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WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2009 September (Form 10-Q)


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q
 
x   Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009 or
 
o   Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Commission File Number:   000-52015
 
Western Capital Resources, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Minnesota
 
47-0848102
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
11550 “I” Street, Suite 150, Omaha, Nebraska 68137
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (402) 551-8888

N/A
 

 
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).      Yes o No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):
 
Large accelerated filer  o
Accelerated filer  o
   
Non-accelerated filer  o
Smaller reporting company  þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes o No þ
 
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
 
As of November 1, 2009, the registrant had outstanding 7,996,007 shares of common stock, no par value per share.
 

 
 
 

 
 
Western Capital Resources, Inc.
 
Index

   
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
2
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
11
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
18
     
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures
 
18
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
20
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
20
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
20
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
20
     
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
20
     
Item 5. Other Information
 
20
     
Item 6. Exhibits
 
21
     
SIGNATURES
 
21

 
1

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
  
WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONTENTS

 
 Page
   
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
3
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
4
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
5
   
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6

 
2

 

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
September 30, 2009
(Unaudited)
   
December 31, 2008
 
             
ASSETS
           
             
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash
  $ 1,216,656     $ 3,358,547  
Loans receivable (less allowance for losses of $1,187,000 and $1,413,000)
    4,674,491       4,889,940  
Inventory
    388,565       198,430  
Prepaid expenses and other
    575,625       247,318  
Deferred income taxes
    471,000       558,000  
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    7,326,337       9,252,235  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
    1,191,045       815,980  
                 
GOODWILL
    11,458,744       10,253,744  
                 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
    1,053,455       756,849  
                 
OTHER
    139,644       133,831  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 21,169,225     $ 21,212,639  
                 
LIABILITIES AND  SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 1,202,898     $ 998,653  
Note payable – short-term
    2,000,000       2,100,000  
Current portion long-term debt
    162,570       -  
Preferred dividend payable
    950,000       -  
Deferred revenue
    286,937       319,543  
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    4,602,405       3,418,196  
                 
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
               
Notes payable – long-term
    2,235,186       2,500,000  
Deferred income taxes
    194,000       64,000  
TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
    2,429,186       2,564,000  
TOTAL LIABILITES
    7,031,591       5,982,196  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Series A convertible preferred stock 10% cumulative dividends, $0.01 par value, $2.10 stated value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
    100,000       100,000  
Common stock, no par value, 240,000,000 shares authorized, 7,996,007 and 7,598,354 shares issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Additional paid-in capital
    18,478,337       18,478,337  
Accumulated deficit
    (4,440,703 )     (3,347,894 )
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    14,137,634       15,230,443  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 21,169,225     $ 21,212,639  

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
REVENUES
                       
Payday loan fees
  $ 2,814,599     $ 2,759,648     $ 7,872,094     $ 7,392,462  
Phones and accessories
    1,186,550       130,405       4,163,525       444,087  
Check cashing fees
    184,213       279,787       646,863       908,941  
Other income and fees
    382,807       63,381       1,107,072       168,335  
      4,568,169       3,233,221       13,789,554       8,913,825  
                                 
STORE EXPENSES
                               
Salaries and benefits
    1,273,036       746,786       3,851,396       2,234,777  
Provisions for loan losses
    453,626       566,817       1,142,131       1,318,619  
Phones and accessories cost of sales
    438,646       50,247       1,772,002       223,550  
Occupancy
    442,058       245,708       1,199,446       675,257  
Advertising
    102,566       103,100       359,389       281,145  
Depreciation
    63,430       27,155       188,637       85,213  
Amortization of intangible assets
    179,664       101,130       536,394       317,168  
Other
    671,172       303,743       1,788,120       972,497  
      3,624,198       2,144,686       10,837,515       6,108,226  
                                 
INCOME FROM STORES
    943,971       1,088,535       2,952,039       2,805,599  
                                 
GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
                               
Salaries and benefits
    376,885       355,381       1,011,934       971,021  
Depreciation
    8,103       13,502       17,564       30,477  
Interest expense
    81,351       -       245,457       -  
Other
    155,902       284,123       901,893       1,125,680  
      622,241       653,006       2,176,848       2,127,178  
                                 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    321,730       435,529       775,191       678,421  
                                 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
    124,000       158,000       293,000       273,900  
                                 
NET INCOME BEFORE DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
    197,730       277,529       482,191       404,521  
                                 
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
                               
Net of $32,000 and $46,600  income tax expense in 2008
    -       52,197       -       76,611  
                                 
NET INCOME
    197,730       329,726       482,191       481,132  
                                 
SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS (assumes all paid including for 2009)
    (525,000 )     (525,000 )     (1,575,000 )     (1,575,000 )
                                 
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
  $ (327,270 )   $ (195,274 )   $ (1,092,809 )   $ (1,093,868 )
                                 
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE-BASIC AND DILUTED
                               
Continuing operations
    (0.04 )     (0.03 )     (0.14 )     (0.14 )
Discontinued operations
    0.00       0.01       0.00       0.01  
Net loss per common share
    (0.04 )     (0.02 )     (0.14 )     (0.13 )
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARE OUTSTANDING -
                               
Basic and diluted
    7,996,007       8,889,644       7,924,633       8,644,065  

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW (Unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30, 2009
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
 
             
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net Income
  $ 482,191     $ 481,132  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    206,201       156,734  
Amortization
    536,394       422,543  
Deferred income taxes
    217,000       134,000  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
               
Loans receivable
    215,449       (546,249 )
Inventory
    (190,135 )     -  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (334,120 )     69,661  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    204,245       (1,855,189 )
Deferred revenue
    (32,606 )     45,695  
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
    1,304,619       (1,091,673 )
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (441,266 )     (299,164 )
Acquisition of stores
    (2,178,000 )     (344,447 )
Net cash used by investing activities
    (2,619,266 )     (643,611 )
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
               
