrop of an improving U.S. economy.
37
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company reported net income of $38.7 million or $3.07 basic earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of approximately 400%, compared with net income of $7.8 million or $0.61 basic earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Pre-tax income was $52.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared with pre-tax income of $10.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $373.3 million compared with revenue of $234.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an increase of 59.0%.
| (Expressed in thousands, except Per Share Amounts or otherwise indicated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1Q-2021 | 1Q-2020 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 373,282 | $ | 234,770 | $ | 138,512 | 59.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Compensation expense | $ | 255,601 | $ | 157,676 | $ | 97,925 | 62.1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-compensation expense | $ | 65,554 | $ | 66,871 | $ | (1,317) | (2.0) | ||||||||||||||||
| Pre-Tax Income | $ | 52,127 | $ | 10,223 | $ | 41,904 | 409.9 | ||||||||||||||||
| Income Taxes | $ | 13,469 | $ | 2,405 | $ | 11,064 | 460.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Net Income | $ | 38,658 | $ | 7,818 | $ | 30,840 | 394.5 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share (basic) | $ | 3.07 | $ | 0.61 | $ | 2.46 | 403.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per share (diluted) | $ | 2.91 | $ | 0.58 | $ | 2.33 | 401.7 | ||||||||||||||||
| Book Value Per Share | $ | 56.74 | $ | 46.16 | $ | 10.58 | 22.9 | ||||||||||||||||
| Tangible Book Value Per Share | $ | 43.34 | $ | 32.79 | $ | 10.55 | 32.2 | ||||||||||||||||
| CAUA ($ billions) | $ | 111.4 | $ | 79.1 | $ | 32.3 | 40.8 | ||||||||||||||||
| AUM ($ billions) | $ | 40.2 | $ | 28.0 | $ | 12.2 | 43.6 | ||||||||||||||||
Highlights
•Record first quarter gross revenue, net income, and earnings per share due to a surge in equity underwriting and M&A advisory fees.
•Record revenue and earnings in Capital Markets segment for the first quarter driven by record investment banking results.
•Capital Markets pre-tax profit margin was 27.2% driven by the strength in investment banking and sales and trading.
•Client assets under administration and under management were both at record levels at March 31, 2021.
•Shareholders' Equity reached a record $719.7 million as of March 31, 2021.
•Book value and tangible book value per share reached record levels at March 31, 2021.
38
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The table below presents information about the reported revenue and pre-tax income (loss) of the Company's reportable business segments for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | |||||||||||||||
| Revenue | |||||||||||||||||
| Private Client | $ | 164,023 | $ | 141,418 | 16.0 | ||||||||||||
| Asset Management | 24,230 | 19,276 | 25.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Capital Markets | 183,599 | 75,542 | 143.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate/Other | 1,430 | (1,466) | * | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 373,282 | $ | 234,770 | 59.0 | ||||||||||||
| Pre-Tax Income (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||
| Private Client | $ | 24,263 | $ | 33,369 | (27.3) | ||||||||||||
| Asset Management | 7,553 | 4,305 | 75.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Capital Markets | 49,991 | (143) | * | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate/Other | (29,680) | (27,308) | 8.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 52,127 | $ | 10,223 | 409.9 | ||||||||||||
* Percentage not meaningful
Private Client
Private Client reported revenue of $164.0 million, 16.0% higher compared with a year ago due to higher advisory fees and increases in the cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies partially offset by a decrease in bank deposit sweep income from lower interest rates. Pre-tax income of $24.3 million in the current quarter resulted in a pre-tax margin of 14.8% pressured by increased compensation costs from share-based compensation, which was tied to the Company's stock price, and lower short-term interest rates. Financial advisor headcount declined to 1,000 at the end of the current quarter compared to 1,029 at the end of the first quarter of 2020, although the productivity of our financial advisors increased reflecting higher individual production levels.
