fbrc-10q_20170331.htm

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

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

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

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

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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, as of April 28, 2017 was 7,099,114 shares.

	March 31,			December 31,
	2017			2016
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	75,771		$	75,019
Receivables:
Securities borrowed		910,051			897,343
Due from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations		13,030			4,828
Customers		5,377			2,805
Other		3,821			4,297
Financial instruments owned, at fair value		24,927			32,401
Goodwill and intangible assets		4,360			4,490
Furniture, equipment, software, and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization		12,008			12,624
Prepaid expenses and other assets		3,913			4,134
Total assets	$	1,053,258		$	1,037,941

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Securities loaned	$	913,262		$	892,309
Accrued compensation and benefits		5,754			12,291
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		17,790			15,923
Total liabilities		936,806			920,523

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value 100,000,000 authorized, none issued and outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 7,088,142 and 6,918,306 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		7			7
Additional paid-in capital		255,889			252,311
Restricted stock units		8,961			14,771
Accumulated deficit		(148,405	)		(149,671	)
Total shareholders’ equity		116,452			117,418
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,053,258		$	1,037,941

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2017		2016
Revenues:
Investment banking:
Capital raising	$	22,574	$	2,530
Advisory		38		1,620
Institutional brokerage		7,705		12,184
Net investment income (loss)		443		(918	)
Interest		5,484		8,364
Dividends and other		78		123
Total revenues		36,322		23,903
Interest expense		3,777		6,003
Revenues, net of interest expense		32,545		17,900

Non-interest expenses:
Compensation and benefits		17,900		17,995
Professional services		4,300		1,620
Occupancy and equipment		2,666		3,333
Communications		2,037		2,554
Business development		1,866		1,614
Clearing and brokerage fees		1,134		1,284
Other operating expenses		1,324		1,585
Total non-interest expenses		31,227		29,985
Income (loss) before income taxes		1,318		(12,085	)
Income tax provision (benefit)		52		(6,631	)
Net income (loss)	$	1,266	$	(5,454	)

Income (loss) per share:
Basic income (loss) per share	$	0.18	$	(0.72	)
Diluted income (loss) per share	$	0.17	$	(0.72	)

Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)		7,214		7,567
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands)		7,339		7,567
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.20	$	0.20

	Common Stock Shares			Common Stock Amount		Additional Paid-in Capital			Restricted Stock Units			Accumulated Deficit			Total
Balances at December 31, 2015		6,795		$	7	$	259,011		$	35,929		$	(84,180	)	$	210,767
Net loss		—			—		—			—			(66,004	)		(66,004	)
Common stock dividends		—			—		(6,248	)		—			—			(6,248	)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures		1,427			—		21,863			(21,005	)		—			858
Repurchase of common stock		(756	)		—		(13,104	)		—			—			(13,104	)
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding		(548	)		—		(9,302	)		—			—			(9,302	)
Stock compensation expense for options granted to purchase common stock		—			—		91			—			—			91
Issuance of restricted stock units		—			—		—			(153	)		—			(153	)
Cumulative adjustment for change in accounting principle		—			—		—			—			513			513
Balances at December 31, 2016		6,918		$	7	$	252,311		$	14,771		$	(149,671	)	$	117,418
Net income		—			—		—			—			1,266			1,266
Common stock dividends		—			—		(1,479	)		—			—			(1,479	)
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures		275			—		6,591			(6,500	)		—			91
Repurchase of common stock for employee tax withholding		(105	)		—		(1,537	)		—			—			(1,537	)
Stock compensation expense for options granted to purchase common stock		—			—		3			—			—			3
Issuance of restricted stock units		—			—		—			690			—			690
Balances at March 31, 2017		7,088		$	7	$	255,889		$	8,961		$	(148,405	)	$	116,452

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2017			2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	1,266		$	(5,454	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		854			920
Deferred income taxes		15			(6,631	)
Net investment (income) loss		(443	)		918
Stock compensation		784			(591	)
Other		—			717
Changes in operating assets:
Receivables:
Securities borrowed		(12,708	)		(164,900	)
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations		(4,902	)		(5,468	)
Customers		(2,572	)		(182	)
Affiliates		90			(269	)
Interest, dividends and other		(19	)		(641	)
Trading securities		(2,047	)		2,956
Prepaid expenses and other assets		206			(197	)
Changes in operating liabilities:
Securities loaned		20,953			163,014
Trading account financial instruments sold, not yet purchased		—			1,251
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		2,118			(852	)
Accrued compensation and benefits		(6,133	)		(9,824	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(2,538	)		(25,233	)
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales of and distributions from investments		11,216			21,726
Due from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations		(3,300	)		—
Purchases of investment securities and other investments		(1,252	)		—
Purchases of furniture, equipment, software, and leasehold improvements		(107	)		(287	)
Purchase of securities lending business		—			(1,332	)
Settlement of financial instruments sold, not yet purchased		—			(1,134	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		6,557			18,973
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchases of common stock		(1,537	)		(9,120	)
Dividends paid		(1,730	)		(1,904	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(3,267	)		(11,024	)
Cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		752			(17,284	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		75,019			70,067
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	75,771		$	52,783
Supplemental cash flows disclosures
Interest payments	$	3,687		$	6,003
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Dividends payable	$	437		$	491

The consolidated financial statements of FBR & Co. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Therefore, they do not include all information required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete annual financial statements. The interim financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in order to conform with the current period presentation. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year or any subsequent interim period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (“2016 Form 10-K”).

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions affecting the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and market information (when available) and on various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, management exercises significant judgment in the final determination of its estimates. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

On February 17, 2017, the Company signed a stock for stock merger agreement with B. Riley Financial, Inc., a publicly traded diversified financial services company based in Los Angeles. Pursuant to this agreement, and subject to, among other conditions, shareholder and regulatory approvals, B. Riley Financial, Inc. will acquire the Company. This transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017. Following completion of this merger, the Company will be a subsidiary of B. Riley Financial, Inc.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). We expect the adoption of this ASU to potentially change the timing and presentation of certain revenues and certain related costs in investment banking. Interpretive guidance on ASU 2014-09 continues to be issued and deliberated. The Company will continue to evaluate this guidance and assess the impact of this ASU as it progresses through implementation.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," ("ASU 2016-01"). The amendments in ASU 2016-01 address certain aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial

instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Except for the early application guidance outlined in ASU 2016-01, early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” (“ASU 2016-02”). The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. While the Company is still evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements, it expects that upon adoption it will recognize ROU assets and comparable lease liabilities of approximately $25,000. Additionally, the Company does not expect that adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on its results of operations.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses of Financial Instruments,” which changes the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)”. This ASU requires changes in the presentation of certain items including but not limited to debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies and distributions received from equity method investees. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) — Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. The standard clarifies existing guidance on the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) — Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 805)”. The standard simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. Instead, a goodwill impairment charge will be measured at the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of the reporting unit. This guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The standard must be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

The FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurement” (“ASC 820”), defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, not adjusted for transaction costs. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3) as described below:

Equity securities and warrants—The Company classifies marketable equity securities within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because quoted market prices from an exchange are used to value these securities. Non-public equity securities, which primarily include securities where the Company acted as a placement agent in an offering of equity securities and where the Company facilitates over-the-counter trading activity for the securities, are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. In determining the fair value of these securities, the Company considers enterprise value and analyzes various financial, performance and market factors to estimate the value, including where applicable, over-the-counter market trading activity. Non-exchange traded warrants to purchase equity securities are classified as Level 3 as a Black-Scholes valuation model is used to value these securities.