Payments on note payable – short-term
    (100,000 )     -  
Payments on notes payable – long-term
    (102,244 )     -  
Collections on subscription receivable
    -       4,437,050  
Cost of raising capital
    -       (79,145 )
Dividends
    (625,000 )     (1,050,000 )
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    (827,244 )     3,307,905  
                 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
    (2,141,891 )     1,572,621  
                 
CASH
               
Beginning of period
    3,358,547       984,625  
End of period
    1,216,656       2,557,246  
Less:  Cash of discontinued operations
    -       (155,172 )
End of period, continuing operations
  $ 1,216,656     $ 2,402,074  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
Income taxes paid
  $ 125,000     $ -  
Interest paid
    245,457       -  
                 
Noncash investing and financing activities:
               
Dividend accrued
  $ 950,000     $ 525,000  
Stock issued for store acquisition
    -       1,337,869  
Notes issued for STEN acquisition
    -       287,500  

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 
 
WESTERN CAPITAL RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.
Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies –

Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared according to the instructions to Form 10-Q and Section 210.8-03(b) of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, therefore, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been omitted
 
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in our Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2008, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP.

Nature of Business

Western Capital Resources, Inc. (WCR) formerly URON Inc. (URON) through its wholly owned operating subsidiaries, Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. (WFL), and PQH Wireless, Inc. (PQH), collectively referred to as the “Company”, provides retail financial services and retail cellular phone sales to individuals primarily in the Midwestern United States.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company operated 55 “payday” stores in 10 states (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming) and 35 Cricket wireless retail stores in seven states (Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas).   The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of WCR, WFL, and PQH. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
In addition, we classified the results of operations for NCC and STEN Corporation which were sold on December 31, 2008, as discontinued operations.
 
The Company, through its “payday” division, provides non-recourse cash advance loans, check cashing and other money services.   Our loans and other services are subject to federal, state and local regulations.  The short-term consumer loans, known as cash advance loans or “payday” loans, are in amounts that typically range from $200 to $500. Cash advance loans provide customers with cash in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of generally two to four weeks and the customer’s personal check for the aggregate amount of the cash advanced plus a fee. The fee varies from state to state, based on applicable regulations, and generally ranges from $15 to $22 per each $100 borrowed. To repay the cash advance loans, customers may pay with cash, in which their personal check is returned to them, or allow their check to be presented to the bank for collection.

The payday division also provides other ancillary consumer financial products and services that are complementary to its cash advance-lending business, such as check-cashing services, money transfers and money orders.  In our check cashing business, we primarily cash payroll checks, but we also cash government assistance, tax refund and insurance checks or drafts. Our fees for cashing payroll checks average approximately 2.5% of the face amount of the check, subject to local market conditions, and this fee is deducted from the cash given to the customer for the check. We display our check cashing fees in full view of our customers on a menu board in each store and provide a detailed receipt for each transaction. Although we have established guidelines for approving check-cashing transactions, we have no preset limit on the size of the checks we will cash.

Our loans and other related services are subject to state regulations (which vary from state to state), federal regulations and local regulations, where applicable.

The Company, through its Cricket Wireless Retail division, is a dealer for Cricket Wireless, Inc., reselling cellular phones and accessories and accepting service payments from Cricket customers.

 
6

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect certain reported amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant management estimates relate to the allowance for loans receivable, allocation of and carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets, and deferred taxes and tax uncertainties.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes fees on cash advance loans on a constant-yield basis ratably over the loans’ terms. Title loan fees are recognized using the interest method.  The Company records revenue from check cashing fees, sales of phones, and accessories and fees from all other services in the period in which the sale or service is completed.  

Loans Receivable / Loan Loss Allowance

We maintain a loan loss allowance for anticipated losses for our cash advance and title loans. To estimate the appropriate level of the loan loss allowance, we consider the amount of outstanding loans owed to us, historical loans charged off, current and expected collection patterns and current economic trends. Our current loan loss allowance is based on our net write offs, typically expressed as a percentage of loan amounts originated for the last 12 months applied against the principal balance of outstanding loans that we write off. The Company also periodically performs a look-back analysis on its loan loss allowance to verify the historical allowance established tracks with the actual subsequent loan write-offs and recoveries. The Company is aware that as conditions change, it may also need to make additional allowances in future periods.

Included in loans receivable are cash advance loans that are currently due or past due and cash advance loans that have not been repaid.  This generally is evidenced where a customer’s personal check has been deposited and the check has been returned due to non-sufficient funds in the customer’s account, a closed account, or other reasons.  Cash advance loans are carried at cost less the allowance for doubtful accounts.  The Company does not specifically reserve for any individual cash advance loan.  The Company aggregates cash advance loans for purposes of estimating the loss allowance using a methodology that analyzes historical portfolio statistics and management’s judgment regarding recent trends noted in the portfolio.  This methodology takes into account several factors, including the maturity of the store location and charge-off and recovery rates.  The Company utilizes a software program to assist with the tracking of its historical portfolio statistics.  As a result of the Company’s collection efforts, it historically writes off approximately 45% of the returned items.  Based on days past the check return date, write-offs of returned items historically have tracked at the following approximately percentages: 1 to 30 days – 45%; 31 to 60 days – 68%; 61 to 90 days – 84%; 91 to 120 days – 89%; and 121 to 180 days – 92%.  All returned items are charged-off after 180 days, as collections after that date have not been significant.  The loan loss allowance is reviewed monthly and any adjustment to the loan loss allowance as a result of historical loan performance, current and expected collection patterns and current economic trends is recorded.

