N-2 1 d268986dn2.htm FORM N-2 FORM N-2
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 20, 2011

Registration No. 333-

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)

x REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

¨ PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.

¨ POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.

 

 

MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

437 Madison Avenue

38th Floor

New York, New York 10022

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 328-2100

Andrew M. Murstein

President

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, New York 10022

(212) 328-2100

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies of information to:

Jeffrey Yin, Esq.

Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel

Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, New York 10022

(212) 328-2100

 

Mario M. Cuomo, Esq.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019-6099

(212) 728-8000

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

 

 

If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box.  x

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

  ¨ when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

If appropriate, check the following box:

  ¨ This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].
  ¨ This form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is .


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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

Title of Securities Being Registered  

Amount

Being

Registered

 

Proposed Maximum

Offering Price

Per Unit

 

Proposed Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price((1)

   

Amount of
Registration

Fee

 

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share(2)(3)

       

Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share(2)

       

Debt Securities(4)

       

Subscription Rights(2)

       

Warrants(5)

       

Total

          $ 100,000,000 (6)    $ 11,460   

 

(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(o) solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. The proposed maximum offering price per security will be determined from time to time, by the Registrant in connection with the sale by the Registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement.
(2) Subject to Note 6 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, or subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock as may be sold, from time to time.
(3) Includes such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may, from time to time, be issued upon conversion or exchange of other securities registered hereunder, to the extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible or exchangeable for common stock.
(4) Subject to Note 6 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as may be sold, from time to time. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate price to investors not to exceed $100,000,000.
(5) Subject to Note 6 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate number of warrants as may be sold, from time to time, representing rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities.
(6) In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to this registration statement exceed $100,000,000.

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer and sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion December 20, 2011

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

$100,000,000

LOGO

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Subscription Rights

Warrants

 

 

We, Medallion Financial Corp. or the Company, are a specialty finance company that has a leading position in originating, acquiring and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. A wholly-owned portfolio company of ours, Medallion Bank, also originates consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles and horse trailers. Our core philosophy has been “In niches there are riches.” We try to identify markets that are profitable and where we can be an industry leader. Our investment objectives are to provide a high level of distributable income, consistent with preservation of capital, as well as long-term growth of net asset value and our stock price. These investment objectives may be changed without shareholder approval. We are a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, we have elected to be treated for tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a RIC, provided certain conditions are met, we are not subject to corporate taxes on the amounts we pay as dividends to our shareholders.

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, together or separately, up to $100,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock, or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities.” The preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights and warrants offered hereby may be convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. In the event we offer common stock, the offering price per share of our common stock less any underwriting commissions or discounts will generally not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering. However, we may issue shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus at a price per share that is less than our net asset value per share (a) in connection with a rights offering to our existing shareholders, (b) with the prior approval of the majority of our common shareholders or (c) under such circumstances as the Securities and Exchange Commission may permit.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “TAXI”. As of December 19, 2011, the last reported sales price on the NASDAQ Global Select Market for our common stock was $11.42 per share.

This prospectus, and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, contains important information you should know before investing in our securities. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, NY, 10022 or by telephone at 877-MEDALLION or on our website at www.medallion.com. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such information.

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our securities in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2012.


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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional information, or information different from that contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus or such prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since then.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1   

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     4   

FEES AND EXPENSES

     5   

SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

     7   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     10   

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     10   

RISK FACTORS

     12   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     26   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     27   

SENIOR SECURITIES

     55   

BUSINESS

     56   

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

     66   

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     68   

MANAGEMENT

     69   

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     94   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     98   

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

     99   

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     101   

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

     107   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

     112   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED STOCK

     116   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

     117   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

     119   

DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS

     121   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     123   

LEGAL MATTERS

     124   

EXPERTS

     124   

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, AND REGISTRAR

     124   

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

     124   

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1   

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     F-2   

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-7   

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, up to $100,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with any exhibits and the additional information described under the heading “Available Information” and the section under the heading “Risk Factors” before you make an investment decision.


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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus. In this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Medallion Financial Corp.

Overview

We are a specialty finance company that has a leading position in originating, acquiring and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. A wholly-owned portfolio company of ours, Medallion Bank, also originates consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles and horse trailers. Our investment objectives are to provide a high level of distributable income, consistent with preservation of capital, as well as long-term growth of net asset value and our stock price. These investment objectives may be changed without shareholder approval. Since 1996, the year in which we became a public company, we have increased our taxicab medallion loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 6%, and our commercial loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 2% (10% and 8% on a managed basis when combined with Medallion Bank). Since Medallion Bank acquired a consumer loan portfolio and began originating consumer loans in 2004, it has increased its consumer loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 12%. Total assets under our management, which includes assets serviced for third party investors and managed by unconsolidated portfolio companies, were approximately $1.11 billion as of September 30, 2011 and $1.09 billion as of December 31, 2010, and have grown at a compound rate of 12% from approximately $215.0 million at the end of 1996.

Our managed net investment portfolio was comprised of managed medallion loans of approximately $580,788,000, or 62%, as of September 30, 2011 and approximately $583,593,000, or 62%, as of December 31, 2010 and other managed commercial loans of approximately $133,339,000, or 14%, as of September 30, 2011 and approximately $149,567,000, or 16%, as of December 31, 2010. Consumer loans originated by Medallion Bank of $197,369,000 and $182,879,000 comprised 21% and 19% of the managed net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. For more information, see “Business—Overview.”

Management

We have assembled a management team which has extensive experience in our lines of business. Alvin Murstein, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has over 45 years of experience in the ownership, management and financing of taxicab medallions. Andrew M. Murstein, our President, is the third generation in his family to be active in the business. In addition to our medallion loan experience, our Chief Operating and Credit Officer has over 35 years of commercial banking experience, our Chief Financial Officer has over 30 years of finance company experience, and the head of our commercial lending area has over 35 years of commercial banking experience. For more information, see “Management.”

Strategy

Our core philosophy has been “In niches there are riches.” We try to identify markets that are profitable and where we can be an industry leader. Key elements of our strategy include capitalizing on our relationships with customers and brokers and dealers, employing disciplined underwriting policies and maintaining rigorous portfolio monitoring, leveraging the skills of our experienced management team and performing strategic acquisitions. For more information, see “Business—Our Strategy.”

 

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Structure

We are a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the 1940 Act.

In addition, we have elected to be treated for tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. As a RIC, we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any investment company taxable income (which includes, among other things, dividends and interest reduced by deductible expenses) that we distribute to our shareholders if at least 90% of our investment company taxable income for that taxable year is distributed. We intend to pay quarterly cash dividends to comply with this requirement. Shareholders can elect to reinvest distributions. For more information, see “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

Medallion Loans

Medallion loans of approximately $580,788,000 and $583,593,000 comprised 62% of our managed net investment portfolio, as of both September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Since 1979, we and Medallion Bank have originated, on a combined basis, over $2,399,176,000 medallion loans in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Newark, Cambridge and other cities within the United States.

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, or TLC, estimates that the total value of all the New York City taxicab medallions and related assets exceeds $11.7 billion as of September 30, 2011 and $10.5 billion as of December 31, 2010. We estimate that the total value of all taxicab medallions and related assets in the U.S. exceeds $14.6 billion and $13.0 billion as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. We believe that we will continue to develop growth opportunities by further penetrating the highly fragmented medallion financing markets. In the future, we may enhance our portfolio growth rate with selective acquisitions of medallion financing businesses and their related portfolios. Since our initial public offering in May 1996, we have acquired several additional medallion loan portfolios.

Our medallion loan portfolio is comprised mostly of fixed-rate loans, collateralized by first security interests in taxicab medallions and related assets. Approximately 75% and 74% of the principal amount of our medallion loans were in New York City as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Although some of our medallion loans have from time to time been in arrears or in default, our loss experience on medallion loans has been immaterial. We estimate that the average loan-to-value ratio of all of our medallion loans was approximately 41% and 45% as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. In addition, we have recourse against a vast majority of the owners of the taxicab medallions and related assets through personal guarantees. For more information, see “Business—Medallion Loans.”

Commercial Loans

Commercial loans of approximately $133,339,000 and $149,567,000 comprised 14% and 16% of our managed net investment portfolio, as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. From the inception of our commercial loan business in 1987 through September 30, 2011, we and Medallion Bank have originated more than 10,302 commercial loans in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $798,933,000. Our commercial loan portfolio consists of floating-rate, adjustable, and fixed-rate loans. We have increased our commercial loan activity in recent years primarily because of the attractive higher-yielding, floating-rate nature of this type of lending. We plan to continue to expand our commercial loan activities to develop a more diverse borrower base and a wider geographic area of coverage, as well as to expand our targeted industries.

Our commercial loans generally are secured by equipment, accounts receivable, real estate and other assets, and have interest rates averaging 580 basis points over the prevailing prime rate. As with our medallion loans, we require the vast majority of the principals of borrowers to personally guarantee commercial loans. Our aggregate realized loss of principal on commercial loans has averaged less than 1.9% per annum for the last five years.

 

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We originate the following types of commercial loans:

Asset-Based Loans. We originate, manage and service asset-based loans to small businesses for working capital through our Medallion Business Credit division. These loans comprised 52% and 48%, or approximately $78,532,000 and $77,827,000, of our managed commercial loan portfolio as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Secured Mezzanine Loans. Through our subsidiary, Medallion Capital, Inc., or Medallion Capital, we originate both senior and subordinated loans to businesses in a variety of industries, including radio and television stations, airport food service operations and various manufacturing concerns. Frequently, we receive warrants to purchase an equity interest in the companies to which we provide secured mezzanine loans. These loans comprised 38% and 42%, or approximately $57,577,000 and $68,298,000 of our managed commercial loan portfolio as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Other Secured Commercial Loans. We originate other commercial loans that are not concentrated in any particular industry. Our customer base includes food service, real estate, dry cleaner and laundromat businesses. These loans, which are generally fixed-rate loans, comprised 9% and 10%, or approximately $14,171,000 and $15,854,000 of our managed commercial loan portfolio as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. For more information, see “Business—Commercial Loans.”

Consumer Loans

Consumer loans are originated by Medallion Bank, a wholly-owned, unconsolidated portfolio company. Consumer loans of approximately $197,369,000 and $182,879,000 represented 21% and 19% of our managed net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles and horse trailers located in all 50 states collateralize the loans. The portfolio is serviced by a third party consumer loan servicer. For more information, see “Business—Consumer Loans.”

Sources of Funds

We have historically funded our lending operations primarily through credit facilities with bank syndicates and, to a lesser degree, through fixed-rate, senior secured notes and long-term subordinated debentures issued to or guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, or the SBA. Since the inception of Medallion Bank, a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, insured Utah industrial bank, substantially all of Medallion Bank’s funding has been provided by FDIC-insured brokered certificates of deposit. The determination of funding sources is established by our management, based upon an analysis of the respective financial and other costs and burdens associated with funding sources. Our funding strategy and interest rate risk management strategy seeks to have the proper structuring of debt to minimize both rate and maturity risk, while maximizing returns with the lowest cost of funding over an intermediate period of time. Our objective is to have a good mix of both fixed and floating rate debt and to maximize our interest rate spreads. For more information, see “Business—Source of Funds.”

Determination of Net Asset Value

The net asset value per share of our common stock is determined by dividing the total shareholders’ equity by the total number of our shares of common stock outstanding at that date.

In calculating the value of our total assets, we value investments for which market quotations are readily available at such market quotations. A significant portion of our debt and equity securities are not publicly traded or their market price is not readily available. These securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our management, and approved by our Board of Directors under a valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process, and involves subjective judgment. For more information, see “Determination of Net Asset Value.”

 

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Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our dividend distributions on behalf of our shareholders who elect to participate in the plan. As a result, if our Board of Directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend, then our shareholders who have opted into our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends. A registered shareholder must notify our transfer agent in writing if they wish to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan. For more information, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

Corporate Information

Our administrative and executive offices are located at 437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022, telephone number (212) 328-2100. Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol “TAXI” and our website is www.medallion.com.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to our securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement contains additional information about us and the securities being offered by this prospectus.

We file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. You may read and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration statement and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC which are available on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

 

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FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in shares of our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you” or “us”, or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, shareholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as our investors.

 

Shareholder Transaction Expenses

  

Sales Load (as a percentage of offering price)(1)

     —  

Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees(2)

     None   

Annual Expenses (as a percentage of average net assets attributable to common stock)(3)

  

Operating Expenses(4)(5)

     10.10

Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds(6)

     9.03
  

 

 

 

Total Annual Expenses(7)

     19.13
  

 

 

 

 

(1) In the event that shares of our common stock to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters, a corresponding prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load.
(2) The expenses associated with the administration of our dividend reinvestment plan are included in “Operating Expenses.” The participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to open market purchases, if any, made by the administrator under the plan. For more details about the plan, see “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”
(3) “Average net assets attributable to common stock” equals average total shareholder’s equity, which was $161,620 for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(4) “Operating Expenses” represent our annualized operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010, excluding interest on indebtedness.
(5) We do not have an investment adviser and are internally managed by our executive officers under the supervision of our Board of Directors. As a result, we do not pay investment advisory fees, but instead we pay the operating costs associated with employing investment management professionals.
(6) “Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds” represents our annualized interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2010. For additional information on our borrowing costs, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Trend in Interest Expense.”
(7) “Total Annual Expenses” is the sum of the Operating Expenses and Interest Expense. This figure is higher than the same amount would be for a company that is not leveraged. We borrow money to leverage our shareholders’ equity and increase our total assets. The SEC requires us to calculate the Total Annual Expenses percentage as a percentage of consolidated average net assets, rather than the consolidated average total assets, including assets that have been funded with borrowed monies. If the Total Annual Expenses percentage were calculated instead as a percentage of consolidated average total assets, it would be 5.71% of consolidated average total assets, of which 3.02% would be for operating expenses and 2.69% would be for interest payments on borrowed funds.

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed we would have no leverage and that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above. In the event that shares to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters, a corresponding prospectus supplement will restate this example to reflect the applicable sales load.

 

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     1 year      3 years      5 years      10 years  

You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming a 5% annual return

   $ 104       $ 326       $ 572       $ 1,302   

While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. This illustration assumes that we will not realize any capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation in any of the indicated time periods. While the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the dividend.

This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.

 

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SELECTED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

You should read the condensed consolidated financial information below with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

You should read the consolidated financial information below with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

 

    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  2011     2010     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

Statement of operations

             

Investment income

  $ 26,040      $ 28,143      $ 37,253      $ 41,403      $ 52,284      $ 51,393      $ 39,635   

Interest expense

    10,276        11,093        14,585        16,876        23,711        30,704        24,190   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

    15,764        17,050        22,668        24,527        28,573        20,689        15,445   

Noninterest income

    953        3,287        3,533        3,383        3,837        2,444        2,646   

Operating expenses(1)

    11,020        12,799        16,328        19,730        17,320        17,835        14,926   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income before income taxes

    5,697        7,538        9,873        8,180        15,090        5,298        3,165   

Income tax (provision) benefit

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income after income taxes

    5,697        7,538        9,873        8,180        15,090        5,298        3,165   

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

    1,270        (9,076     (7,638     (4,135     (3,746     14,172        3,080   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries(2)

    6,544        11,026        12,535        (5,671     (2,419     2,292        7,454   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments(2)

    20        (2,877     (3,491     2,648        6,323        (6,326     (591
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 13,531      $ 6,611      $ 11,279      $ 1,022      $ 15,248      $ 15,436      $ 13,108   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data

             

Net investment income

  $ 0.33      $ 0.42      $ 0.56      $ 0.46      $ 0.85      $ 0.30      $ 0.18   

Income tax (provision) benefit

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —     

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

    0.07        (0.51     (0.43     (0.23     (0.21     0.80        0.17   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments(2)

    0.37        0.46        0.51        (0.17     0.22        (0.23     0.39   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 0.77      $ 0.37      $ 0.64      $ 0.06      $ 0.86      $ 0.87      $ 0.74   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share

  $ 0.54      $ 0.45      $ 0.61      $ 0.72      $ 0.76      $ 0.76      $ 0.70   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

             

Basic

    17,402,520        17,535,826        17,501,414        17,569,688        17,520,966        17,480,523        17,293,665   

Diluted

    17,600,230        17,659,628        17,631,928        17,691,437        17,722,575        17,786,310        17,761,039   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance sheet data

             

Net investments

  $ 452,982      $ 471,930      $ 483,516      $ 475,133      $ 570,597      $ 653,046      $ 592,933   

Total assets

    524,366        541,605        550,312        555,174        646,685        721,262        631,605   

Total funds borrowed

    349,887        373,679        380,532        382,522        462,650        542,549        455,137   

Total liabilities

    356,854        380,961        387,547        392,197        471,739        548,839        461,977   

Total shareholders’ equity

    167,512        160,644        162,765        162,977        174,946        172,423        169,628   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Managed balance sheet data(3)

             

Net investments

  $ 942,355      $ 922,317      $ 946,343      $ 846,542      $ 922,007      $ 934,955      $ 833,639   

Total assets

    1,042,943        1,018,028        1,041,729        950,909        1,018,114        1,025,633        893,588   

Total funds borrowed

    838,193        825,947        849,489        754,241        829,058        841,632        716,620   

Total liabilities

    849,127        857,385        878,964        787,932        843,168        853,211        723,960   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Year ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  2011     2010     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

Selected financial ratios and other data

             

Return on average assets (ROA)(4)(13)

             

Net investment income after taxes

    1.41 %      1.86     1.82     1.36     2.27     0.79     0.53

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    3.36        1.63        2.08        0.17        2.29        2.30        2.20   

Return on average equity (ROE)(5)(13)

             

Net investment income after taxes

    4.59        6.24        6.11        4.74        8.67        3.09        1.89   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    10.91        5.47        6.98        0.59        8.76        9.00        7.82   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average yield

    7.42 %      7.99     7.91     7.77     8.58     8.44     7.71

Weighted average cost of funds

    2.93        3.15        3.10        3.17        3.89        5.04        4.70   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest margin(6)

    4.49        4.84        4.81        4.60        4.69        3.40        3.01   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noninterest income ratio(7)(13)

    0.27 %      0.93     0.75        0.63        0.63        0.40        0.52   

Total expense ratio(1)(8)(9)(13)

    6.07        6.78        6.56        6.87        6.74        7.98        7.62   

Operating expense ratio(1)(9)(13)

    3.14        3.63        3.47        3.70        2.84        2.93        2.91   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     As of September 30,     As of December 31,  
     2011     2010     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

As a percentage of net investment portfolio

             

Medallion loans

    67 %      69     67     68     70     76     72

Commercial loans

    13        14        16        16        16        14        15   

Investment in subsidiaries

    19        16        16        15        13        9        8   

Equity investments

    1        1        1        1        1        1        3   

Investment securities

    —          —          —          —          —          —          2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments to assets(10)

    86 %      87     88     86     88     91     94

Equity to assets(11)

    32        30        30        29        27        24        27   

Debt to equity(12)

    209        233        234        235        264        315        268   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes $1,312 of expense reversals related to the costs of winding up the operations of Sports Properties Acquisition Corp., or SPAC, and National Security Solutions Inc., or SPAC 2, in the 2010 nine months that were reclassified to realized losses on investments, and $310 that was reversed as a result of favorable negotiations with the creditors of SPAC. Excluding these charges, the total expense ratio was 7.24% and the operating expense ratio was 4.09%.
(2) Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments represents the increase (decrease) for the year in the fair value of our investments, including the results of operations for Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries, where applicable.
(3) Includes the balances of wholly-owned, unconsolidated portfolio companies, primarily Medallion Bank.
(4) ROA represents the net investment income after taxes or net increase in net assets resulting from operations, divided by average total assets.
(5) ROE represents the net investment income after taxes or net increase in net assets resulting from operations, divided by average shareholders’ equity.
(6) Net interest margin represents net interest income for the period divided by average interest earning assets, and included interest recoveries and bonuses of $1,514 and $1,847 in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and $2,678 in 2010, $1,684 in 2009, $4,471 in 2008, $821 in 2007, $1,556 in 2006, and also included dividends from Medallion Bank of $3,000 in each of the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and $4,000 in 2010, $4,000 in 2009, $6,000 in 2008, $5,750 in 2007. On a managed basis, combined with Medallion Bank, the net interest margin was 6.51% and 6.64% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and was 6.59%, 6.10%, 5.21%, 4.21%, and 4.40% for 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
(7) Noninterest income ratio represents noninterest income divided by average interest earning assets.
(8) Total expense ratio represents total expenses (interest expense, operating expenses, and income taxes) divided by average interest earning assets.

 

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(9) Operating expense ratio represents operating expenses divided by average interest earning assets.
(10) Represents net investments divided by total assets as of the period indicated.
(11) Represents total shareholders’ equity divided by total assets as of the period indicated.
(12) Represents total funds borrowed divided by total shareholders’ equity as of the period indicated.
(13) In December 2010, Medallion Servicing Corp., or MSC, assumed our servicing obligations, and as a result, servicing fee income of $4,145 and operating expenses of $4,127, which formally were ours were now MSC’s for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Excluding the impact of the MSC amounts, the 2011 nine-months ROA and ROE on net investment income after taxes were 1.42% and 4.61%, and the noninterest income, total expense, and operating expense ratios were 1.45%, 7.24%, and 4.31%.

 

    2011     2010     2009  

(In thousands except per share
amounts)

  Qtr 3     Qtr 2     Qtr 1     Qtr 4     Qtr 3     Qtr 2     Qtr 1     Qtr 4     Qtr 3     Qtr 2     Qtr 1  

Quarterly Data (unaudited)

                     

Total investment income

  $ 8,029      $ 8,413      $ 9,597      $ 9,110      $ 9,553      $ 9,360      $ 9,230      $ 9,560      $ 10,196      $ 10,613      $ 10,734   

Net investment income/(loss) before taxes

    1,376        1,479        2,841        2,333        2,368        2,940        2,232        2,154        2,001        2,116        1,909   

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    4,835        4,416        4,280        4,667        3,468        3,035        109        (5,579 )(1)      2,889        2,003        1,889   

Diluted earnings per common share

    0.27        0.25        0.24        0.27        0.20        0.17        0.01        (0.33     0.16        0.11        0.11   

Dividends declared per common share

    0.19        0.18        0.17        0.16        0.15        0.15        0.15        0.15        0.19        0.19        0.19   

Net asset value per common share

    9.59        9.49        9.41        9.35        9.23        9.16        9.13        9.27        9.79        9.81        9.89   

 

(1) Includes $9,342 of charges associated with writing off our investments in SPAC and SPAC 2.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include reducing our debt under our revolving facilities, originating additional loans, funding acquisitions and repurchasing loan participations. Pending such application, we intend to invest such proceeds in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment and other general corporate purposes. The supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of the proceeds from such offering. We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering will be used for the above purposes within two years of receipt of the applicable funds, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective and market conditions.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Our common stock is quoted on NASDAQ under the symbol “TAXI.” Our common stock commenced trading on May 23, 1996. As of December 19, 2011, there were approximately 133 holders of record of our common stock.

On December 19, 2011, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $11.42 per share, which represented a premium of approximately 19% to the net asset value per share reported by us as of September 30, 2011.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low closing prices for our common stock on NASDAQ, the net asset value and the discount and premium to net asset value. Since our initial public offering, our common stock has traded at a premium to net asset value per share more frequently than at a discount to net asset value.

 

                          Premium     (Discount)  

2011

   High      Low      Net Asset Value      High Price to
Net Asset Value
    Low Price to
Net Asset Value
 

Fourth Quarter through December 19

   $ 12.59       $ 8.72         *         *        *   

Third Quarter

     10.13         9.01       $ 9.59         6     (6 )% 

Second Quarter

     9.89         8.70         9.49         4        (8

First Quarter

     8.79         7.82         9.41         (7     (17

2010

                                 

Fourth Quarter

   $ 8.79       $ 7.79       $ 9.35         (6 )%      (17 )% 

Third Quarter

     7.79         6.50         9.23         (16     (30

Second Quarter

     8.24         6.59         9.16         (10     (28

First Quarter

     8.45         7.81         9.13         (7     (14

2009

                                 

Fourth Quarter

   $ 8.49       $ 7.76       $ 9.27         (8 )%      (16 )% 

Third Quarter

     8.83         6.87         9.79         (10     (30

Second Quarter

     8.71         6.56         9.81         (11     (33

First Quarter

     8.04         3.61         9.89         (19     (63

 

* Not determinable at the time of filing.

Dividends

We intend to distribute quarterly dividends to our shareholders. Our quarterly dividends, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors.

 

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We have elected to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To maintain our RIC status, we must distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, out of the assets legally available for distribution. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we must distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gains in excess of capital losses for the one-year period ending on October 31st and (3) any ordinary income and net capital gains for preceding years that were not distributed during such years. In addition, although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains ( i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually, out of the assets legally available for such distributions, we may in the future decide to retain such capital gains for investment. In such event, the consequences of our retention of net capital gains are as described under “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.” In the event that we do not make the distributions described above, we are subject to a 4% excise tax on any shortfall.

We maintain a dividend reinvestment plan for our common shareholders. As a result, if a shareholder has elected to participate in the plan and we declare a dividend, then such shareholders’ cash dividends will be reinvested in additional shares of our common stock.

We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make dividends and distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these dividends and distributions from time to time. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to make dividends and distributions due to the asset coverage test for borrowings when applicable to us as a business development company under the 1940 Act and due to provisions in future credit facilities. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including possible loss of our status as a regulated investment company. We cannot assure shareholders that they will receive any dividends and distributions or dividends and distributions at a particular level.

The following table lists the quarterly dividends we have paid per share since January 1, 2006.

 

     Cash Dividends Declared Per Share  
     2011      2010      2009      2008      2007      2006  

Fourth Quarter

      $ 0.16       $ 0.15       $ 0.19       $ 0.19       $ 0.19   

Third Quarter

   $ 0.19         0.15         0.19         0.19         0.19         0.18   

Second Quarter

     0.18         0.15         0.19         0.19         0.19         0.17   

First Quarter

     0.17         0.15         0.19         0.19         0.19         0.16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     0.54         0.61         0.72         0.76         0.76         0.70   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. We cannot assure you that we will achieve our investment objective. In addition to the other information contained in this report, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value of our common stock and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure

We have recently experienced a period of capital markets disruption and severe recession and we expect these conditions to improve very slowly over the next 18 months.

The recent market conditions have materially and adversely affected the debt and equity capital markets in the U.S., which could have a negative impact on our business and operations. The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption for more than 3 years as evidenced by a lack of liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the repricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market, and the failure of major financial institutions. These events have contributed to worsening general economic conditions that materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of credit and equity capital for the markets as a whole, and financial services firms in particular. We believe that the U.S. economy is emerging from a prolonged recession, and forecasts for 2012 generally call for a very slow recovery from the economic recession. As a result, we believe these conditions may continue for a prolonged period of time and possibly worsen in the future. A prolonged period of market illiquidity would continue to have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. Equity capital may be difficult to raise because, subject to some limited exceptions, we generally are not able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. In addition, the debt capital that will be available, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions.

We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested, and may increase the risk of investing in us.

Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested, and therefore increase the risk associated with investing in us. We borrow from and issue senior debt securities to banks and other lenders, and through long-term subordinated SBA debentures. These creditors have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our shareholders. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value to increase more sharply than it would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any increase in our income in excess of interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net income to increase more than it would without the leverage, while any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could reduce the amount available for dividend payments.

As of September 30, 2011, we had $349,887,000 of outstanding indebtedness, which had a weighted average borrowing cost of 3.40% at September 30, 2011, and our wholly-owned unconsolidated portfolio companies, primarily Medallion Bank, had $488,306,000 of outstanding indebtedness at a weighted average borrowing cost of 0.80%.

 

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Illustration. The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing in the table below.

 

     Assumed return on our portfolio
(net of expenses)
 
      -10%     -5%     0%     5%     10%  

Corresponding return to shareholder(1)

     (38 )%      (23 )%      (7 )%      9     24

 

(1) Assumes $524,366,000 in total assets, $349,887,000 in debt outstanding, $167,512,000 in shareholders’ equity and an average cost of funds of 3.40%, which was our weighted average borrowing cost as of September 30, 2011.

Consumer lending by Medallion Bank carries a higher risk of loss and could be adversely affected by an economic downturn.

By its nature, lending to consumers that have blemishes on their credit reports carries with it a higher risk of loss. Although the net interest margins should be higher to compensate Medallion Bank for this increased risk, the recent economic downturn could result in higher loss rates and lower returns than expected, and could affect the profitability of the consumer loan portfolio.

We are dependent upon our key investment personnel for our future success.

We depend on the diligence, skill, and network of business contacts of the investment professionals we employ for sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, structuring, and monitoring our investments. Our future success will also depend, to a significant extent, on the continued service and coordination of our senior management team, particularly, Alvin Murstein, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew M. Murstein, our President, and Larry D. Hall, our Chief Financial Officer. The departure of Messrs. Murstein or Mr. Hall, or any member of our senior management team, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.

We operate in a highly regulated environment which may constrain our ability to grow our business.

The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of business development companies. For example, business development companies are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets in qualifying assets, primarily securities of “eligible portfolio companies” (as defined under the 1940 Act), cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Our regulatory requirements may hinder our ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and, as a result, achieve our investment objective. In addition, we rely upon several exemptive orders from the SEC permitting us to consolidate our financial reporting and operate our business as presently conducted. Our failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in those exemptive orders could result in our inability to rely upon such orders or to cause the SEC to revoke the orders which could result in material changes in our financial reporting or the way in which we conduct our business. Furthermore, any failure to comply with the requirements imposed on business development companies by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us. If we do not remain a business development company, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would further significantly decrease our operating flexibility.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, was signed into law on July 21, 2010. The Dodd-Frank Act significantly changes federal financial services regulation and affects, among other things, the lending, deposit, investment, trading, and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new implementing rules and regulations. The federal agencies have significant discretion in issuing these rules and

 

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regulations, and consequently, many of the details and much of the effect of the Dodd-Frank Act may not be known for many months or years. As such, we cannot predict and may not be able to anticipate all the effects of the Dodd-Frank Act on our financial condition or operations.

Federal and state law may discourage certain acquisitions of our common stock which could have a material adverse effect on our shareholders.

Because we are an “insured depository institution” within the meaning of the Change in Bank Control Act and a “financial institution holding company” within the meaning of the Utah Financial Institutions Act, federal and Utah law and regulations prohibit any person or company from acquiring control of us without, in most cases, prior written approval of the FDIC or the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, as applicable. Under the Change in Bank Control Act, control is conclusively presumed if, among other things, a person or company acquires more than 25% of any class of our voting stock. A rebuttable presumption of control arises if a person or company acquires more than 10% of any class of voting stock and is subject to a number of specified “control factors” as set forth in the applicable regulations. Under the Utah Financial Institutions Act, control is defined as the power to vote 20% or more of any class of our voting securities by an individual or to vote more than 10% of any class of our voting securities by a person other than an individual. Investors are responsible for ensuring that they do not, directly or indirectly, acquire shares of our common stock in excess of the amount which can be acquired without regulatory approval. These provisions could delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us, despite the possible benefit to our shareholders, or otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Regulations governing our operation as a business development company will affect our ability to, and the way in which, we raise additional capital.

Our business may periodically require capital. We may acquire additional capital from the following sources:

Senior Securities and Other Indebtedness. We may issue debt securities or preferred stock, and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as senior securities, up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. If we issue senior securities, including debt or preferred stock, we will be exposed to additional risks, including the following:

 

   

Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a business development company, to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be restricted from issuing additional debt, may be limited in making distributions on our stock, and may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, to repay a portion of our debt at a time when such sales and/or repayments may be disadvantageous. In addition to the 1940 Act, we are subject to two exemptive orders which govern how we calculate our senior securities.

 

   

Any amounts that we use to service our debt or make payments on preferred stock will not be available for dividends to our common shareholders.

 

   

It is likely that any senior securities or other indebtedness we issue will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, some of these securities or other indebtedness may be rated by rating agencies, and in obtaining a rating for such securities and other indebtedness, we may be required to abide by operating and investment guidelines that further restrict operating and financial flexibility.

 

   

We and, indirectly, our shareholders will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities and other indebtedness.

 

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Preferred stock or any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences, and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock, including separate voting rights, and could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control to the detriment of the holders of our common stock.

Additional Common Stock. We are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value (less any distributing commission or discout) per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, warrants, options, or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock if our Board of Directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and that of our shareholders, and our shareholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our Board of Directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). We may also make rights offerings to our shareholders at prices per share less than the net asset value per share, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. If we raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, the percentage ownership of our shareholders at that time would decrease and they may experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future, on favorable terms or at all.

If our primary investments are deemed not to be qualifying assets, we could be deemed to be in violation of the 1940 Act.

As a business development company, we are not permitted to acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. Our investment in Medallion Bank may constitute a non-qualifying asset. As of September 30, 2011, up to 27% of our total assets were invested in non-qualifying assets.

At the end of each fiscal quarter, we may take proactive steps to prospectively preserve investment flexibility in the next quarter which is assessed against our total assets at our most recent quarter end. We can accomplish this in many ways including purchasing U.S. Treasury bills or other investment-grade debt securities, and closing out our position on a net cash basis subsequent to quarter end. However, if such proactive measures are ineffective and our primary investments are deemed not to be qualifying assets, we could be deemed in violation of the 1940 Act, which could have a material effect on our business.

We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source, and asset diversification requirements.

 

   

The annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our shareholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, and at least 90% of our net tax-exempt income. Because we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

 

   

The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities, or similar sources.

 

   

The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. Failure to meet those requirements may

 

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result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

If we do not qualify as a RIC for more than two consecutive years, and then seek to requalify and elect RIC status, we would be required to recognize gain to the extent of any unrealized appreciation on our assets unless we make a special election to pay corporate-level tax on any such unrealized appreciation recognized during the succeeding 10-year period.

If we fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. In addition, the asset coverage and distribution requirements impose significant cash flow management restrictions on us and limit our ability to retain earnings to cover periods of loss, provide for future growth, and pay for extraordinary items. Additionally, we could fail to satisfy the requirement that a RIC derive at least 90% of its gross income from qualifying sources, with the result that we would not qualify as a RIC. Qualification as a RIC is made on an annual basis and, although we and some of our subsidiaries have qualified in the past, we cannot assure you that we will qualify for such treatment in the future.

A change in our treatment of losses recognized on worthless loans could result in a decrease in taxable income.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, based on developments under the Code and after discussions with external advisers, our Board of Directors determined that the loans received in connection with our lending activities were “accounts or notes receivables acquired in the ordinary course of a trade or business for services” for purposes of Section 1221(a)(4) of the Code. As a result, commencing with the tax year beginning January 1, 2010, we treat losses recognized on worthless loans as ordinary losses rather than as capital losses. Our Board of Directors further determined that we may take such position in tax returns subsequently filed without obtaining prior IRS approval.

The change in the characterization of a loss resulting from a worthless loan from a capital loss to an ordinary loss could materially impact the amount or character of the dividends received by our shareholders. We are required to distribute 90% of our taxable income in order to maintain our RIC status. In the event losses from worthless loans are treated as ordinary losses, those losses will offset taxable income in the taxable year in which such losses are recognized and we will not be able to carry forward net operating losses generated by such ordinary losses. This could result in a decrease in our taxable income which could result in a decrease in our dividend. Alternatively, if we choose to maintain our current level of dividend, an increased portion of the dividend could be deemed to be a return of capital to the shareholder.

The Code’s diversification requirements may limit our ability to expand our business.

RIC qualification rules require that at the end of each quarter of our taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of our assets must be represented by cash, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of our assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of our assets may be invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, any two or more issuers of which 20% or more of the voting stock is held by us and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. As of September 30, 2011, our largest investment subject to this test was our investment in Medallion Bank, representing 18% of our RIC assets. No other investments were more than 5% of our RIC assets. We will continue to monitor the levels of this and any other investment concentrations in conjunction with the diversification tests.

 

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We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will include in taxable income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the origination of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or contractual payment-in-kind interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discount or increases in loan balances as a result of payment-in-kind interest will be included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash.

Since, in certain cases, we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to achieve and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, or reduce new investment originations for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.

Our SBIC subsidiaries may be unable to meet the investment company requirements, which could result in the imposition of an entity-level tax.

Some of our subsidiaries are subject to the Small Business Investment Act, or the SBIA. Our Small Business Investment Company, or SBIC, subsidiaries that are also RICs may be prohibited by the SBIA from making the distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. Each year, in order to comply with the SBA regulations and the RIC distribution requirements, we must request and receive a waiver of the SBA’s restrictions. While the current policy of the SBA’s Office of SBIC Operations is to grant such waivers if the SBIC makes certain offsetting adjustments to its paid-in capital and surplus accounts, we cannot assure you that this will continue to be the SBA’s policy or that our subsidiaries will have adequate capital to make the required adjustments. If our subsidiaries are unable to obtain a waiver, compliance with the SBA regulations may result in loss of RIC status and a consequent imposition of an entity-level tax at the subsidiary level.

We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.

We compete for investments with other business development companies and other investment funds as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and credit unions. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical, and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships, and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than us. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms, and structure. If we are forced to match our competitors’ pricing, terms, and structure, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company.

We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we face will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Also, as a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time.

Changes in interest rates may affect our cost of capital and net investment income.

Because we borrow to fund our investments, a portion of our income is dependent upon the difference between the interest rate at which we borrow funds and the interest rate at which we invest these funds. A portion

 

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of our investments, such as taxi medallion loans, will have fixed interest rates, while a portion of our borrowings will likely have floating interest rates. As a result, a significant change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds could increase, which would reduce our net investment income. We may hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments, subject to applicable legal requirements. These activities may limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to the hedged portfolio. Adverse developments resulting from changes in interest rates or hedging transactions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Also, we will have to rely on our counterparties to perform their obligations under such hedges.

We depend on cash flow from our subsidiaries to make dividend payments and other distributions to our shareholders.

We are primarily a holding company, and we derive most of our operating income and cash flow from our subsidiaries. As a result, we rely heavily upon distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to make dividend payments and other distributions to our shareholders. Funds are provided to us by our subsidiaries through dividends and payments on intercompany indebtedness, but we cannot assure you that our subsidiaries will be in a position to continue to make these dividend or debt payments. Furthermore, as a condition of its approval by its regulators, Medallion Bank is required to maintain a 15% capital ratio, which may inhibit its ability to declare and pay dividends.

Medallion Bank’s use of brokered deposit sources for its deposit-gathering activities may not be available when needed.

Medallion Bank relies on the established brokered deposit market to originate deposits to fund its operations. While Medallion Bank has developed contractual relationships with a diversified group of investment brokers, and the brokered deposit market is well developed and utilized by many banking institutions, conditions could change that might affect the availability of deposits. If the capital levels at Medallion Bank fall below the “well-capitalized” level, or if Medallion Bank experiences a period of sustained operating losses, the cost of attracting deposits from the brokered deposit market could increase significantly, and the ability of Medallion Bank to raise deposits from this source could be impaired. Medallion Bank’s ability to manage its growth to stay within the “well-capitalized” level, and the capital level currently required by the FDIC, which is also considerably higher than the level required to be classified as “well-capitalized”, is critical to Medallion Bank’s retaining open access to this funding source.

A decrease in prevailing interest rates may lead to more loan prepayments, which could adversely affect our business.

Our borrowers generally have the right to prepay their loans upon payment of a fee ranging from 30 to 120 days interest for standard commodity loans, and for higher amounts, as negotiated, for larger more custom loan arrangements. A borrower is likely to exercise prepayment rights at a time when the interest rate payable on the borrower’s loan is high relative to prevailing interest rates. In a lower interest rate environment, we will have difficulty re-lending prepaid funds at comparable rates, which may reduce the net interest income that we receive. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid, and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if a substantial number of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us and we are not able to reinvest the proceeds for comparable yields in a timely fashion. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock.

 

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Our investment portfolio is, and will continue to be, recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our management and approved by our Board of Directors and, as a result, there is, and will continue to be, uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by our management and approved by our Board of Directors. Unlike other lending institutions, we are not permitted to maintain a general reserve for anticipated losses. Instead, we are required by the 1940 Act to specifically value each individual investment and record an unrealized gain or loss for any asset we believe has increased or decreased in value. Typically, there is not a public market for most of the investments in which we have invested and will generally continue to invest. As a result, we value our investments on a quarterly basis based on a determination of their fair value made in good faith and in accordance with the written guidelines approved by our Board of Directors. The types of factors that may be considered in determining the fair value pricing of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow, and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, the valuations may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. As a result, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such securities. Considering these factors, we have determined that the fair value of our portfolio is below its cost basis. As of September 30, 2011, our net unrealized depreciation on investments other than in controlled subsidiaries, foreclosed properties, and other assets was $14,483,000 or 3.10% of our investment portfolio.

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

We generally make investments in private companies. Substantially all of these securities are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded our investments. We may also face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we have material non-public information regarding such portfolio company.

In addition, the illiquidity of our loan portfolio and investments may adversely affect our ability to dispose of loans at times when it may be advantageous for us to liquidate such portfolio or investments. In addition, if we were required to liquidate some or all of the investments in the portfolio, the proceeds of such liquidation may be significantly less than the current value of such investments. Because we borrow money to make loans and investments, our net operating income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest these funds. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our interest income. In periods of sharply rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which would reduce our net operating income before net realized and unrealized gains. We use a combination of long-term and short-term borrowings and equity capital to finance our investing activities. Our long-term fixed-rate investments are financed primarily with short-term floating-rate debt, and to a lesser extent by term fixed-rate debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We have analyzed the potential impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income. Assuming that the balance sheet were to remain constant and no actions were taken to alter the existing interest rate sensitivity, and including the impact on Medallion Bank, a hypothetical immediate 1% increase in interest rates would have positively impacted net increase in net assets resulting from operations as of September 30, 2011 by approximately $1,253,000 on an annualized basis,

 

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compared to a positive impact of $1,291,000 at December 31, 2010, and the impact of such an immediate increase of 1% over a one year period would have been ($2,000,000) at September 30, 2011, compared to ($2,026,000) for December 31, 2010. Although management believes that this measure is indicative of our sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for potential changes in credit quality, size, and composition of the assets on the balance sheet, and other business developments that could affect net increase in net assets resulting from operations in a particular quarter or for the year taken as a whole. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that actual results would not differ materially from the potential outcome simulated by these estimates.

We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.

We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets, and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war may affect any market for our securities, impact the businesses in which we invest, and harm our operations and profitability.

Terrorist attacks may harm our results of operations and your investment. We cannot assure you that there will not be further terrorist attacks against the U.S. or U.S. businesses. Such attacks or armed conflicts in the U.S. or elsewhere may impact the businesses in which we invest directly, or indirectly by undermining economic conditions in the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of our business is focused in the New York City metropolitan area, which suffered a terrorist attack in 2001. Another terrorist attack in New York City could severely impact our results of operations. Losses resulting from terrorist attacks are generally uninsurable.

Our financial condition and results of operations will depend on our ability to manage growth effectively.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our ability to grow, which will depend, in turn, on our management team’s ability to identify, evaluate, and monitor, and our ability to finance and invest in, companies that meet our investment criteria.

Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis will be largely a function of our management team’s handling of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive, and efficient services, and our access to financing on acceptable terms. In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, members of our management team and our investment professionals may also be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment. In order to grow, we will need to hire, train, supervise, and manage new employees. However, we cannot assure you that any such employees will contribute to the success of our business. Any failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Acquisitions may lead to difficulties that could adversely affect our operations.

By their nature, corporate acquisitions entail certain risks, including those relating to undisclosed liabilities, the entry into new markets, operational, and personnel matters. We may have difficulty integrating acquired operations or managing problems due to sudden increases in the size of our loan portfolio. In such instances, we might be required to modify our operating systems and procedures, hire additional staff, obtain and integrate new equipment, and complete other tasks appropriate for the assimilation of new business activities. We cannot assure you that we would be successful, if and when necessary, in minimizing these inherent risks or in establishing systems and procedures which will enable us to effectively achieve our desired results in respect of any future acquisitions.

 

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Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.

The 1940 Act restricts our ability to knowingly participate in certain transactions with our affiliates. These restrictions limit our ability to buy or sell any security from or to our affiliates, or engage in “joint” transactions with our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times). With respect to controlling or certain closely affiliated persons, we will generally be prohibited from engaging in such transactions absent the prior approval of the SEC. With respect to other affiliated persons, we may engage in such transactions only with the prior approval of our independent directors.

The SBA restricts the ability of SBICs to lend money to their officers, directors, and employees, or invest in affiliates thereof.

Medallion Bank is subject to certain federal laws that restrict and control its ability to provide or receive services between affiliates. Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and applicable regulations also impose restrictions on Medallion Bank. These restrictions limit the transfer of funds by a depository institution to certain of its affiliates, including us, in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments, or purchases of assets. Sections 23A and 23B also require generally that the depository institution’s transactions with its affiliates be on terms no less favorable to Medallion Bank than comparable transactions with unrelated third parties.

Our Board of Directors may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.

Our Board of Directors has the authority to modify or waive our current operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without shareholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results, and value of our stock. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay you dividends and cause you to lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating to Our Investments

Changes in taxicab industry regulations that result in the issuance of additional medallions or increases in the expenses involved in operating a medallion could lead to a decrease in the value of our medallion loan collateral.

Every city in which we originate medallion loans, and most other major cities in the United States, limits the supply of taxicab medallions. This regulation results in supply restrictions that support the value of medallions. Actions that loosen these restrictions and result in the issuance of additional medallions into a market could decrease the value of medallions in that market. If this were to occur, the value of the collateral securing our then outstanding medallion loans in that market could be adversely affected. For example, the New York State legislature has enacted legislation to permit cars for hire to pickup street hails in boroughs outside of Manhattan. If this legislation is signed into law, income from operating medallions and the value of medallions serving as collateral for our loans could decrease by a material amount. This could increase our loan to value ratios, loan delinquencies or loan defaults. We are unable to forecast with any degree of certainty whether any other potential increases in the supply of medallions will occur.

In New York City, Chicago, Boston, and in other markets where we originate medallion loans, taxicab fares are generally set by government agencies. Expenses associated with operating taxicabs are largely unregulated. As a result, the ability of taxicab operators to recoup increases in expenses is limited in the short term. Escalating expenses, such as rising gas prices, can render taxicab operations less profitable, could cause borrowers to default on loans from us, and could potentially adversely affect the value of our collateral.

A significant portion of our loan revenue is derived from loans collateralized by New York City taxicab medallions. According to New York City TLC data, over the past 20 years New York City taxicab medallions

 

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have appreciated in value from under $100,000 to $975,000 for corporate medallions and $687,000 for individual medallions. However, for sustained periods during that time, taxicab medallions have declined in value. Since December 31, 2009, the value of New York City taxicab medallions increased by approximately 18% for individual medallions and 26% for corporate medallions.

Lending to small businesses involves a high degree of risk and is highly speculative.

Lending to small businesses involves a high degree of business and financial risk, which can result in substantial losses and should be considered speculative. Our borrower base consists primarily of small business owners that may have limited resources and that are generally unable to obtain financing from traditional sources. There is generally no publicly available information about these small business owners, and we must rely on the diligence of our employees and agents to obtain information in connection with our credit decisions. In addition, these small businesses often do not have audited financial statements. Some smaller businesses have narrower product lines and market shares than their competition. Therefore, they may be more vulnerable to customer preferences, market conditions, or economic downturns, which may adversely affect the return on, or the recovery of, our investment in these businesses.

Our portfolio is and may continue to be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations to us or by a downturn in the particular industry.

Our portfolio is and may continue to be concentrated in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries. As of September 30, 2011, investments in New York City taxi medallion loans represented approximately 78% of our managed taxi medallion loans. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and while we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments are, and could continue to be, concentrated in relatively few industries. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could also negatively impact the aggregate returns we realize.

If we are unable to continue to diversify geographically, our business may be adversely affected if the New York City taxicab industry experiences a sustained economic downturn.

A significant portion of our loan revenue is derived from New York City medallion loans collateralized by New York City taxicab medallions. An economic downturn in the New York City taxicab industry could lead to an increase in defaults on our medallion loans. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sufficiently diversify our operations geographically.

An economic downturn such as what we recently experienced could result in certain of our commercial and consumer loan customers experiencing declines in business activities and/or personal resources, which could lead to difficulties in their servicing of their loans with us, and increasing the level of delinquencies, defaults, and loan losses in our commercial and consumer loan portfolios.

Laws and regulations implemented in response to climate change could result in increased operating costs for our portfolio companies.

Congress and other governmental authorities have either considered or implemented various laws and regulations in response to climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gases. Existing environmental regulations could be revised or reinterpreted, new laws and regulations could be adopted, and future changes in environmental laws and regulations could occur, which could impose additional costs on the operation of our portfolio companies. For example, regulations to cut gasoline use and control greenhouse gas emissions from

 

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new cars could adversely affect our medallion portfolio companies. Our portfolio companies may have to make significant capital and other expenditures to comply with these laws and regulations. Changes in, or new, environmental restrictions may force our portfolio companies to incur significant expenses or expenses that may exceed their estimates. There can be no assurance that such companies would be able to recover all or any increased environmental costs from their customers or that their business, financial condition or results of operations would not be materially and adversely affected by such expenditures or any changes in environmental laws and regulations, in which case the value of these companies could be adversely affected.

Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.

We invest primarily in senior secured loans, junior secured loans, and subordinated debt issued by small- to mid-sized companies. Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization, or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

Even though we may have structured most of our investments as senior loans, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering significant managerial assistance.

We may not control many of our portfolio companies.

We may not control many of our portfolio companies, even though we may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the management of such company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors.

We may not realize gains from our equity investments.

Certain investments that we have made in the past and may make in the future include warrants or other equity securities. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity co-investments in companies in conjunction with private equity sponsors. Our goal is ultimately to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization, or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests.

 

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Risks Relating to this Offering

Investing in our securities may involve an above average degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investment in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive, and therefore, an investment in our securities may not be suitable for someone with a low risk tolerance.

There is a risk that investors in our equity securities may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time.

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our shareholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a business development company, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions.

Our principal shareholders will continue to have substantial ownership in us and this could limit your ability to influence the outcome of key transactions, including a change of control.

As of December 19, 2011, Alvin Murstein and Andrew M. Murstein together beneficially own approximately 17.2% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. As a result, the Mursteins may be able to exert influence over our management and policies. The Mursteins may acquire additional shares of our equity securities in the future. This concentration of ownership may also have the effect of delaying, preventing, or deterring a change of control of our company, could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of our company and might ultimately affect the market price of our common stock.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

 

   

significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of business development companies or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;

 

   

changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or business development companies;

 

   

loss of RIC status;

 

   

changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

 

   

changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;

 

   

any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;

 

   

departure of our key personnel;

 

   

operating performance of companies comparable to us;

 

   

general economic trends and other external factors; and

 

   

loss of a major funding source.

 

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Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, may trade at a discount from net asset value.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, may trade at a discount from net asset value. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies and business development companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above, or below net asset value.

We may allocate the net proceeds from this offering in ways with which you may not agree.

We have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds of this offering and may use the net proceeds from this offering in ways with which you may not agree or for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or securities convertible into our common stock, may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or securities convertible into our common stock, or the availability of such securities for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of common stock should we desire to do so.

Certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws as well as the Delaware General Corporation Law could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

Our restated certificate of incorporation and our restated bylaws as well as the Delaware General Corporation Law, or DGCL, contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us. These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change in control in circumstances that could give the holders of our common stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price for our common stock.

We are not rated by a credit rating agency to show the risks of an investment in our debt securities.

We are not rated by a credit rating agency to assess our ability to pay our obligations. A credit rating is not available to help show the risks of an investment in our debt securities.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

 

   

our future operating results;

 

   

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

 

   

the impact of investments that we expect to make;

 

   

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

   

the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;

 

   

the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

   

our expected financings and investments;

 

   

the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

   

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies;

 

   

the adequacy of our internal controls; and

 

   

the presentation of our financial statements.

We generally use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus on information available to us on the date of this prospectus, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008. In addition, this section contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors that could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements are described in the “Risk Factors.” Additionally, more information about our business activities can be found in “Business.”

Critical Accounting Policies

The SEC has recently issued cautionary advice regarding disclosure about critical accounting policies. The SEC defines critical accounting policies as those that are both most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results, and that require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain and may change materially in subsequent periods. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and related notes. Significant estimates made by us include valuation of loans, evaluation of the recoverability of accounts receivable and income tax assets, and the assessment of litigation and other contingencies. The matters that give rise to such provisions are inherently uncertain and may require complex and subjective judgments. Although we believe that estimates and assumptions used in determining the recorded amounts of net assets and liabilities at September 30, 2011 are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from the estimated amounts recorded in our financial statements.

General

We are a specialty finance company that has a leading position in originating, acquiring, and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. A wholly-owned portfolio company of ours, Medallion Bank, also originates consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and trailers. Since 1996, the year in which we became a public company, we have increased our taxicab medallion loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 6%, and our commercial loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 2% (10% and 8% on a managed basis when combined with Medallion Bank). Since Medallion Bank acquired a consumer loan portfolio and began originating consumer loans in 2004, it has increased its consumer loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 12%. Total assets under our management, which includes assets serviced for third party investors and managed by Medallion Bank, were $1,113,595,000 as of September 30, 2011, and $1,093,379,000 and $1,059,666,000 as of December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010, and have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 12% from $215,000,000 at the end of 1996. Since our initial public offering in 1996, we have paid dividends in excess of $164,336,000 or $10.40 per share.

We conduct our business through various wholly-owned investment company subsidiaries including:

 

   

Medallion Funding LLC, or Medallion Funding, a Small Business Investment Company, or SBIC, our primary taxicab medallion lending company;

 

   

Medallion Capital, Inc., or Medallion Capital, an SBIC and a regulated investment company, or RIC, which conducts a mezzanine financing business; and

 

   

Freshstart Venture Capital Corp., or Freshstart, an SBIC and a RIC, which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans.

 

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In December 2010, we formed a wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Servicing Corporation, or MSC, to provide loan services to Medallion Bank, also a portfolio company wholly-owned by us. We have assigned all of our loan servicing rights for Medallion Bank, which consists of servicing taxi medallion and commercial loans originated by Medallion Bank, to MSC, which bills and collects the related service fee income from Medallion Bank, and is allocated and charged by the Company for MSC’s share of these servicing costs.

We also conduct business through our asset-based lending division, Medallion Business Credit, an originator of loans to small businesses for the purpose of financing inventory and receivables, which prior to December 31, 2007, was a wholly-owned investment company subsidiary. On December 31, 2007, Medallion Business Credit was merged into us and ceased to exist as a separate legal entity.

In addition, we conduct business through a wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Bank, a bank regulated by the FDIC and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions which originates taxicab medallion, commercial, and consumer loans, raises deposits, and conducts other banking activities. Medallion Bank generally provides us with our lowest cost of funds which it raises through bank certificates of deposit issued to its customers. To take advantage of this low cost of funds, we refer a portion of our taxicab medallion and commercial loans to Medallion Bank, which then originates these loans. We earn referral fees for these activities. In December 2010, all of these servicing activities were assigned to MSC. As a non-investment company, Medallion Bank is not consolidated with the Company.

Realized gains or losses on investments are recognized when the investments are sold or written off. The realized gains or losses represent the difference between the proceeds received from the disposition of portfolio assets, if any, and the cost of such portfolio assets. In addition, changes in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments are recorded and represent the net change in the estimated fair values of the portfolio assets at the end of the period as compared with their estimated fair values at the beginning of the period. Generally, realized gains (losses) on investments and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments are inversely related. When an appreciated asset is sold to realize a gain, a decrease in the previously recorded unrealized appreciation occurs. Conversely, when a loss previously recorded as unrealized depreciation is realized by the sale or other disposition of a depreciated portfolio asset, the reclassification of the loss from unrealized to realized causes a decrease in net unrealized depreciation and an increase in realized loss.

The credit markets have recently experienced a crisis which has disrupted a wide range of traditional financing sources. The crisis has made it increasingly difficult and significantly more expensive through higher credit spreads for finance companies to obtain and renew financing. Continued turmoil in the credit markets could limit our access to funds and restrict us from continuing our current operating strategy or implementing new operating strategies. If funds are available to us, we anticipate that our cost of funds will increase as we obtain new financing.

The credit crisis has also caused many financial institutions to record significant write-downs, mostly on their residential mortgage related assets and structured investment vehicles and due to unsound lending practices. We are not involved in these types of transactions and always understand the importance of proper underwriting. Nonetheless, the judgments used by management in applying the critical accounting policies discussed herein may be affected by a further and prolonged deterioration in the economic environment, which may result in changes to future financial results. Subsequent evaluations of our loan portfolio and other investments, in light of the factors then prevailing, may result in changes to the fair value of the investments, including a decrease in the fair value. In addition, the fair value of investments in our portfolio may be negatively impacted by illiquidity or dislocation in marketplaces resulting in depressed market prices.

In the 2010 fourth quarter, based on developments under the Code and after discussions with external advisers, our Board of Directors determined that the loans received in connection with our lending activities were “accounts or notes receivables acquired in the ordinary course of a trade or business for services” for purposes of Section 1221(a)(4) of the Code. As a result, commencing with the tax year beginning January 1, 2010, we intend

 

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to treat losses recognized on worthless loans as ordinary losses rather than as capital losses. Our Board of Directors further determined that we may take such position in tax returns subsequently filed without obtaining prior IRS approval.

The change in the characterization of a loss resulting from a worthless loan from a capital loss to an ordinary loss could materially impact the amount or character of the dividends received by our shareholders. We are required to distribute 90% of our taxable income in order to maintain our RIC status. In the event losses from worthless loans are treated as ordinary losses, those losses will offset taxable income in the taxable year in which such losses are recognized. This could result in a decrease in our taxable income which could result in a decrease in our dividend. Alternatively, if we choose to maintain our current level of dividend, an increased portion of the dividend could be deemed to be a return of capital to the shareholder.

 

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Trends in Investment Portfolio

Our investment income is driven by the principal amount of and yields on our investment portfolio. To identify trends in the balances and yields, the following table illustrates our investments at fair value, grouped by medallion loans, commercial loans, equity investments, and investment securities, and also presents the portfolio information for Medallion Bank, at the dates indicated.

 

    September 30, 2011     September 30, 2010     December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  

(Dollars in thousands)

  Interest
Rate(1)
    Investment
Balances
    Interest
Rate(1)
    Investment
Balances
    Interest
Rate(1)
    Investment
Balances
    Interest
Rate(1)
    Investment
Balances
    Interest
Rate(1)
    Investment
Balances
 

Medallion loans

                   

New York

    5.20   $ 229,008        5.63   $ 250,260        5.52   $ 239,537        5.90   $ 244,082        6.04   $ 304,306   

Chicago

    6.45        29,149        6.82        30,229        6.68        34,762        6.91        25,868        7.15        28,172   

Newark

    7.49        17,766        7.85        19,714        7.81        19,777        7.98        21,790        8.17        27,809   

Boston

    6.64        16,916        6.89        18,276        6.74        18,237        7.14        21,383        7.54        31,283   

Cambridge

    6.67        6,297        6.93        4,219        6.72        5,501        7.10        3,025        7.59        4,387   

Other

    6.76        4,373        7.09        4,691        7.05        5,016        7.14        5,435        7.40        6,584   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total medallion loans

    5.59        303,509        5.98        327,389        5.90        322,830        6.23        321,583        6.42        402,541   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Deferred loan acquisition costs

      434          36          296          332          423   

Unrealized depreciation on loans

      —            —            —            —            —     
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net medallion loans

    $ 303,943        $ 327,425        $ 323,126        $ 321,915        $ 402,964   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Commercial loans

                   

Secured mezzanine

    13.92   $ 57,578        14.09   $ 56,135        14.16   $ 68,299        14.63   $ 61,834        14.23   $ 65,475   

Asset based

    5.62        8,070        5.69        8,833        5.72        10,234        5.74        8,991        5.29        13,552   

Other secured commercial

    8.35        9,251        7.53        10,161        7.50        9,873        7.95        11,706        8.34        15,870   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total commercial loans

    12.34        74,899        12.21        75,129        12.44        88,406        12.71        82,531        11.97        94,897   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Deferred loan acquisition (income) costs

      (112       (326       (323       (373       (171

Unrealized depreciation on loans

      (15,767       (9,645       (11,217       (4,236       (5,115
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net commercial loans

    $ 59,020        $ 65,158        $ 76,866        $ 77,922        $ 89,611   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries, net

    4.69   $ 85,264        5.28   $ 75,759        5.08   $ 78,735        5.53   $ 72,279        8.22   $ 74,750   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity investments

    2.13   $ 3,471        1.96   $ 3,394        1.48   $ 4,588        2.50   $ 3,393        4.33   $ 2,835   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on equities

      1,284          194          201          (376       437   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net equity investments

    $ 4,755        $ 3,588        $ 4,789        $ 3,017        $ 3,272   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investment securities

    —     $ —          —     $ —          —     $ —          —     $ —          —     $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments at cost

    6.48   $ 467,143        6.82   $ 481,671        6.89   $ 494,559        7.22   $ 479,786        7.56   $ 575,023   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred loan acquisition (income) costs

      322          (290       (27       (41       252   

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on equities

      1,284          194          201          (376       437   

Unrealized depreciation on loans

      (15,767       (9,645       (11,217       (4,236       (5,115
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investments

    $ 452,982        $ 471,930        $ 483,516        $ 475,133        $ 570,597   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Medallion Bank investments

                   

Consumer loans

    5.22   $ 277,328        5.68   $ 247,646        5.57   $ 260,808        17.96   $ 193,382        18.26   $ 189,886   

Medallion loans

    17.77        204,819        17.95        194,056        17.94        189,752        6.15        160,403        6.46        122,581   

Commercial loans

    5.79        75,383        5.86        66,838        5.84        73,574        5.84        72,540        5.64        87,800   

Investment securities

    3.21        21,660        3.50        21,036        3.32        20,479        3.99        20,784        4.87        20,056   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Medallion Bank investments at cost(2)

    9.66        579,190        10.11        529,576        9.83        544,613        11.11        447,109        11.54        420,323   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Deferred loan acquisition costs

      5,744          5,893          5,559          5,633          5,994   

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment securities

      851          582          144          92          (64

Premiums paid on purchased securities

      222          180          164          185          96   

Unrealized depreciation on loans

      (14,741       (14,010       (13,645       (13,610       (10,936
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Medallion Bank net investments

    $ 571,266        $ 522,221        $ 536,835        $ 439,409        $ 415,413   
   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents the weighted average interest or dividend rate of the respective portfolio as of the date indicated.
(2) The weighted average interest rate for the entire managed loan portfolio (medallion, commercial, and consumer loans) was 8.70% and 8.95% at September 30, 2011 and 2010 and 8.86%, 9.56%, and 9.44% at December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

 

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Investment Activity

The following table sets forth the components of investment activity in the investment portfolio for the periods indicated:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, (3)
    Year ended December 31, (3)  

(Dollars in thousands)

   2011     2010     2010     2009     2008  

Net investments at beginning of period

   $ 483,516      $ 475,133      $ 846,542      $ 922,007      $ 934,955   

Investments originated

     131,677        139,563        525,872        329,708        413,461   

Repayments of investments

     (166,576     (140,866     (392,417     (365,108     (422,659

Net realized gains (losses) on investments(1)

     1,270        (8,297     (18,333     (15,467     (12,703

Net increase in unrealized depreciation(2)

     3,077        6,148        66        (9,210     (5,055

Transfers to other assets/liabilities, net

     —          —          (13,478     (13,619     (8,893

Amortization of origination costs

     18        249        (1,909     (1,769     (2,683

Purchase of Elk Associates Funding medallion loan portfolio

     —          —          —          —          25,584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in investments

     (30,534     (3,203     99,801        (75,465     (12,948
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investments at end of period

   $ 452,982      $ 471,930      $ 946,343      $ 846,542      $ 922,007   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Excludes net realized losses of $779 in both 2010 periods related to the investment in SPAC 2 and net realized gains (losses) of ($1) and $1,064 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, related to foreclosed properties, which were carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Excludes net unrealized appreciation of $3,487 and $1,202 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and $2,153, $3,742, and $7,273 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, related to foreclosed properties, which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, and the reversal of unrealized depreciation of $759 in both 2010 periods related to the realized loss of the SPAC 2 investment.
(3) Consistent with the presentation in our quarterly and annual SEC filings, the nine month data reflects the investment activity of Medallion Financial only, while the full year data is presented on a managed basis, including the activity of Medallion Bank.