| ('000s, except Financial advisor headcount or otherwise indicated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1Q-2021 | 1Q-2020 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 164,023 | $ | 141,418 | $ | 22,605 | 16.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Retail commissions | $ | 57,596 | $ | 56,931 | $ | 665 | 1.2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Advisory fee revenue | $ | 80,254 | $ | 66,882 | $ | 13,372 | 20.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Bank deposit sweep income | $ | 4,008 | $ | 18,826 | $ | (14,818) | (78.7) | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest | $ | 6,476 | $ | 7,681 | $ | (1,205) | (15.7) | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | $ | 15,689 | $ | (8,902) | $ | 24,591 | * | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Expenses | $ | 139,760 | $ | 108,049 | $ | 31,711 | 29.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Compensation | $ | 111,395 | $ | 80,173 | $ | 31,222 | 38.9 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-compensation | $ | 28,365 | $ | 27,876 | $ | 489 | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||||
| Client Asset Under Administration (billions) | $ | 111.4 | $ | 79.1 | $ | 32.3 | 40.8 | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash Sweep Balances (billions) | $ | 7.4 | $ | 6.4 | $ | 1.0 | 26.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Financial Advisor Headcount | 1,000 | 1,029 | (29) | (2.8) | |||||||||||||||||||
* Percentage not meaningful
39
•Retail commissions were $57.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 1.2% from a year ago amidst continued elevated client participation levels.
•Advisory fees increased 20.0% due to higher assets under management at December 31, 2020 compared with December 31, 2019.
•Bank deposit sweep income decreased $14.8 million or 78.7% from a year ago due to lower short-term interest rates partially offset by higher average cash sweep balances.
•Interest revenue declined 15.7% from a year ago due to lower short-term interest rates partially offset by higher average margin balances.
•Other revenue increased primarily due to increases in the cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance policies during the current period compared to decreases in the value of those policies in the prior period.
•Compensation expenses increased 38.9% from a year ago primarily due to increased production, share-based and deferred compensation costs.
•Non-compensation expenses increased 1.8% from a year ago primarily due to an increase in allowance for credit losses partially offset by lower interest costs on client balances associated with the bank deposit sweep program.
Asset Management
Asset Management reported revenue of $24.2 million for the first quarter of 2021, 25.7% higher than the first quarter of 2020. Pre-tax income was $7.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 75.4% compared with the first quarter of 2020.
| ('000s unless otherwise indicated) | 1Q-2021 | 1Q-2020 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 24,230 | $ | 19,276 | $ | 4,954 | 25.7 | ||||||||||||||||
| Advisory fee revenue | $ | 24,227 | $ | 19,270 | $ | 4,957 | 25.7 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | $ | 3 | $ | 6 | $ | (3) | (50.0) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Expenses | $ | 16,677 | $ | 14,971 | $ | 1,706 | 11.4 | ||||||||||||||||
| Compensation | $ | 7,259 | $ | 6,351 | $ | 908 | 14.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-compensation | $ | 9,418 | $ | 8,620 | $ | 798 | 9.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| AUM (billions) | $ | 40.2 | $ | 28.0 | $ | 12.2 | 43.6 | ||||||||||||||||
•Advisory fee revenue on traditional and alternative managed products was $24.2 million for the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 25.7% due to higher AUM at December 31, 2020 compared with December 31, 2019 and positive net asset flows.
•AUM hit a record level of $40.2 billion at March 31, 2021, which is the basis for advisory fee billings for April 2021.
•The increase in AUM was comprised of higher asset values of $11.4 billion on existing client holdings and a net contribution of assets of $0.8 billion.
•The firm is changing its advisory fee billings from quarterly in advance to monthly in advance starting on April 1, 2021.
•Compensation expenses were up 14.3% from a year ago which was primarily related to increases in incentive compensation.
•Non-compensation expenses were up 9.3% when compared to the prior period due to higher payments due to portfolio managers.
40
The following table provides a breakdown of the change in assets under management for the three months ended March 31, 2021:
| (Expressed in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance | Appreciation (Depreciation) | Ending Balance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fund Type | Contributions | Redemptions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Traditional (1) | $ | 23,349 | $ | 6,648 | $ | (6,150) | $ | 9,688 | $ | 33,535 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Institutional Fixed Income (2) | 744 | 86 | (79) | 58 | 809 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alternative Investments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedge funds (3) | 3,167 | 736 | (507) | 1,375 | 4,771 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Private Equity Funds (4) | 308 | 169 | (35) | 252 | 694 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio Enhancement Program (5) | 422 | 6 | (39) | — | 389 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 27,990 | $ | 7,645 | $ | (6,810) | $ | 11,373 | $ | 40,198 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Traditional investments include third party advisory programs, Oppenheimer financial adviser
managed and advisory programs and Oppenheimer Asset Management taxable and tax-exempt
portfolio management strategies.
(2)Institutional fixed income provides solutions to institutional investors including: Taft-Hartley Funds,
Public Pension Funds, Corporate Pension Funds, and Foundations and Endowments.