A rollforward of the Company’s loans receivable allowance for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Loans receivable allowance, beginning of period
  $ 1,413,000     $ 976,000  
Provision for loan losses charged to expense
    1,142,000       1,318,619  
Charge-offs, net
    (1,368,000 )     (1,030,619 )
Loans receivable allowance, end of period
  $ 1,187,000     $ 1,261,000  

Net Loss Per Common Share

Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing the loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss available to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potentially dilutive common share equivalents (stock options, stock warrants, convertible preferred shares) when dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (10,000,000) was anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the dilutive net loss per share computation for 2009.  Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (10,000,000) and stock warrants (400,000), exercised in 2009, were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded for 2008.

 
7

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

On September 15, 2009, WCR adopted changes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) to the authoritative hierarchy of GAAP. These changes establish the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM (Codification) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The FASB will no longer issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts; instead the FASB will issue Accounting Standards Updates. Accounting Standards Updates will not be authoritative in their own right as they will only serve to update the Codification. These changes and the Codification itself do not change GAAP. Other than the manner in which new accounting guidance is referenced, the adoption of these changes had no impact on the Financial Statements.

On September 15, 2009,  WCR adopted new accounting guidance on codification referencing that encourages the use of plain English to describe broad accounting topic areas in an attempt to make financial statements more useful to users and more clearly explain accounting concepts.   As the guidance was not intended to change or alter existing GAAP, it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements
 
No other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective during the fiscal quarter has had or is expected to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

2.
Acquisitions –

Acquisition of Cricket Wireless Stores in Missouri and Indiana 

On January 14, 2009 PQH acquired for $1,828,000 in cash 12 existing Cricket Wireless Stores in an asset purchase from VZ Wireless, LLC.  The stores are located in Kansas City, Missouri (four stores), St. Louis, Missouri (seven stores) and Cahokia, Illinois (one store).

In February 2009 PQH acquired the authorization for seven locations in Northern Indiana for $300,000 in cash plus sellers’ expenses, not to exceed $50,000, and in March 2009, PQH launched eight new Cricket Wireless stores in Indiana.

Under the purchase method of accounting the assets and liabilities of the aforementioned acquisitions were recorded at their respective fair values as of the purchase date as follows:

   
Fair Value
 
       
Property and equipment
  $ 140,000  
Intangible assets
    833,000  
Goodwill
    1,205,000  
         
    $ 2,178,000  

The results of the operations for the acquired locations have been included in the condensed consolidated financial statements since the date of the acquisitions. The following table presents the unaudited pro forma results of continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, as if the retained acquisitions had been consummated at the beginning of each period presented and excluding the operating results of NCC and STEN (sold December 31, 2008). The pro forma results of continuing operations are prepared for comparative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the results that would have occurred had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of the year presented or the results which may occur in the future.

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
 
2009
 
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                     
Pro forma revenue
  $ 4,568,000     $ 4,387,000     $ 14,010,000     $ 13,447,000  
Pro forma net income
    197,700       621,200       495,400       1,093,900  
Pro forma net loss per common share – basic and diluted
    (0.04 )     0.01       (0.14 )     (0.06 )
    
 
8

 
 
3.
Segment Information –

The Company has grouped its operations into two segments – Payday Operations and Cricket Wireless Retail Operations. The Payday Operations segment provides financial and ancillary services (Note 1). The Cricket Wireless Retail Operations segment originated in October 2008 and is a dealer for Cricket Wireless, Inc., reselling cellular phones and accessories and serving as a payment center for Cricket customers.  For 2008, there was only one operating segment which was payday.

Segment information related to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 follows:

 
Three Months Ended 
September 30, 2009
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30, 2009
 
 
Payday
 
Cricket 
Wireless
   
Total
   
Payday
   
Cricket
Wireless
   
Total
 
                                 
Revenues from external customers
  $ 3,062,043     $ 1,506,126     $ 4,568,169     $ 8,703,516     $ 5,086,038     $ 13,789,554  
Net income (loss)
    425,974       (228,244 )     197,730       964,715       (482,524 )     482,191  
Total segment assets
                            15,316,690       5,852,535       21,169,225  

4.
Shareholders’ Equity –

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, 400,000 warrants were exercised at an exercise price of $.01 per share and in a related transaction, the Company redeemed 2,347 shares in payment of the exercise price, for a net issue of 397,653 shares.

5.
Risks Inherent in the Operating Environment –

The Company’s payday or short-term consumer loan activities are regulated under numerous local, state, and federal laws and regulations, which are subject to change. New laws or regulations could be enacted that could have a negative impact on the Company’s lending activities. Over the past few years, consumer advocacy groups and certain media reports have advocated governmental and regulatory action to prohibit or severely restrict deferred presentment cash advances.
 
The Federal Trade Commission has issued an FTC Consumer Alert (Federal Trade Commission, March 2008, Consumer Alert entitled “Payday Loans Equal Very Costly Cash: Consumers Urged to Consider the Alternatives”) that discourages consumers from obtaining payday loans such as the loans we offer, primarily on the basis that the types of loans we offer are very costly and consumers should consider alternatives to accepting a payday loan. For further information, you may obtain a copy of the alert at www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts. As noted above, the federal government has passed legislation, the 2007 Military Authorization Act, prohibiting us from offering or making our loans to members of the military when the interest and fees calculated as an annual percentage rate exceed 36%. This limitation effectively prohibits us from utilizing our present business model for cash advance or “payday” lending when dealing with members of the U.S. military, and as a result we do not and do not plan to conduct payday lending business with U.S. military personnel. These facts evidence the widespread belief that our charges relating to our loans are too expensive to be good for consumers. Some consumer advocates and others have characterized payday lending as “predatory.” As a result, there are frequently attempts in the various state legislatures, and occasionally in the U.S. Congress, to limit, restrict or prohibit payday lending. 
 