Portfolio Summary

Total Portfolio Yield

The weighted average yield of the total portfolio at September 30, 2011 was 6.48% (6.92% for the loan portfolio), a decrease of 41 basis points from 6.89% at December 31, 2010, and a decrease of 34 basis points from 6.82% at September 30, 2010. The weighted average yield of the total managed portfolio at September 30, 2011 was 8.52%, (8.70% for the loan portfolio), a decrease of 15 basis points from 8.67% at December 31, 2010, and a decrease of 25 basis points from 8.77% at September 30, 2010. The decreases from 2010 reflected the general market condition of falling interest rates, the changes in the portfolio mix, and portfolio repricing.

Medallion Loan Portfolio

Our medallion loans comprised 67% of the net portfolio of $452,982,000 at September 30, 2011, compared to 67% of the net portfolio of $483,516,000 at December 31, 2010, and 69% of $471,930,000 at September 30, 2010. Our managed medallion loans of $580,788,000 comprised 62% of the net managed portfolio of $942,355,000 at September 30, 2011, compared to 62% of the net managed portfolio of $946,343,000 at December 31, 2010, and 63% of $922,317,000 at September 30, 2010. The medallion loan portfolio decreased by $19,183,000 or 6% in 2011 (a decrease of $2,805,000 or less than 1% on a managed basis), primarily reflecting the movement of loans to Medallion Bank and participations sold. Total medallion loans serviced for third parties were $84,673,000, $63,933,000, and $53,568,000 at September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010.

 

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The weighted average yield of the medallion loan portfolio at September 30, 2011 was 5.59%, a decrease of 31 basis points from 5.90% at December 31, 2010, and a decrease of 39 basis points from 5.98% at September 30, 2010. The weighted average yield of the managed medallion loan portfolio at September 30, 2011 was 5.41%, a decrease of 34 basis points from 5.75% at December 31, 2010, and a decrease of 44 basis points from 5.85% at September 30, 2010. The decrease in yield primarily reflected the impact of falling interest rates in the economy and the effects of borrower refinancings. At September 30, 2011, 25% of the medallion loan portfolio represented loans outside New York, compared to 26% at December 31, 2010 and 24% at September 30, 2010. At September 30, 2011, 22% of the managed medallion loan portfolio represented loans outside New York, compared to 24% at December 31, 2010 and 23% at September 30, 2010. We continue to focus our efforts on originating higher yielding medallion loans outside the New York market.

Commercial Loan Portfolio

Our commercial loans represented 13%, 16%, and 14% of the net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010, and were 14%, 16%, and 14% on a managed basis. Commercial loans decreased by $17,846,000 or 23% during 2011 (decreased $16,228,000 or 11% on a managed basis), primarily reflecting payoffs and valuation adjustments in the secured mezzanine portfolio. Net commercial loans serviced by third parties were $14,029,000 at September 30, 2011, $12,282,000 at December 31, 2010, and $11,930,000 at September 30, 2010.

The weighted average yield of the commercial loan portfolio at September 30, 2011 was 12.34%, a decrease of 10 basis points from 12.44% at December 31, 2010, and an increase of 13 basis points from 12.21% at September 30, 2010. The weighted average yield of the managed commercial loan portfolio at September 30, 2011 was 9.05%, a decrease of 39 basis points from 9.44% at December 31, 2010, and a decrease of 17 basis points from 9.22% at September 30, 2010, reflecting the stabilization of interest rates in the economy. We continue to originate adjustable-rate and floating-rate loans tied to the prime rate to help mitigate our interest rate risk in a rising interest rate environment. At September 30, 2011, variable-rate loans represented approximately 12% of the commercial portfolio, compared to 20% and 18% at December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010, and were 54% for all three periods on a managed basis. Although this strategy initially produces a lower yield, we believe that this strategy mitigates interest rate risk by better matching our earning assets to their adjustable-rate funding sources.

Consumer Loan Portfolio

Our managed consumer loans, all of which are held in the portfolio managed by Medallion Bank, represented 21%, 19%, and 20% of the managed net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010. Medallion Bank originates adjustable rate consumer loans secured by recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and trailers located in all 50 states. The portfolio is serviced by a third party subsidiary of a major commercial bank.

The weighted average gross yield of the managed consumer loan portfolio was 17.77% at September 30, 2011, compared to 17.94% and 17.95% at December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010. Adjustable rate loans represented 80% of the managed consumer portfolio at September 30, 2011, compared to 83% at December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010.

Delinquency and Loan Loss Experience

We generally follow a practice of discontinuing the accrual of interest income on our loans that are in arrears as to payments for a period of 90 days or more. We deliver a default notice and begin foreclosure and liquidation proceedings when management determines that pursuit of these remedies is the most appropriate course of action under the circumstances. A loan is considered to be delinquent if the borrower fails to make a payment on time; however, during the course of discussion on delinquent status, we may agree to modify the

 

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payment terms of the loan with a borrower that cannot make payments in accordance with the original loan agreement. For loan modifications, the loan will only be returned to accrual status if all past due interest payments are brought fully current. For credit that is collateral based, we evaluate the anticipated net residual value we would receive upon foreclosure of such loans, if necessary. There can be no assurance, however, that the collateral securing these loans will be adequate in the event of foreclosure. For credit that is cash flow-based, we assess our collateral position, and evaluate most of these relationships as ongoing businesses, expecting to locate and install a new operator to run the business and reduce the debt.

For the consumer loan portfolio, the process to repossess the collateral is started at 60 days past due. If the collateral is not located and the account reaches 120 days delinquent, the account is charged off to realized losses. If the collateral is repossessed, a realized loss is recorded to write the collateral down to 75% of its net realizable value, and the collateral is sent to auction. When the collateral is sold, the net auction proceeds are applied to the account, and any remaining balance is written off as a realized loss, and any excess proceeds are recorded as a realized gain. Proceeds collected on charged off accounts are recorded as realized gains. All collection, repossession, and recovery efforts are handled on behalf of Medallion Bank by the servicer.

The following table shows the trend in loans 90 days or more past due as of the dates shown.

 

    September 30, 2011     September 30, 2010     December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  

(Dollars in thousands)

  Amount     %(1)     Amount     %(1)     Amount     %(1)     Amount     %(1)     Amount     %(1)  

Medallion loans

  $ 495        0.1   $ 104        0.0   $ 361        0.1   $ 1,090        0.3   $ 765        0.2

Commercial loans

                   

Secured mezzanine

    8,896        2.4        11,101        2.8        9,391        2.3        6,600        1.6        6,415        1.3   

Asset-based receivable

    —          0.0        —          0.0        —          0.0        —          0.0        —          0.0   

Other secured commercial

    759        0.2        878        0.2        1,364        0.3        295        0.1        190        0.0   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total commercial loans

    9,655        2.6        11,979        3.0        10,755        2.6        6,895        1.7        6,605        1.3   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans 90 days or more past due

  $ 10,150        2.7   $ 12,083        3.0   $ 11,116        2.7   $ 7,985        2.0   $ 7,370        1.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Medallion Bank loans

  $ 1,354        0.2   $ 2,513        0.5   $ 2,246        0.4   $ 3,861        0.9   $ 4,345        1.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total managed loans 90 days or more past due

  $ 11,504        1.2   $ 14,596        1.6   $ 13,362        1.4   $ 11,846        1.4   $ 11,715        1.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Percentages are calculated against the total or managed loan portfolio, as appropriate.

In general, collection efforts since the establishment of our collection department have contributed to the reduction in overall delinquencies of medallion and other secured commercial loans. Medallion loan delinquencies decreased due to a liquidation sale. Secured mezzanine delinquencies decreased due to collection and restructuring efforts. Other commercial loan delinquencies improved as a result of payments received. Medallion Bank experienced little change in consumer loans delinquencies although the overall declining trend reflects the effects of a slow, improving economy. We are actively working with each delinquent borrower to bring them current, and believe that any potential loss exposure is reflected in our mark-to-market estimates on each loan. Although there can be no assurances as to changes in the trend rate and further negative changes in the economy, management believes that any loss exposures are properly reflected in reported asset values.

We monitor delinquent loans for possible exposure to loss by analyzing various factors, including the value of the collateral securing the loan and the borrower’s prior payment history. Under the 1940 Act, our loan portfolio must be recorded at fair value or “marked-to-market.” Unlike other lending institutions, we are not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses. Instead, the valuation of our portfolio is adjusted quarterly to reflect our estimate of the current realizable value of our loan portfolio. Since no ready market exists for this portfolio, fair value is subject to the good faith determination of management and the approval of our Board of Directors. Because of the subjectivity of these estimates, there can be no assurance that in the event of a foreclosure or the sale of portfolio loans we would be able to recover the amounts reflected on our balance sheet.

 

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In determining the value of our portfolio, management and the Board of Directors may take into consideration various factors such as the financial condition of the borrower and the adequacy of the collateral. For example, in a period of sustained increases in market interest rates, management and the Board of Directors could decrease its valuation of the portfolio if the portfolio consists primarily of long-term, fixed-rate loans. Our valuation procedures are designed to generate values that approximate that which would have been established by market forces, and are therefore subject to uncertainties and variations from reported results. Based upon these factors, net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments is determined based on the fluctuations of our estimate of the current realizable value of our portfolio from our cost basis.

The following tables set forth the changes in our unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, other than investments in controlled subsidiaries, for the periods shown below.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Equity
Investments
    Foreclosed
Properties
    Total  

Balance December 31, 2007

   ($ 37   ($ 6,432   $ 2,742      $ 8,341      $ 4,614   

Net change in unrealized

          

Appreciation on investments

     —          —          (1,995     8,183        6,188   

Depreciation on investments

     (3     (4,073     (110     168        (4,018

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

          

Gains on investments

     —          —          —          (1,400     (1,400

Losses on investments

     40        5,190        —          322        5,552   

Other

     —          200        (200     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2008

     —          (5,115     437        15,614        10,936   

Net change in unrealized

          

Appreciation on investments

     —          —          (333     4,242        3,909   

Depreciation on investments(1)

     (3     (3,504     (8,205     (519     (12,231

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

          

Gains on investments

     —          —          —          (900     (900

Losses on investments

     3        3,983        —          919        4,905   

Other

     —          400        —          (400     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2009

     —          (4,236     (8,101     18,956        6,619   

Net change in unrealized

          

Appreciation on investments

     —          —          545        2,153        2,698   

Depreciation on investments

     —          (7,172     (475     —          (7,647

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

          

Gains on investments

     —          —          —          —          —     

Losses on investments(1)

     —          191        8,232        —          8,423   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2010

   $ —        ($ 11,217   $ 201      $ 21,109      $ 10,093   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
     Commercial
Loans
    Equity
Investments
     Foreclosed
Properties
     Total  

Balance December 31, 2010

   $ —         ($ 11,217   $ 201       $ 21,109       $ 10,093   

Net change in unrealized

             

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          310         —           310   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (533     6         —           (527

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

             

Gains on investments

     —           —          —           —           —     

Losses on investments

     —           —          —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
     Commercial
Loans
    Equity
Investments
    Foreclosed
Properties
     Total  

Balance March 31, 2011

   $ —         ($ 11,750   $ 517      $ 21,109       $ 9,876   

Net change in unrealized

            

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          300        1,109         1,409   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (1,567     469        —           (1,098

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

            

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —           —     

Losses on investments

     —           —          —          —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance June 30, 2011

     —           (13,317     1,286        22,218         10,187   

Net change in unrealized

            

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          13        2,378         2,391   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (2,450     (15     —           (2,465

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

            

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —           —     

Losses on investments

     —           —          —          —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance September 30, 2011

   $ —         ($ 15,767   $ 1,284      $ 24,596       $ 10,113   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
     Commercial
Loans
    Equity
Investments
    Foreclosed
Properties
    Total  

Balance December 31, 2009

   $ —         ($ 4,236   ($ 8,101   $ 18,956      $ 6,619   

Net change in unrealized

           

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          162        1,516        1,678   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (3,678     (510     —          (4,188

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

           

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —          —     

Losses on investments(2)

     —           —          8,232        —          8,232   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance March 31, 2010

     —           (7,914     (217     20,472        12,341   

Net change in unrealized

           

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          159        (274     (115

Depreciation on investments

     —           (853     24        —          (829

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

           

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —          —     

Losses on investments

     —           —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance June 30, 2010

     —           (8,767     (34     20,198        11,397   

Net change in unrealized

           

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          212        (40     172   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (1,069     16        —          (1,053

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

           

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —          —     

Losses on investments

     —           191        —          —          191   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance September 30, 2010

   $ —         ($ 9,645   $ 194      $ 20,158      $ 10,707   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes unrealized depreciation of $7,720 in 2009 related to investments in SPAC and SPAC 2, and the related writeoff of these investments in 2010.
(2) Represents the writeoffs $7,725 related to the investments in SPAC and SPAC 2. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on these investments.

 

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The following table presents credit-related information for the investment portfolios as of the dates shown.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

  September 30,
2011
    September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Total loans

         

Medallion loans

  $ 303,943      $ 327,425      $ 323,126      $ 321,915      $ 402,964   

Commercial loans

    59,020        65,158        76,866        77,922        89,611   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans

    362,963        392,583        399,992        399,837        492,575   

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

    85,264        75,759        78,735        72,279        74,750   

Equity investments(1)

    4,755        3,588        4,789        3,017        3,272   

Investment securities

    —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investments

  $ 452,982      $ 471,930      $ 483,516      $ 475,133      $ 570,597   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investments at Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

  $ 571,266      $ 522,221      $ 536,835      $ 439,409      $ 415,413   

Managed net investments

  $ 942,355      $ 922,317      $ 946,343      $ 846,542      $ 922,007   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

         

Medallion loans

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Commercial loans

    (15,767     (9,645     (11,217     (4,236     (5,115
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans

    (15,767     (9,645     (11,217     (4,236     (5,115

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries(2)

    —          —          —          —          —     

Equity investments

    1,284        194        201        (376     437   

Investment securities

    —          —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total unrealized depreciation on investments(2)

  ($ 14,483   ($ 9,451   ($ 11,016   ($ 4,612   ($ 4,678
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation on investments at Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

  ($ 13,890   ($ 13,428   ($ 13,501   ($ 13,519   ($ 11,000

Managed total unrealized depreciation on investments(2)

  ($ 28,373   ($ 22,879   ($ 24,517   ($ 18,131   ($ 15,678
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) as a % of balances outstanding(3)

         

Medallion loans

    —       —       —       —       —  

Commercial loans

    (21.05     (12.84     (12.69     (5.13     (5.39

Total loans

    (4.17     (2.40     (2.73     (1.05     (1.03

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

    —          —          —          —          —     

Equity investments

    36.97        5.74        4.37        (11.10     15.41   

Investment securities

    —          —          —          —          —     

Net investments

    (3.10     (1.96     (2.23     (0.96     (0.81
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investments at Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

    (2.40 %)      (2.54 %)      (2.48 %)      (3.02 %)      (2.62 %) 

Managed net investments

    (2.94 %)      (2.44 %)      (2.54 %)      (2.11 %)      (1.68 %) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents common stock and warrants held as investments.
(2) Excludes $0, $0, $0, $6,966, and $0 for unrealized depreciation on the SPAC, and $0, $1,448, $1,389, $1,593, and $1,733 for unrealized appreciation on Medallion Hamptons Holding at September 30, 2011, September 30, 2010, December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
(3) Unlike other lending institutions, we are not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses. Instead, the valuation of our portfolio is adjusted quarterly to reflect estimates of the current realizable value of the loan portfolio. These percentages represent the discount or premium that investments are carried on the books at, relative to their par or gross value.

 

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The following table presents the gain/loss experience on the investment portfolios as of the dates shown.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   September 30,
2011
    September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Realized gains (losses) on loans and equity investments(1)

          

Medallion loans

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 915      $ 1,378   

Commercial loans

     (51     (39     (40     (5,050     (5,266
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans

     (51     (39     (40     (4,135     (3,888

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries(2)

     —          (8,258     (8,258     —          —     

Equity investments

     1,321        —          1,439        —          142   

Investment securities

     —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total realized gains (losses) on loans and equity investments(2)

     1,270        (8,297   ($ 6,859   ($ 4,135   ($ 3,746
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments at Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     (4,152     (8,483     (11,474     (11,333     (7,893
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total managed realized gains (losses) on loans and equity investments(2)

   ($ 2,882   ($ 16,780   ($ 18,333   ($ 15,468   ($ 11,639
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Realized gains (losses) as a % of average balances outstanding

          

Medallion loans

     —       —       —       0.25     0.32

Commercial loans

     (0.08     (0.06     (0.05     (5.64     (5.21

Total loans

     (0.02     (0.01     (0.01     (0.90     (0.72

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     —          (14.93     (11.04     —          —     

Equity investments

     44.66        —          41.04        —          5.74   

Investment securities

     —          —          —          —          —     

Net investments

     0.35        (2.32     (1.43     (0.77     (0.61
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investments at Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     (0.98     (2.36     (2.33 %)      (2.65 %)      (2.11 %) 

Managed net investments

     (0.40 %)      (2.52 %)      (2.03 %)      (1.72 %)      (1.26 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes realized gains (losses) of $0, ($1), and $1,064 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, related to foreclosed properties, which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Excludes $779 net realized losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and year ended December 31, 2010 related to the investment in SPAC 2, which was carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

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The table below summarizes components of unrealized and realized gains and losses in the investment portfolio as of the dates shown.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

  September 30,
2011
    September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

         

Unrealized appreciation

  $ 624      $ 534      $ 545      ($ 333   ($ 1,994

Unrealized depreciation(1)

    (4,091     (5,563     (7,139     (4,747     (4,186

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries(2)

    6,544        11,026        12,535        (5,671     (2,419

Realized gains

    —          —          —          —          —     

Realized losses(1)

    —          950        950        3,986        5,230   

Unrealized gains on foreclosed properties

    3,487        1,202        2,153        3,742        7,273   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 6,564      $ 8,149      $ 9,044      ($ 3,023   $ 3,904   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

         

Realized gains

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Realized losses(3)

    —          (8,423     (8,423     (3,986     (5,230

Other gains

    1,358        141        1,581        —          470   

Direct recoveries (chargeoffs)(4)

    (88     (794     (796     (148     (50

Realized gains (losses) on foreclosed properties

    —          —          —          (1     1,064   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 1,270      ($ 9,076   ($ 7,638   ($ 4,135   ($ 3,746
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes unrealized depreciation of $759 in 2009 related to the $759 investment in SPAC 2, and the related writeoff of $759 in 2010, which was carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Includes $6,966 of net unrealized depreciation related to the investment in SPAC, including $508 that was recorded in 2010, that was reversed during 2010, upon the writeoff of the SPAC investment.
(3) Represents the writeoffs related to the investments in SPAC and SPAC 2 in the 2010 periods. See Note 10 for additional information on these investments.
(4) Includes $817 of direct chargeoffs related to the settlement of the liabilities associated with the writeoff of SPAC and SPAC 2 in the 2010 periods, all of which represented a reversal of accrued expenses.

Investment in Medallion Bank and Other Controlled Subsidiaries

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries was 19%, 16%, and 16% of our total portfolio at September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010. The portfolio company investments primarily represent the wholly-owned unconsolidated subsidiaries of ours, substantially all of which is represented by our investment in Medallion Bank, a non-pass-through, taxpaying entity. We have held discussions with the IRS to obtain LLC tax treatment for Medallion Bank, which would provide “pass-through” taxation for our shareholders, and which has already been agreed to by the State of Utah. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in our efforts, but if we are successful, this treatment would reduce taxes and increase the reported net income of Medallion Bank. In addition, to facilitate maintenance of Medallion Bank’s capital ratio requirement and to provide the necessary capital for continued growth, we periodically make capital contributions to Medallion Bank. Separately, Medallion Bank declared dividends to us of $1,000,000 in each of the 2011 and 2010 third quarters, and $3,000,000 in each of the 2011 and 2010 nine months. See Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information about these investments.

 

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Equity Investments

Equity investments were 1% of our total portfolio at September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010. Equity investments were 1%, 1%, and less than 1% of our total managed portfolio at September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010. Equity investments are comprised of common stock, partnership interests, and warrants.

Investment Securities

Investment securities were 0% of our total portfolio at September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010. Investment securities were 2% of our total managed portfolio at September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010. The investment securities are primarily adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities purchased by Medallion Bank to better utilize required cash liquidity.

Trend in Interest Expense

Our interest expense is driven by the interest rates payable on our short-term credit facilities with banks, bank certificates of deposit, fixed-rate, long-term debentures issued to the SBA, and other short-term notes payable. We established a medallion lending relationship with DZ Bank in December 2008, that provides for growth in the portfolio at generally lower rates than under prior facilities, all of which have been fully paid off. In addition, Medallion Bank began raising brokered bank certificates of deposit during 2004, which were at our lowest borrowing costs. As a result of Medallion Bank raising funds through certificates of deposit as previously noted, we were able to realign the ownership of some of our medallion loans and related assets to Medallion Bank allowing us and our subsidiaries to use cash generated through these transactions to retire debt with higher interest rates. In addition, Medallion Bank is able to bid on these deposits at a wide variety of maturity levels which allows for improved interest rate management strategies.

Our cost of funds is primarily driven by the rates paid on our various debt instruments and their relative mix, and changes in the levels of average borrowings outstanding. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for details on the terms of all outstanding debt. Our debentures issued to the SBA typically have terms of ten years.

We measure our borrowing costs as our aggregate interest expense for all of our interest-bearing liabilities divided by the average amount of such liabilities outstanding during the period. The following table shows the average borrowings and related borrowing costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Our average balances decreased and Medallion Bank’s average balances increased reflecting the sourcing of more business to Medallion Bank, and an increase in loan participations sold. The decrease in borrowing costs reflected the trend of decreasing interest rates in the economy.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Interest
Expense
     Average
Balance
     Average
Borrowing
Costs
 

September 30, 2011

        

Revolving lines of credits

   $ 2,281       $ 175,462         1.74

SBA debentures

     3,492         79,089         5.90   

Notes payable to banks

     2,600         75,177         4.62   

Preferred securities

     1,903         33,000         7.71   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $ 10,276       $ 362,728         3.79   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Medallion Bank borrowings

   $ 4,862       $ 483,967         1.34   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total managed borrowings

   $ 15,138       $ 846,695         2.39   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(Dollars in thousands)

   Interest
Expense
     Average
Balance
     Average
Borrowing
Costs
 

September 30, 2010

        

Revolving lines of credits

   $ 2,456       $ 182,410         1.80

SBA debentures

     4,259         86,752         6.56   

Preferred securities

     2,475         64,184         5.16   

Notes payable to banks

     1,903         33,000         7.71   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $ 11,093       $ 366,346         4.05   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Medallion Bank borrowings

   $ 5,624       $ 402,393         1.87   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total managed borrowings

   $ 16,717       $ 768,739         2.91   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Interest
Expense
     Average
Balance
     Average
Borrowing
Costs
 

December 31, 2010

        

Revolving lines of credit

   $ 3,205       $ 181,489         1.77

SBA debentures

     5,449         85,113         6.40   

Notes payable to banks

     3,393         67,041         5.06   

Preferred securities

     2,538         33,000         7.69   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $ 14,585       $ 366,643         3.98   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Medallion Bank borrowings

     7,478         416,062         1.80   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total managed borrowings

   $ 22,063       $ 782,705         2.82   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

        

Revolving lines of credit

   $ 6,489       $ 253,388         2.56

SBA debentures

     5,725         88,250         6.49   

Preferred securities

     2,124         44,165         4.81   

Notes payable to banks

     2,538         33,000         7.69   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

   $ 16,876       $ 418,803         4.03   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Medallion Bank borrowings

     11,046         361,613         3.06   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total managed borrowings

   $ 27,922       $ 780,416         3.58   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

        

Revolving lines of credit

   $ 15,161       $ 355,706         4.26

SBA debentures

     5,253         81,319         6.46   

Preferred securities

     2,538         33,000         7.69   

Notes payable to banks

     759         11,982         6.33   

Margin loans

   $ 23,711       $ 482,007         4.92   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

     14,934         324,141         4.61   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Medallion Bank borrowings

   $ 38,645       $ 806,148         4.79   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total managed borrowings

        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We will continue to seek SBA funding to the extent it offers attractive rates. SBA financing subjects its recipients to limits on the amount of secured bank debt they may incur. We use SBA funding to fund loans that qualify under Small Business Investment Act (SBIA) and SBA regulations. We believe that financing operations primarily with short-term floating rate secured bank debt has generally decreased our interest expense, but has also increased our exposure to the risk of increases in market interest rates, which we mitigate with certain interest rate strategies. At September 30, 2011 and 2010, short-term adjustable rate debt constituted 68% and

 

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69% of total debt, and was 29% and 31% on a fully managed basis including the borrowings of Medallion Bank, reflecting the payoff of the floating rate Citi borrowings and its partial replacement with fixed rate debt.

Factors Affecting Net Assets

Factors that affect our net assets include net realized gain or loss on investments and change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments. Net realized gain or loss on investments is the difference between the proceeds derived upon sale or foreclosure of a loan or an equity investment and the cost basis of such loan or equity investment. Change in net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments is the amount, if any, by which our estimate of the fair value of our investment portfolio is above or below the previously established fair value or the cost basis of the portfolio. Under the 1940 Act and the SBIA, our loan portfolio and other investments must be recorded at fair value.

Unlike certain lending institutions, we are not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses, but adjust quarterly the valuation of the loan portfolio to reflect our estimate of the current value of the total loan portfolio. Since no ready market exists for our loans, fair value is subject to our good faith determination. In determining such fair value, we and our Board of Directors consider factors such as the financial condition of its borrowers and the adequacy of their collateral. Any change in the fair value of portfolio loans or other investments as determined by us is reflected in net unrealized depreciation or appreciation of investments and affects net increase in net assets resulting from operations but has no impact on net investment income or distributable income.

Our investment in Medallion Bank, as a wholly-owned portfolio investment, is also subject to quarterly assessments of fair value. We conduct a thorough valuation analysis as described previously, and determine whether any factors give rise to valuation different than recorded book value, including various regulatory restrictions that were established at Medallion Bank’s inception, by the FDIC and State of Utah, and also by additional marketplace and regulatory restrictions, such as the ability to transfer industrial bank charters. As a result of this valuation process, we used Medallion Bank’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the results as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, although changes in these restrictions and other applicable factors could change these conclusions in the future.

Consolidated Results of Operations

2011 Third Quarter and Nine Months Compared to the 2010 Periods

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $4,835,000 or $0.27 per diluted common share and $13,531,000 or $0.77 in the 2011 third quarter and nine months, up $1,367,000 or 39% and $6,920,000 from $3,468,000 or $0.20 per share and $6,611,000 or $0.37 in the 2010 third quarter and nine months, primarily reflecting higher net realized/unrealized gains and lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower noninterest and net interest income. Net investment income after income taxes was $1,376,000 or $0.08 per share and $5,697,000 or $0.32 in the 2011 quarter and nine months, down $992,000 or 42%, and $1,841,000 or 24% from $2,368,000 or $0.13 per share and $7,538,000 or $0.43 in the 2010 quarter and nine months.

Investment income was $8,029,000 and $26,040,000 in the 2011 third quarter and nine months, down $1,524,000 or 16% and $2,103,000 or 7% from $9,553,000 and $28,143,000 in the year ago periods, and included $387,000 and $1,514,000 from interest recoveries and bonuses on certain investments in the 2011 quarter and nine months, compared to $977,000 and $1,847,000 in the 2010 periods. Also included in the 2011 and 2010 quarters and nine months was $1,000,000 and $3,000,000 in dividends from Medallion Bank. Excluding those items, investment income decreased $934,000 or 12% in the quarter and $1,770,000 or 7% in the nine months, primarily reflecting changes in the yields earned and the sourcing of a greater proportion of the Company’s business to Medallion Bank. The yield on the investment portfolio was 6.93% in the 2011 quarter,

 

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down 13% from 7.97% in 2010, and was 7.42% in the 2011 nine months, down 7% from 7.99% in the 2010 nine months. Excluding the extra interest and dividends, the 2011 third quarter and nine month yields were down 9% and 7% to 5.73% and 6.13%, from 6.32% and 6.61% in the 2010 quarter and nine months, reflecting the general decrease in market interest rates and changes in the portfolio mix. Average investments outstanding were $460,083,000 and $469,396,000 in the 2011 quarter and nine months, down 3% and less than 1% from $475,566,000 and $470,854,000 in the year ago periods, primarily reflecting portfolio growth, partially offset by loan participations sold and loan payments received.

Medallion loans were $303,943,000 at quarter end, down $23,482,000 or 7% from $327,425,000 a year ago, representing 67% of the investment portfolio compared to 69% a year ago, and were yielding 5.59% compared to 5.98% a year ago, a decrease of 7%, reflecting the repricing of the portfolio to lower current market interest rates. The decrease in outstandings primarily reflected sold participations and repayments, primarily in the New York market, partially offset by portfolio growth. The managed medallion portfolio, which includes loans at Medallion Bank and those serviced for third parties, was $665,460,000 at quarter end, up $36,956,000 or 6% from $628,504,000 a year ago, reflecting the above and the strong overall portfolio growth at Medallion Bank, particularly in the New York market. The commercial loan portfolio was $59,020,000 at quarter end, compared to $65,158,000 a year ago, a decrease of $6,138,000 or 9%, and represented 13% of the investment portfolio compared to 14% a year ago. The decrease primarily reflected reserve increases in the high-yield mezzanine loan portfolio. Commercial loans yielded 12.34% at quarter end, up 1% from 12.21% a year ago, reflecting the portfolio mix. The net managed commercial loan portfolio, which includes loans at Medallion Bank and those serviced for or by third parties, was $119,310,000 at quarter end, essentially unchanged from $119,266,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting the changes described above, and increases in Medallion Bank’s asset-based portfolio. Investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries were $85,264,000 at quarter end, up $9,505,000 or 13% from $75,759,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting our equity in the earnings of Medallion Bank, and which represented 19% of the investment portfolio, compared to 16% a year ago, and which yielded 4.69% at quarter end, compared to 5.28% a year ago, reflecting the flat dividend from Medallion Bank on a growing investment balance. See Notes 3 and 10 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information about Medallion Bank and the other controlled subsidiaries. Equity investments were $4,755,000 at quarter end, up $1,167,000 or 33% from $3,588,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting increased equity purchases and portfolio appreciation, and represented 1% of the investment portfolio at both quarter ends, and had a dividend yield of 2.13%, compared to 1.96% a year ago. Investment securities were zero at both quarter ends. See page 30 for a table that shows balances and yields by type of investment.

Interest expense was $3,431,000 and $10,276,000 in the 2011 quarter and nine months, down $407,000 or 11% and $817,000 or 7% from $3,838,000 and $11,093,000 in the 2010 periods. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to the decreased cost of borrowed funds, and in the quarter was also due to decreased levels of borrowing. The cost of borrowed funds was 3.84% and 3.79% in the 2011 quarter and nine months, compared to 4.10% and 4.05% in the year ago periods, both decreases of 6%, reflecting the adjustable rate nature of much of our borrowings, and changes in our funding mix. Average debt outstanding was $354,137,000 and $362,728,000 for the 2011 quarter and nine months, compared to $371,412,000 and $366,346,000 in the year ago periods, decreases of 5% and 1%, primarily reflecting the stabilization of our borrowing needs as much of our portfolio growth was in Medallion Bank. See page 39 for a table which shows average balances and cost of funds for our funding sources.

Net interest income was $4,598,000 and $15,764,000 and the net interest margin was 3.97% and 4.49% for the 2011 third quarter and nine months, down $1,117,000 or 20% and $1,286,000 or 8% from $5,715,000 and $17,050,000 a year ago, which represented net interest margins of 4.77% and 4.84%, all reflecting the items discussed above.

Noninterest income, which is comprised of prepayment fees, servicing fee income, late charges, and other miscellaneous income was $218,000 and $953,000 in the 2011 third quarter and nine months, down $1,122,000 or 84% and $2,334,000 or 71% from $1,340,000 and $3,287,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting lower servicing

 

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and other fees generated from the portfolio base at Medallion Bank and lower prepayment fees. Excluded from noninterest income in the 2011 third quarter and nine months was $1,389,000 and $4,145,000 of servicing fee income, which beginning in the 2010 fourth quarter was assigned to Medallion Servicing Corp. (MSC), a wholly-owned unconsolidated portfolio company, established for the purpose of conducting most of the servicing activities for Medallion Bank.

Operating expenses were $3,440,000 and $11,020,000 in the 2011 third quarter and nine months, down $1,247,000 or 27% and down $1,779,000 or 14% from $4,687,000 and $12,799,000 in the 2010 periods, which included $1,622,000 of expense reversals in the 2010 nine months associated with potential liabilities of the SPAC’s. Also, excluded from operating expenses in the 2011 quarter and nine months was $1,369,000 and $4,127,000 of servicing-related expenses, which beginning in the 2010 fourth quarter were charged to MSC. Excluding the SPAC and MSC amounts, operating expenses increased $122,000 or 3% and $726,000 or 5% in the quarter and nine months. Salaries and benefits expense was $2,101,000 and $6,060,000 in the third quarter and nine months, down $621,000 or 23% and $2,469,000 or 29% from $2,722,000 and $8,529,000 in 2010, primarily reflecting $937,000 and $2,810,000 of MSC allocations in the 2011 quarter and nine months, and otherwise reflecting higher salary levels and lower salary deferrals related to loan originations, and in the nine months, also by lower bonus accruals and higher salary deferrals related to loan originations. Professional fees were $220,000 and $743,000 in the quarter and nine months, down $231,000 or 51% and $986,000 or 57% from $451,000 and $1,729,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting higher 2010 legal and other professional expenses related to various investment opportunities and the MFC reorganization, lower accounting costs in 2011, and also reflected $56,000 and $178,000 of MSC allocations in the quarter and nine months. Occupancy expense was $235,000 and $687,000 in the quarter and nine months, down $117,000 or 33% and $345,000 or 33% from $352,000 and $1,032,000 in the 2010 periods, primarily reflecting $162,000 and $408,000 of MSC allocations and scheduled rent increases. Other operating expenses of $884,000 and $3,529,000 in 2011 were down $278,000 or 24% and were up $2,020,000 from $1,162,000 and $1,509,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting $1,622,000 of 2010 expense reversals in the nine months associated with potential liabilities of the SPAC’s, and also in 2011 reflected $214,000 and $731,000 of MSC allocations. Excluding the SPAC and MSC amounts, other operating expenses decreased $64,000 or 6% in the quarter, and increased $1,129,000 or 36% in the nine months, primarily reflecting $942,000 of costs accrued related to a proposed investment opportunity that may be recoverable in the future, higher travel and entertainment expenses, and lower franchise tax accruals.

Income tax expense was $0 in the 2011 and 2010 third quarters and nine months.

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments was $2,773,000 and $6,564,000 in the 2011 third quarter and nine months, compared to $1,286,000 and $8,149,000 in the 2010 third quarter and nine months, an increase in appreciation of $1,487,000 in the quarter, and a decrease in appreciation of $1,585,000 or 19% in the nine months. Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net of the net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on Medallion Bank and the other controlled subsidiaries, was depreciation of $74,000 and appreciation of $20,000 in the 2011 quarter and nine months, compared to depreciation of $689,000 and $2,877,000 in the 2010 periods, resulting in increased appreciation of $615,000 and $2,897,000 in the 2011 quarter and nine months. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) arises when we make valuation adjustments to the investment portfolio. When investments are sold or written off, any resulting realized gain (loss) is grossed up to reflect previously recorded unrealized components. As a result, movement between periods can appear distorted. The 2011 activity resulted from net appreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries of $2,847,000 ($6,544,000 in the nine months) and net appreciation on foreclosed property of $2,378,000 ($3,487,000 in the nine months), partially offset by net unrealized depreciation on loans of $2,450,000 ($4,550,000 in the nine months) and net unrealized depreciation on equity investments of $2,000 ($1,083,000 of appreciation in the nine months). The 2010 activity resulted from net appreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries of $1,975,000 ($11,026,000 in the nine months), net unrealized appreciation on equity investments of $229,000 ($550,000 in the nine months), reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with fully depreciated loans which were charged off of $191,000 ($191,000 in the nine months), and reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with equity investments (SPAC 2) which were charged off of $0 ($759,000 in the nine

 

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months), partially offset by net unrealized depreciation on loans of $1,069,000 ($5,579,000 in the nine months) and depreciation on foreclosed property of $40,000 (appreciation of $1,202,000 in the nine months. The net appreciation or depreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries described above is net of the dividends declared by them to us of $1,000,000 in each of the 2011 and 2010 third quarters, and $3,000,000 in the 2011 and 2010 nine months, and also in 2010 includes the reversal of unrealized depreciation of $7,473,000 related to the writeoffs of the SPAC investments realized in the 2010 first quarter.

Our net realized gains on investments were $686,000 and $1,270,000 in the 2011 quarter and nine months, compared to losses of $186,000 and $9,076,000 in the 2010 quarter and nine months, an increase in realized gains of $872,000 in the quarter and $10,346,000 in the nine months. The 2011 activity reflected gains on the sale of equity investments of $796,000 ($1,358,000 in the nine months) and net direct chargeoffs of $110,000 ($88,000 in the nine months). The 2010 activity reflected the reversals described in the unrealized paragraph above, partially offset by net direct recoveries of $5,000 ($794,000 of net direct chargeoffs in the nine months) and net direct gains on the sale of investments of $0 ($141,000 in the nine months).

Our net realized/unrealized gains on investments were $3,459,000 and $7,834,000 in the 2011 quarter and nine months, compared to a gain of $1,100,000 and a loss of $927,000 in the 2010 periods, an increase of $2,359,000 and $8,761,000 in net gains in the 2011 periods, reflecting the above.

For the Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $11,279,000 or $0.64 per diluted common share in 2010, up $10,257,000 from $1,022,000 or $0.06 per share in 2009, primarily reflecting $9,342,000 of charges associated with writing off our investments in the SPAC’s in 2009. Aside from these writeoffs, the increase was $915,000 or 9%, primarily reflecting higher other net realized/unrealized gains, noninterest income, and lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower net interest income. Net investment income after taxes was $9,873,000 or $0.56 per share in 2010, up $1,693,000 or 21% from $8,180,000 or $0.46 in 2009.

Investment income was $37,253,000 in 2010, down $4,150,000 or 10% from $41,403,000 a year ago, and included $2,678,000 from interest recoveries and bonuses on certain investments in 2010, compared to $1,684,000 in 2009. Also included in 2010 and 2009 were $4,000,000 in dividends from Medallion Bank in each year. Excluding those items, investment income decreased $5,144,000 or 14%, primarily reflecting loan participations sold and loan prepayments, and to a lesser extent, changes in the yields earned. The yield on the investment portfolio was 7.91% in 2010, up 2% from 7.77% in 2009. Excluding the extra interest and dividends, the 2010 yield was down 3% to 6.49% from 6.70% in 2009, reflecting the general decrease in market interest rates and changes in the portfolio mix. Average investments outstanding were $471,105,000 in 2010, down 12% from $533,106,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting loan participations sold and loan prepayments.

Medallion loans were $323,126,000 at year end, up $1,211,000 from $321,915,000 a year ago, representing 67% of the investment portfolio compared to 68% a year ago, and were yielding 5.90% compared to 6.23% a year ago, a decrease of 5%. The increase in outstandings primarily reflected portfolio growth, partially offset by sold participations and repayments. The managed medallion portfolio, which includes loans at Medallion Bank and those serviced for third parties, was $647,527,000 at year end, up $63,133,000 or 11% from $584,394,000 a year ago, reflecting the above and the strong overall portfolio growth at Medallion Bank. The commercial loan portfolio was $76,866,000 at year end, compared to $77,922,000 a year ago, a decrease of $1,056,000 or 1%, and represented 16% of the investment portfolio in both years. The decrease primarily reflected repayments of other secured commercial loans and reserve increases in the high-yield mezzanine loan portfolio, mostly offset by portfolio growth in the mezzanine and asset-based portfolios. Commercial loans yielded 12.45% at year end, down 2% from 12.71% a year ago, reflecting the general reduction in market interest rates. The net managed commercial loan portfolio, which includes loans at Medallion Bank and those serviced for or by third parties, was $138,158,000 at year end, up $2,145,000 or 2% from $136,013,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting the changes described above and increases in Medallion Bank’s asset-based portfolio, and by the net decrease in

 

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third party loan participations purchased. Investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries were $78,735,000 at year end, up $6,456,000 or 9% from $72,279,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting our equity in the earnings of Medallion Bank, and which represented 16% of the investment portfolio, compared to 15% a year ago, and which yielded 5.08% at year end, compared to 5.53% a year ago. See Notes 3 and 10 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information about Medallion Bank and the other controlled subsidiaries. Equity investments were $4,789,000 at year end, up $1,772,000 or 59% from $3,017,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting increased equity purchases and portfolio appreciation, and represented 1% of the investment portfolio at both year ends, and had a dividend yield of 1.48%, compared to 2.50% a year ago. Investment securities were zero at both year ends. See page 30 for a table that shows balances and yields by type of investment.

Interest expense was $14,585,000 in 2010, down $2,291,000 or 14% from $16,876,000 in 2009. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to decreased levels of borrowings. The cost of borrowed funds was 3.98% in 2010, compared to 4.03% a year ago, a decrease of 1%, reflecting the stabilization of interest rates, the adjustable rate nature of much of our borrowings, and changes in our funding mix. Average debt outstanding was $366,643,000 in 2010, compared to $418,803,000 a year ago, a decrease of 12%, primarily reflecting decreased borrowings as portfolio outstandings declined. See page 40 for a table which shows average balances and cost of funds for our funding sources.

Net interest income was $22,668,000 and the net interest margin was 4.81% in 2010, down $1,859,000 or 8% from $24,527,000 a year ago, which represented a net interest margin of 4.60%, all reflecting the items discussed above.

Noninterest income, which is comprised of servicing fee income, prepayment fees, late charges, and other miscellaneous income was $3,533,000 in 2010, up $150,000 or 4% from $3,383,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting higher servicing and other fees generated from a larger portfolio base at Medallion Bank, and higher prepayment fees; partially offset by lower fees earned from an unconsolidated portfolio company and lower late charges. Excluded from noninterest income in 2010 was $412,000 of servicing fee income, which during the 2010 fourth quarter was assigned to Medallion Servicing Corp. (MSC), a wholly-owned unconsolidated portfolio company, established for the purpose of conducting most of the servicing activities for Medallion Bank.

Operating expenses were $16,328,000 in 2010, down $3,402,000 or 17% from $19,730,000 in 2009, primarily reflecting $1,622,000 of expense charges in 2009 associated with potential liabilities of the SPAC’s, and their subsequent reversal to realized losses in 2010. Also, excluded from operating expenses in 2010 was $349,000 of servicing-related expenses, which during the 2010 fourth quarter were charged to MSC. Excluding the SPAC and MSC amounts, operating expenses increased $191,000 or 1% in 2010. Salaries and benefits expense was $10,539,000 in the year, down $450,000 or 4% from $10,989,000 in 2009, primarily reflecting $225,000 of MSC allocations, and otherwise reflecting higher salary and bonus accruals, mostly offset by higher salary deferrals related to loan originations. Professional fees were $2,339,000 in 2010, up $784,000 or 50% from $1,554,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting higher legal, accounting, and other professional expenses related to costs associated with a cancelled equity initiative, various investment opportunities, and the MFC reorganization, and also reflected $25,000 of MSC allocations. Occupancy expense was $1,330,000 in 2010, up $55,000 or 4%, from $1,275,000 in 2009, primarily reflecting lower rent reimbursements received from an unconsolidated portfolio company, and also reflected $43,000 of MSC allocations. Other operating expenses of $2,120,000 in 2010 were down $3,792,000 or 64% from $5,912,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting $1,622,000 of expense charges in 2009 associated with potential liabilities of the SPAC’s, and their subsequent reversal to realized losses in 2010, and also reflected $56,000 of MSC allocations. Excluding the SPAC and MSC amounts, other operating expenses decreased $492,000 or 11% in 2010. The decrease primarily reflected higher expense reimbursements from Medallion Bank, and lower travel and entertainment and depreciation and amortization expenses, partially offset by higher franchise tax accruals.

 

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Income tax expense was $0 in 2010 and 2009.

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments was $9,044,000 in 2010, compared to depreciation of $3,023,000 in 2009, an increase in appreciation of $12,067,000. Net change in unrealized depreciation, net of the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on Medallion Bank and the other controlled subsidiaries, was $3,491,000 in 2010, compared to appreciation of $2,648,000 in 2009, resulting in decreased appreciation of $6,139,000 in 2010. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) arises when we make valuation adjustments to the investment portfolio. When investments are sold or written off, any resulting realized gain (loss) is grossed up to reflect previously recorded unrealized components. As a result, movement between periods can appear distorted. The 2010 activity resulted from net appreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries of $12,535,000, net appreciation on foreclosed property of $2,153,000, reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with equity investments (SPAC 2) which were charged off of $759,000, net unrealized appreciation on equity investments of $556,000, and reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with fully depreciated loans which were charged off of $191,000, partially offset by net unrealized depreciation on loans of $7,150,000. The 2009 activity resulted from net depreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries of $5,671,000, net unrealized depreciation on loans of $3,507,000, and net unrealized depreciation on equity investments of $1,573,000, partially offset by reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with fully depreciated loans which were charged off of $3,986,000, net appreciation on foreclosed property of $3,724,000, and reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with foreclosed properties that were sold of $18,000. The net appreciation or depreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries described above is net of the dividends declared by them to us of $4,000,000 in each of 2010 and 2009. Also included were unrealized depreciation of $6,965,000 in 2009, and the subsequent reversal of unrealized depreciation of $7,473,000 in 2010, related to the writeoffs of the SPAC investments realized in the 2010 first quarter.

Our net realized losses on investments were $7,638,000 in 2010, compared to $4,135,000 in 2009, an increase in realized losses of $3,503,000 in 2010. The 2010 activity reflected the reversals described in the unrealized paragraph above and net direct chargeoffs of $796,000, partially offset by net direct gains on the sale of investments of $1,581,000. The 2009 activity reflected the reversals described in the unrealized paragraph above and net direct charge offs of $148,000, partially offset by net direct gains on the sale of foreclosed properties of $18,000.

Our net realized/unrealized gains/losses on investments were a gain of $1,406,000 in 2010, compared to losses of $7,158,000 in 2009, an increase of $8,564,000 of net gains in the year, reflecting the above.

For the Years Ended December 31, 2009 and 2008

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $1,022,000 or $0.06 per diluted common share in 2009, down $14,226,000 or 93% from $15,248,000 or $0.86 per share in 2008, primarily reflecting $9,342,000 of charges associated with writing off our investments in the SPAC’s. Aside from these writeoffs, the 2009 decrease primarily reflected lower net interest income, higher operating expenses, and lower noninterest income, partially offset by higher other net realized/unrealized gains. Net investment income after income taxes was $8,180,000 or $0.46 per share in 2009, down $6,910,000 or 46% from $15,090,000 or $0.85 per share in 2008.

Investment income was $41,403,000 in 2009, down $10,881,000 or 21% from $52,284,000 a year ago, and included $1,684,000 from interest recoveries and bonuses on certain investments in 2009, compared to $4,471,000 in 2008. Also included in 2009 were $4,000,000 in dividends from Medallion Bank, compared to $6,000,000 in 2008. Excluding those items, investment income decreased $6,094,000 or 15%, primarily reflecting loan participations sold and loan prepayments, and to a lesser extent, changes in the yields earned. The yield on the investment portfolio was 7.77% in 2009, down 9% from 8.58% in 2008. Excluding the extra interest and dividends, the 2009 yield was down 2% to 6.70% from 6.86% in 2008, reflecting the general decrease in market interest rates and changes in the portfolio mix. Average investments outstanding were $533,106,000 in 2009, down 13% from $609,634,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting loan participations sold and loan prepayments.

 

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Medallion loans were $321,915,000 at year end, down $81,049,000 or 20% from $402,964,000 a year ago, representing 68% of the investment portfolio compared to 70% a year ago, and were yielding 6.23% compared to 6.42% a year ago, a decrease of 3%. The decrease in outstandings primarily reflected sold participations and repayments. The managed medallion portfolio, which includes loans at Medallion Bank and those serviced for third parties, was $584,394,000 at year end, down $7,019,000 or 1% from $591,413,000 a year ago, reflecting the above and the strong overall portfolio growth at Medallion Bank. The commercial loan portfolio was $77,922,000 at year end, compared to $89,611,000 a year ago, a decrease of $11,689,000 or 13%, and represented 16% of the investment portfolio in both periods. The decrease reflected repayments in all portfolios. Commercial loans yielded 12.71% at year end, up 6% from 11.97% a year ago, reflecting the increased share of high-yield mezzanine loans. The net managed commercial loan portfolio, which includes loans at Medallion Bank and those serviced for or by third parties, was $136,013,000 at year end, down $31,563,000 or 19% from $167,576,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting the changes described above, decreases in the asset-based and real estate loan portfolios at Medallion Bank, and by the net increase in third party loan participations purchased. Investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries were $72,279,000 at year end, down $2,471,000 or 3% from $74,750,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting the writeoff of the SPAC investment, partially offset by increased investment in Medallion Bank, and our equity in the earnings of Medallion Bank, and which represented 15% of the investment portfolio, compared to 13% a year ago, and which yielded 5.53% at year end, compared to 8.22% a year ago. See Notes 3 and 10 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information about Medallion Bank and the other controlled subsidiaries. Equity investments were $3,017,000 at year end, down $255,000 or 8% from $3,272,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting portfolio depreciation, partially offset by increased equity purchases, and represented 1% of the investment portfolio at both year ends, and had a dividend yield of 2.50%, compared to 4.33% a year ago. Investment securities were zero at both year ends. See page 30 for a table that shows balances and yields by type of investment.

Interest expense was $16,876,000 in 2009, down $6,835,000 or 29% from $23,711,000 in 2008. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to the decreased cost of borrowed funds, and to a lesser extent, to decreased levels of borrowings. The cost of borrowed funds was 4.03% in 2009, compared to 4.92% a year ago, a decrease of 18%, reflecting the sharp declines in interest rates as the Fed lowered rates to address the economic crisis, and that impact on the adjustable rate nature of much of our borrowings. Average debt outstanding was $418,803,000 in 2009, compared to $482,007,000 a year ago, a decrease of 13%, primarily reflecting decreased borrowings as portfolio outstandings declined. See page 40 for a table which shows average balances and cost of funds for our funding sources.

Net interest income was $24,527,000 and the net interest margin was 4.60% in 2009, down $4,046,000 or 14% from $28,573,000 a year ago, which represented a net interest margin of 4.69%, all reflecting the items discussed above.

Noninterest income, which is comprised of servicing fee income, prepayment fees, late charges, and other miscellaneous income was $3,383,000 in 2009, down $454,000 or 12% from $3,837,000 a year ago. Included in noninterest income in 2008 were unusually large prepayment penalties relating to the payoffs of several large fleets of $667,000. Excluding those prepayment penalties, noninterest income increased 7% in 2009, primarily reflecting higher servicing and other fees generated from a larger portfolio base at Medallion Bank, partially offset by lower investment partnership income distributions and audit and due diligence fees.

Operating expenses were $19,730,000 in 2009, up $2,410,000 or 14% from $17,320,000 in 2008, primarily reflecting $1,622,000 of charges associated with potential liabilities of the SPAC’s. Excluding the SPAC-related charges, operating expenses increased $788,000 or 5%. Salaries and benefits expense was $10,989,000 in the year, up $300,000 or 3% from $10,689,000 in 2008, primarily reflecting an increase in salary levels and lower salary deferrals related to loan originations, partially offset by lower bonus accruals and stock compensation expense. Professional fees were $1,554,000 in 2009, down $52,000 or 3% from $1,606,000 a year ago, primarily reflecting lower accounting costs, partially offset by higher other professional and legal expenses related to various investment opportunities. Occupancy expense was $1,275,000 in 2009, up $4,000 from $1,271,000 in 2008. Other operating expenses of $5,912,000 in 2009 were up $2,158,000 or 57% from $3,754,000 a year ago,

 

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primarily reflecting $1,622,000 of charges associated with potential liabilities of the SPAC’s. Excluding the SPAC-related charges, other operating expenses increased $536,000 or 14%, primarily reflecting higher travel and entertainment expense, director’ fees, computer costs, and printing expenses, partially offset by lower franchise tax accruals and depreciation and amortization expenses.

Income tax expense was $0 in 2009 and 2008.

Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments was $3,023,000 in 2009, compared to appreciation of $3,904,000 in 2008, a decrease in appreciation of $6,927,000. Net change in unrealized appreciation, net of the net unrealized depreciation on Medallion Bank and the other controlled subsidiaries was appreciation of $2,648,000 in 2009, compared to $6,323,000 in 2008, resulting in decreased appreciation of $3,675,000 in 2009. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) arises when we make valuation adjustments to the investment portfolio. When investments are sold or written off, any resulting realized gain (loss) is grossed up to reflect previously recorded unrealized components. As a result, movement between periods can appear distorted. The 2009 activity resulted from net depreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries of $5,671,000, net unrealized depreciation on loans of $3,507,000, and net unrealized depreciation on equity investments of $1,573,000, partially offset by reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with fully depreciated loans which were charged off of $3,986,000, net appreciation on foreclosed property of $3,724,000, and reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with foreclosed properties that were sold of $18,000. The 2008 activity resulted from net unrealized appreciation on foreclosed property of $8,351,000 and reversals of unrealized depreciation associated with fully depreciated loans which were charged off of $5,230,000, partially offset by net unrealized depreciation on loans of $3,875,000, net depreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries of $2,419,000, net unrealized depreciation on equity investments of $2,305,000, and by net reversals of unrealized appreciation associated with foreclosed properties that were sold of $1,078,000. The net appreciation or depreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries described above is net of the dividends declared by them to us of $4,000,000 in 2009 and $6,000,000 in 2008, and also in 2009 includes depreciation of $6,965,000 related to the writeoffs of the SPAC investments.

Our net realized losses on investments were $4,135,000 in 2009, compared to $3,746,000 in 2008, reflecting increased losses of $389,000 in 2009. The 2009 activity reflected the reversals described in the unrealized paragraph above and net direct charge offs of $148,000, partially offset by net direct gains on the sale of foreclosed properties of $18,000. The 2008 activity reflected the reversals described above and net direct charge offs of $50,000 and net direct losses on foreclosed properties of $14,000, partially offset by net direct gains on sales of equity and other investments of $470,000.

Our net realized/unrealized losses on investments were $7,158,000 in 2009, compared to gains of $158,000 in 2008, an increase of $7,316,000 of net losses in 2009, reflecting the above.

Asset/Liability Management

Interest Rate Sensitivity

We, like other financial institutions, are subject to interest rate risk to the extent that our interest-earning assets (consisting of medallion, commercial, and consumer loans; and investment securities) reprice on a different basis over time in comparison to our interest-bearing liabilities (consisting primarily of credit facilities with banks and other lenders, bank certificates of deposit, and subordinated SBA debentures).

Having interest-bearing liabilities that mature or reprice more frequently on average than assets may be beneficial in times of declining interest rates, although such an asset/liability structure may result in declining net earnings during periods of rising interest rates. Abrupt increases in market rates of interest may have an adverse impact on our earnings until we are able to originate new loans at the higher prevailing interest rates. Conversely, having interest-earning assets that mature or reprice more frequently on average than liabilities may be beneficial in times of rising interest rates, although this asset/liability structure may result in declining net earnings during periods of falling interest rates. This mismatch between maturities and interest rate sensitivities of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities results in interest rate risk.

 

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The effect of changes in interest rates is mitigated by regular turnover of the portfolio. Based on past experience, we anticipate that approximately 40% of the taxicab medallion portfolio will mature or be prepaid each year. We believe that the average life of our loan portfolio varies to some extent as a function of changes in interest rates. Borrowers are more likely to exercise prepayment rights in a decreasing interest rate environment because the interest rate payable on the borrower’s loan is high relative to prevailing interest rates. Conversely, borrowers are less likely to prepay in a rising interest rate environment. However, borrowers may prepay for a variety of other reasons, such as to monetize increases in the underlying collateral values, particularly in the medallion loan portfolio.

In addition, we manage our exposure to increases in market rates of interest by incurring fixed-rate indebtedness, such as ten year subordinated SBA debentures, and by setting repricing intervals or the maturities of tranches drawn under the revolving lines of credit or issued as certificates of deposit, for terms of up to five years. We had outstanding SBA debentures of $69,685,000 with a weighted average interest rate of 5.44%, constituting 20% of our total indebtedness as of September 30, 2011. Also, as of September 30, 2011, portions of the adjustable rate debt with banks repriced at intervals of as long as 12 months, and certain of the certificates of deposit were for terms of up to 34 months, further mitigating the immediate impact of changes in market interest rates.

A relative measure of interest rate risk can be derived from our interest rate sensitivity gap. The interest rate sensitivity gap represents the difference between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, which mature and/or reprice within specified intervals of time. The gap is considered to be positive when repriceable assets exceed repriceable liabilities, and negative when repriceable liabilities exceed repriceable assets. A relative measure of interest rate sensitivity is provided by the cumulative difference between interest sensitive assets and interest sensitive liabilities for a given time interval expressed as a percentage of total assets.

The following table presents our interest rate sensitivity gap at September 30, 2011, compared to the respective positions at the end of 2010 and 2009. The principal amount of interest earning assets is assigned to the time frames in which such principal amounts are contractually obligated to be repriced. We have not reflected an assumed annual prepayment rate for such assets in this table.

 

September 30, 2011 Cumulative Rate Gap(1)

 

(Dollars in thousands)

  Less Than 1
Year
    More Than
1 and Less
Than 2
Years
    More Than
2 and Less
Than 3
Years
    More Than
3 and Less
Than 4
Years
    More Than
4 and Less
Than 5
Years
    More Than 5
and Less
Than 6
Years
    Thereafter     Total  

Earning assets

               

Floating-rate

  $ 8,069      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 8,069   

Adjustable rate

    33,647        471        61        —          567        —          —          34,746   

Fixed-rate

    38,875        79,155        152,330        29,621        30,352        1,935        3,324        335,592   

Cash

    18,887        —          —          —          —          —          —          18,887   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total earning assets

  $ 99,478      $ 79,626      $ 152,391      $ 29,621      $ 30,919      $ 1,935      $ 3,324      $ 397,294   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest bearing liabilities

  

             

Revolving lines of credit

  $ 169,633      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 169,633   

SBA debentures

    3,000        19,450        13,500        9,250        —          —          24,485        69,685   

Notes payable to banks

    46,745        2,828        16,929        —          11,067        —          —          77,569   

Preferred securities

    33,000        —          —          —          —          —          —          33,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  $ 252,378      $ 22,278      $ 30,429      $ 9,250      $ 11,067      $ —        $ 24,485      $ 349,887   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest rate gap

  ($ 152,900   $ 57,348      $ 121,962      $ 20,371      $ 19,852      $ 1,935      ($ 21,161   $ 47,407   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cumulative interest rate gap(2)

  ($ 152,900   ($ 95,552   $ 26,410      $ 46,781      $ 66,633      $ 68,568      $ 47,407        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2010(2)

  ($ 121,343   ($ 85,323   $ 33,820      $ 39,954      $ 62,579      $ 62,709      $ 48,006        —     

December 31, 2009(2)

  ($ 129,336   ($ 39,371   $ 28,151      $ 57,045      $ 65,972      $ 65,089      $ 54,992        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(1) The ratio of the cumulative one year gap to total interest rate sensitive assets was (38%), (28%), and (30%), as of September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010 and 2009, and was (31%), (29%), and (25%) on a combined basis with Medallion Bank.
(2) Adjusted for the medallion loan 40% prepayment assumption results in a cumulative one year negative interest rate gap and related ratio of ($55,072) or (14%) for September 30, 2011, compared to ($30,928) or (7%) and ($34,286) or (8%) for December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and was ($116,334) or (12%), ($114,994) or (12%), and ($85,130) or (9%) on a combined basis with Medallion Bank.