(3) Hedge funds represent single manager hedge fund strategies in areas including hedged equity,
technology and financial services, and multi-manager and multi-strategy fund of funds.
(4)Private equity funds represent private equity fund of funds including portfolios focused on natural
resources and related assets.
(5)The portfolio enhancement program sells uncovered, far out-of-money puts and calls on the S&P
500 Index. The program is market neutral and uncorrelated to the index. Valuation is based on
collateral requirements for a series of contracts representing the investment strategy.
Capital Markets
Capital Markets reported revenue of $183.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, 143.0% higher than the first quarter of 2020. Pre-tax income was $50.0 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared with pre-tax loss of $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2020.
| ('000s) | 1Q-2021 | 1Q-2020 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 183,599 | $ | 75,542 | $ | 108,057 | 143.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment Banking | $ | 116,836 | $ | 22,036 | $ | 94,800 | 430.2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Advisory fees | $ | 35,922 | $ | 9,836 | $ | 26,086 | 265.2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Equities underwriting | $ | 74,582 | $ | 8,315 | $ | 66,267 | 797.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Fixed income underwriting | $ | 5,487 | $ | 3,627 | $ | 1,860 | 51.3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | $ | 845 | $ | 258 | $ | 587 | 227.5 | ||||||||||||||||
| Sales and Trading | $ | 66,063 | $ | 52,840 | $ | 13,223 | 25.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Equities | $ | 43,556 | $ | 30,990 | $ | 12,566 | 40.5 | ||||||||||||||||
| Fixed Income | $ | 22,507 | $ | 21,850 | $ | 657 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | $ | 700 | $ | 666 | $ | 34 | 5.1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Expenses | $ | 133,608 | $ | 75,685 | $ | 57,923 | 76.5 | ||||||||||||||||
| Compensation | $ | 111,930 | $ | 51,004 | $ | 60,926 | 119.5 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-compensation | $ | 21,678 | $ | 24,681 | $ | (3,003) | (12.2) | ||||||||||||||||
41
•Advisory fees earned from investment banking activities increased 265.2% to $35.9 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared with $9.8 million for the first quarter of 2020 driven by large completed M&A transactions in healthcare, technology, and consumer products.
•Equity underwriting fees increased 797.0% to $74.6 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared with $8.3 million for the first quarter of 2020 due to a significant increase in equity underwriting activity in the healthcare and technology sectors, particularly for companies utilizing the SPAC framework to access the public markets.
•Fixed income underwriting fees increased 51.3% to $5.5 million for the first quarter of 2021 compared with $3.6 million for the first quarter of 2020 primarily driven by new issuances in public finance during the period.
•Equities sales and trading revenue increased to $43.6 million for the first quarter of 2021, 40.5% higher compared to $31.0 million during the first quarter of 2020 due to continued elevated volatility driving higher volumes in the equities market.
•Fixed Income sales and trading increased 3.0% from the first quarter of 2020 driven by higher municipal underwriting fees.
•Compensation expenses increased 119.5% compared with a year ago primarily due to increased production and incentive compensation tied to increases in revenue as well as costs associated with additional staffing.
•Non-compensation expenses were 12.2% lower than a year ago due to decreased interest costs and reduced costs associated with business travel and entertainment and conferences.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company's condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Reference is also made to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto found in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
The Company's accounting policies are essential to understanding and interpreting the financial results reported on the condensed consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are summarized in note 2 to those statements and the notes thereto found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Certain of those policies are considered to be particularly important to the presentation of the Company's financial results because they require management to make difficult, complex or subjective judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain.
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, there were no material changes to matters discussed under the heading "Critical Accounting Polices" in Part II, Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At March 31, 2021, total assets decreased by 0.2% from December 31, 2020. The Company satisfies its need for short-term financing from internally generated funds and collateralized and uncollateralized borrowings, consisting primarily of bank call loans, stock loans, and uncommitted lines of credit. We finance our trading in government securities through the use of securities sold under agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements"). We met our longer-term capital needs through the issuance of the 5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (see "Senior Secured Notes" below). Oppenheimer has arrangements with banks for borrowings on a fully-collateralized basis. The amount of Oppenheimer's bank borrowings fluctuates in response to changes in the level of the Company's securities inventories and customer margin debt, changes in notes receivable from employees, investment in furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, and changes in stock loan balances and financing through repurchase agreements. At March 31, 2021, the Company had bank call loans of $75.1 million compared to $82.0 million at December 31, 2020. The Company also has some availability of short-term bank financing on an unsecured basis.