U.S. government securities, convertible and fixed income debt instruments—The Company classifies U.S. government securities, including highly liquid U.S. Treasury securities within Level 1 as quoted prices are used to value these securities. Convertible and fixed income debt instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as they are valued using quoted market prices provided by a broker or dealer, or alternative pricing services that provide reasonable levels of price transparency. The Company primarily uses price quotes from an independent broker-dealer who makes markets in or is a specialist with expertise in the valuation of these financial instruments. The Company reviews broker or pricing service quotes it receives to assess the reasonableness of the values provided; such reviews include comparison to internal pricing models and, when available, prices observed for recently executed market transactions of comparable size. Based on this assessment, at each reporting date the Company will adjust price quotes it receives if such an adjustment is determined to be appropriate.

Investment funds—The Company invests in proprietary investment funds that are valued at net asset value (“NAV”) determined by the fund administrator. The underlying securities held by these investment companies are primarily corporate and asset-backed fixed income securities and restrictions exist on the redemption of amounts invested by the Company. As a practical expedient, the Company relies on the NAV of these investments as their fair value. The NAVs that have been provided by the fund administrators are derived from the fair values of the underlying investments as of the reporting date. In accordance with ASU 2015-07, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent),” (“ASU 2015-07”), these investment funds are not categorized within the fair value hierarchy.

The following tables set forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, financial instruments and long-term investments accounted for under ASC 820 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. As required by ASC 820, assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

	March 31, 2017		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial instruments owned, at fair value:
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiaries:
Marketable and non-public equity securities	$	7,338	$	1,932	$	—	$	5,406
Financial instruments held for investment activities:
Designated as trading:
Marketable and non-public equity securities		7,939		2,564		—		5,375
Warrants		1,271		—		—		1,271
		9,210		2,564		—		6,646
Total		16,548	$	4,496	$	—	$	12,052
Investment funds valued at net asset value⁽¹⁾		8,379
Total financial instruments owned, at fair value	$	24,927

As of March 31, 2017, financial assets measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis and classified within Level 3 were $12,052, or 1.1% of the Company’s total assets at that date. Regarding these Level 3 financial assets, in determining fair value, the Company analyzes various financial, performance and market factors to estimate the value, including where applicable, over-the-counter market trading activity. The following table provides the valuation technique and unobservable inputs primarily used in assessing the value of these securities as of March 31, 2017:

For those non-public equity securities valued using a market approach, adverse industry market conditions or events experienced by the underlying entities could result in lower over-the-counter trading prices for the securities. Such lower trading prices would result in a decline in the estimated fair value of these assets. For warrants valued using Black-Scholes, adverse industry market conditions or events experienced by the issuer could result in a lower trading price for the underlying equity security and therefore a lower value of these warrants. A reduction in the estimated volatility would also result in a lower value of the warrants. The Company assessed the reasonableness of the fair values of the non-public equity securities noted above based on its consideration of available financial data related to these issuers as well as an assessment of the nature of any over-the-counter trading activity during the period. The Company assessed the reasonableness of the fair value of the non-exchange traded warrants valued using a Black-Scholes valuation based on its consideration of the fair values of comparable exchange-traded options.

	December 31, 2016		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial instruments owned, at fair value:
Financial instruments held for trading activities at broker-dealer subsidiaries:
Marketable and non-public equity securities	$	5,291	$	20	$	—	$	5,271
Financial instruments held for investment activities:
Designated as trading:
Marketable and non-public equity securities		10,937		3,937		—		7,000
Warrants		883		—		—		883
		11,820		3,937		—		7,883
Total		17,111	$	3,957	$	—	$	13,154
Investment funds valued at net asset value⁽¹⁾		15,290
Total financial instruments owned, at fair value	$	32,401

As of December 31, 2016, financial assets measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis and classified within Level 3 were $13,154, or 1.3% of the Company’s total assets at that date. Regarding these Level 3 financial assets, in determining fair value, the Company analyzes various financial, performance and market factors to estimate the value, including where applicable, over-the-counter market trading activity. The following table provides the valuation technique and unobservable inputs primarily used in assessing the value of these securities as of December 31, 2016:

The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. As of March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not have any net unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income on Level 3 financial assets.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, there was one transfer out of Level 3 and into Level 1 for an equity security that was previously a non-public equity security and during the period became publicly traded. There were no transfers into or out of Level 1, 2, and 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Gains and losses from Level 3 financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, that are included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, are reported in the following line descriptions on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:

The Company also measures certain financial assets and liabilities and other assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis including items such as cost method investments, intangibles, fixed assets and estimated contingent consideration payable. Adjustments to the fair value of these assets and liabilities usually result from the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or impairments of individual assets. Adjustments to the fair value of contingent consideration payable resulted from differences between the underlying forecasted securities lending results and actual results. Due to the nature of these assets, unobservable inputs are used to value these assets and liabilities. In determining the fair value, the Company analyzes various financial, performance, and market factors to estimate the fair value, including where applicable, market activity. As a result, these assets and liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, except for the impact of the scheduled payment of contingent consideration payable, there were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for which there was a change in carrying value. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company made a final contingent consideration payment of $1,332 related to its 2014 acquisition of a securities lending business. Subsequent to this payment, the Company had no contingent consideration obligations payable.

As of March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, the Company had certain investments in marketable equity securities held by other than its broker-dealer subsidiaries that are classified as trading securities. These investments are designated as trading based on the Company’s intent at the time of designation. In accordance with ASC 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC 320”), these securities are carried at fair value with resulting realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected as net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, pursuant to ASC 825, “Financial Instruments” (“ASC 825”), from time-to-time the Company may elect to account for non-public equity securities acquired by other than the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries as part of its trading portfolio at fair value with resulting realized and unrealized gains and losses reflected as net investment income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not make any such elections. Net gains and losses on such trading securities as of the dates indicated were as follows:

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had $8,379 and $15,290, respectively, of investments that are valued at NAV. The following table presents information about the Company’s investments in hedge funds and private equity funds measured at fair value based on NAV at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	March 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Fair Value		Unfunded Commitment		Fair Value		Unfunded Commitment
Hedge funds:
Fixed income/credit-related	$	709	$	—	$	709	$	—
Multi-strategy		2,590		—		9,569		—
Private equity funds		5,080		188		5,012		188
Total	$	8,379	$	188	$	15,290	$	188

The investments in non-registered investment funds are valued at NAV as determined by the fund administrators. The underlying fund investments consist primarily of corporate and asset-backed fixed income securities. Considering the general lack of transparency necessary to conduct an independent assessment of the fair value of the securities underlying each of the NAVs provided by the fund administrators, the Company’s reporting process includes a number of assessment processes to assist the Company in the evaluation of the information provided by fund managers and fund administrators. These assessment processes include, but are not limited to regular review and discussion of each fund’s performance with its manager and regular evaluation of performance against applicable benchmarks.

Investments in hedge funds may be subject to lock-up restrictions or gates. A hedge fund lockup provision is a provision that provides that an investor may not make a withdrawal from the fund or may be subject to withdrawal fees. The purpose of a gate is to restrict the level of redemptions that an investor in a particular hedge fund can demand at any redemption date. All of the Company’s hedge fund investments have the ability to impose redemption gates. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had initiated redemptions for all of its remaining hedge fund investments. Pursuant to the terms of these redemptions, the Company expects that it will receive the majority of these proceeds within the next six months. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company received $7,263 of proceeds from investment fund redemptions.

The Company’s fixed income and credit-related hedge fund investments include funds that primarily employ long-short or relative value strategies in order to benefit from investments in undervalued or overvalued securities that are primarily debt or credit related. The Company’s multi-strategy fund investments include funds that pursue a variety of fixed income, credit and asset-backed strategies to realize short and long term gains. Management of these hedge funds has the ability to overweight or underweight different strategies to best capitalize on current investment opportunities.