Our interest rate sensitive assets were $397,294,000 and interest rate sensitive liabilities were $349,887,000 at September 30, 2011. The one-year cumulative interest rate gap was a negative $152,900,000 or 38% of interest rate sensitive assets, compared to a negative $121,343,000 or 28% at December 31, 2010 and $129,336,000 or 30% at December 31, 2009. However, using our estimated 40% prepayment/refinancing rate for medallion loans to adjust the interest rate gap resulted in a negative gap of $55,072,000 or 14% at September 30, 2011. We seek to manage interest rate risk by originating adjustable-rate loans, by incurring fixed-rate indebtedness, by evaluating appropriate derivatives, pursuing securitization opportunities, and by other options consistent with managing interest rate risk.

On a combined basis with Medallion Bank, our interest rate sensitive assets were $995,533,000 and interest rate sensitive liabilities were $838,193,000 at September 30, 2011. The one year cumulative interest rate gap was a negative $309,677,000 or 31% of interest rate sensitive assets, compared to a negative $289,178,000 or 29% and $225,251,000 or 25% at December 31, 2010 and 2009. Using our estimated 40% prepayment/refinancing rate for medallion loans to adjust the interest rate gap resulted in a negative gap of $116,334,000 or 12% at September 30, 2011.

Interest Rate Cap Agreements

We manage our exposure to increases in market rates of interest by periodically purchasing interest rate caps to lock in the cost of funds of its variable-rate debt in the event of a rapid run up in interest rates. Beginning in 2009, we entered into contracts to purchase interest rate caps on $512,000,000 of notional value of principal from various multinational banks, of which $175,000,000 are active with termination dates ranging to March 2013. The caps provide for payments to us if various LIBOR thresholds are exceeded during the cap terms. Total cap purchases of $407,000 were generally fully expensed when paid, including $5,000 and $93,000 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and $142,000 for both comparable 2010 periods, and all are carried at $0 on the balance sheet at September 30, 2011.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our sources of liquidity are the revolving lines of credit with DZ Bank and with a variety of local and regional banking institutions, unfunded commitments to purchase debentures from the SBA, loan amortization and prepayments, private issuances of debt securities, and participations or sales of loans to third parties. As a RIC, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income; consequently, we have primarily relied upon external sources of funds to finance growth. Trust III’s $200,000,000 revolving line of credit with DZ Bank had $30,367,000 of availability. Lastly, $75,327,000 was available under revolving credit agreements with commercial banks, and unfunded commitments from the SBA were $5,000,000.

Additionally, Medallion Bank, our wholly-owned, unconsolidated portfolio company has access to independent sources of funds for our business originated there, primarily through brokered certificates of deposit. At the current required capital levels, it is expected, although there can be no guarantee, that deposits of approximately $106,000,000 could be raised by Medallion Bank to fund future loan origination activities, and Medallion Bank also has $26,000,000 available under Fed Funds lines with several commercial banks. In addition, Medallion Bank, as a non-RIC subsidiary of ours, is allowed to retain all earnings in the business to fund future growth.

 

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The components of our debt were as follows at September 30, 2011. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for details of the contractual terms of our borrowings.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Balance      Percentage     Rate(1)  

Revolving lines of credit

   $ 169,633         48     1.34

SBA debentures

     69,685         20        5.44   

Notes payable to banks

     77,569         22        4.26   

Preferred securities

     33,000         10        7.68   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total outstanding debt

   $ 349,887         100     3.40   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deposits and federal funds purchased at Medallion Bank

     488,306         —          0.80
  

 

 

      

Total outstanding debt, including Medallion Bank

   $ 838,193         —          1.89   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Weighted average contractual rate as of September 30, 2011.

Our contractual obligations expire on or mature at various dates through September 2037. The following table shows all contractual obligations at September 30, 2011.

 

     Payments due by period  

(Dollars in thousands)

   Less than
1 year
     1-2 years      2-3 years      3-4 years      4-5 years      More than
5 years
     Total  

Revolving lines of credit

   $ —         $ —         $ 169,633       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 169,633   

SBA debentures

     3,000         19,450         13,500         9,250         —           24,485         69,685   

Notes payable to banks

     19,663         22,246         24,137         139         10,510         874         77,569   

Preferred securities

     —           —           —           —           —           33,000         33,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 22,663       $ 41,696       $ 207,270       $ 9,389       $ 10,510       $ 58,359       $ 349,887   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deposits and federal funds purchased at at Medallion Bank

   $ 315,004       $ 128,852       $ 44,450       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 488,306   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total, including Medallion Bank

   $ 337,667       $ 170,548       $ 251,720       $ 9,389       $ 10,510       $ 58,359       $ 838,193   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We continue to work with investment banking firms and other financial intermediaries to investigate the viability of a number of other financing options which include, among others, the sale or spin off certain assets or divisions, the development of a securitization conduit program, and other independent financing for certain subsidiaries or asset classes. These financing options would also provide additional sources of funds for both external expansion and continuation of internal growth.

The following table illustrates sources of available funds for us and each of our subsidiaries, and amounts outstanding under credit facilities and their respective end of period weighted average interest rates at September 30, 2011. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information about each credit facility.

 

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(Dollars in thousands)

  The
Company
    Medallion
Funding
LLC
    Medallion
Capital,
Inc.
    Medallion
Business
Credit
     Freshstart
Venture
Capital
Corp.
    Medallion
Bank
    Total     12/31/2010  

Cash

  $ 6,079      $ 1,145      $ 7,605      $ 1,191       $ 2,867      $ —        $ 18,887      $ 17,303   

Bank loans

    56,382        96,514        —          —           —          —          152,896        97,578   

Amounts undisbursed

    15,050        60,277        —          —           —          —          75,327        10,500   

Amounts outstanding

    41,332        36,237        —          —           —          —          77,569        87,078   

Average interest rate

    4.00     4.55     —          —           —          —          4.26     4.41

Maturity

    10/11-1/16        10/11-2/17        —          —           —          —          10/11-2/17        1/11-2/17   

Preferred securities

    33,000        —          —          —           —          —          33,000      $ 33,000   

Average interest rate

    7.68     —          —          —           —          —          7.68     7.68

Maturity

    9/37        —          —          —           —          —          9/37        9/37   

Lines of credit

    —          200,000        —          —           —          —          200,000      $ 200,000   

Amounts undisbursed

    —          30,367        —          —           —          —          30,367        19,796   

Amounts outstanding

    —          169,633        —          —           —          —          169,633        180,204   

Average interest rate

    —          1.34     —          —           —          —          1.34     1.31

Maturity

    —          12/13        —          —           —          —          12/13        12/13   

SBA debentures

    —          —          34,250        —           40,435        —          74,685      $ 92,735   

Amounts undisbursed

    —          —          5,000        —           —          —          5,000        12,485   

Amounts outstanding

    —          —          29,250        —           40,435        —          69,685        80,250   

Average interest rate

    —          —          5.43     —           5.45     —          5.44     5.48

Maturity

    —          —          3/14-3/21        —           9/12-3/21        —          9/12-3/21        9/11-3/21   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash and amounts remaining undisbursed under credit facilities

  $ 21,129      $ 91,789      $ 12,605      $ 1,191       $ 2,867      $ —        $ 129,581      $ 60,084   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt outstanding

  $ 74,332      $ 205,870      $ 29,250      $ —         $ 40,435      $ —        $ 349,887      $ 380,532   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Including Medallion Bank

                

Cash

    —          —          —          —           —        $ 19,049      $ 19,049      $ 16,980   

Deposits and federal funds purchased

    —          —          —          —           —          488,306        488,306        468,957   

Average interest rate

    —          —          —          —           —          0.80     0.80     1.34

Maturity

    —          —          —          —           —          10/11-8/14        10/11-8/14        1/11-9/13   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash and amounts remaining undisbursed under credit facilities

  $ 21,129      $ 91,789      $ 12,605      $ 1,191       $ 2,867      $ 19,049      $ 148,630      $ 77,064   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt outstanding

  $ 74,332      $ 205,870      $ 29,250      $ —         $ 40,435      $ 488,306      $ 838,193      $ 849,489   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loan amortization, prepayments, and sales also provide a source of funding for us. Prepayments on loans are influenced significantly by general interest rates, medallion loan market values, economic conditions, and competition.

We have available liquidity of $30,367,000 under our revolving credit agreement with DZ Bank as of September 30, 2011. We also generate liquidity through deposits generated at Medallion Bank, borrowing arrangements with other banks, and through the issuance of SBA debentures, as well as from cash flow from operations. In addition, we may choose to participate a greater portion of our loan portfolio to third parties. We are actively seeking additional sources of liquidity, however, given current market conditions, we cannot assure you that we will be able to secure additional liquidity on terms favorable to us or at all. If that occurs, we may decline to underwrite lower yielding loans in order to conserve capital until credit conditions in the market become more favorable; or we may be required to dispose of assets when we would not otherwise do so, and at prices which may be below the net book value of such assets in order for us to repay indebtedness on a timely basis. Also, Medallion Bank is not a RIC, and therefore is able to retain earnings to finance growth.

 

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment”. ASU 2011-08 amends Topic 350 (Intangibles-Goodwill and Other) by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe adoption will have an impact on its financial condition or results of operation.

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards”. ASU 2011-04 amends Topic 820 (Fair Value Measurement) by providing a consistent definition of fair value, ensuring that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements, particularly for level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2011, and is to be applied prospectively. The Company is evaluating the impact adoption of ASU 2011-04 will have on its disclosures, and does not believe adoption will have an impact on its financial condition or results of operation.

In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-29, “Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” the objective of which was to address diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations. The update specifies that a public entity which presents comparative financial statements should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual period only. The amendments in this update are applicable to any public entity which enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or aggregate basis and is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted. Adoption of ASU 2010-29 has not had an impact on the financial condition of the Company as it only amends future pro forma disclosures of material business combinations.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our business activities contain elements of risk. We consider the principal types of risk to be fluctuations in interest rates and portfolio valuations. We consider the management of risk essential to conducting our businesses. Accordingly, our risk management systems and procedures are designed to identify and analyze our risks, to set appropriate policies and limits, and to continually monitor these risks and limits by means of reliable administrative and information systems and other policies and programs.

We value our portfolio at fair value as determined in good faith by management and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with our valuation policy. Unlike certain lending institutions, we are not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses. Instead, we must value each individual investment and portfolio loan on a quarterly basis. We record unrealized depreciation on investments and loans when we believe that an asset has been impaired and full collection is unlikely. We record unrealized appreciation on equities if there is a clear indication that the underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, our equity investment has also appreciated in value. Without a readily ascertainable market value, the estimated value of our portfolio of investments and loans may differ significantly from the values that would be placed on the portfolio if there existed a ready market for the investments. We adjust the valuation of the portfolio quarterly to reflect management’s estimate of the current fair value of each investment in the portfolio. Any changes in estimated fair value are recorded in our statement of operations as net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. Our investment in Medallion Bank, as a wholly owned portfolio investment, is also subject to

 

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quarterly assessments of fair value. We conduct a thorough valuation analysis as described previously, and determine whether any factors give rise to valuation different than recorded book value, including various regulatory restrictions that were established at Medallion Bank’s inception, by the FDIC and State of Utah, and also by additional marketplace restrictions, such as on the ability to transfer industrial bank charters. As a result of this valuation process, we used Medallion Bank’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the results as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, although changes in these restrictions and other applicable factors could change these conclusions in the future.

In addition, the illiquidity of our loan portfolio and investments may adversely affect our ability to dispose of loans at times when it may be advantageous for us to liquidate such portfolio or investments. In addition, if we were required to liquidate some or all of the investments in the portfolio, the proceeds of such liquidation may be significantly less than the current value of such investments. Because we borrow money to make loans and investments, our net operating income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest these funds. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our interest income. In periods of sharply rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which would reduce our net operating income before net realized and unrealized gains. We use a combination of long-term and short-term borrowings and equity capital to finance our investing activities. Our long-term fixed-rate investments are financed primarily with short-term floating-rate debt, and to a lesser extent by term fixed-rate debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We have analyzed the potential impact of changes in interest rates on net interest income. Assuming that the balance sheet were to remain constant and no actions were taken to alter the existing interest rate sensitivity, and including the impact on Medallion Bank, a hypothetical immediate 1% increase in interest rates would have positively impacted net increase in net assets resulting from operations as of September 30, 2011 by approximately $1,253,000 on an annualized basis, compared to a positive impact of $1,291,000 at December 31, 2010, and the impact of such an immediate increase of 1% over a one year period would have been ($2,000,000) at September 30, 2011, compared to ($2,026,000) for December 31, 2010. Although management believes that this measure is indicative of our sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for potential changes in credit quality, size, and composition of the assets on the balance sheet, and other business developments that could affect net increase in net assets resulting from operations in a particular quarter or for the year taken as a whole. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that actual results would not differ materially from the potential outcome simulated by these estimates.

 

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SENIOR SECURITIES

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of December 31 for the years indicated in the table, unless otherwise noted. The information contained in the table for the years 2001 through 2010 has been derived from our audited financial statements. WeiserMazars LLP’s report on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

Year

   Total Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of Treasury
Securities(1)
   Asset Coverage Per
Unit(2)
   Involuntary
Liquidating
Preference Per
Unit(3)
   Average Market
Value Per Unit
(Exclude Bank
Loans)(4)

2001

   85,000,000    3.06    —      N/A

2002

   36,921,000    5.38    —      N/A

2003

   4,000,000    41.53    —      N/A

2004

   11,700,000    15.57    —      N/A

2005

   5,500,000    31.25    —      N/A

2006

   8,462,000    21.05    —      N/A

2007

   50,848,000    4.39    —      N/A

2008

   55,224,000    4.17    —      N/A

2009

   80,306,000    3.03    —      N/A

2010

   82,815,000    2.96    —      N/A

 

(1) Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented.
(2) Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness.
(3) The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the voluntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it. The “—” in this column indicates that the SEC expressly does not require this information to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.
(4) Not applicable because senior securities are not registered for public trading.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We, Medallion Financial Corp. or the Company, are a specialty finance company that has a leading position in originating, acquiring, and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. A wholly-owned portfolio company of ours, Medallion Bank, also originates consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and trailers. Our core philosophy has been “In niches there are riches.” We try to identify markets that are profitable and where we can become an industry leader. Our investment objectives are to provide high level of distributable income, consistent with the preservation of capital, as well as long-term growth of net asset value and our stock price. These investment objectives may be changed without shareholder approval. We also provide other debt, mezzanine, and equity investment capital to companies in a variety of industries, consistent with our investment objectives. For additional information about our business and operations, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Since 1996, the year in which we became a public company, we have increased our taxicab medallion loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 6%, and our commercial loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 2% (10% and 8% on a managed basis when combined with Medallion Bank). Since Medallion Bank acquired a consumer loan portfolio and began originating consumer loans in 2004, it has increased its consumer loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 13%. Total assets under our management, which includes assets serviced for third party investors and managed by Medallion Bank, were $1,113,595,000 as of September 30, 2011, and $1,093,379,000 and $1,059,666,000 as of December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010, and have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 12% from $215,000,000 at the end of 1996. Since our initial public offering in 1996, we have paid dividends in excess of $164,336,000 or $10.40 per share.

We conduct our business through various wholly-owned investment company subsidiaries including:

 

   

Medallion Funding LLC, or Medallion Funding, an SBIC, our primary taxicab medallion lending company;

 

   

Medallion Capital, Inc., or Medallion Capital, an SBIC and a RIC, which conducts a mezzanine financing business; and

 

   

Freshstart Venture Capital Corp., or Freshstart, an SBIC and a RIC, which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans.

In December 2010, we formed a wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Servicing Corporation, or MSC, to provide loan services to Medallion Bank, also a portfolio company wholly-owned by us. We have assigned all of our loan servicing rights for Medallion Bank, which consists of servicing taxi medallion and commercial loans originated by Medallion Bank, to MSC, which bills and collects the related service fee income from Medallion Bank, and is allocated and charged by the Company for MSC’s share of these servicing costs.

On March 26, 2009, we formed a new wholly-owned New York limited liability company subsidiary, Medallion Funding LLC. On February 26, 2010, Medallion Funding Corp. merged into Medallion Funding LLC and following the merger, Medallion Funding LLC was the surviving entity and the successor-in-interest to Medallion Funding Corp.’s business. There was no business or operational change resulting from this corporate restructuring. For federal and state tax purposes, Medallion Funding LLC is treated as a disregarded entity. Medallion Funding LLC does not independently file any tax return, but is subsumed in the tax return of Medallion Financial Corp. Medallion Funding LLC maintains its status as an SBIC.

We also conduct business through our asset-based lending division, Medallion Business Credit, an originator of loans to small businesses for the purpose of financing inventory and receivables, which prior to December 31, 2007, was a wholly-owned investment company subsidiary. On December 31, 2007, Medallion Business Credit was merged into us and ceased to exist as a separate legal entity.

 

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In addition, we conduct business through a wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Bank, a bank regulated by the FDIC and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions which originates taxicab medallion, commercial, and consumer loans, raises deposits, and conducts other banking activities. Medallion Bank generally provides us with our lowest cost of funds which it raises through bank certificates of deposit issued to its customers. To take advantage of this low cost of funds, we refer a portion of our taxicab medallion and commercial loans to Medallion Bank, which then originates these loans, which are then serviced by MSC. MSC earns referral and servicing fees for these activities. As a non-investment company, Medallion Bank is not consolidated with the Company, which is an investment company under the 1940 Act.

We are a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company under the 1940 Act. We have elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. We have also elected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally do not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our shareholders as dividends, if we meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. Medallion Bank is not a RIC and must pay corporate-level U.S. federal and state income taxes.

We are managed by our executive officers under the supervision of our Board of Directors. As a result, we do not pay investment advisory fees, but instead we incur the operating costs associated with employing investment and portfolio management professionals. Alvin Murstein, our chairman and chief executive officer, has over 45 years of experience in the ownership, management, and financing of taxicab medallions and other commercial businesses. Andrew M. Murstein, our president, has 20 years of experience and is the third generation in his family to participate in the business.

Our Market

We provide loans to individuals and small to mid-size businesses, both directly through our investment company subsidiaries and also through Medallion Bank, in three primary markets:

 

   

loans that finance taxicab medallions;

 

   

loans that finance commercial businesses; and

 

   

loans that finance consumer purchases of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and trailers.

The following chart shows the components of our $942,355,000 managed net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   On-Balance Sheet      Off-Balance  Sheet(1)     Total Managed Investments  

Medallion loans

   $ 303,943       $ 276,845      $ 580,788   

Commercial loans

     59,020         74,319        133,339   

Consumer loans

     —           197,369        197,369   

Investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     85,264         (81,893     3,371   

Investment securities

     —           22,733        22,733   

Equity investments

     4,755         —          4,755   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment portfolio

   $ 452,982       $ 489,373      $ 942,355   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Off-balance sheet investments are those owned by our wholly-owned unconsolidated portfolio companies, primarily Medallion Bank.

Medallion Loans

Taxi medallion loans of $303,943,000 comprised 67% of our $452,982,000 net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011, compared to $323,126,000 or 67% of our $483,516,000 net investment portfolio as of

 

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December 31, 2010. Managed taxi medallion loans of $580,788,000 comprised 62% of our $942,355,000 managed net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011, compared to $583,593,000 or 62% of our $946,343,000 managed net investment portfolio as of December 31, 2010. Including loans to unaffiliated investors, the total amount of medallion loans under our management was $665,460,000 as of September 30, 2011, compared to $647,527,000 as of December 31, 2010. Since 1979, we and Medallion Bank have originated, on a combined basis, approximately $2,399,176,000 in medallion loans in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Newark, Cambridge, and other cities within the United States. In addition, our management has a long history of owning, managing, and financing taxicab fleets, taxicab medallions, and corporate car services, dating back to 1956.

Medallion loans collateralized by New York City taxicab medallions and related assets comprised 75% and 74% of the value of the medallion loan portfolio as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and were 78% and 76% for the respective periods on a managed basis. The TLC estimates that the total value of all of New York City taxicab medallions and related assets exceeded $11.7 billion and $10.5 billion as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. We estimate that the total value of all taxicab medallions and related assets in the U.S. exceeded $14.6 and 13.0 billion as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Although some of the medallion loans have from time to time been in arrears or in default, our loss experience on medallion loans has been negligible. We believe that our medallion loan portfolio is of high credit quality because medallions have generally increased in value and are relatively simple to repossess and resell in an active market. In the past, when a borrower has defaulted on a loan, we have repossessed the medallion collateralizing that loan. If the loan was not brought current, the medallion was sold in the active market at prices at or in excess of the amounts due.

The following table displays information on managed medallion loans outstanding (other than those managed for third party investors) in each of our major markets at September 30, 2011. For a presentation of only the consolidated on-balance sheet medallion loans, see the Consolidated Schedule of Investments in the consolidated financial statements.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   # of Loans      % of Medallion
Loan Portfolio(1)
    Average
Interest  Rate(2)
    Principal
Balance
 

Managed medallion loans

         

New York

     891         78     5.02   $ 450,312   

Chicago

     278         11        6.40        62,584   

Newark

     141         4        7.47        22,319   

Boston

     69         3        6.64        18,819   

Cambridge

     35         2        6.47        14,382   

Other

     87         2        7.95        12,421   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total managed medallion loans

     1,501         100     5.41        580,837   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

Deferred loan acquisition costs

            1,327   

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            (1,376
         

 

 

 

Net managed medallion loans

          $ 580,788   
         

 

 

 

 

(1) Based on principal balance outstanding at September 30, 2011.
(2) Based on the contractual adjustable or fixed rates of the portfolios at September 30, 2011.

The New York City Market. A New York City taxicab medallion is the only permitted license to operate a taxicab and accept street hails in New York City. As reported by the TLC, individual (owner-driver) medallions sold for approximately $687,000 and corporate medallions sold for approximately $975,000 as of September 30, 2011. The number of taxicab medallions is limited by law, and as a result of the limited supply of medallions, an active market for medallions has developed. The law limiting the number of medallions also stipulates that the

 

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ownership for the 13,237 medallions outstanding as of December 31, 2010 shall remain divided into 4,876 individual medallions and 8,361 fleet or corporate medallions. Corporate medallions are more valuable because they can be aggregated by businesses, leased to drivers, and operated for more than one shift. New York City auctioned 600 additional medallions during 2004, 308 during 2006, and 89 during 2008. The medallions auctioned in 2006 were restricted to hybrid fuel vehicles and wheelchair accessible vehicles. In addition, New York City auctioned an additional 63 medallions for wheelchair accessible vehicles in 2007. New York City announced a 25% fare hike to support the increased level of medallions, which took effect in the 2004 second quarter.

A prospective medallion owner must qualify under the medallion ownership standards set and enforced by the TLC. These standards prohibit individuals with criminal records from owning medallions, require that the funds used to purchase medallions be derived from legitimate sources, and mandate that taxicab vehicles and meters meet TLC specifications. In addition, before the TLC will approve a medallion transfer, the TLC requires a letter from the seller’s insurer stating that there are no outstanding claims for personal injuries in excess of insurance coverage. After the transfer is approved, the owner’s taxicab is subject to quarterly TLC inspections.

Most New York City medallion transfers are handled through approximately 23 medallion brokers licensed by the TLC. In addition to brokering medallions, these brokers also arrange for TLC documentation insurance, vehicles, meters, and financing. We have excellent relations with many of the most active brokers, and regularly receive referrals from them. Brokers generated 47% of the loans originated during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 40% for the year ended December 31, 2010. However, we receive most of our referrals from a small number of brokers.

The Chicago Market. We estimate that Chicago medallions currently sell for approximately $240,000 as of September 30, 2011. Pursuant to a municipal ordinance, the number of outstanding medallions is currently capped at 6,951. We estimate that the total value of all Chicago medallions and related assets is over $1,723,848,000 as of September 30, 2011.

The Boston Market. We estimate that Boston medallions currently sell for approximately $455,000 as of September 30, 2011. The number of Boston medallions is currently capped at 1,825. We estimate that the total value of all Boston medallions and related assets is over $852,859,000 as of September 30, 2011.

The Newark Market. We estimate that Newark medallions currently sell for approximately $340,000 as of September 30, 2011. The number of Newark medallions has been limited to 600 since 1950 by local law. We estimate that the total value of all Newark medallions and related assets is over $207,600,000 as of September 30, 2011.

The Cambridge Market. We estimate that Cambridge medallions currently sell for approximately $455,000 as of September 30, 2011. The number of Cambridge medallions is currently 257. We estimate that the total value of all Cambridge medallions and related assets is over $119,685,000 as of September 30, 2011.

Commercial Loans

Commercial loans finance either the purchase of the equipment and related assets necessary to open a new business or the purchase or improvement of an existing business. From the inception of the commercial loan business in 1987 through September 30, 2011, we and Medallion Bank have originated more than 10,302 commercial loans for an aggregate principal amount of approximately $798,933,000. Commercial loans of $59,020,000 comprised 13% of our $452,982,000 net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011, compared to $76,866,000 or 16% of our $483,516,000 net investment portfolio as of December 31, 2010. Managed commercial loans of $133,339,000 comprised 14% of our $942,355,000 net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011, compared to $149,567,000 or 16% of our $946,343,000 managed net investment portfolio as of December 31, 2010. We have increased our commercial loan activity in recent years, primarily because of

 

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the attractive higher yielding, floating rate nature of most of this business. The outstanding balances of managed commercial loans have grown at a compound annual rate of 8% since 1996. The increase since 1996 has been primarily driven by internal growth through the origination of additional commercial loans. We plan to continue expanding our commercial loan activities by developing a more diverse borrower base, a wider geographic area of coverage, and by expanding targeted industries.

Commercial loans are generally secured by equipment, accounts receivable, real estate, or other assets, and have interest rates averaging 909 basis points over the prevailing prime rate at September 30, 2011, down from 619 basis points over prime at the end of 2010. As with medallion loans, the vast majority of the principals of borrowers personally guarantee commercial loans. The aggregate realized loss of principal on managed commercial loans has averaged 1.8% per annum for the last five years.

The following table displays information on managed commercial loans outstanding (other than those managed for third party investors) in each of our major markets at September 30, 2011. For a presentation of only the consolidated on-balance sheet commercial loans, see the Consolidated Schedule of Investments in the consolidated financial statements.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   # of Loans      % of
Commercial
Loan Portfolio(1)
    Average
Interest  Rate(2)
    Principal
Balance
 

Managed commercial loans

         

Asset-based

     79         52     5.76   $ 78,532   

Secured mezzanine

     31         38        13.92        57,577   

Other secured commercial

     65         10        7.53        14,171   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total managed commercial loans

     175         100     9.05        150,280   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

Deferred loan acquisition income

            (53

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            (16,888
         

 

 

 

Net managed commercial loans

          $ 133,339   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Based on principal balance outstanding at September 30, 2011.
(2) Based on the contractual rates of the portfolios at September 30, 2011.

Asset Based Loans. Through our Medallion Business Credit division, we originate, manage, and service asset-based loans to small businesses which require working capital credit facilities ranging from $500,000 to $6,500,000. Medallion Business Credit frequently refers a portion of its potential commercial loans to Medallion Bank to originate, so that we can benefit from Medallion Bank’s lower cost of funds. Additionally, from time to time, Medallion Business Credit also sells and purchases loan participations from independent third parties. Together, these loans represent approximately 52% of the managed commercial loan portfolio as of September 30, 2011 and 48% as of December 31, 2010. The commercial loans are secured principally by the borrower’s accounts receivable, but may also be secured by inventory, machinery, equipment, and/or real estate, and are personally guaranteed by the principals. Currently, our clients are mostly located in the New York metropolitan area, and include wholesale and retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and other industrial and services businesses. We had successfully established 79 commercial loans as of September 30, 2011.

Secured Mezzanine Loans. Through our subsidiary Medallion Capital, we originate both senior and subordinated loans nationwide to businesses in a variety of industries, including manufacturing and various service providers, about a third of which are located in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes region, with the rest scattered across the country. These loans are primarily secured by a second position on all assets of the businesses, generally range from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000, and represent approximately 38% of our managed commercial loan portfolio as of September 30, 2011, and 42% as of December 31, 2010. Frequently, we also receive warrants to purchase an equity interest in the borrowers of secured mezzanine loans.

 

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Other Secured Commercial Loans. We originate other commercial loans that are not concentrated in any particular industry. These loans represented approximately 10% of the managed commercial loan portfolio as of September 30, 2011, and 10% as of December 31, 2010. Historically, most of the portfolio had consisted of fixed-rate loans. Borrowers include accommodation and food services, retail trade, real estate, construction, transportation and warehousing, and other industrial and services businesses.

Consumer Loans

Consumer loans are originated by Medallion Bank, a wholly-owned, unconsolidated portfolio company. Consumer loans of $197,369,000 comprised 21% of our $942,355,000 managed net investment portfolio as of September 30, 2011 and consumer loans of $182,879,000 comprised 19% of our $946,343,000 managed net investment portfolio as of December 31, 2010. The loans are collateralized by recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and trailers located in all 50 states. The portfolio is serviced by a large third party servicer. We believe that Medallion Bank’s consumer loan portfolio is of acceptable credit quality given the high interest rates earned on the loans, which compensate for the higher degree of credit risk in the portfolio.

Other

As a business development company, we also provide debt, mezzanine, and equity investment capital to companies in a variety of industries. These investments may be venture capital style investments which may not be fully collateralized. This is a small, but growing portion of our business.

Our Strategy

Our core philosophy has been “In niches there are riches.” We try to identify markets that are profitable and where we can be an industry leader. Key elements of our strategy include:

Capitalize on our relationships with brokers and dealers. We are committed to establishing, building, and maintaining our relationships with our brokers and dealers. Our marketing efforts are focused on building relationships with brokers in the medallion market and dealers in the consumer market. We believe that our relationships with brokers and dealers provide us with, in addition to potential investment opportunities, other significant benefits, including an additional layer of due diligence and additional monitoring capabilities. We have assembled a management team that has developed an extensive network of broker and dealer relationships in our target market over the last 50 years. We believe that our management team’s relationships with these brokers and dealers have and will continue to provide us with significant investment opportunities. At September 30, 2011, approximately 46% of our originated investment transactions were generated by brokers and dealers.

Employ disciplined underwriting policies and maintain rigorous portfolio monitoring. We have an extensive investment underwriting and monitoring process. We conduct a thorough analysis of each potential investment and its prospects, competitive position, financial performance, and industry dynamics. We stress the importance of credit and risk analysis in our underwriting process. We believe that our continued adherence to this disciplined process will permit us to continue to generate a stable, diversified and increasing revenue stream of current income from our debt investments to enable us to make distributions to our shareholders.

Leverage the skills of our experienced management team. Our management team is led by our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alvin Murstein, and our President, Mr. Andrew M. Murstein. Alvin Murstein has over 45 years of experience in the ownership, management, and financing of taxicab medallions and other commercial businesses, and Andrew M. Murstein is the third generation in his family to participate in the business. The other members of our management team have broad investment backgrounds, with prior experience at specialty finance companies, middle market commercial banks, and other financial services companies. We believe that the experience and contacts of our management team will continue to allow us to effectively implement the key aspects of our business strategy.

 

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Perform Strategic Acquisitions. In addition to increasing market share in existing lending markets and identifying new niches, we seek to acquire medallion financing businesses and related portfolios and specialty finance companies that make secured loans to small businesses which have experienced historically low loan losses similar to our own. Since our initial public offering in May 1996, eight specialty finance companies, five loan portfolios, and three taxicab rooftop advertising companies have been acquired.

Investment Activity

The following table sets forth the components of investment activity in the managed investment portfolio for the periods indicated.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,(3)
    Year ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands)

   2011     2010     2010     2009     2008  

Net investments at beginning of period

   $ 483,516      $ 475,133      $ 846,542      $ 922,007      $ 934,955   

Investments originated

     131,677        139,563        525,872        329,708        413,461   

Repayments of investments

     (166,576 )      (140,866     (392,417     (365,108     (422,659

Net realized gains (losses) on investments(1)

     1,270        (8,297     (18,333     (15,467     (12,703

Net increase in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(2)

     3,077        6,148        66        (9,210     (5,055

Transfers to other assets/liabilities, net

     —          —          (13,478     (13,619     (8,893

(Amortization) accretion of origination costs

     18        249        (1,909     (1,769     (2,683

Purchase of Elk Associates Funding medallion loan portfolio

     —          —          —          —          25,584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in investments

     (30,534 )      (3,203     99,801        (75,465     (12,948
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investments at end of period

   $ 452,982      $ 471,930      $ 946,343      $ 846,542      $ 922,007   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Excludes net realized losses of $779 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and year ended December 31, 2010, related to the investment in SPAC 2, which was carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Excludes net realized gains (losses) of ($1) and $1,064 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, related to foreclosed properties, which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Excludes the reversal of unrealized depreciation of $759 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and year ended December 31, 2010 related to the realized loss of the SPAC 2 investment. Excludes net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of $2,378 and $3,487 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, related to foreclosed properties, which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Excludes net unrealized appreciation of $2,153, $3,742, and $7,273 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, related to foreclosed properties, which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(3) Consistent with the presentation in our quarterly and annual SEC filings, the nine month data reflects the investment activity of Medallion Financial only, while the full year data is presented on a managed basis, including the activity of Medallion Bank.

Investment Characteristics

Medallion Loans. Our medallion loan portfolio consists of mostly fixed-rate loans, collateralized by first security interests in taxicab medallions and related assets (vehicles, meters, and the like). The portfolio was originated at an approximate loan-to-value ratio range of 65-80%. We estimate that the average loan-to-value ratio of all of the medallion loans was approximately 41% as of September 30, 2011. In addition, we have recourse against a vast majority of the owners of the taxicab medallions and related assets through personal guarantees.

 

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Medallion loans generally require equal monthly payments covering accrued interest and amortization of principal over a five to twenty-five year schedule, subject to a balloon payment of all outstanding principal after three or five years. More recently, we have begun to originate loans with one-to-three year maturities where interest rates are adjusted and a new maturity period set. Borrowers may prepay medallion loans upon payment of a fee of approximately 90 days’ interest.

We generally retain the medallion loans we originate; however, from time to time, we participate or sell shares of some loans or portfolios to interested third party financial institutions. In these cases, we retain the borrower relationships and service the sold loans.

Commercial Loans. We have typically originated commercial loans in principal amounts ranging from $100,000 to $7,500,000, and occasionally, have originated loans in excess of that amount. These loans are generally retained and typically have maturities ranging from three to ten years and require monthly payments ranging from full amortization over the loan term to fully deferred interest and principal at maturity, with multiple payment options in between. Substantially all loans may be prepaid with a fee ranging from 30 to 120 days’ interest. The term of, and interest rate charged on, certain of our outstanding loans are subject to SBA regulations. Under SBA regulations, the maximum rate of interest permitted on loans originated by us is 19%. Unlike medallion loans, for which competition precludes us from charging the maximum rate of interest permitted under SBA regulations, we are able to charge the maximum rate on certain commercial loans. We believe that the increased yield on commercial loans compensates for their higher risk relative to medallion loans and further illustrates the benefits of diversification.

Commercial loans are generally originated at an average loan-to-value ratio of 60 to 75%. Substantially all of the commercial loans are collateralized by security interests in the assets being financed by the borrower. In addition, we have recourse against the vast majority of the principals of borrowers who personally guarantee the loans. Although personal guarantees increase the commitment of borrowers to repay their loans, we cannot assure you that the assets available under personal guarantees would, if required, be sufficient to satisfy the obligations secured by such guarantees. In certain cases, equipment vendors may provide full and partial recourse guarantees on loans.

Consumer Loans. Consumer loans generally require equal monthly payments covering accrued interest and amortization of principal over a negotiated term, generally around ten years. Interest rates offered are both floating and fixed, and certain of the floating rate notes have built in caps or floors. Borrowers may prepay consumer loans without any prepayment penalty. In general, Medallion Bank has established relationships with dealers in the industry, who are the sources for most of the customers of Medallion Bank.

Marketing, Origination, and Loan Approval Process

We employ 24 loan originators to originate medallion, commercial, and consumer loans. Each loan application is individually reviewed through analysis of a number of factors, including loan-to-value ratios, a review of the borrower’s credit history, public records, personal interviews, trade references, personal inspection of the premises, and approval from the TLC, SBA, or other regulatory body, if applicable. Each medallion and commercial loan applicant is required to provide personal or corporate tax returns, premises leases, and/or property deeds. Senior management establishes loan origination criteria. Loans that conform to such criteria may be processed by a loan officer with the proper credit authority, and non-conforming loans must be approved by the chief executive officer and/or the chief credit officer. Both medallion and commercial loans are sourced from brokers with extensive networks of applicants, and commercial loans are also referred by contacts with banks, attorneys, and accounting firms. Consumer loans are primarily sourced through relationships which have been established with recreational vehicle and boat dealers throughout our market area.

Sources of Funds

We have historically funded our lending operations primarily through credit facilities with bank syndicates and, to a lesser degree, through equity or debt offerings or private placements, and fixed-rate, senior secured

 

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notes and long-term subordinated debentures issued to or guaranteed by the SBA. Since the inception of Medallion Bank, substantially all of Medallion Bank’s funding has been provided by FDIC insured brokered certificates of deposit. The determination of funding sources is established by our management, based upon an analysis of the respective financial and other costs and burdens associated with funding sources. Our funding strategy and interest rate risk management strategy is to have the proper structuring of debt to minimize both rate and maturity risk, while maximizing returns with the lowest cost of funding over an intermediate period of time.

The table below summarizes our sources of available funds and amounts outstanding under credit facilities and their respective end of period weighted average interest rates at September 30, 2011. See note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information about each credit facility.

 

Consolidated sources of funds (Dollars in thousands)

   9/30/2011     12/31/2010  

Cash

   $ 18,887      $ 17,303   

Bank loans

     152,896      $ 97,578   

Amounts undisbursed

     75,327        10,500   

Amounts outstanding

     77,569        87,078   

Average interest rate

     4.26     4.41

Maturity

     10/11-2/17        1/11-2/17   

Preferred securities

     33,000      $ 33,000   

Average interest rate

     7.68     7.68

Maturity

     9/37        9/37   

Lines of credit

     200,000      $ 200,000   

Amounts undisbursed

     30,367        19,796   

Amounts outstanding

     169,633        180,204   

Average interest rate

     1.34     1.31

Maturity

     12/13        12/13   

SBA debentures

     74,685      $ 92,735   

Amounts undisbursed

     5,000        12,485   

Amounts outstanding

     69,685        80,250   

Average interest rate

     5.44     5.48

Maturity

     9/12-3/21        9/11-3/21   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash and amounts remaining undisbursed under credit facilities

   $ 129,581      $ 60,084   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt outstanding

   $ 349,887      $ 380,532   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Including Medallion Bank

    

Cash

   $ 19,049      $ 16,980   

Deposits and federal funds purchased

     488,306        468,957   

Average interest rate

     0.80     1.34

Maturity

     10/11-8/14        1/11-9/13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash and amounts remaining undisbursed under credit facilities

   $ 148,630      $ 77,064   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt outstanding

   $ 838,193      $ 849,489   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

We fund our fixed-rate loans with variable-rate credit lines and bank debt, and with fixed-rate SBA debentures. The mismatch between maturities and interest-rate sensitivities of these balance sheet items results in interest rate risk. We seek to manage our exposure to increases in market rates of interest to an acceptable level by:

 

   

Originating adjustable rate loans;

 

   

Incurring fixed-rate debt; and

 

   

Purchasing interest rate caps to hedge a portion of variable-rate debt against increases in interest rates.

 

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Nevertheless, we accept varying degrees of interest rate risk depending on market conditions. For additional discussion of our funding sources and asset liability management strategy, see Asset/Liability Management on page 48.

Competition

Banks, credit unions, and finance companies, some of which are SBICs, compete with us in originating medallion, commercial, and consumer loans. In addition, finance subsidiaries of equipment manufacturers also compete with us in originating commercial loans. Many of these competitors have greater resources than we do and certain competitors are subject to less restrictive regulations than us. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and complete the financing transactions that will permit us to compete successfully.

Employees

As of September 30, 2011 we employed 123 persons, including 30 at our Medallion Bank subsidiary. We believe that relations with all of our employees are good.

Properties

We lease approximately 17,000 square feet of office space in New York City for our corporate headquarters under a lease expiring in June 2016, and lease a facility in Long Island City, New York, of approximately 6,000 square feet for certain corporate back-office operations. We also lease office space for loan origination offices and subsidiaries operations in Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Minneapolis, MN, and Flemington, NJ. Medallion Bank leases space in Salt Lake City, UT. We do not own any real property, other than foreclosed property obtained as a result of lending relationships. We believe that our leased properties, taken as a whole, are in good operating condition and are suitable for our current business operations.

Legal Proceedings

We and our subsidiaries are currently involved in various legal proceedings incident to the ordinary course of our business, including collection matters with respect to certain loans. We intend to vigorously defend any outstanding claims and pursue our legal rights. In the opinion of our management and based upon the advice of legal counsel, there is no proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of management threatened, which in the event of an adverse decision would result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

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PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

The following table sets forth certain information as of September 30, 2011, regarding portfolio companies in which we had a material debt or equity investment. Because we are primarily a lender to small businesses, we have made debt investments through the form of medallion loans, other commercial loans which are generally standardized in nature and Medallion Bank has made consumer loans to more than 10,000 borrowers as described elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

  

Industry

   State    Security Type    % Held    # of
Invest.
     % of Total     Interest
Rate(1)
    Investment
Balances
 

Medallion loans

         

New York

     544         49     5.20   $ 229,008   

Chicago

     135         6        6.45        29,149   

Newark

     112         4        7.49        17,766   

Boston

     61         4        6.64        16,916   

Cambridge

     21         1        6.67        6,297   

Other

     22         1        6.76        4,373   
              

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     895         65     5.59     303,509   

Deferred loan acquisition costs

            434   

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            —     
                     

 

 

 

Net medallion loans

          $ 303,943   
                     

 

 

 

Commercial loans

                     

Secured mezzanine (19% Minnesota, 16% Florida, 12% Oklahoma, 9% Indiana, 8% California, 7% Texas, and 29% all other states)

         
   Manufacturing      15         6     15.01   $ 29,528   
   Administrative and support services      4         2        15.76        8,476   
   Wholesale trade      2         1        13.38        6,493   
   Accommodation and food services      3         1        9.87        3,644   
   Arts, entertainment, and recreation      1         1        10.00        3,302   
   Professional, scientific, and technical services      1         1        10.00        2,406   
   Information      3         *        17.63        1,527   
   Health care and social assistance      1         *        7.00        1,421   
   Retail trade      1         *        10.00        781   
              

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     31         12     13.92      $ 57,578   

Asset-based (81% New York, 14% New Jersey, and 5% all other states)

         
   Wholesale trade      12         1     5.26   $ 4,332   
   Transportation and warehousing      5         *        6.39        1,381   
   Retail trade      5         *        5.37        681   
   Finance and insurance      5         *        6.14        655   
   Construction      2         *        5.78        370   
   Manufacturing      7         *        6.50        262   
   Health care and social assistance      2         *        5.67        210   
   Administrative and support services      2         *        5.74        127   
   Accommodation and food services      1         *        6.00        52   
              

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     41         2     5.62      $ 8,070   

Other secured commercial (83% New York, 16% New Jersey, and 1% Illinois)

         
   Accommodation and food services      7         1     8.09   $ 4,360   
   Retail trade      15         1        9.80        3,269   
   Transportation and warehousing      21         *        6.04        612   
   Arts, entertainment, and recreation      1         *        6.50        390   
   Real estate and rental and leasing      3         *        6.08        317   
   Other services (except public administration)      2         *        5.99        303   
              

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     49         2     8.35      $ 9,251   

Total

     121         16     12.34   $ 74,899   

Deferred loan acquisition income

            (112

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            (15,767
                     

 

 

 

Net Commercial loans

          $ 59,020   
                     

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents the weighted average interest rate of the respective portfolio as of the date indicated.

 

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(Dollars in thousands)

 

Industry

  State    

Security Type

  % Held     # of
Invest.
    % of Total     Interest
Rate(1)
    Investment
Balances
 

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

  

       

Medallion Bank**

  Commercial banking     UT      Common stock     100     1        18     4.88   $ 81,909   

1100 East 6600 South, Suite 510

Salt Lake City, UT 84121

               

Medallion Hamptons Holding LLC

  Real Estate     NY      Membership Interests     100     1        *        0.00        2,381   

437 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

               

Generation Outdoor, Inc.

  Advertising     NY      Common stock     100     1        *        0.00        879   

437 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

               

Medallion Servicing Corp

  Loan Service     NY      Common Stock     100     1        *        0.00        84   

437 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

               

Medallion Sports Media, Inc.

  Advertising     NY      Common stock     100     1        *        0.00        11   

437 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

               
           

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

            5        18     4.69   $ 85,264   

Unrealized appreciation on investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

            —     
               

 

 

 

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries, net

          $ 85,264   
               

 

 

 

Equity investments

               

Convergent Capital, Ltd

  Commercial Finance     Limited Partnership Interest     7     1        *     0.00     1,093   

505 N. Highway 169

Minneapolis MN 35441

               

PMC Commercial Trust **

  Real Estate Investment Trust      Common Stock     *        1        *        8.21        901   

17950 Preston Road, Suite 600

Dallas, TX 75252

               

RPAC Racing, LLC

  NASCAR Race Team     Limited Liability Interest     40.8     1        *        0.00        454   

311 Branson Mill Road

Randelman, NC 27317

               

Aeration Industries International, LLC

  Equipment Manufacturing     Limited Liability Interest     5.29     1        *        0.00        365   

4100 Peavey Road

Chaska, MN 55318

               

Tulsa Power, Inc.

  Machinery Manufacturer     Common Stock     2     1        *        0.00        318   

913 North Wheeling Ave

Tulsa, OK 74110

               

On Top

  Radio Station Broadcasting      Ownership Shares     12     1        *        0.00        200   

2435 North Central Expressway

Richardson, TX 75080

               

Summit Medical, Inc.

  Surgical Instruments     Common Stock     9.25     1        *        0.00        135   

815 Northwest Parkway, Suite 100

St. Paul, MN 55121

  Manufacturing              

Metlife, Inc.

  Insurance     Common Stock     *        1        *        2.64        5   

200 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10166

               

Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.**

  Appliance Recycler     Common Stock     8     1        *        0.00        —     

7400 Excelsior Boulevard

Minneapolis, MN 55426-4516

               
         

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

            9        1     2.13   $ 3,471   

Unrealized appreciation on equities

            1,284   
               

 

 

 

Equity investments, net

          $ 4,755   
               

 

 

 

Investment securities

         
         

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

      —          —       —     $ —     

Unrealized appreciation on investment securities

            —     

Investment securities, net

          $ —     
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments at cost

      1,030        100     6.48   $ 467,143   
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Deferred loan acquisition income

            322   

Unrealized appreciation on investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

            —     

Unrealized appreciation on equities

            1,284   

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            (15,767
               

 

 

 

Net Investments ($244,363 pledged as collateral under borrowing arrangements)

          $ 452,982   
               

 

 

 

 

* Less than 1.0%
** Not an eligible portfolio company as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(46) of the 1940 Act.
(1) Represents the weighted average interest rate of the respective portfolio as of the date indicated.

 

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value per share of our common stock is determined by dividing total shareholders’ equity by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding at that date.

A substantial portion of our assets consist of the loans held in the portfolios of our subsidiaries Medallion Funding, Medallion Capital, and Freshstart which are RICs. The respective boards of directors of these subsidiaries approve the valuation of their respective loans in connection with their respective determinations of net asset value.

We value our portfolio at fair value as determined in good faith by management and approved by our Board of Directors in accordance with our valuation policy. Unlike certain lending institutions, we are not permitted to establish reserves for loan losses. Instead, we must value each individual investment and portfolio loan on a quarterly basis. We record unrealized depreciation on investments and loans when we believe that an asset has been impaired and full collection is unlikely. We record unrealized appreciation on equities if it has a clear indication that the underlying portfolio company has appreciated in value and, therefore, our security has also appreciated in value. Without a readily ascertainable market value, the estimated value of our portfolio of investments and loans may differ significantly from the values that would be placed on the portfolio if there existed a ready market for the investments. We adjust the valuation of the portfolio quarterly to reflect management’s estimate of the current fair value of each investment in the portfolio. Any changes in estimated fair value are recorded in our statement of operations as net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

Our investment in Medallion Bank, as a wholly owned portfolio investment, was also subject to quarterly assessments of fair value. We conduct a thorough valuation analysis as previously described, and determine whether any factors give rise to a valuation different than recorded book value, including various regulatory restrictions that were established at Medallion Bank’s inception, by the FDIC and State of Utah, and also by additional marketplace restrictions, such as the ability to transfer industrial bank charters. As a result of this valuation process, we used Medallion Bank’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the results as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, although changes in these restrictions and other applicable factors could change these conclusions in the future.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors currently consists of nine members, six of whom are not “interested persons” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. We refer to these individuals as our independent directors. Our Board of Directors elects our officers who serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Structure of Board of Directors

Under our charter, our directors are divided into three classes. Each class of directors holds office for a three year term. At each annual meeting of our shareholders, the successors to the class of directors whose terms expire at such meeting will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Each director holds office for the term to which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.

Directors

Information regarding our Board of Directors is as follows:

 

Name

   Age      Position    Director
Since
     Expiration
of Term
 

Independent Directors

           

Henry L. Aaron

     77       Director      2004         2014   

Henry D. Jackson(1)

     47       Director      2002         2014   

Stanley Kreitman

     80       Director      1996         2012   

Frederick A. Menowitz

     75       Director      2003         2012   

David L. Rudnick

     71       Director      1996         2012   

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.

     80       Director      2003         2013   

Interested Directors

           

Mario M. Cuomo

     79       Director      1996         2013   

Alvin Murstein

     77       Chairman and Chief Executive Officer      1995         2014   

Andrew M. Murstein

     47       President and Director      1997         2013   

 

(1) Mr. Jackson resides outside the United States and a substantial portion of his assets are located outside the United States. He has not authorized an agent in the United States to receive service of process. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States or to enforce against him in United States courts judgments predicated upon civil liability provisions of United States securities laws. It also may not be possible to enforce against him in foreign courts judgments of United States courts or liabilities in original actions predicated upon civil liability provisions of the United States.

The address for each director is c/o Medallion Financial Corp., 437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Information regarding our executive officers who are not directors is as follows:

 

Name

  Age    

Position

Larry D. Hall

    58      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Michael J. Kowalsky

    66      Executive Vice President

Brian S. O’Leary

    65      Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Marie Russo

    87      Senior Vice President and Secretary

Jeffrey Yin

    38      Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel

 

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The address for each executive officer is c/o Medallion Financial Corp., 437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

Biographical Information

Our directors have been divided into two groups—interested directors and independent directors. Interested directors are interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act.

Independent Directors

Henry L. Aaron has served as our director since November 2004. Mr. Aaron served as a director of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. from 1980 until its acquisition by Time Warner, Inc. in 1996. Mr. Aaron is currently Senior Vice President of Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. Mr. Aaron sits on the board of directors DSW Inc., Retail Ventures, Inc. and the Atlanta Braves. He also sits on the board of advisors of the Atlanta Falcons. Mr. Aaron previously served as a director of Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. He is a member of the Board of Governors for Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Mr. Aaron is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, awarded by President George W. Bush. Mr. Aaron brings strong executive management skills to our Board of Directors. He also provides the Board of Directors with experience on other public company boards of directors which provides our Board of Directors with insight on developing best practices for public companies in areas such as risk oversight and corporate governance matters.

Henry D. Jackson has served as our director since November 2002. Mr. Jackson is Managing Partner and Chief Executive of OpCapita LLP, a private investment fund headquartered in London, England and focused on special situations in the European retail industry. Prior to establishing Merchant Equity Partners, the predecessor to OpCapita, in 2006, he spent 20 years as an investment banker to the retail sector in Europe and the United States and was a Managing Director of Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse First Boston. Mr. Jackson received a B.Sc., with honors, from the Wharton School, a B.A., with honors, from the University of Pennsylvania, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Jackson’s leadership experience in the investment banking industry allows him to provide continued financial business skills to our Board of Directors.

Stanley Kreitman has served as our director since February 1996. Since 1993, Mr. Kreitman has served as Chairman of Manhattan Associates, an investment banking company. In addition, since 2001, Mr. Kreitman has served as Senior Advisor of the Advisory Board to Signature Bank. Mr. Kreitman served as a director of Tri-Magna from 1991 until May 1996. Mr. Kreitman served as President of the United States Banknote Corporation, a securities printing company, from 1976 until his retirement in 1996. Mr. Kreitman serves as a member of the board of directors of CCA Industries, Inc., KSW Corp. and Capital Lease Funding, all publicly-traded companies. Mr. Kreitman previously served as a director of Geneva Financial Corp., Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. and Renaissance Acquisition Corp. He also serves as Chairman of the New York City Board of Corrections. Mr. Kreitman received a B.S. from New York University. Mr. Kreitman’s financial accounting skills have qualified him to chair our Audit Committee and to serve as the audit committee financial expert. He also provides the Board of Directors with experience on other public company boards of directors which provides our Board of Directors with insight on developing best practices for public companies in areas such as risk oversight and corporate governance matters. Mr. Kreitman has deep knowledge of our company and its business, having served on our Board of Directors since 1996.

Frederick A. Menowitz has served as our director since May 2003. Mr. Menowitz is currently an independent real estate investor. Mr. Menowitz received a B.A. from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and the Elmhurst, New York Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Menowitz brings legal and business expertise and finance and investment skills to our Board of Directors.

David L. Rudnick has served as our director since February 1996. Mr. Rudnick serves as President of Rudco Properties, Inc., a real estate management concern and CEO of the Century Associates Group, a national

 

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commercial real estate concern which he founded in 1969. Mr. Rudnick served as President of Rudco Industries, Inc., an international manufacturer of machine readable documents, from 1963 to 1986. Mr. Rudnick previously served as President of the Financial Stationers Association and a director of West Side Federal Savings & Loan Association. Mr. Rudnick received an A.B. with honors in economics from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Rudnick is Andrew M. Murstein’s father-in-law. Mr. Rudnick brings investment and executive management skills to our Board of Directors. He also has deep knowledge of our company and its business, having served on our Board of Directors since 1996.

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. has served as our director since February 2003. Mr. Weicker served as Governor of the State of Connecticut from 1991 to 1995. He served as a United States Senator representing the State of Connecticut from 1970 to 1988. Mr. Weicker also serves as a director of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Mr. Weicker previously served as a director of Compuware Corporation. He received a B.A. from Yale University and a L.L.B. from the University of Virginia School of Law. Mr. Weicker brings valuable skills to the Board of Directors that he acquired through his extensive career in the public sector, such as his expertise in the areas of government relations and external affairs. He also provides the Board of Directors with experience on other public company boards of directors which provides our Board of Directors with insight on developing best practices for public companies in areas such as risk oversight and corporate governance matters.

Interested Directors

Mario M. Cuomo has served as our director since February 1996. Mr. Cuomo served as Governor of the State of New York from January 1983 through 1994. Mr. Cuomo has been of counsel in the law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP since July 2002 and was a partner in Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP from February 1995 through June 2002. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP serves as our counsel in connection with various legal matters. Mr. Cuomo previously served as a director of Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. Mr. Cuomo received a B.A., summa cum laude, from St. John’s University and a J.D., magna cum laude, from St. John’s University School of Law. Mr. Cuomo brings valuable skills to the Board of Directors that he acquired through his extensive career in the public sector, such as his expertise in the areas of government relations and external affairs. Mr. Cuomo’s experience at an international law firm provides the Board of Directors with strong legal skills that are useful in the discussion and evaluation of financial and general corporate affairs. Mr. Cuomo has deep knowledge of our company and its business, having served on our Board of Directors since 1996.

Alvin Murstein has served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since our founding in 1995 and has been our Chief Executive Officer since February 1996. Mr. Murstein has also been Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Medallion Funding LLC, formerly known as Medallion Funding Corp., since its founding in 1979. He also currently serves and has previously served as officer and director of some of our other wholly owned subsidiaries. Mr. Murstein received a B.A. and an M.B.A. from New York University and has been an executive in the taxicab industry for over 40 years. Mr. Murstein served on the board of directors of the Strober Organization, Inc., a building supply company, from 1988 to 1997. Alvin Murstein is the father of Andrew M. Murstein. Mr. Murstein brings to our Board of Directors over 45 years of experience in the ownership, management, and financing of taxicab medallions and other commercial businesses. He has deep knowledge of our company and its business, having served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since our founding in 1995 and our Chief Executive Officer since 1996.

Andrew M. Murstein has served as our President since our inception in 1995. Mr. Murstein has served as our director since October 1997. He also currently serves and has previously served as officer and director of some of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Mr. Murstein previously served as the Vice Chairman and Secretary of Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. Mr. Murstein received a B.A. in economics, cum laude, from Tufts University and an M.B.A. in finance from New York University. Andrew Murstein is the son of Alvin Murstein and the son-in law of David Rudnick. Mr. Murstein brings to our Board of Directors over 20 years of experience in the ownership, management, and financing of taxicab medallions and other commercial businesses. He has deep knowledge of our company and its business, having served as our President since our inception in 1995 and on our Board of Directors since 1997.

 

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Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Larry D. Hall has served as our Chief Financial Officer since March 2004. Prior to that he served as our Acting Chief Financial Officer since July 2003. Prior to that he served as our Chief Accounting Officer since May 2001 and our Assistant Treasurer since October 2000. Mr. Hall previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. Mr. Hall was employed by Citibank as Vice President—Corporate Financial Control/Corporate Reporting & Analysis from October 1995 to October 2000. Mr. Hall was Vice President—Finance/Controller, Treasurer and Secretary of Consolidated Waste Services of America from April 1993 to March 1995. Prior to that, he was Vice President—Manager of Line Accounting for Wells Fargo and Co. from November 1987 to March 1993 and Senior Audit Manager in the Financial Services Industry Group for Arthur Andersen & Company from September 1976 to October 1987. Mr. Hall received his B.S. in business administration from the University of Southern California.

Michael J. Kowalsky has served as our Executive Vice President since May 1996. Mr. Kowalsky has been President of Medallion Funding LLC, formerly known as Medallion Funding Corp., since June 1996. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of Edwards Capital from 1992 until June 1996. Prior to joining Edwards Capital in 1990, Mr. Kowalsky was a Senior Vice President at General Cigar Co. Inc., a cigar manufacturing company. Mr. Kowalsky received a B.A. and M.A. in economics from the University of Kentucky and an M.B.A. from the New York University Graduate School of Business.

Brian S. O’Leary has served as our Chief Operating Officer since April 2001. Mr. O’Leary joined us in December 1999 as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. From April 1996 to December 1999, Mr. O’Leary was Executive Vice President of Atlantic Bank of New York, serving initially as Chief Credit Officer and Chief Administrative Officer and later as head of middle market banking which included the bank’s Leasing and Premium Finance subsidiaries. Mr. O’Leary was also a member of the management credit committee. From May 1990 to April 1996 Mr. O’Leary was with Bank Leumi Trust Co. of New York, first as a Deputy Division Head of the Lending Division and a Deputy Chief Lending Officer and then as EVP and Division Executive of domestic banking. He was also a member of the Senior Credit Committee. From July 1977 to May 1990, he was with Marine Midland Bank, most recently as a Regional Executive Vice President. He began his banking career in 1970 with Bankers Trust Co. in the metropolitan banking division. Mr. O’Leary received a B.A. in economics from Fordham University and an M.B.A. in finance from Pace University.

Marie Russo has served as our Senior Vice President and Secretary since February 1996. Ms. Russo has also been Senior Vice President and Secretary of Medallion Funding LLC, formerly known as Medallion Funding Corp., since June 1996. Ms. Russo served as Vice President of Operations of Tri-Magna from 1989 until its acquisition by us in May 1996. From 1989 to 1996, she was Vice President of Medallion Funding LLC, formerly known as Medallion Funding Corp., and from 1983 to 1986, she was Controller of Medallion Funding LLC, formerly known as Medallion Funding Corp. Ms. Russo received a B.S. in accounting from Hunter College.

Jeffrey Yin has served as our General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer since June 2005. Prior to joining us, Mr. Yin served as Corporate Counsel of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Prior to joining Marsh & McLennan Companies, Mr. Yin was an attorney in the New York office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Mr. Yin received a B.A. in Economics and Rhetoric from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law.

Committees of the Board of Directors

We have four standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Executive Committee. Each of these committees, except the Executive Committee, has a written charter approved by the Board of Directors. A copy of each charter can be found in the “For Investors” section of our website at www.medallion.com.