In July 2008, a bill was introduced before the U.S. Senate, entitled the “Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2008” (an amendment to the Truth in Lending Act), proposing to set a maximum actual or imputed interest rate of 36% on all extensions of credit of any type. The bill is intended to limit the charges and fees payable in connection with payday lending. Presently, the bill is in the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The Company has no further information regarding the bill at this time. Similar bills have been proposed in various states as well.

The passage of this bill into law, or similar bills at state levels, would essentially prohibit the Company from conducting its payday lending business in its current form, and would certainly have a material and adverse effect on the Company, operating results, financial condition and prospects and even its viability. 

Negative perception of deferred presentment cash advances could also result in increased regulatory scrutiny and increased litigation and encourage restrictive local zoning rules, making it more difficult to obtain the government approvals necessary to continue operating existing stores or open new short-term consumer loan stores.

 
9

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company had significant revenues by state (shown as a percentage of applicable division’s revenue) as follows:

Payday Division
   
Cricket Wireless Division
 
   
2009 
% of Revenues
   
2008
% of Revenues
       
2009 
% of Revenues
 
Nebraska
    28 %     29 %  
Missouri
    40 %
Wyoming
    14 %     10 %  
Nebraska
    13 %
North Dakota
    15 %     13 %  
Texas
    11 %
Iowa
    12 %     12 %  
Indiana
    22 %

6.
Preferred Stock Dividend –

On July 15, 2009, the first and second quarter 2009 dividend on the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock in the amount of $1,050,000 was due and payable. Payments of $100,000, $125,000 and $200,000 were made on September 18, October 14 and November 10, 2009, respectively.

7.
Other Expense –

A breakout of other expense is as follows:

   
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
                         
Store expenses
                       
Collection costs
  $ 116,828     $ 73,349     $ 286,804     $ 201,022  
Repairs & maintenance
    66,399       48,408       157,446       121,712  
Supplies
    80,426       27,297       243,481       86,350  
Telephone and utilities
    159,267       65,610       422,301       199,773  
Other
    248,252       89,079       678,088       363,640  
    $ 671,172     $ 303,743     $ 1,788,120     $ 972,497  
                                 
General & administrative expenses
                               
Professional fees
  $ 66,622     $ 164,575     $ 618,959     $ 853,947  
Other
    89,280       119,548       282,934       271,733  
    $ 155,902     $ 284,123     $ 901,893     $ 1,125,680  

8.
Settlement Agreement with former Chief Executive Officer –

On May 1, 2009 the Company entered into a settlement agreement with its former Chief Executive Officer to settle certain disputes.  In addition, the settlement agreement required the former Chief Executive Officer to place all 550,000 shares of Company common stock outstanding in his name into an escrow arrangement that will result in either complete redemption of those shares or the release of those shares back to him under certain circumstances.

9.
Subsequent Event –

The $2 million promissory note we issued to Banco Popular in connection with the Business Loan Agreement matured on October 30, 2009.  The Company has received a proposal letter from Banco Popular to refinance the note.  Under the proposal the Company would reduce the outstanding balance by $100,000 prior to refinancing and the remaining balance of $1.9 million would thereafter be amortized (based on a 36 month term) through May 31, 2010 at which time the remaining balance would be due.  Interest under the proposed promissory note will accrue at a rate equal to the one-month LIBOR plus 7.25% (a combined current rate of 7.49%).  The proposal is subject to the execution of definitive documents and therefore is subject to change.

The Company did not have any other subsequent events through November 13, 2009, which is the date the financial statements were issued, for events requiring recording or disclosure in the financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 
10

 
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements
 
Some of the statements made in this report are “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and projections about future events. Whenever used in this report, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect” and similar expressions, or the negative of such words and expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words or expressions. The forward-looking statements in this report are primarily located in the material set forth under the headings “Description of Business,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” but are found in other parts of this report as well. These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future operations and are based upon management’s current estimates and projections of future results or trends. Although we believe that our plans and objectives reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we may not achieve these plans or objectives. You should read this report completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We will not update forward-looking statements even though our situation may change in the future.

Specific factors that might cause actual results to differ from our expectations or may affect the value of the common stock, include, but are not limited to:

 
·
Changes in local, state or federal laws and regulations governing lending practices, or changes in the interpretation of such laws and regulations

 
·
Litigation and regulatory actions directed toward our industry or us, particularly in certain key states

 
·
Our need for additional financing, and

 
·
Unpredictability or uncertainty in financing markets which could impair our ability to grow our business through acquisitions.

Other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this report are more fully described in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008.

Industry data and other statistical information used in this report are based on independent publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources.  Some data are also based on our good faith estimates, derived from our review of internal surveys and the independent sources listed above.  Although we believe these sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information.
 
General Overview
 
We provide (through Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc.) retail financial services to individuals primarily in the midwestern and southwestern United States. These services include non-recourse cash advance loans, check cashing and other money services. At the close of business on September 30, 2009 and as of the date of this report, we owned and operated 55 stores in 10 states (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming).

We provide short-term consumer loans—known as “payday” or “cash advance” loans—in amounts that typically range from $200 to $500. Payday loans provide customers with cash in exchange for a promissory note with a maturity of generally two to four weeks and the customer’s post-dated personal check for the aggregate amount of the cash advanced, plus a fee. The fee varies from state to state, based on applicable regulations, and generally ranges from $15 to $22 for each whole or partial increment of $100 borrowed. To repay a payday loan, a customer may pay with cash, in which case their personal check is returned to them, or allow the check to be presented to the bank for collection. All of our payday loans and other services are subject to state regulations (which vary from state to state), federal regulations and local regulation, where applicable.