The Company’s private equity fund investments include funds that pursue multiple strategies including direct lending, asset securitization and real estate development. These investments by the Company are generally not redeemable with the funds. The nature of these fund investments is that distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the fund. At March 31, 2017, it was estimated that these funds will be liquidated in the next 18 months.

Securities borrowed and securities loaned are recorded based upon the amount of cash advanced or received. Securities borrowed transactions facilitate the settlement process and require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. With respect to securities loaned, the Company receives collateral in the form of cash. The amount of collateral required to be deposited for securities borrowed, or received for securities loaned, is an amount generally in excess of the market value of the applicable securities borrowed or loaned. The Company monitors the market value of the securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained, or excess collateral recalled, when deemed appropriate. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and during the three months and year then ended, respectively, all collateral received or paid was in the form of cash.

The following table presents the contractual gross and net securities borrowing and lending balances and the related offsetting amount as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

	Gross amounts recognized		Gross amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheets⁽¹⁾		Net amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets		Amounts not offset in the balance sheet but eligible for offsetting upon counterparty default⁽²⁾		Net amounts
As of March 31, 2017
Securities borrowed	$	910,051	$	—	$	910,051	$	910,051	$	—
Securities loaned	$	913,262	$	—	$	913,262	$	913,262	$	—
As of December 31, 2016
Securities borrowed	$	897,343	$	—	$	897,343	$	897,343	$	—
Securities loaned	$	892,309	$	—	$	892,309	$	892,309	$	—

The Company performs its annual assessments of goodwill impairment during the third quarter of each year and during interim periods if events occur or conditions exist that indicate that an interim assessment is necessary. Management’s assessment process includes determining the fair value of the Company’s equity capital markets and securities lending reporting units based on current market information, including consideration of its market capitalization and other qualitative factors impacting the Company’s operations, and comparing such fair value to the carrying value of the respective reporting units.

As of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, goodwill totaled $3,829 with an accumulated impairment loss of $1,259. This net goodwill balance of $2,570 related to the securities lending business that was acquired in 2014.

The following table reflects the components of intangible assets as of the dates indicated:

These intangible assets were recognized in connection with transactions completed in 2015 and 2014 and are being amortized over their original estimated useful lives, of three to seven years, on a straight-line basis. These assets are also tested for impairment if events or circumstances indicate that an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. For both the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, amortization expense recognized was $130.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a tax provision of $52 which results in a 3.9% effective tax rate. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company’s effective tax rate differed from statutory tax rate as a result of recording a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets. Prior to recording a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets in the third quarter of 2016, the Company’s first quarter 2016 tax provision was determined pursuant to ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), using an estimated annual effective rate based on forecasted taxable income for the full year. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $6,631 and its effective tax rate was 54.9%. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the effective tax rate differed from statutory tax rates primarily due to the effects of adopting the guidance in ASU 2016-09 which requires the tax effects of share based awards to be treated as discrete items in the interim period in which the windfalls or shortfalls occur. During the first quarter of 2016, windfalls of $970 were included in the Company’s income tax benefit.

As a result of the Company’s application of the guidance in ASC 740 and its assessment of the positive and negative evidence related to the realization of its deferred tax assets, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets.

The Company’s assessment of the positive and negative evidence related to the realization of its deferred tax assets and the potential need for a valuation allowance is a matter of significant judgment. In reaching its conclusion to establish a full valuation allowance, the Company weighed various factors related to its performance and financial position as well as market conditions and prospective opportunities. The Company will continue to maintain a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support the reversal of all or some portion of this allowance. Realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets will be dependent on the Company’s ability to generate future taxable income.

FBR Capital Markets & Co. (“FBRCM”) and MLV & Co. LLC (“MLV”), the Company’s broker-dealer subsidiaries, are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). As such, they are subject to the minimum net capital requirements promulgated by the SEC. As of March 31, 2017, FBRCM had net capital of $59,342, which was $57,909 in excess of its required net capital of $1,433. In addition, MLV had net capital of $1,777, which was $1,677 in excess of its required net capital of $100.

Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income or loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that are not subject to forfeiture. Diluted earnings per share includes the impact of dilutive securities such as stock options, unvested shares of restricted stock and RSUs that are subject to forfeiture. Due to the Company’s reported net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016, all stock options, unvested shares of restricted stock and unvested RSUs were considered anti-dilutive for the period. The following tables present the computations of basic and diluted income per share for the periods indicated:

	Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2017				March 31, 2016
	Basic		Diluted		Basic			Diluted
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Common stock (in thousands)		7,214		7,214		7,567			7,567
Stock options, unvested restricted stock and RSUs (in thousands)		—		125		—			—
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (in thousands)		7,214		7,339		7,567			7,567
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock	$	1,266	$	1,266	$	(5,454	)	$	(5,454	)
Net income (loss) per common share	$	0.18	$	0.17	$	(0.72	)	$	(0.72	)

The following table presents the number of anti-dilutive stock options, unvested restricted stock and unvested RSUs for the periods indicated (in thousands):

As of March 31, 2017, except as described below, the Company was neither a defendant nor plaintiff in any lawsuits or arbitrations nor involved in any governmental or self-regulatory organization matters that are expected to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. The Company has been named as a defendant in a small number of civil lawsuits relating to its various businesses. In addition, the Company is subject to various reviews, examinations, investigations and other inquiries by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations. There can be no assurance that these matters individually or in aggregate will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity in a future period. However, based on management’s review with counsel, resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Many aspects of the Company’s business involve substantial risks of liability and litigation. Underwriters, broker-dealers and investment advisers are exposed to liability under federal and state securities laws, other federal and state laws and court decisions, including decisions with respect to underwriters’ liability and limitations on indemnification, as well as with respect to the handling of customer accounts. For example, underwriters may be held liable for material misstatements or omissions of fact in a prospectus used in connection with the securities being offered and broker-dealers may be held liable for statements made by their securities analysts or other personnel. In the past, FBRCM and MLV have been named as a defendant in a small number of securities claims involving their respective investment banking clients as a result of such broker-dealer’s role as an underwriter. In these cases, the underwriting agreement provides, subject to certain conditions, that the investment banking client is required to indemnify the underwriters against certain claims or liabilities, including claims or liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or contribute to payments which the underwriters are required to make as a result of the litigation. There can be no assurance that such indemnification or contribution will ultimately be available to the Company or that an investment banking client will be able to satisfy its indemnity or contribution obligations when due.

On January 30, 2017, the Court in the previously disclosed putative class action lawsuit of Waterford Township Police & Fire, Retirement System, vs. Regional Management Corp. et al. denied the Plaintiffs’ motion to file a first amended complaint, which would have revived claims previously dismissed on March 30, 2016. On March 1, 2017, plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal; briefing is ongoing and expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2017. Regional Management continues to indemnify all of the underwriters, including FBRCM, pursuant to the operative underwriting agreement.

On January 5, 2017, the complaints filed in November 2015 and May 2016 naming MLV as a defendant in putative class action lawsuits alleging claims under the Securities Act in connection with the offerings of Miller Energy Resources, Inc. (“Miller”) have been consolidated. The Master Consolidated Complaint, styled Gaynor v. Miller et al., is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and, like its predecessor complaints, continues to allege claims under Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act against nine underwriters for alleged material misrepresentations and omissions in the registration statement and prospectuses issued in connection with six offerings (February 13, 2013; May 8, 2013; June 28, 2013; September 26, 2013; October 17, 2013 (as to MLV only) and August 21, 2014) with an alleged aggregate offering price of approximately $151,000. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages and reimbursement of certain costs and expenses. Although MLV is contractually entitled to be indemnified by Miller in connection with this lawsuit, Miller filed for bankruptcy in October 2015 and this likely will decrease or eliminate the value of the indemnity that MLV receives from Miller. Briefing on the defendants’ motions to dismiss is ongoing and expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2017.