 

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Audit Committee

The Audit Committee reviews the results and scope of the audit and other services provided by our independent public accountants. The Audit Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2010 to review (i) the effectiveness of the public accountants during the audit for the year ended December 31, 2010, (ii) the adequacy of the 2010 financial statement disclosures for the year ended December 31, 2010, (iii) our internal control policies and procedures, and (iv) the selection of our independent public accountants. The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Kreitman, Jackson, and Menowitz. Mr. Kreitman is the Chairman and audit committee financial expert. Each Audit Committee member meets the independence requirements of NASDAQ and the SEC.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee makes recommendations concerning compensation of our directors and executive officers including (i) all incentive, restricted stock or stock option plans or arrangements established by us for officers and employees, including the grant of stock options and restricted stock to employees, (ii) adoption and amendment of all employee restricted stock, stock option and other employee benefit, plans and arrangements and (iii) the engagement of, terms of any employment agreements and arrangements with, and termination of, all of our officers. The Compensation Committee reviews management’s recommendations and advises management and the Board of Directors on broad compensation policies such as salary ranges, annual incentive bonuses, long-term incentive plans, including equity-based compensation programs, and other benefit and perquisite programs. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, delegate all or a portion of its duties and responsibilities to a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the resources and authority to discharge its duties and responsibilities, including the authority to retain counsel and other experts or consultants. The Compensation Committee has sole authority to select and retain a compensation consultant, to terminate any consultant retained by the Compensation Committee, and to approve the fees and other retention terms of any consultant. These consultants report directly to the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee meets with the frequency necessary to perform its duties and responsibilities. The Compensation Committee usually makes many of its performance-based decisions at a meeting held in February of each fiscal year, including evaluating the performance of our named executive officers, or NEOs, during the immediately preceding year, determining the amount of their annual cash bonuses for the preceding year and determining base salaries for the upcoming fiscal year. Grants of equity compensation are generally made in the first quarter of each year.

In 2009, the Compensation Committee retained the services of a third party, independent executive consultant, Hewitt Associates, or Hewitt, to assist the Compensation Committee in its review of our executive compensation practices, including the competitiveness of our executive pay levels. At no time during 2009 or at any other time did the Compensation Committee direct Hewitt to perform services in any particular manner or under any particular method. The Compensation Committee has the final authority to hire and terminate the consultant, and the Compensation Committee evaluates the consultant annually.

After 2009 year-end, Hewitt spun off a portion of its executive compensation practice into a separate, entirely independent entity named Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC, or Meridian. Due to the importance of independence, and to maintain consistent process and representation, the Compensation Committee decided to retain Meridian for 2010 as its independent executive compensation consultant.

The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Aaron, Menowitz, and Weicker, who is the Chairman. Each member of the Compensation Committee is an “independent director,” as defined under Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules. Each member is also a “non-employee director,” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and each qualifies as an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Board of Directors did not reject any

 

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recommendations of the Compensation Committee during the year ended December 31, 2010. The Compensation Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2010 and made recommendations concerning compensation, restricted stock, stock options and other employment matters. See “Compensation Committee Report.”

Nominating and Governance Committee

The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors and recommends individuals to the Board of Directors for nomination as members of the Board of Directors and its committees. The Nominating and Governance Committee is also charged with overseeing the evaluation of the Board of Directors and reviewing our board governance principles and advising the Board of Directors on such board governance. The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Messrs. Rudnick, Kreitman, and Weicker. Mr. Rudnick is the Chairman. Each Nominating and Governance Committee member meets the independence requirements of the NASDAQ and the SEC. The Nominating and Governance Committee met once during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Nominees for the Board of Directors should be committed to enhancing long-term shareholder value and must possess a high level of personal and professional ethics, sound business judgment and integrity. The Board of Directors’ policy is to encourage the selection of directors who will contribute to our overall corporate goals: responsibility to shareholders, finance leadership, effective execution, high customer satisfaction and superior employee working environment. In nominating a candidate for election to the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Governance Committee may take into consideration such factors as it deems appropriate. These factors may include judgment, skill, diversity, experience with businesses and other organizations comparable to us, the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experiences of other board members, and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board of Directors and any committees. While the Nominating and Governance Committee carefully considers diversity when considering directors, it has not established a formal policy regarding diversity. In evaluating potential candidates for the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers the above factors in the light of the specific needs of the Board of Directors at that time.

In recommending candidates for election to the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Governance Committee considers nominees recommended by directors, officers, employees, shareholders and others, using the same criteria to evaluate all candidates. The Nominating and Governance Committee reviews each candidate’s qualifications, including whether a candidate possesses any of the specific qualities and skills desirable in certain members of the Board of Directors. Evaluation of candidates generally involve a review of background materials, internal discussions and interviews with selected candidates as appropriate. Upon selection of a qualified candidate, the Nominating and Governance Committee would recommend the candidate for consideration by the full Board of Directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee may engage third-party consultants or search firms to assist in identifying and evaluating potential nominees. To recommend a prospective nominee for the Nominating and Governance Committee’s consideration, submit the candidate’s name and qualifications to our Secretary in writing to the following address: Medallion Financial Corp., Attn: Secretary, 437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022, with a copy to Medallion Financial Corp, Attn: General Counsel at the same address. When submitting candidates for nomination to be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders, shareholders must also follow the notice procedures and provide the information required by our bylaws.

In particular, for the Nominating and Governance Committee to consider a candidate or candidates recommended by a shareholder for nomination at our next annual meeting of shareholders, written notice of such shareholder’s intent to make such nomination or nominations must be given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to our Secretary not later than 120 days in advance of the date of our notice of annual meeting released to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders, except that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has

 

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been changed by more than 30 days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s notice of annual meeting of shareholders, then, in that event only, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to and received at our principal executive offices at least 30 days before the notice of the date of the annual meeting is mailed to shareholders in the current year. The notice must include the information specified in our bylaws, including the following:

 

   

the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated;

 

   

a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of our stock entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting the person or persons specified above;

 

   

a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the shareholder;

 

   

such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such shareholders as would be required to be included in our proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors; and

 

   

the consent of each nominee to serve as our director if so elected.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee meets on an ad hoc basis to provide strategic and managerial advice to management. The members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Alvin Murstein, Andrew M. Murstein, Stanley Kreitman, and David L. Rudnick. The Executive Committee met one time during the year ended December 31, 2010.

Board Leadership Structure

Alvin Murstein serves as both the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Murstein is an “interested person” under the 1940 Act. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Murstein’s service as both the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors is in the best interest of our company and our shareholders. Mr. Murstein possesses detailed and in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges facing our company and is thus best positioned to develop agendas that ensure that the Board of Director’s time and attention are focused on the most critical matters. His combined role enables decisive leadership, ensures clear accountability, and enhances our ability to communicate our message and strategy clearly and consistently to our shareholders, employees and customers. We do not have a lead independent director.

The Board of Directors believes that our independent directors provide effective oversight of management. Moreover, in addition to feedback provided during the course of Board of Director meetings, the independent directors hold regular executive sessions. We believe that this approach effectively encourages full engagement of all directors in executive sessions, while avoiding unnecessary hierarchy. Following an executive session of independent directors, the presiding director acts as a liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman regarding any specific feedback or issues, provides the Chairman with input regarding agenda items for Board and Committee meetings, and coordinates with the Chairman regarding information to be provided to the independent directors in performing their duties. The Board believes that this approach appropriately and effectively complements the combined Chairman/Chief Executive Officer structure.

 

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Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

While risk management is primarily the responsibility of our management team, the Board of Directors is responsible for the overall supervision of our risk management activities. The Board’s oversight of the material risks faced by our company occurs at both the full board level and at the committee level.

Management provides regular updates throughout the year to the respective committees regarding the management of the risks they oversee, and each of these committees report on risk to the full board at regular meetings of the Board. In addition to the reports from the committees, the Board receives presentations throughout the year from various department and business unit leaders that include discussion of significant risks as necessary. At each Board meeting, the Board addresses matters of particular importance or concern, including any significant areas of risk that require Board attention.

We believe that our approach to risk oversight, as described above, optimizes our ability to assess inter-relationships among the various risks, make informed cost-benefit decisions, and approach emerging risks in a proactive manner for our company. We also believe that our risk structure complements our current board leadership structure, as it allows our independent directors, through our fully independent board committees and otherwise, to exercise effective oversight of the actions of management in identifying risks and implementing effective risk management policies and controls.

Code of Ethics

As part of our compliance with the 1940 Act, we have in place a code of ethics policy for our directors, officers and employees. These persons must act ethically at all times and in accordance with the guidelines comprising our Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy (codified as a written policy and adopted by the Board of Directors on October 4, 2004 and amended on August 1, 2006 and April 30, 2008) to establish standards and procedures for the prevention and detection of activities which signal a conflict of interest or an abuse of fiduciary duty. Our Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy establishes procedures for personal investment and restricts certain transactions by our personnel. Our Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy generally does not permit investment by our employees in securities that have been or are contemplated to be purchased or held by us. To further promote ethical and responsible decision-making, the Board of Directors also adopted a Code of Ethical Conduct for Senior Financial Officers. Our Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy and Code of Ethical Conduct for Senior Financial Officers can be found in the “For Investors” section of our website at www.medallion.com. You may also read and copy our Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on operations of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. In addition, our Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy is available on the EDGAR database on the SEC Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain copies of the our Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. The Board of Directors expects our directors, as well as our officers and employees, to act ethically at all times and to acknowledge their adherence to the policies comprising our Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy, which include, among other things, rules prohibiting loans or other extensions of credit, securities transactions during “blackout” periods, acceptance of gifts, and certain interested transactions. In addition, our Board of Directors has established a policy for reporting employee concerns to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Anyone with a concern about our accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters may confidentially report such concern by telephone to a special dedicated toll-free phone number. This policy was previously announced to all of our employees and the telephone number is published in our common-area workplaces. All such communications are confidential and shall be promptly reviewed by the Audit Committee.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

We hold an immaterial amount of voting securities. Executive management, pursuant to no special policy or procedure, votes these proxies, when applicable, as part of their routine executive functions.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview of Compensation Program

The primary objective of our compensation program is to establish compensation levels which will enable us to attract, retain and reward executive officers who contribute to our long-term success, to tie annual and long-term cash and stock incentives to the achievement of measurable corporate, business unit and individual performance objectives, and to align executives’ incentives with shareholder value creation.

Our executive compensation philosophy is based on the belief that competitive compensation is essential to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified and industrious employees. Our policy is to provide total compensation packages that are competitive within our industry. The compensation program includes components designed both to motivate executives and to provide incentives to executives, as well as retain them. The primary components of our compensation program are base salary, cash bonus, restricted stock and stock options. Bonuses are paid to encourage effective performance relative to current plans and objectives. Restricted stock and stock options are granted to help retain productive executives and to more closely align their interests with those of shareholders. As a business development company, we are constrained by the 1940 Act in the number of outstanding securities we may issue pursuant to all of our compensation plans. Accordingly, our Compensation Committee takes into account the number of restricted stock and options already outstanding when determining whether to make additional grants. In addition, the Compensation Committee takes into account the number of restricted stock and options available for future grants under the plan to ensure sufficient availability for future needs.

In implementing our compensation policy, we seek to tie compensation to our financial performance and business objectives, reward high levels of individual performance and base a significant portion of total executive compensation on both our annual and long-term performance. While compensation survey data are useful guides for comparative purposes, we believe that a successful compensation program also requires the application of judgment and subjective determinations of individual performance, and to that extent our Compensation Committee applies such judgment and subjective determinations in reconciling the program’s objectives with the realities of retaining valued employees.

Executive Compensation Program

The Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the compensation of our named executive officers, or NEOs, and our directors. The full Board of Directors typically ratifies the Compensation Committee’s annual determination of NEO compensation.

Our President and Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of our human resources department, compile and provide information, make recommendations for the Compensation Committee’s consideration and assist in the management and administration of our executive and other benefit plans. Their responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

Recommending pay levels and equity grants and incentive awards for our officers;

 

   

Recommending changes to ensure that our compensation programs remain competitive and aligned with our objectives; and

 

   

Providing information to the Compensation Committee, including but not limited to, information concerning (1) company and individual performance, (2) the attainment of our strategic objectives, (3) the common stock ownership of each executive and his option holdings, (4) equity compensation plan dilution, and (5) peer group compensation and performance data.

 

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Our executive officers may attend the meetings of the Compensation Committee, at its request. A portion of each of the Compensation Committee meetings held during 2010 was an executive session during which none of our executive officers was present.

We do not have a specific formula that dictates the overall weighting of each compensation element as a part of the total. Instead, the Compensation Committee makes individual compensation decisions which it believes reflects each individual’s contribution to the company.

Peer Group

At the Compensation Committee’s request, Hewitt completed its most recent peer group-based compensation assessment in late 2008. This assessment compared the compensation arrangements and levels for our Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chief Financial Officer and compared them to the compensation arrangements and levels for similar positions at a group of peer companies.

The peer group consisted of the following 12 companies, which are similar in size, industry, and location to us and have similar talent needs:

 

American River Bankshares

   Center Bancorp Inc.    Newstar Financial Inc.

Canandaigua National Corp.

   First of Long Island Corp.    PS Business Parks

Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

   Marlin Business Services Inc.    Sterling Bancorp

Caplease Inc.

   MCG Capital Corp.    Willis Lease Finance Corp.

The peer group was approved by the Compensation Committee and represents companies (a) in the specialized finance, real estate investment and commercial banking industries; (b) with median assets of $1.05 billion; and (c) with corporate functions in higher cost areas (e.g., the New York City metropolitan area and California). Hewitt relied on market data from the 2008 proxy statements, updated with any compensation adjustments from Form 4 and 8-K disclosures. The pay levels of our Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chief Financial Officer were compared to the peer group market median and 75th percentile levels. Hewitt assessed the following compensation elements: base salary, actual annual incentives, actual total cash compensation (base salary plus actual bonus), annualized value of long-term incentives, actual all other compensation and actual total compensation (sum of base salary, actual bonus, annualized long-term incentive value, and all other compensation).

While the Compensation Committee compared executive pay levels with the peer group market median and 75th percentile levels, it did not benchmark pay for our executives to any specific market pay level. The Compensation Committee considered such data in addition to individual and company performance and internal equity when making decisions regarding annual incentive awards.

Since Hewitt’s most recent peer group-based compensation assessment in late 2008, we and the Compensation Committee have continued to compare our executive pay levels with those of the peer group on an ad hoc basis.

Troubled Asset Relief Program

On February 27, 2009 and December 22, 2009, as part of the TARP Capital Purchase Program, or the CPP, Medallion Bank, our wholly owned subsidiary, issued and sold, and the U.S. Treasury purchased, Medallion Bank’s Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, B, C and D for an aggregate purchase price of $21,498,000 in cash. On July 21, 2011, Medallion Bank issued, and the U.S. Treasury purchased 26,303 shares of Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series E for an aggregate purchase price of $26,303,000 under the Small Business Lending Fund Program, or the SBLF. The SBLF is a voluntary program intended to encourage small business lending by providing capital to qualified smaller banks at favorable rates.

 

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In connection with the issuance of the Series E, Medallion Bank exited the CPP by redeeming the Series A, B, C, and D. In addition, Medallion Bank received additional funds of approximately $4,000,000 million, net of dividends due on the repaid securities. Medallion Bank will pay an initial dividend rate of 1% on the Series E. The interim final rule promulgated pursuant to Section 111 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, or the EESA, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or the ARRA, prescribes certain standards for compensation and corporate governance for CPP participants. These restrictions no longer apply to periods following Medallion Bank’s exit from the CPP on July 21, 2011.

Impact of Prior Say on Pay Vote on Compensation Decisions

As part of Medallion Bank’s participation in the CPP, we were required to permit our shareholders to vote on a non-binding advisory resolution regarding the compensation of the NEOs for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. A majority of the votes cast approved that resolution. We, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee pay careful attention to communication received from shareholders regarding executive compensation, including the non-binding advisory vote. We believe the 2010 shareholder vote supports the work of the Compensation Committee and that our executive compensation programs are aligned with shareholders’ interests.

Base Salary

We provide our NEOs with base salary as a base level of compensation to compensate them for general services rendered during the fiscal year. Base salary ranges for NEOs are determined for each executive based on each NEO’s position and duties.

Increases in annual base salary are based on a review and evaluation of an NEO’s job performance, the impact of such performance on us and the skills and experience required for the job, coupled with a comparison of these elements against those for similarly positioned executives both inside and outside our organization conducted by our President and reviewed by the Compensation Committee. Salary levels are typically determined annually as part of our performance review process as well as upon a promotion or other significant change in job responsibility. In 2010 each of our NEOs except Andrew M. Murstein received a 1.0% increase in base salary, as determined by our Compensation Committee. These decisions were made by the Compensation Committee at its February 2010 meeting and communicated to each NEO shortly thereafter. The Compensation Committee believed that such increase reflected a cost of living adjustment for current economic conditions.

Bonus

The Compensation Committee has the authority to award discretionary annual or periodic bonuses to our NEOs. The annual bonuses are intended to compensate NEOs for achieving financial and operational goals and for achieving individual annual performance objectives. These objectives vary depending on the individual executive, but relate generally to strategic factors such as borrowers financed or retained, new investment opportunities identified and completed and to financial factors such as raising capital, improving our results of operations and increasing the price per share of our common stock. We do not maintain formal targets or goals. Rather, the Compensation Committee typically reviews a variety of different factors applicable to us which may change in accordance with the changing nature of our business. Andrew Murstein’s 2010 bonus was $975,000, which was attributed in part to the overall performance of our taxi medallion loan portfolio in 2010. Larry D. Hall’s 2010 bonus was $80,000, which was attributed in part to the overall performance of our taxi medallion loan portfolio in 2010 and his overall management of the public company in 2010. Michael J. Kowalsky’s 2010 bonus was $126,000, which was attributed in part to the overall performance of our taxi medallion loan portfolio in 2010. Brian S. O’Leary’s 2010 bonus was $70,000, which was attributed in part to the overall performance of our taxi medallion loan portfolio in 2010 and his overall management of the public company in 2010. As part of Medallion Bank’s participation in the CPP, Alvin Murstein did not receive a 2010 bonus.

 

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Our discretionary annual bonus is paid in cash in an amount reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee and ordinarily is paid in a single installment in the first quarter following the completion of a given fiscal year. The Compensation Committee, however, has the discretion to declare a bonus more frequently than on an annual basis and may do so in recognition of exceptional contributions to us at other times.

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Under the 1940 Act, the number of restricted stock, warrants, options or rights to subscribe or convert to our voting securities we may issue is limited. We are also limited under the 1940 Act to the types of securities we may issue. Accordingly, our long-term incentive compensation program is limited to the issuance of restricted stock and stock options and is generally constrained in scope and nature by the parameters set forth in the 1940 Act.

Nonetheless, we believe that long-term performance is achieved through granting restricted stock and stock options, which creates an ownership culture that encourages long-term performance by our NEOs. Our restricted stock and stock option plans (discussed below) have been established to provide certain of our employees, including our NEOs, with incentives (i) to highlight and reinforce the mutuality of long-term interests between employees and shareholders and (ii) to assist in the attraction and retention of critically important key executives, managers and individual contributors who are essential to our growth and development. The Compensation Committee believes that the use of restricted stock and stock options is important achieving our compensation goals, however, the 1940 Act limits the number of restricted stock and stock options the Company is permitted to issue which impairs our ability to use restricted stock and stock options to achieve such goals. We have not adopted formal stock ownership guidelines, and our restricted stock and stock option plans have provided the principal method for our NEOs to acquire equity in our company.

We have two stock option plans: the Amended and Restated 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan and the 2006 Employee Stock Option Plan (together, the Plans). The Amended and Restated 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan expired on May 21, 2006, but stock options remain outstanding under it. The Plans include vesting periods to optimize the retention value of options and to provide an incentive to our NEOs to achieve success over the long term. Generally, stock options vest in equal annual installments over three to five years commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and if employees leave us before these vesting periods, they forfeit the unvested portions of these awards. The vesting schedules chosen are dependent on the NEO, the rationale behind such option grant, the number of options granted and the exercise price of such options.

The number of shares of Common Stock subject to option grants is generally intended to reflect the significance of an NEO’s current and anticipated contributions to us. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the per-share exercise price of options granted by us cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant. Grants of stock options, if made, are generally granted on the date of the Compensation Committee or Board of Directors meeting held during the first quarter of each year. Grants, however, may be made by the Compensation Committee at other times. The options have value only to the extent that the current stock price is greater than the price at the time of the option grant, which directly links the interest of the NEOs with those of our shareholders. The decision to exercise an option in any particular year is primarily determined by each individual within the limits of the vesting schedule and not by our Board of Directors. As a business development company, we are constrained by the 1940 Act in the number of outstanding securities we may issue pursuant to all of our compensation plans. Accordingly, our Compensation Committee takes into account the number of options already outstanding when determining whether to make additional grants. In addition, the Compensation Committee takes into account the number of options available for future grant under the plan to ensure sufficient availability for future needs. No option grants were made to the NEOs in 2010 in light of these considerations.

The 2009 Employee Restricted Stock Plan, or the 2009 Employee Plan, was adopted by our Board of Directors on April 16, 2009, approved by the Commission on April 26, 2010, and approved by our shareholders on June 11, 2010. The terms of the 2009 Employee Plan provide for grants of restricted stock awards to our

 

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employees and any person who has been offered employment by us; provided, that such prospective employee may not receive any payment relating to a restricted stock award until such person has commenced employment with us. The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant restricted stock awards. A grant of restricted stock is a grant of shares of our common stock that, at the time of issuance, are subject to certain forfeiture provisions, and thus are restricted as to transferability until such forfeiture restrictions have lapsed. The restrictions on the restricted stock issued pursuant to the 2009 Employee Plan may relate to continued service to us, the achievement of specified performance objectives, or other restrictions deemed by the Compensation Committee from time to time to be appropriate and in our best interests and in the interests of our shareholders. No restricted stock awards were made to the NEOs in 2010.

401(k) Plan

Since 1996, we have maintained our 401(k) Investment Plan which covers all our full- and part-time employees who have attained the age of 21 and have a minimum of one year of service. Under the 401(k) Investment Plan, an employee may elect to defer not less than 1.0% of his or her total annual compensation, up to the applicable limits set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions are invested in various mutual funds, according to the direction of the employee. On September 1, 1998, we elected to match employee annual contributions to the 401(k) Investment Plan in an amount equal to one-third of the first 6% of an employee’s annual contributions.

Employment Agreements and Offer Letters

We will enter into a new employment agreement with an executive officer or a candidate only when necessary to attract or retain exceptional personnel. Any employment agreement with an executive officer (a) must be approved by the Compensation Committee; (b) should have as short a term as possible and provide as few terms and conditions as are necessary to accomplish its purpose; and (c) if required by law to be available for public review, must be filed promptly with the appropriate regulatory authority.

In May 1996, Alvin Murstein, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Andrew M. Murstein, our President, entered into employment agreements with us, which were subsequently amended and restated in May 1998. The agreements provide for a five-year term and automatically renew each year for a new five-year term unless either party terminates the agreement. The agreements provide that Alvin Murstein and Andrew M. Murstein shall receive a minimum annual base salary of $300,000 and $225,000 respectively, which may be increased by the Compensation Committee. The agreements also subject Messrs. Murstein to non-competition obligations. The agreements provide for a severance payment in the event that we terminate their employment without Cause (as defined in the agreements) or if they terminate their employment for Good Reason (as defined in the agreements). The severance payment is equal to their base salary multiplied by the number of full and partial years remaining in the term of employment at the time of termination plus legal fees and/or acceleration of vesting of any unvested options. Consistent with competitive practice, the agreements provide that if payments made to Messrs. Murstein are subject to an excise tax as excess parachute payments by the Internal Revenue Code, we will gross up the compensation to fully offset the excise taxes. However, if the payment does not exceed the excise tax threshold by more than 10%, we will reduce the payment so that no portion of the payment is subject to excise tax and no gross-up would be made. We believe that this is a best practice relating to gross-up provisions in change-in-control arrangements.

Brian S. O’Leary, our Chief Operating Officer, entered into an employment agreement with us, which became effective in November 1999 and has no termination date. Mr. O’Leary is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $190,000. Mr. O’Leary is an at-will employee but he is entitled to a severance payment of $150,000 upon a change of control if his employment is discontinued in connection therewith.

Michael J. Kowalsky, our Executive Vice President, is a party to an employment agreement with us which provides for a one-year term and automatically renews each year for a new one-year term unless terminated by either party. Under the agreement, Mr. Kowalsky is entitled to an annual base salary of $245,300, annual

 

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increases at a rate no less than 3% of his then-existing base salary and a minimum bonus of $37,000. The agreement provides for a severance payment if the agreement is not renewed under certain conditions, and also a non-competition covenant.

Larry D. Hall, our Chief Financial Officer, entered into an agreement with us, which became effective in March 2003 and has no termination date. Mr. Hall is entitled to an annual base salary of $182,000. Mr. Hall is entitled to a severance payment of $112,500 if we terminate his employment without Cause (as defined in the agreement) or upon a change of control if his employment is discontinued in connection therewith.

Our Board of Directors determined that providing the modest change of control arrangements described above appropriately reflects the risk imposed on executives that a company such as ours might be acquired. These arrangements are intended to attract and retain qualified executives with employment alternatives that may appear to them to be less risky absent these arrangements, and to mitigate a potential disincentive to authorize such an acquisition, particularly where the services of these executive officers may not be required by the acquirer. For quantification of these severance and change of control benefits, please see the discussion under “Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control” below.

Our Compensation Committee authorized the various change in control and severance provisions in recognition of the importance to us and our shareholders of assuring that we have the continued dedication and full attention of certain key employees prior to and after the consummation of a change in control event. In addition to the foregoing, the provisions are intended to ensure that, if a possible change in control should arise and a NEO should be involved in deliberations or negotiations in connection with the possible change in control, such officer would be in a position to consider as objectively as possible whether the possible change in control transaction is in our best interests and those of our shareholders, without concern for his position or financial well-being. Absent termination without cause or for good reason, or a change of control event, no NEO is entitled to either equity vesting acceleration or cash severance payments upon termination of employment.

As part of Medallion Bank’s participation in the CPP, certain restrictions were imposed on the compensation of the NEOs that applied during the period Medallion Bank participated in the CPP. These restrictions prohibited any payment for departure from a CPP participant or change of control event of a CPP participant, other than a payment for services performed or benefits accrued, to the NEOs and the next five most highly compensated employees. The restrictions also prohibited us from providing tax gross-ups or other reimbursements for the payment of taxes to the NEOs and the next twenty most highly compensated employees relating to severance payments, perquisites, or any other form of compensation. These restrictions no longer apply to periods following Medallion Bank’s exit from the CPP.

Pursuant to either an employment agreement or an offer letter, each officer is generally eligible for a discretionary bonus in excess of a minimum amount. However, the Compensation Committee may increase the discretionary annual bonus paid to our executive officers, and the discretionary bonus paid to each officer in 2011 for performance in 2010 generally exceeded minimum specified amounts. The actual amount of any discretionary bonus will be determined following a review of each executive’s individual performance and contribution to our strategic goals. The Compensation Committee has not fixed a maximum payout for any officers’ annual discretionary bonus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as part of Medallion Bank’s participation in the CPP, Alvin Murstein did not receive a 2010 bonus. The bonus restrictions no longer apply to periods following Medallion Bank’s exit from the CPP.

Perquisites

We provide NEOs with perquisites and other personal benefits that we and the Compensation Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation program to better enable us to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to NEOs.

 

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All of our NEOs except for Mr. O’Leary are provided with a monthly car allowance, which allows such NEOs to visit clients. In addition, we provide Mr. Alvin Murstein with a country club membership, two social club memberships, term life insurance and incidental costs related to his automobile such as parking and car insurance. We provide Mr. Andrew Murstein with a country club membership, a social club membership, incidental costs related to his automobile such as parking and car insurance and pay for his pro-rated use of our driver. The additional perquisites provided for Messrs. Murstein reflect their additional seniority and contributions to our overall organization. Attributed costs of the personal benefits for the NEOs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 are included in column titled “All Other Compensation” of the Summary Compensation Table.

Other Benefits

NEOs are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, such as medical, dental, vision, group life, disability, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, as well as our 401(k) Investment Plan, in each case on the same basis as other employees.

Impact of Tax and Accounting Treatment

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation over $1 million paid to its chief executive officer or any of its four other most highly compensated executive officers. However, qualifying performance-based compensation will not be subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. As part of Medallion Bank’s participation in the CPP, we could not deduct compensation for the NEOs in excess of $500,000. The “performance-based exception” did not apply to this CPP-related deduction limit. This restriction no longer applies to periods following Medallion Bank’s exit from the CPP. Our policy is to maximize the deductibility of compensation but does not preclude awards or payments that are not fully deductible if, in our judgment, such awards and payments are necessary to achieve our compensation objectives and to protect shareholder interests.

With our adoption of FASB Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation”, or ASC 718, which requires the recognition of compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock, we do not expect the accounting treatment of differing forms of equity awards to vary significantly. Accordingly, our adoption of ASC 718 is not expected to have a material effect on our selection of forms of equity compensation to be granted to our NEOs in the foreseeable future.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in its 2011 proxy statement.

Risk Assessment of Compensation Plans

Introduction

The interim final rule promulgated pursuant to Section 111 of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, requires the Compensation Committee of each recipient of funds (which Medallion Financial Corp., or the Company, believes to include parent companies such as the Company) under the Capital Purchase Program of the Troubled Assets Relief Program, or TARP, to:

 

   

discuss, evaluate, and review at least every six months with senior risk officers Senior Executive Officer, or SEO, compensation plans and employee compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to the TARP recipient;

 

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identify and limit the features in the SEO compensation plans that could lead SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of the TARP recipient; and

 

   

identify and limit any features in the employee compensation plans that pose risks to the TARP recipient to ensure that the TARP recipient is not unnecessarily exposed to risks, including any features in these SEO compensation plans or the employee compensation plans that would encourage behavior focused on short-term results rather than long-term value creation.

In addition, the Compensation Committee is required to discuss, evaluate, and review at least every six months the terms of each employee compensation plan and identify and eliminate the features in the plan that could encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of the TARP recipient to enhance the compensation of an employee.

The Compensation Committee directed the Company’s senior risk officers to complete a compensation risk assessment for the Company to address the foregoing.

In conducting the compensation risk assessment, the Company’s senior risk officers performed the following procedures:

 

   

Interviewed key senior management personnel of the Company.

 

   

Reviewed and evaluated the Company’s various employee restricted stock and stock options plans.

 

   

Reviewed and evaluated the Company’s employment agreements.

 

   

Reviewed and evaluated the Company’s salary, bonus structure and perquisites.

 

   

Reviewed the Company’s compensation discussion and analysis.

Employee Stock Option Plans

The Company has two stock option plans: the Amended and Restated 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan, which expired on May 21, 2006, and the 2006 Employee Stock Option Plan, together, the Employee Stock Option Plan. The overall risk rating for the Employee Stock Option Plans was determined by the senior risk officers to be low due to the infrequency of grants, the Company’s practice of utilizing time based vesting schedules and regulatory limitations contained in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Identified risks arising from the Employee Stock Option Plans consist of the following:

 

   

The risk that employees will manipulate earnings or increase short term earnings at the expense of the long term value creation in order to induce the Compensation Committee to grant stock options; and

 

   

The risk that employees will manipulate earnings or increase short term earnings at the expense of the long term value creation in order to increase the short term stock price to exercise in the money stock options.

While these risks are identifiable, the Company’s senior risk officers believe they are not material risks. Grants under the 2006 Employee Stock Option Plan are limited during the life of the plan to 125,000 options, in the aggregate. Although grants may be made more frequently, it has been the Compensation Committee’s historical practice to make grants no more frequently than annually. The limited number of options available for grant together with the relative infrequency of grants decreases the importance of this aspect of the compensation program relative to an individual’s total compensation.

Vesting of grants typically occurs in equal 1/3, 1/4 or 1/5 annual amounts. Because grants vest by time rather than upon the achievement of performance milestones, the employee receiving the grant does not have an incentive to artificially boost short term earnings or manipulate earnings in order to accelerate the vesting timetable. Conversely, the employee has a long term interest in promoting stock growth so that the option is in-the-money once vesting has occurred.

 

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In addition, because of the Company’s tax structure, it typically must distribute to stockholders dividends representing 90% or more of its taxable income. This results in the payment of a steady dividend without the retention of earnings. Consequently, the Company’s stock typically trades at a multiple to the dividend rather than to earnings and an increase in earnings results in an increase in dividends paid rather than stock price appreciation. This results in lower stock appreciation over time than other companies. For employees, this provides an incentive to exercise the option for common stock to obtain the dividend, and to continue to maintain the investment over time to receive future dividends. This long term incentive more closely aligns the employee’s interests with those of the Company.

The regulatory restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 also serve to decrease the risk to the Company. The Investment Company Act of 1940 prohibits granting options below net asset value and limits the amount of derivative securities. These limitations establish a regulatory limit on the number of options available for grant and the price at which they may be granted.

2009 Employee Restricted Stock Plan

The overall risk rating for the 2009 Employee Restricted Stock Plan, or the Employee Restricted Stock Plan, was determined by the senior risk officers to be low due to the infrequency of grants, limitations contained in the Employee Restricted Stock Plan and regulatory limitations contained in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Identified risks arising from the Employee Restricted Stock Plan consist of the following:

 

   

The risk that employees will manipulate earnings or increase short term earnings at the expense of the long term value creation in order to induce the Compensation Committee to grant restricted stock; and

 

   

The risk that employees will manipulate earnings or increase short term earnings at the expense of the long term value creation in order to increase the short term stock price to sell vested restricted stock.

While these risks are identifiable, the Company’s senior risk officers believe they are not material risks. No participant may be granted more than 200,000 shares of restricted stock in any fiscal year. In addition, no participant may be granted more than 25% of the shares of restricted stock reserved for issuance under the Employee Restricted Stock Plan. The total number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be outstanding pursuant to awards under all of the Company’s compensation plans must not exceed 10% of the total number of outstanding shares of Company’s common stock during the term of the Employee Restricted Stock Plan. Although grants may be made more frequently, it has been the Compensation Committee’s historical practice to make grants under the Company’s compensation plans no more frequently than annually. The limited number of restricted stock available for grant together with the relative infrequency of grants decreases the importance of this aspect of the compensation program relative to an individual’s total compensation.

In addition, because of the Company’s tax structure, it typically must distribute to stockholders dividends representing 90% or more of its taxable income. This results in the payment of a steady dividend without the retention of earnings. Consequently, the Company’s stock typically trades at a multiple to the dividend rather than to earnings and an increase in earnings results in an increase in dividends paid rather than stock price appreciation. This results in lower stock appreciation over time than other companies. For employees, this provides an incentive to retain common stock to obtain the dividend, and to continue to maintain the investment over time to receive future dividends. This long term incentive more closely aligns the employee’s interests with those of the Company.

The regulatory restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 also serve to decrease the risk to the Company. The Investment Company Act of 1940 limits the amount of securities it may issue pursuant to all of the Company’s compensation plans. These limitations establish a regulatory limit on the number of shares of restricted stock available for grant.

 

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Salary, Bonus and Perquisites

The overall risk rating for the salary, bonus and perquisites was determined by the senior risk officers to be low due to the size of the overall compensation packages for most employees, the absence of formulaic compensation packages tied to specific earnings results and the ownership interest in the Company of the two most highly compensated employees.

Identified risks arising from salary, bonus and perquisites consist of the following:

 

   

The risk that employees will manipulate earnings or increase short term earnings at the expense of the long term value creation in order to induce the Compensation Committee to grant larger cash bonuses.

While this risk is identifiable, the Company’s risk officers believe it is not a material risk. A small number of employees are paid commissions for sourcing transactions. All sourced transactions, however, must be approved through the Company’s standard underwriting procedures and employees compensated for sourcing a transaction do not have credit approval authority. This decreases the incentive for the employee to source a sub-standard loan in order to boost his or her short term compensation.

In addition, the Company closely monitors the quality of the loans booked through a thorough review of delinquencies, loan loss reserves, concentration limits and related factors. This review occurs at least quarterly at the board level and more frequently by the Company’s management. Importantly, the Company’s main lending business consists of loans fully secured by collateral.

Transactions which are not loans made in the ordinary course are typically reviewed and approved by the board of directors. This review and authorization process typically minimizes any incentive for an employee to present for approval any sub-standard material transaction.

While the current earnings of the Company is a factor in an employee’s salary or bonus, the short term earnings is only one factor among many considered by the Compensation Committee when dispensing bonuses. Importantly, in the Company’s mezzanine lending business, where loan valuations and earnings may be subject to more subjective criteria, two investment committee members are members of the Company’s senior management and not affiliated with the mezzanine lending business. One of those individuals must approve each transaction and all valuations, decreasing the likelihood that individuals associated with the mezzanine lending business could manipulate earnings to induce the Compensation Committee to provide them with a larger bonus.

In addition, a larger portion of the Company’s overall compensation is provided to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its President in recognition of their larger contributions to the success of the Company. Importantly, both of these individuals are the largest individual holders of the Company’s stock and they have held their shares for a significant period of time. This large interest in the Company’s stock helps align their interest with those of other stockholders and decreases the likelihood they will manipulate short term earnings at the expense of the long term health of the Company as a significant portion of their overall net worth is tied to their investment in the Company.

The Company’s regulatory requirements and structure also serve to decrease the compensation risk of its business. Due to its holding company structure, senior management of the Company oversees specific heads of business units that are generally responsible for sourcing new business transactions. The oversight of business unit heads by senior management and the oversight of senior management by the board serve to decrease excessive risk taking by individuals within the business organization. In addition, the Company is subject to public company disclosure requirements which require the Company to disclose on an annual basis its executive compensation program and compensation amounts paid to its executive officers. This public scrutiny further serves to decrease the likelihood of the Company undertaking risky compensation practices. The Company is also subject to numerous audits, both internal and external, designed to uncover unacceptably risky lending and other business practices.

 

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In addition to the foregoing, the Company’s senior risk officers believe the compensation packages provided to its most highly compensated individuals are generally in line with other similarly situated business entities. The senior risk officers reached this determination by reviewing two peer group-based compensation assessments completed by Hewitt Associates in 2008 at the Compensation Committee’s request. These assessments compared the compensation arrangements and levels for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chief Financial Officer and compared them to the compensation arrangements and levels for similar positions at a group of peer companies.

Adoption of Recommendations

Based on the foregoing, the Company’s senior risk officers recommended not making any changes to the existing compensation programs. The Compensation Committee adopted such recommendations

Certification

The Compensation Committee certifies that (1) it has reviewed with the Company’s senior risk officers the senior executive officer (“SEO”) compensation plans and has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that these plans do not encourage SEOs to take unnecessary and excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company; (2) it has reviewed with the Company’s senior risk officers the Company’s employee compensation plans and has made all reasonable efforts to limit any unnecessary risks those plans pose to the Company, and (3) it has reviewed the Company’s employee compensation plans to eliminate any features of these plans that would encourage the manipulation of reported earnings of the Company to enhance the compensation of any employee.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., Chairman

Henry L. Aaron

Frederick A. Menowitz

 

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Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth certain compensation information for (i) our Chief Executive Officer, (ii) our Chief Financial Officer, and (iii) each of our next three most highly compensated executive officers, collectively the NEOs, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008. We do not have a pension plan, a stock award plan or a non-equity incentive compensation plan, but we have established a 401(k) Investment Plan that provides matching contributions.

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year      Salary
($)
     Bonus
($)
     Option
Awards
($)(1)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 

Alvin Murstein

     2010         499,500         —           —           133,470 (2)      632,970   

Chairman, Chief Executive

Officer and Director

     2009         496,371         875,000         —           69,285        1,440,656   
     2008         481,914         370,000         76,527         112,628        1,041,069   

Andrew M. Murstein

     2010         935,000         975,000         —           117,099 (3)      2,027,099   

President and Director

     2009         561,388         —           —           119,397        680,785   
     2008         545,037         890,000         96,936         118,273        1,650,246   

Larry D. Hall

     2010         249,150         80,000         —           —   (4)      329,150   

Senior Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer

     2009         246,683         75,000         —           —         321,683   
     2008         239,498         100,000         30,611         —          370,109   

Michael J. Kowalsky

     2010         284,370         126,000         —           16,413 (5)      426,783   

Executive Vice President

     2009         276,087         120,000         —           19,267        415,354   
     2008         268,046         110,000         30,611         18,965        427,622   

Brian S. O’Leary

     2010         305,023         70,000         —           —   (4)      375,023   

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

     2009         302,003         70,000         —           —         372,003   
     2008         293,207         110,000         30,611         —         433,818   

 

(1) This amount is the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards with respect to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2009, and December 31, 2008 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 for all assumptions made in the valuation.
(2) All other compensation for Alvin Murstein for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 includes $76,264 for a country club membership, our aggregate incremental costs attributable to a car lease, garage, car insurance, two social club memberships and term life insurance premiums paid by us for the benefit of Alvin Murstein and his spouse and amounts received pursuant to the matching program under our 401(k) Investment Plan.
(3) All other annual compensation for Andrew M. Murstein for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 includes $56,300 for his pro-rated use of our driver, our aggregate incremental costs attributable to a car lease, garage, car maintenance, car insurance, a country club membership and a social club membership and amounts received pursuant to the matching program under our 401(k) Investment Plan.
(4) For the other NEOs, our aggregate incremental cost of all perquisites and other personal benefits provided to each such NEOs is less than $10,000.
(5) All other annual compensation for Michael J. Kowalsky for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 includes our aggregate incremental cost attributable to a car lease and amounts received pursuant to the matching program under our 401(k) Investment Plan.

2010 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

There were no options or restricted stock granted during the last fiscal year by us to the NEOs.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2010 Fiscal Year-End

 

     Option Awards  

Name

   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)

Exercisable
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)

Unexercisable
    Option
Exercise
Price ($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
 

Alvin Murstein

     25,000         —       $ 11.70         05/03/2011   
     61,500         —        $ 5.51         05/01/2012   
     25,000         —        $ 9.07         09/17/2014   
     50,000         25,000 (1)    $ 9.22         04/03/2018   
          

Andrew M. Murstein

     25,000         —        $ 11.70         05/03/2011   
     125,000         —        $ 5.51         05/01/2012   
     47,000         —        $ 3.70         01/01/2013   
     25,000         —        $ 9.07         09/17/2014   
     63,333         31,667 (1)    $ 9.22         04/03/2018   
          

Larry D. Hall

     22,000         —        $ 3.50         03/04/2013   
     20,000         10,000 (1)    $ 9.22         04/03/2018   
          

Michael J. Kowalsky

     6,000         —        $ 4.85         06/11/2012   
     18,494         —        $ 3.87         02/03/2013   
     20,000         10,000 (1)    $ 9.22         04/03/2018   
          

Brian S. O’Leary

     16,667         —        $ 14.625         01/01/2011   
     16,667         —        $ 7.90         12/31/2011   
     20,000        10,000 (1)    $ 9.22         04/03/2018   

 

(1) The options were granted on April 3, 2008. One-third of the options will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.

2010 Option Exercises

The following table sets forth certain information concerning stock options exercised by the NEOs during the last fiscal year:

 

     Option Awards  

Name

   Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
     Value
Realized on
Exercise
($)
 

Alvin Murstein

     —           —     

Andrew M. Murstein

     —           —     

Larry D. Hall

     —           —     

Michael J. Kowalsky

     2,200         8,323   

Brian S. O’Leary

     —           —     

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control

The following table sets forth information regarding potential payments to be made to the NEOs following an employment termination or change of control. Amounts in the table assume an employment termination or change in control on December 31, 2010. As part of Medallion Bank’s participation in the CPP, certain restrictions were imposed on the compensation of the NEOs that are expected to apply for as long as Medallion

 

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Bank continues its participation in the CPP. As noted above, these restrictions prohibited any payment to the NEOs and the next five most highly compensated employees upon their departure from our company for any reason, except for payments for services performed or benefits accrued, during the time period of Medallion Bank’s participation in the CPP. These restrictions no longer apply to periods following Medallion Bank’s exit from the CPP on July 21, 2011. The following table sets forth potential payments to be made to the NEOs following an employment termination or change of control if these restrictions were not in place.

 

Name

   Termination
Without
Cause
($)
    Termination
by Officer
for Good
Reason (Not
Involving
Change of
Control)
($)
    Disability
($)
    Change of
Control -
Termination or
Change in
Employment
($)
    Change of
Control -
Employment
Agreement
Assumed By
New Owner
($)
    Non-Renewal
of
Employment
Agreement
($)
 

Alvin Murstein

            

Severance

     2,855,575 (1)      —          —          2,855,575 (1)      —          —     

Other Benefits

     —          —          —          —          —          —     

Andrew M. Murstein

            

Severance

     9,039,793 (2)      —          —          9,039,793 (2)      —          —     

Other Benefits

     —          —          —          —          —          —     

Larry D. Hall

            

Severance

     112,500        —          —          112,500        —          —     

Other Benefits

     —          —          —          —          —          —     

Michael J. Kowalsky

            

Severance

     201,044 (3)      201,044 (3)      201,044 (4)      201,044 (3)      284,370 (5)      142,185 (6) 

Other Benefits

     9,623 (7)      9,623 (7)      9,623 (8)      9,623 (7)      —          9,623 (8) 

Brian S. O’Leary

            

Severance

     —          —          —          150,000        —          —     

Other Benefits

     —          —          —          —          —          —     

 

(1) Alvin Murstein would be entitled to an amount equal to the remainder of the salary, bonus and value of the fringe benefits which he would be entitled to receive for the balance of his current employment period, which expires on May 29, 2015. The severance payment was calculated based on his salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and the value of his fringe benefits as of December 31, 2010. The value of Alvin Murstein’s fringe benefits includes $93,717 for a car lease, $60,482 for a country club membership, $41,408 in life insurance premiums paid by us for the benefit of Alvin Murstein and his spouse, $55,373 for health insurance, our aggregate incremental costs attributable to a garage, car insurance, two club memberships and amounts received pursuant to the matching program under our 401(k) Investment Plan.
(2) Andrew M. Murstein would be entitled to an amount equal to the remainder of the salary, bonus and value of the fringe benefits which he would be entitled to receive for the balance of his current employment period, which expires on May 29, 2015. The severance payment was calculated based on his salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and the value of his fringe benefits as of December 31, 2010. The value of Andrew M. Murstein’s fringe benefits includes $64,207 for a car lease, $71,139 for a country club membership, $248,660 for his pro-rated use of our driver, $80,292 for health insurance, our aggregate incremental costs attributable to a garage, car maintenance, car insurance and a club membership and amounts received pursuant to the matching program under our 401(k) Investment Plan.
(3) Michael J. Kowalsky would be entitled to an amount equal to his salary and bonus for the balance of his current employment period, which expires on June 30, 2011. The severance payment was calculated based on his salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, with annual 3% increases to his salary as set forth in his employment agreement.
(4) Michael J. Kowalsky would be entitled to an amount equal to his salary and bonus for the six months following termination. The severance payment was calculated based on his salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

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(5) Michael J. Kowalsky would be entitled to an amount equal to his salary for the twelve months following termination. The severance payment was calculated based on his salary for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
(6) Michael J. Kowalsky would be entitled to an amount equal to his salary for the six months following termination. The severance payment was calculated based on his salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
(7) Michael J. Kowalsky would be entitled to receive his health benefits and car lease for the balance of his current employment period.
(8) Michael J. Kowalsky would be entitled to receive his health benefits and car lease for the six months following termination.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Non-employee directors are paid $35,000 for each year they serve, payable in quarterly installments, and receive $3,500 for each Board of Directors meeting per quarter attended, $3,500 for attendance at any additional Board of Directors meetings that quarter, $1,000 for each telephonic Board of Directors meeting, $1,500 for each Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee meeting attended, an additional $1,500 for the Chairperson of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee for each Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee meeting attended by such Chairperson, $3,000 for each Audit Committee meeting attended, $3,500 for each Executive Committee meeting attended, an additional $2,000 for the Chairperson of the Audit Committee for each Audit Committee meeting attended by such Chairperson, and are reimbursed for expenses relating thereto. Employee directors do not receive any additional compensation for their service on the Board of Directors. We do not provide any pension or retirement plan with respect to our non-employee directors.

Non-employee directors were eligible to participate in our Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan until such plan terminated on May 21, 2006. Non-employee directors are eligible to participate in our 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan which was adopted by the Board of Directors on February 15, 2006, approved by our shareholders on June 16, 2006, and approved by the Commission on August 28, 2007. Under the 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, we grant an option to purchase 9,000 shares to each non-employee director elected at each annual shareholder meeting. If a non-employee director is elected by means other that an annual shareholder meeting, we automatically grant an option to purchase 9,000 shares multiplied by a fraction representing the remaining portion of such non-employee director’s three-year term. The exercise price of options granted is not less than the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, or if the stock is not quoted on the date of grant, the current net asset value of the Common Stock as determined in good faith by the members of the Board of Directors not eligible to participate in the 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. Options become exercisable at each annual shareholder meeting beginning on the first annual shareholder meeting following the date of grant. The number of shares which are exercisable is calculated by multiplying the number of shares in the option by a fraction which contains the number of whole months since the date of grant or the last shareholder annual meeting in the numerator, and the number of whole months for which the non-employee director was elected in the denominator. To exercise options, the optionee must remain a non-employee director. No option may be exercised more than ten years after the date on which it is granted.

Our employee directors are eligible to participate in our 401(k) Investment Plan and our 2006 Employee Stock Option Plan.

Information with respect to the aggregate compensation paid to our directors during 2010 appears below.

 

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The following table sets forth certain compensation information for our non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Name

   Fees
Earned or
Paid
in Cash ($)
     Option
Awards  ($)(1)(2)
     Total ($)  

Independent Directors

        

Henry L. Aaron

     51,200         —           51,200   

Henry D. Jackson

     65,050         —           65,050   

Stanley Kreitman

     97,200         —           97,200   

Frederick A. Menowitz

     74,050         —           74,050   

David L. Rudnick

     78,700         —           78,700   

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.

     79,800         7,369         87,169   

Interested Directors

        

Mario M. Cuomo

     56,550         7,369         63,919   

 

(1) This amount is the aggregate grant date fair value of stock option awards with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See note 5 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 for all assumptions made in the valuation.
(2) The following table sets forth each non-employee director’s outstanding option awards at fiscal year-end.

 

Name

   Outstanding
Option
Awards (#)
 

Independent Directors

  

Henry L. Aaron

     9,000   

Henry D. Jackson

     9,000   

Stanley Kreitman

     18,000   

Frederick A. Menowitz

     18,000   

David L. Rudnick

     18,000   

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.

     14,000   

Interested Directors

  

Mario M. Cuomo

     14,000   

Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned By the Directors

The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities beneficially owned by each of our directors as of December 31, 2010. We are not part of a “family of investment companies,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act.

 

Name of Director

   Dollar Range of Equity in Our Securities(1)

Independent Directors

  

Henry L. Aaron

   none

Henry D. Jackson

   none

Stanley Kreitman

   $50,001-$100,000

Frederick A. Menowitz

   $50,001-$100,000

David L. Rudnick

   $50,001-$100,000

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.

   $50,001-$100,000

Interested Directors

  

Mario M. Cuomo

   none

Alvin Murstein

   over $100,000

Andrew M. Murstein

   over $100,000

 

(1) Dollar ranges are as follows: none, $1-$10,000, $10,001-$50,000, $50,001-$100,000, or over $100,000.

 

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Shareholder Communications with the Board of Directors

Shareholders may communicate with our Board of Directors through our Secretary by writing to the following address: Board of Directors, c/o Secretary, Medallion Financial Corp., 437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York, 10022. Our Secretary will forward all correspondence to the Board of Directors, except for junk mail, mass mailings, loan complaints or inquiries, job inquiries, surveys, business solicitations or advertisements, or patently offensive or otherwise inappropriate material. Our Secretary may forward certain correspondence, such as loan-related inquiries, elsewhere within Medallion Financial Corp. for review and possible response.

 

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

As of December 19, 2011, there were no persons that owned 25% or more of our outstanding voting securities, and no person would be deemed to control us, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act.

The following table sets forth information, as of December 19, 2011, regarding the ownership of our common stock by (i) the persons known by us to own more than five percent of the outstanding shares, (ii) all of our directors and nominees, (iii) each of our executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, and (iv) all of our directors and executive officers as a group. The number of shares beneficially owned by each director or executive officer is determined under rules of the SEC and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual has the sole or shared voting power or investment power and also any shares which the individual has the right to acquire within 60 days of December 19, 2011 through the exercise of any stock option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole investment and voting power (or shares such power with his or her spouse) with respect to the shares set forth in the following table. The inclusion herein of any shares deemed beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of such shares.

 

Name and Address

   Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned
     Percentage of
Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned(1)
 

Alvin Murstein(2)

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     1,479,733         8.33

Andrew M. Murstein(3)

President and Director

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     1,592,836         8.87

Larry D. Hall(4)

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     60,877         *   

Michael J. Kowalsky(5)

Executive Vice President

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     63,553         *   

Brian S. O’Leary(6)

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Credit Officer

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     37,443         *   

Henry L. Aaron(7)

Director

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     9,000         *   

 

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Name and Address

   Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned
     Percentage of
Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned(1)
 

Mario M. Cuomo(8)

Director

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     10,666         *   

Henry D. Jackson(9)

Director

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     9,000         *   

Stanley Kreitman(10)

Director

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     25,000         *   

Frederick A. Menowitz(11)

Director

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     23,500         *   

David L. Rudnick(12)

Director

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     19,424         *   

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.(13)

Director

c/o Medallion Financial Corp.

437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

     21,766         *   

All executive officers and directors as a group (14 persons)(14)

     3,382,574         18.52

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.(15)

145 Ameriprise Financial Center

Minneapolis, MN 55474

     956,580         5.42

BlackRock, Inc.(16)

40 East 52nd Street

New York, NY 10022

     1,074,056         6.08

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(17)

Palisades West, Building One

6300 Bee Cave Road

Austin, TX 78746

     1,462,563         8.28

 

* Less than 1.0%

 

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(1) Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 17,658,509 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 19, 2011 together with the exercisable options for such shareholder or group of shareholders, as applicable. In computing the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares subject to options are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(2) Includes 1,238,300 shares of Common Stock owned by the Alvin Murstein Second Family Trust of which Alvin Murstein is a trustee and beneficiary, 117,660 shares of Common Stock owned by Alvin Murstein directly, 5,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Alvin Murstein’s spouse, 18,773 shares of restricted Common Stock owned by Alvin Murstein directly and 100,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options.
(3) Includes 1,274,063 shares owned by the Andrew Murstein Family Trust, of which Andrew M. Murstein is a trustee and beneficiary, 8,000 shares held by Andrew M. Murstein directly, 18,773 shares of restricted Common Stock owned by Andrew M. Murstein directly and 292,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options.
(4) Includes 7,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Larry D. Hall directly, 1,877 shares of restricted Common Stock owned by Larry D. Hall directly and 52,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options.
(5) Includes 16,100 shares of Common Stock owned by Michael J. Kowalsky directly, 2,458 shares of Common Stock held by Fidelity Investments in an Individual Retirement Account for the benefit of Michael J. Kowalsky, 1,501 shares of restricted Common Stock owned by Michael J. Kowalsky directly and 43,494 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options.
(6) Includes 5,566 shares of Common Stock held by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. in an Individual Retirement Account for the benefit of Brian S. O’Leary, 1,877 shares of restricted Common Stock owned by Brian S. O’Leary directly and 30,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
(7) Consists of 9,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options.
(8) Consists of 10,666 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options. Does not include 3,334 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options not exercisable within 60 days of December 19, 2011.
(9) Consists of 9,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options.
(10) Includes 10,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Stanley Kreitman directly and 15,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options. Does not include 3,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options not exercisable within 60 days of December 19, 2011.
(11) Includes 8,500 shares of Common Stock owned by Frederick A. Menowitz directly and 15,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options. Does not include 3,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options not exercisable within 60 days of December 19, 2011.
(12) Includes 10,424 shares of Common Stock owned by David L. Rudnick directly and 9,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options. Does not include 3,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options not exercisable within 60 days of December 19, 2011.
(13) Includes 4,800 shares of Common Stock owned by Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. directly, 4,000 shares of Common Stock owned by the Lowell P. Weicker Estate for Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. of which Mr. Weicker is the income beneficiary, 2,000 shares of Common Stock held by Bank of New York Mellon Wealth Management in an Individual Retirement Account for the benefit of Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.’s spouse, 300 shares of Common Stock owned by Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.’s spouse and 10,666 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options. Does not include 3,334 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options not exercisable within 60 days of December 19, 2011.
(14) Consists of 606,279 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options. Does not include 15,668 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options not exercisable within 60 days of December 19, 2011.
(15)

Based upon a Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 11, 2011 by Ameriprise Financial, Inc., or Ameriprise. In the Schedule 13G, Ameriprise reported that it has shared voting power with respect to 660,636 shares of Common Stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 956,580 shares of Common Stock. Ameriprise reports that as the parent company of Columbia Management Investment

 

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  Advisers, LLC, or Columbia Management, it may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Columbia Management. Ameriprise and Columbia Management disclaim beneficial ownership of such securities.
(16) Based upon a Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 7, 2011 by BlackRock, Inc., or BlackRock. In the Schedule 13G, BlackRock reported that it has sole voting power with respect to 1,074,056 shares of Common Stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 1,074,056 shares of Common Stock.
(17) Based upon a Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 11, 2011 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, or Dimensional. In the Schedule 13G, Dimensional reported that it has sole voting power with respect to 1,430,747 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 1,462,563 shares. Dimensional reports that all securities reported in the Schedule 13G are owned by advisory clients of Dimensional. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Mario M. Cuomo is our director and is of counsel in the law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, which serves as our legal counsel in connection with various matters. We have paid Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP approximately $468,000 in legal fees for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Mr. Cuomo does not have a direct interest in the payment of such legal fees, but has an indirect interest in such fees as an employee of the law firm.

Certain of our directors, officers and shareholders are also directors or director nominees of our wholly owned subsidiaries and controlled portfolio companies, including Medallion Funding LLC, Medallion Capital, Inc., Freshstart Venture Capital Corp. and Medallion Bank. Officer salaries are set by our Board of Directors.

Section 57 of the 1940 Act prohibits some transactions with affiliates described therein without exemptive relief from the SEC and other transactions with affiliates described therein without a required majority of directors. A required majority means both majority approval of directors who have no financial interest in the transaction, plan or arrangement and a majority of directors who are not interested persons. In addition, Section 404 of Regulation S-K requires us to disclose certain other related party transactions. Sections 23A and 23B and Regulation W place certain restrictions on the transactions that Medallion Bank may conduct with its affiliates. SBA Regulation Section 107.730 requires that our SBIC subsidiaries cannot enter into certain transactions without the SBA’s prior written approval. SBA Regulation Section 107.885 requires that Freshstart and Medallion Capital cannot dispose of assets to an affiliate without the SBA’s prior written approval. The SBA has also required that Medallion Capital obtain the SBA’s prior written approval for purchases of portfolio securities from an affiliated entity. In addition, as a condition to exemptive relief that we received from the SEC in May 1996, we and our SBIC subsidiaries are required to obtain the SBA’s prior written approval for purchases and sales of portfolio securities between each other and for us to acquire the securities of our SBIC subsidiaries. Our Board of Directors also recognizes that transactions with affiliates and other related party transactions present a heightened risk of conflicts of interest and/or improper valuation (or the perception thereof). Therefore, we maintain a Related and Affiliated Party Transactions Policy (codified as a written policy and adopted by the Board of Directors on February 13, 2008 and amended on February 9, 2010) that requires management to ensure no transactions with affiliates or related party transactions occur unless the Board of Directors has been briefed on the transaction and has approved the proposed transaction by the required majority. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, approve or deny any transactions with affiliates or related party transactions and approval may be conditioned upon any other actions the Board of Directors deems appropriate. Failure to follow the approval process can lead to disciplinary action including termination.

 

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

Pursuant to our Dividend Reinvestment Plan, a shareholder whose shares are registered in his or her own name can have all distributions reinvested in additional shares of common stock by American Stock Transfer, or the Plan Agent, if the shareholder enrolls in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan by delivering an Authorization Form to the Plan Agent prior to the corresponding dividend declaration date. The Plan Agent will effect purchases of common stock under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan in the open market. Holders of common stock who do not elect to participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to the shareholder of record (or if the common stock is held in street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) as of the relevant record date, by the Plan Agent, as dividend disbursing agent. Shareholders whose shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee, or shareholders transferring such an account to a new broker or nominee, should contact the broker or nominee to determine whether and how they may participate in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

The Plan Agent serves as agent for the holders of common stock in administering the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. After we declare a dividend, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, receive the cash payment and use it to buy common stock on NASDAQ or elsewhere for the participants’ accounts. The price of the shares will be the average market price at which such shares were purchased by the Plan Agent.

Participants in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan may withdraw from the Dividend Reinvestment Plan upon written notice to the Plan Agent. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if received not less than ten days prior to a dividend record date; otherwise, it will be effective the day after the related dividend distribution date. When a participant withdraws from the Dividend Reinvestment Plan or upon termination of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan as provided below, certificates for whole shares of common stock credited to his or her account under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan will be issued and a cash payment will be made for any fractional share of common stock credited to such account.

The Plan Agent will maintain each participant’s account in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and will furnish monthly written confirmations of all transactions in such account, including information needed by the shareholder for personal and tax records. Common stock in the account of each Dividend Reinvestment Plan participant will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificate form in the name of such participant. Proxy materials relating to our stockholders’ meetings will include those shares purchased as well as shares held pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

In the case of participants whose beneficially owned shares are held in the name of banks, brokers, or other nominees, the Plan Agent will administer the Dividend Reinvestment Plan on the basis of the number of shares of common stock certified from time to time by the record holders as the amount held for the account of such beneficial owners. Shares of common stock may be purchased by the Plan Agent through any of the Underwriters, acting as broker or, after the completion of this offering, from a dealer.

The Plan Agent’s fees for the handling or reinvestment of dividends and other distributions will be paid by us. Each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of distributions. There are no other charges to participants for reinvesting distributions.

Distributions are taxable whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares, and the reinvestment of distributions pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan will not relieve participants of any U.S. federal income tax or state income tax that may be payable or required to be withheld on such distributions. See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

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Experience under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, we reserve the right to amend or terminate the Reinvestment Plan as applied to any distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to all of our shareholders at least 90 days before the record date for such distribution.

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan also may be amended or terminated by the Plan Agent by at least 90 days’ written notice to all our shareholders. All correspondence concerning the Dividend Reinvestment Plan should be directed to, and additional information can be obtained from, the Plan Agent at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.

 

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in shares of our common stock. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to such an investment. For example, we have not described tax consequences that we assume to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, and financial institutions. This summary assumes that investors hold our common stock as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code). The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, regarding this offering. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax; or foreign, state, or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.

This summary does not discuss the consequences of an investment in shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock, or debt securities. The tax consequences of such an investment will be discussed in a relevant prospectus supplement.