In October 2008, we began operating Cricket Wireless retail stores as an authorized dealer of Cricket Wireless products and services. Authorized dealers are permitted to sell the Cricket line and generally locate their store operations in areas with a strong potential customer base where Cricket does not maintain a corporate storefront. These locations are generally within the urban core or surrounding areas of a community. We are an authorized premier Cricket dealer, and as such, we are only permitted to sell the Cricket line of prepaid cellular phones at our Cricket retail stores. At the close of business on September 30, 2009 we owned and operated 35 stores in seven states (Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas).

 
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Our expenses primarily relate to the operations of our various stores. The most significant expenses include salaries and benefits for our store employees, provisions for payday loan losses, occupancy expense for our leased real estate, cost of phones sold and advertising. Our other significant expenses are general and administrative, which includes compensation of employees, professional fees for consulting, accounting, audit and legal services.

With respect to our cost structure, salaries and benefits are one of our largest costs and are driven primarily by the addition of branches throughout the year. Our provision for losses is also a significant expense. If a customer’s check is returned by the bank as uncollected (NSF or account closed), we make an immediate charge-off to the provision for losses for the amount of the customer’s loan, which includes accrued fees and interest. Any recoveries on amounts previously charged off are recorded as a reduction to the provision for losses in the period recovered. We have experienced seasonality in our operations, with the first and fourth quarters typically being our strongest periods as a result of broader economic factors, such as holiday spending habits at the end of each year and income tax refunds during the first quarter.

We evaluate our stores based on revenue growth, gross profit contributions and loss ratio (which is losses as a percentage of revenues), with consideration given to the length of time the branch has been open and its geographic location. We evaluate changes in comparable branch financial and other measures on a routine basis to assess operating efficiency. We define comparable branches as those branches that are open during the full periods for which a comparison is being made. For example, comparable branches for the annual analysis we undertook as of December 31, 2008 have been open at least 24 months on that date. We monitor newer branches for their progress toward profitability and rate of loan growth.

The growth of the payday loan industry has followed, and continues to be significantly affected by, payday lending legislation and regulation in the various states and nationally. We monitor and evaluate legislative and regulatory initiatives in each of the states and nationally, and are involved with the efforts of the various industry lobbying efforts. To the extent that states enact legislation or regulations that negatively impacts payday lending, whether through preclusion, fee reduction or loan caps, our business could be adversely affected. In Nebraska, legislation was recently introduced (and subsequently defeated) to ban all cash advance or payday loans in Nebraska. Despite the defeat of this legislation, since we derived approximately 28% of our 2009 total payday lending revenues in Nebraska, any subsequent attempts to pass similar legislation in Nebraska, or other legislation that would restrict our ability to make cash advance loans in Nebraska, would pose significant risks to our business.

In addition to expanding our geographic reach, our strategic expansion plans also involve the expansion and diversification of our product and service offerings. For this reason, we have focused a significant amount of time and attention on the development of our Cricket Wireless retail stores. We believe that successful expansion, both geographically and product- and service-wise, will help to mitigate the regulatory and economic risk inherent in our business by making us less reliant on (i) payday lending alone and (ii) any particular aspect of our business that is concentrated geographically.

Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applied on a consistent basis. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. We base these estimates on the information currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could vary materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements:
 
Loan Loss Allowance
 
We maintain a loan loss allowance for anticipated losses for our cash advance and title loans. To estimate the appropriate level of the loan loss allowance, we consider the amount of outstanding loans owed to us, historical loans charged off, current and expected collection patterns and current economic trends. Our current loan loss allowance is based on our net write offs, typically expressed as a percentage of loan amounts originated for the last 12 months applied against the principal balance of outstanding loans that we write off. The Company also periodically performs a look-back analysis on its loan loss allowance to verify the historical allowance established tracks with the actual subsequent loan write-offs and recoveries. The Company is aware that as conditions change, it may also need to make additional allowances in future periods.

 
12

 

Included in loans receivable are cash advance loans that are currently due or past due and cash advance loans that have not been repaid.  This generally is evidenced where a customer’s personal check has been deposited and the check has been returned due to non-sufficient funds in the customer’s account, a closed account, or other reasons.  Cash advance loans are carried at cost less the allowance for doubtful accounts.  The Company does not specifically reserve for any individual cash advance loan.  The Company aggregates cash advance loans for purposes of estimating the loss allowance using a methodology that analyzes historical portfolio statistics and management’s judgment regarding recent trends noted in the portfolio.  This methodology takes into account several factors, including the maturity of the store location and charge-off and recovery rates.  The Company utilizes a software program to assist with the tracking of its historical portfolio statistics.  As a result of the Company’s collection efforts, it historically writes off approximately 45% of the returned items.  Based on days past the check return date, write-offs of returned items historically have tracked at the following approximately percentages: 1 to 30 days – 45%; 31 to 60 days – 68%; 61 to 90 days – 84%; 91 to 120 days – 89%; and 121 to 180 days – 92%.  All returned items are charged-off after 180 days, as collections after that date have not been significant.  The loan loss allowance is reviewed monthly and any adjustment to the loan loss allowance as a result of historical loan performance, current and expected collection patterns and current economic trends is recorded.

A rollforward of the Company’s loans receivable allowance for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Loans receivable allowance, beginning of period
  $ 1,413,000     $ 976,000  
Provision for loan losses charged to expense
    1,142,000       1,318,619  
Charge-offs, net
    (1,368,000 )     (1,030,619 )
Loans receivable allowance, end of period
  $ 1,187,000     $ 1,261,000  

Valuation of long-lived and Intangible Assets

The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business, and significant negative industry trends. When management determines that the carrying value of long-lived and intangible assets may not be recoverable, impairment is measured based on the excess of the assets' carrying value over the estimated fair value.