Litigation Arising from the Proposed Acquisition of the Company by B. Riley Financial, Inc.

The Company entered into an amended and restated plan of merger, dated as of March 15, 2017, and effective as of February 17, 2017, with B. Riley Financial, Inc. and BRC Merger Sub, LLC (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub surviving the Merger. Following the announcement of the Merger, two actions were filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

On April 4, 2017, a purported shareholder of the Company filed a putative class action against the Company and the members of its board of directors that challenges the disclosures made in connection with the Merger, styled Michael Rubin v. FBR & Co., et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-00410-LMB-MSN. The Rubin complaint alleges that the registration statement filed in connection with the Merger fails to disclose certain allegedly material information in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and SEC Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder. The alleged omissions generally relate to (i) certain financial projections; (ii) alleged conflicts of interest faced by our executive officers and our financial advisor, (iii) the process prior to the Merger; and (iv) certain valuation analyses performed by our financial advisor. Based on these allegations, the plaintiff in the Rubin action seeks to enjoin the forth coming shareholder vote on the Merger and the consummation of the Merger or, in the alternative, for rescission of the Merger or rescissory damages. The plaintiff in the Rubin action also seeks certain costs and fees, including attorneys’ and experts’ fees.

On April 12, 2017, another purported shareholder of the Company filed a second putative class action against the same defendants that also challenges the disclosures made in connection with the Merger, styled Woo J. Kim v. FBR & Co., et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-004440LMB-IDD. The Kim complaint asserts substantially the same claims as the Rubin complaint, and those claims are based on substantially the same categories of alleged omissions. The plaintiff in the Kim action seeks to enjoin the consummation of the Merger or, in the alternative, for rescission of the merger or rescissory damages. The plaintiff in the Kim action also seeks damages and certain costs and fees, including attorneys’ and experts’ fees.

Although the Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, the Company believes that the allegations asserted are without merit.

In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, management, in conjunction with counsel, evaluates on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable. The pending cases discussed above are at a preliminary stage, and based on management’s review with counsel and present information known by management, a loss contingency for these matters was not probable and estimable as of March 31, 2017.

In certain circumstances, broker-dealers and asset managers may also be held liable by customers and clients for losses sustained on investments. In recent years, there has been an increasing incidence of litigation and actions by government agencies and self-regulatory organizations involving the securities industry, including class actions that seek substantial damages. The Company is also subject to the risk of litigation, including litigation that may be without merit. As the Company intends to actively defend any such litigation, significant legal expenses could be incurred. An adverse resolution of any future litigation against the Company could materially affect its financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

The Company purchases shares of its common stock from recipients of stock-based compensation awards upon the vesting of RSU and restricted stock awards, and the exercise of options to purchase stock, as recipients sell shares to meet their tax obligations. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company purchased 105,169 shares of common stock at weighted average share prices of $14.61 per share for a total cost of $1,537 for this purpose. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company purchased 393,362 shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $16.43 per share for a total cost of $6,463 for this purpose.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company did not make any repurchases of its common stock in the open market. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 152,316 shares of its common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions at weighted average share prices of $17.45 for a total cost of $2,657. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had remaining authority to repurchase 722,170 additional shares.

Since January 1, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors has declared cash dividends on its common stock as summarized in the following table.

Unvested RSUs and restricted shares carry dividend rights in which dividends are payable as the RSUs and restricted shares vest in accordance with the respective underlying grants. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had $437 of dividends payable related to such unvested RSUs and restricted shares. With respect to RSUs that vest based on both individual service requirements and the Company’s achievement of specific performance goals, the Company’s dividend payable is consistent with the Company’s assessment of the rate at which these awards would vest.

FBR & Co. Amended 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“FBR & Co. Long-Term Incentive Plan”)

Under the FBR & Co. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, the Company may grant options to purchase stock, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, restricted and unrestricted stock and RSUs for up to an aggregate of 7,217,496 shares of common stock, subject to increase under certain provisions of the plan, to eligible participants. Participants include employees, officers and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. The plan’s termination date is October 22, 2023 unless it is terminated sooner by the Company’s Board of Directors. The FBR & Co. Long-Term Incentive Plan has a term of 10 years and options granted may have an exercise period of up to 10 years. Options may be incentive stock options, as defined by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, or nonqualified stock options.

The Company grants options to purchase stock, restricted shares of common stock and RSUs to employees and members of the Company’s board of directors that vest based on meeting specified service conditions of one to five years and in certain cases achievement of specified performance goals. The following table presents compensation expense related to these awards for the periods indicated:

The following table presents issuance activity related to grants of these awards for the period indicated:

For all RSU awards that vest based on individual service requirements and the Company’s achievement of specified performance goals, the Company assesses the probability of achieving these goals at each reporting date.

There were 230,258 RSU awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2015 (the “2015 performance condition RSUs”), 207,232 of which are outstanding as of March 31, 2017, that will vest based on both individual service requirements and the Company’s achievement of specified performance goals. In the event of a change in control, these awards would vest at a 50% rate subject to the individual service requirements. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, and for the year ended December 31, 2016, no compensation was recognized for the 2015 performance condition RSUs based on the Company’s assessment that the minimum performance threshold will not be met.

There were 375,000 RSUs granted during the year ended December 31, 2013 that vested in 2016 based on both individual service requirements and the achievement of a specified performance goal (“2013 performance condition RSUs”). In order for the performance goal to be met at a minimum level and for the awards to vest at a 50% rate, the tangible book value of FBR & Co., measured on a per share basis, must have increased by an amount equal to a 4% compound annual growth rate over the three-year period beginning on April 1, 2013 (the “2013 performance period”). The awards vest at a 100% level if FBR & Co. achieved a 7% compound annual growth rate over the 2013 performance period and at a proportionate rate at annual growth rates between a 4% and a 7%. In May 2016, based on the Company’s tangible book value growth during the 2013 performance period, 258,681 shares of the 2013 performance condition RSUs vested. As a result of activity during the three months ended March 31, 2016, this award vested at a lower rate than previously forecasted, as such $1,642 of stock compensation expense recognized in prior years was reversed during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

The following table presents the unrecognized compensation related to unvested options to purchase stock, restricted shares of common stock, and RSUs and the weighted average vesting period in which the expense will be recognized:

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

The following discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of FBR & Co. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”) should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

The discussion of the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations below may contain forward-looking statements. These statements, which reflect management’s beliefs and expectations, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company’s future results, please see “Forward-Looking Statements” immediately preceding Part I of, and other items throughout, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. Please also see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Overall activity in small cap IPO market during the first quarter of 2017 was significantly increased compared to the first quarter of 2016, with total dollar volume increasing more than 300% to $4.4 billion and transaction volume more than doubling to 19 small cap U.S. IPOs. Additionally, the $4.4 billion of first quarter 2017 dollar volume reflects increases of 65% and 8%, respectively, over comparable 2016 and 2015 quarterly averages. However, within these 2017 increases new issue activity continued to be narrow with SPAC transactions representing over 40% of the IPO market. Equity trading volumes continue to trend down in 2017 compared to 2016.

Competition in our business remains intense. Large banks continue to tie lending activity to capital markets mandates and electronic or high-frequency trading continues to capture a significant share of trading volume. Both of these dynamics put pressure on high-touch, idea-driven firms like FBR. Institutional investors continue to narrow the list of broker-dealers with whom they maintain trading relationships, leading to consolidation of smaller firms and to the need for mid-size firms to work intensely to demonstrate relevance through quality and scale of research offerings in order to grow relationships.