The Company's overseas subsidiaries, Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. and Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited, are subject to local regulatory capital requirements that restrict our ability to utilize their capital for other purposes.
42
The regulatory capital requirements for Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. and Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited were $4.5 million and $385,887, respectively, at March 31, 2021. The liquid assets at Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. are primarily comprised of cash deposits in bank accounts.
The liquid assets at Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited are primarily comprised of investments in U.S. Treasuries and cash deposits in bank accounts. Any restrictions on transfer of these liquid assets from Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. and Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited to the Company or its other subsidiaries would be limited by regulatory capital requirements.
The Company permanently reinvests eligible earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and, accordingly, does not accrue any U.S. income taxes that would arise if these earnings were repatriated. The unrecognized deferred tax liability associated with the outside basis difference of its foreign subsidiaries is estimated at $3.5 million for those subsidiaries. We have continued to reinvest permanently the excess earnings of Oppenheimer Israel (OPCO) Ltd. in its own business and in the businesses in Europe and Asia to support business initiatives in those regions. We will continue to review our historical treatment of these earnings to determine whether our historical practice will continue or whether a change is warranted. The Company has begun assessing the impact that the new presidential administration’s tax proposals will have on its operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Senior Secured Notes
On September 22, 2020, in a private offering, we issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "Unregistered Notes") under an Indenture at an issue price of 100% of the principal amount. Interest on the Unregistered Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1st and October 1st. We used the net proceeds from the offering of the Unregistered Notes, along with cash on hand, to redeem in full our 6.75% Senior Secured Notes due July 1, 2022 in the principal amount of $150.0 million (the Company held $1.4 million in treasury for a net outstanding amount of $148.6 million), and pay all related fees and expenses related thereto. On November 23, 2020, we completed an exchange offer in which we exchanged 99.8% of our Unregistered Notes for a like principal amount of notes with identical terms (the "Notes"), except that such new notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). We did not receive any proceeds in the exchange offer. See note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 1 for further discussion.
The Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by E.A. Viner International Co. and Viner Finance Inc. (together, the "Guarantors"), unless released as described below. Each of the Guarantors is 100% owned by the Parent. The indenture for the Notes contains covenants with restrictions which are discussed in note 11.
The guarantees are senior secured obligations of each guarantor. The guarantees rank:
•effectively senior in right of payment to all unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of such guarantor, to the extent of the value of the collateral owned by such guarantor (and, to the extent of any unsecured remainder after payment of the value of the collateral, rank equally in right of payment with such unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such guarantor);
•senior in right of payment to any subordinated debt of the such guarantor; and
•secured on a first-priority basis by the collateral, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens, and it is intended that pari passu lien indebtedness, if any, will be secured on an equal and ratable basis.
Each subsidiary guarantee is limited so that it does not constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law, which may reduce the subsidiary’s obligation under the guarantee. There are no externally imposed restrictions on transfers of assets between the Company and its subsidiaries.
Each Guarantor will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon: the sale, exchange or transfer of the capital stock of a Guarantor and the Guarantor ceasing to be a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Parent if such sale does not constitute an asset sale under the indenture for the Notes or does not constitute an asset sale effected in compliance with the asset sale and merger covenants of the indenture for the Notes; a Guarantor being dissolved or liquidated; a Guarantor being designated unrestricted in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Notes; or the exercise by the Parent of its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option or the discharge of the Parent's obligations under the indenture for the Notes in accordance with the terms of such indenture.
43
The following tables present the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and the balance sheet at March 31, 2021 for the Parent and Guarantors.
| (Expressed in thousands) | As of | |||||||
| March 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | 1,759,583 | ||||||
| Due From Non-Guarantor Subsidiary | 11,063 | |||||||
| Total Liabilities | 466,952 | |||||||
| Due To Non-guarantor Subsidiary | 364 | |||||||
| For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Total Revenue | $ | 2,004 | ||||||
| Pre-Tax Income (Loss) | (367) | |||||||
| Net Income (Loss) | (588) | |||||||
On September 14, 2020, S&P affirmed the Company's 'B+' Corporate Family rating and 'B+' rating on the Unregistered Notes and affirmed its stable outlook. On April 4, 2021, Moody's Corporation affirmed the Company's Corporate Family ‘B1’ rating and affirmed its 'B1' rating on the Unregistered Notes and its stable outlook.