Results of Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, net income was $198,000 compared to net income from continuing operations of $278,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008. During the three months ended September 30, 2009, income from continuing operations before income taxes was $322,000 compared to $436,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The major components of revenues, store expenses, general and administrative expenses, total operating expenses and income tax expense from continuing operations are discussed below.

Revenues

Revenues totaled $4.57 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $3.23 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. This increase resulted from the increase in the number of Cricket Wireless stores operating during the 2009 interim period. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, we originated approximately $19.2 million in cash advance loans compared to $20.5 million during the 2008 interim period. Our average loan (including fee) totaled approximately $361 during both the period ended September 30, 2009 and the 2008 interim period. Our average fee for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 was $53.  During the three-month period ended September 30, 2009, we generated $1.19 million in phone and accessory sales compared to $.13 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2008.  The increase resulted from our stores acquired in the last quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009 and operating in the three months ended September 30, 2009, as well as the Cricket Wireless stores we launched during the second quarter of 2009.
  
 
13

 

The following table summarizes our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively:
 
   
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
               
(percentage of revenues)
 
Payday loan fees
  $ 2,814,599     $ 2,759,648       61.6 %     85.4 %
Phones and accessories
     1,186,550       130,405       26.0 %     4.0 %
Check cashing fees
     184,213       279,787       4.0 %     8.7 %
Other income and fees
    382,807       63,381       8.4 %     1.9 %
Total
  $ 4,568,169     $ 3,233,221       100 %     100 %

Store Expenses
 
Total expenses associated with store operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were $3.62 million compared to $2.14 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The most significant components of these expenses were salaries and benefits, provisions for loan losses, phone and accessories costs of sales, occupancy costs, advertising expenses, depreciation of store equipment, amortization of intangible assets and other expenses associated with store operations.

Our most significant increases in store expenses from the two interim periods related to salaries and benefits for our store employees, phone and accessories cost of sales, costs of occupancy, depreciation, amortization and other store expenses due to our addition of the Cricket Wireless Operations segment.  A discussion of the various components of our store expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 appears below.

Salaries and Benefits. Payroll and related costs at the store level were $1.27 million compared to $.75 million for the periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Increased salaries and benefits expense resulted primarily from of our addition of the Cricket Wireless Operations segment. We expect that, with anticipated continued store growth, these salaries and benefits expenses will continue to increase.

Provisions for Loan Losses. For the three months ended September 30, 2009 our provisions for loan losses were $454,000 compared to $567,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Our provisions for loan losses represented approximately 16.1% and 20.5% of our loan fee revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Our provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 decreased $113,000 due to improved collection results.

Phone and Accessories Cost of Sales.  The increase in our Cricket Wireless phone service segment revenues resulted in corresponding increase in costs of sales.  For the three months ended September 30, 2009, our costs of sales were $439,000 compared to $50,000 for the same period in 2008.  At September 30, 2009, we had 35 Cricket Wireless stores compared to two at September 30, 2008.

Occupancy. Occupancy expenses, comprised mainly of store leases, were $442,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 versus $246,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The increase in our occupancy expenses relates to our operation of more stores during the most recent three-month period.

Advertising. Advertising and marketing expenses remained consistent at $103,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2009 and during the three months ended September 30, 2008. In general, we expect that our marketing and advertising expenses for 2009 will remain constant as advertising expense  within the Cricket division are reimbursed under Cricket’s Coop reimbursement program.

Depreciation. Depreciation, relating to store equipment and capital expenditures for stores, increased to $63,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from $27,200 for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase in depreciation was due to our Cricket Wireless store acquisitions.
 
Amortization of Intangible Assets. Amortization of intangible assets increased to$180,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 from $101,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Payday division expense decreased $71,000 due to intangible assets becoming fully amortized while the expense on the Cricket division increased by $150,000 due to the recent Cricket Wireless acquisition.

 
14

 

Other. Other expenses were $671,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 versus $304,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to higher costs associated with operating a greater number of stores on a year-over-year basis and an increase in collection costs.

General and Administrative Expenses

Total general and administrative costs for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were $622,000 compared to $653,000 for the period ended September 30, 2008. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, the major components of these costs were salaries and benefits for our administrative group and executive management, interest expense, and utilities, office supplies and other minor costs, professional fees for accounting and legal services (collectively grouped as “other” costs). A discussion of the various components of our general and administrative costs for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 appears below:

Salaries and Benefits. Salaries and benefits expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 were $377,000, a $22,000 increase from the $355,000 in such expenses during period ended September 30, 2008. The increase was due to payday division bonuses.

Depreciation. Depreciation for the period ended September 30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2008 was $8,100 and $13,500, respectively. Depreciation relates primarily to equipment and capital improvements at the Company’s corporate headquarters.

Interest.  Interest expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $81,000 compared to $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and resulted from the Company’s use of its revolving line of credit and issuance of notes payable for store acquisitions.

Other General and Administrative Expenses. Other general and administrative expenses, which includes professional fees for accounting and legal services, utilities, office supplies, collection costs and other minor costs associated with corporate headquarters activities, aggregated to $156,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009 versus $284,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The significant decrease in these expenses is mainly attributable to reduced professional fees incurred in 2009 compared to 2008.  We expect professional fees to continue to decrease throughout the remainder of 2009.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense for the period ended September 30, 2009 was $124,000 compared to income tax expense of $158,000 for the period ended September 30, 2008, which resulted because our income before taxes for the 2009 period was $322,000 compared to a net income before taxes for the 2008 period of $436,000.

Results of Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, net income was $482,000 compared to net income from continuing operations of $405,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, income from continuing operations before income taxes was $775,000 compared to loss before income taxes of $678,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The major components of each of revenues, store expenses, general and administrative expenses, total operating expenses and income tax expense from continuing operations are discussed below.