A “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof or the District of Columbia; or

 

   

a trust or an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

A “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is not a U.S. shareholder.

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective shareholder that is a partner of a partnership holding shares of our common stock should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of shares of our common stock.

Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in our shares will depend on the facts of his, her, or its particular situation. We encourage investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of federal, state, local, and foreign tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable tax treaty and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.

Election to be Taxed as a RIC

As a business development company, we have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our shareholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In

 

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addition, to obtain RIC tax treatment we must distribute to our shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses, or the Annual Distribution Requirement.

Taxation as a RIC

If we:

 

   

qualify as a RIC; and

 

   

satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement;

then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain ( i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses) we distribute to shareholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gain not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our shareholders.

We will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income of RICs unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for each calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year, and (3) any income realized, but not distributed, in preceding years, or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement. We currently intend to make sufficient distributions each taxable year to satisfy the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.

In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

 

   

qualify to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;

 

   

derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities, and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (i.e., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains, and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income described in this paragraph) or the 90% Income Test; and

 

   

diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:

 

   

at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and

 

   

no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer or of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships, or the Diversification Tests.

We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable

 

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year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.

Gain or loss realized by us from warrants acquired by us as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term, depending on how long we held a particular warrant.

We are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our shareholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. See “Regulation—Senior Securities.” Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (2) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the diversification tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.

If we fail to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement or otherwise fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, we will be subject to tax in that year on all of our taxable income, regardless of whether we make any distributions to our shareholders. In that case, all of our income will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, reducing the amount available to be distributed to our shareholders. In contrast, assuming we qualify as a RIC, our corporate-level federal U.S. income tax should be substantially reduced or eliminated. See “Election to be Taxed as a RIC” above.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC and have satisfied the Annual Distribution Requirement.

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

Distributions by us generally are taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, our ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. shareholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. To the extent such distributions paid by us to non-corporate shareholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such distributions generally will be eligible for a maximum tax rate of 15% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013. In this regard, it is anticipated that distributions paid by us will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the 15% maximum rate. Distributions of our net capital gains (which is generally our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly reported by us as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. shareholder as long-term capital gains (currently at a maximum rate of 15% in the case of individuals, trusts, or estates), regardless of the U.S. shareholder’s holding period for his, her, or its common stock, and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in such shareholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. shareholder.

Although we currently intend to distribute any long-term capital gains at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain some or all of our long-term capital gains but designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, we will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. shareholder will be required to include his, her, or its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. shareholder, and the U.S. shareholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to his, her, or its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by us. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such

 

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tax will be added to the U.S. shareholder’s tax basis for his, her, or its common stock. Since we expect to pay tax on any retained capital gains at our regular corporate tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual shareholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. shareholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds a shareholder’s liability for U.S. federal income tax. A shareholder that is not subject to federal income tax or otherwise required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes we paid. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our shareholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution.”

For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (2) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by us in October, November, or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by our U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

If an investor purchases shares of our common stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution even though it represents a return of his, her, or its investment.

A shareholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of his, her, or its shares of our common stock. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shareholder has held his, her or its shares for more than one year. Otherwise, it would be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of shares of our common stock held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of our common stock may be disallowed if other shares of our common stock are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

In general, individual and other non-corporate U.S. shareholders currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15% on their net capital gain, i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gain over realized net short-term capital loss for a taxable year, including a long-term capital gain derived from an investment in our shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. shareholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 35% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate shareholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate shareholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate shareholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses against ordinary income for a year, but may carryback such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.

We will send to each of our U.S. shareholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice detailing, on a per share basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. shareholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the U.S. federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS (including the amount of dividends, if any, eligible for the 15% maximum rate). Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local, and foreign taxes depending on a

 

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U.S. shareholder’s particular situation. Dividends distributed by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the 15% maximum rate applicable to qualifying dividends.

We may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) currently at a rate of 28% from all taxable distributions to any non-corporate U.S. shareholder (1) who fails to furnish us with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such shareholder is exempt from backup withholding, or (2) with respect to whom the IRS notifies us that such shareholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. shareholder’s federal income tax liability and may entitle such shareholder to a refund, provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.

The exercise of a warrant to purchase common stock generally will not constitute a taxable event. Accordingly, a U.S. shareholder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the exercise of a warrant. Rather, a U.S. shareholder will recognize taxable gain or loss if and when such U.S. shareholder disposes of the common stock received pursuant to the exercise of the warrant in a taxable transaction. A U.S. shareholder’s aggregate tax basis in the common stock received pursuant to the exercise of the warrant will be equal to the amount paid upon the exercise of the warrant plus the U.S. shareholder’s basis in the warrant. The holding period of the common stock received pursuant to the exercise of the warrant would begin on the day that the warrant is exercised.

Generally, for United States federal income tax purposes, a U.S. shareholder will recognize taxable gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of the warrants in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized tor the warrants and the U.S. shareholder’s tax basis in the warrants. Such gain or loss will generally be treated as capital gain or loss.

If a warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. shareholder will recognize a capital loss equal to such U.S. shareholder’s basis in the warrant. Such loss will be long-term if the warrant has been held for more than one year.

The exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted in certain circumstances. Under Section 305(c) of the Code, adjustments (or failures to make adjustments) that have the effect of increasing a holder’s proportionate interest in our assets or earnings may in some circumstances result in a deemed distribution to such holder. Adjustments to the exercise price made pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the holders of the warrants, however, will generally not be considered to result in a deemed distribution to holders. Certain of the possible exercise price adjustments provided in the warrants (including, without limitation, adjustments in respect of taxable dividends to holders of our common stock) may not qualify as being pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula. If such adjustments are made, a holder of a warrant will be deemed to have received a distribution even though such holder has not received any cash or property as a result of such adjustments. Any deemed distributions will be taxable as a dividend, return of capital, or capital gain in accordance with the earnings and profits rules under the Code. U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of Section 305(c) of the Code.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

Whether an investment in our common stock is appropriate for a non-U.S. shareholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in our common stock by a non-US shareholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisers before investing in our common stock.

Dividends paid by us to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty to the extent derived from investment income and

 

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short-term capital gains. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.

In general, U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends, or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of our common stock.

For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2012, properly-reported dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of our “qualified net interest income” (generally, our U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which we are at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) are paid in respect of our “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of our net short-term capital gain over our long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, we may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if we report the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

Beginning in 2014, the Code may impose a withholding tax of 30% on payments (including interest, dividends, and, beginning in 2015, gross proceeds on sales of securities) that are attributable to certain U.S. investments and made to non-U.S. entities, unless such entities comply with certain reporting requirements to the IRS and/or to us as to identifying information (including name, address and taxpayer identification number) of their direct and indirect U.S. investors.

Non-U.S. persons should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local, and foreign tax consequences of an investment in the shares.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

If we were unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to shareholders, nor would they be required to be made. Distributions would generally be taxable to our shareholders as ordinary dividend income eligible for the 15% maximum rate for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2013 to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal tax purposes. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate distributees would be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain.

 

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GOVERNMENT REGULATION

Regulation under the 1940 Act

We are a closed-end, management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. We conduct our business through various wholly-owned investment company subsidiaries including Medallion Funding LLC, a closed end investment company, Medallion Capital, Inc., a business development company, and Freshstart Venture Capital Corp., a business development company. Pursuant to various exemptive orders, we operate and are regulated as a single business development company. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between business development companies and their affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters, and requires that a majority of the directors be persons other than “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a business development company unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities voting as a class.

Qualifying Assets

Under the 1940 Act, a business development company may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are the following:

 

  (1) Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:

 

  (a) is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the U.S.;

 

  (b) is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the business development company) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and

 

  (c) satisfies any of the following:

 

   

does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, or has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250,000,000;

 

   

is controlled by a business development company or a group of companies including a business development company and the business development company has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or

 

   

is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.

 

  (2) Securities of any eligible portfolio company which we control.

 

  (3) Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.

 

  (4) Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own at least 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.

 

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  (5) Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.

 

  (6) Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.

 

  (7) Securities issued by a company that met the definition of eligible portfolio company at the time of our initial investment but subsequently does not meet the definition because the company no longer meets the definition set forth above.

Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies

In addition, a business development company must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the U.S. and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2), or (3) above. However, in order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the business development company must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the business development company purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the business development company, through its directors, officers, or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations, or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company.

Temporary Investments

Pending investment in other types of “qualifying assets,” as described above, our investments may consist of cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. Typically, we will invest in U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price which is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements.

Senior Securities

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our shareholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to full asset coverage requirements. In addition to the 1940 Act, we are subject to two exemptive orders which govern how we calculate our senior securities. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—Regulations governing our operation as a business development company will affect our ability to, and the way in which we raise additional capital.”

Regulation by the SBA

Medallion Funding, Medallion Capital, and Freshstart each operate as Small Business Investment Companies, or SBIC’s. The SBIA authorizes the organization of SBIC’s as vehicles for providing equity capital, long term financing, and management assistance to small business concerns. The SBIA and the SBA regulations

 

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define a “small business concern” as a business that is independently owned and operated, which does not dominate its field of operation, and which (i) has a net worth, together with any affiliates, of $18.0 million or less and average annual net income after U.S. federal income taxes for the preceding two years of $6.0 million or less (average annual net income is computed without the benefit of any carryover loss), or (ii) satisfies alternative criteria under SBA regulations that focus on the industry in which the business is engaged and the number of persons employed by the business or its gross revenues. In addition, at the end of each year, at least 20% of the total amount of loans made after April 25, 1994 must be made in “smaller businesses” which have a net worth of $6.0 million or less, and average net income after federal income taxes for the preceding two years of $2.0 million or less. SBA regulations also prohibit an SBIC from providing funds to a small business concern for certain purposes, such as relending and reinvestment.

Medallion Funding is authorized to make loans to borrowers other than disadvantaged businesses (that is, businesses that are at least 50% owned, and controlled, and managed, on a day to day basis, by a person or persons whose participation in the free enterprise system is hampered because of social or economic disadvantage) if, at the time of the loan, Medallion Funding has in its portfolio outstanding loans to disadvantaged businesses with an aggregate cost basis equal to or exceeding the value of the unamortized repurchase discount under the preferred stock repurchase agreement between Medallion Funding and the SBA, which is currently zero.

Under current SBA Regulations, the maximum rate of interest that Medallion Funding may charge may not exceed the higher of (i) 19% or (ii) the sum of (a) the higher of (i) that company’s weighted average cost of qualified borrowings, as determined under SBA Regulations, or (ii) the current SBA debenture rate, plus (b) 11%, rounded to the next lower eighth of one percent. As of December 31, 2010, the maximum rate of interest permitted on loans originated by Medallion Funding, Medallion Capital, and Freshstart was 19%. As of September 30, 2011, our outstanding medallion loans had a weighted average rate of interest 5.59% and our outstanding commercial loans had a weighted average rate of interest of 12.34%. Current SBA regulations also require that each loan originated by an SBIC has a term between one and 20 years; loans to disadvantaged businesses also may be for a minimum term of one year.

The SBA restricts the ability of SBICs to repurchase their capital stock, to retire their SBA debentures, and to lend money to their officers, directors, and employees, or invest in affiliates thereof. The SBA also prohibits, without prior SBA approval, a “change of control” or transfers which would result in any person (or group of persons acting in concert) owning 10% or more of any class of capital stock of an SBIC. A “change of control” is any event which would result in the transfer of the power, direct or indirect, to direct the management and policies of an SBIC, whether through ownership, contractual arrangements, or otherwise.

Under SBA Regulations, without prior SBA approval, loans by licensees with outstanding SBA leverage to any single small business concern may not exceed 20% of an SBIC’s regulatory capital, as defined. Under the terms of the respective conversion agreements with the SBA, however, Medallion Funding is authorized to make loans to disadvantaged borrowers in amounts not exceeding 30% of its respective regulatory capital.

SBICs must invest idle funds that are not being used to make loans in investments permitted under SBA regulations. These permitted investments include direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the government of the U.S. with a term of 15 months or less and deposits maturing in one year or less issued by an institution insured by the FDIC. These permitted investments must be maintained in (i) direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by, the U.S., which mature within 15 months from the date of the investment; (ii) repurchase agreements with federally insured institutions with a maturity of seven days or less if the securities underlying the repurchase agreements are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S., and such securities must be maintained in a custodial account in a federally insured institution; (iii) certificates of deposit with a maturity of one year or less, issued by a federally insured institution; (iv) a deposit account in a federally insured institution, subject to withdrawal restriction of one year or less; (v) a checking account in a federally insured institution; or (vi) a reasonable petty cash fund.

 

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SBICs may purchase voting securities of small business concerns in accordance with SBA regulations. Although prior regulations prohibited an SBIC from controlling a small business concern except in limited circumstances, regulations adopted by the SBA on October 22, 2002 (pursuant to Public Law 106-554) now allow an SBIC to exercise control over a small business for a period of seven years from the date on which the SBIC initially acquires its control position. This control period may be extended for an additional period of time with the SBA’s prior written approval.

Regulation of Medallion Bank as an Industrial Bank

In May 2002, we formed Medallion Bank, which received approval from the FDIC for federal deposit insurance in October 2003. Medallion Bank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank, is a depository institution subject to regulatory oversight and examination by both the FDIC and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Under its banking charter, Medallion Bank is empowered to make consumer and commercial loans, and may accept all FDIC-insured deposits other than demand deposits (checking accounts). The creation of Medallion Bank allows us to apply stable and low-cost bank deposit funding for key lending business activities throughout our business.

Medallion Bank is subject to certain federal laws that restrict and control its ability to extend credit and provide or receive services between affiliates. In addition, the FDIC has regulatory authority to prohibit Medallion Bank from engaging in any unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its business.

Medallion Bank is further subject to capital adequacy guidelines issued by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, or the FFIEC. These guidelines make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banking organizations and consider off-balance sheet exposures in determining capital adequacy. Under the rules and regulations of the FFIEC, at least half of a bank’s total capital is required to be Tier I capital, comprised of common equity, retained earnings and a limited amount of non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock. The remaining capital, Tier II capital, may consist of other preferred stock, certain hybrid debt/equity instruments, a limited amount of term-subordinated debt, or a limited amount of the reserve for possible credit losses. The FFIEC has also adopted minimum leverage ratios for banks, which are calculated by dividing Tier I capital by total average assets. Recognizing that the risk-based capital standards address only credit risk, and not interest rate, liquidity, operational, or other risks, many banks are expected to maintain capital in excess of the minimum standards.

In addition, pursuant to provisions of the FDIC Improvement Act of 1991, or FDICIA, and related regulations with respect to prompt corrective action, FDIC-insured institutions such as Medallion Bank may only accept brokered deposits without FDIC permission if they meet specified capital standards, and are subject to restrictions with respect to the interest they may pay on deposits unless they are well-capitalized. To be well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action provisions, a bank must have a ratio of combined Tier I and Tier II capital to risk-weighted assets of not less than 10%, Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets of not less than 6%, and a Tier I to average assets of not less than 5%.

We, the FDIC, and Medallion Bank have agreed that the capital levels of Medallion Bank will at all times meet or exceed the levels required for Medallion Bank to be considered well-capitalized under the FDIC rules and regulations, that Medallion Bank’s Tier I capital to total assets ratio will be maintained at not less than 15%, and that Medallion Bank will maintain an adequate allowance for loan and lease losses.

Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and applicable regulations also impose restrictions on Medallion Bank. These restrictions limit the transfer of funds by a depository institution to certain of its affiliates, including us, in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments, or purchases of assets. Sections 23A and 23B also require generally that the depository institution’s transactions with its affiliates be on terms no less favorable to Medallion Bank than comparable transactions with unrelated third parties.

The USA Patriot Act and the International Money Laundering Abatement and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act of 2001, or the Patriot Act, was enacted on October 26, 2001, and is intended to detect and prosecute terrorism

 

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and international money laundering. The Patriot Act establishes new standards for verifying customer identification incidental to the opening of new accounts. Medallion Bank has undertaken appropriate measures to comply with the Patriot Act and associated regulations. Other provisions of the Patriot Act provide for special information sharing procedures governing communications with the government and other financial institutions with respect to suspected terrorists and money laundering activity, and enhancements to suspicious activity reporting, including electronic filing of suspicious activity reports over a secure filing network.

Other

Because we are an “insured depository institution” within the meaning of the Change in Bank Control Act and a “financial institution holding company” within the meaning of the Utah Financial Institutions Act, federal and Utah law and regulations prohibit any person or company from acquiring control of us without, in most cases, prior written approval of the FDIC or the Commissioner of Financial Institutions, as applicable. Under the Change in Bank Control Act, control is conclusively presumed if, among other things, a person or company acquires more than 25% of any class of our voting stock. A rebuttable presumption of control arises if a person or company acquires more than 10% of any class of voting stock and is subject to a number of specified “control factors” as set forth in the applicable regulations. Under the Utah Financial Institutions Act, control is defined as the power to vote 20% or more of any class of our voting securities by an individual or to vote more than 10% of any class of our voting securities by a person other than an individual. Investors are responsible for ensuring that they do not, directly or indirectly, acquire shares of our common stock in excess of the amount which can be acquired without regulatory approval.

We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our Board of Directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC.

We are periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act. We are examined by the SBA annually for compliance with applicable SBA regulations. We are also periodically examined by the FDIC and the Department of Financial Institutions of the State of Utah (DFI). Medallion Bank is examined annually by the FDIC and the DFI.

We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a business development company, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our shareholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

We have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws, and intend to review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation. We have designated a chief compliance officer to be responsible for administering our policies and procedures.

Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and NASDAQ Corporate Governance Regulations

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on publicly-held companies and their insiders. Many of these requirements affect us. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has required us to review our policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the new regulations promulgated thereunder. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all future regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

In addition, NASDAQ has adopted or is in the process of adopting corporate governance changes to its listing standards. We believe we are in compliance with such corporate governance listing standards. We will continue to monitor our compliance with all future listing standards and will take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

The following description is based on relevant portions of the DGCL and on our charter and by-laws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the DGCL and our charter and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

General

We were organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware on October 20, 1995. Our authorized capital stock consists of 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, and 50,000,000 shares of common stock. As of December 19, 2011, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding and 17,658,509 shares of common stock outstanding and 133 record holders.

Common Stock

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters voted upon by shareholders, including the election of directors.

Subject to the rights of any outstanding shares of preferred stock, the holders of the common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared in the discretion of the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. Holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in our net assets upon liquidation after payment or provision for all liabilities and any preferential liquidation rights of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase shares of our stock. Shares of common stock are not subject to any redemption provisions and are not convertible into any of our other securities. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to this offering will be upon payment therefor, fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, preferred stock may be issued from time to time by the Board of Directors as shares of one or more classes or series. Subject to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and limitations prescribed by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt resolutions to issue the shares, to fix the number of shares, to change the number of shares constituting any series, and to provide for or change the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including dividend rights (including whether dividends are cumulative), dividend rates, terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption prices, conversion rights and liquidation preferences of the shares constituting any class or series of the preferred stock, in each case without any further action or vote by the shareholders. We have no current plans to issue any shares of preferred stock of any class or series.

One of the effects of undesignated preferred stock may be to enable the Board of Directors to render more difficult, or to discourage an attempt, to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise, and thereby to protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of the preferred stock pursuant to the Board of Directors’ authority described above may adversely affect the rights of the holders of common stock. For example, preferred stock issued by us may rank prior to the common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both and may have full or limited voting rights and be convertible into shares of common stock. Accordingly, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may discourage bids for the common stock or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of the common stock.

 

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Limitation on Directors’ Liabilities

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation and under Delaware law, our directors are not liable to us or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty, except for liability in connection with a breach of duty of loyalty, for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, for dividend payments or stock repurchases illegal under Delaware law or any transaction in which a director has derived an improper personal benefit.

Authorized and Outstanding Securities

The following table illustrates our authorized and outstanding securities on December 19, 2011:

 

Title of Class

   Amount Authorized      Amount Held By Us For
Our Own Account
     Amount  Outstanding(1)  

Common Stock

     50,000,000         1,600,733         17,658,509   

Preferred Stock

     1,000,000         0         0   

 

(1) Exclusive of amount held by us or for our own accounts.

Stock Repurchase Program

We maintain a stock repurchase program in which we are authorized to repurchase up to $20,000,000 of our common stock. Our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to $10,000,000 of our common stock on November 3, 2003 and authorized us to repurchase an additional $10,000,000 of our common stock on November 3, 2004. The stock repurchase program expires after a certain number of days, except in certain cases where it is extended through completion of the authorized amounts. The stock repurchase program was extended in November 2005 and was further extended in July 2006, April 2007, November 2007, April 2008, November 2008, April 2009, November 2009, April 2010, October 2010, April 2011 and October 2011. Under the most recent extension, purchases could commence no earlier than November 2011 and were to conclude 180 days after the commencement of the purchases. If we have not repurchased all of the common stock by the end of the period set forth above, we are permitted to extend the term of the stock repurchase program for an additional period or periods, until we have repurchased up to the total amount authorized under the stock repurchase program.

Delaware Law and Certain Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws include provisions that could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a merger, a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions, as described below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us first to negotiate. These provisions may also, however, inhibit a change in control of in circumstances that could give our shareholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then prevailing market price of our common stock. In addition, these provisions could adversely affect the market price for our common stock. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because, among other things, negotiations with respect to such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Our certificate of incorporation and the by-laws provide that our Board of Directors be divided into three classes of directors, with the term of each class expiring in a different year. See “Management.” Our by-laws provide that the number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors, but shall consist of not more than 15 nor less than three directors. A majority of the Board of Directors then in office has the sole authority to fill any vacancies on the Board of Directors. Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 75% of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors voting together as a single class.

 

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Our certificate of incorporation provides that shareholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of shareholders and prohibits shareholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws provide that special meetings of shareholders can be called by the chairman of the Board of Directors, pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the total number of directors which we would have if there were no vacancies on the Board of Directors, or by the shareholders owning at least 20% of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting. The business permitted to be conducted at any special meeting of shareholders is limited to the business brought before the meeting by the chairman of the Board of Directors, or at the request of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, or as specified in the shareholders’ notice of a meeting.

Our by-laws set forth an advance notice procedure with regard to the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, of candidates for election as directors and with regard to business brought before an annual meeting of our shareholders.

Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws contain provisions requiring the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our voting stock, voting together as a single class, to amend certain provisions of the certificate of incorporation relating primarily to anti-takeover provisions and to the limitations on director liability and to amend the by-laws.

Our certificate of incorporation empowers the Board of Directors, when considering a tender offer or merger or acquisition proposal, to take into account factors in addition to potential economic benefits to shareholders.

These factors may include (i) comparison of the proposed consideration to be received by our shareholders in relation to the then current market price of our capital stock, our estimated current value in a freely negotiated transaction, and our estimated future value as an independent entity; (ii) the impact of such a transaction on our customers and employees, and its effect on the communities in which we operate; and (iii) our ability to fulfill our objectives under applicable statutes and regulations.

Our certificate of incorporation prohibits us from purchasing any shares of our stock from any person, entity or group that beneficially owns 5% or more of our voting stock at a price exceeding the average closing price for the 20 trading days prior to the purchase date, unless a majority of our disinterested shareholders approve the transaction. This restriction on our purchases does not apply to any offer to purchase shares of a class of our stock which is made on the same terms and conditions to all holders of that class of stock, to any purchase of stock owned by such a 5% shareholder occurring more than two years after such shareholder’s last acquisition of our stock, to any purchase of our stock in accordance with the terms of any stock option or employee benefit plan, or to any purchase at prevailing market prices pursuant to a stock purchase program.

Section 203 of the DGCL, is applicable to corporations organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Subject to certain exceptions set forth therein, Section 203 of the DGCL provides that a corporation shall not engage in any business combination with any “interested shareholder” for a three-year period following the date that such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder unless (a) prior to such date, the Board of Directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, (b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding certain shares) or (c) on or subsequent to such date, the business combination is approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation and by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested shareholder. Except as specified therein, an interested shareholder is defined to mean any person that (i) is the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation; or (ii) is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within three years immediately prior to the relevant date, and the affiliates and associates of such person referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence. Under certain circumstances, Section 203 of the DGCL makes it more

 

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difficult for an interested shareholder to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period, although the shareholders may, by adopting an amendment to the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, elect not to be governed by this section, effective twelve months after adoption. Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws do not exclude us from the restrictions imposed under Section 203 of the DGCL. It is anticipated that the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with the Board of Directors.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED STOCK

In addition to shares of common stock, our charter authorizes the issuance of preferred stock. If we offer preferred stock under this prospectus, we will issue an appropriate prospectus supplement. We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, without shareholder approval. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, our board of directors is required by Delaware law and by our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Any such an issuance must adhere to the requirements of the 1940 Act, Delaware law and any other limitations imposed by law.

The 1940 Act currently requires, among other things, that (a) immediately after issuance and before any distribution is made with respect to common stock, the liquidation preference of the preferred stock, together with all other senior securities, must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets (taking into account such distribution), (b) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on the preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more and (c) such class of stock have complete priority over any other class of stock as to distribution of assets and payment of dividends, which dividends shall be cumulative.

For any series of preferred stock that we may issue, our board of directors will determine and the articles supplementary and the prospectus supplement relating to such series will describe:

 

   

the designation and number of shares of such series;

 

   

the rate and time at which, and the preferences and conditions under which, any dividends will be paid on shares of such series, as well as whether such dividends are participating or non-participating;

 

   

any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of the shares of such series, including adjustments to the conversion price of such series;

 

   

the rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

   

the voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such series;

 

   

any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such series;

 

   

any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while shares of such series are outstanding;

 

   

any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue additional shares of such series or other securities;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other relative powers, preferences and participating, optional or special rights of shares of such series, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms thereof that may be fixed by our board of directors, and all shares of each series of preferred stock will be identical and of equal rank except as to the dates from which dividends, if any, thereon will be cumulative.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

We may issue debt securities in one or more series. The specific terms of each series of debt securities will be described in the particular prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus and will be filed with the SEC. For a complete description of the terms of a particular series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series.

As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, our debt securities will be governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract that will be between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf, and will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee will have two main roles. First, the trustee will be able to enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf. Second, the trustee will perform certain administrative duties for us. We will file the form of the indenture with the SEC.

The prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus, will describe the particular series of debt securities being offered, including, among other things:

 

   

the designation or title of the series of debt securities;

 

   

the total principal amount of the series of debt securities;

 

   

the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered;

 

   

the date or dates on which principal will be payable;

 

   

the rate or rates (which may be either fixed or variable) and/or the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any;

 

   

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or the method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates on which any interest will be payable;

 

   

the terms for redemption, extension or early repayment, if any;

 

   

the currencies in which the series of debt securities are issued and payable;

 

   

whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on a series of debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which could be based on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices) and how these amounts will be determined;

 

   

the place or places, if any, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities;

 

   

the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued;

 

   

the provision for any sinking fund;

 

   

any restrictive covenants;

 

   

any events of default;

 

   

whether the series of debt securities are issuable in certificated form;

 

   

any provisions for defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

   

if applicable, U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to original issue discount;

 

   

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option);

 

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any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities;

 

   

whether the debt securities are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;

 

   

the listing, if any, on a securities exchange; and

 

   

any other terms.

The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.

We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit the distribution to our shareholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. Specifically, we may be precluded from declaring dividends or repurchasing shares of our common stock unless our asset coverage is at least 200%. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

General

We may issue subscription rights to our shareholders to purchase common stock. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our shareholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our shareholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

   

the period of time the offering would remain open (which shall be open a minimum number of days such that all record holders would be eligible to participate in the offering and shall not be open longer than 120 days);

 

   

the title of such subscription rights;

 

   

the exercise price for such subscription rights (or method of calculation thereof);

 

   

the ratio of the offering (which, in the case of transferable rights, will require a minimum of three shares to be held of record before a person is entitled to purchase an additional share);

 

   

the number of such subscription rights issued to each shareholder;

 

   

the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable and the market on which they may be traded if they are transferable;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such right shall expire (subject to any extension);

 

   

the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities and the terms of such over-subscription privilege;

 

   

any termination right we may have in connection with such subscription rights offering; and

 

   

any other terms of such subscription rights, including exercise, settlement and other procedures and limitations relating to the transfer and exercise of such subscription rights.

Exercise of Subscription Rights

Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of shares of common stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.

Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement we will forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock purchasable upon such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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(1) Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer subscription rights (other than rights to subscribe expiring not later than 120 days after their issuance and issued exclusively and ratably to a class or classes of our security holders) on the condition that (1) the subscription rights expire by their terms within ten years; (2) the exercise price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance; (3) our stockholders authorize the proposal to issue such subscription rights, and a “required” majority of our board of directors approves of such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of Medallion Financial Corp. and our stockholders; and (4) if the subscription rights are accompanied by other securities, the subscription rights are not separately transferable unless no class of such subscription rights and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. A “required” majority of our board of directors is a vote of both a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction and a majority of the directors who are not interested persons of the company. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, options and subscription rights at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS

The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with shares of common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:

 

   

the title of such warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of such warrants;

 

   

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

   

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable;

 

   

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 

   

in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

   

in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire;

 

   

whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

   

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

   

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

   

the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

   

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

   

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

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We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

Prior to exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including, in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture or, in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights.

Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (a) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years, (b) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance, (c) our shareholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our board of directors approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of Medallion Financial Corp. and its shareholders and (d) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, as well as options and rights, at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities in any of three ways (or in any combination): (a) through underwriters or dealers; (b) directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or (c) through agents. The securities may be sold “at-the-market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market for the securities, on an exchange or otherwise. The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of such securities, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

 

   

the offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

Any offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities.

The maximum commission or discount to be received by any member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or independent broker-dealer will not be greater than 10% for the sale of any securities being registered and 0.5% for due diligence.

We may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for soliciting these contracts.

Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this

 

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prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). We or one of our affiliates may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or otherwise.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, New York, New York. Mario M. Cuomo, of counsel in the firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, is one of our directors.

EXPERTS

The financial statements included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 have been audited by WeiserMazars LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, AND REGISTRAR

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219, serves as the custodian, transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, and registrar for our common stock.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

Since we generally acquire and dispose of our investments in privately negotiated transactions, we infrequently use brokers in the normal course of our business. From January 1, 2006 through September 30, 2011, we have paid less than $50,000 in brokerage commissions. Subject to policies established by our Board of Directors, management is primarily responsible for the execution of the publicly traded securities portion of our portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. We do not execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but seek to obtain the best net results, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities. While we generally seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs, we will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, we may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to management. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if our management determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-3   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Years ended December  31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7   

Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-36   

Medallion Bank Financial Statements

     F-40   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-41   

Statements of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-42   

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-43   

Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years ended December  31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-44   

Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-45   

Notes to Financial Statements

     F-46   

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-61   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months ended September  30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

     F-63   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2010

     F-64   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Three and Nine Months ended September  30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

     F-65   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September  30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

     F-66   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     F-67   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Medallion Financial Corp.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Medallion Financial Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010 and the selected financial ratios and other data (see note 13) for each of the five years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2010. These consolidated financial statements and selected financial ratios and other data are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and selected financial ratios and other data based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements and selected financial ratios and other data are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our procedures included physical inspection or confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements and the selected financial ratios and other data referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of their operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010 and the selected financial ratios and other data for each of the five years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework Issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated March 11, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

WeiserMazars LLP

New York, New York

March 11, 2011

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   2010     2009     2008  

Interest income on investments

   $ 31,918      $ 36,072      $ 44,914   

Dividends and interest income on short-term investments(1)

     4,111        4,151        6,378   

Medallion lease income

     1,224        1,180        992   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

     37,253        41,403        52,284   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense(2)

     14,585        16,876        23,711   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

     22,668        24,527        28,573   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

     3,533        3,383        3,837   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Salaries and benefits

     10,539        10,989        10,689   

Professional fees

     2,339        1,554        1,606   

Occupancy expense

     1,330        1,275        1,271   

Other operating expenses(3)

     2,120        5,912        3,754   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     16,328        19,730        17,320   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income before income taxes(1)(4)

     9,873        8,180        15,090   

Income tax (provision) benefit

     —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income after income taxes

     9,873        8,180        15,090   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized losses on investments

     (7,638     (4,135     (3,746
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     (3,491     2,648        6,323   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     12,535        (5,671     (2,419
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     9,044        (3,023     3,904   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments

     1,406        (7,158     158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 11,279      $ 1,022      $ 15,248   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per common share

      

Basic

   $ 0.64      $ 0.06      $ 0.87   

Diluted

   $ 0.64      $ 0.06      $ 0.86   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.61      $ 0.72      $ 0.76   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

      

Basic

     17,501,414        17,569,688        17,520,966   

Diluted

     17,631,928        17,691,437        17,722,575   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes $4,000, $4,000, and $6,000 of dividend income in 2010, 2009, and 2008 from Medallion Bank.
(2) Average borrowings outstanding were $366,643, $418,803, and $482,007, and the related average borrowing costs were 3.98%, 4.03%, and 4.92% for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.
(3) Includes $1,312 of expense reversals related to the costs of winding up the operations of the SPAC’s that were reclassified to realized losses on investments and $310 that was reversed as a result of favorable negotiations with the creditors of SPAC in 2010, and includes $1,622 of costs related to the winding up of operations of the SPAC’s in 2009. See notes 10 and 12 for additional information.
(4) Includes $3,422, $2,871, and $2,493 of net revenues received from Medallion Bank for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 primarily for servicing fees, loan origination fees, and expense reimbursements. See notes 3 and 10 for additional information.

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   December 31,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Assets

    

Medallion loans, at fair value

   $ 323,126      $ 321,915   

Commercial loans, at fair value(1)

     76,866        77,922   

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries, at fair value

     78,735        72,279   

Equity investments, at fair value

     4,789        3,017   

Investment securities, at fair value

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investments ($260,111 at December 31, 2010 and $261,332 at
December 31, 2009 pledged as collateral under borrowing arrangements)

     483,516        475,133   

Cash and cash equivalents ($0 at December 31, 2010 and 2009 restricted as to use by lender)

     17,303        33,401   

Accrued interest receivable

     1,441        1,661   

Fixed assets, net

     419        302   

Goodwill, net

     5,069        5,069   

Other assets, net

     42,564        39,608   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 550,312      $ 555,174   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses(2)

   $ 5,102      $ 7,468   

Accrued interest payable

     1,913        2,207   

Funds borrowed

     380,532        382,522   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     387,547        392,197   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     —          —     

Shareholders’ equity (net assets)

    

Preferred stock (1,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value stock authorized—none outstanding)

     —          —     

Common stock (50,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value stock authorized—18,992,319 shares at December 31, 2010 and 18,990,119 shares at December 31, 2009 issued)

     190        190   

Treasury stock at cost (1,592,086 shares at December 31, 2010 and 1,414,242 shares at December 31, 2009)

     (14,225     (13,012

Capital in excess of par value

     179,079        178,845   

Accumulated undistributed net investment loss

     (12,372     (9,665

Accumulated undistributed net realized gains on investments

     —          —     

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     10,093        6,619   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity (net assets)

     162,765        162,977   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 550,312      $ 555,174   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of common shares outstanding

     17,400,233        17,575,877   

Net asset value per share

   $ 9.35      $ 9.27   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes a $3,100 loan to an entity which is majority owned by one of our controlled subsidiaries.
(2) Includes $1,622 of costs related to the winding up of operations of the SPAC’s as of December 31, 2009. See notes 10 and 12 for additional information.

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   2010     2009     2008  

Net investment income after income taxes

   $ 9,873      $ 8,180      $ 15,090   

Net realized losses on investments

     (7,638     (4,135     (3,746

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     9,044        (3,023     3,904   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     11,279        1,022        15,248   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment income, net

     (10,511     (13,060     (13,276

Realized gains from investment transactions, net

     —          (295     (38
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders(1)

     (10,511     (13,355     (13,314
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock options

     233        364        663   

Treasury stock acquired

     (1,213     —          (74
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

     (980     364        589   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     (212     (11,969     2,523   

Net assets at the beginning of the year

     162,977        174,946        172,423   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets at the end of the year(2)

   $ 162,765      $ 162,977      $ 174,946   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital share activity

      

Common stock issued, beginning of year

     18,990,119        18,963,466        18,902,416   

Exercise of stock options

     2,200        26,653        61,050   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common stock issued, end of year

     18,992,319        18,990,119        18,963,466   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury stock, beginning of year

     (1,414,242     (1,414,242     (1,406,551

Treasury stock acquired

     (177,844     —          (7,691
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury stock, end of year

     (1,592,086     (1,414,242     (1,414,242
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common stock outstanding

     17,400,233        17,575,877        17,549,224   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Dividends declared were $0.61, $0.72, and $0.76 per share for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.
(2) Includes $2,941 of undistributed net investment income and $0 of undistributed net realized gains on investments at December 31, 2010.

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Year ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands)

   2010     2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 11,279      $ 1,022      $ 15,248   

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting

from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     1,421        1,718        1,472   

(Accretion) amortization of origination costs

     (333     (57     363   

Increase in net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments

     3,491        (2,648     (6,323

Increase in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     (12,535     5,671        2,419   

Net realized losses on investments

     7,638        4,135        3,746   

Stock-based compensation expense

     223        234        310   

Decrease in accrued interest receivable

     220        488        300   

Increase in other assets, net

     (2,025     (1,223     (3,085

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (2,366     394        2,870   

Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable

     (294     191        (72
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     6,719        9,925        17,248   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Investments originated

     (219,737     (174,868     (248,950

Proceeds from principal receipts, sales, and maturities of investments

     213,139        262,970        342,523   

Investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries, net

     (2,179     (3,200     (19,026

Capital expenditures

     (336     (149     (240
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     (9,113     84,753        74,307   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds from funds borrowed

     173,790        286,284        518,219   

Repayments of funds borrowed

     (167,780     (366,411     (609,118

Issuance of SBA debentures

     8,500        —          11,000   

Repayments of SBA debentures

     (16,500     —          —     

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     10        130        353   

Purchase of treasury stock at cost

     (1,213     —          (74

Payments of declared dividends

     (10,511     (13,355     (13,314
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

     (13,704     (93,352     (92,934
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (16,098     1,326        (1,379

CASH and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     33,401        32,075        33,454   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 17,303      $ 33,401      $ 32,075   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

      

Cash paid during the year for interest

   $ 13,676      $ 15,225      $ 24,723   

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

     —          —          —     

Non-cash investing activities-net transfers to (from) other assets

     —          480        (642
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2010

(1) ORGANIZATION OF MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

We, Medallion Financial Corp. (the Company), are a closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware corporation. The Company has elected to be regulated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Company conducts its business through various wholly-owned subsidiaries including its primary operating company, Medallion Funding LLC (MFC), a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans.

In December 2010, we formed a wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Servicing Corporation (MSC), to provide loan services to Medallion Bank, also a portfolio company wholly-owned by us. We have assigned all of our loan servicing rights for Medallion Bank, which consists of servicing taxi medallion and commercial loans originated by Medallion Bank, to MSC, who will bill and collect the related service fee income from Medallion Bank, and will be allocated and charged by the Company for MSC’s share of these servicing costs.

On March 26, 2009, the Company formed a new wholly-owned New York limited liability company subsidiary, Medallion Funding LLC. On February 26, 2010, Medallion Funding Corp. merged into Medallion Funding LLC and following the merger, Medallion Funding LLC was the surviving entity and the successor-in-interest to Medallion Funding Corp.’s business. There is no business or operational change resulting from this corporate restructuring. For federal and state tax purposes, Medallion Funding LLC will be treated as a disregarded entity. Medallion Funding LLC will not independently file any tax return, but will be subsumed in the tax return of the Company. Medallion Funding LLC will maintain its status as an SBIC.

The Company also conducts business through Medallion Capital, Inc. (MCI), an SBIC which conducts a mezzanine financing business, and Freshstart Venture Capital Corp. (FSVC), an SBIC which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans. MFC, MCI, and FSVC, as SBICs, are regulated by the Small Business Administration (SBA). MCI and FSVC are financed in part by the SBA. The Company also conducts business through our asset-based lending division, Medallion Business Credit (MBC), an originator of loans to small businesses for the purpose of financing inventory and receivables.

In December 2008, MFC established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III (Trust III), for the purpose of owning medallion loans originated by MFC or others. Trust III is a separate legal and corporate entity with its own creditors who, in any liquidation of Trust III, will be entitled to be satisfied out of Trust III’s assets prior to any value in Trust III becoming available to Trust III’s equity holders. The assets of Trust III, aggregating $207,002,000 at December 31, 2010, are not available to pay obligations of its affiliates or any other party, and the assets of affiliates or any other party are not available to pay obligations of Trust III. Trust III’s loans are serviced by MFC.

In June 2007, the Company established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Medallion Financing Trust I (Fin Trust) for the purpose of issuing unsecured preferred securities to investors. Fin Trust is a separate legal and corporate entity with its own creditors who, in any liquidation of Fin Trust, will be entitled to be satisfied out of Fin Trust’s assets prior to any value in Fin Trust becoming available to Fin Trust’s equity holders. The assets of Fin Trust, aggregating $36,167,000 at December 31, 2010, are not available to pay obligations of its affiliates or any other party, and the assets of affiliates or any other party are not available to pay obligations of Fin Trust.

In December 2006, MFC established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust II (Trust II), for the purpose of owning medallion loans originated by MFC or others. Trust II was a separate legal and

 

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corporate entity with its own creditors who, in any liquidation of Trust II, would have been entitled to be satisfied out of Trust II’s assets prior to any value in Trust II becoming available to Trust II’s equity holders. In 2010, Trust II ceased operations and its assets were reduced to $0.

In December 2006, September 2006, and previously in June 2003, MFC through several wholly-owned and newly formed subsidiaries which, along with an existing subsidiary (together, Medallion Chicago), purchased certain City of Chicago taxicab medallions out of foreclosure which are leased to fleet operators while being held for sale.

A wholly-owned portfolio investment, Medallion Bank, a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured industrial bank, originates medallion loans, commercial loans, and consumer loans, raises deposits, and conducts other banking activities (see Note 3). Medallion Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions and to the regulations of certain federal and state agencies, and undergoes examinations by those agencies.

Medallion Bank is not an investment company, and therefore, is not consolidated with the Company, but instead is treated as a portfolio investment. It was initially formed for the primary purpose of originating commercial loans in three categories: 1) loans to finance the purchase of taxicab medallions (licenses), 2) asset-based commercial loans, and 3) SBA 7(a) loans. The loans are marketed and serviced by Medallion Bank’s affiliates who have extensive prior experience in these asset groups. Additionally, Medallion Bank began issuing brokered certificates of deposit in January 2004, and purchased over $84,150,000 of taxicab medallion and asset-based loans from affiliates of the Company. On April 1, 2004, Medallion Bank purchased a consumer loan portfolio from an unrelated financial institution for consideration of $86,309,000. In the 2004 third quarter, Medallion Bank began originating consumer loans similar to the acquired portfolio, which are serviced by a third party.

In September 2002, MFC established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I (Trust), for the purpose of owning medallion loans originated by MFC or others. The Trust was a separate legal and corporate entity with its own creditors who, in any liquidation of the Trust, would have been entitled to be satisfied out of the Trust’s assets prior to any value in the Trust becoming available to the Trust’s equity holders. In 2009, the Trust ceased operations and its assets were reduced to $0.

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the US requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Accounting estimates and assumptions are those that management considers to be the most critical to an understanding of the consolidated financial statements because they inherently involve significant judgments and uncertainties. All of these estimates reflect management’s best judgment about current economic and market conditions and their effects based on information available as of the date of these consolidated financial statements. If such conditions persist longer or deteriorate further than expected, it is reasonably possible that the judgments and estimates could change, which may result in future impairments of loans receivable, loans held for sale, and investments, among other effects.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except for Medallion Bank and other portfolio investments. All significant intercompany transactions, balances, and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. As a non-investment company, Medallion Bank is not consolidated with the Company, which is an investment company under the 1940 Act. See Note 3 for the presentation of financial information for Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries.

 

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original purchased maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash balances are generally held in accounts at large national or regional banking organizations in amounts that frequently exceed the federally insured limits.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

The Company follows FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, (FASB ASC 820), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as an exit price (i.e. a price that would be received to sell, as opposed to acquire, an asset or transfer a liability), and emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement. It establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent external sources and the reporting entities own assumptions. Further, it specifies that fair value measurement should consider adjustment for risk, such as the risk inherent in the valuation technique or its inputs. See also Notes 2, 15, and 16 to the consolidated financial statements.

Investment Valuation

The Company’s loans, net of participations and any unearned discount, are considered investment securities under the 1940 Act and are recorded at fair value. As part of the fair value methodology, loans are valued at cost adjusted for any unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Since no ready market exists for these loans, the fair value is determined in good faith by management, and approved by the Board of Directors. In determining the fair value, the Company and Board of Directors consider factors such as the financial condition of the borrower, the adequacy of the collateral, individual credit risks, historical loss experience, and the relationships between current and projected market rates and portfolio rates of interest and maturities. Foreclosed properties, which represent collateral received from defaulted borrowers, and which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, are valued similarly.

Equity investments (common stock and stock warrants, including certain controlled subsidiary portfolio investments) and investment securities (US Treasuries and mortgage backed bonds), in total representing 17% and 16% of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2010 and 2009, are recorded at fair value, represented as cost, plus or minus unrealized appreciation or depreciation. The fair value of investments that have no ready market are determined in good faith by management, and approved by the Board of Directors, based upon the financial condition and operating performance of the underlying investee companies as well as general market trends for businesses in the same industry. Included in equity investments were marketable securities of $1,669,000 and $1,212,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and non-marketable securities of $3,120,000 and $1,805,000 in the comparable periods. The $78,735,000 and $72,279,000 related to portfolio investments in controlled subsidiaries at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were all non-marketable in each period. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuations, management’s estimates of the values of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed, and the differences could be material.

Our investment in Medallion Bank, as a wholly owned portfolio investment, is also subject to quarterly assessments of fair value. We conduct a thorough valuation analysis as described previously, and determine whether any factors give rise to a valuation different than recorded book value, including various regulatory restrictions that were established at Medallion Bank’s inception, by the FDIC and State of Utah, and also by additional marketplace restrictions, such as on the ability to transfer industrial bank charters. As a result of this valuation process, we used Medallion Bank’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in- fair value, and recorded the results as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, although changes in these restrictions and other applicable factors could change these conclusions in the future. See Note 3 for additional information about Medallion Bank.

 

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A majority of the Company’s investments consist of long-term loans to persons defined by SBA regulations as socially or economically disadvantaged, or to entities that are at least 50% owned by such persons. Approximately 67% and 68% of the Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2010 and 2009 had arisen in connection with the financing of taxicab medallions, taxicabs, and related assets, of which 74% and 76% were in New York City at December 31, 2010 and 2009. These loans are secured by the medallions, taxicabs, and related assets, and are personally guaranteed by the borrowers, or in the case of corporations, are generally guaranteed personally by the owners. A portion of the Company’s portfolio (16% at December 31, 2010 and 2009) represents loans to various commercial enterprises in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, wholesaling, administrative and support services, accommodation and food services, and various other industries. Approximately 28% of these loans are made primarily in the metropolitan New York City area, with the balance widely scattered across the United States. Investments in controlled unconsolidated subsidiaries, equity investments, and investment securities were 16%, 1%, and 0% at December 31, 2010 and 15%, 1%, and 0% at December 31, 2009.

On a managed basis, which includes the investments of Medallion Bank after eliminating the Company’s investment in Medallion Bank, medallion loans were 62% and 57% at December 31, 2010 and 2009 (76% and 75% in New York City), commercial loans were 16% and 18%, and 19% and 22% were consumer loans in all 50 states collateralized by recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, trailers, and hearing aids. Investment securities were 2% at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and equity investments (including investments in controlled subsidiaries) were 1%.

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition

Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the yield of the related loans. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, net loan origination fees were $27,000 and $41,000. Net amortization income (expense) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 was $333,000, $57,000, and ($363,000).

Investment securities are purchased from time-to-time in the open market at prices that are greater or lesser than the par value of the investment. The resulting premium or discount is deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the yield of the related investment. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, there were no premiums or discounts on investment securities, and their related income accretion or amortization was immaterial for 2010, 2009, and 2008.

Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Taxicab medallion and commercial loans are placed on nonaccrual status, and all uncollected accrued interest is reversed, when there is doubt as to the collectability of interest or principal, or if loans are 90 days or more past due, unless management has determined that they are both well-secured and in the process of collection. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is generally recognized when cash is received, unless a determination has been made to apply all cash receipts to principal. At December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, total non-accrual loans were $22,477,000, $19,784,000, and $17,939,000, and represented 5%, 5%, and 4% of the gross medallion and commercial loan portfolio at each year end, and were primarily concentrated in the secured mezzanine portfolio. The amount of interest income on nonaccrual loans that would have been recognized if the loans had been paying in accordance with their original terms was $10,612,000, $7,114,000, and $4,172,000 as of December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, of which $3,503,000, $3,207,000, and $1,749,000 would have been recognized in the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

Loan Sales and Servicing Fee Receivable

The Company accounts for its sales of loans in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing (FASB ASC 860). FASB ASC 860 provides accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities. In accordance with FASB ASC 860, we have elected the fair value measurement method for our servicing assets and liabilities. The

 

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principal portion of loans serviced for others by the Company and its affiliates was $386,034,000 and $321,875,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, and included $332,053,000 and $229,810,000 of loans serviced for Medallion Bank. The Company has evaluated the servicing aspect of its business in accordance with FASB ASC 860, most of which relates to servicing assets held by Medallion Bank, and determined that no material servicing asset or liability exists as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. In December 2010, the Company assigned its servicing rights to the Medallion Bank portfolio to MSC, a wholly-owned unconsolidated portfolio investment. The costs of servicing are allocated to MSC by the Company, and the servicing fee income is billed and collected from Medallion Bank by MSC.

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) and Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments is the amount by which the fair value estimated by the Company is greater (less) than the cost basis of the investment portfolio. Realized gains or losses on investments are generated through sales of investments, foreclosure on specific collateral, and writeoffs of loans or assets acquired in satisfaction of loans, net of recoveries. Unrealized appreciation on net investments was $10,093,000, $6,619,000, and $10,936,000 as of December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008. Our investment in Medallion Bank, a wholly owned portfolio investment, is a also subject to quarterly assessments of fair value. We conduct a thorough valuation analysis as described previously, and determine whether any factors give rise to valuation different than recorded book value, including various regulatory restrictions that were established at Medallion Bank’s inception, by the FDIC and State of Utah, and also by additional marketplace restrictions, such as on the ability to transfer industrial bank charters. As a result of this valuation process, we used Medallion Bank’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the results as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, although changes in these restrictions and other applicable factors could change these conclusions in the future. See Note 3 for the presentation of financial information for Medallion Bank.

The following table sets forth the changes in our unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, other than investments in controlled subsidiaries, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Equity
Investments
    Foreclosed
Properties
    Total  

Balance December 31, 2007

   ($ 37   ($ 6,432   $ 2,742      $ 8,341      $ 4,614   

Net change in unrealized

          

Appreciation on investments

     —          —          (1,995     8,183        6,188   

Depreciation on investments

     (3     (4,073     (110     168        (4,018

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

          

Gains on investments

     —          —          —          (1,400     (1,400

Losses on investments

     40        5,190        —          322        5,552   

Other

     —          200        (200     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2008

     —          (5,115     437        15,614        10,936   

Net change in unrealized

          

Appreciation on investments

     —          —          (333     4,242        3,909   

Depreciation on investments(1)

     (3     (3,504     (8,205     (519     (12,231

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

          

Gains on investments

     —          —          —          (900     (900

Losses on investments

     3        3,983        —          919        4,905   

Other

     —          400        —          (400     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
     Commercial
Loans
    Equity
Investments
    Foreclosed
Properties
     Total  

Balance December 31, 2009

   $ —         ($ 4,236   ($ 8,101   $ 18,956       $ 6,619   

Net change in unrealized

            

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          545        2,153         2,698   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (7,172     (475     —           (7,647

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

            

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —           —     

Losses on investments(1)

     —           191        8,232        —           8,423   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2010

   $ —         ($ 11,217   $ 201      $ 21,109       $ 10,093   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes unrealized depreciation of $7,720 in 2009, related to investments in SPAC and SPAC 2, and the related writeoff of these investments in 2010. See Note 10 for additional information on these investments.

The table below summarizes components of unrealized and realized gains and losses in the investment portfolios for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2010     2009     2008  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

      

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 545      ($ 333   ($ 1,994

Unrealized depreciation(1)

     (7,139     (4,747     (4,186

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries(2)

     12,535        (5,671     (2,419

Realized gains

     —          —          —     

Realized losses(1)

     950        3,986        5,230   

Unrealized gains on foreclosed properties

     2,153        3,742        7,273   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 9,044      ($ 3,023   $ 3,904   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

      

Realized gains

   $ —        $ —        $ —     

Realized losses(3)

     (8,423     (3,986     (5,230

Other gains

     1,581        —          470   

Direct recoveries (charge-offs)(4)

     (796     (148     (50

Realized gains (losses) on foreclosed properties

     —          (1     1,064   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ($ 7,638   ($ 4,135   ($ 3,746
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes unrealized depreciation of $759 in 2009 related to the $759 investment in SPAC 2, and the related writeoff of $759 in 2010, which was carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Includes $6,966 of net unrealized depreciation related to the investment in SPAC, including $508 that was recorded in 2010, that was reversed during 2010, upon the writeoff of the SPAC investment.
(3) Represents the writeoff related to the investments in SPAC and SPAC 2 in 2010. See Note 10 for additional information on these investments.
(4) Includes $817 of direct chargeoffs related to the settlement of the liabilities associated with the writeoff of SPAC and SPAC 2 in 2010, all of which represented a reversal of accrued expenses.

 

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The following table provides additional information on attributes of the nonperforming loan portfolio as of December 31, 2010.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Recorded
Investment(1)
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
     Interest
Income
Recognized
 

With no related allowance recorded

           

Medallion

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     

Commercial

   $ 22,477       $ 22,592       $ 21,846       $ 389   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) As of December 31, 2010, $11,065 of unrealized depreciation has been recorded as a valuation allowance with regards the impaired commercial loans.

The table below shows the aging of medallion and commercial loans as of December 31, 2010.

 

     Days Past Due     Total
Past
Due
    Current     Total     Recorded Investment >
90 Days and Accruing
 

(Dollars in thousands)

  31 - 60     61 - 90     90 +          

Medallion Loans

  $ 8,847      $ 2,395      $ 361      $ 11,603      $ 311,227      $ 322,830      $ 361   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commercial Loans

             

Secured mezzanine

    —          —          9,391        9,391        58,908        68,299        —     

Asset-based receivable

    —          —          —          —          10,234        10,234        —     

Other secured commercial

    —          345        1,364        1,709        8,164        9,873        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Commercial Loans

    —          345        10,755        11,100        77,306        88,406        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 8,847      $ 2,740      $ 11,116      $ 22,703      $ 388,533      $ 411,236      $ 361   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Goodwill

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other,” the Company tests its goodwill for impairment, and engages a consultant to help management evaluate its carrying value. The results of this evaluation demonstrated no impairment in goodwill for any period evaluated, and management believes, and the Board of Directors concurs, that there is no impairment as of December 31, 2010. The Company conducts annual, and if necessary, more frequent, appraisals of its goodwill, and will recognize any impairment in the period any impairment is identified as a charge to operating expenses.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated economic useful life of the improvement. Depreciation and amortization expense was $218,000, $258,000, and $387,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

Deferred Costs

Deferred financing costs, included in other assets, represents costs associated with obtaining the Company’s borrowing facilities, and is amortized on a straight line basis over the lives of the related financing agreements. Amortization expense was $1,060,000, $1,289,000, and $1,085,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008. In addition, the Company capitalizes certain costs for transactions in the process of completion (other than business combinations), including those for potential investments, and the sourcing of other financing alternatives. Upon completion or termination of the transaction, any accumulated amounts will be amortized against income over an appropriate period, or written off, including $759,000 related to the investment in

 

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SPAC 2, which was fully reserved for in 2009 and written off in 2010, and $485,000 related to costs associated with a canceled equity offering. The amounts on the balance sheet for all of these purposes were $2,854,000 and $3,975,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Federal Income Taxes

The Company and each of its major subsidiaries other than Medallion Bank and Medallion Funding LLC (the RIC subsidiaries) have qualified to be treated for federal income tax purposes as regulated investment companies (RICs) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). As RICs, the Company and each of the RIC subsidiaries are not subject to US federal income tax on any gains or investment company taxable income (which includes, among other things, dividends and interest income reduced by deductible expenses) that it distributes to its shareholders, if at least 90% of its investment company taxable income for that taxable year is distributed. It is the Company’s and the RIC subsidiaries’ policy to comply with the provisions of the Code. The Company’s RIC qualification is determined on an annual basis, and it qualified and filed its federal tax returns as a RIC for 2009 and 2008, and anticipates qualifying and filing as a RIC for 2010. As a result, no provisions for income taxes have been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008. State and local tax treatment follows the federal model.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, based on developments under the Code and after discussions with external advisers, the Company’s Board of Directors determined that the loans received in connection with the Company’s lending activities were “accounts or notes receivables acquired in the ordinary course of a trade or business for services” for purposes of Section 1221(a)(4) of the Code. As a result, commencing with the tax year beginning January 1, 2010, the Company intends to treat losses recognized on worthless loans as ordinary losses rather than as capital losses. The Company’s Board of Directors further determined that the Company may take such position in tax returns subsequently filed without obtaining prior IRS approval.

The change in the characterization of a loss resulting from a worthless loan from a capital loss to an ordinary loss could materially impact the amount or character of the dividends received by the Company’s shareholders. The Company is required to distribute 90% of its taxable income in order to maintain its RIC status. In the event losses from worthless loans are treated as ordinary losses, those losses will offset taxable income in the taxable year in which such losses are recognized. This could result in a decrease in the Company’s taxable income which could result in a decrease in the Company’s dividend. Alternatively, if the Company chooses to maintain its current level of dividend, an increased portion of the dividend could be deemed to be a return of capital to the shareholder.

The Company has filed tax returns in many states. The following are the more significant filings that are open for examination:

 

   

Federal tax filings of the Company for the tax years 2009 through the present;

 

   

New York State tax filings of the Company for the tax years 2007 through the present; and

 

   

New York City tax filings of the Company for the tax years 2007 through the present.

Medallion Bank is not a RIC and is taxed as a regular corporation. Fin Trust, and Medallion Funding LLC, Trust II, and Trust III are not subject to federal income taxation, instead their taxable income is treated as having been earned by the Company.

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations per Share (EPS)

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net increase in net assets resulting from operations available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if option contracts to issue common

 

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stock were exercised, and has been computed after giving consideration to the weighted average dilutive effect of the Company’s stock options. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate diluted EPS, which is a method of recognizing the use of proceeds that could be obtained upon exercise of options and warrants in computing diluted EPS. It assumes that any proceeds would be used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period.

The table below shows the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands)

   2010      2009      2008  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations available to common shareholders

   $ 11,279       $ 1,022       $ 15,248   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to basic EPS

     17,501,414         17,569,688         17,520,966   

Effect of dilutive stock options

     130,514         121,749         201,609   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to diluted EPS

     17,631,928         17,691,437         17,722,575   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.64       $ 0.06       $ 0.87   

Diluted earnings per share

     0.64         0.06         0.86   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from the above calculations aggregated 1,005,171, 1,061,602, and 1,328,537 shares as of December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

Dividends to Shareholders

The table below shows the tax character of distributions for tax reporting purposes.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands)

   2010      2009      2008  

Dividends paid from

        

Investment income, net

   $ 10,511       $ 13,060       $ 13,276   

Realized gains from investment transactions, net

     —           295         38   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total dividends

   $ 10,511       $ 13,355       $ 13,314   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our ability to make dividend payments is restricted by SBA regulations and under the terms of the SBA debentures. As of December 31, 2010, the Company anticipates paying an estimated $2,941,000 of ordinary income dividends for tax purposes by September 15, 2011.

Stock Compensation

The Company follows FASB Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718 (ASC 718), “Compensation—Stock Compensation”, for its stock option plans, and accordingly, the Company recognizes the expense of these grants as required. Stock-based employee compensation costs pertaining to stock options is reflected in net increase in net assets resulting from operations, for both any new grants, as well as for all unvested options outstanding at December 31, 2005, in both cases using the fair values established by usage of the Black-Scholes option pricing model, expensed over the vesting period of the underlying option.

The Company elected the modified prospective transition method in applying ASC 718. Under this method, the provisions of ASC 718 apply to all awards granted or modified after the date of adoption, as well as for all

 

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unvested options outstanding at December 31, 2005. During 2010, 2009, and 2008, the Company issued 68,500, 68,667, and 429,918 shares of stock-based compensation awards, and recognized $223,000, $234,000, and $310,000, or $0.01, $0.01, and $0.02 per diluted common share for each respective year, of non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to the option grants. As of December 31, 2010, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options was $107,000, which is expected to be recognized over the next ten quarters (see Note 5).

Derivatives

The Company manages its exposure to increases in market rates of interest by periodically purchasing interest rate caps to lock in the cost of funds of its variable-rate debt in the event of a rapid run up in interest rates. During 2010 and 2009, the Company entered into contracts to purchase interest rate caps on $125,000,000 and $252,000,000, respectively, of notional value of principal from various multinational banks, of which $185,000,000 were active as of December 31, 2010, with termination dates ranging to June 2012. The caps provide for payments to the Company if various LIBOR thresholds are exceeded during the cap terms. The 2010 and 2009 cap purchases of $142,000 and $171,000 were fully expensed in 2010 and 2009, respectively, and all are carried at $0 on the balance sheet at December 31, 2010. The Company had no interest rate cap agreements or other derivative instruments outstanding during 2008.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year balances to conform with the current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the previously reported results of operations.

