10QSB 1 v028336_10qsb.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-QSB

(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005

o  TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
 
For the transition period from _____________ to ______________
Commission file number __________________________________

FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
43-1647559
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
3058 East Elm Street, Springfield, Missouri 65802

(Address of principal executive offices)

(417) 886-6600

 (Issuer's Telephone Number)


(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 Exchange Act 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 x No o


APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS

Check whether the registrant filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes x No o

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date:

As of November 10, 2005, 9,965,759 shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value were outstanding.

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format: Yes o No x
 
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3
 
ITEM 1.
 
Financial Statements
 
3
 
ITEM 2.
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
15
 
ITEM 3.
 
Controls and Procedures
 
31
     
 
PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION
 
32
 
ITEM 1.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
32
 
ITEM 2.
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
32
 
ITEM 3.
 
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
32
 
ITEM 4.
 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
32
 
ITEM 5.
 
Other Information
 
32
 
ITEM 6.
 
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 
33
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
33
     
 
2

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders
Freedom Financial Group, Inc.
Springfield, Missouri


We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Freedom Financial Group, Inc. as of September 30, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, and changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modification that should be made to the consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated January 21, 2005 we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

/s/ BKD, LLP


Springfield, Missouri
October 28, 2005

 
3

FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
   
Unaudited
     
   
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
Assets
         
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
2,943,551
 
$
8,779,211
 
Finance receivables, net
   
9,107,947
   
4,090,708
 
Notes receivable, net
   
16,618
   
77,398
 
Property and equipment, net
   
276,962
   
294,305
 
Other assets
   
269,027
   
69,303
 
               
Total assets
 
$
12,614,105
 
$
13,310,925
 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
Liabilities
         
Accounts payable
 
$
16,315
 
$
218,954
 
Accrued expenses
   
38,762
   
18,091
 
Accrued compensation costs
   
21,901
   
62,507
 
Dealer holdbacks
   
106,205
   
90,578
 
Dealer reserves
   
39,848
   
44,119
 
Reorganization costs payable
   
   
5,000
 
               
Total liabilities
   
223,031
   
439,249
 
               
 
Stockholders’ Equity
         
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 8,994,357
shares authorized, issued and outstanding
   
13,798,817
   
13,798,817
 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 36,000,000 shares authorized;
9,965,759 shares issued and outstanding
   
997
   
997
 
Retained earnings (deficit)
   
(2,355,722
)
 
(1,731,382
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
946,982
   
803,244
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
   
12,391,074
   
12,871,676
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
12,614,105
 
$
13,310,925
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
4

FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unaudited
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Revenues
                 
Interest income
 
$
613,821
 
$
307,115
 
$
1,604,761
 
$
739,629
 
Recovery of charged-off finance receivables
   
22,620
   
32,383
   
100,650
   
129,811
 
Other income
   
21,668
   
25,806
   
72,571
   
71,313
 
                           
Total revenues
   
658,109
   
365,304
   
1,777,982
   
940,753
 
                           
Provision for Credit Losses
   
233,559
   
74,032
   
431,847
   
162,573
 
                           
Net Revenues After Provision for Credit Losses
   
424,550
   
291,272
   
1,346,135
   
778,180
 
                           
Operating Expenses
   
586,618
   
502,707
   
1,973,210
   
1,450,626
 
                           
Operating Loss
   
(162,068
)
 
(211,435
)
 
(627,075
)
 
(672,446
)
                     
Nonoperating Income
                         
Gain on settlement of pending claim
   
   
955,973
   
   
955,973
 
Other
   
1,586
   
   
2,735
   
 
                           
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
   
(160,482
)
 
744,538
   
(624,340
)
 
283,527
 
                           
Provision for Income Taxes
   
   
   
   
 
                           
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
(160,482
)
$
744,538
 
$
(624,340
)
$
283,527
 
                           
                           
Basic Income (Loss) Per Share
 
$
(0.02
)
$
0.07
 
$
(0.06
)
$
0.03
 
                           
                           
Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share
 
$
(0.02
)
$
0.04
 
$
(0.06
)
$
0.01
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
5

FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Unaudited
 
   
Redeemable
             
Accumulated
     
   
Convertible
             
Other
     
   
Preferred
 
Common Stock
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
     
   
Stock
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Earnings
 
Income
 
Total
 
                           
Balance, December 31, 2004
 
$
13,798,817
   
9,965,759
 
$
997
 
$
(1,731,382
)
$
803,244
 
$
12,871,676
 
                                       
Net loss
   
   
   
   
(624,340
)
 
   
(624,340
)
                                       
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
   
   
   
   
143,738
   
143,738
 
                                       
Comprehensive loss
   
   
   
   
   
   
(480,602
)
                                       
Balance, September 30, 2005
 
$
13,798,817
   
9,965,759
 
$
997
 
$
(2,355,722
)
$
946,982
 
$
12,391,074
 
                                       
                                       
                                       
Balance, December 31, 2003
 
$
13,798,817
   
9,965,759
 
$
997
 
$
(1,747,658
)
$
550,436
 
$
12,602,592
 
                                       
Net income
   
   
   
   
283,527
   
   
283,527
 
                                       
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
   
   
   
   
78,788
   
78,788
 
                                       
Comprehensive income
   
   
   
   
   
   
362,315
 
                                       
Cancellation of stock issued in error
   
   
(1,726
)
 
   
   
   
 
                                       
Balance, September 30, 2004
 
$
13,798,817
   
9,965,759
 
$
997
 
$
(1,464,131
)
$
629,224
 
$
12,964,907
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
6

FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited
 
   
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
Operating Activities
         
Net income (loss)
 
$
(624,340
)
$
283,527
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities
             
Depreciation
   
43,326
   
42,710
 
Provision for credit losses
   
431,847
   
162,573
 
Deferred discount income
   
(491,606
)
 
(300,352
)
Recovery of charged-off finance receivables
   
162,183
   
108,812
 
Gain on settlement of pending claims
   
   
(955,973
)
Changes in
             
Other assets
   
(58,957
)
 
(26,141
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
(223,300
)
 
(43,911
)
Reorganization costs payable
   
(5,000
)
 
(15,000
)
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(765,847
)
 
(743,755
)
               
Investing Activities
             
Purchase of finance receivables
   
(8,933,881
)
 
(3,478,349
)
Principal collected on finance receivables
   
3,953,024
   
2,350,550
 
Payments of dealer reserves
   
(14,692
)
 
(12,589
)
Payments of dealer holdbacks
   
(134,069
)
 
(114,585
)
Principal collected on notes receivable
   
60,780
   
32,247
 
Purchase of property and equipment
   
(18,184
)
 
(41,016
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
   
2,000
   
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(5,085,022
)
 
(1,263,742
)
               
Financing Activities
             
Settlement proceeds from previously pending claims
   
   
6,955,973
 
Payment of deferred financing fees
   
   
(25,000
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
   
6,930,973
 
               
               
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
15,209
   
14,919
 
               
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
   
(5,835,660
)
 
4,938,395
 
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
   
8,779,211
   
4,280,766
 
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
 
$
2,943,551
 
$
9,219,161
 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
7

FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Unaudited
 
Note 1:  General
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Freedom Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for reporting on Form 10-QSB. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements have been omitted. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-SB/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 28, 2005.
 