Revenues

Revenues totaled $13.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $8.91 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This increase resulted from the increase in the number of Cricket Wireless stores operating during the 2009 interim period. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, we originated approximately $53.5 million in cash advance loans compared to $54.2 million during the 2008 interim period. Our average loan (including fee) totaled approximately $364 during the period ended September 30, 2009 versus $351 in the 2008 interim period. Our average fee for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $54 compared to $52 for the 2008 interim period.  During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, we generated $4.2 million in phone and accessory sales compared to $.44 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008.  The increase resulted from our stores acquired in the last quarter of fiscal 2008 that were operating in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, as well as the Cricket Wireless stores we acquired or launched  during this interim period.
  
 
15

 

The following table summarizes our revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively:
 
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended 
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
               
(percentage of revenues)
 
Payday loan fees
  $ 7,872,094     $ 7,392,462       57.1 %     83.0 %
Phones and accessories
     4,163,525       444,087       30.2 %     5.0 %
Check cashing fees
     646,863       908,941       4.7 %     10.2 %
Other income and fees
    1,107,072       168,335       8.0 %     1.8 %
Total
  $ 13,789,554     $ 8,913,825       100 %     100 %

Store Expenses
 
Total expenses associated with store operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $10.84 million compared to $6.11 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Our most significant increases in store expenses from the two interim periods related to salaries and benefits for our store employees, phone and accessories cost of sales, costs of occupancy, advertising and depreciation. Our phone and accessories costs of sales and advertising costs increased significantly in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to our addition of the Cricket Wireless Operations segment.  A discussion of the various components of our store expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 appears below.

Salaries and Benefits. Payroll and related costs at the store level were $3.85 million compared to $2.23 million for the periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Increased salaries and benefits expense resulted primarily from of our addition of the Cricket Wireless Operations segment.

Provisions for Loan Losses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 our provisions for loan losses were $1.14 million compared to $1.32 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Our provisions for loan losses represented approximately 14.5% and 17.8% of our loan fee revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Our provision for loan losses as a percentage of revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 decreased due to improved collection results.

Phone and Accessories Cost of Sales.  The increase in our Cricket Wireless phone service segment revenues resulted in corresponding increase in costs of sales.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, our costs of sales were $1.77 million compared to $.22 million for the same period in 2008.  At September 30, 2009, we had 35 Cricket Wireless stores compared to two at September 30, 2008.

Occupancy. Occupancy expenses, comprised mainly of store leases, were $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 versus $.68 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase in our occupancy expenses relates to our acquisitions and operation of more stores during the most recent nine-month period. In general, as we pursue a growth by small acquisitions strategy, we expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future.

Advertising. Advertising and marketing expenses were $359,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $281,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. In general, we expect that our marketing and advertising expenses for  2009 will  remain constant as advertising expense within the Cricket division are reimbursed under Cricket’s Coop reimbursement program.

Depreciation. Depreciation, relating to store equipment and capital expenditures for stores, increased to $189,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $85,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The increase in depreciation was due to our Cricket Wireless store acquisitions.
 
Amortization of Intangible Assets. Amortization of intangible assets increased to $536,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from $317,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Payday division expense decreased $222,000 due to intangible assets becoming fully amortized while the expense on the Cricket division increased by $441,000 due to the recent Cricket Wireless acquisitions.

 
16

 

Other. Other expenses were $1.79 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 versus $.97 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to higher costs associated with operating a greater number of stores on a year over year basis and increased collection costs.

General and Administrative Expenses

Total general and administrative costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $2.18 million compared to $2.13 million for the period ended September 30, 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the major components of these costs were salaries and benefits for our executive management, interest expense, and utilities, office supplies and other minor costs, professional fees for accounting and legal services (collectively grouped as “other” costs). A discussion of the various components of our general and administrative costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 appears below:

Salaries and Benefits. Salaries and benefits expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $1.01 million, a $40,000 increase from the $.97 million in such expenses during period ended September 30, 2008. The increase was due to payday division administrative bonuses.

Depreciation. Depreciation for the period ended September 30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2008 was $18,000 and $30,000, respectively. Depreciation relates primarily to equipment and capital improvements at the Company’s corporate headquarters.

Interest.  Interest expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $245,000 compared to $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and resulted from the Company’s use of its revolving line of credit and issuance of notes payable for store acquisitions.

Other General and Administrative Expenses. Other general and administrative expenses, which includes professional fees for accounting and legal services, utilities, office supplies, collection costs and other minor costs associated with corporate headquarters activities, aggregated to $.90 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 versus $1.12 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in these expenses is primarily due to lower professional fees for legal and accounting services, partially offset by the increased professional fees incurred in connection with our recent restatements.  Our higher 2008 professional fees were primarily related to failed acquisitions that have not reoccurred in 2009.  We expect professional fees to decrease throughout the remainder of 2009.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense for the period ended September 30, 2009 was $293,000 compared to income tax expense of $274,000 for the period ended September 30, 2008, which resulted because our income before taxes for the 2009 period was $775,000 compared to income before taxes for the 2008 period of $678,000.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Summary cash flow data is as follows:
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
             
Cash flows provided (used) by :
           
Operating activities
  $ 1,304,619     $ (1,091,673 )
Investing activities
    (2,619,266 )     (643,611 )
Financing activities
    (827,244 )     3,307,905  
Net increase (decrease) in cash
    (2,141,891 )     1,572,621  
Cash, beginning of period
     3,358,547       984,625  
Cash, end of period
  $ 1,216,656     $ 2,557,246  
 
At September 30, 2009, we had cash of $1.22 million compared to cash of $2.56 million on September 30, 2008. The decrease results mainly from costs related to our recent Cricket Wireless store acquisitions and leasehold improvements, dividend payments, restatement costs and professional fees.  For fiscal year 2009, we believe that our available cash, combined with expected cash flows from operations, will be sufficient to fund our liquidity and capital expenditure requirements during fiscal 2009. Our expected short-term uses of available cash include the funding of operating activities (including anticipated increases in payday loans), dividend payments on our Series A preferred stock (to the extent approved by the Board of Directors), and the financing of expansion activities, including new store openings and store acquisitions.  Although dividend payments are not expected to materially and adversely affect our liquidity or our ability to sustain operations, we do intend to reduce our cumulated and unpaid dividends, aggregating to $1,150,000 as of November 12, 2009, owed to our preferred stockholder.  Accordingly, we expect that future dividend payments may inhibit our ability to expand our operations for the foreseeable future.