The U.S. economy appears healthy based on key economic indicators, but the outlook for U.S. growth continues to be uncertain. Economic growth from macroeconomic policy initiatives such as reduced regulation, tax reform, and infrastructure spending may be significant, but implementation of these initiatives requires legislative action. The Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates in the fourth quarter 2016, and reiterated that future interest rate increases would be dependent on economic data.

For the first quarter of 2017 our revenues, net of interest expense, were $32.5 million and our pre-tax income and net income were $1.3 million. This compares to first quarter 2016 revenues, net of interest expense, of $17.9 million, pre-tax loss of $12.1 million, and net loss of $5.5 million. The increase in our net income for the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was primarily due to the increase in our total net revenues.

The difference in our operating results in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 was primarily due to a $14.6 million increase in our total net revenues, including an $18.4 million increase in investment banking revenues and a $1.3 million increase investment income, partially offset by a $4.5 million decrease in institutional brokerage revenues and a $0.6 million decrease in securities lending net interest. The increase in investment banking revenues reflects the impact of increased capital raising activity in the first quarter of 2017, including the completion of one large sole-managed private placement. In comparison, our investment banking revenue in the first quarter of 2016 included no large sole-managed private placement transactions.

Our total non-interest expenses in the first quarter of 2017 increased to $31.2 million, compared to $30.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. This increase was primarily a result of increased investment banking revenues which resulted in increased variable expenses in the first quarter of 2017, in particular investment banking transaction related legal and travel costs. Our total compensation and benefits costs decreased $0.1 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016. Non-compensation fixed expenses decreased $0.7 million during the first quarter of 2017 to $9.0 million from $9.7 million in the first quarter of 2016 as a result of decreases in occupancy and equipment expenses and communications expenses partially offset by increases in professional services expenses, which includes $0.8 million of merger related costs.

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our cash and cash equivalents were $75.8 million and $75.0 million, respectively. In addition, our financial instruments, at fair value, were $24.9 million and $32.4 million, respectively. The decrease in these positions during the first quarter of 2017, was primarily due to investment fund redemptions.

We are a full-service investment banking and institutional brokerage firm with a deep expertise and focus on the equity capital markets. Our business activities include investment banking and institutional sales, trading and research. These business units deliver capital raising, advisory and sales and trading services to corporate and institutional clients. Our investment banking and institutional brokerage businesses are focused on the consumer, energy and natural resources, financial institutions, healthcare, industrials, insurance, real estate and TMT sectors. Additionally, we provide securities lending services to a broad group of banks and broker-dealers. These services include facilitating the sourcing, borrowing and lending of equity and fixed income securities. In addition to corporate treasury investments, from time-to-time we may also make merchant banking investments, primarily alongside our institutional clients in selected private transactions that we underwrite. By their nature, our business activities are highly competitive and are subject to market conditions as well as to the conditions affecting the companies and markets in our areas of focus. As a result, our revenues and results are subject to significant volatility from period to period.

The following table provides a summary of our revenues and non-interest fixed and variable expenses (dollars in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016
Revenues:
Investment banking	$	22,612	$	4,150
Institutional brokerage		7,705		12,184
Securities lending, net interest income		1,711		2,323
Net investment income (loss)		443		(918	)
Dividends and other		74		161
Revenues, net of interest expense		32,545		17,900
Non-interest expenses:
Fixed expenses		20,966		23,549
Variable expenses		10,261		6,436
Total non-interest expenses		31,227		29,985
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	1,318	$	(12,085	)

Our first quarter 2017 investment banking revenues increased $18.4 million to $22.6 million from $4.2 million for the first quarter of 2016. Our investment banking revenue in the first quarter of 2017 was generated from 16 client transactions representing $5.7 billion in transaction volume, including one large sole-managed institutional private placement representing $10.9 million of capital raising revenue. Our 2016 revenue level reflected the impact of market conditions during the period, specifically, the narrow and limited nature of initial capital raising activity industry-wide during the first quarter of 2016. Our investment banking revenue in 2016 was generated from 11 client transactions representing $975 million in transaction volume. Advisory revenue was not a significant component of investment banking revenue in the first quarter of 2017 compared to advisory revenue of $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2016.

The following table provides detail regarding the components of our institutional brokerage revenues (dollars in thousands):

Our first quarter 2017 institutional brokerage revenues decreased to $7.7 million from $12.2 million in the first quarter of 2016. This decrease reflects lower cash equity trading volume in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016.

We have an active securities borrowed and loaned business in which we borrow securities from one party and lend them to another. Securities borrowed and securities loaned are recorded based upon the amount of cash advanced or received. Securities borrowed transactions facilitate the settlement process and require us to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. With respect to securities loaned, we receive collateral in the form of cash. The amount of collateral required to be deposited for securities borrowed, or received for securities loaned, is an amount generally in excess of the market value of the applicable securities borrowed or loaned. We monitor the market value of the securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or excess collateral recalled, when deemed appropriate.

During the first quarter of 2017, we generated net interest revenue of $1.7 million from securities lending, compared to $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease in this net revenue was due to reduced net interest spreads in the first quarter of 2017.

Net investment income, including dividends, for the first quarter of 2017 was $0.5 million, an increase of $1.3 million from net investment loss, including dividends, for the first quarter of 2016 of $0.8 million. As of March 31, 2017 our investment balance was $17.6 million compared to $64.8 million as of March 31, 2016.

Three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016

Total non-interest expenses increased 4.0% to $31.2 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $30.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. Fixed expenses decreased $2.5 million to $21.0 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $23.5 million in first quarter of 2016, and variable expenses increased $3.9 million to $10.3 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $6.4 million in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease in fixed expenses was primarily due to reductions in fixed compensation and occupancy and communications costs, partially offset by increased professional services costs, including $0.8 million of merger related costs. The change in variable costs reflects a $2.2 million increase in costs related to investment banking transactions and a $1.8 million increase in variable compensation. The increase in variable compensation in 2017 was due to the increase in revenues.

Total compensation and benefits expenses decreased 0.6% to $17.9 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $18.0 million in the first quarter of 2016. Fixed compensation and benefits expenses decreased $1.9 million reflecting a $3.3 million decrease in fixed salaries and benefits as a result of decreased headcount from the first quarter of 2016 to the first quarter of 2017, partially offset by increased stock compensation costs. Variable compensation increased $1.8 million primarily as a result of increased pooled variable compensation resulting from the increase in capital raising revenue.

Professional services expenses increased 168.8% to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2016. This increase was due to a $1.8 million increase in costs related to investment banking transactions and a $1.1 million increase in costs related to corporate legal and consulting costs offset by a $0.2 million decrease in accounting and recruiting fees. The increase in investment banking costs was primarily a result of increased investment banking revenues in the first quarter of 2017. Corporate legal and consulting costs in the first quarter of 2017, include $0.8 million of costs related to the merger agreement that was announced in February 2017.

Occupancy and equipment expenses decreased 18.2% to $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. This decrease was primarily the result of rent and equipment costs incurred in the first quarter of 2016 related to our September 2015 acquisition of MLV & Co. (“MLV”). Subsequent to this acquisition, we have taken steps to wind-down or eliminate MLV’s obligations related to occupancy and equipment.

Communications expenses decreased 23.1% to $2.0 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $2.6 million in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease in these expenses was primarily due to decreased costs related to market data and data network and connectivity as a result of lower cash equity trading volume and the elimination of certain 2016 costs as a result of the integration of MLV’s operations.

Business development expenses increased 18.8% to $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2016. This increase was primarily due to an increase in travel and business development costs related to investment banking transactions, partially offset by a decrease in corporate travel costs.

Clearing and brokerage fees decreased 15.4% to $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2016. This decrease reflects lower cash equity trading volume in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016.

Other operating expenses decreased 18.8% to $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease in these expenses was primarily due to a decrease in bad debt expense, state registration and other fees and temporary staffing costs.