(3) INVESTMENT IN MEDALLION BANK AND OTHER CONTROLLED SUBSIDIARIES

The following table presents information derived from Medallion Bank’s statement of operations and other valuation adjustments on other controlled subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2010     2009     2008  

Statement of operations

      

Investment income

   $ 47,273      $ 44,681      $ 41,373   

Interest expense

     7,478        11,046        14,934   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

     39,795        33,635        26,439   

Noninterest income

     520        429        468   

Operating expenses

     10,827        9,858        8,554   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income before income taxes

     29,488        24,206        18,353   

Income tax provision

     6,718        3,659        2,776   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income after income taxes

     22,770        20,547        15,577   

Net realized/unrealized losses of Medallion Bank

     (11,502     (13,981     (11,452
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations of Medallion Bank

     11,268        6,566        4,125   

Unrealized depreciation on Medallion Bank(1)

     (5,230     (4,715     (6,000

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) of controlled subsidiaries other than Medallion Bank

     6,497        (7,522     (544
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations of Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

   $ 12,535      ($ 5,671   ($ 2,419
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Unrealized depreciation on Medallion Bank reflects the adjustment to the investment carrying amount to reflect the dividends declared to the Company and the US Treasury.

 

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The following table presents Medallion Bank’s balance sheets and the net investment in other controlled subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2010      2009  

Loans

   $ 516,378       $ 418,853   

Investment securities, at fair value

     20,787         21,060   

Net investments ($0 pledged as collateral under borrowing arrangements at December 31, 2010 and 2009)(1)

     537,165         439,913   

Cash ($0 at December 31, 2010 and 2009 restricted as to use by lender)

     16,980         13,340   

Other assets, net

     14,504         11,935   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 568,649       $ 465,188   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other liabilities

   $ 2,519       $ 2,462   

Due to affiliates

     1,113         630   

Deposits and federal funds purchased, including accrued interest payable

     470,112         373,228   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     473,744         376,320   

Medallion Bank equity(2)

     94,905         88,868   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 568,649       $ 465,188   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investment in other controlled subsidiaries

   $ 4,727       $ 4,280   

Total investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     78,735         72,279   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Included in Medallion Bank’s net investments is $330 and $528 for purchased loan premium at December 31, 2010 and 2009.
(2) Includes $21,498 of preferred stock issued to the US Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

The following paragraphs summarize the accounting and reporting policies of Medallion Bank, and provide additional information relating to the tables presented above.

Investment securities are purchased from time-to-time in the open market at prices that are greater or lesser than the par value of the investment. The resulting premium or discount is deferred and recognized on a level yield basis as an adjustment to the yield of the related investment. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the net premium on investment securities totaled $164,000 and $185,000, and $67,000, $69,000, and ($14,000) was (accreted) amortized to interest income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the yield of the related loans. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, net loan origination costs were $5,559,000 and $5,553,000. Net amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 was $2,242,000, $1,826,000, and $2,182,000.

Medallion Bank’s policies regarding nonaccrual of medallion and commercial loans are similar to those of the Company. The consumer portfolio has different characteristics compared to commercial loans, typified by a larger number of lower dollar loans that have similar characteristics. These loans are placed on nonaccrual, when they become 90 days past due, or earlier if they enter bankruptcy, and are charged off in their entirety when deemed uncollectible, or when they become 120 days past due, whichever occurs first, at which time appropriate collection and recovery efforts against both the borrower and the underlying collateral are initiated. At December 31, 2010, $2,686,000 or 1% of consumer loans, $329,000 or less than 1% of commercial loans, and no medallion loans were on nonaccrual, compared to $3,321,000 or 2% of consumer loans, $1,124,000 or 2% of commercial loans, and no medallion loans on nonaccrual at December 31, 2009. The amount of interest income on nonaccrual loans that would have been recognized if the loans had been paying in accordance with their original terms was $138,000, $233,000, and $131,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

 

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Medallion Bank’s loan and investment portfolios are assessed for collectability on a monthly basis, and a loan loss allowance is established for any realizability concerns on specific investments, and general reserves have also been established for any unknown factors. The consumer portfolio purchase was net of unrealized depreciation of $4,244,000, or 5.0% of the balances outstanding, and included a purchase premium of approximately $5,678,000 of which $198,000, $290,000, and $421,000 was amortized into interest income during 2010, 2009, and 2008. The premium amount on the balance sheet was $330,000 and $528,000 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. Adjustments to the fair value of this portfolio are based on the historical loan loss data obtained from the seller, adjusted for changes in delinquency trends and other factors as described previously in Note 2.

In January 2004, Medallion Bank commenced raising deposits to fund the purchase of various affiliates’ loan portfolios. The deposits were raised through the use of investment brokerage firms who package deposits qualifying for FDIC insurance into pools that are sold to Medallion Bank. The rates paid on the deposits are highly competitive with market rates paid by other financial institutions, and include a brokerage fee of 0.15% to 0.50%, depending on the maturity of the deposit, which is capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the life of the respective pool. The total amount capitalized at December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $883,000 and $670,000, and $1,007,000, $1,069,000, and $956,000 was amortized to interest expense during 2010, 2009, and 2008. Interest on the deposits is accrued daily and paid monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or at maturity.

The outstanding balances of fixed rate borrowings were as follows:

 

    Payments Due for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31,     December  31,
2010
    December  31,
2009
    Interest
Rate(1)
 

(Dollars in thousands)

  2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     Thereafter        

Deposits

  $ 358,219      $ 43,389      $ 67,349      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 468,957      $ 371,719        1.34
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Weighted average contractual rate as of December 31, 2010.

Medallion Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the FDIC and State of Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Medallion Bank’s and our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Medallion Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of Medallion Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Medallion Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by Medallion Bank regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

FDIC-insured banks, including Medallion Bank, are subject to certain federal laws, which impose various legal limitations on the extent to which banks may finance or otherwise supply funds to certain of their affiliates. In particular, Medallion Bank is subject to certain restrictions on any extensions of credit to, or other covered transactions, such as certain purchases of assets, with the Company or its affiliates.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Medallion Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios as defined in the regulations (set forth in the table below). Additionally, as conditions of granting Medallion Bank’s application for federal deposit insurance, the FDIC ordered that beginning paid-in-capital funds of not less than $22,000,000 be provided, that the Tier I Leverage Capital to total assets ratio, as defined, be not less than 15%, and that an adequate allowance for loan losses be maintained. As a result, to facilitate maintenance of the capital ratio requirement and to provide the necessary capital for continued growth, the Company periodically makes capital contributions to Medallion Bank, including an aggregate of $1,750,000 contributed in January 2009, and an aggregate of $10,750,000 contributed over various months in 2008. Separately, Medallion Bank declared dividends to the Company of $4,000,000 in 2010, $4,000,000 in

 

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2009, and $6,000,000 in 2008. Without the capital infusions by us, a portion of the Medallion Bank dividends would have been retained to ensure Medallion Bank met its capital ratio requirements, and in such circumstance, if we maintained our dividend at the existing levels, a portion of those dividends would have represented a tax-free return of capital.

On February 27, 2009, Medallion Bank issued and sold, and the US Treasury purchased under the TARP Capital Purchase Program (the CPP), (1) 11,800 shares of Medallion Bank’s Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, and (2) a warrant, which was immediately exercised, to purchase up to 590 shares of Medallion Bank’s Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $11,800,000 in cash. On December 22, 2009, Medallion Bank issued and sold, and the US Treasury purchased under the CPP, (1) 9,698 shares of Medallion Bank’s Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, and (2) a warrant, which was immediately exercised, to purchase up to 55 shares of Medallion Bank’s Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $9,698,000 in cash. The liquidation preference of each Series is $1,000 per share.

The securities were sold in private placements exempt from SEC registration.

Non-cumulative dividends on the Series A and C shares will accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years, and at a rate of 9% per annum thereafter, and the dividends on the Series B and D shares will accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 9% per annum, both, if, as, and when declared by Medallion Bank’s Board of Directors out of funds legally available thereof. The Preferred Shares have no maturity date and rank senior to Medallion Bank’s common stock (and pari passu with one another) with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution, and winding up of Medallion Bank. Medallion Bank’s Articles of Amendments provide that, subject to the approval of the FDIC, the Preferred Shares are redeemable at the option of Medallion Bank at 100% of their liquidation preference plus declared and unpaid dividends, provided, however, that the Preferred Shares may be redeemed prior to February 27, 2012 and December 22, 2012, respectively, only if (i) Medallion Bank has raised aggregate gross proceeds in one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, as defined, of at least $3,097,500 and $2,438,250, respectively, and (ii) the aggregate redemption price does not exceed the aggregate net proceeds from such offerings. The Series B shares cannot be redeemed until the Series A shares have been redeemed and the Series D shares cannot be redeemed until the Series A, B, and C shares have been redeemed.

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the ARRA) was signed into law. The ARRA, among other things, directs the US Treasury to permit CPP participants to redeem the preferred stock issued under the CPP without first requiring a Qualified Equity Offering, upon consultation with the appropriate Federal banking agency.

The agreements between Medallion Bank and the US Treasury pursuant to which the Preferred Shares and the Warrants were sold contain limitations on the payment of common stock dividends to a quarterly rate of $1.00 per share or $1,000,000, and on Medallion Bank’s ability to repurchase its common stock, and subjects Medallion Bank and the Company to certain of the executive compensation limitations and requirements included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the EESA). As a condition to the closing of the transactions, the Company and its senior executive officers have agreed to all terms and conditions.

The interim final rule promulgated pursuant to Section 111 of the EESA, as amended by the ARRA, prescribes certain standards for compensation and corporate governance for CPP participants (which the Company believes to include parent companies such as the Company), which include, among other things, (i) the repayment by the senior executive officers and the next twenty most highly compensated employees of any bonus, retention award, or incentive compensation if the payment was based on materially inaccurate financial information or other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria; (ii) the prohibition of any payment for departure from a CPP participant or change of control event of a CPP participant, other than a payment for services performed or benefits accrued, to the senior executive officers and the next five most highly compensated employees; (iii) the prohibition of the payment or accrual of any bonus, retention award, or incentive compensation to a CPP participant’s most highly compensated employee except through restricted

 

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stock with delayed vesting and subject to dollar limits; and (iv) the prohibition from providing tax gross-ups or other reimbursements for the payment of taxes to senior executive officers and the next twenty most highly compensated employees relating to severance payments, perquisites, or any other form of compensation. The interim final rule further requires (i) at least once every six months, the compensation committees of CPP participants to meet to discuss, evaluate, and review the CPP participant’s compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to the CPP participant and annually in the CPP participant’s proxy statement describe how such risks were limited and certify that the compensation committee has completed its reviews of the plans and provide such disclosures and certifications to the Treasury; (ii) CPP participants to disclose to the Treasury and their primary federal regulator on an annual basis, perquisites with a total value over $25,000 for any employee who is subject to the bonus prohibition; (iii) CPP participants to disclose to the Treasury and their primary federal regulator whether they have engaged a compensation consultant and indicate the types of services the compensation consultant or any of its affiliates has provided during the past three years, including any “benchmarking” or comparisons employed to identify certain percentile levels of compensation; (iv) CPP participants to adopt an excessive or luxury expenditures policy; (v) CPP participants to permit stockholders to vote on a non-binding resolution approving the institution’s compensation of executives; and (vi) the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of CPP participants to annually certify compliance of the CPP participant with Section 111 of EESA and provide these certifications as an exhibit to the CPP participant’s annual report on Form 10-K and to the Treasury.

The following table represents Medallion Bank’s actual capital amounts and related ratios as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, compared to required regulatory minimum capital ratios and the ratio required to be considered well capitalized. As of December 31, 2010, Medallion Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject, and is well-capitalized.

 

      Regulatory              

(Dollars in Thousands)

   Minimum     Well-capitalized     December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  

Tier I capital

   $ —        $ —        $ 93,866      $ 88,811   

Total capital

     —          —          100,762        94,455   

Average assets

     —          —          552,603        456,681   

Risk-weighted assets

     —          —          544,935        443,566   

Leverage ratio(1)

     4     5     17.0     19.5

Tier I capital ratio(2)

     4        6        17.2        20.0   

Total capital ratio(2)

     8        10        18.5        21.3   

 

(1) Calculated by dividing Tier I capital by average assets.
(2) Calculated by dividing Tier I or total capital by risk-weighted assets.

(4) FUNDS BORROWED

The outstanding balances of funds borrowed were as follows:

 

     Payments Due for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31,     December  31,
2010
    December  31,
2009
    Interest
Rate(1)
 

(Dollars in thousands)

  2011     2012     2013     2014     2015     Thereafter        

Revolving lines of credit

  $ —        $ —        $ 180,204      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 180,204      $ 197,362        1.31

Notes payable to banks

    43,765        11,003        24,489        225        6,722        874        87,078        63,910        4.41   

SBA debentures

    7,485        7,500        19,450        13,500        9,250        23,065        80,250        88,250        5.48   

Preferred securities

    —          —          —          —          —          33,000        33,000        33,000        7.68   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  $ 51,250      $ 18,503      $ 224,143      $ 13,725      $ 15,972      $ 56,939      $ 380,532      $ 382,522        3.45   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Weighted average contractual rate as of December 31, 2010.

 

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(A) REVOLVING LINES OF CREDIT

In December 2008, Trust III entered into a revolving line of credit agreement with DZ Bank, to provide up to $200,000,000 of financing through a commercial paper conduit to acquire medallion loans from MFC (DZ line), of which $180,204,000 was outstanding at December 31, 2010. Borrowings under Trust III’s revolving line of credit are collateralized by Trust III’s assets. MFC is the servicer of the loans owned by Trust III. The DZ line includes a borrowing base covenant and rapid amortization in certain circumstances. In addition, if certain financial tests are not met, MFC can be replaced as the servicer. The DZ line matures in December 2013. The interest rate is the lesser of a pooled short-term commercial paper rate (which approximates LIBOR), 30 day LIBOR (0.26% at December 31, 2010) plus 0.75%, or 90 day LIBOR (0.30% at December 31, 2010) plus 0.50%; plus 0.95%.

In December 2006, Trust II entered into a revolving line of credit agreement with Citibank N.A., to provide up to $250,000,000 of financing through a commercial paper conduit to acquire medallion loans from MFC, which was paid off in March 2010, in advance of the May 2010 maturity. In November 2008, the line of credit was reduced to $225,000,000, and was further reduced to $35,000,000 in November 2009. Borrowings under Trust II’s revolving line of credit were collateralized by Trust II’s assets. MFC was the servicer of the loans owned by Trust II. The Citi line included a borrowing base covenant and rapid amortization in certain circumstances. In addition, if certain financial tests were not met, MFC could have been replaced as the servicer. The interest rate was a pooled short-term commercial paper rate, which approximated LIBOR, plus 1.07% with a facility fee of 1.50% on the aggregate Citi line, and prior to November 2009 was plus 0.82% with a facility fee of 0.15% on the aggregate Citi line, and prior to November 2008 was plus 0.47% with a facility fee of 0.15%.

(B) SBA DEBENTURES

In September 2010, the SBA approved a $5,000,000 commitment for MCI to issue additional debentures during a four year period upon payment of a 1% fee. The SBA also approved a $7,485,000 commitment for FSVC to issue additional debentures during a four year period upon payment of a 1% fee, for the purpose of repaying $7,485,000 of debentures which mature in September 2011. In September 2006, the SBA approved a $6,000,000 commitment for FSVC to issue additional debentures to the SBA during a four year period upon payment of a 1% fee and the infusion of $2,000,000 of additional capital. In March 2006, the SBA approved a $13,500,000 commitment for MCI to issue additional debentures to the SBA during a four year period upon payment of a 1% fee and the infusion of $6,750,000 of additional capital. In November 2003, the SBA approved an $8,000,000 commitment for FSVC, and during 2001, the SBA approved $36,000,000 each in commitments for FSVC and MCI. As of December 31, 2010, $99,500,000 of commitments had been fully utilized, and $12,485,000 was available for borrowing.

The notes are collateralized by substantially all the Company’s assets and are subject to the terms and conditions of agreements with the SBA which, among other things, restrict stock redemptions, disposition of assets, new indebtedness, dividends or distributions, and changes in management, ownership, investment policy, or operations. The debentures have been issued in various tranches for terms of ten years with interest payable semiannually.

(C) NOTES PAYABLE TO BANKS

The Company and its subsidiaries have entered into (i) note agreements and (ii) participation agreements with a variety of local and regional banking institutions over the years. The notes are typically secured by various assets of the underlying borrower. The Company believes the participation agreements represent legal true sales of the loans to the lender, but for accounting purposes these participations are treated as financings, and are

 

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included in funds borrowed as shown on our consolidated balance sheets. The table below summarizes the key attributes of our various borrowing arrangements with banks as of December 31, 2010.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Borrower

  # of
Banks/
Notes
  Note
Dates
  Maturity
Dates
   

Type

  Note
Amounts
    Balance
Outstanding at
December 31,
2010
   

Monthly Payment

  Average Interest
Rate at

December 31,
2010
 

Interest
Rate

Index(1)

MFC   7/18   3/09 -
10/10
   
 
3/11 -
2/17
  
  
  Participated loans treated as financings(2)   $ 38,028      $ 34,231      Proportionate to the payments received on the participated loans   4.47%   4.47%(3)
Medallion Chicago   3/28   12/10    
 
12/13 -
12/15
  
  
  Term loans secured by owned Chicago medallions(4)     18,398        18,398      $108 principal & interest   5.00%   N/A
The Company   1/1   4/04     1/11      Revolving line of credit secured by pledged loans     20,000        17,500      Interest only   3.00% +
0.25%
unused
fee
  LIBOR + 2.00%, minimum rate of 3.00%
The Company   2/6   1/09 -
12/10
   
 
3/11 -
12/13
  
  
  Participated loans treated as financings     23,046        16,949      Proportionate to the payments received on the participated loans   5.11%   N/A
MFC   1/1   1/05     5/11      Revolving line of credit secured by pledged loans(5)     8,000        —        Interest only   3.75%   Prime + 0.50%
         

 

 

   

 

 

       
          $ 107,472      $ 87,078         
         

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

(1) At December 31, 2010, 30 day LIBOR was 0.26%, 360 day LIBOR was 0.78%, and the prime rate was 3.25%.
(2) $4,227 guaranteed by the Company.
(3) Generally, each of these notes reprice on their one year anniversary date at the greater of the current interest rate, or the prime rate plus an index, which ranges from 0.25% to 1.375%. One $899 loan remains fixed to term at 5.50%, one $3,395 loan remains fixed to term at 4.50%, and one $4,520 loan remains fixed to term at 4.70%.
(4) $11,139 guaranteed by the Company.
(5) Guaranteed by the Company.

(D) PREFERRED SECURITIES

In June 2007, the Company issued and sold $36,083,000 aggregate principal amount of unsecured junior subordinated notes to Fin Trust which, in turn, sold $35,000,000 of preferred securities to Merrill Lynch International and issued 1,083 shares of common stock to the Company. The notes bear a fixed rate of interest of 7.68% to September 2012, and thereafter a variable rate of interest of 90 day LIBOR (0.30% at December 31, 2010) plus 2.13%. The notes mature in September 2037, and are prepayable at par on or after September 6, 2012. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. The terms of the preferred securities and the notes are substantially identical. At December 31, 2010, $33,000,000 was outstanding on the preferred securities. In December 2007, $2,000,000 of the preferred securities were repurchased from a third party investor.

(E) COVENANT COMPLIANCE

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries enter into agreements, or are subject to regulatory requirements, that result in loan restrictions. Certain of our debt agreements contain restrictions that require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios, including debt to equity and minimum net worth. In addition, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Medallion Bank is subject to regulatory requirements related to the declaration of dividends (see Note 3).

 

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(5) STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK

The Company has a stock option plan (2006 Stock Option Plan) available to grant both incentive and nonqualified stock options to employees. The 2006 Stock Option Plan, which was approved by the Board of Directors on February 15, 2006 and shareholders on June 16, 2006, provides for the issuance of a maximum of 800,000 shares of common stock of the Company. At December 31, 2010, 159,883 shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for future grants. The 2006 Stock Option Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The option price per share may not be less than the current market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. The term and vesting periods of the options are determined by the Compensation Committee, provided that the maximum term of an option may not exceed a period of ten years.

The Company’s Board of Directors approved a new non-employee director stock option plan (the 2006 Director Plan) on February 15, 2006, which was approved by shareholders on June 16, 2006, and on which exemptive relief to implement the 2006 Director Plan was received from the SEC on August 28, 2007. The 2006 Director Plan provides for an automatic grant of options to purchase 9,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to an Eligible Director upon election to the Board, with an adjustment for directors who are elected to serve less than a full term. A total of 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable under the 2006 Director Plan. At December 31, 2010, no shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for future grants. The option price per share may not be less than the current market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. Options granted under the 2006 Director Plan are exercisable annually, as defined in the 2006 Director Plan. The term of the options may not exceed ten years.

The Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2009 Employee Restricted Stock Plan (the Employee Restricted Stock Plan) on April 16, 2009. The Employee Restricted Stock Plan became effective upon the Company’s receipt of exemptive relief from the SEC and approval of the Employee Restricted Stock Option Plan by the Company’s shareholders on June 11, 2010. The terms of the Employee Restricted Stock Plan provide for grants of restricted stock awards to the Company’s employees. A grant of restricted stock is a grant of shares of the Company’s common stock that, at the time of issuance, is subject to certain forfeiture provisions, and thus are restricted as to transferability until such forfeiture restrictions have lapsed. A total of 800,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable under the Employee Restricted Stock Plan. Awards under the 2009 Employee Plan are subject to certain limitations as set forth in the Employee Restricted Stock Plan. The Employee Restricted Stock Plan will terminate when all shares of common stock authorized for delivery under the Employee Restricted Stock Plan have been delivered and the forfeiture restrictions on all awards have lapsed, or by action of the Board of Directors pursuant to the Employee Restricted Stock Plan, whichever first occurs.

The Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2006 Director Plan (the Amended Director Plan) on April 16, 2009, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders on June 5, 2009. The Amended Director Plan will become effective upon the Company’s receipt of exemptive relief from the SEC. The Amended Director Plan is intended to amend and restate the 2006 Director Plan by increasing the maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that will be available for issuance under the Amended Director Plan from 100,000 to 200,000. Under the Amended Director Plan, unless otherwise determined by a committee of the Board of Directors comprised of directors who are not eligible for grants under the Amended Director Plan, the Company will grant options to purchase 9,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to an Eligible Director upon election to the Board, with an adjustment for directors who are elected to serve less than a full term. The option price per share may not be less than the current market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. Options granted under the 2006 Director Plan are exercisable annually, as defined in the Amended Director Plan. The term of the options may not exceed ten years.

The Company’s 1996 Stock Option Plan and 1996 Director Plan terminated on May 21, 2006 and no additional shares are available for future issuance. At December 31, 2010, 1,495,968 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding under the 1996 and 2006 plans, of which 1,232,807 shares were exercisable.

 

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The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted average fair value of options granted was $0.96, $0.91, and $1.11 per share for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008. The following assumptions were used for the shares granted during 2010, 2009 and 2008.

 

     Year ended December 31,  
     2010     2009     2008  

Risk free interest rate

     2.77     2.89     3.00

Expected dividend yield

     8.00        8.00        8.00   

Expected life of option in years(1)

     6.00        6.00        5.98   

Expected volatility(2)

     30.00        30.00        30.00   

 

(1) Expected life is calculated using the simplified method.
(2) We determine our expected volatility using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on our historical volatility.

The following table presents the activity for the stock option program under the 1996 and 2006 Stock Option Plans and the 1996 and 2006 Director Plans for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

 

     Number of
Options
    Exercise
Price Per
Share
     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

     1,468,055      $ 3.50-29.25       $ 11.12   

Granted

     429,918        7.79-9.99         9.16   

Cancelled

     (107,736     6.50-29.25         20.33   

Exercised(1)

     (61,050     3.87-7.03         5.79   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

     1,729,187        3.50-18.75         10.25   

Granted

     68,667        7.49-7.62         7.57   

Cancelled

     (295,269     7.68-18.75         16.68   

Exercised(1)

     (26,653     3.50-5.51         4.87   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     1,475,932        3.50-17.94         8.93   

Granted

     68,500        7.17-8.21         8.06   

Cancelled

     (46,264     9.22-17.94         13.79   

Exercised(1)

     (2,200     4.85         4.85   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010(2)

     1,495,968      $ 3.50-14.63       $ 8.75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options exercisable at

       

December 31, 2008

     1,169,585      $ 3.50-29.25       $ 9.70   

December 31, 2009

     1,084,562        3.50-17.94         8.84   

December 31, 2010(2)

     1,232,807        3.50-14.63         8.73   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The aggregate intrinsic value, which represents the difference between the price of the Company’s common stock at the exercise date and the related exercise price of the underlying options, was $8,000, $45,000, and $242,000 for 2010, 2009, and 2008.
(2) The aggregate intrinsic value, which represents the difference between the price of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2010 and the related exercise price of the underlying options, was $1,230,000 for outstanding options and $1,190,000 for exercisable options as of December 31, 2010.

 

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The following table presents the activity for the unvested options outstanding under the plan for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

     Number of
Options
    Exercise Price
Per Share
     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     391,370      $ 7.49-11.24       $ 9.20   

Granted

     68,500        7.17-8.21         8.06   

Cancelled

     (602     9.22         9.22   

Vested

     (196,107     7.49-11.24         9.29   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

     263,161      $ 7.17-11.21       $ 8.83   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The intrinsic value of the options vested was $3,000, $1,000, and $4,000 in 2010, 2009, and 2008.

The following table summarizes information regarding options outstanding and options exercisable at December 31, 2010 under the 1996 and 2006 Stock Option Plans and the 1996 and 2006 Director Plans.

 

     Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  
            Weighted average             Weighted average  

Range of Exercise
Prices

   Shares at
December 31,

2010
     Remaining
contractual life
in years
     Exercise price      Shares at
December 31,
2010
     Remaining
contractual life
in years
     Exercise price  

$3.50-5.51

     348,797         1.53       $ 4.91         348,797         1.53       $ 4.91   

6.89-13.06

     1,130,504         6.08         9.84         867,343         5.53         10.15   

14.63

     16,667         .01         14.63         16,667         .01         14.63   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

$3.50-14.63

     1,495,968         4.95         8.75         1,232,807         4.33         8.73   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(6) QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

The following table presents the Company’s quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

 

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

   March 31      June 30      September 30      December 31  

2010 Quarter Ended

           

Investment income

   $ 9,230       $ 9,360       $ 9,553       $ 9,110   

Net investment income (loss) after income taxes

     2,232         2,940         2,368         2,333   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     109         3,035         3,468         4,667   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per common share

           

Basic

   $ 0.01       $ 0.17       $ 0.20       $ 0.27   

Diluted

     0.01         0.17         0.20         0.27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2009 Quarter Ended

           

Investment income

   $ 10,734       $ 10,613       $ 10,196       $ 9,560   

Net investment income (loss) after income taxes

     1,909         2,116         2,001         2,154   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     1,889         2,003         2,889         (5,759) (1) 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per common share

           

Basic

   $ 0.11       $ 0.11       $ 0.16       ($ 0.33)   

Diluted

     0.11         0.11         0.16         (0.33)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

     March 31         June 30         September 30         December 31   

2008 Quarter Ended

           

Investment income

   $ 14,444       $ 12,730       $ 11,743       $ 13,367   

Net investment income (loss) after income taxes

     3,397         3,825         3,425         4,443   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     3,921         4,377         4,118         2,832   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per common share

           

Basic

   $ 0.22       $ 0.25       $ 0.23       $ 0.16   

Diluted

     0.22         0.25         0.23         0.16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes $9,342 of charges associated with writing off the Company’s investments in the SPAC’s.

(7) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In January 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-01, “Receivables (Topic 310): Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructuring in Update No. 2010-20”, which defers the effective date of the new disclosures about troubled debt restructurings required by ASU 2010-20. The delay will allow the FASB to complete its deliberations on what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The anticipated effective date for the new disclosures is for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011.

In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-29, “Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” the objective of which was to address diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations. The update specifies that a public entity which presents comparative financial statements should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual period only. The amendments in this update are applicable to any public entity which enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or aggregate basis and is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted. Adoption of ASU 2010-29 will not have an impact on the financial condition of the Company as it will only amend future pro forma disclosures of material business combinations.

In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-20, “Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses”, which amends Subtopic 310-30 by requiring an entity to provide enhanced and disaggregated disclosures about the credit quality of an entity’s financing receivables and its allowance for credit losses. The objective of enhancing these disclosures is to improve financial statement users’ understanding of both the nature of an entity’s credit risk associated with its financing receivables and the entity’s assessment of that risk in estimating its allowance for credit losses as well as changes in the allowance and the reason for those changes. The update is effective for the first interim or annual period ending on or after December 15, 2010. The Company has adopted the provisions of FASB ASU 2010-20, and it does not have an impact on its financial condition or results of operations, as it is a disclosure standard.

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820), Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (FASB ASU 2010-06). FASB ASU 2010-06 amends Subtopic 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Overall, and requires new disclosures related to the transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2, as well as requiring that a reporting entity present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements rather than as one net number. Additionally, FASB ASU 2010-06 amends Subtopic 820-10 by clarifying existing disclosures related to level of disaggregation as well as disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. FASB ASU 2010-06 is effective for

 

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reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, these disclosures are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company has adopted the provisions of FASB ASU 2010-06, and it does not have an impact on its financial condition or results of operations, as it is a disclosure standard.

(8) SEGMENT REPORTING

We have one business segment, our lending and investing operations. This segment originates and services medallion, secured commercial, and consumer loans, and invests in both marketable and nonmarketable securities.

(9) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

(a) Employment Agreements

The Company has employment agreements with certain key officers for either a one or five-year term. Annually, the contracts with a five-year term will renew for new five-year terms unless prior to the end of the first year, either the Company or the executive provides notice to the other party of its intention not to extend the employment period beyond the current five-year term. Annually, the contracts with a one-year term will renew for new one-year terms unless prior to the term either the Company or the executive provides notice to the other party of its intention not to extend the employment period beyond the current one-year term. In the event of a change in control, as defined, during the employment period, the agreements provide for severance compensation to the executive in an amount equal to the balance of the salary, bonus, and value of fringe benefits which the executive would be entitled to receive for the remainder of the employment period (see Note 3). As part of Medallion Bank’s participation in the CPP, certain restrictions have been imposed on the compensation of the Company’s senior executive officers that are expected to apply for as long as Medallion Bank continues its participation in the CPP. These restrictions prohibit any payment for departure from a CPP participant or change of control event of a CPP participant, other than a payment for services performed or benefits accrued, to the Company’s senior executive officers and the next five most highly compensated employees.

Employment agreements expire at various dates through 2015. At December 31, 2010, minimum payments under employment agreements are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

      

2011

   $ 991   

2012

     673   

2013

     673   

2014

     673   

2015

     256   

Thereafter

     —     
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,266   
  

 

 

 

(b) Other Commitments

The Company had portfolio commitments outstanding of $414,000 at December 31, 2010. Generally, commitments are on the same terms as loans to or investments in existing borrowers or investees, and generally have fixed expiration dates. Since some commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. In addition, the Company had approximately $5,517,000 of undisbursed funds relating to revolving credit facilities with borrowers. These amounts may be drawn upon at the customer’s request if they meet certain credit requirements.

 

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Commitments for leased premises expire at various dates through June 30, 2016. At December 31, 2010, minimum rental commitments for non-cancelable leases are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

      

2011

   $ 1,187   

2012

     1,067   

2013

     907   

2014

     907   

2015

     907   

Thereafter

     452   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 5,427   
  

 

 

 

Occupancy expense was $1,330,000, $1,275,000, and $1,271,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

(c) Litigation

The Company and its subsidiaries become defendants to various legal proceedings arising from the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, based on the advice of legal counsel, there is no proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of management threatened, which in the event of an adverse decision would result in a material adverse impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

(10) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Certain directors, officers, and shareholders of the Company are also directors and officers of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, MFC, MCI, FSVC, and Medallion Bank, as well as of certain portfolio investment companies. Officer salaries are set by the Board of Directors of the Company, subject to various regulatory constraints imposed by the TARP program (see Note 3).

A member of the Board of Directors of the Company since 1996 is also of counsel in the Company’s primary law firm. Amounts paid to the law firm were approximately $468,000, $522,000, and $404,000 in 2010, 2009, and 2008.

At December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 we serviced $332,053,000, $229,810,000 and $204,055,000 of loans for Medallion Bank. Included in net investment income were amounts as described below that were received from Medallion Bank for services rendered in originating and servicing loans, and also for reimbursement of certain expenses incurred on their behalf.

In December 2010, the Company assigned its servicing rights to the Medallion Bank portfolio to MSC, a wholly-owned unconsolidated portfolio investment. The costs of servicing are allocated to MSC by the Company, and the servicing fee income is billed and collected from Medallion Bank by MSC. As a result, in December 2010, $412,000 of servicing fee income was earned by MSC.

The following table summarizes the net revenues received from Medallion Bank.

 

     Year ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands)

   2010      2009      2008  

Servicing fees

   $ 2,094       $ 1,805       $ 1,492   

Loan origination fees

     819         849         804   

Reimbursement of operating expenses

     509         215         192   

Interest income

     —           2         5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income

   $ 3,422       $ 2,871       $ 2,493   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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SPAC

Included in investments in controlled subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 was $6,961,000 of investments in and loans to a special purpose acquisition company, Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. (the SPAC), 18%-owned by the Company, which consummated its initial public offering (IPO) in January 2008. Immediately prior to the IPO, the Company purchased warrants for $5,900,000 from the SPAC in a private placement which would have allowed it to acquire 5,900,000 additional shares of common stock in the future under various conditions and restrictions. The SPAC was unable to consummate an approved business combination within 24 months of the IPO, as a result, the Company’s entire investment in the SPAC became worthless in January 2010, and was therefore fully reserved for with a $6,961,000 charge to unrealized depreciation during the year ended December 31, 2009, and was fully written off to realized losses in the 2010 first quarter. All of the assets of the SPAC have been used to repay the public stockholders.

The Company had entered into a consulting agreement with ProEminent Sports, whose principal acted as a consultant to the Company for sports related investments and, included within the scope of his duties, also provided services to the SPAC, including serving as its Chief Executive Officer, and assisting generally with the SPAC’s offering and business combination. The Company had paid ProEminent Sports a monthly fee of $20,000, which during 2009 was reduced to $10,000, and then $0. The Company had previously entered into a consulting agreement with GamePlan, LLC which was terminated as of June 1, 2008, when the SPAC entered into its own consulting agreement with GamePlan, LLC. The Company had paid GamePlan, LLC a monthly fee of $10,000.

The Company had agreed to indemnify the SPAC in the event of the SPAC’s liquidation for all claims of any vendors, service providers, or other entities that are owed money by the SPAC for services rendered or contracted for, or for products sold to the SPAC, including claims of any prospective acquisition targets. At December 31, 2009, the SPAC’s liabilities exceeded its cash on hand by $1,581,000. The SPAC negotiated these liabilities downwards, and obtained forbearance from those associated with a failed deal, and during 2010, $1,292,000 of the expenses were paid, $310,000 were forgiven, and there were no remaining claims outstanding.

Certain of the Company’s officers and directors also served as officers and directors of the SPAC, and in that role entered into agreements with the SPAC and its underwriter(s) to present to the SPAC, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, opportunities to acquire entities, until the earlier of the SPAC’s consummation of a business combination, the SPAC’s liquidation, or until such time as they ceased to be an officer or director of the SPAC. The Company entered into a similar agreement.

SPAC 2

Included in deferred costs in other assets at December 31, 2009 was $759,000 of investments in and loans to a special purpose acquisition company, National Security Solutions, Inc. (SPAC 2), 74%-owned by the Company, which was in organization prior to registration with the SEC to register units for sale in an initial public offering. As a result of the market conditions which led to the failure of the SPAC, it was determined to cease activities related to SPAC 2, and as a result, the investment was fully reserved for with a $759,000 charge to unrealized depreciation during the year ended December 31, 2009, and was fully written off to realized losses in the 2010 first quarter. In addition, the Company had additional realized losses of $20,000 in 2010.

(11) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

In November 2003, the Company announced a stock repurchase program which authorized the repurchase of up to $10,000,000 of common stock during the following six months, with an option for the Board of Directors to extend the time frame for completing the purchases, which expires in May 2011. In November 2004, the repurchase program was increased by an additional $10,000,000. As of December 31, 2010, 1,571,968 shares were repurchased for $13,893,646.

 

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(12) NONINTEREST INCOME AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

The major components of noninterest income were as follows.

 

     Year ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands)

   2010      2009      2008  

Servicing fees

   $ 2,462       $ 2,181       $ 1,798   

Prepayment penalties

     729         662         1,343   

Late charges

     192         277         294   

Other

     150         263         402   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

   $ 3,533       $ 3,383       $ 3,837   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The increases in servicing fees primarily reflected the fees earned on the larger serviced Medallion Bank portfolio. Included in prepayment penalties in 2008 was $718,000 related to the early payoff of several large loans. Included in other noninterest income was $90,000 and $86,000 of management fees from the SPAC in 2009 and 2008, and 2008 also included the receipt of an investment partnership income distribution.

The major components of other operating expenses were as follows.

 

     Year ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands)

   2010     2009      2008  

Loan collection costs and other investment costs

   ($ 1,545   $ 1,810       $ 139   

Travel, meals, and entertainment

     866        1,135         620   

Directors fees

     537        579         471   

Miscellaneous taxes

     485        371         546   

Office expense

     338        365         429   

Telephone

     246        242         225   

Insurance

     223        237         232   

Depreciation and amortization

     218        258         387   

Other expenses

     752        915         705   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other operating expenses

   $ 2,120      $ 5,912       $ 3,754   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loan collection and other investment costs decreased primarily reflecting $1,312,000 of expense reversals related to the costs of winding up the operations of the SPAC’s in 2010 that were reclassed to realized losses on investments, and $310,000 that was reversed as a result of favorable negotiations with the creditors of the SPAC, as well as generally more favorable collection activities on the portfolio as a whole. Travel, meals, and entertainment decreased due to a decrease in investment development activities in 2010. Office expense decreased due to lower office repairs and maintenance expenses in 2010, and improved cost cutting measures. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased as more assets became fully depreciated.

 

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(13) SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS AND OTHER DATA

The following table provides selected financial ratios and other data:

 

     Year ended December 31,  

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

Net share data

          

Net asset value at the beginning of the year

   $ 9.27      $ 9.97      $ 9.86      $ 9.73      $ 9.69   

Net investment income

     0.56        0.46        0.85        0.30        0.18   

Income tax (provision) benefit

     0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     (0.43     (0.23     (0.21     0.80        0.17   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

     0.51        (0.17     0.22        (0.23     0.39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     0.64        0.06        0.86        0.87        0.74   

Issuance of common stock

     —          —          —          (0.01     (0.04

Repurchase of common stock

     0.03        —          —          0.01        —     

Distribution of net investment income

     (0.60     (0.76     (0.76     (0.45     (0.44

Distribution of net realized gains on investments

     —          —          —          (0.31     (0.22

Other

     0.01        —          0.01        0.02        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net asset value

     0.08        (0.70     0.11        0.13        0.04   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value at the end of the year(1)

   $ 9.35      $ 9.27      $ 9.97      $ 9.86      $ 9.73   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share market value at beginning of year

   $ 8.17      $ 7.63      $ 10.02      $ 12.37      $ 11.26   

Per share market value at end of year

     8.20        8.17        7.63        10.02        12.37   

Total return(2)

     8     18     (16 %)      (13 %)      16
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/supplemental data

          

Average net assets

   $ 161,620      $ 172,558      $ 174,082      $ 171,503      $ 167,528   

Total expense ratio(3)(4)

     19     21     24     28     23

Operating expenses to average net assets(4)

     10.10        11.43        9.95        10.40        8.91   

Net investment income after taxes to average net assets

     6.11        4.74        8.67        3.09        1.89   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes $0.17, $0.29, $0.08, $0.16, and $0.08 of undistributed net investment income per share as of December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006, and $0.00 of undistributed net realized gains per share for all years presented.
(2) Total return is calculated by dividing the change in market value of a share of common stock during the year, assuming the reinvestment of dividends on the payment date, by the per share market value at the beginning of the year.
(3) Total expense ratio represents total expenses (interest expense, operating expenses, and income taxes) divided by average net assets.
(4) Includes $1,312 of expense reversals related to the costs of winding up the operation of the SPAC’s that were reclassified to realized losses on investments and $310 that was reversed as a result of favorable negotiations with the creditors of SPAC in 2010, and includes $1622 of costs related to winding up the operations of SPAC’s in 2009. Excluding these amounts, the total expense ratios were 20% in 2010 and 2009, and the operating expense ratios were 11.11% and 10.49%.

(14) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has a 401(k) Investment Plan (the 401(k) Plan) which covers all full-time and part-time employees of the Company who have attained the age of 21 and have a minimum of one year of service,

 

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including the employees of Medallion Bank. Under the 401(k) Plan, an employee may elect to defer not less than 1% and no more than 15% of the total annual compensation that would otherwise be paid to the employee, provided, however, that employee’s contributions may not exceed certain maximum amounts determined under the Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions are invested in various mutual funds according to the directions of the employee. The Company matches employee contributions to the 401(k) Plan in an amount per employee up to one-third of such employee’s contribution but in no event greater than 2% of the portion of such employee’s annual salary eligible for 401(k) Plan benefits. The Company’s 401(k) plan expense, including amounts for the employees of Medallion Bank, was approximately $134,000, $111,000, and $82,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

(15) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure of fair value information about certain financial instruments, whether assets, liabilities, or off-balance-sheet commitments, if practicable. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument. Fair value estimates that were derived from broker quotes cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.

(a) Investments—The Company’s investments are recorded at the estimated fair value of such investments.

(b) Floating rate borrowings—Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, the carrying amount approximates fair value.

(c) Commitments to extend credit—The fair value of commitments to extend credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and present creditworthiness of the counter parties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also includes a consideration of the difference between the current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the estimated fair value of these off-balance-sheet instruments was not material.

(d) Fixed rate borrowings—The fair value of the debentures payable to the SBA is estimated based on current market interest rates for similar debt.

 

      December 31, 2010      December 31, 2009  

(Dollars in thousands)

   Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value      Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value  

Financial assets

           

Investments

   $ 483,516       $ 483,516       $ 475,133       $ 475,133   

Cash

     17,303         17,303         33,401         33,401   

Accrued interest receivable

     1,441         1,441         1,661         1,661   

Financial liabilities

           

Funds borrowed

     380,532         380,532         382,522         382,522   

Accrued interest payable

     1,913         1,913         2,207         2,207   

(16) FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The Company accounts for substantially all of its financial instruments at fair value or considers fair value in its measurement, in accordance with the accounting guidance for investment companies. See Note 2 sections “Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities” and “Investment Valuation” for a description of our valuation methodology which is unchanged during 2010.

 

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In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, the Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives 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 required by FASB ASC Topic 820, when the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. For example, a level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (level 1 and 2) and unobservable (level 3). Therefore gains and losses for such assets and liabilities categorized within the level 3 table below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (level 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (level 3).

Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company has the ability to access (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, exchanged-traded derivatives, most US Government and agency securities, and certain other sovereign government obligations).

Level 2. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

  A) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets (for example, restricted stock);

 

  B) Quoted price for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (for example, corporate and municipal bonds, which trade infrequently);

 

  C) Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include most over-the-counter derivatives, including interest rate and currency swaps); and

 

  D) Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include certain residential and commercial mortgage-related assets, including loans, securities, and derivatives).

Level 3. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the assets or liability (examples include certain private equity investments, certain residential and commercial mortgage-related assets (including loans, securities, and derivatives), and long-dated or complex derivatives including certain equity derivatives and long-dated options on gas and power).

A review of fair value hierarchy classification is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in/out of the level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassifications occur.

 

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The following tables present Medallion’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

2010 (Dollars in thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Medallion loans

   $ —         $ —         $ 323,126       $ 323,126   

Commercial loans

     —           —           76,866         76,866   

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     —           —           78,735         78,735   

Equity investments

     280         —           4,509         4,789   

Other assets

     —           37,476         —           37,476   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

2009 (Dollars in thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Medallion loans

   $ —         $ —         $ 321,915       $ 321,915   

Commercial loans

     —           —           77,922         77,922   

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     543         —           71,736         72,279   

Equity investments

     248         —           2,769         3,017   

Other assets

     —           33,822         —           33,822   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in level 3 investments in other controlled subsidiaries is the investment in Medallion Bank, the SPAC, and an investment in a start-up business engaged in media-buying consulting. Also included in level 3 equity investments are unregistered shares of common stock in a publicly-held company, as well as certain private equity positions in non-marketable securities.

The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of Medallion’s level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Investment in
Medallion
Bank & Other
Controlled Subs
    Equity
Investments
    Other
Assets
 

December 31, 2009

   $ 321,915      $ 77,922      $ 71,736      $ 2,769        —     

Gains (losses) included in earnings

     —          (7,021     9,569        1,985        —     

Purchases, investments, and issuances

     201,372        17,111        2,519        1,254        —     

Sales, maturities, settlements, and distributions

     (200,161     (11,146     (5,089     (1,499     —     

Transfers in (out)

     —          —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

     323,126        76,866        78,735        4,509        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts related to held assets(1)

   $ —        ($ 7,203   $ 9,569      $ 545        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for the year which relate to assets held as of December 31, 2010.

 

F-34


Table of Contents

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Investment in
Medallion
Bank & Other
Controlled Subs
    Equity
Investments
    Other
Assets
 

December 31, 2008

   $ 402,964      $ 89,611      $ 71,100      $ 3,026      $ 759   

Gains (losses) included in earnings

     (3     (3,253     (1,526     (816     (1,266

Purchases, investments, and issuances

     169,609        4,702        2,539        559        —     

Sales, maturities, settlements, and distributions

     (250,655     (12,631     (4,027     —          —     

Transfers in (out)(1)

     —          (507     3,650 (1)      —          507   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

     321,915        77,922        71,736        2,769        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts related to held assets(2)

   $ —        ($ 3,505   ($ 5,666   ($ 816   ($ 759
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Reflects the transfer of the investment in Medallion Hampton’s Holdings from level 2 to level 3 as of December 31, 2009.
(2) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for the year which relate to assets held as of December 31, 2009.

(17) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

We have evaluated subsequent events that have occurred through March 11, 2011, the date of financial statement issuance.

On March 1, 2011, FSVC utilized its $7,485,000 commitment from the SBA and issued debentures in the aggregate of $7,485,000, whose proceeds were used to prepay a debenture $7,485,000 that was to mature on September 1, 2011. The debenture will mature in 2021 and carries an interest rate to be set at the pooling date in March 2011, approximating 5.50%.

On February 18, 2011, the Company’s board of directors declared a $0.16 per share common stock dividend, payable on March 25, 2011 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2011.

On January 28, 2011, the Company extended its revolving note agreement with Sterling National Bank to June 30, 2011.

 

F-35


Table of Contents

Medallion Financial Corp.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2010

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Industry    State    Security Type    % Held    # of
Invest.
     % of Total     Interest
Rate(1)
    Investment
Balances
 

Medallion loans

                     

New York

                 604         48     5.52   $ 239,537   

Chicago

                 148         7        6.68        34,762   

Newark

                 127         4        7.81        19,777   

Boston

                 71         4        6.74        18,237   

Cambridge

                 20         1        6.72        5,501   

Other

                 20         1        7.05        5,016   
              

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

                 990         65     5.90     322,830   

Deferred loan acquisition costs

                        296   

Unrealized depreciation on loans

                        —     
                     

 

 

 

Medallion loans, net

                      $ 323,126   
                     

 

 

 

Commercial loans

         

Secured mezzanine (21% Minnesota, 14% Florida, 10% Oklahoma, 8% Indiana, 7% California, 7% Wisconsin, 6% Texas, and 27% all other states)

         

Manufacturing

     18         8     15.07   $ 37,484   

Administrative and support services

     4         2        15.88        8,872   

Wholesale trade

     3         2        14.13        8,614   

Accommodation and food services

     3         1        9.87        3,892   

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

     1         1        10.00        3,071   

Professional, scientific, and technical services

     1         *        10.00        2,406   

Health care and social assistance

     1         *        7.00        1,586   

Information

     3         *        17.63        1,527   

Retail trade

     1         *        10.00        847   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     35         14     14.16      $ 68,299   

Asset-based (85% New York, 9% New Jersey, and 6% all other states)

         

Wholesale trade

     12         1     5.18   $ 4,587   

Transportation and warehousing

     5         *        6.59        1,698   

Retail trade

     7         *        5.58        1,185   

Health care and social assistance

     2         *        6.38        723   

Finance and insurance

     5         *        6.25        598   

Manufacturing

     7         *        6.29        509   

Administrative and support services

     2         *        5.93        479   

Construction

     2         *        5.68        455   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     42         2     5. 72      $ 10,234   

Other secured commercial (86% New York, 12% New Jersey, and 2% Illinois)

         

Accommodation and food services

     8         1     6.10   $ 4,510   

Retail trade

     16         1        10.38        3,131   

Transportation and warehousing

     26         *        6.16        805   

Other services (except public administration)

     6         *        6.18        550   

Real estate and rental and leasing

     3         *        6.32        447   

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

     2         *        6.66        430   
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     61         2     7.50      $ 9,873   

Total

     138         18     12.44   $ 88,406   

Deferred loan acquisition income

            (323

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            (11,217
         

 

 

 

Commercial loans, net

          $ 76,866   
         

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents the weighted average interest rate of the respective portfolio as of the date indicated.

 

F-36


Table of Contents

Medallion Financial Corp.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2010

 

(Dollars in thousands)

  Industry   State     Security Type   % Held     # of
Invest.
    % of
Total
    Interest
Rate(1)
    Investment
Balances
 

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

  

   

Medallion Bank**

  Commercial banking     Utah      Common stock     100     1        15     5.41   $ 74,008   

Salt Lake City, Utah

Medallion Hamptons

Holding LLC

  Real Estate     NY      Membership Interests     100     1        *        0.00        2,261   

437 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Generation Outdoor, Inc.

  Advertising     NY      Common stock     100     1        *        0.00        1,044   

437 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Medallion Servicing Corp.

  Loan Service     NY      Common Stock     100     1        *        0.00        33   

437 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10022

               
           

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

  

    4        16     5.08   $ 77,346   
               

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation on investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

  

    1,389   
               

 

 

 

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries, net

 

  $ 78,735   
               

 

 

 

Equity investments

               

Convergent Capital, Ltd

505 N. Highway 169

Minneapolis MN 35441

  Commercial Finance     Limited Partnership Interest     7     1        *     0.00   $ 1,180   

Restaurant Technologies

940 Apollo Rd. Suite 110

Eagan, MN 55121

  Restaurant Service
Provider
    Common Stock     *        1        *        0.00        990   

PMC Commercial Trust **

17950 Preston Road, Suite 600

Dallas, TX 75252 Aeration

  Real Estate
Investment Trust
    Common Stock     *        1        *        7.55        901   

Industries International, LLC

4100 Peavey Road

Chaska, MN 55318

  Equipment
Manufacturing
    Limited Liability Interest     7.25     1        *        0.00        500   

RPAC Racing, LLC

311 Branson Mill Road

Randleman, NC 27317

  NASCAR Race
Team
    Limited Liability Interest     40.8     1        *        0.00        454   

Tulsa Power, Inc.

913 North Wheeling Ave

Tulsa, OK 74110

  Machinery
Manufacturer
    Common Stock     2     1        *        0.00        318   

On Top

2435 North Central Expressway

Richardson, TX 75080

  Radio Station
Broadcasting
    Ownership Shares     12     1        *        0.00        200   

Star Concessions, Ltd.

8008 Cedar Springs Road,

Terminal Building LB Dallas,

  Airport Food and
Retail
    Limited Partnership Interest     45     1        *        0.00        40   

TX 75235 Metlife

  Insurance     Common Stock     *        1        *        1.67        5   

Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc.**

  Appliance Recycler     Common Stock     8     1        *        0.00        —     

7400 Excelsior Boulevard

Minneapolis, MN 55426-4516

               
         

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

  

    10        1     1.48   $ 4,588   

Unrealized appreciation on equities

  

    201   
               

 

 

 

Equity investments, net

  

  $ 4,789   
               

 

 

 

Investment securities

  

       

Total

  

    —          —       —     $ —     

Unrealized appreciation on investment securities

  

          —     

Investment securities, net

  

        $ —     
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments at cost

  

    1,142        100     6.89   $ 493,170   
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Deferred loan acquisition income

  

    (27

Unrealized appreciation on investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

  

    1,389   

Unrealized depreciation on equities

  

    201   

Unrealized depreciation on loans

  

    (11,217
               

 

 

 

Net Investments ($260,111 pledged as collateral under borrowing arrangements)

  

  $ 483,516   
               

 

 

 

 

* Less than 1.0%
** Not an eligible portfolio company as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(46) of the 1940 Act.
(1) Represents the weighted average interest rate of the respective portfolio as of the date indicated.

 

F-37


Table of Contents

Medallion Financial Corp.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2009

 

(Dollars in thousands)

  

Industry

   State    Security
Type
   %
Held
   # of
Invest.
     % of
Total
    Interest
Rate (1)
    Investment
Balances
 

Medallion loans

                     

New York

     741         51     5.90   $ 244,082   

Chicago

     119         5        6.91        25,868   

Newark

     148         5        7.98        21,790   

Boston

     87         5        7.14        21,383   

Cambridge

     17         1        7.10        3,025   

Other

     22         1        7.14        5,435   
              

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     1,134         68     6.23     321,583   

Deferred loan acquisition costs

            332   

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            —     
                     

 

 

 

Medallion loans, net

          $ 321,915   
                     

 

 

 

Commercial loans

                     

Secured mezzanine (20% Minnesota, 11% Oklahoma, 11% Wisconsin, 11% Florida, 8% California, 7% Indiana, 7% Texas, and 25% all other states)

         
   Manufacturing      17         7     14.68   $ 33,918   
   Administrative and support services      6         2        17.32        9,316   
   Wholesale trade      3         2        13.54        8,750   
   Accommodation and food services      3         1        10.02        3,308   
   Professional, scientific, and technical services      1         *        19.00        2,436   
   Health care and social assistance      1         *        7.00        1,703   
   Information      2         *        17.63        1,527   
   Retail trade      1         *        10.00        876   
              

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     34         12     14.63      $ 61,834   

Asset-based (77% New York, 17% New Jersey, and 6% all other states)

         
   Wholesale trade      10         1     5.17   $ 4,185   
   Transportation and warehousing      5         *        6.70        1,662   
   Retail trade      6         *        5.64        700   
   Manufacturing      6         *        6.42        679   
   Finance and insurance      6         *        6.15        676   
   Administrative and support services      2         *        5.74        405   
   Health care and social assistance      1         *        5.50        377   
   Construction      3         *        6.47        307   
              

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     39         2     5. 74      $ 8,991   

Other secured commercial (88% New York, 10% New Jersey, and 2% Illinois)

         
   Accommodation and food services      8         1     6.29   $ 4,781   
   Retail trade      18         1        10.44        3,920   
   Other services (except public administration)      7         *        7.38        1,131   
   Transportation and warehousing      69         *        6.79        903   
   Real estate and rental and leasing      4         *        7.27        525   
   Arts, entertainment, and recreation      2         *        8.50        446   
              

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

     108         2     7.95      $ 11,706   

Total

     181         16     12.71   $ 82,531   

Deferred loan acquisition income

            (373

Unrealized depreciation on loans

            (4,236
                     

 

 

 

Commercial loans, net

          $ 77,922   
                     

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents the weighted average interest rate of the respective portfolio as of the date indicated.

 

F-38


Table of Contents

Medallion Financial Corp.

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2009

 

(Dollars in thousands)

  Industry   State   Security Type   % Held     # of
Invest.
    % of
Total
    Interest
Rate (1)
    Investment
Balances
 

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

  

Medallion Bank**

  Commercial banking   Utah   Common stock     100     1        14     5.88   $ 68,000   

Salt Lake City, Utah
Medallion Hamptons
Holding LLC

  Real Estate   NY   Membership
Interests
    100     1        *        0.00        2,057   

437 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Sports Properties
Acquisition Corp

  Special Purpose
Acquisition
Company
  NY   Common Stock     18     1        1        0.00        543   

437 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Generation Outdoor, Inc.

  Advertising   NY   Common stock     100     1        *        0.00        86   

437 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022

               
           

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

  

    4        15     5.53   $ 70,686   

Unrealized appreciation on investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

  

    1,593   
               

 

 

 

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries, net

 

  $ 72,279   
               

 

 

 

Equity investments

               

Restaurant Technologies

  Restaurant Service
Provider
    Common Stock     *        1        *     0.00   $ 990   

940 Apollo Rd. Suite 110
Eagan, MN 55121
Tulsa Power, Inc.

  Machinery
Manufacturer
    Common Stock     2     1        *        0.00        318   

913 North Wheeling Ave
Tulsa, OK 74110
PMC Commercial Trust**

  Real Estate
Investment Trust
    Common Stock     *        1        *        9.39        901   

17950 Preston Road, Suite 600
Dallas, TX 75252
Convergent Capital, Ltd

  Commercial Finance     Limited
Partnership
Interest
    7     1        *        0.00        880   

505 N. Highway 169
Minneapolis MN 35441
On Top

  Radio Station
Broadcasting
    Ownership
Shares
    12     1        *        0.00        200   

2435 North Central Expressway
Richardson, TX 75080
Micromedics, Inc.

  Medical Device
Manufacturer
    Common Stock     *        1        *        0.00        59   

1270 Eagan Industrial Road
St. Paul, MN 55121-1385
Star Concessions, Ltd.

  Airport Food and
Retail
    Limited
Partnership
Interest
    45     1        *        0.00        40   

8008 Cedar Springs Road, Terminal Building LB Dallas,
TX 75235 Metlife

  Insurance     Common Stock     *        1        *        2.09        5   

Appliance Recycling
Centers of America, Inc.**

  Appliance Recycler     Common Stock     *        1        *        0.00        —     

7400 Excelsior Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55426-4516

               
         

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

  

    9        1     2.50   $ 3,393   

Unrealized appreciation on equities

  

    (376
               

 

 

 

Equity investments, net

  

  $ 3,017   
               

 

 

 

Investment securities

               
               

Total

  

    —                $ —     

Unrealized appreciation on investment securities

  

    —     

Investment securities, net

  

  $ —     
               

 

 

 

Total investments at cost

  

    1,328        100     7.22   $ 478,193   
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Deferred loan acquisition income

  

    (41

Unrealized appreciation on investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

  

    1,593   

Unrealized depreciation on equities

  

    (376

Unrealized depreciation on loans

  

    (4,236
               

 

 

 

Net Investments ($261,332 pledged as collateral under borrowing arrangements)

  

  $ 475,133   
               

 

 

 

 

* Less than 1.0%
** Not an eligible portfolio company as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(46) of the 1940 Act.
(1) Represents the weighted average interest rate of the respective portfolio as of the date indicated.

 

F-39


Table of Contents

Medallion Bank

(A wholly owned subsidiary of Medallion Financial Corp.)

Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and, 2008

 

F-40


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of Medallion Bank

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Medallion Bank (the “Bank”) (a wholly owned subsidiary of Medallion Financial Corp.) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholder’s equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Bank’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Bank as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles.