 
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Banco Popular Line of Credit

On November 13, 2008, Wyoming Financial Lenders, Inc. entered into a Business Loan Agreement and associated agreements with Banco Popular North America, located in Rosemont, Illinois, for a one-year revolving line of credit in an amount of up to $2,000,000.  Among other things, a default occurs under the Business Loan Agreement in the event of any breach thereunder by Wyoming Financial Lenders.  In the event of any default, Banco Popular may accelerate all amounts due subject to a ten-day right to cure applicable in certain circumstances.

We notified Banco Popular in April and July 2009 about our inability to deliver certain financial information in a timely manner as required under the Business Loan Agreement, due primarily to our need to restate our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the subsequent interim periods ending September 30, 2008. On April 30, 2009, Banco Popular furnished us with their written waiver of covenants related to our failure to timely deliver such information.  In July 2009 we received an extension of time to furnish them copies of our federal income tax return. At this time there is no adverse impact upon our revolving credit line.

The $2 million promissory note we issued to Banco Popular in connection with the Business Loan Agreement matured on October 30, 2009.  The Company has received a proposal letter from Banco Popular to refinance the note.  Under the proposal the Company would reduce the outstanding balance by $100,000 prior to refinancing and the remaining balance of $1.9 million would thereafter be amortized (based on a 36 month term) through May 31, 2010 at which time the remaining balance would be due.  Interest under the proposed promissory note will accrue at a rate equal to the one-month LIBOR plus 7.25% (a combined current rate of 7.49%).  The proposal is subject to the execution of definitive documents and therefore is subject to change.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements  
 
The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2009.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not applicable.
 
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
On September 30, 2009, our Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Rule 13a-15(e)), and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective and designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and our consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within the Company.  This conclusion was based primarily on the facts identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the SEC on May 4, 2009.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect such controls, except as described below.

During the fiscal quarter covered by this report, we were still in the process of integrating, and incorporating as part of our internal controls:  (i) the operations acquired from PQH Wireless, Inc. during the last fiscal quarter of 2008 and (ii) the operations of our Cricket Wireless stores acquired (or whose operations commenced) during the fiscal quarter covered by this report.

In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, we identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and a related remediation plan.  To date, we believe we have made progress towards remediation, including taking steps to:

 
·
increase the frequency of our board of directors and audit committee meetings to more actively engage those bodies in the provision of oversight of our internal controls and the review of complex or unusual accounting transactions;

 
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·
provide a mechanism for the submission of anonymous reports, relating to accounting or audit irregularities, directly to our audit committee chair and legal counsel;
 
·
provide our internal audit consultant with direct access to our audit committee chairperson;
 
·
include our internal audit consultant in quarterly meetings of our audit committee to provide a status update on the effectiveness of our internal controls;
 
·
conduct additional training on internal controls for our management, financial reporting and operations staff;
 
·
integrate our PQH Wireless division’s operations into our centralized payroll, expenditures, information technology, revenue and financial reporting processes
 
·
execute timely preparation of balance sheet account reconciliations accompanied by sufficient supporting documentation and review and approval for validity, completeness and accuracy performed by a member of accounting management;
 
·
formalize journal entry preparation and review process to include sufficient supporting documentation and proper review and approval prior to recording;
 
·
launch an automated timekeeping system with built-in features to route timesheets for supervisor approval;
 
·
design an automated system to track inventory for our PQH Wireless division;
 
·
implement a structured financial reporting process that includes properly segregated duties, close calendar and schedule of required tasks and internal controls;
 
·
implement a procedure that ensures review of the financial statements by our Chief Executive Officer and the full board of directors prior to filing with the SEC;
 
·
implement a reporting tool with our upgraded financial software application to produce the consolidated balance sheet and income statement in an automated manner; and
 
·
generally improve the segregation of duties within the financial reporting, information technology, payroll and expenditures processes.

Despite the progress we believe we have made, we were unable to conclude that the material weaknesses described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 were effectively remediated as of September 30, 2009 due to the fact that (i) less than the entire remediation plan has been implemented and (ii) an insufficient period of time has passed for management to test and document the effectiveness of those controls which have been altered or newly created as part of the remediation plan (as summarized above).  For further information, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings  

None.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors

None.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
None.

 Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

As of November 13, 2009, we partially paid the dividends on our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock that originally became due on January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15, 2009, aggregating to $2,100,000.  As of November 13, 2009, our board of directors has authorized the payment of $950,000, which has been paid.  Our Series A preferred stock ranks senior to our common stock.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  

None.  

Item 5. Other Information  

None.

 
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Item 6. Exhibits  
 
Exhibit
 
Description
     
31.1
 
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ( filed herewith ).
     
31.2
 
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ( filed herewith ).
     
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Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
( filed herewith ).
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Dated: November 13, 2009
Western Capital Resources, Inc.
 
(Registrant)
   
 
By:
/s/ John Quandahl
   
John Quandahl
   
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and
Interim Chief Financial Officer

 
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