In the first quarter of 2017, we recognized a tax provision of $0.1 million which results in a 3.9% effective tax rate. Our effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2017 differed from statutory tax rates as a result of recording a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets. Prior to recognizing a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets in the third quarter of 2016, our first quarter of 2016 tax provision was determined pursuant to ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), using an estimated annual effective rate based on forecasted taxable income for the full year, During the first quarter of 2016, we recognized a tax benefit of $6.6 million and our effective tax rate was 54.9%. Our first quarter 2016 effective tax rate differed from statutory tax rates primarily due to the effects of adopting the guidance in ASU 2016-09 which requires the tax effects of share based awards to be treated as discrete items in the interim period in which the tax windfalls or shortfalls occur. During the first quarter of 2016, windfalls of $1.0 million were included in our income tax benefit.

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements for general business purposes. Regulatory requirements applicable to our broker-dealer subsidiaries require minimum capital levels. The primary sources of funds for liquidity consist of existing cash balances (i.e., available liquid capital not invested in our operating businesses), proceeds from investment fund redemptions and sales of securities, internally generated funds, dividends on equity securities that we own, and credit provided by margin accounts, banks, clearing brokers, and affiliates of our principal clearing broker. Potential future sources of liquidity for us include internally generated funds, borrowing capacity through margin accounts, corporate lines of credit and other credit facilities which we may enter into in the future, and future issuances of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities.

As of March 31, 2017, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $75.8 million representing a net increase of $0.8 million for the first three months of 2017. The increase is attributable to cash used in operating activities of $2.5 million and cash used in financing activities of $3.3 million, offset by $6.6 million of cash provided by investing activities. Due to the cyclical nature of our industry and the industries in which we provide services, we maintain liquid capital to cover potential cash outflows in periods of decreased revenues and earnings.

Net cash used in operating activities of $2.5 million during the first three months of 2017, compares to $25.2 million of cash used in operating activities during the first three months of 2016. The cash used in operating activities during the first three months of 2017 primarily reflects $6.1 million of cash used to reduce accrued compensation and increases in our trading securities, partially offset by our net operating income for the period. The cash used in operating activities during the first three months of 2016 primarily reflects our net operating loss for the period and $9.8 million of cash used to reduce accrued compensation.

Net cash provided by investing activities of $6.6 million during the first three months of 2017 compares to $19.0 million provided by investing activities during the first three months of 2016. The $6.6 million provided in the first three months of 2017 reflects proceeds from investment fund redemptions and securities sold during the period of $7.9 million, offset partially by $1.3 million used for the purchase of investments. The $19.0 million provided in the first quarter of 2016 reflects proceeds from hedge fund redemptions and securities sold during the period of $21.7 million, offset partially by $1.1 million used for the settlement of financial instruments sold short, and a $1.3 million payment against our contingent consideration liability related to our securities lending business acquisition.

Net cash used in financing activities of $3.3 million during the first three months of 2017 compares to $11.0 million used during the first three months of 2016. The 2017 activity reflects the repurchase of 0.1 million shares of our common stock for $1.5 million and dividends paid of $1.7 million. The 2016 activity reflects the repurchase of 0.5 million shares of our common stock for $9.1 million and dividends paid of $1.9 million.

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents balances (totaling $75.8 million at March 31, 2017) comprised primarily of investments in government money market funds investing in short-term U.S. Treasury securities, cash flows from operations, borrowing capacity, other sources of liquidity and execution of our financing strategies will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements. We have obtained, and believe we will be able to continue to obtain, short-term financing, such as margin financing and temporary subordinated financing, in amounts and at interest rates consistent with our financing objectives. We may, however, seek debt or equity financings, in public or private transactions, to provide capital for corporate purposes and/or strategic business opportunities, including possible acquisitions, joint ventures, alliances or other business arrangements which could require substantial capital outlays. Our policy is to evaluate strategic business opportunities, including acquisitions and divestitures, as they arise. There can be no assurance that we will be able to generate sufficient funds from future operations, or raise sufficient debt or equity on acceptable terms, to take advantage of investment opportunities that become available. Should our needs ever exceed these sources of liquidity, we believe that many of our investments could be sold, in most circumstances, to provide cash.

We monitor and manage our leverage and liquidity risk through various committees and processes we have established. We assess our leverage and liquidity risk based on considerations and assumptions of market factors, as well as factors specific to us, including the amount of our available liquid capital (i.e., the amount of our cash and cash equivalents not invested in our operating business).

As of March 31, 2017, our principal assets consisted of cash and cash equivalents, financial instruments at fair value and receivables. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our liquid assets consisted primarily of cash and cash equivalents, comprised primarily of investments in government money market funds, of $75.8 million and $75.0 million, respectively.

The increase in our total assets to $1,053 million as of March 31, 2017, compared to $1,038 million as of December 31, 2016, was primarily the result of a $12.8 million increase in securities borrowed and a $10.3 million increase in receivables, partially offset by a $7.5 million decrease in financial instruments owned.

Regarding securities lending and our securities borrowed and securities loaned balances, securities borrowed and securities loaned are recorded based upon the amount of cash advanced or received. Securities borrowed transactions facilitate the settlement process and require us to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. With respect to securities loaned, we receive collateral in the form of cash. The amount of collateral required to be deposited for securities borrowed, or received for securities loaned, is an amount generally in excess of the market value of the applicable securities borrowed or loaned. We monitor the market value of the securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis, with additional collateral obtained or excess collateral recalled, when deemed appropriate. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and during the three months and year then ended, respectively, all collateral received or paid was in the form of cash.

Our due from and to brokers, dealers, and clearing organizations balances primarily represent unsettled banking and securities trades as well as cash on deposit related to securities lending.

As of March 31, 2017, we held $17.6 million of investments which primarily consisted of investments in non-registered investment funds, marketable equity securities, and non-public equity securities. These investments are funded in cash and are not financed with debt. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we received $7.9 million from investment fund redemptions and sales of marketable equity securities. As of March 31, 2017, we have initiated redemptions for all of our remaining hedge fund investments. Pursuant to the terms of these redemptions, we expect to receive the majority of these proceeds within the next six months. The nature of the private equity fund investments is that distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the fund. At March 31, 2017, it was estimated that the majority of the private equity funds will be liquidated in the next 18 months. The following table provides additional detail regarding our investments as of March 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

As of March 31, 2017, the $8.4 million of investment funds reflects investments in four non-registered investment funds that are valued at net asset value (“NAV”) as determined by the fund administrators. As a practical expedient, the Company relies on the NAV of these investments as their fair value. The NAVs that have been provided by fund administrators are derived from the fair values of the underlying investments as of the reporting date. Considering the general lack of transparency necessary to conduct an independent assessment of the fair value of the securities underlying each of the NAVs provided by the fund administrators, our quarterly reporting process includes a number of assessment processes to assist the Company in the evaluation of the information provided by fund managers and fund administrators. These assessment processes include, but are not limited to, regular review and discussion of each fund’s performance with its manager and regular evaluation of performance against applicable benchmarks.

The increase in our total liabilities to $936.8 million as of March 31, 2017 compared to $920.5 million as of December 31, 2016 was primarily the result of a $21.0 million increase in securities loaned, partially offset by a $6.5 million decrease in accrued compensation and benefits.

FBR Capital Markets & Co. (“FBRCM”) and MLV, our broker-dealer subsidiaries, are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). As such, they are subject to the minimum net capital requirements promulgated by the SEC. As of March 31, 2017, FBRCM had total regulatory net capital of $59.3 million, which exceeded its required net capital of $1.4 million by $57.9 million. MLV had total regulatory capital of $1.8 million, which exceeded its required net capital of $0.1 million by $1.7 million. Regulatory net capital requirements increase when the broker-dealer is involved in underwriting activities based upon a percentage of the amount being underwritten.

We purchase shares of our common stock from recipients of stock-based compensation awards upon the vesting of RSU and restricted stock awards, and the exercise of options to purchase stock, as recipients sell shares to meet their tax obligations. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we purchased 0.1 million shares of common stock at a weighted average share price of $14.61 per share for a total cost of $1.5 million for this purpose. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we made no other repurchases of our common stock.

Since January 1, 2016, our board of directors has declared cash dividends on our common stock as summarized in the following table:

Through indemnification provisions in agreements with clearing organizations, customer activities may expose us to off-balance sheet credit risk. Financial instruments may have to be purchased or sold at prevailing market prices in the event a customer fails to settle on a trade on its original terms or in the event cash and securities in customer margin accounts are not sufficient to fully cover customer obligations. We seek to manage the risks associated with customer activities through customer screening and selection procedures as well as through requirements on customers to maintain margin collateral in compliance with various regulations and clearing organization policies.

The audit committee of our board of directors has oversight of our risk management framework, and reports to the full board on a quarterly basis regarding our risk management profile. The audit committee regularly meets with our director of risk management to review our risk profile, our policies regarding market and credit risk limits and operations, and our risk tolerance levels and capital limits. Our board of directors has established risk limits applicable to our trading and investment businesses that we monitor daily. In the event risk levels approach the limits, management is required to notify the audit committee, and audit committee approval is required to make any change to the limit levels. The audit committee also regularly meets with our general counsel to discuss legal and regulatory risk issues. In addition, the compensation committee of our board of directors considers the risk associated with overall compensation and how effective our compensation policies are in linking pay to performance and aligning the interest of our executives and shareholders.

We monitor market and business risk, including credit risk, operations, liquidity, compliance, legal, and reputational risk through a number of control procedures designed to identify and evaluate the various risks to which our business and investments are exposed. We have established various committees and processes to assess and to manage risk associated with our investment banking, institutional brokerage, and investing activities. We review, among other things, business and transactional risks associated with potential investment banking clients and engagements as well as our capital subjected to risk through our trading activities. We seek to manage the transactional and reputational risks associated with our investment banking and investing activities by review and approval of transactions by our management-level commitment committee and investment committee, respectively, prior to accepting an engagement or pursuing a material investment transaction. Our management risk committee oversees our institutional brokerage and investment risk management practices, including identifying risk that could expose us to loss, approving risk limits and policies to control for those risks. As a management oversight and monitoring tool, our management risk committee has set more extensive and lower risk limits applicable to our trading activities than the board-level limits discussed above. These management risk limits cannot be exceeded without obtaining exception approval by senior management.

Our risk management function is designed to monitor and understand the risk profile of each of our trading areas and of our investing activities, to consolidate risk and liquidity monitoring company-wide, to assist in implementing effective hedging strategies, and to ensure accurate fair values of our financial instruments. In addition, the risk management function is responsible for bringing elevated-risk situations to the attention of senior management, such as the initiation of a large trading position, the granting of exceptions to position or market access limits, or significant changes in the level of other risk exposures.

Market risk is the risk that a change in the level of one or more market prices, rates, indices, or other market factors, such as market liquidity, will result in losses for a position or portfolio. Our activities as an underwriter, market maker and investor, as well as our activities in securities lending and as a financial intermediary in customer trading transactions, expose us to market risk.

In our trading businesses, we actively trade on behalf of clients and make markets in approximately 1,400 stocks. As a market maker, our exposure to market risk is directly related to our role as a financial intermediary in customer trading and the degree to which we act in a principal capacity to conduct this trading. We manage market risk in our trading business primarily by holding few securities in inventory at the end of each day. We also emphasize acting as agent and engaging in riskless principal trades whenever possible and employing capital to execute principal trades only when there are specific expected benefits.

We employ a number of other controls to manage our exposure to market risk in our trading businesses. These controls include (i) inventory position limits on gross and net positions, at both the trading desk and individual position level; (ii) monitoring exposures against limits on a daily basis; (iii) reviewing daily trading results and tracking sources of trading loss; (iv) and reviewing inventory aging, and securities concentrations.

We eliminated our convertibles and credit trading desks in 2015, which significantly reduced our exposure to market risk in our trading businesses. As of March 31, 2017, we held 22 securities with a total value of $7.3 million in our inventory of trading securities.

Market risk in our securities lending business arises when the market value of securities borrowed declines relative to the cash we post as collateral with the lender; and when the market value of securities we have loaned increases relative to the cash we have received as collateral from the borrower. Market value fluctuations in our securities lending business are measured daily and any exposure versus cash received or posted is settled daily with counterparties.

Equity Price Risk. Equity price risk represents the potential loss in value of a position due to adverse changes in the level or volatility of equity prices. We generally attempt to limit exposure to equity price risk on securities held as a result of our daily equity trading activities by limiting our intra-day and overnight inventory of trading securities to that needed to provide the appropriate level of liquidity in the securities for which we are a market maker. We also seek to manage these risks by diversifying exposures, controlling position sizes, and establishing economic hedges in related securities, principally through short sale transactions.

While it is impossible to project exactly what factors may affect the prices of equity securities and how much the effect might be, the impact of a ten percent increase and a ten percent decrease in the price of equities held by us would be as follows as of March 31, 2017. The fair value of the $7.3 million of trading equity securities held at a broker-dealer subsidiary would increase or decrease to $8.0 million and $6.6 million, respectively, and the fair value of the $9.2 million of other equity investments would increase or decrease to $10.1 million and $8.3 million, respectively.

Credit Risk. Our broker-dealer subsidiaries clear all of their securities transactions through clearing brokers on a fully disclosed basis. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements between our broker-dealer subsidiaries and the clearing brokers, the clearing brokers have the right to charge us for losses that result from a counterparty’s failure to fulfill its contractual obligations. As the right to charge us has no maximum amount and applies to all trades executed through the clearing brokers, we believe there is no maximum amount assignable to this right. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we have recorded no liabilities with regard to this right. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, amounts paid to the clearing brokers related to these guarantees have been immaterial. In addition, we have the right to pursue collection of performance from the counterparties who do not perform under their contractual obligations. We monitor the credit standing of the clearing broker and all counterparties with which we conduct business. We attempt to limit our credit spread risk by offsetting long or short positions in various related securities.

Credit risk from our securities lending operations arises if a lender or borrower defaults on an outstanding securities loan or borrow transaction and the cash or securities we are holding is insufficient to cover the amount they owe us for that receivable. We assign credit limits and collateral posting thresholds for each counterparty and these limits and thresholds are reviewed periodically.

The securities industry is subject to numerous risks, including the risk of loss associated with the underwriting, ownership, and trading of securities, and the risk of reduced revenues in periods of reduced demand for security offerings and activity in secondary trading markets. Changing economic and market trends may negatively impact the liquidity and value of our investments and the level of security offerings underwritten by us, which may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.

Our equity investments include securities of privately held issuers with no ready markets. The concentration and illiquidity of these investments expose us to a higher degree of risk than associated with readily marketable securities.

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk represents the potential loss in value of a position or portfolio from adverse changes in market interest rates. We may be exposed to interest rate risk through trading activities in convertible and fixed income securities as well as U.S. Treasury securities, however, based on our daily monitoring of this risk, we believe we currently have limited exposure to interest rate risk in these activities.

As of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q, our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Hendrix, and our Chief Financial Officer, Bradley J. Wright, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of March 31, 2017, are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we have not made any changes that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act).

As of March 31, 2017, except as described below, we were neither a defendant nor plaintiff in any lawsuits or arbitrations nor involved in any governmental or self-regulatory organization matters that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. We have been named as a defendant in a small number of civil lawsuits relating to our various businesses. In addition, we are subject to various reviews, examinations, investigations and other inquiries by governmental agencies and self-regulatory organizations. There can be no assurance that these matters individually or in aggregate will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity in a future period. However, based on management’s review with counsel, resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

Many aspects of our business involve substantial risks of liability and litigation. Underwriters, broker-dealers and investment advisers are exposed to liability under federal and state securities laws, other federal and state laws and court decisions, including decisions with respect to underwriters’ liability and limitations on indemnification, as well as with respect to the handling of customer accounts. For example, underwriters may be held liable for material misstatements or omissions of fact in a prospectus used in connection with the securities being offered and broker-dealers may be held liable for statements made by their securities analysts or other personnel. In the past, FBRCM and MLV have been named as a defendant in a small number of securities claims involving their respective investment banking clients as a result of such broker-dealer’s role as an underwriter. In these cases, the underwriting agreement provides, subject to certain conditions, that the investment banking client is required to indemnify the underwriters against certain claims or liabilities, including claims or liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments which the underwriters are required to make as a result of the litigation. There can be no assurance that such indemnification or contribution will ultimately be available to us or that an investment banking client will be able to satisfy its indemnity or contribution obligations when due.

On January 5, 2017, the complaints filed in November 2015 and May 2016 naming MLV as a defendant in putative class action lawsuits alleging claims under the Securities Act in connection with the offerings of Miller Energy Resources, Inc. (“Miller”) have been consolidated. The Master Consolidated Complaint, styled Gaynor v. Miller et al., is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, and, like its predecessor complaints, continues to allege claims under Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act against nine underwriters for alleged material misrepresentations and omissions in the registration statement and prospectuses issued in connection with six offerings (February 13, 2013; May 8, 2013; June 28, 2013; September 26, 2013; October 17, 2013 (as to MLV only) and August 21, 2014) with an alleged aggregate offering price of approximately $151 million. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages and reimbursement of certain costs and expenses. Although MLV is contractually entitled to be indemnified by Miller in connection with this lawsuit, Miller filed for bankruptcy in October 2015 and this likely will decrease or eliminate the value of the indemnity that MLV receives from Miller. Briefing on the defendants’ motions to dismiss is ongoing and expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2017.

Litigation Arising from the Proposed Acquisition of the Company by B. Riley Financial, Inc.

We entered into an amended and restated plan of merger, dated as of March 15, 2017, and effective as of February 17, 2017, with B. Riley Financial, Inc. and BRC Merger Sub, LLC (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which we will merge with and into Merger Sub (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub surviving the Merger. Following the announcement of the Merger, two actions were filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

On April 4, 2017, a purported shareholder of our Company filed a putative class action against the Company and the members of our board of directors that challenges the disclosures made in connection with the Merger, styled Michael Rubin v. FBR & Co., et al., Case No. 1:17-cv-00410-LMB-MSN. The Rubin complaint alleges that the registration statement filed in connection with the Merger fails to disclose certain allegedly material information in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and SEC Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder. The alleged omissions generally relate to (i) certain financial projections; (ii) alleged conflicts of interest faced by our executive officers and our financial advisor, (iii) the process prior to the Merger; and (iv) certain valuation analyses performed by our financial advisor. Based on these allegations, the plaintiff in the Rubin action seeks to enjoin the forth coming shareholder vote on the Merger and the consummation of the Merger or, in the alternative, for rescission of the Merger or rescissory damages. The plaintiff in the Rubin action also seeks certain costs and fees, including attorneys’ and experts’ fees.

Although we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, we believe that the allegations asserted are without merit.

In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, we establish an accrued liability for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and estimable. In such cases, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability. As a litigation or regulatory matter develops, management, in conjunction with counsel, evaluates on an ongoing basis whether such matter presents a loss contingency that is probable and estimable. The pending cases discussed above are at a preliminary stage, and based on management’s review with counsel and present information known by management, a loss contingency for these matters was not probable and estimable as of March 31, 2017.

In certain circumstances, broker-dealers and asset managers may also be held liable by customers and clients for losses sustained on investments. In recent years, there has been an increasing incidence of litigation and actions by government agencies and self-regulatory organizations involving the securities industry, including class actions that seek substantial damages. We are also subject to the risk of litigation, including litigation that may be without merit. As we intend to actively defend any such litigation, significant legal expenses could be incurred. An adverse resolution of any future litigation against us could materially affect our financial condition, operating results and liquidity.

As of March 31, 2017, there have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

Exhibit Number		Exhibit Title

2.1		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 17, 2017, by and between FBR & Co. and B. Riley Financial, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 21, 2017)

10.01		Two Year Retention and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 10, 2017) †

10.02		Form of Award Letter under FBR & Co. Two Year Retention and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 10, 2017) †

10.03		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing awards under the FBR & Co. Two Year Retention and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.03 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 10, 2017) †

10.04		One Year Retention and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.04 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 10, 2017) †

10.05		Form of Award Letter under FBR & Co. One Year Retention and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.05 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 10, 2017) †

10.06		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing awards under the FBR & Co. One Year Retention and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.06 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 10, 2017) †

31.01		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

31.02		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

32.01		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**

32.02		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**

101		The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Virginia	20-5164223
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1300 North Seventeenth Street Arlington, VA	22209
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

		Page
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	1
	Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes—(unaudited)
	Consolidated Balance Sheets—March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	1
	Consolidated Statements of Operations—Three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	2
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity—Three months ended March 31, 2017 and Year Ended December 31, 2016	3
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016	4
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	20
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	27
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	29

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	31
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	32
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	32
Item 5.	Other Information	32
Item 6.	Exhibits	33
	Signature	34

Level 1 Inputs	—	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible by the Company;

Level 2 Inputs	—	Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly;

Level 3 Inputs	—	Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including significant assumptions of the Company and other market participants.

Valuation Technique	Fair Value		Unobservable Input	Range		Weighted Average
Market approach	$	10,781	Over-the-counter trading activity	$1.40 - $21.75/share		$12.12
Black-Scholes	$	1,271	Volatility	30%			30%
			Dividend Yield	0%			0%
			Interest Rate		2.1%		2.1%

Valuation Technique	Fair Value		Unobservable Input	Range		Weighted Average
Market approach	$	12,271	Over-the-counter trading activity	$0.95 - $21.00/share		$11.38
Black-Scholes	$	883	Volatility		30%		30%
			Dividend Yield		0%		0%
			Interest Rate		2.0%		2.0%

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒

Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐

Emerging growth company	☐

Date Declared	Record Date	Payable Date	Dividends per Share
February 9, 2017	February 20, 2017	March 3, 2017	$	0.20
October 25, 2016	November 14, 2016	November 25, 2016	$	0.20
July 14, 2016	July 29, 2016	August 26, 2016	$	0.20
April 26, 2016	May 9, 2016	May 27, 2016	$	0.20
February 10, 2016	February 22, 2016	March 4, 2016	$	0.20

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2017
	Stock Options		Restricted Shares		RSUs
Stock-based award issuances		—		—		359,890
Grant date fair value per share	$	—	$	—	$	17.44

	Carrying Value/ Fair Value
Investments, at fair value:
Fixed income/credit-related hedge funds	$	709
Multi-strategy hedge funds		2,590
Private equity funds		5,080
Total investment funds, at fair value		8,379
Marketable and non-public equity securities and warrants, at fair value		9,210
Total investments	$	17,589

	FBR & Co.

Date: May 8, 2017	By:	/s/ Bradley j. Wright
		Bradley J. Wright
		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

Date: May 8, 2017	By:	/s/ Robert J. Kiernan
		Robert J. Kiernan
		Senior Vice President, Controller and
		Chief Accounting Officer
		(Principal Accounting Officer)