The information contained herein reflects all normal and recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and financial position. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
Note 2:  Basis of Presentation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Freedom Financial Group, Inc. (FFG), successor by merger to Stevens Financial Group, Inc. (SFG) and SFG’s wholly owned subsidiaries, SFC Funding Corporation (SFC) and SFC Automobile Receivables Trust 2000A (SFC Trust) and FFG’s wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, T.C.G. - The Credit Group Inc. (TCG), formerly Sinclair Credit Group Co., all of which collectively comprise a single reporting segment, the “Company.” All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
In accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code (SOP 90-7), the Company adopted fresh start reporting as of January 1, 2003, the effective date of the Plan of Reorganization.

8

 
Note 3:  Finance Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses
 
Finance receivables consist of the following at September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively:
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Automobiles
 
$
7,764,086
 
$
2,183,510
 
Equipment leases
   
816,096
   
999,724
 
Bulk food
   
811,964
   
962,070
 
Home appliances
   
265,966
   
274,800
 
Other
   
471,068
   
485,736
 
Total finance receivables
   
10,129,180
   
4,905,840
 
               
Less
             
Unearned discount
   
630,890
   
518,899
 
Allowance for credit losses
   
390,343
   
296,233
 
     
1,021,233
   
815,132
 
Net finance receivables
 
$
9,107,947
 
$
4,090,708
 
 
Approximately 36% and 63% of the above finance receivables as of September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, are Canadian in origin.
 
Amounts contractually receivable (including principal and interest) under our finance receivables at September 30, 2005, were as shown in the following table. The Company expects our actual collections to differ significantly from the amounts presented below as a result of prepayments, delinquent payments, partial payments and nonpayments.
 
2005
 
$
1,717,123
 
2006
   
5,145,012
 
2007
   
3,500,359
 
2008
   
2,266,141
 
2009
   
644,196
 
2010
   
12,889
 
Total
 
$
13,285,720
 
 
Activity in the allowance for credit losses related to finance receivables for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, was as follows:
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
317,934
 
$
282,232
 
Provision charged to expense
   
233,559
   
74,032
 
Losses charged off
   
(332,569
)
 
(65,244
)
Recoveries of previously charged off amounts
   
158,851
   
30,603
 
Effect of foreign currency translation
   
12,568
   
8,118
 
Balance, end of period
 
$
390,343
 
$
329,741
 
               
 
9

 
Activity in the allowance for credit losses related to finance receivables for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, was as follows:
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
296,233
 
$
196,698
 
Provision charged to expense
   
431,847
   
162,573
 
Losses charged off
   
(652,492
)
 
(142,696
)
Recoveries of previously charged off amounts
   
304,384
   
110,557
 
Effect of foreign currency translation
   
10,371
   
2,609
 
Balance, end of period
 
$
390,343
 
$
329,741
 
               
 
The Company’s nonearning finance receivables totaled $66,916 at September 30, 2005. The Company provided an allowance for credit losses related to these receivables of $60,224.
 
Note 4:  Commitments
 
The Company had outstanding commitments to purchase finance receivables totaling approximately $1,910,000 as of September 30, 2005. These commitments generally expire between 20 and 30 days after they are issued if unused. Typically the Company funds approximately 25% of its outstanding commitments.
 
Note 5:  Income (Loss) Per Share
 
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income/(loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share except the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued. Since the effect of converting the shares of redeemable preferred stock would be antidilutive for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively (due to the net losses for those periods), basic and diluted loss per share amounts for those periods are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.
 
So long as any preferred stock is outstanding, no dividend or distribution shall be declared or paid on any shares of common stock.
 
10


Loss per share for the three months ended September 30, 2005, was computed as follows:
 
       
Weighted
     
       
Average
 
Per Share
 
   
Loss
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
               
Net loss
 
$
(160,482
)
 
9,965,759
       
Basic and diluted loss per share
             
$
(0.02
)

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2004, were computed as follows:
 
       
Weighted
     
       
Average
 
Per Share
 
   
Income
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
               
Net income
 
$
744,538
   
9,965,759
       
Basic earnings per share
             
$
0.07
 
                     
Effect of presumed conversion of convertible preferred stock
   
   
8,994,357
       
                     
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
744,538
   
18,960,116
 
$
0.04
 

Loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, was computed as follows:
 
   
Loss
 
Weighted
Average
Shares
 
Per Share
Amount
 
               
Net loss
 
$
(624,340
)
 
9,965,759
       
Basic and diluted loss per share
             
$
(0.06
)
 

 
Basic and diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, were computed as follows:
 
       
Weighted
     
       
Average
 
Per Share
 
   
Income
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
               
Net income
 
$
283,527
   
9,966,332
       
Basic earnings per share
             
$
0.03
 
                     
Effect of presumed conversion of convertible preferred stock
   
   
8,994,357
       
                     
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
283,527
   
18,960,689
 
$
0.01
 

11



Note 6:  Operating Expenses
 
The components of operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, are as follows:
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Salaries and benefits
 
$
351,014
 
$
272,730
 
Professional fees
   
91,887
   
40,428
 
Bankruptcy reorganization costs
   
   
71,941
 
Other
   
143,717
   
117,608
 
               
   
$
586,618
 
$
502,707
 
 
The components of operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, are as follows:
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Salaries and benefits
 
$
1,137,288
 
$
814,595
 
Professional fees
   
380,355
   
155,194
 
Pending claims related legal fees
   
   
57,328
 
Bankruptcy reorganization costs
   
   
90,818
 
Other
   
455,567
   
332,691
 
 
             
   
$
1,973,210
 
$
1,450,626
 
 
12

 
Note 7:  Foreign Operations
 
The Company’s foreign operations, all of which are in Canada, are conducted through its wholly owned subsidiary, T.C.G. - The Credit Group Inc. based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Total assets, net of valuation allowances, associated with foreign operations were $4,126,787 at September 30, 2005.
 