Liquidity
For the most part, the Company's assets consist of cash and cash equivalents and assets that it can readily convert into cash. The receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations represents deposits for securities borrowed transactions, margin deposits or current transactions awaiting settlement. The receivable from customers represents margin balances and amounts due on transactions awaiting settlement. Our receivables are, for the most part, collateralized by marketable securities. Our collateral maintenance policies and procedures are designed to limit our exposure to credit risk. Securities owned, with the exception of the ARS, are mainly comprised of actively trading readily marketable securities. We advanced $6.4 million in forgivable notes (which are inherently illiquid) to employees for the three months ended March 31, 2021 ($4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020) as upfront or backend inducements to commence or continue employment as the case may be. The amount of funds allocated to such inducements will vary with hiring activity and retention requirements.
We satisfy our need for short-term liquidity from internally generated funds, collateralized and uncollateralized bank borrowings, stock loans and repurchase agreements. Bank borrowings are, in most cases, collateralized by firm and customer securities.
We obtain short-term borrowings primarily through bank call loans. Bank call loans are generally payable on demand and bear interest at various rates. At March 31, 2021, the Company had $75.1 million of bank call loans ($82.0 million at December 31, 2020). The average daily bank loan outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $50.3 million, ($61.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020). The largest daily bank loan outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $128.8 million ($324.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020).
At March 31, 2021, securities loan balances totaled $257.3 million ($249.5 million at December 31, 2020 and $181.7 million at March 31, 2020). The average daily securities loan balance outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $262.4 million ($220.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020). The largest daily stock loan balance for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $285.7 million ($292.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020).
We finance our government trading operations through the use of securities purchased under agreements to resell ("reverse repurchase agreements") and repurchase agreements. Except as described below, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, principally involving government and agency securities, are carried at amounts at which securities subsequently will be resold or reacquired as specified in the respective agreements and include accrued interest.
44
Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are presented on a net-by-counterparty basis, when the repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements are executed with the same counterparty, have the same explicit settlement date, are executed in accordance with a master netting arrangement, the securities underlying the repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements exist in "book entry" form and certain other requirements are met.
Certain of our repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements are carried at fair value as a result of the Company's fair value option election. We elected the fair value option for those repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date. We have elected the fair value option for these instruments to more accurately reflect market and economic events in our earnings and to mitigate a potential imbalance in earnings caused by using different measurement attributes (i.e. fair value versus carrying value) for certain assets and liabilities. At March 31, 2021, we did not have any repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements that did not settle overnight or have an open settlement date.
At March 31, 2021, the gross balances of reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements were $320.7 million and $301.9 million, respectively. The average daily balance of reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements on a gross basis for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $156.9 million and $395.9 million, respectively ($103.7 million and $468.7 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020). The largest amount of reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements outstanding on a gross basis during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $424.2 million and $621.8 million, respectively ($237.0 million and $780.0 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2020).
At March 31, 2021, the gross leverage ratio was 3.8.
Liquidity Management
Senior management establishes our liquidity planning and framework. The evaluation includes review of short- and long-term cash flow forecasts, review of capital expenditures, monitoring of the availability of sources of financing, and daily monitoring of liquidity. Our treasury department assists in evaluating, monitoring and controlling the impact that our business activities have on our financial condition and, liquidity and maintains our relationships with various lenders. The purpose of these reviews is to assure we can meet the needs of our business while ensuring we have sufficient liquidity to conduct our current business needs and to provide for anticipated growth.
We manage our liquidity to meet our current obligations and upcoming liquidity needs as well as to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Our liquidity needs may be affected by market conditions, increased inventory positions, business expansion and other unanticipated occurrences. In the event that existing financial resources do not satisfy our liquidity needs, we may have to seek additional external financing. The availability of such additional external financing may depend on market factors outside our control.
We have Company-owned life insurance policies which are utilized to fund certain non-qualified deferred compensation plans. Certain policies which could provide additional liquidity if needed had a cash surrender value of $85.1 million as of March 31, 2021.
We regularly review our sources of liquidity and financing and conduct internal stress analysis to determine the impact on the Company of events that could remove sources of liquidity or financing and to plan actions the Company could take in the case of such an eventuality. Our reviews have resulted in plans that we believe would result in a reduction of assets through liquidation that would significantly reduce the Company's need for external financing.
