RECOURSE AND NON-RECOURSE NOTES PAYABLE

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

RECOURSE AND NON-RECOURSE NOTES PAYABLE [Abstract]

RECOURSE AND NON-RECOURSE NOTES PAYABLE

7. NON-RECOURSE NOTES PAYABLE AND OTHER FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

Non-recourse obligations consist of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,		March 31,
	2011
Non-recourse equipment notes secured by related investments in leases with interest rates ranging from 2.58% to 9.5% at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011	$	23,418	$	29,592

Principal and interest payments on the non-recourse notes payable are generally due monthly in amounts that are approximately equal to the total payments due from the lessee under the leases that collateralize the notes payable. The weighted average interest rate for our non-recourse notes payable was 5.39% and 5.84%, as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively. Under non-recourse financing, in the event of a default by a lessee, the lender generally only has recourse against the lessee, and the equipment serving as collateral, but not against us.

Our technology sales business segment, through our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., finances its operations with funds generated from operations, and with a credit facility from GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation (“GECDF”). This facility provides short-term capital for our technology sales business segment. There are two components of the GECDF credit facility: (1) a floor plan component and (2) an accounts receivable component. Under the floor plan component, we had outstanding balances of $83.0 million and $63.8 million as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, respectively. Under the accounts receivable component, we had no outstanding balances as of December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the facility agreement had an aggregate limit of the two components of $125 million, and the accounts receivable component had a sub-limit of $30 million, which bears interest at the Wall Street Journal U.S. Prime rate less 0.5%, or 4.75%. Availability under the GECDF facility may be limited by the asset value of equipment we purchase or accounts receivable, and may be further limited by certain covenants and terms and conditions of the facility. These covenants include, but are not limited to, a minimum total tangible net worth and subordinated debt of ePlus Technology, inc., and maximum debt to tangible net worth ratio of ePlus Technology, inc. Management believes we were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2011. Either party may terminate with 90 days’ advance notice. We are not, and do not believe that we are reasonably likely to be, in breach of the GECDF credit facility. In addition, we do not believe that the covenants of the GECDF credit facility materially limit our ability to undertake financing. In this regard, the covenants apply only to our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc. This credit facility is secured by the assets of only ePlus Technology, inc. and the guaranty as described below.

The facility provided by GECDF requires a guaranty of up to $10.5 million by ePlus inc. The guaranty requires ePlus inc. to deliver its annual audited financial statements by certain dates. We have delivered the annual audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2011, as required. The loss of the GECDF credit facility could have a material adverse effect on our future results as we currently rely on this facility and its components for daily working capital and liquidity for our technology sales business and as an operational function of our accounts payable process.

On October 26, 2009, we entered into an agreement with 1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia to provide us with a $0.5 million credit facility, which matures on October 26, 2012. This credit facility is available for use by us and our affiliates and the lender has full recourse to us. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at the Wall Street Journal U.S. Prime rate plus 1%. The primary purpose of the facility is to provide letters of credit for landlords, taxing authorities and bids. As of December 31, 2011, we have no outstanding balance on this credit facility.