WeiserMazars LLP

New York, New York

March 11, 2011

 

F-41


Table of Contents

Medallion Bank

Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the years ended December 31,

 

     2010      2009      2008  

Interest income

        

Investments

   $ 733,062       $ 843,811       $ 1,365,464   

Loan interest including fees

     46,539,768         43,837,041         39,938,001   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest income

     47,272,830         44,680,852         41,303,465   

Interest expense

     7,477,813         11,045,599         14,933,771   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income

     39,795,017         33,635,253         26,369,694   

Provision for loan losses

     12,137,566         14,770,611         11,300,146   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

     27,657,451         18,864,642         15,069,548   

Noninterest income

     520,346         429,192         538,514   

Gain (loss) on sale of assets

     602,501         692,209         (88,794

Noninterest expense

        

Loan servicing

     4,256,213         3,540,161         3,140,221   

Salaries and benefits

     2,644,882         2,477,571         2,276,077   

Collection costs

     1,454,941         1,661,197         1,050,886   

Regulatory fees

     670,272         709,944         408,248   

Professional fees

     537,919         472,183         356,579   

Affiliate services

     368,666         91,859         97,377   

Occupancy and equipment

     185,638         202,753         201,214   

Insurance

     125,096         110,748         61,945   

Credit reports

     105,282         146,214         199,321   

Other

     478,192         445,356         762,451   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noninterest expense

     10,827,101         9,857,986         8,554,319   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     17,953,197         10,128,057         6,964,949   

Provision for income taxes

     6,717,896         3,659,200         2,775,621   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

     11,235,301         6,468,857         4,189,328   

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     32,546         97,327         (64,096
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

   $ 11,267,847       $ 6,566,184       $ 4,125,232   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Medallion Bank

Balance Sheets

December 31,

 

      2010     2009  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents, substantially all of which are federal funds sold

   $ 16,980,157      $ 13,340,004   

Investment securities, available-for-sale

     20,786,953        21,060,613   

Loans, inclusive of net deferred loan acquisition costs

     529,991,684        432,406,130   

Allowance for loan losses

     (13,613,958     (13,553,258
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans, net

     516,377,726        418,852,872   

Repossessed loan collateral

     1,520,374        1,561,008   

Fixed assets, net

     90,096        138,418   

Deferred and other tax assets

     4,978,573        3,272,806   

Accrued interest receivable and other assets

     7,915,618        6,962,481   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     568,649,497      $ 465,188,202   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and shareholder’s equity

    

Liabilities

    

Federal funds purchased

   $ 3,000,000      $ —     

Time deposits

     465,957,000        371,719,000   

Accrued interest payable

     1,155,010        1,508,527   

Other liabilities

     2,519,070        2,362,364   

Due to affiliates

     1,113,014        730,377   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     473,744,094        376,320,268   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     —          —     

Shareholder’s equity

    

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 22,143 shares authorized, 22,143 issued and outstanding

     21,498,000        21,498,000   

Common stock, $1 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 1,000,000 issued and outstanding

     1,000,000        1,000,000   

Additional paid in capital

     51,500,000        51,500,000   

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

     89,885        57,339   

Retained earnings

     20,817,518        14,812,595   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholder’s equity

     94,905,403        88,867,934   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity

   $ 568,649,497      $ 465,188,202   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Medallion Bank

Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

 

     Preferred Stock     Common Stock                          
     Shares
Outstanding
    Amount     Shares
Outstanding
    Amount     Additional
Paid in
Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Retained
Earnings
    Total
Shareholder’s
Equity
 

Balance at December 31, 2007

    —        $ —          1,000,000      $ 1,000,000      $ 39,000,000      $ 24,108      $ 14,869,013      $ 54,893,121   

Capital contributions

    —          —          —          —          10,750,000        —          —          10,750,000   

Net income

    —          —          —          —          —          —          4,189,328        4,189,328   

Dividends paid to parent

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (6,000,000     (6,000,000

Net change in unrealized losses on investment securities, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          (64,096     —          (64,096
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2008

      —          1,000,000        1,000,000        49,750,000        (39,988     13,058,341        63,768,353   

Sale of preferred stock to US Treasury under TARP

    22,143        21,498,000        —          —          —          —          —          21,498,000   

Capital contributions

    —          —          —          —          1,750,000        —          —          1,750,000   

Net income

    —          —          —          —          —          —          6,468,857        6,468,857   

Dividends declared to parent

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (4,000,000     (4,000,000

Dividends declared to US Treasury

                (714,603     (714,603

Net change in unrealized gains on investment securities, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          97,327        —          97,327   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

    22,143        21,498,000        1,000,000        1,000,000        51,500,000        57,339        14,812,595        88,867,934   

Net income

    —          —          —          —          —          —          11,235,301        11,235,301   

Dividends declared to parent

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (4,000,000     (4,000,000

Dividends declared to US Treasury

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (1,230,378     (1,230,378

Net change in unrealized gains on investment securities, net of tax

    —          —          —          —          —          32,546        —          32,546   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

    22,143      $ 21,498,000        1,000,000      $ 1,000,000      $ 51,500,000      $ 89,885      $ 20,817,518      $ 94,905,403   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Medallion Bank

Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31,

 

     2010     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities

      

Net income from operations

   $ 11,235,301      $ 6,468,857      $ 4,189,328   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     3,528,235        3,327,188        2,269,245   

Provision for loan losses

     12,137,566        14,770,611        11,300,146   

Deferred and other tax assets

     (1,725,294     (1,681,690     (679,890

Loss from disposal of premises and equipment

     —          28,043        —     

(Gain) loss from sale of repossessed loan collateral

     (612,055     (669,139     84,132   

Gain from sale of investments

     —          (34,426     (91,624

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Interest receivable

     178,746        21,585        (488,116

Other assets

     (338,846     (2,532,716     (397,208

Interest payable

     (353,517     (2,147,012     (61,783

Other liabilities

     8,933        (12,199     (2,015,653

Taxes payable

     —          (106,199     (792,726
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     24,059,069        17,432,903        13,315,851   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

      

Increase in loans, net

     (117,996,963     (45,413,424     (99,249,706

Purchase of investments

     (8,786,206     (7,308,237     (7,026,468

Purchase of other investment assets

     (1,800,000     —          —     

Proceeds from sale of investments

     —          3,095,541        —     

Proceeds from maturity of investments

     9,088,732        3,361,187        8,669,300   

Proceeds from sale of repossessed inventory

     6,547,376        7,310,441        3,242,090   

Purchase of premises and equipment

     (9,888     (32,582     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (112,956,949     (38,987,074     (94,364,784
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

      

Issuance of time deposits

     659,538,000        497,230,000        446,205,000   

Payments made at maturity of time deposits

     (565,300,000     (491,919,000     (378,880,000

Federal funds purchased

     33,000,000        26,000,000        10,500,000   

Payments made at maturity of federal funds purchased

     (30,000,000     (26,000,000     (10,500,000

Issuance of Preferred Stock

     —          21,498,000        —     

Change in due to affiliates

     382,637        395,308        1,349,887   

Proceeds from capital contributions

     —          1,750,000        10,750,000   

Dividends paid to parent

     (4,000,000     (3,000,000     (6,000,000

Dividends paid to US Treasury

     (1,082,604     (460,888     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     92,538,033        25,493,420        73,424,887   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     3,640,153        3,939,249        (7,624,046

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year

     13,340,004        9,400,755        17,024,801   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year

   $ 16,980,157      $ 13,340,004      $ 9,400,755   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

      

Cash paid for interest

   $ 6,824,341      $ 12,122,869      $ 14,039,515   

Cash paid for income taxes

     8,445,000        5,390,000        3,400,625   

Non-cash investing activities—loans transferred to repossessed loan collateral

     13,478,072        13,138,867        9,535,278   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Medallion Bank

Notes to Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2010

1. Organization and summary of significant accounting policies

Description of business—Medallion Bank (the Bank) is a limited service industrial bank headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bank was formed in May 2002 for the purpose of obtaining an industrial bank (IB) charter pursuant to the laws of the State of Utah. The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Medallion Financial Corp. (Medallion). The Bank originates asset-based commercial loans and commercial loans to finance the purchase of taxi medallions (licenses), both of which are marketed and serviced by the Bank’s affiliates who have extensive prior experience in these asset groups. The Bank originates consumer loans on a national basis that are secured by marine, recreational vehicle, and trailer products to customers with prior credit blemishes. The Bank also originates unsecured consumer loans to finance hearing aids. The loans are financed primarily with time certificates of deposits which are originated nationally through a variety of brokered deposit relationships.

Basis of presentation—The Bank’s financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US and prevailing industry practices, which require management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates, by their nature, are based upon judgment and available information. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents—The Bank considers all highly liquid instruments with an original purchased maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. A non-interest bearing compensating balance of $100,000 is maintained at Zion’s Bank. Cash balances are generally held in accounts at large national or regional banking organizations in amounts that frequently exceed the federally insured limits.

Investment securities—FASB ASC Topic 320, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities,” requires that all applicable investments be classified as trading securities, available-for-sale securities, or held-to-maturity securities. Investment securities are purchased from time-to-time in the open market at prices that are greater or lesser than the par value of the investment. The resulting premium or discount is deferred and recognized on a level yield basis as an adjustment to the yield of the related investment. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the net premium on investment securities totaled $164,000 and $185,000, and $67,000, $69,000, and ($14,000) was (accreted) amortized to interest income for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008. The Bank had $20,787,000 and $21,061,000 of available-for-sale securities at fair value as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. The topic further requires that held-to-maturity securities be reported at amortized cost and available-for-sale securities be reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings at the date of the financial statements, and reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholder’s equity, net of the effect of income taxes, until they are sold. The Bank had $144,000 of pretax net unrealized gains and $92,000 of pretax net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2010 and 2009. At the time of sale, any gains or losses, calculated by the specific identification method, will be recognized as a component of operating results and any amounts previously included in shareholder’s equity, which were recorded net of the income tax effect, will be reversed.

Loans—Loans are reported at the principal amount outstanding, inclusive of deferred loan acquisition costs, which primarily includes deferred fees paid to loan originators, and which is amortized to interest income over the life of the loan.

Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the yield of the related loans. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, net loan origination costs were $5,528,000 and $5,553,000. Net amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 was $2,242,000, $1,826,000, and $2,182,000.

 

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Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Taxicab medallion and commercial loans are placed on nonaccrual status, and all uncollected accrued interest is reversed, when there is doubt as to the collectability of interest or principal, or if loans are 90 days or more past due, unless management has determined that they are both well-secured and in the process of collection. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is generally recognized when cash is received, unless a determination has been made to apply all cash receipts to principal. The consumer portfolio has different characteristics compared to commercial loans, typified by a larger number of lower dollar loans that have similar characteristics. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is likely the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the original loan agreement. Management considers loans that are in bankruptcy status, but have not been charged-off, to be impaired. These loans are placed on nonaccrual, when they become 90 days past due, or earlier if they enter bankruptcy, and are charged off in their entirety when deemed uncollectible, or when they become 120 days past due, whichever occurs first, at which time appropriate collection and recovery efforts against both the borrower and the underlying collateral are initiated. Other loans are charged off when management determines that a loss has occurred. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are charged off is reversed against interest income. For the recreational consumer loan portfolio, the process to repossess the collateral is started at 60 days past due. If the collateral is not located and the account reaches 120 days delinquent, the account is charged off. If the collateral is repossessed, a loss is recorded to write the loan down to its fair value less selling costs, and the collateral is sent to auction. When the collateral is sold, the net auction proceeds are applied to the account, and any remaining balance is written off, and any excess proceeds are recorded as a realized gain. Proceeds collected on charged off accounts are recorded as a recovery. Total loans 90 days or more past due were $2,246,000, $3,861,000, and $4,345,000 at December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

At December 31, 2010, $2,686,000 or 1% of consumer loans, $329,000 or less than 1% of commercial loans, and no medallion loans were on nonaccrual, compared to $3,321,000 or 2% of consumer loans, $1,124,000 or 2% of commercial loans, and no medallion loans on nonaccrual at December 31, 2009. The amount of interest income on nonaccrual loans that would have been recognized if the loans had been paying in accordance with their original terms was $138,000, $233,000, and $131,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

These loans are charged-down to fair value and placed on nonaccrual status. Fair value is determined based upon comparable market prices for substantially similar collateral plus management’s estimate of disposal costs. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash basis until qualifying for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Allowance for loan losses—In analyzing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, the Bank uses historical delinquency and actual loss rates. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, prevailing economic conditions, and excess concentration risks. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Credit losses are deducted from the allowance and subsequent recoveries are added.

Fixed assets—Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense while significant improvements are capitalized. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Capitalized leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or the remaining lease term.

 

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Income taxes—The Bank uses the asset and liability method in providing income taxes on all transactions that have been recognized in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their existing tax bases. The Bank files its tax returns on a separate company basis.

Other comprehensive income (loss)—The Bank had $33,000, $97,000, and ($64,000) of net unrealized gains (losses) due to the mark-to-market of available-for-sale securities for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008. The Bank had no other components of comprehensive income (loss).

Restrictions on dividends, loans, and advances—Banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid and loans or advances made by the Bank to Medallion. The total amount of dividends that may be paid at any date is generally limited to the retained earnings of the Bank. However, dividends paid by the Bank would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum standards. The Bank was restricted from paying dividends in the first three years of operations, and was further limited to $4,000,000 per annum under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) program (see Note 13).

Fair value of financial instruments—The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure of fair value information about certain financial instruments, whether assets, liabilities, or off-balance-sheet commitments, if practicable.

Fair value of assets and liabilities—The Bank follows FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” (FASB ASC 820), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as an exit price (i.e. a price that would be received to sell, as opposed to acquire, an asset or transfer a liability), and emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement. It establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent external sources and the reporting entities own assumptions. Further, it specifies that fair value measurement should consider adjustment for risk, such as the risk inherent in the valuation technique or its inputs. See also Notes 11 and 12 to the financial statements.

Reclassifications—Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year balances to conform with the current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the previously reported results of operations.

Recently issued accounting standards—In January 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-01, “Receivables (Topic 310): Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructuring in Update No. 2010-20”, which defers the effective date of the new disclosures about troubled debt restructurings required by ASU 2010-20. The delay will allow the FASB to complete its deliberations on what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The anticipated effective date for the new disclosures is for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011.

In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-29, “Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” the objective of which was to address diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations. The update specifies that a public entity which presents comparative financial statements should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual period only. The amendments in this update are applicable to any public entity which enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or aggregate basis and is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted. Adoption of ASU 2010-29 will not have an impact on the financial condition of the Company as it will only amend future pro forma disclosures of material business combinations.

 

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In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-20, “Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses”, which amends Subtopic 310-30 by requiring an entity to provide enhanced and disaggregated disclosures about the credit quality of an entity’s financing receivables and its allowance for credit losses. The objective of enhancing these disclosures is to improve financial statement users’ understanding of both the nature of an entity’s credit risk associated with its financing receivables and the entity’s assessment of that risk in estimating its allowance for credit losses as well as changes in the allowance and the reason for those changes. The update is effective for the first interim or annual period ending on or after December 15, 2010. The Company has adopted the provisions of FASB ASU 2010-20, and it does not have an impact on its financial condition or results of operations, as it is a disclosure standard.

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820), Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (FASB ASU 2010-06). FASB ASU 2010-06 amends Subtopic 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Overall, and requires new disclosures related to the transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2, as well as requiring that a reporting entity present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements rather than as one net number. Additionally, FASB ASU 2010-06 amends Subtopic 820-10 by clarifying existing disclosures related to level of disaggregation as well as disclosures about inputs and valuation techniques. FASB ASU 2010-06 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, these disclosures are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company has adopted the provisions of FASB ASU 2010-06, and it does not have an impact on its financial condition or results of operations, as it is a disclosure standard.

2. Loans and allowance for loan losses

Loans are summarized as follows at December 31.

 

Loans

   2010      2009  

Consumer

   $ 190,081,160       $ 193,910,007   

Medallion

     260,808,393         160,402,960   

Commercial:

     

Asset-based

     67,593,066         66,333,326   

Construction

     5,275,581         4,716,052   

Other commercial

     705,372         1,490,611   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commercial

     73,574,019         72,539,989   

Deferred loan acquisition costs, net

     5,528,112         5,553,174   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans

   $ 529,991,684       $ 432,406,130   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Changes in the allowance for loan losses are summarized as follows.

 

Balance at 12/31/07

   $ 7,311,430   

Provision for loan losses

     11,300,146   

Loan charge-offs

     (9,565,538

Recoveries

     1,761,779   
  

 

 

 

Balance at 12/31/08

     10,807,817   

Provision for loan losses

     14,770,611   

Loan charge-offs

     (15,049,272

Recoveries

     3,024,102   
  

 

 

 

 

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Balance at 12/31/09

     13,553,258   

Provision for loan losses

     12,137,566   

Loan charge-offs

     (15,090,072 ) 

Recoveries

     3,013,206   
  

 

 

 

Balance at 12/31/10

   $ 13,613,958   
  

 

 

 

The loan charge-offs and recoveries resulted primarily from the consumer portfolio.

The composition of and changes in the allowance for credit losses and recorded investment in loans were as follows for the year ended as of December 31, 2010.

 

     Medallion      Asset-based
and
commercial
     Construction     Consumer     Total  

Balance at 12/31/09

   $ 724,477       $ 995,000       $ 319,605      $ 11,514,176      $ 13,553,258   

Provision for loan losses

     534,576         18,894         494,955        11,089,141        12,137,566   

Loan charge-offs

     —           —           (739,430     (14,350,642     (15,090,072

Recoveries

     —           —           —          3,013,206        3,013,206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 12/31/10

   $ 1,259,053       $ 1,013,894       $ 75,130      $ 11,265,881      $ 13,613,958   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

   $ —         $ 1,013,894       $ 75,130      $ —        $ 1,089,024   

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     1,259,053         —           —          11,265,881        12,524,934   

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

     —           —           —          —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loan balances at 12/31/10

   $ 260,808,393       $ 68,298,438       $ 5,275,581      $ 190,081,160      $ 524,463,572   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Individually evaluated for impairment

     —           68,298,438         5,275,581        —          73,574,019   

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     260,808,393         —           —          190,081,160        450,889,553   

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

     —           —           —          —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Note 1 to the financial statements, which describes the nature of the portfolios, their collection and income recognition processes, and the methodology used to assess the adequacy of the allowance.

The medallion and asset-based loan portfolios are primarily collateral-based lending, whereby the collateral value exceeds the amount of the loan, providing sufficient excess collateral to protect against losses to the Bank. The adequacy of these amounts is demonstrated by the minimal loss experience in these portfolios since the Bank’s inception. Generally, these portfolios are analyzed and evaluated in the aggregate, as a pool of loans, until becoming nonperforming, at which time they receive more individualized attention.

The consumer loan portfolio is primarily customer driven, whereby borrowers are assessed a score based on income level, home ownership, FICO score, and other factors weighted in a credit scoring model that determines whether a borrower is qualified. Loan losses in this portfolio fluctuate with economic conditions, and can range widely over time. The consumer loan portfolio is analyzed and evaluated in the aggregate, as a pool of loans.

Other commercial or construction loans are infrequent, and made on a case by case basis, after performing thorough borrower review, credit, and collateral checks. The risks associated with these types of loans is individual to that particular credit, and they are monitored and tracked closely.

 

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Allocations for the allowance for credit losses may be made for specific loans, but the allowance is general in nature and is available to absorb losses from any loan type.

The following table provides a summary of the loan portfolio by its performance status and by type.

 

     Performing      Nonperforming      Total  
     2010      2009      2010      2009      2010      2009  

Medallion

   $ 260,808,393       $ 160,402,960       $ —         $ —         $ 260,808,393       $ 160,402,960   

Asset-based and commercial

     68,298,438         67,823,937         —           —           68,298,438         67,823,937   

Construction

     4,946,581         3,592,052         329,000         1,124,000         5,275,581         4,716,052   

Consumer

     187,395,160         190,589,007         2,686,000         3,321,000         190,081,160         193,910,007   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 521,448,572       $ 422,407,956       $ 3,015,000       $ 4,445,000       $ 524,463,572       $ 426,852,956   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table provides additional information on attributes of the nonperforming loan portfolio.

 

December 31, 2010

  Recorded
Investment
    Unpaid Principal
Balance
    Related
Allowance
    Average Recorded
Investment
    Interest Income
Recognized
 

With no related allowance recorded

         

Medallion

  $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Asset—based and commercial

    —          —          —          —          —     

Construction

    267,000        267,000        —          602,627        —     

Consumer

    —          —          —          —          —     

With an allowance recorded

         

Medallion

    —          —          —          —          —     

Asset—based and commercial

    —          —          —          —          —     

Construction

    62,396        62,396        936        62,396        4,078   

Consumer

    2,686,000        2,686,000        159,047        2,770,412        238,640   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

         

Medallion

    —          —          —          —          —     

Asset—based and commercial

    —          —          —          —          —     

Construction

    329,396        329,396        936        665,023        4,078   

Consumer

  $ 2,686,000      $ 2,686,000      $ 159,047      $ 2,770,412      $ 238,640   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The table below shows the aging of all loan types as of December 31, 2010.

 

    Days Past Due                 Recorded
Investment >90
Days and
Accruing
 
    31-60     61-90     90 +     Total Past Due     Current     Total    

Medallion loans

  $ 399,942      $ —        $ 194,348      $ 594,290      $ 260,214,103      $ 260,808,393      $ 194,348   

Asset—based and commercial loans

    —          —          —          —          68,298,438        68,298,438        —     

Construction loans

    —          —          329,396        329,396        4,946,185        5,275,581        —     

Consumer loans

    7,980,517        2,445,193        1,722,636        12,148,346        177,932,814        190,081,160        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 8,380,459      $ 2,445,193      $ 2,246,380      $ 13,072,032      $ 511,391,540      $ 524,463,572      $ 194,348   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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3. Investment securities

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2010 consist of the following.

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair Value  

Mortgage-backed securities, principally obligations of US federal agencies

   $ 19,491,568       $ 374,432       $ 215,580       $ 19,650,420   

State and municipalities

     1,151,570         2,873         17,910         1,136,533   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20,643,138       $ 377,305       $ 233,490       $ 20,786,953   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale at December 31, 2009 consist of the following.

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair Value  

Mortgage-backed securities, principally obligations of US federal agencies

   $ 18,073,870       $ 280,066       $ 138,807       $ 18,215,129   

State and municipalities

     2,895,000         8,712         58,228         2,845,484   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20,968,870       $ 288,778       $ 197,035       $ 21,060,613   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amortized cost and estimated market value of investment securities as of December 31, 2010 by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

     Amortized Cost      Market Value  

Due in one year or less

   $ —         $ —     

Due after one year through five years

     —           —     

Due after five years through ten years

     4,094,307         4,165,088   

Due after ten years

     16,548,831         16,621,865   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20,643,138       $ 20,786,953   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Information pertaining to securities with gross unrealized losses at December 31, 2010 and 2009 aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position follows.

 

     Less than Twelve Months      Over Twelve Months  

December 31, 2010

   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair Value  

Mortgage-backed securities, principally obligations of US federal agencies

   $ 215,580       $ 4,910,469       $ —         $ —     

State and municipalities

     17,910         482,090         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 233,490       $ 5,392,559       $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Less than Twelve Months      Over Twelve Months  

December 31, 2009

   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair Value      Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair Value  

Mortgage-backed securities, principally obligations of US federal agencies

   $ 138,807       $ 4,070,002         —           —     

State and municipalities

     47,913         1,497,087       $ 10,315       $ 489,685   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 186,720       $ 5,567,089       $ 10,315       $ 489,685   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Unrealized losses on securities have not been recognized into income because the issuers’ bonds are of high credit quality, and the Bank has the intent and ability to hold the securities for the foreseeable future. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach the maturity date.

4. Fixed assets

Fixed assets and their related useful lives at December 31 were as following.

 

     Useful lives      2010     2009  

Computer software

     3 years       $ 121,657      $ 117,153   

Furniture and fixtures

     5-10 years         95,740        92,895   

Leasehold improvements

     3-5 years         75,568        75,568   

Equipment

     5 years         61,022        58,483   

Telephone equipment

     3 years         36,846        36,846   

Deposit system

     3 years         13,975        13,975   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        404,808        394,920   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

        (314,712     (256,502
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net fixed assets

      $ 90,096      $ 138,418   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation expense was $58,000, $73,000, and $81,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

5. Deposits and federal funds purchased

At December 31, 2010 the scheduled maturities of all time deposits were as follows.

 

2011

   $ 355,219,000   

2012

     43,389,000   

2013

     67,349,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 465,957,000   
  

 

 

 

All time deposits are in denominations of less than $100,000 and have been originated through Certificate of Deposit Broker relationships. The weighted average interest rate of deposits outstanding at December 31, 2010 was 1.34%.

In January 2004, Medallion Bank commenced raising deposits to fund the purchase of various affiliates’ loan portfolios. Deposits are raised through the use of investment brokerage firms who package deposits qualifying for FDIC insurance into pools that are sold to Medallion Bank. The rates paid on the deposits are highly competitive with market rates paid by other financial institutions. Additionally, a brokerage fee of 0.15% to 0.50% is paid, depending on the maturity of the deposit, which is capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the life of the respective pool. The total amount capitalized at December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $883,000 and $670,000, and $1,007,000, $1,069,000, and $956,000 was amortized to interest expense during 2010, 2009, and 2008. Interest on the deposits is accrued daily and paid monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or at maturity.

At December 31, 2010, the Bank had unsecured Federal Funds lines with correspondent banks of $30,000,000, of which $3,000,000 was borrowed at December 31, 2010.

 

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6. Income taxes

The components of the provisions for income taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31,

 

     2010      2009     2008  

Current

       

Federal

   $ 5,746,992       $ 4,175,929      $ 2,979,078   

State

     947,996         688,800        476,433   

Deferred

       

Federal

     19,971         (1,050,974     (592,725

State

     2,937         (154,555     (87,165
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net provision for income taxes

   $ 6,717,896       $ 3,659,200      $ 2,775,621   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table reconciles the provision for income taxes to the US federal statutory income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008.

 

     2010     2009     2008  

US federal statutory tax rate

     34.0     34.0     34.0

State taxes

     3.5        4.5        5.6   

Prior year under (over) accrual

     —          (1.0     —     

Other

     (0.1     (1.4     0.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective income tax rate

     37.4     36.1     39.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Bank files its tax returns on a separate company basis.

Deferred tax and other asset balances reflected in the balance sheet were as follows as of December 31,

 

     2010     2009  

Provision for loan losses

   $ 5,077,949      $ 5,055,307   

Deferred loan acquisition costs

     (2,138,361     (2,118,211

Unrealized (gains) losses on investments

     (53,931     (34,404

Other

     (131,448     (106,048
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

     2,754,209        2,796,644   

Overpayment of estimated taxes

     2,224,364        476,162   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax and other assets

   $ 4,978,573      $ 3,272,806   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible pursuant to ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Management considers the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Management’s evaluation of the realizability of deferred tax assets must consider both positive and negative evidence. The weight given to the potential effects of positive and negative evidence is based on the extent to which it can be objectively verified. Based on these considerations, no valuation allowance was deemed necessary as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

The Bank has filed US Federal tax returns as well as tax returns with the State of Utah. Tax years 2007 through the present are open for examination.

 

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7. Other transactions with affiliates

The Bank’s taxi medallion, asset-based commercial, and certain other construction loans aggregated $332,053,000 and $229,810,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009. These loans are originated and serviced by the affiliates. The Bank paid $2,094,000, $1,805,000, and $1,492,000 for loan servicing fees to Medallion for 2010, 2009, and 2008, and also in 2010, paid $412,000 to another Medallion affiliate. Origination fees of $819,000, $849,000, and $804,000 that were capitalized as deferred costs were recognized as interest income by Medallion for 2010, 2009, and 2008. Amortization costs were $1,133,000, $717,000, and $680,000 for 2010, 2009, and 2008.

At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Bank owed $992,000 and $630,000 to affiliates for origination fees, monthly servicing fees on loans, charges for corporate overhead, legal and business development expenses due to the affiliates, partially offset by payments due the Bank from collection of loan payments by affiliates. The Bank reimbursed the parent for expenses incurred on its behalf of $509,000, $215,000, and $192,000 for 2010, 2009, and 2008.

8. 401(k) plan

The Bank participates in the 401(k) plan offered by Medallion. The 401(k) Plan covers all full and part-time employees of the Bank who have attained the age of 21 and have a minimum of one year of service. Under the 401(k) Plan, an employee may elect to defer not less than 1% and no more than 15% of the total annual compensation that would otherwise be paid to the employee, provided however, that employees’ contributions may not exceed certain maximum amounts determined under the Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions are invested in various mutual funds according to the directions of the employee. At the discretion of Medallion’s Board of Directors, the Bank can provide for employer matching contributions. Medallion has elected to match employee contributions up to one-third of the employee’s contribution, but not greater than 2% of the portion of the employee’s annual salary eligible for 401(k) benefits. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, the Bank provided $15,000, $14,000, and $20,000 in employer matching, which amount is included in salaries and benefits expense on the accompanying statement of operations.

9. Commitments and contingencies

Loans—At December 31, 2010, the Bank had commitments to extend credit of $34,089,000 to asset-based customers as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. The Bank had commitments to extend credit of $471,000 to taxi medallion customers for unfunded amounts.

Leases—The Bank leases office space under a non-cancelable operating lease that expires November 2012. Rental expense related to the lease was $127,000, $130,000, and $120,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008. The Bank has the option to extend the lease term for an additional five years.

Future minimum lease payments under this operating lease as of December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

2011

   $ 129,208   

2012

     121,691   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 250,899   
  

 

 

 

10. Capital requirements

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions (UDFI). Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Bank’s financial statements. Under

 

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capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the bank regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios as defined in the regulations (set forth in the table below). Additionally, as conditions of granting the Bank’s application for federal deposit insurance, the FDIC ordered that beginning paid-in-capital funds of not less than $22,000,000 be provided, that the Tier 1 leverage capital to total assets ratio, as defined, be not less than 15%, and that an adequate allowance for loan losses be maintained. As of December 31, 2010, the Bank’s Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 17.0%.

The Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the regulatory minimum ratios are presented in the following tables.

 

    As of December 31,
2010
    As of December 31,
2009
    Minimum Ratio for
Capital Adequacy
Purposes
    Minimum Ratio To be Well
Capitalized Under Prompt
Corrective Action Provisions
 
    Amount     Ratio     Amount     Ratio      

Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)

  $ 93,866,000        17.0   $ 88,811,000        19.5     4.0     5.0

Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    93,866,000        17.2        88,811,000        20.0        4.0        6.0   

Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)

    100,762,000        18.5        94,455,000        21.3        8.0        10.0   

11. Fair value of financial instruments

FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure of fair value information about certain financial instruments, whether assets, liabilities, or off-balance-sheet commitments, if practicable. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument. Fair value estimates that were derived from broker quotes cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.

(a) Loans—Current fair value most closely approximates book value.

(b) Investments—The Bank’s investments are recorded at the estimated fair value of such investments.

(c) Cash—Book value equals market value.

(d) Floating rate borrowings—Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, the carrying amount approximates fair value.

(e) Commitments to extend credit—The fair value of commitments to extend credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and present creditworthiness of the counter parties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also includes a consideration of the difference between the current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the estimated fair value of these off-balance-sheet instruments was not material.

(f) Fixed rate borrowings—Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, the carrying amount approximates fair value.

 

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     December 31, 2010      December 31, 2009  

(Dollars in thousands)

   Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value      Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value  

Financial Assets

           

Loans

   $ 516,378       $ 516,378       $ 418,853       $ 418,853   

Investment securities

     20,787         20,787         21,061         21,061   

Cash

     16,980         16,980         13,340         13,340   

Accrued interest receivable

     3,171         3,171         3,350         3,350   

Financial Liabilities

           

Funds borrowed

     468,957         468,957         371,719         371,719   

Accrued interest payable

     1,155         1,155         1,508         1,508   

12. Fair value of assets and liabilities

The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The Company accounts for a substantially all of its financial instruments at fair value or considers fair value in its measurement, in accordance with the accounting guidance for investment companies. See Note 1 “Fair value of financial instruments” and “Fair value of assets and liabilities” for a description of our valuation methodology which is unchanged during 2010.

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, the Bank has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives 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 required by FASB ASC Topic 820, when the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. For example, a level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (level 1 and 2) and unobservable (level 3). Therefore gains and losses for such assets and liabilities categorized within the level 3 table below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (level 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (level 3).

Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Bank has the ability to access (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, exchange-traded derivatives, most US Government and agency securities, and certain other sovereign government obligations).

Level 2. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

A) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets (for example, restricted stock);

B) Quoted price for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (for example, corporate and municipal bonds, which trade infrequently);

C) Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include most over-the-counter derivatives, including interest rate and currency swaps); and

 

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D) Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include certain residential and commercial mortgage-related assets, including loans, securities, and derivatives).

Level 3. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the assets or liability (examples include certain private equity investments, certain residential and commercial mortgage-related assets (including loans, securities, and derivatives), and long-dated or complex derivatives including certain equity derivatives and long-dated options on gas and power).

Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in/out of the level 3 category.

The following tables present the Bank’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

2010 (Dollars in thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Available-for-sale investment securities(1)

   $ —         $ 20,787       $ —         $ 20,787   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Total unrealized gains of $33 were included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for 2010 related to these assets.

 

2009 (Dollars in thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Available-for-sale investment securities(1)

   $ —         $ 21,061       $ —         $ 21,061   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Total unrealized gains of $97 were included in accumulated other comprehensive income for 2009 related to these assets.

The following tables present the Bank’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

2010 (Dollars in thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets(1)

           

Impaired loans

   $ —         $ —         $ 2,855       $ 2,855   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Total unrealized losses of $160 for impaired loans were included in income for 2010 related to these assets.

 

2009 (Dollars in thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets(1)

           

Impaired loans

   $ —         $ —         $ 3,984       $ 3,984   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
(1) Total unrealized losses of $304 for impaired loans were included in income for 2009 related to these assets.

13. Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP)

On February 27, 2009, Medallion Bank issued and sold, and the US Treasury purchased under the TARP Capital Purchase Program (the CPP), (1) 11,800 shares of Medallion Bank’s Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative

 

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Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, and (2) a warrant, which was immediately exercised, to purchase up to 590 shares of Medallion Bank’s Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $11,800,000 in cash. On December 22, 2009, Medallion Bank issued and sold, and the US Treasury purchased under the CPP, (1) 9,698 shares of Medallion Bank’s Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C, and (2) a warrant, which was immediately exercised, to purchase up to 55 shares of Medallion Bank’s Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $9,698,000 in cash. The liquidation preference of each Series is $1,000 per share.

The securities were sold in private placements exempt from SEC registration.

Non-cumulative dividends on the Series A and C shares will accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 5% per annum for the first five years, and at a rate of 9% per annum thereafter, and the dividends on the Series B and D shares will accrue on the liquidation preference at a rate of 9% per annum, both, if, as, and when declared by Medallion Bank’s Board of Directors out of funds legally available thereof. The Preferred Shares have no maturity date and rank senior to Medallion Bank’s common stock (and pari passu with one another) with respect to the payment of dividends and distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution, and winding up of Medallion Bank. Medallion Bank’s Articles of Amendments provide that, subject to the approval of the FDIC, the Preferred Shares are redeemable at the option of Medallion Bank at 100% of their liquidation preference plus declared and unpaid dividends, provided, however, that the Preferred Shares may be redeemed prior to February 27, 2012 and December 22, 2012, respectively, only if (i) Medallion Bank has raised aggregate gross proceeds in one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, as defined, of at least $3,097,500 and $2,438,250, respectively, and (ii) the aggregate redemption price does not exceed the aggregate net proceeds from such offerings. The Series B shares cannot be redeemed until the Series A shares have been redeemed and the Series D shares cannot be redeemed until the Series A, B, and C shares have been redeemed.

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the ARRA) was signed into law. The ARRA, among other things, directs the US Treasury to permit CPP participants to redeem the preferred stock issued under the CPP without first requiring a Qualified Equity Offering, upon consultation with the appropriate Federal banking agency.

The agreements between Medallion Bank and the US Treasury pursuant to which the Preferred Shares and the Warrants were sold contain limitations on the payment of common stock dividends to a quarterly rate of $1.00 per share or $1,000,000, and on Medallion Bank’s ability to repurchase its common stock, and subjects Medallion Bank and Medallion to certain of the executive compensation limitations and requirements included in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the EESA). As a condition to the closing of the transactions, the Company and its senior executive officers have agreed to all terms and conditions.

The interim final rule promulgated pursuant to Section 111 of the EESA, as amended by the ARRA, prescribes certain standards for compensation and corporate governance for CPP participants, which include, among other things, (i) the repayment by the senior executive officers and the next twenty most highly compensated employees of any bonus, retention award, or incentive compensation if the payment was based on materially inaccurate financial information or other materially inaccurate performance metric criteria; (ii) the prohibition of any payment for departure from a CPP participant or change of control event of a CPP participant, other than a payment for services performed or benefits accrued, to the senior executive officers and the next five most highly compensated employees; (iii) the prohibition of the payment or accrual of any bonus, retention award, or incentive compensation to a CPP participant’s most highly compensated employee except through restricted stock with delayed vesting and subject to dollar limits; and (iv) the prohibition from providing tax gross-ups or other reimbursements for the payment of taxes to senior executive officers and the next twenty most highly compensated employees relating to severance payments, perquisites, or any other form of compensation. The interim final rule further requires (i) at least once every six months, the compensation committees of CPP participants to meet to discuss, evaluate, and review the CPP participant’s compensation plans and the risks these plans pose to the CPP participant and annually in the CPP participant’s proxy statement describe how such risks

 

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were limited and certify that the compensation committee has completed its reviews of the plans and provide such disclosures and certifications to the Treasury; (ii) CPP participants to disclose to the Treasury and their primary federal regulator on an annual basis, perquisites with a total value over $25,000 for any employee who is subject to the bonus prohibition; (iii) CPP participants to disclose to the Treasury and their primary federal regulator whether they have engaged a compensation consultant and indicate the types of services the compensation consultant or any of its affiliates has provided during the past three years, including any “benchmarking” or comparisons employed to identify certain percentile levels of compensation; (iv) CPP participants to adopt an excessive or luxury expenditures policy; (v) CPP participants to permit stockholders to vote on a non-binding resolution approving the institution’s compensation of executives; and (vi) the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of CPP participants to annually certify compliance of the CPP participant with Section 111 of EESA and provide these certifications as an exhibit to the CPP participant’s annual report on Form 10-K and to the Treasury.

14. Subsequent Events

We have evaluated subsequent events that have occurred through March 11, 2011, the date of financial statement issuance.

 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BASIS OF PREPARATION

We, Medallion Financial Corp. or the Company, are a closed-end, non-diversified management investment company organized as a Delaware corporation. We have elected to be treated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. We are a specialty finance company that has a leading position in originating, acquiring, and servicing loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. A wholly-owned portfolio company of ours, Medallion Bank, also originates consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and trailers. Since 1996, the year in which we became a public company, we have increased our taxicab medallion loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 6%, and our commercial loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 2% (10% and 8% on a managed basis when combined with Medallion Bank). Since Medallion Bank acquired a consumer loan portfolio and began originating consumer loans in 2004, it has increased its consumer loan portfolio at a compound annual growth rate of 12%. Total assets under our management, which includes assets serviced for third party investors and managed by Medallion Bank, were $1,113,595,000 as of September 30, 2011, and $1,093,379,000 and $1,059,666,000 as of December 31, 2010 and September 30, 2010, and have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 12% from $215,000,000 at the end of 1996. Since our initial public offering in 1996, we have paid dividends in excess of $164,336,000 or $10.40 per share.

 

   

We conduct our business through various wholly-owned investment company subsidiaries including:

 

   

Medallion Funding LLC, or Medallion Funding, a Small Business Investment Company, or SBIC, our primary taxicab medallion lending company;

 

   

Medallion Capital, Inc., or Medallion Capital, an SBIC and a regulated investment company, or RIC, which conducts a mezzanine financing business; and

 

   

Freshstart Venture Capital Corp., or Freshstart, an SBIC and a RIC, which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans.

In December 2010, we formed a wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Servicing Corporation, or MSC, to provide loan services to Medallion Bank, also a portfolio company wholly-owned by us. We have assigned all of our loan servicing rights for Medallion Bank, which consists of servicing taxi medallion and commercial loans originated by Medallion Bank, to MSC, which bills and collects the related service fee income from Medallion Bank, and is allocated and charged by the Company for MSC’s share of these servicing costs.

We also conduct business through our asset-based lending division, Medallion Business Credit, an originator of loans to small businesses for the purpose of financing inventory and receivables, which prior to December 31, 2007, was a wholly-owned investment company subsidiary. On December 31, 2007, Medallion Business Credit was merged into us and ceased to exist as a separate legal entity.

In addition, we conduct business through a wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Bank, a bank regulated by the FDIC and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions which originates taxicab medallion, commercial, and consumer loans, raises deposits, and conducts other banking activities. Medallion Bank generally provides us with our lowest cost of funds which it raises through bank certificates of deposit issued to its customers. To take advantage of this low cost of funds, we refer a portion of our taxicab medallion and commercial loans to Medallion Bank, which then originates these loans, which are then serviced by MSC. MSC earns referral and servicing fees for these activities. As a non-investment company, Medallion Bank is not consolidated with the Company, which is an investment company under the 1940 Act.

The financial information is divided into two sections. The first section, Item 1, includes our unaudited consolidated financial statements including related footnotes. The second section, Item 2, consists of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

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Our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 included in Item 1 have been prepared by us, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the US have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position and results of operations. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, or for any other interim period, may not be indicative of future performance. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

    Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  2011     2010     2011     2010  

Interest income on investments

  $ 6,643      $ 8,219      $ 21,908      $ 24,170   

Dividends and interest income on short-term investments(1)

    1,034        1,029        3,089        3,082   

Medallion lease income

    352        305        1,043        891   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    8,029        9,553        26,040        28,143   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total interest expense(2)

    3,431        3,838        10,276        11,093   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

    4,598        5,715        15,764        17,050   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

    218        1,340        953        3,287   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Salaries and benefits

    2,101        2,722        6,060        8,529   

Professional fees

    220        451        743        1,729   

Occupancy expense

    235        352        688        1,032   

Other operating expenses(3)

    884        1,162        3,529        1,509   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    3,440        4,687        11,020        12,799   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income before income taxes(1)(4)

    1,376        2,368        5,697        7,538   

Income tax (provision) benefit

    —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income after income taxes

    1,376        2,368        5,697        7,538   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

    686        (186     1,270        (9,076
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    (74     (689     20        (2,877

Net change in unrealized appreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

    2,847        1,975        6,544        11,026   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

    2,773        1,286        6,564        8,149   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    3,459        1,100        7,834        (927
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 4,835      $ 3,468      $ 13,531      $ 6,611   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per common share

       

Basic

  $ 0.28      $ 0.20      $ 0.78      $ 0.38   

Diluted

    0.27        0.20        0.77        0.37   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends declared per share

  $ 0.19      $ 0.15      $ 0.54      $ 0.45   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

       

Basic

    17,403,007        17,472,385        17,402,520        17,535,826   

Diluted

    17,643,075        17,579,269        17,600,230        17,659,628   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes $1,000 and $3,000 of dividend income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 from Medallion Bank.
(2) Average borrowings outstanding were $354,137 and $362,728, and the related average borrowing costs were 3.84% and 3.79% for the 2011 third quarter and nine months, and were $371,412, $366,346, 4.10%, and 4.05% for the comparable 2010 periods.
(3) Includes $1,312 of expense reversals related to the costs of winding up the operations of the SPAC’s in the 2010 nine months that were reclassified to realized losses on investments, and $310 that was reversed as a result of favorable negotiations with the creditors of SPAC. See Notes 7 and 10 for additional information.
(4) Includes $221 and $734 of net revenues received from Medallion Bank for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and $1,181 and $2,965 for the comparable 2010 periods, primarily for servicing fees, loan origination fees, and expense reimbursements. See Notes 3 and 10 for additional information.

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   UNAUDITED
September 30, 2011
    December 31, 2010  

Assets

    

Medallion loans, at fair value

   $ 303,943      $ 323,126   

Commercial loans, at fair value(1)

     59,020        76,866   

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries, at fair value

     85,264        78,735   

Equity investments, at fair value

     4,755        4,789   

Investment securities, at fair value

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investments ($244,363 at September 30, 2011 and $260,111 at December 31, 2010 pledged as collateral under borrowing arrangements)

     452,982        483,516   

Cash and cash equivalents ($0 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 restricted as to use by lender)

     18,887        17,303   

Accrued interest receivable

     1,110        1,441   

Fixed assets, net

     530        419   

Goodwill, net

     5,069        5,069   

Other assets, net

     45,788        42,564   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 524,366      $ 550,312   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 6,192      $ 5,102   

Accrued interest payable

     775        1,913   

Funds borrowed

     349,887        380,532   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     356,854        387,547   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     —          —     

Shareholders’ equity (net assets)

    

Preferred stock (1,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value stock authorized—none outstanding)

     —          —     

Common stock (50,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value stock authorized—19,067,937 shares at September 30, 2011 and 18,992,319 shares at December 31, 2010 issued)

     190        190   

Treasury stock at cost (1,600,733 shares at September 30, 2011 and 1,592,086 shares at December 31, 2010)

     (14,304     (14,225

Capital in excess of par value

     179,285        179,079   

Accumulated undistributed net investment loss

     (7,772     (12,372

Accumulated undistributed net realized gains on investments

     —          —     

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     10,113        10,093   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity (net assets)

     167,512        162,765   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 524,366      $ 550,312   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of common shares outstanding

     17,467,204        17,400,233   

Net asset value per share

   $ 9.59      $ 9.35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes a $3,100 loan to an entity which is majority owned by one of our controlled subsidiaries.

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   2011     2010     2011     2010  

Net investment income after income taxes

   $ 1,376      $ 2,368      $ 5,697      $ 7,538   

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     686        (186     1,270        (9,076

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

     2,773        1,286        6,564        8,149   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     4,835        3,468        13,531        6,611   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investment income, net

     (830     (2,628     (6,596     (7,901

Return of capital

     (2,316     —          (2,316     —     

Realized gain from investment transactions, net

     —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders(1)

     (3,146     (2,628     (8,912     (7,901
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock—based compensation expense

     56        56        172        170   

Exercise of stock options

     —          —          34        —     

Treasury stock acquired

     (78     (842     (78     (1,213
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

     (22     (786     128        (1,043
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     1,667        54        4,747        (2,333

Net assets at the beginning of the period

     165,845        160,590        162,765        162,977   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets at the end of the period(2)

   $ 167,512      $ 160,644      $ 167,512      $ 160,644   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital share activity

        

Common stock issued, beginning of period

     19,068,034        18,990,119        18,992,319        18,990,119   

Exercise of stock options

     —          —          7,000        —     

Issuance (forfeiture) of restricted stock, net

     (97     —          68,618        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common stock issued, end of period

     19,067,937        18,990,119        19,067,937        18,990,119   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury stock, beginning of period

     (1,592,086     (1,466,966     (1,592,086     (1,414,242

Treasury stock acquired

     (8,647     (125,120     (8,647     (177,844
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury stock, end of period

     (1,600,733     (1,592,086     (1,600,733     (1,592,086
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common stock outstanding

     17,467,204        17,398,033        17,467,204        17,398,033   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Dividends declared were $0.19 and $0.54 per share for the 2011 third quarter and nine months, and were $0.15 and $0.45 for the comparable 2010 periods.
(2) Includes $0 of undistributed net investment income and $0 of undistributed net realized gains on investments at September 30, 2011.

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2011     2010  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 13,531      $ 6,611   

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     994        1,082   

Accretion of origination fees, net

     (18     (249

Increase in net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments

     (20     2,877   

Increase in unrealized appreciation on Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     (6,544     (11,026

Net realized (gains) losses on investments

     (1,270     9,076   

Stock-based compensation expense

     172        170   

Decrease in accrued interest receivable

     330        47   

Increase in other assets, net

     (614     (1,206

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses

     1,090        (1,006

Decrease in accrued interest payable

     (1,138     (1,385
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     6,513        4,991   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Investments originated

     (131,677     (138,852

Proceeds from principal receipts, sales, and maturities of investments

     166,559        140,906   

Investments in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries, net

     18        (711

Capital expenditures

     (228     (252
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

     34,672        1,091   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from funds borrowed

     117,004        114,550   

Repayments of funds borrowed

     (137,084     (123,394

Issuance of SBA debentures

     7,485        —     

Repayments of SBA debentures

     (18,050     —     

Purchase of treasury stock at cost

     (78     (1,213

Exercise of stock options

     34        —     

Payments of declared dividends

     (8,912     (7,901
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

     (39,601     (17,958
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     1,584        (11,876 ) 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     17,303        33,401   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 18,887      $ 21,525   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

    

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 10,538      $ 11,542   

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

     —          —     

Non-cash investing activities—net transfer to (from) other assets

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

(1) ORGANIZATION OF MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

We, Medallion Financial Corp. (the Company), are a closed-end management investment company organized as a Delaware corporation. The Company has elected to be regulated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Company conducts its business through various wholly-owned subsidiaries including its primary operating company, Medallion Funding LLC (MFC), a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans.

In December 2010, we formed a wholly-owned portfolio company, Medallion Servicing Corporation (MSC), to provide loan services to Medallion Bank, also a portfolio company wholly-owned by us. We have assigned all of our loan servicing rights for Medallion Bank, which consists of servicing taxi medallion and commercial loans originated by Medallion Bank, to MSC, who bills and collects the related service fee income from Medallion Bank, and is allocated and charged by the Company for MSC’s share of these servicing costs.

On March 26, 2009, the Company formed a new wholly-owned New York limited liability company subsidiary, Medallion Funding LLC. On February 26, 2010, Medallion Funding Corp. merged into Medallion Funding LLC and following the merger, Medallion Funding LLC was the surviving entity and the successor-in-interest to Medallion Funding Corp.’s business. There was no business or operational change resulting from this corporate restructuring. For federal and state tax purposes, Medallion Funding LLC is treated as a disregarded entity. Medallion Funding LLC does not independently file any tax return, but is subsumed in the tax return of the Company. Medallion Funding LLC maintains its status as an SBIC.

The Company also conducts business through Medallion Capital, Inc. (MCI), an SBIC which conducts a mezzanine financing business, and Freshstart Venture Capital Corp. (FSVC), an SBIC which originates and services taxicab medallion and commercial loans. MFC, MCI, and FSVC, as SBICs, are regulated by the Small Business Administration (SBA). MCI and FSVC are financed in part by the SBA. The Company also conducts business through our asset-based lending division, Medallion Business Credit (MBC), an originator of loans to small businesses for the purpose of financing inventory and receivables.

In December 2008, MFC established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III (Trust III), for the purpose of owning medallion loans originated by MFC or others. Trust III is a separate legal and corporate entity with its own creditors who, in any liquidation of Trust III, will be entitled to be satisfied out of Trust III’s assets prior to any value in Trust III becoming available to Trust III’s equity holders. The assets of Trust III, aggregating $202,717,000 at September 30, 2011, are not available to pay obligations of its affiliates or any other party, and the assets of affiliates or any other party are not available to pay obligations of Trust III. Trust III’s loans are serviced by MFC.

In June 2007, the Company established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Medallion Financing Trust I (Fin Trust) for the purpose of issuing unsecured preferred securities to investors. Fin Trust is a separate legal and corporate entity with its own creditors who, in any liquidation of Fin Trust, will be entitled to be satisfied out of Fin Trust’s assets prior to any value in Fin Trust becoming available to Fin Trust’s equity holders. The assets of Fin Trust, aggregating $36,164,000 at September 30, 2011, are not available to pay obligations of its affiliates or any other party, and the assets of affiliates or any other party are not available to pay obligations of Fin Trust.

In December 2006, MFC established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust II (Trust II), for the purpose of owning medallion loans originated by MFC or others. Trust II was a separate legal and corporate entity with its own creditors who, in any liquidation of Trust II, would have been entitled to be satisfied

 

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out of Trust II’s assets prior to any value in Trust II becoming available to Trust II’s equity holders. In 2010, Trust II ceased operations and its assets were reduced to $0.

In December 2006, September 2006, and previously in June 2003, MFC through several wholly-owned and newly formed subsidiaries which, along with an existing subsidiary (together, Medallion Chicago), purchased certain City of Chicago taxicab medallions out of foreclosure which are leased to fleet operators while being held for sale.

A wholly-owned portfolio investment, Medallion Bank, a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured industrial bank, originates medallion loans, commercial loans, and consumer loans, raises deposits, and conducts other banking activities (see Note 3). Medallion Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions and to the regulations of certain federal and state agencies, and undergoes examinations by those agencies.

Medallion Bank is not an investment company, and therefore, is not consolidated with the Company, but instead is treated as a portfolio investment. It was initially formed for the primary purpose of originating commercial loans in three categories: 1) loans to finance the purchase of taxicab medallions (licenses), 2) asset-based commercial loans, and 3) SBA 7(a) loans. The loans are marketed and serviced by Medallion Bank’s affiliates who have extensive prior experience in these asset groups. Additionally, Medallion Bank began issuing brokered certificates of deposit in January 2004, and purchased over $84,150,000 of taxicab medallion and asset-based loans from affiliates of the Company. On April 1, 2004, Medallion Bank purchased a consumer loan portfolio from an unrelated financial institution for consideration of $86,309,000. In the 2004 third quarter, Medallion Bank began originating consumer loans similar to the acquired portfolio, which are serviced by a third party.

In September 2002, MFC established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust I (Trust), for the purpose of owning medallion loans originated by MFC or others. The Trust was a separate legal and corporate entity with its own creditors who, in any liquidation of the Trust, would have been entitled to be satisfied out of the Trust’s assets prior to any value in the Trust becoming available to the Trust’s equity holders. In 2009, the Trust ceased operations and its assets were reduced to $0.

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the US requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Accounting estimates and assumptions are those that management considers to be the most critical to an understanding of the consolidated financial statements because they inherently involve significant judgments and uncertainties. All of these estimates reflect management’s best judgment about current economic and market conditions and their effects based on information available as of the date of these consolidated financial statements. If such conditions persist longer or deteriorate further than expected, it is reasonably possible that the judgments and estimates could change, which may result in future impairments of loans receivable, loans held for sale, and investments, among other effects.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, except for Medallion Bank and other portfolio investments. All significant intercompany transactions, balances, and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. As a non-investment company, Medallion Bank is not consolidated with the Company, which is an investment company under the 1940 Act. See Note 3 for the presentation of financial information for Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries.

 

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Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original purchased maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash balances are generally held in accounts at large national or regional banking organizations in amounts that frequently exceed the federally insured limits.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

The Company follows FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, (FASB ASC 820), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as an exit price (i.e. a price that would be received to sell, as opposed to acquire, an asset or transfer a liability), and emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement. It establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent external sources and the reporting entities own assumptions. Further, it specifies that fair value measurement should consider adjustment for risk, such as the risk inherent in the valuation technique or its inputs. See also Notes 2, 11, and 12 to the consolidated financial statements.

Investment Valuation

The Company’s loans, net of participations and any unearned discount, are considered investment securities under the 1940 Act and are recorded at fair value. As part of the fair value methodology, loans are valued at cost adjusted for any unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Since no ready market exists for these loans, the fair value is determined in good faith by management, and approved by the Board of Directors. In determining the fair value, the Company and Board of Directors consider factors such as the financial condition of the borrower, the adequacy of the collateral, individual credit risks, historical loss experience, and the relationships between current and projected market rates and portfolio rates of interest and maturities. Foreclosed properties, which represent collateral received from defaulted borrowers, and which are carried in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, are valued similarly.

Equity investments (common stock and stock warrants, including certain controlled subsidiary portfolio investments) and investment securities (US Treasuries and mortgage backed bonds), in total representing 20% and 17% of the investment portfolio at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, are recorded at fair value, represented as cost, plus or minus unrealized appreciation or depreciation. The fair value of investments that have no ready market are determined in good faith by management, and approved by the Board of Directors, based upon the financial condition and operating performance of the underlying investee companies as well as general market trends for businesses in the same industry. Included in equity investments were marketable securities of $2,269,000 and $1,669,000 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and non-marketable securities of $2,486,000 and $3,120,000 in the comparable periods. The $85,264,000 and $78,735,000 related to portfolio investments in controlled subsidiaries at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were all non-marketable in each period. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuations, management’s estimates of the values of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed, and the differences could be material.

Our investment in Medallion Bank, as a wholly owned portfolio investment, is also subject to quarterly assessments of fair value. We conduct a thorough valuation analysis as described previously, and determine whether any factors give rise to a valuation different than recorded book value, including various regulatory restrictions that were established at Medallion Bank’s inception, by the FDIC and State of Utah, and also by additional marketplace restrictions, such as on the ability to transfer industrial bank charters. As a result of this valuation process, we used Medallion Bank’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the results as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, although changes in these restrictions and other applicable factors could change these conclusions in the future. See Note 3 for additional information about Medallion Bank.

 

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A majority of the Company’s investments consist of long-term loans to persons defined by SBA regulations as socially or economically disadvantaged, or to entities that are at least 50% owned by such persons. Approximately 67% of the Company’s investment portfolio at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 had arisen in connection with the financing of taxicab medallions, taxicabs, and related assets, of which 75% and 74% were in New York City at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. These loans are secured by the medallions, taxicabs, and related assets, and are personally guaranteed by the borrowers, or in the case of corporations, are generally guaranteed personally by the owners. A portion of the Company’s portfolio (13% and 16% at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010) represents loans to various commercial enterprises, in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, wholesaling, administrative and support services, accommodation and food services, and various other industries. More than 20% of these loans are made primarily in the metropolitan New York City area, with the balance widely scattered across the United States. Investments in controlled unconsolidated subsidiaries, equity investments, and investment securities were 19%, 1%, and 0% at September 30, 2011 and 16%, 1%, and 0% at December 31, 2010.

On a managed basis, which includes the investments of Medallion Bank after eliminating the Company’s investment in Medallion Bank, medallion loans were 62% at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (78% and 76% in New York City at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010), commercial loans were 14% and 16%, and 21% and 19% were consumer loans in all 50 states collateralized by recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and trailers. Investment securities were 2% at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and equity investments (including investments in controlled subsidiaries) were 1%.

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition

Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the yield of the related loans. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, net loan origination costs (fees) were $322,000 and ($27,000). Net amortization income (expense) for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was ($20,000) and $113,000, and was $18,000 and $249,000 for the comparable nine-month periods.

Investment securities are purchased from time-to-time in the open market at prices that are greater or lesser than the par value of the investment. The resulting premium or discount is deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the yield of the related investment. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, there were no premiums or discounts on investment securities, and their related income accretion or amortization was immaterial for 2011 and 2010.

Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Taxicab medallion and commercial loans are placed on nonaccrual status, and all uncollected accrued interest is reversed, when there is doubt as to the collectability of interest or principal, or if loans are 90 days or more past due, unless management has determined that they are both well-secured and in the process of collection. Interest income on nonaccrual loans is generally recognized when cash is received, unless a determination has been made to apply all cash receipts to principal. At September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010, total nonaccrual loans were $30,552,000, $22,477,000, and $22,138,000, and represented 8%, 5%, and 6% of the gross medallion and commercial loan portfolio at each period end, and were primarily concentrated in the secured mezzanine portfolio. The amount of interest income on nonaccrual loans that would have been recognized if the loans had been paying in accordance with their original terms was $13,771,000, $10,612,000, and $9,607,000 as of September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010, of which $1,469,000 and $1,129,000 would have been recognized in the quarters ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and $3,521,000 and $2,497,000 would have been recognized in the comparable nine-month periods.

Loan Sales and Servicing Fee Receivable

The Company accounts for its sales of loans in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing (FASB ASC 860). FASB ASC 860 provides accounting and reporting

 

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standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities. In accordance with FASB ASC 860, we have elected the fair value measurement method for our servicing assets and liabilities. The principal portion of loans serviced for others by the Company and its affiliates was $423,356,000 and $386,034,000 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and included $351,303,000 and $332,053,000 of loans serviced for Medallion Bank. The Company has evaluated the servicing aspect of its business in accordance with FASB ASC 860, most of which relates to servicing assets held by Medallion Bank, and determined that no material servicing asset or liability exists as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. In December 2010, the Company assigned its servicing rights to the Medallion Bank portfolio to MSC, a wholly-owned unconsolidated portfolio investment. The costs of servicing are allocated to MSC by the Company, and the servicing fee income is billed and collected from Medallion Bank by MSC.

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) and Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments is the amount by which the fair value estimated by the Company is greater (less) than the cost basis of the investment portfolio. Realized gains or losses on investments are generated through sales of investments, foreclosure on specific collateral, and writeoffs of loans or assets acquired in satisfaction of loans, net of recoveries. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on net investments was $10,113,000, $10,093,000, and $10,707,000 as of September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010. Our investment in Medallion Bank, a wholly owned portfolio investment, is also subject to quarterly assessments of fair value. We conduct a thorough valuation analysis as described previously, and determine whether any factors give rise to valuation different than recorded book value, including various regulatory restrictions that were established at Medallion Bank’s inception, by the FDIC and State of Utah, and also by additional marketplace restrictions, such as on the ability to transfer industrial bank charters. As a result of this valuation process, we used Medallion Bank’s actual results of operations as the best estimate of changes in fair value, and recorded the results as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, although changes in these restrictions and other applicable factors could change these conclusions in the future. See Note 3 for the presentation of financial information for Medallion Bank.

The following tables set forth the changes in our unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, other than investments in controlled subsidiaries, for the 2011 and 2010 quarters shown below.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
     Commercial
Loans
    Equity
Investments
     Foreclosed
Properties
     Total  

Balance December 31, 2010

   $ —         ($ 11,217   $ 201       $ 21,109       $ 10,093   

Net change in unrealized

             

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          310         —           310   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (533     6         —           (527

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

             

Gains on investments

     —           —          —           —           —     

Losses on investments

     —           —          —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance March 31, 2011

     —           (11,750     517         21,109         9,876   

Net change in unrealized

             

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          300         1,109         1,409   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (1,567     469         —           (1,098

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

             

Gains on investments

     —           —          —           —           —     

Losses on investments

     —           —          —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
     Commercial
Loans
    Equity
Investments
    Foreclosed
Properties
     Total  

Balance June 30, 2011

   $ —         ($ 13,317   $ 1,286      $ 22,218       $ 10,187   

Net change in unrealized

            

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          13        2,378         2,391   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (2,450     (15     —           (2,465

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

            

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —           —     

Losses on investments

     —           —          —          —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance September 30, 2011

   $ —         ($ 15,767   $ 1,284      $ 24,596       $ 10,113   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
     Commercial
Loans
    Equity
Investments
    Foreclosed
Properties
    Total  

Balance December 31, 2009

   $ —         ($ 4,236   ($ 8,101   $ 18,956      $ 6,619   

Net change in unrealized

     —              

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          162        1,516        1,678   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (3,678     (510     —          (4,188

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

           

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —          —     

Losses on investments(1)

     —           —          8,232        —          8,232   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance March 31, 2010

     —           (7,914     (217     20,472        12,341   

Net change in unrealized

           

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          159        (274     (115

Depreciation on investments

     —           (853     24        —          (829

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

           

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —          —     

Losses on investments

     —           —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance June 30, 2010

     —           (8,767     (34     20,198        11,397   

Net change in unrealized

           

Appreciation on investments

     —           —          212        (40     172   

Depreciation on investments

     —           (1,069     16        —          (1,053

Reversal of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to realized

           

Gains on investments

     —           —          —          —          —     

Losses on investments

     —           191        —          —          191   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance September 30, 2010

   $ —         ($ 9,645   $ 194      $ 20,158      $ 10,707   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents the $7,725 of writeoffs related to the investments in SPAC and SPAC 2. See Note 10 for additional information on these investments.

 

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The table below summarizes components of unrealized and realized gains and losses in the investment portfolio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2011     2010     2011     2010  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

        

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 14        $    213      $ 624        $     534   

Unrealized depreciation

     (2,466     (1,053     (4,091     (5,563

Net unrealized appreciation on investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries(1)

     2,847        1,975        6,544        11,026   

Realized gains

     —          —          —          —     

Realized losses(2)

     —          191        —          950   

Unrealized gains (losses) on foreclosed properties

     2,378        (40     3,487        1,202   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,773        $ 1,286      $ 6,564        $  8,149   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

        

Realized gains

   $ —          $    —        $ —          $    —     

Realized losses(3)

     —          (191     —          (8,423

Other gains

     796        —          1,358        141   

Direct recoveries (charge offs)(4)

     (110     5        (88     (794

Realized gains on foreclosed properties

     —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 686        ($    186   $ 1,270        ($  9,076
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes $6,966 of net unrealized depreciation related to the investment in SPAC, including $508 that was recorded during the 2010 first quarter, that was reversed during the 2010 first quarter upon the writeoff of the SPAC investment.
(2) Reflects the writeoff of the investment in SPAC 2 in the 2010 first quarter.
(3) Represents the writeoffs related to the investments in SPAC and SPAC 2 in the 2010 first quarter. See Note 10 for additional information on these investments.
(4) Includes $817 of direct chargeoffs related to the settlement of liabilities associated with the writeoff of SPAC and SPAC 2 in the 2010 second quarter, all of which represented a reversal of accrued expenses.