Funding Risk
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 7,268 | $ | (241,023) | |||||||
| Cash used in investing activities | (999) | (1,326) | |||||||||
| Cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (13,148) | 186,339 | |||||||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (6,879) | $ | (56,010) | |||||||
45
Management believes that funds from operations, combined with our capital base and available credit facilities, are sufficient for our liquidity needs in the foreseeable future. Under some circumstances, banks including those on whom we rely may back away from providing funding to the securities industry. Such a development might impact our ability to finance our day-to-day activities or increase the costs to acquire funding. We may or may not be able to pass such increased funding costs on to our clients.
During the recent period of high volatility, we have seen increased calls for deposits of collateral to offset perceived risk between the Company's settlement liability to industry utilities such as the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”) and National Securities Clearing Corp. (“NSCC”) as well as more stringent collateral arrangements with our bank lenders. All such requirements have been met in the ordinary course with available collateral.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Information concerning our off-balance sheet arrangements is included in note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 1.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table sets forth the Company's contractual obligations as of March 31, 2021:
| (Expressed in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 1 Year | More than 5 Years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Lease Obligations (1)(2) | $ | 272,614 | $ | 40,721 | $ | 107,634 | $ | 53,360 | $ | 70,899 | |||||||||||||||||||
Committed Capital (3) | 3,011 | 3,011 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Secured Notes (4)(5) | 157,656 | 8,594 | 20,625 | 128,437 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
ARS Purchase Commitments (3) | 435 | 435 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 433,716 | $ | 52,761 | $ | 128,259 | $ | 181,797 | $ | 70,899 | |||||||||||||||||||
(1)See note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
(2)Includes interest liability of $61.7 million.
(3)See note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
(4)See note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
(5)Includes interest payable of $32.7 million through maturity.
CYBERSECURITY
For many years, we have sought to maintain the security of our clients' data, limit access to our data processing environment, and protect our data processing facilities. See "Risk Factors — Cybersecurity – Security breaches of our technology systems, or those of our clients or other third-party vendors we rely on, could subject us to significant liability and harm our reputation" as further described in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Recent examples of vulnerabilities by other companies and the government that have resulted in loss of client data and fraudulent activities by both domestic and foreign actors have caused us to continuously review our security policies and procedures and to take additional actions to protect our network and our information.
Given the importance of the protection of client data, regulators have developed increased oversight of cybersecurity planning and protections that broker-dealers and other financial service providers have implemented. Such planning and protection are subject to the SEC's and FINRA's oversight and examination on a periodic or targeted basis. We expect that regulatory oversight will intensify, as a result of publicly announced data breaches by other organizations involving tens of millions of items of personally identifiable information. We continue to implement protections and adopt procedures to address the risks posed by the current information technology environment. The Company has significantly increased the resources dedicated to this effort and believes that further increases may be required in the future, in anticipation of increases in the sophistication and persistency of such attacks. There can be no guarantee that our cybersecurity efforts will be successful in discovering or preventing a security breach.
46
REGULATORY MATTERS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Regulation Best Interest (U.S.)
On June 5, 2019, the SEC adopted Regulation Best Interest (“Reg BI”) as Rule 15l-1 under the Exchange Act. Reg BI imposes a federal standard of conduct on registered broker-dealers and their associated persons when dealing with retail clients and requires that a broker-dealer and its representatives act in the best interest of clients and not place its own interests ahead of the customer’s interests. Reg BI does not define the term “best interest” but instead sets forth four distinct obligations, disclosure, care, conflict of interest and compliance that a broker-dealer must satisfy in each transaction. Compliance with Reg BI became effective on June 30, 2020. In addition to adopting Reg BI, the SEC also adopted rules (i) requiring broker-dealers and investment advisers to provide a written relationship summary to each client, and (ii) clarifying certain interpretations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 including but not limited to when a broker-dealer's activity is considered “solely incidental” to its broker-dealer business and is, therefore, not considered investment advisory activity (collectively, the “Reg BI Rules”).
Reg BI requires enhanced documentation for recommendations of securities transactions to broker-dealer retail clients as well as the cessation of certain practices as well as limitations on certain kinds of transactions previously conducted in the normal course of business. The new rules and processes related thereto may limit revenue and most likely will involve increased costs, including, but not limited to, compliance costs associated with new or enhanced technology as well as increased litigation costs. The Company made significant structural, technological and operational changes to our business practices to comply with the requirements of the Reg BI Rules and it is likely that additional changes may be necessary to continue to comply as more experience is gained.
Regulatory Environment
The recent failure of a family office through the use of excessive leverage provided by various broker-dealers and the resultant financial losses to some of those credit providers is likely to lead to greater regulatory surveillance over financial swaps as well as over the activities of “family offices” that were previously unregulated. The Company does not originate swaps or trade swaps for its clients nor does it serve as a prime broker and thus would not anticipate any such regulations impacting the Company’s present lines of business.
See the discussion of the regulatory environment in which we operate and the impact on our operations of certain rules and regulations in Item 1 “Business - Regulation” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for additional information.
Oppenheimer and many of its affiliates are each subject to various regulatory capital requirements. As of March 31, 2021, all of our active regulated domestic and international subsidiaries had net capital in excess of minimum requirements. See note 14 to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 for further information on regulatory capital requirements.
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FACTORS AFFECTING "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS"
From time to time, the Company may publish or make oral statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may relate to such matters as anticipated financial performance, future revenues, earnings, liabilities or expenses, business prospects, projected ventures, new products, anticipated market performance, and similar matters. The Company cautions readers that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, include, but are not limited to: (i) transaction volume in the securities markets, (ii) the volatility of the securities markets, (iii) fluctuations in interest rates, (iv) changes in regulatory requirements that could affect the cost and method of doing business, (v) general economic conditions, both domestic and international, (vi) competition from existing financial institutions, new entrants and other participants in the securities markets and financial services industry, (vii) potential cybersecurity threats, (viii) legal developments affecting the litigation experience of the securities industry and the Company, (ix) changes in foreign, federal and state tax laws that could affect the popularity of products sold by the Company or impose taxes on securities transactions, (x) the adoption and implementation of the SEC’s “Regulation Best Interest” and other regulations adopted in recent years, (xi) war, terrorist acts and nuclear confrontation as well as political unrest, (xii) the Company’s ability to achieve its business plan, (xiii) the effects of the economy on the Company’s ability to find and maintain financing options and liquidity, (xiv) credit, operational, legal and regulatory risks, (xv) risks related to foreign operations, including those in the United Kingdom which may be affected by Britain’s January 2020 exit from the EU(“Brexit”), (xvi) the effect of technological innovation on the financial services industry and securities business, (xvii) risks related to election results, Congressional gridlock, political and social unrest, government shutdowns and investigations, trade wars, changes in or uncertainty surrounding regulation, (xviii) risks related to changes in capital requirements under international standards that may cause banks to back away from providing funding to the securities industry, and (xviv) risks related to the severity and duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic; the COVID-19 Pandemic’s impact on the U.S. and global economies; and Federal, state and local governmental responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic. There can be no assurance that the Company has correctly or completely identified and assessed all of the factors affecting the Company's business. See “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, there were no material changes to the information contained in Part II, Item 7A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a–15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based on this evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures or its internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include, but are not limited to, the realities that judgments in decision–making can be faulty and that break-downs can occur because of a simple error or omission. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based, in part, upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost–effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
The Company confirms that its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in its reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the three months ended March 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Many aspects of the Company's business involve substantial risks of liability. In the normal course of business, the Company has been the subject of customer complaints and has been named as a defendant or co-defendant in various lawsuits or arbitrations creating substantial exposure. The Company is also involved from time to time in certain governmental and self-regulatory agency investigations and proceedings. These proceedings arise primarily from securities brokerage, asset management and investment banking activities. Regulatory investigations in the financial services industry may include investigations by multiple regulators of matters involving the same or similar underlying facts and seek substantial penalties, fines or other monetary relief.
While the ultimate resolution of routine pending litigation, regulatory and other matters cannot be currently determined, in the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the Company does not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of cash flows. However, the Company's results of operations could be materially affected during any period if liabilities in that period differ from prior estimates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, multiple adverse results in arbitrations, litigations or regulatory proceedings currently filed or to be filed against the Company, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition, including its cash position.
The materiality of legal and regulatory matters to the Company's future operating results depends on the level of future results of operations as well as the timing and ultimate outcome of such legal and regulatory matters. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Factors Affecting 'Forward-Looking Statements'" in Part I, Item 2.
In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes reserves for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. When loss contingencies are not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not establish reserves. In some of the matters described below, loss contingencies are not probable and reasonably estimable in the view of management and, accordingly, the Company has not established reserves for those matters. For legal or regulatory proceedings where there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss or an additional loss may be incurred, the Company estimates a range of aggregate loss in excess of amounts accrued of $0 to $4.0 million. This estimated aggregate range is based upon currently available information for those legal proceedings in which the Company is involved, where an estimate for such losses can be made. For certain cases, the Company does not believe that it can make an estimate. The foregoing estimate is based on various factors, including the varying stages of the proceedings (including the fact that some are currently in preliminary stages), the numerous yet-unresolved issues in many of the proceedings and the attendant uncertainty of the various potential outcomes of such proceedings. Accordingly, the Company's estimate will change from time to time, and actual losses may be materially more than the current estimate.
Auction Rate Securities Matters
For a number of years, the Company offered auction rate securities ("ARS") to its clients. A significant portion of the market in ARS 'failed' in February 2008 due to credit market conditions, and dealers were no longer willing or able to purchase the imbalance between supply and demand for ARS.
As previously disclosed, Oppenheimer, without admitting or denying liability, entered into a Consent Order (the "Order") with the Massachusetts Securities Division (the "MSD") on February 26, 2010 and an Assurance of Discontinuance ("AOD") with the New York Attorney General ("NYAG" and together with the MSD, the "Regulators") on February 23, 2010, each in connection with Oppenheimer's sales of ARS to retail and other investors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York.
Pursuant to the terms of the Order and the AOD, the Company commenced and closed nineteen offers to purchase ARS from customer accounts when the Company's latest offer to purchase was fully accepted on September 24, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had purchased and holds (net of redemptions) $36.6 million of ARS pursuant to settlements with the Regulators and legal settlements and awards.
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Oppenheimer has agreed with the NYAG that it will offer to purchase Eligible ARS from Eligible Investors who did not receive an initial purchase offer, periodically, as excess funds become available to Oppenheimer. As of March 31, 2021, the Company has $435,000 of ARS to purchase from Eligible Investors related to the settlements with the Regulators.
Further, Oppenheimer has agreed to (1) no later than 75 days after Oppenheimer has completed extending a purchase offer to all Eligible Investors (as defined in the AOD), use its best efforts to identify any Eligible Investor who purchased Eligible ARS (as defined in the AOD) and subsequently sold those securities below par between February 13, 2008 and February 23, 2010 and pay the investor the difference between par and the price at which the Eligible Investor sold the Eligible ARS, plus reasonable interest thereon; (2) no later than 75 days after Oppenheimer has completed extending a Purchase Offer to all Eligible Investors, use its best efforts to identify Eligible Investors who took out loans from Oppenheimer after February 13, 2008 that were secured by Eligible ARS that were not successfully auctioning at the time the loan was taken out from Oppenheimer and who paid interest associated with the ARS-based portion of those loans in excess of the total interest and dividends received on the Eligible ARS during the duration of the loan (the "Loan Cost Excess") and reimburse such investors for the Loan Cost Excess, plus reasonable interest thereon; and (3) upon providing liquidity to all Eligible Investors, participate in a special arbitration process for the exclusive purpose of arbitrating any Eligible Investor's claim for consequential damages against Oppenheimer related to the investor's inability to sell Eligible ARS; Oppenheimer believes that because of Items (1) through (3) above will occur only after it has provided liquidity to all Eligible Investors, it will take an extended period of time before the requirements of items (1) through (3) will take effect.
If Oppenheimer fails to comply with any of the terms set forth in the Order, the MSD may institute an action to have the Order declared null and void and reinstitute the previously pending administrative proceedings. If Oppenheimer defaults on any obligation under the AOD, the NYAG may terminate the AOD, at his sole discretion, upon 10 days written notice to Oppenheimer.
Reference is made to the Order and the AOD, each as described in Item 3 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and attached thereto as Exhibits 10.24 and 10.22 respectively, as well as the subsequent disclosures related thereto in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010 through September 30, 2020 and in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2010 through and including 2020, for additional details of the agreements with the MSD and NYAG.
As of March 31, 2021, the Company has no remaining commitments to purchase ARS as a result of legal settlements.
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, there were no material changes to the information contained in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) During the first quarter of 2021, the Company issued 204,265 shares of Class A Stock pursuant to the Company's share-based compensation plans to employees of the Company for no cash consideration. Such issuances were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.
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Item 6. EXHIBITS
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 30th day of April 2021.
| OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC. | ||
| BY: /s/ Albert G. Lowenthal | ||
| Albert G. Lowenthal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| BY: /s/ Jeffrey J. Alfano | ||
| Jeffrey J. Alfano, Chief Financial Officer | ||
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||
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