Total revenues, income (loss) before taxes and net income (loss) from foreign operations for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, were as shown below. Income (loss) before income taxes and net income (loss) reflect interest charges on amounts due to FFG of $74,699 and $47,689 for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Income (loss) before income taxes and net income (loss) also reflect management and accounting fees charged to TCG by FFG for certain administrative services performed by FFG on TCG’s behalf of $24,000 for each of the three month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. These interest charges and management and accounting fees eliminate in consolidation.
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Total revenues
 
$
258,613
 
$
214,342
 
               
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
(47,103
)
 
21,064
 
               
Net income (loss)
   
(47,103
)
 
21,064
 

Total revenues, income (loss) before taxes and net income (loss) from foreign operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, were as shown below. Income (loss) before income taxes and net income (loss) reflect interest charges on amounts due to FFG of $202,732 and $134,472 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Income (loss) before income taxes and net income (loss) also reflect management and accounting fees charged to TCG by FFG for certain administrative services performed by FFG on TCG’s behalf of $72,000 for each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. These interest charges and management and accounting fees eliminate in consolidation.
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Total revenues
 
$
730,245
 
$
582,048
 
               
Income (loss) before income taxes
   
(81,743
)
 
67,709
 
               
Net income (loss)
   
(81,743
)
 
67,709
 

 
13

 
Note 8:  Comprehensive Income
 
The components of comprehensive income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(160,482
)
$
744,538
 
$
(624,340
)
$
283,527
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
207,653
   
186,400
   
143,738
   
78,788
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
47,171
 
$
930,938
 
$
(480,602
)
$
362,315
 

 
Note 9:  Additional Cash Flow Information
 
The Company made no cash payments for interest or income taxes during the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
 
Note 10:  Subsequent Event
 
On October 10, 2005 the Company entered into an agency agreement with an investment bank to act as the Company’s exclusive placement agent in assisting the Company to raise additional debt and/or equity capital. The Company has agreed to pay the investment bank a nonrefundable advisory fee of $60,000, $10,000 of which was paid on October 10, 2005. The remaining $50,000 is payable in monthly installments of $10,000 each over the next five months. The Company has also agreed to pay the investment bank a transaction fee equal to the greater of (i) 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised from the sale of securities plus 1.5% of the aggregate gross proceeds of a commercial loan transaction or (ii) $250,000. This transaction fee shall be reduced by the amount of any advisory fee previously paid to the investment bank. The Company is also required to issue warrants pursuant to which the investment bank shall have the right to purchase securities of the Company having an aggregate value equal to the greater of (i) 10% of the value of the securities issued or (ii) the amount of the transaction fee.
 
14

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

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “intend,”“anticipate,”“believe,”“estimate,”“plan,” and “expect,” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are considered to be forward-looking statements. We express our expectations, beliefs or projections in good faith and believe our expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions; however, we cannot assure you that these expectations, beliefs or projections will prove to have been correct. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements include, among other things: (i) the risks associated with business expansion; (ii) the ability to obtain sufficient outside debt and/or equity financing on terms acceptable to us in order to meet our cash requirements over the coming 12 months; (iii) our ability to compete successfully against competitors with significantly greater financial, marketing and advertising resources than the Company; and (iv) the risk of adverse economic conditions lessening demand for our products.

Readers are referred to the caption “Risk Factors” appearing at the end of Item 1, Description of Business in our registration statement on Form 10-SB/A, filed on September 28, 2005, for additional factors that may affect our forward-looking statements. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this Form 10-QSB might not occur. We undertake no obligation to update or revise our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the related notes thereto and other information included or incorporated by reference herein.

Overview

We are a consumer finance company specializing in the acquisition, collection and servicing of sub-prime automobile loans purchased from independent used car dealers. We invest significant amounts of cash to acquire Installment Contracts. (As used herein, the term “Installment Contract” includes all motor vehicle installment contracts, consumer installment contracts and small ticket leases acquired by the Company.) We generate cash over the terms of those Installment Contracts in the form of interest and principal payments we collect.

Our primary source of revenue is interest income generated from our portfolio of Installment Contracts.

15

The Company’s predecessor, SFG, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 19, 2001. See Part I, Item 1, under the heading Reorganization of Predecessor Under Chapter 11 in the Company’s registration statement on Form 10-SB/A, filed on September 28, 2005.

As a result of the Company’s reorganization, the Company’s U.S. operations were suspended between March 19, 2001 and January 1, 2003. From January 1, 2003 through October of 2004, the Company engaged in limited operations. Due to this lengthy period of suspended or limited operations, when the Company fully re-entered the U.S. marketplace in October of 2004 it was essentially as a “start-up” organization. We consider ourselves to be a “growth” company, in that our primary focus is on increasing the size of our Installment Contracts portfolio. Our goal is to grow our portfolio to a size such that the interest income generated from the portfolio is sufficient to provide consistent operating profits.

The Company’s primary focus is on acquiring sub-prime automobile loans from independent used car dealers. In addition, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary, TCG, has in the past acquired a variety of consumer Installment Contracts, including small ticket leases, loans secured by home appliances and other consumer goods, and loans for bulk food purchases. While TCG will continue to acquire these types of Installment Contracts, TCG’s primary focus is on acquiring sub-prime automobile loans from independent used car dealers. On a consolidated basis, the Company’s portfolio of outstanding Installment Contracts has been increasingly comprised of sub-prime automobile loans. The trend in the percentage of the Company’s outstanding receivables from automobile-secured Installment Contracts is as follows:
 
 
December 31, 2003
17%
 
December 31, 2004
45%
 
March 31, 2005
61%
 
June 30, 2005
72%
 
September 30, 2005
77%
 
The Company is devoting the majority of its marketing resources and efforts to acquiring sub-prime automobile loans, and anticipates that this trend will continue over the coming twelve months.

Over the course of the next year, in addition to closely monitoring this trend, the Company’s management will be focused on the following:

(1)  
Consistently acquiring an increasing volume of sub-prime automobile-secured Installment Contracts, through our point-of-sale programs, that meet the Company’s underwriting guidelines;

(2)  
Obtaining additional outside debt and/or equity financing to meet the Company’s future cash requirements;

(3)  
Minimizing the credit losses in the Installment Contracts portfolio; and

(4)  
Monitoring key performance measures, including cost per loan acquired, book-to-look ratio (computed as the number of contracts acquired compared to the number of credit applications received/reviewed), turnaround time for responding to credit applications submitted by dealers, and turnaround time for funding a loan package submitted by a dealer.

 
16


Recent Developments

Pursuant to a vote of the Company’s Board of Directors on July 21, 2005, the Company is no longer acquiring Installment Contracts in bulk purchase transactions. The Board has directed the Company’s management to focus its efforts and resources on expanding the Company’s point-of-sale automobile financing program. Several factors were considered by the Board in reaching this decision, among them: (a) the increasing volume of point-of-sale Installment Contracts being purchased by the Company; (b) the Company’s inability to consistently consummate bulk transaction purchases; (c) the desire to conserve cash for purchasing point-of-sale Installment Contracts; and (d) the lack of profits generated from the bulk purchase line of business.

On October 10, 2005 the Company entered into an agency agreement with an investment bank to act as the Company’s exclusive placement agent in connection with a transaction involving the following (a “Transaction”): (a) the private placement by the Company of equity, equity-related or debt securities, or (b) obtaining a secured or unsecured commercial loan. Securities offered in the private placement will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), and the private placement is to be effected in reliance upon applicable exemptions from the registration requirements set forth in the 1933 Act, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. The terms of the securities have not yet been determined.

The Company has agreed to pay to the investment bank (a) a nonrefundable “Advisory Fee” of $60,000 (of which $10,000 was paid at the signing of the agreement and the balance is payable in five monthly installments of $10,000 each), and (b) upon the closing of a Transaction, a “Transaction Fee” equal to the greater of (i) 8% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised from the sale of securities in a private placement plus 1.5% of the aggregate gross proceeds of a commercial loan transaction, or (ii) $250,000. The amount of the Advisory Fee paid to the investment bank will be credited against the amount of any Transaction Fee payable to the investment bank upon the closing of a Transaction. The Company has also agreed to reimburse the investment bank for reasonable expenses, which shall not exceed $20,000 without the prior consent of the Company.

In addition, upon the closing of a Transaction, the Company is required to issue warrants pursuant to which the investment bank shall have the right to purchase securities of the Company having an aggregate value equal to the greater of (a) 10% of the value of the securities issued in the Transaction or (b) the amount of the Transaction Fee. The warrants shall be non-cancelable and shall have: (a) an exercise price per share equal to the common equivalent price per share of securities sold in the offering; (b) a term of five years; (c) the same rights and privileges as the securities issued in the Transaction, and (d) a “net issuance” or cashless exercise feature and standard anti-dilution protections.

17

The agency agreement is for an initial term of twelve months or until the consummation of a Transaction, which ever occurs first. Either party may terminate the agency agreement at any time, with or without cause, upon thirty days’ prior written notice. Notwithstanding any expiration or termination of the agreement, the investment bank shall be entitled to the full amount of any Transaction Fee or warrants in the event a Transaction is consummated at any time within eighteen months from the date of such expiration or termination. The agreement contains certain confidentiality and indemnification provisions, and provides for arbitration in the event of certain disputes between the parties.
 
Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company considers the determination of the allowance for credit losses to involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity than its other significant accounting policies. The allowance for credit losses is calculated with the objective of maintaining an allowance for credit losses that management believes is adequate to absorb reasonably estimable probable losses in the Company’s portfolio of Installment Contracts. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is based on periodic evaluations of the Company’s portfolio of Installment Contracts and other relevant factors. However, this evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates, including, among others, expected default probabilities, value of collateral, the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on delinquent loans, estimated losses and general amounts for historical loss experience. The process also considers prevailing and expected future economic conditions, uncertainties in estimating losses and inherent risks in the Installment Contracts portfolio. All of these factors may be subject to significant change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provisions for credit losses may be required that would adversely impact our earnings in future periods.

The Company’s management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a regular basis. This evaluation is based on a review of various quantitative and qualitative analyses. Quantitative analyses include the review of all loans charged-off by asset class, static pool analysis by month of acquisition and by dealer, review of delinquency trends, and analysis of the historical cumulative losses in the portfolio. Other quantitative analyses include a review of the current delinquency ratios and an analysis of the relative size of each asset class in relation to historical amounts. Qualitative analyses include an assessment of prevailing and anticipated economic conditions, trends in deficiency balance collections, trends in the number of loan modifications and extensions, trends in average borrower credit scores and trends in the percentage of balances recovered through sale of collateral. The analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is dependent upon effective quantitative and qualitative analyses, some of which are inherently subjective as they require estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

18


Selected Financial Data

The following table presents selected unaudited summary information regarding our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. This table should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, included herein.

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
Consolidated Summary of Operations:
               
Interest income
$
613,821
 
$
307,115
 
$
1,604,761
 
$
739,629
 
Recovery of charged-off finance receivables
 
22,620
   
32,383
   
100,650
   
129,811
 
Other income
 
21,668
   
25,806
   
72,571
   
71,313
 
Total revenues
 
658,109
   
365,304
   
1,777,982
   
940,753
 
                         
Provision for credit losses
 
233,559
   
74,032
   
431,847
   
162,573
 
                         
Net revenues after provision for credit losses
 
424,550
   
291,272
   
1,346,135
   
778,180
 
                         
Operating expenses
 
586,618
   
502,707
   
1,973,210
   
1,450,626
 
                         
Operating loss
 
(162,068
)
 
(211,435
)
 
(627,075
)
 
(672,446
)
                         
Non-operating income
 
1,586
   
955,973
   
2,735
   
955,973
 
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
(160,482
)
 
744,538
   
(624,340
)
 
283,527
 
                         
Income taxes
 
   
   
   
 
                         
Net loss
$
(160,482
)
$
744,538
 
$
(624,340
)
$
283,527
 
                         
Basic earnings per share
$
(0.02
)
$
0.07
 
$
(0.06
)
$
0.03
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
(0.02
)
$
0.04
 
$
(0.06
)
$
0.01
 
Other Selected Data:
                       
Installment Contracts acquired during the period (total principal amount)
$
3,171,617
 
$
1,915,500
 
$
9,750,545
 
$
4,220,070
 
Purchase price of Installment Contracts acquired
$
3,002,790
 
$
1,636,978
 
$
9,058,592
 
$
3,600,409
 
Percentage of dollar amount paid to principal balance acquired
 
94.7
%
 
85.5
%
 
92.9
%
 
85.3
%
Number of Installment Contracts acquired during the period
 
469
   
536
   
1,642
   
1,287
 
Average principal balance acquired
$
6,763
 
$
3,574
 
$
5,938
 
$
3,279
 
Acquisition cost per acquired Installment Contract (including overhead)
$
635
   
Not available
 
$
571
   
Not available
 
Monthly servicing cost per Installment Contract (including overhead)
$
20.93
   
Not available
 
$
28.19
   
Not available
 
                         
 
 
19

The following table presents selected unaudited summary information regarding our financial condition as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004. This table should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto, included herein.

   
September 30,
2005
 
December 31,
2004
 
Consolidated Summary of Financial Condition:
         
Installment Contracts receivable, net
 
$
9,107,947
 
$
4,090,708
 
Total assets
 
$
12,614,105
 
$
13,310,925
 
               
Total liabilities
 
$
223,031
 
$
439,249
 
Total stockholders' equity
 
$
12,391,074
 
$
12,871,676
 
               

Results of Operations

Interest Income

Our interest income totaled $613,821 and $1,604,761 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, compared to $307,115 and $739,629 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.

The following tables present information relative to the average balances and interest rates of our interest earning assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
   
Average
 
Interest
     
Average
 
Interest
     
   
Balance
 
Income
 
Yield
 
Balance
 
Income
 
Yield
 
                           
Installment Contracts
 
$
8,748,961
 
$
585,368
   
26.76%
 
$
3,274,370
 
$
281,249
   
34.36%
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
3,617,994
   
27,682
   
3.06%
 
 
6,188,289
   
19,839
   
1.28%
 
Notes receivable
   
15,389
   
771
   
20.04%
 
 
191,835
   
6,027
   
12.57%
 
                                       
Total
 
$
12,382,344
 
$
613,821
   
19.83%
 
$
9,654,494
 
$
307,115
   
12.72%
 
                                       
 
                         


20



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
   
Average
 
Interest
     
Average
 
Interest
     
   
Balance
 
Income
 
Yield
 
Balance
 
Income
 
Yield
 
                           
Installment Contracts
 
$
6,930,311
 
$
1,490,134
   
28.67%
 
$
2,712,946
 
$
682,545
   
33.55%
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
5,648,626
   
110,912
   
2.62%
 
 
4,810,425
   
39,557
   
1.10%
 
Notes receivable
   
47,233
   
3,715
   
10.49%
 
 
202,989
   
17,527
   
11.51%
 
                                       
Total
 
$
12,626,170
 
$
1,604,761
   
16.95%
 
$
7,726,360
 
$
739,629
   
12.76%
 
                                       
 
                         

The decrease in yield on our Installment Contracts is primarily the result of changes in the mix of our portfolio. Throughout 2004 and the first nine months of 2005 our portfolio of Installment Contracts has been increasingly comprised of contracts acquired through our point-of-sale automobile financing programs. These contracts typically have lower yields than the other types of contracts in our portfolio, among them, automobile contracts acquired in bulk purchase transactions, small ticket leases, loans secured by home appliances and other consumer goods and loans for bulk food purchases. Our total interest yield has increased as Installment Contracts have comprised a higher percentage of our total interest earning assets.

The following tables set forth the changes in interest income attributable to changes in volume (change in average balance multiplied by the prior period yield) and changes in rate (change in yield multiplied by the prior period average balance). Changes due to the rate/volume variance (the combined effect of change in yield and change in average balance) have been allocated proportionately based on the absolute value of the rate and volume variances.

 
 
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2005 Compared
to the
Three Months Ended September 30, 2004
 
 
             
 
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Total
 
Increase (decrease) in interest income:
                   
Installment Contracts
 
$
350,453
 
$
(46,334
)
$
304,119
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
(3,355
)
 
11,199
   
7,844
 
Notes receivable
   
(14,872
)
 
9,615
   
(5,257
)
 
                   
Total Interest Income
 
$
332,226
 
$
(25,520
)
$
306,706
 
 
             


21

 
 
             
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005
Compared
to the Nine Months
Ended September 30, 2004
 
 
             
 
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Total
 
Increase (decrease) in interest income:
                   
Installment Contracts
 
$
890,893
 
$
(83,306
)
$
807,587
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
7,960
   
63,397
   
71,357
 
Notes receivable
   
(12,375
)
 
(1,437
)
 
(13,812
)
 
                   
Total Interest Income
 
$
886,478
 
$
(21,346
)
$
865,132
 
 
Provision for Credit Losses

Our consolidated provision for credit losses totaled $233,559 and $431,847 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, compared to $74,032 and $162,573 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. These increases are a result of the increase in the size of our portfolio of Installment Contracts. As the Company continues to acquire Installment Contracts, and our average contracts receivable outstanding increases, we expect the charge to our earnings for credit losses will likewise increase.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses totaled $586,618 and $1,973,210 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, compared to $502,707 and $1,450,626 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. A summary of these expenses follows:

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
Percent Change
 
               
Salaries and benefits
 
$
351,014
 
$
272,730
   
28.7
%
Professional fees
   
91,887
   
40,428
   
127.3
%
Bankruptcy reorganization costs
   
   
71,941
   
-100.0
%
Other
   
143,717
   
117,608
   
22.2
%
Total
 
$
586,618
 
$
502,707
   
16.7
%
 
22

 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
Percent Change
 
               
Salaries and benefits
 
$
1,137,288
 
$
814,595
   
39.6
%
Professional fees
   
380,355
   
155,194
   
145.1
%
Bankruptcy reorganization costs
   
   
90,818
   
-100.0
%
Pending claims - legal fees
   
   
57,328
   
-100.0
%
Other
   
455,567
   
332,691
   
36.9
%
Total
 
$
1,973,210
 
$
1,450,626
   
36.0
%

Salaries and benefits increased primarily as a result of an increase in the number of persons employed by the Company during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 compared to the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004, respectively.  The Company employed approximately 26 and 20 full-time employees at September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2004, respectively. This increase in the number of employees was necessitated by the Company’s growth during calendar year 2004 and during the first nine months of 2005.  As the Company continues to grow we expect our salaries and benefits costs to increase, but anticipate that as a percentage of total revenues for these costs to decrease.

The increases in professional fees are attributable to increases in legal and accounting fees primarily resulting from services rendered in connection with the Company’s initial registration with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.  We incurred bankruptcy reorganization costs during 2004 which did not recur in 2005 as a result of the reorganization activities concluding in 2004. We also incurred legal fees during 2004 in connection with our claims against FFTC and BancInsure which did not recur in 2005 as a result of the Company reaching a settlement of those claims during the third quarter of 2004. (See Part I, Item 1, under the heading Emergence From Chapter 11 Reorganization in the Company’s registration statement on Form 10-SB/A, filed on September 28, 2005.) Other operating costs, which include, among other items, occupancy costs, licenses and taxes, depreciation, insurance, postage, supplies, communications, travel and stockholder relations increased primarily as a result of the Company’s growth during calendar year 2004 and the first nine months of 2005.

Our growth plan, if achieved, will cause our operating costs to increase over time.

Beginning January 1, 2005 the Company began classifying its operating expenses as either acquisition costs, servicing costs or administrative costs. Acquisition costs include all direct marketing, business development and underwriting expenses, and an allocation of certain overhead costs. Servicing costs include all direct collections and servicing expenses and an allocation of certain overhead costs. Administrative costs include all general administrative expenses and all other costs not specifically identified as, or allocated to, acquisition or servicing costs. Using these classifications the Company began determining its average acquisition cost per acquired Installment Contract and its average monthly servicing cost per serviced Installment Contract.

The Company’s average acquisition cost over the three months ended September 30, 2005 was approximately $635 per acquired Installment Contract. This average acquisition cost is significantly impacted by the Company’s book-to-look ratio. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company’s book-to-look ratio in our U.S. point-of sale automobile financing program was 5.87%. Management is attempting to increase this ratio, and thereby reduce our average acquisition cost, by training our Customers to send the Company only those credit applications that have a high probability of being approved by us. (The Company collectively refers to all automobile dealerships, sales merchants and lease brokers from whom it acquires Installment Contracts as “Customers”.)

23

The Company’s average monthly servicing cost per serviced Installment Contract during the three months ended September 30, 2005 was $20.93 per contract. Management anticipates that this average servicing cost per contract will decrease as the size of the portfolio of Installment Contracts increases due to efficiency gains and economies of scale. The Company does not pay affiliates to engage in collection efforts.

While the Company does not formally track our response time for responding to credit applications submitted by dealers or our response time for funding a loan package submitted by a dealer, we monitor these on a daily basis. Our goal is reduce these response times to better serve the needs of our Customers. We believe that reducing these response times will also reduce our overall costs of underwriting and funding. The Company is evaluating certain monitoring mechanisms that will allow us to precisely document and better monitor these times. We anticipate installing such mechanisms sometime during 2006.

Nonoperating Income

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company recognized a $955,973 gain on the settlement of a bankruptcy-related claim which is reflected as nonoperating income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
 
Financial Condition

Installment Contracts Portfolio

The Company acquired Installment Contracts with outstanding principal balances totaling $3,171,617 and $9,750,545 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.  We invested cash of approximately $3,039,000 and $9,083,000, respectively, (including payments of dealer reserves and dealer holdbacks) to acquire these contracts.  As a result of these acquisitions, our portfolio of Installment Contracts, net of allowances for credit losses, increased from $4,090,708, net of an allowance for credit losses of $296,233, at December 31, 2004 to $9,107,947, net of an allowance for credit losses of $390,343, at September 30, 2005.

All of the Company’s Installment Contracts are held for investment and are recorded at their outstanding principal balances adjusted for unamortized purchase discounts and an allowance for credit losses. Discounts on purchased Installment Contracts are recognized as income over the respective contractual terms using methods that approximate the interest method. A summary of our Installment Contracts portfolio as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, follows:

24



   
September 30, 2005
 
December 31, 2004
 
   
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
Automobiles
 
$
6,521,997
 
$
1,242,089
 
$
7,764,086
 
$
1,963,446
 
$
220,064
 
$
2,183,510
 
Equipment leases
   
   
816,096
   
816,096
   
   
999,724
   
999,724
 
Bulk food
   
   
811,964
   
811,964
   
   
962,070
   
962,070
 
Home appliances
   
   
265,966
   
265,966
   
   
274,800
   
274,800
 
Other
   
   
471,068
   
471,068
   
   
485,736
   
485,736
 
Total
   
6,521,997
   
3,607,183
   
10,129,180
   
1,963,446
   
2,942,394
   
4,905,840
 
                                       
Less
                                     
Unearned discount
   
426,248
   
204,642
   
630,890
   
297,190
   
221,709
   
518,899
 
Allowance for credit losses
   
188,968
   
201,375
   
390,343
   
139,921
   
156,312
   
296,233
 
Net
 
$
5,906,781
 
$
3,201,166
 
$
9,107,947
 
$
1,526,335
 
$
2,564,373
 
$
4,090,708
 

Asset Quality

Substantially all of the Installment Contracts we acquire are considered sub-prime and are subject to a high degree of risk of default by the obligors.

Charge-offs directly impact our earnings and cash flows. To minimize the amount of credit losses we incur, we monitor delinquent accounts, promptly repossess and remarket collateral, attempt to collect deficiency balances, and employ other servicing and collection techniques as we deem appropriate.

We calculate delinquency based on the number of days payments are contractually past due. The following table sets forth information with respect to the delinquency of our portfolio of Installment Contracts as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively:
 
   
September 30, 2005
 
   
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
   
Amount
 
Pct.
 
Amount
 
Pct.
 
Amount
 
Pct.
 
                           
Installment Contracts
 
$
6,521,997
   
100%
 
$
3,607,183
   
100%
 
$
10,129,180
   
100%
 
                                       
Period of delinquency:
                                     
30 - 59 days
 
$
380,242
   
5.83%
 
$
41,706
   
1.16%
 
$
421,948
   
4.17%
 
60 - 89 days
   
78,498
   
1.20%
 
 
26,864
   
0.74%
 
 
105,362
   
1.04%
 
90 - 119 days
   
29,722
   
0.46%
 
 
37,193
   
1.03%
 
 
66,915
   
0.66%
 
                                       
Total
 
$
488,462
   
7.49%
 
$
105,763
   
2.93%
 
$
594,225
   
5.87%
 

25



                           
   
December 31, 2004
 
   
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
   
Amount
 
Pct.
 
Amount
 
Pct.
 
Amount
 
Pct.
 
                           
Installment Contracts
 
$
1,963,446
   
100%
 
$
2,942,394
   
100%
 
$
4,905,840
   
100%
 
                                       
Period of delinquency:
                                     
30 - 59 days
 
$
167,009
   
8.51%
 
$
50,547
   
1.72%
 
$
217,556
   
4.43%
 
60 - 89 days
   
60,788
   
3.10%
 
 
15,660
   
0.53%
 
 
76,448
   
1.56%
 
90 - 119 days
   
24,133
   
1.23%
 
 
21,434
   
0.73%
 
 
45,567
   
0.93%
 
                                       
Total
 
$
251,930
   
12.83%
 
$
87,641
   
2.98%
 
$
339,571
   
6.92%
 


The following tables set forth information with respect to actual credit loss experience in our portfolio of Installment Contracts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2005
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2004
 
   
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
                           
Installment Contracts, net of unearned discounts, end of period
 
$
6,095,749
 
$
3,402,541
 
$
9,498,290
 
$
1,239,463
 
$
2,450,203
 
$
3,689,666
 
                                       
Installment Contracts, net of unearned discounts, average during the period (1)
 
$
5,571,111
 
$
3,177,850
 
$
8,748,961
 
$
1,014,166
 
$
2,260,205
 
$
3,274,371
 
                                       
Gross charge-offs
 
$
249,738
 
$
82,831
 
$
332,569
 
$
38,651
 
$
26,593
 
$
65,244
 
Recoveries
   
125,881
   
32,970
   
158,851
   
   
30,603
   
30,603
 
                                       
Net charge-offs
 
$
123,857
 
$
49,861
 
$
173,718
 
$
38,651
 
$
(4,010
)
$
34,641
 
                                       
Net charge-offs as a % of avg. contracts during the period, annualized
   
8.89
%
 
6.28
%
 
7.94
%
 
15.24
%
 
(0.71
)%
 
4.23
%
                                       
(1) - Average is based on month-end balances


26



   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2004
 
   
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
                           
Installment Contracts, net of unearned discounts, end of period
 
$
6,095,749
 
$
3,402,541
 
$
9,498,290
 
$
1,239,463
 
$
2,450,203
 
$
3,689,666
 
                                       
Installment Contracts, net of unearned discounts, average during the period (1)
 
$
4,091,902
 
$
2,838,409
 
$
6,930,311
 
$
626,025
 
$
2,086,921
 
$
2,712,946
 
                                       
Gross charge-offs
 
$
484,203
 
$
168,289
 
$
652,492
 
$
42,962
 
$
99,736
 
$
142,698
 
Recoveries
   
219,159
   
85,225
   
304,384
   
   
110,557
   
110,557
 
                                       
Net charge-offs
 
$
265,044
 
$
83,064
 
$
348,108
 
$
42,962
 
$
(10,821
)
$
32,141
 
                                       
Net charge-offs as a % of avg. contracts during the period, annualized
   
8.64
%
 
3.90
%
 
6.70
%
 
9.15
%
 
(0.69
)%
 
1.58
%
                                       
(1) - Average is based on month-end balances

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses at an amount it believes is adequate to absorb reasonably estimable probable losses in its portfolio of Installment Contracts. The Company’s management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on a regular basis. In performing these periodic evaluations, management follows an appropriately-documented methodology. This methodology requires management to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses based on a review of various quantitative and qualitative analyses as described in this Item 2, MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, under the heading Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates.

Our allowance for credit losses was $390,343 at September 30, 2005 compared to $296,233 at December 31, 2004. As a percentage of our outstanding net Installment Contracts, our allowance for credit losses was 4.11% at September 30, 2005 and 6.75% at December 31, 2004.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, our net Installment Contracts increased $5,111,349. This increase was the result of a $5,440,351 increase in automobile-secured contracts offset by a $329,002 decrease in all other Installment Contracts. The $5,440,351 increase in automobile-secured Installment Contracts was comprised of a $4,609,422 increase in Installment Contracts acquired through our U.S. point-of-sale program and a $1,010,858 increase in Installment Contracts acquired through our Canadian point-of-sale program, offset by a $179,929 decrease in Installment Contracts acquired through bulk purchases.

As a result of the increases in automobile-secured Installment Contracts in our U.S. and Canadian portfolios from December 31, 2004 to September 30, 2005, we provided for a specific increase to our allowance for credit losses through a charge to earnings. This increase in our allowance for credit losses was partially offset by a specific reduction to our allowance for loan losses to account for the improvement in Installment Contract delinquencies from December 31, 2004 to September 30, 2005. As of December 31, 2004, delinquent accounts, defined as accounts 30 or more days contractually past due, totaled 6.92% of our outstanding Installment Contracts. As of September 30, 2005, delinquent accounts totaled 5.87% of our outstanding Installment Contracts.

27

The Company’s loss history in its U.S. portfolio of Installment Contracts and in its Canadian portfolio of automobile-secured Installment Contracts is limited. Due to this limited operating history, using historical loss ratios to predict future probable losses is of limited usefulness. Additionally, uncertainty exists with respect to the accuracy of our estimates of amounts we will recover through the sale of repossessed collateral and with respect to anticipated future economic conditions, both in the U.S. and Canada, and their effect on the performance of our portfolio of Installment Contracts. To account for these limitations and uncertainties, we recognized an additional provision for credit losses and further increased our allowance for credit losses.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we experienced net charge-offs of $348,108, which represented 6.70% of our average outstanding Installment Contracts during the period. During the year ended December 31, 2004, we experienced net charge-offs of $98,177, which represented 3.22% of our average outstanding Installment Contracts during the year. To account for this increase in charge-offs, we provided for a specific increase to our allowance for credit losses.

Based on the analyses we performed related to our allowance for credit losses as described above and as described in this Item 2, MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS, under the heading Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments, we believe that our allowance for credit losses is adequate to cover probable losses that can be reasonably estimated as of September 30, 2005.


The following tables set forth the activity in the allowance for credit losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively:

   
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2005
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2004
 
   
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
                           
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
153,954
 
$
163,980
 
$
317,934
 
$
157,287
 
$
124,945
 
$
282,232
 
                                       
Charge-offs
   
(249,738
)
 
(82,831
)
 
(332,569
)
 
(38,651
)
 
(26,593
)
 
(65,244
)
Recoveries
   
125,881
   
32,970
   
158,851
   
   
30,603
   
30,603
 
                           
Net charge-offs
   
(123,857
)
 
(49,861
)
 
(173,718
)
 
(38,651
)
 
4,010
   
(34,641
)
                                       
Provision for credit losses
   
158,871
   
74,688
   
233,559
   
63,237
   
10,795
   
74,032
 
                                       
Effect of foreign currency translation
   
   
12,568
   
12,568
   
   
8,118
   
8,118
 
                                       
Balance at end of period
 
$
188,968
 
$
201,375
 
$
390,343
 
$
181,873
 
$
147,868
 
$
329,741
 


28



   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2004
 
   
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
United States
 
Canada
 
Total
 
                           
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
139,921
 
$
156,312
 
$
296,233
 
$
32,463
 
$
164,235
 
$
196,698
 
                                       
Charge-offs
   
(484,203
)
 
(168,289
)
 
(652,492
)
 
(42,962
)
 
(99,736
)
 
(142,698
)
Recoveries
   
219,159
   
85,225
   
304,384
   
   
110,557
   
110,557
 
                           
Net charge-offs
   
(265,044
)
 
(83,064
)
 
(348,108
)
 
(42,962
)
 
10,821
   
(32,141
)
                                       
Provision for credit losses
   
314,091
   
117,756
   
431,847
   
192,372
   
(29,799
)
 
162,573
 
                                       
Effect of foreign currency translation
   
   
10,371
   
10,371
   
   
2,611
   
2,611
 
                                       
Balance at end of period
 
$
188,968
 
$
201,375
 
$
390,343
 
$
181,873
 
$
147,868
 
$
329,741
 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

We require substantial capital resources and cash to support our business strategy.

The Company’s growth strategy requires the Company to increase its acquisitions of Installment Contracts. We intend to acquire Installment Contracts with principal balances totaling between $15,000,000 and $18,000,000 (roughly, between 2,500 and 3,000 Installment Contracts) during the next twelve months. We expect to pay between 92% and 96% of the outstanding principal balance for these Installment Contracts, or a total of $13,800,000 to $17,280,000. We expect to fund these acquisitions from a combination of internally generated cash flow, bank lines of credit and additional equity capital. We can give no assurance that we will be able to secure such additional financing on terms acceptable to us.

The Company began 2005 with $8,779,211 cash on hand and had cash on hand of $2,943,551 at September 30, 2005. Operating activities provided cash of $6,432 during the three month period ended September 30, 2005 and used cash of $765,847 during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Operating activities do not include payments made by the Company to acquire Installment Contracts or the collection of principal on these Installment Contracts. We invested cash of approximately $3,039,000 and $9,083,000 (including payments of dealer reserves and dealer holdbacks) to acquire Installment Contracts during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005, respectively. We collected principal payments on our Installment Contracts of approximately $1,438,000 and $3,953,000 during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2005, respectively.

The Company has no material commitments for capital expenditures as of September 30, 2005. However, the Company anticipates making significant investments in its accounting, servicing and underwriting software systems over the next three to twelve months. The Company expects to spend approximately $160,000 upgrading these systems. We believe these investments will serve to strengthen our internal controls, allow us to quicken our response time to our Customers, provide management with improved reporting tools and fulfill our software needs for the foreseeable future.

29

During the second quarter of 2005 the Company had received an indication of interest (although not a formal commitment) from a lending institution to provide the Company with a $5,000,000 revolving line of credit, to be secured by our Installment Contracts. During the third quarter of 2005 the lending institution informed the Company of its decision, based in part on the limited operating history of the Company, to not extend a line of credit to the Company at this time. Subsequently we have engaged an investment banking firm to assist us in securing debt and/or equity capital. This agreement is more fully described above under the heading Recent Developments. We can give no assurances that the Company will be successful in obtaining additional financing (either debt or equity) on terms acceptable to us.

Each and every calendar quarter, the Company is required to redeem approximately 320,000 outstanding shares of preferred stock, if, at the sole determination of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company’s funds allow such redemption, taking into account the Company’s current and future cash requirements. Given the Company's anticipated liquidity needs, no preferred stock redemptions have been made to date and none are planned in the near term. Management and the Board of Directors believe that by operating the business and investing available cash in Installment Contracts they can provide a greater long-term return to preferred shareholders than would be available through immediate liquidation of the business and redemption of the preferred shares.

As the Company continues to grow, we will need to recruit and hire additional sales, operating and administrative personnel. We expect to be able to fund the costs of these activities from operating cash flows.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company, in its ordinary course of business, commits to purchase certain Installment Contracts from its Customers. Each commitment is essentially an “offer” by the Company to purchase a specific Installment Contract that the Company has pre-approved, and Customers generally have between 20 and 30 days to “accept” the offer by selling to the Company the pre-approved Installment Contract. The Company had outstanding commitments to acquire Installment Contracts totaling approximately $1,910,000 as of September 30, 2005. Typically, the Company funds approximately 25% of its outstanding commitments. The Company had no other off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2005.

30


ITEM 3.  Controls and Procedures 
 
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2005.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
31

 
PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings 
 
The Company is not currently a party to any pending legal proceeding other than routine litigation that is incidental to the Company’s business.

As a consumer finance company, the Company can be subject to various consumer claims and litigation seeking damages and statutory penalties based upon, among other things, usury, disclosure inaccuracies, wrongful repossession, violations of bankruptcy stay provisions, fraud, breach of contract and discriminatory treatment of credit applicants. Some litigation against the Company could take the form of class action complaints by consumers. The Company, as assignee of Installment Contracts originated by dealers, may also be named as a co-defendant in lawsuits filed by consumers principally against dealers. The Company is also subject to other litigation common to the automobile finance industry and businesses in general. The damages and penalties claimed by consumers and others in these types of matters can be substantial. The relief typically requested by the plaintiffs varies but can include requests for compensatory, statutory and punitive damages.

Management believes that the Company has taken prudent steps to address the litigation risks associated with the Company’s business. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully defend against all such claims or that the determination of any such claim in a manner adverse to the Company would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s automobile finance business.

ITEM 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.
 
ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

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

None.
 
ITEM 5.  Other Information

None.
 
32

 
ITEM 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
     
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
     
2.1*
 
Corrected Trustee’s Amended Plan of Reorganization
2.2*
 
Disclosure Statement for Trustee’s Amended Plan of Reorganization
3.1*
 
First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3.1.1*
 
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation
3.2*
 
Bylaws
3.2.1*
 
Amendment to Bylaws
4.1*
 
Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of Freedom Financial Group I Statutory Trust
10.1*
 
Employment Agreement with Jerald L. Fenstermaker
10.2*
 
Investment Banking Agreement with Milestone Advisors, LLC
10.3*
 
Unanimous Consent of the Board of Directors Adopting Executive Management Stock Bonus Plan
10.4*
 
Office Lease - 3058 East Elm
10.5**
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated April 7, 2003, between Freedom Financial Group, Inc. (as Seller) and The Cadle Company (as Buyer)
10.6**
 
Commercial Real Estate Purchase Contract, dated May 9, 2003, between Freedom Financial Group, Inc. (as Seller) and New Life Church of God (as Buyer)
10.7**
 
Real Estate Sale Contract, dated June 4, 2003, between Donald D. Bass and Don W. Bass (as Buyers) and Freedom Financial Group, Inc. (as Seller)
10.8**
 
Application and Order by Bankruptcy Court Approving Employment of Biltmore Associates
11.1
 
Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings - See Note 5 to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
14.1***
 
Code of Ethics
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
 
Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

* Incorporated by reference to the Company’s registration statement filed on Form 10-SB on May 2, 2005 (File Number 000-51286).

** Incorporated by reference to the Company’s first amended registration statement filed on Form 10-SB/A on July 22, 2005 (File Number 000-51286).

*** Incorporated by reference to the Company’s quarterly report filed on Form 10-QSB on August 15, 2005 (File Number 000-51286).

In a Current Report on Form 8-K, filed by the Company on October 12, 2005 (and described under the heading Recent Developments in ITEM 2 herein), the Company reported that on October 10, 2005 the Company entered into an agency agreement with an investment bank to act as the Company’s exclusive placement agent in assisting the Company in raising new debt and/or equity capital.

33


SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
     
  FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 11, 2005 By:   /s/ Jerald L. Fenstermaker
  
Jerald L. Fenstermaker, President and Chief Executive Officer
   
     
Date:  November 11, 2005 By:  /s/ Daniel F. Graham
   

Daniel F. Graham, Chief Financial Officer

 
34