The following table provides additional information on attributes of the nonperforming loan portfolio as of September 30, 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Recorded
Investment(1)
     Unpaid
Principal
Balance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
 

Medallion

   $ —         $ —         $ —     

Commercial(1)(2)

   $ 30,552       $ 37,556       $ 25,507   

 

(1) As of September 30, 2011, $15,645 of unrealized depreciation had been recorded as a valuation allowance with regards to the impaired commercial loans.
(2) Interest income of $133 and $1,141 was recognized in the three and nine months ending September 30, 2011with regard to commercial loans.

 

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The table below shows the aging of medallion and commercial loans as of September 30, 2011.

 

    Days Past Due                 Recorded Investment >
90 Days and Accruing
 

(Dollars in thousands)

  31 - 60     61 - 90     90 +     Total     Current     Total    

Medallion loans

  $ 3,008      $ 769      $ 495      $ 4,272      $ 299,237      $ 303,509      $ 495   

Commercial loans

             

Secured mezzanine

    2,493        1,085        8,896        12,474        45,104        57,578        —     

Asset-based receivable

    —          —          —          —          8,070        8,070        —     

Other secured commercial

    164        390        759        1,313        7,938        9,251        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total commercial loans

    2,657        1,475        9,655        13,787        61,112        74,899        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 5,665      $ 2,244      $ 10,150      $ 18,059      $ 360,349      $ 378,408      $ 495   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Goodwill

In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other,” the Company tests its goodwill for impairment, and engages a consultant to help management evaluate its carrying value. The results of this evaluation demonstrated no impairment in goodwill for any period evaluated, and management believes, and the Board of Directors concurs, that there is no impairment as of September 30, 2011. The Company conducts annual, and if necessary, more frequent, appraisals of its goodwill, and will recognize any impairment in the period any impairment is identified as a charge to operating expenses.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated economic useful life of the improvement. Depreciation and amortization expense was $36,000 and $48,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and was $117,000 and $146,000 for the comparable nine months.

Deferred Costs

Deferred financing costs, included in other assets, represents costs associated with obtaining the Company’s borrowing facilities, and is amortized on a straight line basis over the lives of the related financing agreements. Amortization expense was $320,000 and $308,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and was $783,000 and $794,000 for the comparable nine months. In addition, the Company capitalizes certain costs for transactions in the process of completion (other than business combinations), including those for potential investments, and the sourcing of other financing alternatives. Upon completion or termination of the transaction, any accumulated amounts will be amortized against income over an appropriate period, or written off, including $485,000 related to costs associated with a cancelled equity offering, written off in the 2010 third and fourth quarters. The amounts on the balance sheet for all of these purposes were $2,858,000, $2,854,000, and $3,339,000 as of September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010.

Federal Income Taxes

The Company and each of its major subsidiaries other than Medallion Bank and Medallion Funding LLC (the RIC subsidiaries) have qualified to be treated for federal income tax purposes as regulated investment companies (RICs) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). As RICs, the Company and each of the RIC subsidiaries are not subject to US federal income tax on any gains or investment company taxable income (which includes, among other things, dividends and interest income reduced by deductible expenses) that it distributes to its shareholders, if at least 90% of its investment company taxable income for that taxable year is distributed. It is the Company’s and the RIC subsidiaries’ policy to comply with the provisions of the Code. The Company’s RIC qualification is determined on an annual basis, and it qualified and filed its federal tax returns as a RIC for 2010 and 2009, and anticipates qualifying and filing as a RIC for 2011. As a

 

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result, no provisions for income taxes have been recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. State and local tax treatment follows the federal model.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, based on developments under the Code and after discussions with external advisers, the Company’s Board of Directors determined that the loans received in connection with the Company’s lending activities were “accounts or notes receivables acquired in the ordinary course of a trade or business for services” for purposes of Section 1221(a)(4) of the Code. As a result, commencing with the tax year beginning January 1, 2010, the Company intends to treat losses recognized on worthless loans as ordinary losses rather than as capital losses. The Company’s Board of Directors further determined that the Company may take such position in tax returns subsequently filed without obtaining prior IRS approval.

The change in the characterization of a loss resulting from a worthless loan from a capital loss to an ordinary loss could materially impact the amount or character of the dividends received by the Company’s shareholders. The Company is required to distribute 90% of its taxable income in order to maintain its RIC status. In the event losses from worthless loans are treated as ordinary losses, those losses will offset taxable income in the taxable year in which such losses are recognized. This could result in a decrease in the Company’s taxable income which could result in a decrease in the Company’s dividend. Alternatively, if the Company chooses to maintain its current level of dividend, an increased portion of the dividend could be deemed to be a return of capital to the shareholder.

The Company has filed tax returns in many states. Federal, New York State, and New York City tax filings of the Company for the tax years 2008 through the present are the more significant filings that are open for examination.

Medallion Bank is not a RIC and is taxed as a regular corporation. Fin Trust, Medallion Funding LLC, Trust II, and Trust III are not subject to federal income taxation, instead their taxable income is treated as having been earned by the Company.

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations per Share (EPS)

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net increase in net assets resulting from operations available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if option contracts to issue common stock were exercised, or if restricted stock vests, and has been computed after giving consideration to the weighted average dilutive effect of the Company’s stock options and restricted stock. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate diluted EPS, which is a method of recognizing the use of proceeds that could be obtained upon exercise of options and warrants, including unvested compensation expense related to the shares, in computing diluted EPS. It assumes that any proceeds would be used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period.

The table below shows the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2011      2010      2011      2010  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations available to common shareholders

   $ 4,835       $ 3,468       $ 13,531       $ 6,611   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to basic EPS

     17,403,007         17,472,385         17,402,520         17,535,826   

Effect of dilutive stock options

     220,165         106,884         185,831         123,802   

Effect of restricted stock grants

     19,903         —           11,879         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding applicable to diluted EPS

     17,643,075         17,579,269         17,600,230         17,659,628   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

     $0.28         $0.20         $0.78         $0.38   

Diluted earnings per share

     0.27         0.20         0.77         0.37   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Potentially dilutive common shares excluded from the above calculations aggregated 388,502 and 1,153,020 shares as of September 30, 2011 and 2010.

Stock Compensation

The Company follows FASB Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718 (ASC 718), “Compensation—Stock Compensation”, for its stock option and restricted stock plans, and accordingly, the Company recognizes the expense of these grants as required. Stock-based employee compensation costs pertaining to stock options is reflected in net increase in net assets resulting from operations, for both any new grants, as well as for all unvested options outstanding at December 31, 2005, in both cases using the fair values established by usage of the Black-Scholes option pricing model, expensed over the vesting period of the underlying option. Stock-based employee compensation costs pertaining to restricted stock are reflected in net increase in net assets resulting from operations for any new grants, using the grant date fair value of the shares granted, expensed over the vesting period of the underlying stock.

The Company elected the modified prospective transition method in applying ASC 718. Under this method, the provisions of ASC 718 apply to all awards granted or modified after the date of adoption, as well as for all unvested options outstanding at December 31, 2005. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company issued 68,740 restricted shares of stock-based compensation awards, and recognized $56,000 and $172,000 in the 2011 third quarter and nine months, or $0.00 and $0.01 per diluted common share for each period, of non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to the grants. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company granted no options and options for 68,500 shares of stock-based compensation awards, and recognized $56,000 and $170,000, or $0.00 and $0.01 per diluted common share for each period of non-cash stock-based compensation expense related to the grants. As of September 30, 2011, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and restricted stock was $484,000, which is expected to be recognized over the next ten quarters (see Note 5).

Derivatives

The Company manages its exposure to increases in market rates of interest by periodically purchasing interest rate caps to lock in the cost of funds of its variable-rate debt in the event of a rapid run up in interest rates. Beginning in 2009, the Company entered into contracts to purchase interest rate caps on $512,000,000 of notional value of principal from various multinational banks, of which $175,000,000 are active with termination dates ranging to March 2013. The caps provide for payments to the Company if various LIBOR thresholds are exceeded during the cap terms. Total cap purchases of $407,000 were generally fully expensed when paid, including $5,000 and $93,000 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and $142,000 for both comparable 2010 periods, and all are carried at $0 on the balance sheet at September 30, 2011.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year balances to conform with the current quarter’s presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the previously reported results of operations.

 

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(3) INVESTMENT IN MEDALLION BANK AND OTHER CONTROLLED SUBSIDIARIES

The following table presents information derived from Medallion Bank’s statements of operations and other valuation adjustments on other controlled subsidiaries for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2011     2010     2011     2010  

Statement of operations

        

Investment income

   $ 13,162      $ 12,257      $ 38,398      $ 35,008   

Interest expense

     1,309        1,874        4,862        5,624   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

     11,853        10,383        33,536        29,384   

Noninterest income

     139        87        464        404   

Operating expenses

     3,453        2,886        10,372        7,965   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income before income taxes

     8,539        7,584        23,628        21,823   

Income tax provision

     (2,693     (1,973     (7,015     (4,830
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income after income taxes

     5,846        5,611        16,613        16,993   

Net realized/unrealized losses of Medallion Bank

     (1,265     (2,399     (4,818     (8,595
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations of Medallion Bank

     4,581        3,212        11,795        8,398   

Unrealized depreciation on Medallion Bank(1)

     (1,073     (1,299     (4,069     (3,930

Net realized/unrealized gains (losses) of controlled subsidiaries other than Medallion Bank

     (661     62        (1,182     6,558   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations of Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

   $ 2,847      $ 1,975      $ 6,544      $ 11,026   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Unrealized depreciation on Medallion Bank reflects the adjustment to the investment carrying amount to reflect the dividends declared to the Company and the US Treasury.

 

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The following table presents Medallion Bank’s balance sheets and the net investment in other controlled subsidiaries as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2011      2010  

Loans

   $ 548,743       $ 516,378   

Investment securities, at fair value

     22,733         20,787   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investments ($0 pledged as collateral under borrowing arrangements at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010)(1)

     571,476         537,165   

Cash ($0 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 restricted as to use by lender)

     19,049         16,980   

Other assets, net

     11,417         14,504   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 601,942       $ 568,649   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other liabilities

   $ 4,184       $ 2,519   

Due to affiliates

     1,331         1,113   

Deposits and federal funds purchased, including accrued interest payable

     488,990         470,112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     494,505         473,744   

Medallion Bank equity(2)

     107,437         94,905   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 601,942       $ 568,649   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investment in other controlled subsidiaries

   $ 3,355       $ 4,727   

Total investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

   $ 85,264       $ 78,735   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Included in Medallion Bank’s net investments is $209 and $330 for purchased loan premium at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
(2) Includes $26,303 of preferred stock issued to the US Treasury under the Small Business Lending Fund Program (SBLF) at September 30, 2011, and $21,498 of preferred stock issued to the US Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) at December 31, 2010.

The following paragraphs summarize the accounting and reporting policies of Medallion Bank, and provide additional information relating to the tables presented above.

Investment securities are purchased from time-to-time in the open market at prices that are greater or lesser than the par value of the investment. The resulting premium or discount is deferred and recognized on a level yield basis as an adjustment to the yield of the related investment. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the net premium on investment securities totaled $222,000 and $164,000, and $16,000 and $40,000 was amortized into interest income for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and $14,000 and $51,000 were amortized in the comparable 2010 periods.

Medallion Bank’s policies regarding nonaccrual of medallion and commercial loans are similar to those of the Company. The consumer portfolio has different characteristics compared to commercial loans, typified by a larger number of lower dollar loans that have similar characteristics. These loans are placed on nonaccrual when they become 90 days past due, or earlier if they enter bankruptcy, and are charged off in their entirety when deemed uncollectible, or when they become 120 days past due, whichever occurs first, at which time appropriate collection and recovery efforts against both the borrower and the underlying collateral are initiated. At September 30, 2011, $2,388,000 or 1% of consumer loans, and no commercial or medallion loans were on nonaccrual, compared to $2,686,000 or 1% of consumer loans, $329,000 or less than 1% of commercial loans, and no medallion loans on nonaccrual at December 31, 2010, and $2,873,000 or 1% of consumer loans, $385,000 or 1% of commercial loans, and no medallion loans on nonaccrual at September 30, 2010. The amount of interest income on nonaccrual loans that would have been recognized if the loans had been paying in accordance with their original terms was $100,000, $138,000, and $278,000 as of September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010.

 

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Medallion Bank’s loan and investment portfolios are assessed for collectability on a monthly basis, and a loan loss allowance is established for any realizability concerns on specific investments, and general reserves have also been established for any unknown factors. The consumer portfolio purchase was net of unrealized depreciation of $4,244,000, or 5.0% of the balances outstanding, and included a purchase premium of approximately $5,678,000, of which $31,000 and $121,000 was amortized into interest income in the 2011 third quarter and nine months, and $45,000 and $152,000 was amortized into interest income in the comparable 2010 periods. The premium amount on the balance sheet was $209,000 and $330,000 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Adjustments to the fair value of this portfolio are based on the historical loan loss data obtained from the seller, adjusted for changes in delinquency trends and other factors as described previously in Note 2.

In January 2004, Medallion Bank commenced raising deposits to fund the purchase of various affiliates’ loan portfolios. The deposits were raised through the use of investment brokerage firms who package deposits qualifying for FDIC insurance into pools that are sold to Medallion Bank. The rates paid on the deposits are highly competitive with market rates paid by other financial institutions, and include a brokerage fee of 0.15% to 0.50%, depending on the maturity of the deposit, which is capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the life of the respective pool. The total amount capitalized at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $1,019,000 and $883,000, and $257,000 and $800,000 was amortized to interest expense during the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and $262,000 and $750,000 was amortized in the comparable 2010 periods. Interest on the deposits is accrued daily and paid monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or at maturity.

The outstanding balances of fixed rate borrowings were as follows:

 

    Payments Due for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30,     September  30,
2011
    December  31,
2010
    Interest
Rate (1)
 

(Dollars in thousands)

  2012     2013     2014     2015     2016     Thereafter        

Deposits and federal funds purchased

  $ 315,004      $ 128,852      $ 44,450      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 488,306      $ 468,957        0.80
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Weighted average contractual rate as of September 30, 2011.

Medallion Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the FDIC and State of Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Medallion Bank’s and our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Medallion Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of Medallion Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Medallion Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by Medallion Bank regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

FDIC-insured banks, including Medallion Bank, are subject to certain federal laws, which impose various legal limitations on the extent to which banks may finance or otherwise supply funds to certain of their affiliates. In particular, Medallion Bank is subject to certain restrictions on any extensions of credit to, or other covered transactions, such as certain purchases of assets, with the Company or its affiliates.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require Medallion Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios as defined in the regulations (set forth in the table below). Additionally, as conditions of granting Medallion Bank’s application for federal deposit insurance, the FDIC ordered that beginning paid-in-capital funds of not less than $22,000,000 be provided, that the Tier I Leverage Capital to total assets ratio, as defined, be not less than 15%, and that an adequate allowance for loan losses be maintained. As a result, to facilitate maintenance of the capital ratio requirement and to provide the necessary capital for continued growth, the Company periodically makes capital contributions to Medallion Bank. Separately, Medallion Bank declared dividends to the Company of $1,000,000 in each of the 2011 and 2010 third quarters, and $3,000,000 in each of the 2011 and 2010 nine months.

 

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On February 27, 2009 and December 22, 2009, Medallion Bank issued, and the US Treasury purchased under the TARP Capital Purchase Program (the CPP) Medallion Bank’s fixed rate non-cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, B, C, and D for an aggregate purchase price of $21,498,000 in cash. On July 21, 2011, Medallion Bank issued, and the US Treasury purchased 26,303 shares of Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series E (Series E) for an aggregate purchase price of $26,303,000 under the Small Business Lending Fund Program (SBLF). The SBLF is a voluntary program intended to encourage small business lending by providing capital to qualified smaller banks at favorable rates. In connection with the issuance of the Series E, the Bank exited the CPP by redeeming the Series A, B, C, and D. In addition, the Bank received additional funds of approximately $4,000,000 million, net of dividends due on the repaid securities. The Bank will pay an initial dividend rate of 1% on the Series E.

The following table represents Medallion Bank’s actual capital amounts and related ratios as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, compared to required regulatory minimum capital ratios and the ratio required to be considered well capitalized. As of September 30, 2011, Medallion Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject, and is well-capitalized.

 

     Regulatory              

(Dollars in Thousands)

   Minimum     Well-capitalized     September 30, 2011     December 31, 2010  

Tier I capital

     —          —        $ 105,432      $ 93,866   

Total capital

     —          —          112,722        100,762   

Average assets

     —          —          595,454        552,603   

Risk-weighted assets

     —          —          575,771        544,935   

Leverage ratio(1)

     4     5     17.7     17.0

Tier I capital ratio(2)

     4        6        18.3        17.2   

Total capital ratio(2)

     8        10        19.6        18.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Calculated by dividing Tier I capital by average assets.
(2) Calculated by dividing Tier I or total capital by risk-weighted assets.

(4) FUNDS BORROWED

The outstanding balances of funds borrowed were as follows:

 

    Payments Due for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30,     September  30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
    Interest
Rate (1)
 

(Dollars in thousands)

  2012     2013     2014     2015     2016     Thereafter        

Revolving lines of credit

  $ —        $ —        $ 169,633      $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 169,633      $ 180,204        1.34

SBA debentures

    3,000        19,450        13,500        9,250        —          24,485        69,685        80,250        5.44   

Notes payable to banks

    19,663        22,246        24,137        139        10,510        874        77,569        87,078        4.26   

Preferred securities

    —          —          —          —          —          33,000        33,000        33,000        7.68   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  $ 22,663      $ 41,696      $ 207,270      $ 9,389      $ 10,510      $ 58,359      $ 349,887      $ 380,532        3.40
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1) Weighted average contractual rate as of September 30, 2011.

(A) REVOLVING LINES OF CREDIT

In December 2008, Trust III entered into a revolving line of credit agreement with DZ Bank, to provide up to $200,000,000 of financing through a commercial paper conduit to acquire medallion loans from MFC (DZ line), of which $169,633,000 was outstanding at September 30, 2011. Borrowings under Trust III’s revolving line of credit are collateralized by Trust III’s assets. MFC is the servicer of the loans owned by Trust III. The DZ line

 

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includes a borrowing base covenant and rapid amortization in certain circumstances. In addition, if certain financial tests are not met, MFC can be replaced as the servicer. The DZ line matures in December 2013. The interest rate is the lesser of a pooled short-term commercial paper rate (which approximates LIBOR), 30 day LIBOR (0.24% at September 30, 2011) plus 0.75%, or 90 day LIBOR (0.37% at September 30, 2011) plus 0.50%; plus 0.95%.

In December 2006, Trust II entered into a revolving line of credit agreement with Citibank N.A., to provide up to $250,000,000 of financing through a commercial paper conduit to acquire medallion loans from MFC (Citi line), which was paid off in March 2010, in advance of the May 2010 maturity. In November 2008, the line of credit was reduced to $225,000,000, and was further reduced to $35,000,000 in November 2009. Borrowings under Trust II’s revolving line of credit were collateralized by Trust II’s assets. MFC was the servicer of the loans owned by Trust II. The Citi line included a borrowing base covenant and rapid amortization in certain circumstances. In addition, if certain financial tests were not met, MFC could have been replaced as the servicer. The interest rate was a pooled short-term commercial paper rate, which approximated LIBOR plus 1.07% with a facility fee of 1.50% on the aggregate Citi line, and prior to November 2009 was plus 0.82% with a facility fee of 0.15% on the aggregate Citi line.

(B) SBA DEBENTURES

In September 2010, the SBA approved a $5,000,000 commitment for MCI to issue additional debentures during a four year period upon payment of a 1% fee. The SBA also approved a $7,485,000 commitment for FSVC to issue additional debentures during a four year period upon payment of a 1% fee, for the purpose of repaying $7,485,000 of debentures which matured in September 2011, which were issued on March 1, 2011 and used to prepay the September 2011 maturing debentures. In September 2006, the SBA approved a $6,000,000 commitment for FSVC to issue additional debentures to the SBA during a four year period upon payment of a 1% fee and the infusion of $2,000,000 of additional capital. In March 2006, the SBA approved a $13,500,000 commitment for MCI to issue additional debentures to the SBA during a four year period upon payment of a 1% fee and the infusion of $6,750,000 of additional capital. In November 2003, the SBA approved an $8,000,000 commitment for FSVC, and during 2001, the SBA approved $36,000,000 each in commitments for FSVC and MCI. As of September 30, 2011, $106,985,000 of commitments had been fully utilized, and $5,000,000 was available for borrowing.

The notes are collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets and are subject to the terms and conditions of agreements with the SBA which, among other things, restrict stock redemptions, disposition of assets, new indebtedness, dividends or distributions, and changes in management, ownership, investment policy, or operations. The debentures have been issued in various tranches for terms of ten years with interest payable semiannually.

(C) NOTES PAYABLE TO BANKS

The Company and its subsidiaries have entered into (i) note agreements and (ii) participation agreements with a variety of local and regional banking institutions over the years. The notes are typically secured by various assets of the underlying borrower. The Company believes the participation agreements represent legal true sales of the loans to the lender, but for accounting purposes these participations are treated as financings, and are included in funds borrowed as shown on our consolidated balance sheets.

 

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The table below summarizes the key attributes of our various borrowing arrangements with banks as of September 30, 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

Borrower

  # of
Banks /
Notes
  Note
Dates
  Maturity
Dates
 

Type

  Note
Amounts
    Balance
Outstanding at
September 30, 2011
   

Monthly Payment

  Average Interest Rate
at
September 30, 2011
 

Interest Rate
Index(1)

The Company

  4/7   1/09-

7/11

  10/11-

1/16

  Participated loans treated as financings     $21,451        $21,382      Proportionate to the payments received on the participated loans   4.86%   N/A

The Company

  2/3   3/11-
9/11
  6/13 -
5/14
  Revolving line of credit secured by pledged loans     35,000        19,950      Interest only   3.00% +
0.25%
unused
fee
  LIBOR + 2.00%, 3.00% floor; Prime + 0.50%, 4.00% floor; LIBOR + 2.00% or Prime - 0.50%, 3.00% floor

Medallion Chicago

  3/28   12/10   12/13-
12/15
  Term loans secured by owned Chicago medallions(2)     18,398        18,124      $108 principal & interest   5.00%   N/A

MFC

  6/11   3/09-
10/10
  10/11-
2/17
  Participated loans treated as financings(3)     15,730        15,390      Proportionate to the payments received on the participated loans   4.33%   4.33%(4)

MFC

  4/4   1/05-
8/11
  3/12-
8/13
  Revolving line of credit secured by pledged loans(5)     63,000        2,723      Interest only   2.79%   Prime + 0.50%; LIBOR +2%, 3.00% floor; LIBOR + 2.50%; or LIBOR + 2%, 3.00% floor
         

 

 

   

 

 

       
          $ 153,579      $ 77,569         
         

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

(1) At September 30, 2011, 30 day LIBOR was 0.24%, 360 day LIBOR was 0.86%, and the prime rate was 3.25%.
(2) $10,973 guaranteed by the Company.
(3) $4,227 guaranteed by the Company.
(4) Generally, each of these notes reprice on their one year anniversary date at the greater of the current interest rate, or the prime rate plus an index, which ranges from 0.25% to 1.375%. One $547 loan remains fixed to term at 5.50%, and one $671 loan remains fixed to term at 4.125%.
(5) Guaranteed by the Company.

(D) PREFERRED SECURITIES

In June 2007, the Company issued and sold $36,083,000 aggregate principal amount of unsecured junior subordinated notes to Fin Trust which, in turn, sold $35,000,000 of preferred securities to Merrill Lynch International and issued 1,083 shares of common stock to the Company. The notes bear a fixed rate of interest of 7.68% to September 2012, and thereafter a variable rate of interest of 90 day LIBOR (0.37% at September 30, 2011) plus 2.13%. The notes mature in September 2037, and are prepayable at par on or after September 6, 2012. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. The terms of the preferred securities and the notes are substantially identical. At September 30, 2011, $33,000,000 was outstanding on the preferred securities. In December 2007, $2,000,000 of the preferred securities were repurchased from a third party investor.

 

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(E) COVENANT COMPLIANCE

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries enter into agreements, or are subject to regulatory requirements, that result in loan restrictions. Certain of our debt agreements contain restrictions that require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios, including debt to equity and minimum net worth. In addition, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Medallion Bank is subject to regulatory requirements related to the declaration of dividends (see Note 3).

(5) STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK

The Company has a stock option plan (2006 Stock Option Plan) available to grant both incentive and nonqualified stock options to employees. The 2006 Stock Option Plan, which was approved by the Board of Directors on February 15, 2006 and shareholders on June 16, 2006, provides for the issuance of a maximum of 800,000 shares of common stock of the Company. At September 30, 2011, 160,605 shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for future grants. The 2006 Stock Option Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The option price per share may not be less than the current market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. The term and vesting periods of the options are determined by the Compensation Committee, provided that the maximum term of an option may not exceed a period of ten years.

The Company’s Board of Directors approved a new non-employee director stock option plan (the 2006 Director Plan) on February 15, 2006, which was approved by shareholders on June 16, 2006, and on which exemptive relief to implement the 2006 Director Plan was received from the SEC on August 28, 2007. The 2006 Director Plan provides for an automatic grant of options to purchase 9,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to an Eligible Director upon election to the Board, with an adjustment for directors who are elected to serve less than a full term. A total of 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable under the 2006 Director Plan. At September 30, 2011, no shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for future grants. The option price per share may not be less than the current market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. Options granted under the 2006 Director Plan are exercisable annually, as defined in the 2006 Director Plan. The term of the options may not exceed ten years.

The Company’s Board of Directors approved the 2009 Employee Restricted Stock Plan (the Employee Restricted Stock Plan) on April 16, 2009. The Employee Restricted Stock Plan became effective upon the Company’s receipt of exemptive relief from the SEC and approval of the Employee Restricted Stock Option Plan by the Company’s shareholders on June 11, 2010. The terms of the Employee Restricted Stock Plan provide for grants of restricted stock awards to the Company’s employees. A grant of restricted stock is a grant of shares of the Company’s common stock, which at the time of issuance, is subject to certain forfeiture provisions, and thus is restricted as to transferability until such forfeiture restrictions have lapsed. A total of 800,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable under the Employee Restricted Stock Plan, and as of September 30, 2011, 731,382 shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for future grants. Awards under the 2009 Employee Plan are subject to certain limitations as set forth in the Employee Restricted Stock Plan. The Employee Restricted Stock Plan will terminate when all shares of common stock authorized for delivery under the Employee Restricted Stock Plan have been delivered and the forfeiture restrictions on all awards have lapsed, or by action of the Board of Directors pursuant to the Employee Restricted Stock Plan, whichever first occurs.

The Company’s Board of Directors approved an amendment to the 2006 Director Plan (the Amended Director Plan) on April 16, 2009, which was approved by the Company’s shareholders on June 5, 2009. The Amended Director Plan will become effective upon the Company’s receipt of exemptive relief from the SEC. The Amended Director Plan is intended to amend and restate the 2006 Director Plan by increasing the maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that will be available for issuance under the Amended Director Plan from 100,000 to 200,000. Under the Amended Director Plan, unless otherwise determined by a committee of the Board of Directors comprised of directors who are not eligible for grants under the Amended Director Plan, the Company will grant options to purchase 9,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to an

 

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Eligible Director upon election to the Board, with an adjustment for directors who are elected to serve less than a full term. The option price per share may not be less than the current market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the option is granted. Options granted under the 2006 Director Plan are exercisable annually, as defined in the Amended Director Plan. The term of the options may not exceed ten years.

The Company’s 1996 Stock Option Plan and 1996 Director Plan terminated on May 21, 2006 and no additional shares are available for future issuance. At September 30, 2011, 1,421,429 options on the Company’s common stock were outstanding under the 1996 and 2006 plans, of which 1,352,873 options were exercisable, and there were 68,618 unvested shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding under the Employee Restricted Stock Plan.

The fair value of each restricted stock grant is determined on the date of grant by the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. There were no options granted during the 2011 third quarter and nine months. The weighted average fair value of options granted was $0.96 per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The following assumption categories are used to determine the value of any option grants.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Risk free interest rate

     NA         NA         NA         2.77

Expected dividend yield

     NA         NA         NA         8.00   

Expected life of option in years (1)

     NA         NA         NA         6.00   

Expected volatility(2)

     NA         NA         NA         30.00   

 

(1) Expected life is calculated using the simplified method.
(2) We determine our expected volatility using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on our historical volatility.

The following table presents the activity for the stock option program under the 1996 and 2006 Stock Option Plans and the 1996 and 2006 Director Plans for the periods ended September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

     Number of
Options
    Exercise Price
Per Share
     Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     1,475,932      $ 3.50-17.94       $ 8.93   

Granted

     68,500        7.17-8.21         8.06   

Cancelled

     (46,264     9.22-17.94         13.79   

Exercised

     (2,200     4.85         4.85   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

     1,495,968        3.50-14.63         8.75   

Granted

     —          —           —     

Cancelled

     (16,937     9.22-14.63         14.54   

Exercised(1)

     —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2011

     1,479,031        3.50-13.06         8.68   

Granted

     —          —           —     

Cancelled

     (50,602     4.85-11.70         11.66   

Exercised(1)

     (7,000     4.85         4.85   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2011

     1,421,429        3.50-13.06         8.59   

Granted

     —          —           —     

Cancelled

     —          —           —     

Exercised(1)

     —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2011(2)

     1,421,429      $ 3.50-13.06       $ 8.59   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Options exercisable at September 30, 2011(2)

     1,352,873      $ 3.50-13.06       $ 8.63   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(1) The aggregate intrinsic value, which represents the difference between the price of the Company’s common stock at the exercise date and the related exercise price of the underlying options, was $0 and $30,000 for the 2011 third quarter and nine months, and was $0 for the comparable 2010 periods.
(2) The aggregate intrinsic value, which represents the difference between the price of the Company’s common stock at September 30, 2011 and the related exercise price of the underlying options, was $1,919,000 for outstanding options and $1,822,000 for exercisable options as of September 30, 2011.

The following table presents the activity for the restricted stock program under the 2009 Employee Restricted Stock Plan for the periods ended September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

     Number of
Shares
    Grant Price
Per Share
     Weighted
Average Grant
Price
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     —        $ —         $ —     

Granted

     —          —           —     

Cancelled

     —          —           —     

Vested

     —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

     —          —           —     

Granted

     68,740        7.99         7.99   

Cancelled

     —          —           —     

Vested(1)

     —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2011

     68,740        7.99         7.99   

Granted

     —          —           —     

Cancelled

     (25     7.99         7.99   

Vested(1)

     —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2011

     68,715        7.99         7.99   

Granted

     —          —           —     

Cancelled

     97        7.99         7.99   

Vested(1)

     —          —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2011(2)

     68,618      $ 7.99       $ 7.99   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) The aggregate fair value of the restricted stock vested was $0 for the 2011 and 2010 third quarters and nine months.
(2) The aggregate fair value of the restricted stock was $638,000 as of September 30, 2011.

The following table presents the activity for the unvested options outstanding under the plans for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

     Number
of Options
    Exercise
Price
Per Share
     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

     263,161      $ 7.17-11.21       $ 8.83   

Granted

     —          —           —     

Cancelled

     —          —           —     

Vested

     (35,139     9.99-11.21         10.73   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2011

     228,022        7.17-9.24         8.54   

Granted

     —          —           —     

Cancelled

     —          —           —     

Vested

     (159,466     7.17-9.24         8.82   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Number
of
Options
     Exercise
Price
Per Share
     Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding at June 30, 2011

     68,556         7.17-8.21         7.89   

Granted

     —           —           —     

Cancelled

     —           —           —     

Vested

     —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2011

     68,556       $ 7.17-8.21       $ 7.89   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The intrinsic value of the options vested was $0 and $21,000 for the 2011 third quarter and nine months.

The following table summarizes information regarding options outstanding and options exercisable at September 30, 2011 under the 1996 and 2006 Stock Option Plans and the 1996 and 2006 Director Plans.

 

     Options Outstanding      Options Exercisable  
            Weighted average             Weighted average  

Range of Exercise Prices

   Shares at
September 30,
2011
     Remaining
contractual life
in years
     Exercise price      Shares at
September 30,
2011
     Remaining
contractual life
in years
     Exercise price  

$3.50-5.51

     341,647         0.79       $ 4.91         341,647         0.79       $ 4.91   

6.89-13.06

     1,079,782         5.60         9.76         1,011,226         5.42         9.88   
  

 

 

          

 

 

       

$3.50-13.06

     1,421,429         4.44         8.59         1,352,873         4.25         8.63   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes information regarding restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2011 under the 2009 Employee Restricted Stock Plan.

 

     Restricted Stock Outstanding  
            Weighted average  

Range of Grant Prices

   Shares at
September 30,
2011
     Remaining
vesting period
in years
     Grant price  

$7.99

     68,618         2.39       $ 7.99   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(6) SEGMENT REPORTING

We have one business segment, our lending and investing operations. This segment originates and services medallion, secured commercial, and consumer loans, and invests in both marketable and nonmarketable securities.

(7) NONINTEREST INCOME AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

The major components of noninterest income were as follows:

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2011      2010      2011      2010  

Prepayment fees

   $ 88       $ 273       $ 438       $ 623   

Servicing fees

     71         990         246         2,391   

Late charges

     35         47         171         148   

Other

     24         30         98         125   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

   $ 218       $ 1,340       $ 953       $ 3,287   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Prepayment fees decreased in the 2011 third quarter compared to the 2010 third quarter due to a lower level of prepayment activity as interest rates appear to have bottomed, and also reflected the prepayment of several larger customers in the 2010 periods. The decrease in servicing fees in the 2011 third quarter and nine months primarily reflected the absence of servicing fees from Medallion Bank, which are reflected as income earned by MSC, an unconsolidated portfolio investment of the Company, beginning in December 2010.

The major components of other operating expenses were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands)

       2011              2010          2011      2010  

Loan collection costs and other investment costs

   $ 29       $ 15       $ 1,024       ($ 1,564

Travel, meals, and entertainment

     203         258         657         617   

Miscellaneous taxes

     119         80         305         385   

Directors’ fees

     101         135         304         408   

Office expense

     58         89         173         264   

Telephone

     43         57         137         188   

Insurance

     60         57         135         169   

Investment and referral

     39         48         134         135   

Depreciation and amortization

     36         48         117         146   

Other expenses

     196         375         543         761   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other operating expenses

   $ 884       $ 1,162       $ 3,529       $ 1,509   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Most expense categories were lower in the 2011 periods as a result of the costs which are being allocated to MSC for servicing-related activities. Additionally, loan collections and other investment costs increased reflecting $942,000 of accrued costs relating to a proposed investment opportunity in the 2011 nine months, and also reflected $1,312,000 of expense reversals related to the costs of winding up the operations of the SPAC’s in the 2010 nine months that were reclassified to realized losses on investments, and $310,000 that was reversed as a result of favorable negotiations with the creditors of SPAC. Travel, meals, and entertainment increased in the 2011 nine months compared to the prior year due to an increase in investment development activities. Miscellaneous taxes were lower in the 2011 nine months due to higher franchise and excise taxes in the prior year. Other expenses decreased due to a reserve established for capitalized transaction costs in the prior periods.

 

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8) SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS AND OTHER DATA

The following table provides selected financial ratios and other data:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

       2011             2010         2011     2010  

Net share data:

        

Net asset value at the beginning of the period

   $ 9.49      $ 9.16      $ 9.35      $ 9.27   

Net investment income

     0.08        0.14        0.33        0.42   

Income tax (provision) benefit

     —          —          —          —     

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

     0.04        (0.01     0.07        (0.51

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

     0.15        0.07        0.37        0.46   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     0.27        0.20        0.77        0.37   

Issuance of common stock

     —          —          (0.03     —     

Repurchases of common stock

     —          0.02        —          0.02   

Distribution of net investment income

     (0.05     (0.15     (0.38     (0.45

Return of capital

     (0.13     —          (0.13     —     

Distribution of net realized gains on investments

     —          —          —          —     

Other

     0.01        —          0.01        0.02   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net asset value

     0.10        0.07        0.24        (0.04
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value at the end of the period(1)

   $ 9.59      $ 9.23      $ 9.59      $ 9.23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share market value at beginning of period

   $ 9.75      $ 6.60      $ 8.20      $ 8.17   

Per share market value at end of period

     9.30        7.79        9.30        7.79   

Total return(2)

     (11 %)      81     26     1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios/supplemental data

        

Average net assets

   $ 167,671      $ 160,699      $ 165,828      $ 161,600   

Total expense ratio(3)(4)(5)

     16     21     17     20

Operating expenses to average net assets(4)(5)

     8.14        12        8.88        11   

Net investment income after taxes to average net assets(5)

     3.26        5.84        4.59        6.24   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes $0.00 and $0.13 of undistributed net investment income per share and $0.00 of undistributed net realized gains per share as of September 30, 2011 and 2010.
(2) Total return is calculated by dividing the change in market value of a share of common stock during the period, assuming the reinvestment of dividends on the payment date, by the per share market value at the beginning of the period.
(3) Total expense ratio represents total expenses (interest expense, operating expenses, and income taxes) divided by average net assets.
(4) Includes $1,312 of expense reversals related to the costs of winding up the operations of the SPAC’s in the 2010 nine months that were reclassified to realized losses on investments, and $310 that was reversed as a result of favorable negotiations with the creditors of SPAC. Excluding these amounts, the total expense ratio was 21% for the 2010 nine months, and the operating expense ratio was 12%.
(5) In December 2010, MSC assumed our servicing obligations, and as a result, servicing fee income of $1,389 and $4,145, and operating expenses of $1,369 and $4,127, which formerly were the Company’s, were now MSC’s for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. Excluding the impact of the MSC amounts, the total expense ratio, operating expense ratio, and net investment income ratio would have been 20%, 11%, and 3.30% in the quarter, and 21%, 12%, and 4.61% in the nine months.

 

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(9) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment”. ASU 2011-08 amends Topic 350 (Intangibles-Goodwill and Other) by permitting an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe adoption will have an impact on its financial condition or results of operation.

In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards”. ASU 2011-04 amends Topic 820 (Fair Value Measurement) by providing a consistent definition of fair value, ensuring that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements, particularly for level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2011, and is to be applied prospectively. The Company is evaluating the impact adoption of ASU 2011-04 will have on its disclosures, and does not believe adoption will have an impact on its financial condition or results of operation.

In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-29, “Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force,” the objective of which was to address diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations. The update specifies that a public entity which presents comparative financial statements should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual period only. The amendments in this update are applicable to any public entity which enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or aggregate basis and is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted. Adoption of ASU 2010-29 has not had an impact on the financial condition of the Company as it only amends future pro forma disclosures of material business combinations.

(10) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Certain directors, officers, and shareholders of the Company are also directors and officers of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, MFC, MCI, FSVC, and Medallion Bank, as well as of certain portfolio investment companies. Officer salaries are set by the Board of Directors of the Company, and were subject to various regulatory constraints imposed by the TARP program (see Note 3).

A member of the Board of Directors of the Company since 1996 is also of counsel in the Company’s primary law firm. Amounts paid to the law firm were approximately $143,000 and $160,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and were $407,000 and $444,000 for the comparable nine months.

 

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At September 30, 2011, December 31, 2010, and September 30, 2010, we serviced $351,303,000, $332,053,000, and $312,097,000 in loans for Medallion Bank. Included in net investment income were amounts as described in the table below that were received from Medallion Bank for services rendered in originating and servicing loans, and also for reimbursement of certain expenses incurred on their behalf:

 

     Three Months
Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 

(Dollars in thousands)

   2011      2010      2011      2010  

Loan origination fees

   $ 152       $ 227       $ 534       $ 640   

Reimbursement of operating expenses

     64         79         184         237   

Servicing fees

     5         875         16         2,088   

Interest income

     —           —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income

   $ 221       $ 1,181       $ 734       $ 2,965   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In December 2010, the Company assigned its servicing rights to the Medallion Bank portfolio to MSC, a wholly-owned unconsolidated portfolio investment. The costs of servicing are allocated to MSC by the Company, and the servicing fee income is billed and collected from Medallion Bank by MSC. As a result, $1,389,000 and $4,145,000 of servicing fee income was earned by MSC in the 2011 third quarter and nine months.

SPAC

Included in investments in controlled subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 was $6,961,000 of investments in and loans to a special purpose acquisition company, Sports Properties Acquisition Corp. (the SPAC), 18%-owned by the Company, which consummated its initial public offering (IPO) in January 2008. Immediately prior to the IPO, the Company purchased warrants for $5,900,000 from the SPAC in a private placement which would have allowed it to acquire 5,900,000 additional shares of common stock in the future under various conditions and restrictions. The SPAC was unable to consummate an approved business combination within 24 months of the IPO, as a result, the Company’s entire investment in the SPAC became worthless in January 2010, and was therefore fully reserved for with a $6,961,000 charge to unrealized depreciation during the year ended December 31, 2009, and was fully written off to realized losses in the 2010 first quarter. All of the assets of the SPAC have been used to repay the public stockholders.

The Company had entered into a consulting agreement with ProEminent Sports, whose principal acted as a consultant to the Company for sports related investments and, included within the scope of his duties, also provided services to the SPAC, including serving as its Chief Executive Officer, and assisting generally with the SPAC’s offering and business combination. The Company had paid ProEminent Sports a monthly fee of $20,000, which during 2009 was reduced to $10,000, and then $0. The Company had previously entered into a consulting agreement with GamePlan, LLC which was terminated as of June 1, 2008, when the SPAC entered into its own consulting agreement with GamePlan, LLC. The Company had paid GamePlan, LLC a monthly fee of $10,000.

The Company had agreed to indemnify the SPAC in the event of the SPAC’s liquidation for all claims of any vendors, service providers, or other entities that are owed money by the SPAC for services rendered or contracted for, or for products sold to the SPAC, including claims of any prospective acquisition targets. At December 31, 2009, the SPAC’s liabilities exceeded its cash on hand by $1,581,000. The SPAC negotiated these liabilities downwards, and obtained forbearance from those associated with a failed deal, and during 2010, $1,292,000 of the expenses were paid, $310,000 were forgiven, including $495,000 and $217,000, respectively, in the 2010 first quarter, and there were no remaining claims outstanding.

 

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Certain of the Company’s officers and directors also served as officers and directors of the SPAC, and in that role entered into agreements with the SPAC and its underwriter(s) to present to the SPAC, prior to presentation to any other person or entity, opportunities to acquire entities, until the earlier of the SPAC’s consummation of a business combination, the SPAC’s liquidation, or until such time as they ceased to be an officer or director of the SPAC. The Company entered into a similar agreement.

SPAC 2

Included in deferred costs in other assets at December 31, 2009 was $759,000 of investments in and loans to a special purpose acquisition company, National Security Solutions, Inc. (SPAC 2), 74%-owned by the Company, which was in organization prior to registration with the SEC to register units for sale in an initial public offering. As a result of the market conditions which led to the failure of the SPAC, it was determined to cease activities related to SPAC 2, and as a result, the investment was fully reserved for with a $759,000 charge to unrealized depreciation during the year ended December 31, 2009, and was fully written off to realized losses in the 2010 first quarter. In addition, the Company had additional realized losses of $20,000 in 2010.

(11) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure of fair value information about certain financial instruments, whether assets, liabilities, or off-balance-sheet commitments, if practicable. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument. Fair value estimates that were derived from broker quotes cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.

(a) Investments—The Company’s investments are recorded at the estimated fair value of such investments.

(b) Floating rate borrowings—Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, the carrying amount approximates fair value.

(c) Commitments to extend credit—The fair value of commitments to extend credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and present creditworthiness of the counter parties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also includes a consideration of the difference between the current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the estimated fair value of these off-balance-sheet instruments was not material.

(d) Fixed rate borrowings—The fair value of the debentures payable to the SBA is estimated based on current market interest rates for similar debt.

 

     September 30, 2011      December 31, 2010  

(Dollars in thousands)

   Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value      Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value  

Financial assets

           

Investments

   $ 452,982       $ 452,982       $ 483,516       $ 483,516   

Cash

     18,887         18,887         17,303         17,303   

Accrued interest receivable

     1,110         1,110         1,441         1,441   

Financial liabilities

           

Funds borrowed

     349,887         349,887         380,532         380,532   

Accrued interest payable

     775         775         1,913         1,913   

 

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(12) FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The Company accounts for substantially all of its financial instruments at fair value or considers fair value in its measurement, in accordance with the accounting guidance for investment companies. See Note 2 sections “Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities” and “Investment Valuation” for a description of our valuation methodology which is unchanged during 2011.

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, the Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives 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 required by FASB ASC Topic 820, when the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. For example, a level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (level 1 and 2) and unobservable (level 3). Therefore gains and losses for such assets and liabilities categorized within the level 3 table below may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (level 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (level 3).

Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that the Company has the ability to access (examples include active exchange-traded equity securities, exchange-traded derivatives, most US Government and agency securities, and certain other sovereign government obligations).

Level 2. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

  A) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets (for example, restricted stock);

 

  B) Quoted price for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets (for example, corporate and municipal bonds, which trade infrequently);

 

  C) Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include most over-the-counter derivatives, including interest rate and currency swaps); and

 

  D) Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability (examples include certain residential and commercial mortgage-related assets, including loans, securities, and derivatives).

Level 3. Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the assets or liability (examples include certain private equity investments, certain residential and commercial mortgage-related assets (including loans, securities, and derivatives), and long-dated or complex derivatives including certain equity derivatives and long-dated options on gas and power).

A review of fair value hierarchy classification is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in/out of the level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassifications occur.

 

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The following tables present Medallion’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

 

September 30, 2011 (Dollars in thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Medallion loans

   $ —         $ —         $ 303,943       $ 303,943   

Commercial loans

     —           —           59,020         59,020   

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     —           —           85,264         85,264   

Equity investments

     256         —           4,499         4,755   

Other assets

     —           40,963         —           40,963   

 

December 31, 2010 (Dollars in thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Medallion loans

   $ —         $ —         $ 323,126       $ 323,126   

Commercial loans

     —           —           76,866         76,866   

Investment in Medallion Bank and other controlled subsidiaries

     —           —           78,735         78,735   

Equity investments

     280         —           4,509         4,789   

Other assets

     —           37,476         —           37,476   

Included in level 3 investments in other controlled subsidiaries is the investment in Medallion Bank, MSC, and investments in start-up businesses engaged in media-buying consulting. Included in level 3 equity investments are unregistered shares of common stock in a publicly-held company as well as certain private equity positions in non-marketable securities.

The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of Medallion’s level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Investment in Medallion Bank
& Other Controlled Subs
    Equity Investments      Other Assets  

June 30, 2011

   $ 312,139      $ 65,851      $ 82,772      $ 4,390       $ —     

Gains (losses) included in earnings

     —          (2,518     3,847        109         —     

Purchases, investments, and issuances

     27,710        654        826        —           —     

Sales, maturities, settlements, and distributions

     (35,906     (4,967     (2,181     —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

   $ 303,943      $ 59,020      $ 85,264      $ 4,499       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts related to held assets(1)

   $ —        ($ 2,450   $ 3,847      $ 149       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for the 2011 third quarter which relate to assets held as of September 30, 2011.

 

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(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Investment in Medallion Bank
& Other Controlled Subs
    Equity Investments     Other Assets  

December 31, 2010

   $ 323,126      $ 76,866      $ 78,735      $ 4,509      $ —     

Gains (losses) included in earnings

     —          (4,601     9,543        1,764        —     

Purchases, investments, and issuances

     128,487        3,190        2,595        —          —     

Sales, maturities, settlements, and distributions

     (147,670     (16,435     (5,609     (1,774     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

September 30, 2011

   $ 303,943      $ 59,020      $ 85,264      $ 4,499      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts related to held assets(1)

   $ —        ($ 4,550   $ 9,543      $ 759      $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for the 2011 nine months which relate to assets held as of September 30, 2011.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Investment in Medallion Bank
& Other Controlled Subs
    Equity Investments      Other Assets  

June 30, 2010

   $ 333,318      $ 71,669      $ 74,104      $ 3,090       $ —     

Gains (losses) included in earnings

     —          (1,064     2,975        213         —     

Purchases, investments, and issuances

     53,708        24        200        —           —     

Sales, maturities, settlements, and distributions

     (59,601     (5,471     (1,520     —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

September 30, 2010

   $ 327,425      $ 65,158      $ 75,759      $ 3,303       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts related to held assets(1)

   $ —        ($ 1,099   $ 2,975      $ 213       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for the 2010 third quarter which relate to assets held as of September 30, 2010.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

   Medallion
Loans
    Commercial
Loans
    Investment in Medallion Bank
& Other Controlled Subs
    Equity Investments      Other Assets  

December 31, 2009

   $ 321,915      $ 77,922      $ 71,736      $ 2,769       $ —     

Gains (losses) included in earnings

     —          (5,448     7,061        534         —     

Purchases, investments, and issuances

     138,288        564        859        —           —     

Sales, maturities, settlements, and distributions

     (132,778     (7,880     (3,897     —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

September 30, 2010

   $ 327,425      $ 65,158      $ 75,759      $ 3,303       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts related to held assets(1)

   $ —        ($ 5,632   $ 7,061      $ 534       $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income for the 2010 nine months which relate to assets held as of September 30, 2010.

 

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(13) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

We have evaluated subsequent events that have occurred through November 3, 2011, the date of financial statement issuance.

On October 27, 2011, the Company’s board of directors declared a $0.19 per share common stock dividend, payable on November 23, 2011 to shareholders of record on November 16, 2011.

In October 2011, we extended the terms of the Stock Repurchase Program. Purchases were to commence no earlier than November 2011 and are to conclude 180 days after the commencement of the purchases.

 

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PART C

Other Information

 

ITEM 25. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(1) Financial Statements

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-3   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Years ended December  31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-6   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7   

Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-36   

Medallion Bank Financial Statements

     F-40   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-41   

Statements of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-42   

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009

     F-43   

Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years ended December  31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-44   

Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

     F-45   

Notes to Financial Statements

     F-46   

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-61   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months ended September  30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited).

     F-63   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2010

     F-64   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Three and Nine Months ended September  30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

     F-65   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September  30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)

     F-66   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     F-67   

(2) Exhibits

 

Number

  

Description

a.1    Restated Medallion Financial Corp. Certificate of Incorporation. Filed as Exhibit 2(a) to our Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-1670) and incorporated by reference herein.
a.2    Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Filed as Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.

 

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Number

   

Description

  b.      Restated By-Laws. Filed as Exhibit (b) to our Registration Statement on Form N-2
(File No. 333-1670) and incorporated by reference herein.
  c.      Not applicable.
  d.1      Instruments defining the rights of holders of securities. See Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Filed as Exhibit 2(a) to our Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-1670) and incorporated by reference herein.
  d.2      Instruments defining the rights of holders of securities. See Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Filed as Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
  d.3      Instruments defining the rights of holders of securities. See Restated By-Laws. Filed as Exhibit (b) to our Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-1670) and incorporated by reference herein.
  e.      Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Filed as Exhibit (e) to our Registration Statement on Form N-2
(File No. 333-1670) and incorporated by reference herein.
  f.      Not applicable.
  g.      Not applicable.
  h. **    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  i.1      First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, between Medallion Financial Corp. and Alvin Murstein dated May 29, 1998. Filed as Exhibit 10.19 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
  i.2      First Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, between Medallion Financial Corp. and Andrew M. Murstein dated May 29, 1998. Filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
  i.3      Employment Agreement, between Medallion Financial Corp. and Michael Kowalsky dated August 3, 2006. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 4, 2006 (File No. 814-0018) and incorporated by reference herein.
  i.4      Medallion Financial Corp. Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Option Plan. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2002 (File No. 814-0018) and incorporated by reference herein.
  i.5      Medallion Financial Corp. Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan. Filed as Exhibit A to our Request Form on Amendment and the Order by the Commission approving the plan as of April 3, 2000 (File No. 812-11800) and incorporated by reference herein.
  i.6      2006 Employee Stock Option Plan. Filed as Exhibit II to our definitive proxy statement for our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on April 28, 2006 (File No. 814-0018) and incorporated by reference herein.
  i.7      2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. Filed as Exhibit I to our definitive proxy statement for our 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on April 28, 2006 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
  i.8      Medallion Funding Corp. 401(k) Savings Plan. Filed as Exhibit (i.2) to our Registration Statement on Form N-2A (File No. 333-1670) and incorporated by reference herein.
  i.9      2009 Employee Restricted Stock Plan. Filed as Exhibit I to our definitive proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on April 29, 2010 (File No. 814-0018) and incorporated by reference herein.

 

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Number

  

Description

j.1*    Custodian Agreement, effective July 23, 2003, among Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as custodian, and Medallion Financial Corp., Medallion Funding Corp. and Freshstart Venture Capital Corp.
j.2*    Custodial Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2008, among DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and Medallion Funding Corp.
k.1    Indenture of Lease, dated October 31, 1997, by and between Sage Realty Corporation, as Agent and Landlord, and Medallion Financial Corp., as Tenant. Filed as Exhibit 10.64 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 814-0018) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.2    First Amendment of Lease, dated September 6, 2005, by and between Medallion Financial Corp. and Sage Realty Corporation. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 12, 2005 (File No. 814-0018) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.3    Commitment Letter, dated March 1, 2006, by the Small Business Administration to Medallion Capital, Inc., accepted and agreed to by Medallion Capital, Inc. on March 8, 2006. Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 9, 2006 (File No. 000-27812) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.4    Commitment Letter, dated September 20, 2006, by the Small Business Administration to Freshstart Venture Capital Corp., accepted and agreed to by Freshstart Venture Capital Corp. on October 10, 2006. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2006 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.5    Commitment Letter, dated September 1, 2010, by the Small Business Administration to Medallion Capital, Inc., accepted and agreed to by Medallion Capital, Inc. on September 7, 2010. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2010 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.6    Commitment Letter, dated September 1, 2010, by the Small Business Administration to Freshstart Venture Capital Corp., accepted and agreed to by Freshstart Venture Capital Corp. on September 8, 2010. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2010
(File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.7    Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Note, dated June 7, 2007, by Medallion Financial Corp., in favor of Medallion Financing Trust I. Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 11, 2007 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.8    Junior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of June 7, 2007, between Medallion Financing Trust I and Wilmington Trust Company as trustee. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 11, 2007 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.9    Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2007, among Medallion Financial Corp. as depositor, Wilmington Trust Company as property trustee and Delaware trustee and the Administrative Trustees named therein. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 11, 2007 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.10    Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2007, among Medallion Financial Corp., Medallion Financing Trust I, and Merrill Lynch International. Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 11, 2007 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.

 

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Table of Contents

Number

  

Description

k.11    Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2008, among Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III, Autobahn Funding Company LLC, as Lender, and DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main, as Agent. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2008 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.12    Amendment No. 1 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2009, by and among Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III, Autobahn Funding Company LLC, as Lender, and DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main, as Agent. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2009 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.13    Servicing Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2008, by and among Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III, Medallion Funding Corp., and DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2008
(File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.14    Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement, dated December 12, 2008, by and between Medallion Funding Corp. and Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III. Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2008 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.15    Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2008, by and between Medallion Funding Corp. and U.S. Bank Trust, N.A. Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2008 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.16    Limited Recourse Guaranty, dated as of December 12, 2008, by Medallion Funding Corp., in favor of Autobahn Funding Company LLC, as Lender, and DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main, as Agent. Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2008 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.17    Performance Guaranty, dated as of December 12, 2008, by Medallion Financial Corp., in favor of Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III, Autobahn Funding Company LLC, as Lender, and DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main, as Agent. Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2008 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.18    Reaffirmation Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2010, by and among Medallion Funding LLC, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III, DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main, in its capacity as Agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2010 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.19    Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2011, by and among Medallion Financial Corp., Medallion Funding LLC and Sterling National Bank. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2011 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.20    Amended and Restated Unlimited Guaranty, dated March 28, 2011, by Medallion Funding LLC, in favor of Sterling National Bank. Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 1, 2011 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.
k.21    First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated September 1, 2011, by and among Medallion Financial Corp., Medallion Funding LLC and Sterling National Bank. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 7, 2011 (File No. 814-00188) and incorporated by reference herein.

 

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Number

 

Description

l.**   Opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and consent to its use.
m.   Not applicable.
n.1*   Consent of WeiserMazars LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
n.2*   Opinion of WeiserMazars LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, regarding “Senior Securities” table contained herein.
o.   Not applicable.
p.   Not applicable.
q.   Not applicable.
r.*   Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy.

 

* Filed herewith.
** To be filed by amendment.

 

ITEM 26. MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS

The information contained under the heading “Plan of Distribution” on this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference and any information concerning any underwriters for a particular offering will be contained in the prospectus supplement related to that offering.

 

ITEM 27. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION*

 

Commission registration fee

   $ 11,460   

NASDAQ Listing Fee

     **   

NASD filing fee

     **   

Accounting fees and expenses

     **   

Legal fees and expenses

     **   

Printing and engraving

     **   

Registrar and transfer agent’s fees

     **   

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

     **   
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ **   
  

 

 

 

 

* Estimated for filing purposes.
** To be filed by amendment.

All of the expenses set forth above shall be borne by us.

 

ITEM 28. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL

 

Name

   Percentage of Voting
Securities Owned By Us
    Jurisdiction of
Organization

Medallion Funding LLC(1)

     100   New York

Medallion Capital, Inc.(1)

     100   Minnesota

Freshstart Venture Capital Corp.(1)

     100   New York

Medallion Bank(2)

     100   Utah

Generation Outdoor, Inc.(2)

     100   Delaware

Medallion Hamptons Holding LLC(2)

     100   Delaware

 

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Name

   Percentage of Voting Securities
Owned By Us
    Jurisdiction of Organization

Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III(1)

     100   Delaware

Medallion Servicing Corp.(2)

     100   Delaware

Medallion Sports Media, Inc.(2)

     100   Delaware

 

(1) These subsidiaries are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) These subsidiaries are not included in our Consolidated Financial Statements because Securities and Exchange Commission regulations prohibit the consolidation of non-investment companies with investment companies.

 

ITEM 29. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

The following table sets forth the approximate number of record holders of our common stock as of December 19, 2011.

 

Title of Class

   NUMBER OF
RECORD HOLDERS
 

Common stock, $0.01 par value

     133   

 

ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION

Section 145 of the DGCL grants us the power to indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that he is or was our director, officer, employee or agent, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, provided, however, no indemnification shall be made in connection with any proceeding brought by or in our right where the person involved is adjudged to be liable to us except to the extent approved by a court. Article TENTH of our certificate of incorporation as currently in effect provides that we shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as amended from time to time, indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, our director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request, as a director, officer or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The indemnification provided for in Article TENTH is expressly not exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any law, agreement or vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such persons. Article TENTH permits the Board of Directors to authorize the grant of indemnification rights to our other employees and agents and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, those set forth in Article TENTH.

Article V, Section 2 of our by-laws provides that we shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was our director, officer, employee or agent, or is or was serving at our request, as a director, officer or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against and incurred by such person in any such capacity.

Pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, Article NINTH of our certificate of incorporation eliminates a director’s personal liability for monetary damages to us and its shareholders for breaches of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent that the elimination or limitation of liability is not then permitted under the DGCL.

 

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Our by-laws and certificate of incorporation provide indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law and the 1940 Act.

We have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments that the Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the provisions described above, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of an action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by a director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

Not Applicable.

ITEM 32. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act, pursuant to Section 64 of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of:

 

  (1)

Medallion Financial Corp., 437 Madison Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022;

 

  (2) the transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219; and

 

  (3) the custodian, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 1055 Tenth Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414.

ITEM 33. MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Not Applicable.

ITEM 34. UNDERTAKINGS

1. We undertake to suspend the offering of the securities until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement; or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than the net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

2. We undertake:

(a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement.; and

 

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(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;

(b) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of those securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

(c) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

3. We undertake:

(a) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

(b) that for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, and the State of New York, on the 20th day of December, 2011.

 

MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.
By:   /S/    ALVIN MURSTEIN        
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Alvin Murstein, Andrew M. Murstein or Larry D. Hall his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, and hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    ALVIN MURSTEIN        

Alvin Murstein

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

  December 20, 2011

/S/    LARRY D. HALL        

Larry D. Hall

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  December 20, 2011

/S/    ANDREW M. MURSTEIN        

Andrew M. Murstein

  

President and Director

  December 20, 2011

/S/    HENRY L. AARON        

Henry L. Aaron

  

Director

  December 20, 2011

/S/    MARIO M. CUOMO        

Mario M. Cuomo

  

Director

  December 20, 2011

/S/    HENRY D. JACKSON        

Henry D. Jackson

  

Director

  December 20, 2011

/S/    STANLEY KREITMAN        

Stanley Kreitman

  

Director

  December 20, 2011

/S/    FREDERICK A. MENOWITZ        

Frederick A. Menowitz

  

Director

  December 20, 2011

/S/    DAVID L. RUDNICK        

David L. Rudnick

  

Director

  December 20, 2011

/S/    LOWELL P. WEICKER, JR.        

Lowell P. Weicker, Jr.

  

Director

  December 20, 2011

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number

  

Description

j.1    Custodian Agreement, effective July 23, 2003, among Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as custodian, and Medallion Financial Corp., Medallion Funding Corp. and Freshstart Venture Capital Corp.
j.2    Custodial Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2008, among DZ Bank AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main, Taxi Medallion Loan Trust III, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and Medallion Funding Corp.
n.1    Consent of WeiserMazars LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
n.2    Opinion of WeiserMazars LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, regarding “Senior Securities” table contained herein.
r.    Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy.