10-Q 1 v34192e10vq.htm FORM 10-Q Fremont General Corporation
Table of Contents

 
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
 þ Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2007
OR
 o Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Transition Period from            to           
Commission File Number 001-08007
Fremont General Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
     
Nevada
  95-2815260
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
2425 Olympic Boulevard
Santa Monica, California 90404
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
  (310) 315-5500(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  þ Yes  o No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.):
 
þ Large Accelerated Filer               o Accelerated Filer               o Non-Accelerated Filer
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  o Yes  þ No
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock:
 
         
    Shares Outstanding
Class   September 28, 2007
Common Stock, $1.00 par value
    79,630,085  


 

Fremont General Corporation and Subsidiaries
 
INDEX
 
             
        Page No.
 
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  Financial Statements    
    Consolidated Balance Sheets June 30, 2007 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2006   3
    Consolidated Statements of Operations Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)   4
    Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity June 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)   5
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)   6
    Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited)   7
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)   8
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   30
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   40
  Controls and Procedures   41
       
   
  Legal Proceedings   43
  Risk Factors   46
  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   46
Item 3 - 5.
  Not applicable    
  Exhibits   47
  S-1
 EXHIBIT 31.1
 EXHIBIT 31.2
 EXHIBIT 32.1
 
 
2     FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements
 
Fremont General Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
                     
      June 30,       December 31,   
   
(Thousands of dollars, except share data)     2007       2006   
      (Unaudited)          
   
ASSETS
                   
Cash and cash equivalents
    $ 3,226,354       $ 761,642  
Investment securities classified as available-for-sale at fair value
      548         633  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock at cost
      25,000         111,860  
Loans held for investment – net
      2,272         6,257,306  
Commercial real estate loans held for sale – net
      5,985,233          
Accrued interest receivable
      40,381         53,497  
Real estate owned – net
      65,834         299  
Premises and equipment – net
      28,787         67,859  
Deferred income taxes – net
      12,504         52,576  
Other assets
      334,860         268,932  
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale
      955,313         5,315,920  
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
    $ 10,677,086       $ 12,890,524  
 
 
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
                   
Savings accounts
    $ 1,261,829       $ 1,101,137  
Money market deposit accounts
      415,611         586,158  
Certificates of deposit
      8,003,705         8,302,493  
 
 
        9,681,145         9,989,788  
Senior Notes due 2009
      166,039         165,895  
Junior Subordinated Debentures
      103,093         103,093  
Other liabilities
      169,643         210,586  
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale
      275,226         1,307,205  
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
      10,395,146         11,776,567  
Commitments and contingencies
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                   
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share – Authorized: 2,000,000 shares; none issued
               
Common stock, par value $1 per share – Authorized: 150,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: (2007 – 79,990,000 and 2006 – 79,074,000)
      77,298         75,983  
Additional paid-in capital
      345,233         324,064  
Retained earnings
      (130,381 )       728,766  
Deferred compensation
      (12,181 )       (20,694 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
      1,971         5,838  
 
 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
      281,940         1,113,957  
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    $ 10,677,086       $ 12,890,524  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
2007 QUARTERLY REPORT     3


Table of Contents

Fremont General Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
 
                                         
      Three Months Ended June 30,       Six Months Ended June 30,  
   
(Thousands of dollars, except per share data)     2007       2006       2007       2006  
   
INTEREST INCOME:
                                       
Interest and fee income on loans:
                                       
Commercial
    $ 141,670       $ 126,526       $ 291,244       $ 236,060  
Other
      153         (86 )       192         1  
 
 
        141,823         126,440         291,436         236,061  
Interest income – other
      27,699         7,185         40,532         13,954  
 
 
        169,522         133,625         331,968         250,015  
INTEREST EXPENSE:
                                       
Deposits
      96,001         47,654         178,006         83,654  
Senior Notes
      3,350         3,464         6,700         7,010  
Junior Subordinated Debentures
      2,319         2,319         4,639         4,639  
 
 
        101,670         53,437         189,345         95,303  
Net interest income
      67,852         80,188         142,623         154,712  
Provision for loan losses
      (39 )       11,706         182         15,601  
 
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
      67,891         68,482         142,441         139,111  
Other non-interest income
      2,223         4,083         1,456         6,304  
 
 
        70,114         72,565         143,897         145,415  
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE:
                                       
Compensation and related
      52,755         25,761         74,457         52,401  
Occupancy
      4,079         3,426         9,885         6,849  
Other
      32,824         10,701         56,691         29,525  
 
 
        89,658         39,888         141,033         88,775  
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
      (19,544 )       32,677         2,864         56,640  
Income tax expense (benefit)
      (7,399 )       12,996         2,780         22,607  
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
      (12,145 )       19,681         84         34,033  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $(3,181) and $21,265, and $(82,876) and $33,115 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively
      (253,038 )       32,243         (855,878 )       49,578  
 
 
Net income (loss)
    $ (265,183 )     $ 51,924       $ (855,794 )       83,611  
 
                                         
EARNINGS PER SHARE:                                        
Basic:
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    $ (0.16 )     $ 0.26       $ 0.00       $ 0.46  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
      (3.29 )       0.44         (11.26 )       0.67  
 
 
Net income (loss)
    $ (3.45 )     $ 0.70       $ (11.26 )     $ 1.13  
 
Diluted:
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    $ (0.16 )     $ 0.26       $ 0.00       $ 0.45  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
      (3.29 )       0.42         (11.10 )       0.65  
 
 
Net income (loss)
    $ (3.45 )     $ 0.68       $ (11.10 )     $ 1.10  
 
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share
    $       $ 0.11       $       $ 0.22  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
4     FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Table of Contents

Fremont General Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
 
                                                                       
      Common Stock                               Accumulated
         
      Number of
              Additional
                      Other
         
      Outstanding
              Paid-in
      Retained
      Deferred
      Comprehensive
         
(in thousands, except per share amounts)     Shares       Amount       Capital       Earnings       Compensation       Income       Total  
   
Balance at December 31, 2005
      77,497       $ 77,497       $ 341,800       $ 966,112       $ (43,357 )     $ 14,754       $ 1,356,806  
Net income
                              83,611                         83,611  
Cash dividends declared – $0.22 per share
                              (17,084 )                       (17,084 )
Reclassification of deferred compensation for restricted stock
              (1,485 )       (19,417 )               20,902                  
Retirement of common stock
      (18 )       (35 )       35                                  
Shares issued, acquired or allocated for employee benefit plans
      389                 (862 )               (20,780 )               (21,642 )
Amortization of restricted stock
                      7,386                                 7,386  
Shares allocated to ESOP
                      (1,370 )               24,315                 22,945  
Change in cost of common stock
                                                                   
held in trust
                                      (2,376 )               (2,376 )
Net change in unrealized gain on
                                                                   
investments and residual interests,
                                                                   
net of deferred taxes
                                              4,921         4,921  
Excess tax benefits relating to share-based
                                                                   
payments
                      2,050                                 2,050  
Other adjustments
                      (347 )               347                  
 
 
Balance at June 30, 2006
      77,868       $ 75,977       $ 329,275       $ 1,032,639       $ (20,949 )     $ 19,675       $ 1,436,617  
 
                                                                       
Balance at December 31, 2006       79,074       $ 75,983       $ 324,064       $ 728,766       $ (20,694 )     $ 5,838       $ 1,113,957  
Net loss
                              (855,794 )                       (855,794 )
Cash dividends adjustment
                              34                         34  
Adoption of FIN No. 48
                              (3,387 )                       (3,387 )
Retirement of common stock
      (389 )       (100 )       100                                  
Restricted stock vested
              130         14,656                                 14,786  
Shares issued, acquired or allocated for employee benefit plans
      20                 (2,920 )               (4,983 )               (7,903 )
Amortization of restricted stock
                      2,195                                 2,195  
Shares allocated to ESOP
      1,285         1,285         8,249                 3,334                 12,868  
Change in cost of common stock held in trust
                                      9,051                 9,051  
Net change in unrealized gain on investments and residual interests, net of deferred taxes
                                              (3,867 )       (3,867 )
GSOP fair value adjustment
                      (1,111 )               1,111                  
 
 
Balance at June 30, 2007
      79,990       $ 77,298       $ 345,233       $ (130,381 )     $ (12,181 )     $ 1,971       $ 281,940  
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
2007 QUARTERLY REPORT     5


Table of Contents

Fremont General Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 
                     
Six Months Ended June 30,  
   
(Thousands of dollars)     2007       2006  
   
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                   
Net income (loss)
    $ (855,794 )     $ 83,611  
Less: income (loss) from discontinued operations
      (855,878 )       49,578  
 
 
Income from continuing operations
      84         34,033  
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                   
Provision for loan losses
      182         15,601  
Provision for deferred income taxes
      (10,614 )       9,386  
Depreciation and amortization
      14,007         319  
Compensation expense related to deferred compensation plans
      4,063         6,109  
Change in accrued interest
      22,583         (20,016 )
Change in other assets
      (219,359 )       13,814  
Change in accounts payable and other liabilities
      (48,853 )       (34,901 )
Originations and advances funded for commercial real estate loans held for sale
      (1,664,535 )        
Payments received from and sales of commercial real estate loans held for sale
      1,879,131          
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES – CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      (23,311 )       24,345  
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
      3,744,709         (595,079 )
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
      3,721,398         (570,734 )
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES                    
Originations of loans held for investment
              (1,943,078 )
Payments received from and sales of loans held for investment
              1,038,919  
Investment securities available for sale:
                   
Purchases
               
Maturities or repayments
      188         127  
Net purchases of FHLB stock
      86,860         (75,482 )
Purchases of premises and equipment
      (5,092 )       (10,736 )
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES – CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      81,956         (990,250 )
NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
      53,394         96,228  
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
      135,350         (894,022 )
                     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES                    
Deposits accepted, net of repayments
      (308,643 )       960,964  
Extinguishment of Senior Notes and LYONs
              (5,933 )
Dividends paid
      (9,489 )       (16,269 )
Excess tax benefits related to share-based payments
              2,050  
Purchase of Company common stock for deferred compensation plans
      (13,904 )       (33,403 )
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES – CONTINUING OPERATIONS
      (332,036 )       907,409  
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES – DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
      (1,060,000 )       356,000  
 
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
      (1,392,036 )       1,263,409  
                     
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents       2,464,712         (201,347 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
      761,642         768,643  
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
    $ 3,226,354       $ 567,296  
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 
6     FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


Table of Contents

Fremont General Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
 
                                     
      Three Months Ended June 30,      Six Months Ended June 30,   
   
(Thousands of dollars)     2007       2006      2007     2006   
   
                                     
Net income (loss)
    $   (265,183 )     $   51,924     $   (855,794 )   $   83,611  
                                     
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                   
                                     
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) during the period:
                                   
                                     
Residual interests in securitized loans
      (4,847 )       11,399       (6,408 )     6,033  
                                     
Investment securities
      (1 )       92       (2 )     2,058  
 
 
 
                                     
        (4,848 )       11,491       (6,410 )     8,091  
                                     
Less income tax expense (benefit)
      (1,923 )       4,542       (2,543 )     3,170  
 
 
 
                                     
Other comprehensive income (loss)
      (2,925 )       6,949       (3,867 )     4,921  
 
 
 
                                     
Total comprehensive income (loss)
    $ (268,108 )     $ 58,873     $ (859,661 )   $ 88,532  
 
 
 
2007 QUARTERLY REPORT     7


Table of Contents

Fremont General Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Overview
Fremont General Corporation (“Fremont General” or when combined with its subsidiaries, (the “Company”) is a financial services holding company. Fremont General’s financial services operations are consolidated within Fremont General Credit Corporation (“FGCC”), through its California industrial bank subsidiary, Fremont Investment & Loan (“FIL”). FIL offers certificates of deposit and savings and money market deposit accounts through its 22 retail banking branches in California. FIL’s deposit accounts are insured up to the maximum legal limit by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). During the six month period ended June 30, 2007, the Company was engaged in the commercial and residential (consumer) real estate lending businesses on a nationwide basis.
 
Concurrently with the filing of this report, the Company is filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. We urge you to read these reports, which can be obtained from Fremont General’s website at www.fremontgeneral.com, or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by contacting our Investor Relations Department at 310/315-5500 or by sending an email message to invrel@fmt.com.
 
Exit from Sub-prime Mortgage Business; Cease and Desist Order.  During the first quarter of 2007, the sub-prime market experienced a significant deterioration that included increases in borrower delinquencies and a deterioration of credit that resulted in a substantial increase in the amount of residential loan repurchases and repricings resulting from early payment defaults and breaches of representations and warranties.
 
During the second quarter of 2007, the Company recorded provisions of $124.4 million and $125.9 million to its valuation and repurchase reserves, respectively, and $517.7 million and $256.6 million, respectively, during the six months ended June 30, 2007. For further information concerning the changes to these reserves see Note 4.
 
On March 2, 2007, the Company announced that it intended to exit its sub-prime residential real estate lending operations. This move was consistent with regulatory guidelines issued that day, and was prompted by the Company’s receipt on February 27, 2007 of a proposed Cease and Desist Order (the “Order”) from the FDIC calling for the Company to make a variety of changes designed to restrict the level of lending in its sub-prime residential mortgage business as well as the Company’s analysis of the deterioration of the sub-prime residential real estate market. On March 7, 2007, the Company announced that it had ceased entering into new funding commitments with respect to sub-prime mortgage loans, although it would honor remaining outstanding commitments.
 
On March 7, 2007, Fremont General, FGCC and FIL consented to the Order without admitting to the allegations contained in the Order.
 
The Order requires, among other things, that FIL make a variety of changes in its sub-prime residential loan origination business and also calls for certain changes in its commercial real estate lending business. As more fully described elsewhere in this report, the Company has exited its sub-prime residential real estate operations and has sold its commercial real estate lending business and related loan portfolio. In addition, the Order requires that FIL adopt a Capital Adequacy Plan to maintain adequate Tier-1 capital in relation to its risk profile. Further, the Order mandates various specific management requirements, including having and retaining qualified management acceptable to the FDIC and the Department of Financial Institutions of the State of California (“DFI”), and provides for enhanced regulatory oversight over FIL’s operations. The Order is more fully described in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on March 7, 2007.
 
Residential Real Estate Transactions.  On March 21, 2007, the Company announced that FIL had entered into whole loan sale agreements to sell approximately $4 billion of its sub-prime residential real estate loans. On April 16, 2007, the Company announced that FIL had entered into an agreement to sell another $2.9 billion of sub-prime residential real estate loans, which represented the majority of the Company’s sub-prime residential loans held for sale that had not yet been sold. The Company is in discussions with various
 
 
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parties with respect to the sale of the Company’s sub-prime residential loan servicing platform and other assets. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to enter into any transaction with respect to such business. In addition, given the significant market challenges that currently exist in the residential real estate sector, even if such transactions are completed, there can be no assurances that the consideration received in such sales will provide substantial benefit to the Company’s operating results or financial position.
 
Subsequent Events
Commercial Real Estate Transaction.  On July 2, 2007, FIL completed the disposition of its commercial real estate lending business and related loan portfolio to iStar Financial Inc. (“iStar”) pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement entered into on May 21, 2007. FIL sold its entire $6.27 billion commercial real estate loan portfolio to iStar and received $1.89 billion in cash plus a $4.21 billion participation interest in the sold portfolio. The $1.89 billion in cash represented 30% of the unpaid principal balance of the loan portfolio as of the closing, net of a purchase discount. The $4.21 billion participation interest in the total loan portfolio represented 70% of the unpaid principal balance of the loan portfolio as of the closing, net of a purchase discount. The participation interest bears interest at LIBOR + 150 basis points. FIL’s participation interest in the loan portfolio is governed by a participation agreement pursuant to which FIL is entitled to receive 70% of all principal payments on the loans sold to iStar, including with respect to any portion of the unfunded commitments with respect to such loans that are subsequently funded by iStar. Additionally, iStar purchased a majority of the non-loan assets used in the business for $50 million in cash. In connection with the transaction, iStar assumed all obligations with respect to the loan portfolio after the closing date (including the obligation to fund approximately $3.72 billion of existing unfunded commitments) and the obligations under certain assumed leases and intellectual property contracts. As of the closing date, iStar employed substantially all of the employees previously engaged in the Company’s commercial real estate lending business.
 
Transaction with Gerald J. Ford.  On May 21, 2007, Fremont General and FIL entered into an Investment Agreement with an entity controlled by Gerald J. Ford providing for the acquisition by an investor group led by Mr. Ford of a combination of approximately $80 million in exchangeable non-cumulative preferred stock of FIL and warrants to acquire additional common stock of Fremont General. On September 26, 2007, the Company announced that it had been advised by Mr. Ford that, in light of certain developments pertaining to Fremont General and FIL, Mr. Ford was not prepared to consummate such transactions on the terms set forth in the Investment Agreement. The Company said that, while it does not necessarily agree with the factual positions taken by Mr. Ford, it is in discussions with Mr. Ford concerning revised terms under which an entity controlled by Mr. Ford would proceed with an $80 million investment in exchangeable preferred stock of FIL and receive warrants to acquire additional common stock of Fremont General. There can be no assurances as to whether or when the parties may reach an agreement with respect to revised transaction terms.
 
Discontinued Operations
As more fully described above, in March 2007, the Company decided to exit the residential real estate business and to sell substantially all of the assets related to such business. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS No. 144”), the Company has classified the residential real estate operations as discontinued operations as the cash flow of the business has been eliminated from its ongoing operations and the Company will no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the business. Therefore, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company’s residential real estate operations are presented separately in the consolidated financial statements and notes as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
 
When an operation meets the criteria for “held for sale accounting” as defined in SFAS No. 144, the operation is evaluated to determine whether the carrying value exceeds its fair value less costs to sell. Any loss resulting from the carrying value exceeding the fair value less costs to sell is recorded in the statement of operations in the period the operation meets the criteria for held for sale accounting. Management judgment is required to both assess the criteria required for held for sale accounting as well as to estimate fair value. Changes in the operation could cause it to no longer qualify for held for sale accounting and changes in fair value could result
 
 
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in an increase or decrease to previously recognized losses. For additional information concerning the Company’s discontinued operations see Note 4.
 
General
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Fremont General and its subsidiaries including those variable interest entities where the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that materially affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the interim financial statements have been included. See Note 4 for additional information concerning the results of the Company’s discontinued operations and Note 7 for information concerning exit costs related to the disposal of the Company’s commercial real estate lending business and related loan portfolio. The operating results for the six month period ended June 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2007.
 
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
NOTE 2 — RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140” (“SFAS No. 155”). SFAS No. 155 requires companies to evaluate their interests in securitized financial assets and determine whether the interests are freestanding derivatives or hybrid financial instruments that may be subject to bifurcation. SFAS No. 155 provides companies with relief from having to separately determine the fair value of an embedded derivative that would otherwise be required to be bifurcated from its host contract in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 155 also clarifies that concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not embedded derivatives and amends SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,” to eliminate the prohibition on a qualifying special-purpose entity from holding a derivative financial instrument that pertains to a beneficial interest other than another derivative financial instrument. The Company adopted SFAS No. 155 as of January 1, 2007 without any significant impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, “Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140” (“SFAS No. 156”). SFAS No. 156 requires entities to separately recognize a servicing asset or liability when undertaking an obligation to service a financial asset under a servicing contract in certain situations, including a transfer of the servicer’s financial assets that meets the requirements for sale accounting. SFAS No. 156 requires that any such servicing asset or liability be initially measured at fair value, if practicable, and then provides the option to either: (1) carry the mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in current period earnings; or (2) continue recognizing periodic amortization expense and assess the MSRs for impairment as originally required by SFAS No. 140. The Company adopted SFAS No. 156 effective January 1, 2007 without any impact; electing to continue to record periodic amortization expense as originally required under SFAS No. 140.
 
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN No. 48”). FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN No. 48 prescribes a two-step approach for the recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in an entity’s tax return. The first step in the evaluation of a tax position is recognition: The Company must determine whether it is more likely than not that a given tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on
 
 
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the technical merits of the position. In this evaluation the Company must presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. The second step is measurement: A tax position meeting the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is recorded at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company adopted FIN No. 48 effective January 1, 2007 resulting in a charge to beginning retained earnings of $3.4 million. See Note 8 for further information on the impact of adopting FIN No. 48 and other tax related information.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP and provides for expanded disclosures concerning fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 retains the exchange price notion in earlier definitions of fair value; however, focuses on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability at the measurement date (an exit price), not the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received to assume the liability (an entry price). SFAS No. 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy used to classify the source of information used by the entity in fair value measurements. That is, assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) versus the entity’s own assumptions about market assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs).
 
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 157; however, the Company does not believe the adoption will have a significant impact on its financial position or results of operations. SFAS No. 157 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 allows entities the option to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates with changes in fair value reported in earnings. The fair value option may be applied on an instrument by instrument basis (with some exceptions), is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) and is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. The FASB indicated that the objective of this statement is to improve financial reporting by providing entities the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings that are caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently, without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting SFAS No. 159. SFAS No. 159 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008.
 
NOTE 3 — CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
From December 31, 2006 to June 30, 2007, the Company increased its total cash and cash equivalents by approximately $2.46 billion. This increase was funded by a growth in deposits and debt financing during the first six months of 2007. The normal deployment of increased deposits and debt to fund new loan growth was curtailed due to the decision to exit the sub-prime loan origination business during the first quarter of 2007 coupled with the ongoing sale of residential real estate mortgage loans held for sale during the first six months of 2007.
 
Cash and cash equivalents are summarized in the following table as of the dates indicated:
 
             
    June 30,   December 31,
(Thousands of dollars)   2007   2006
             
Cash on hand
  $ 256   $ 248
             
Deposits in other financial institutions
         59,806          118,228
             
Short-term money market funds
    25,084     46,971
             
FHLB shareholder transaction account
    350,169     397,548
             
Federal Reserve account
    11,874     2,078
             
Federal funds sold
    243,633    
             
U.S. Government Agency money market fund
    2,189,927     169,545
             
Short-term commercial paper
    345,605     27,024
 
             
Total cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,226,354   $ 761,642
 
 
 
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The FHLB shareholder transaction account represents a short-term interest-bearing account with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. The Company’s commercial paper holdings have ratings of A1 / P1 or better. The short-term money market funds have AAA / Aaa money market fund ratings. As of June 30, 2007, $1.3 million in deposits in other financial institutions were restricted. No other cash and cash equivalents were restricted as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.
 
NOTE 4 — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
As more fully described in Note 1, in March 2007, the Company decided to exit the residential real estate business and sell substantially all of the assets related to such business. The Company has determined there are no migration of revenues or costs as defined in EITF 03-13, “Applying the Conditions in Paragraph 42 of FASB Statement No. 144 in Determining Whether to Report Discontinued Operations” (“EITF 03-13”), since the Company is disposing of substantially all of its residential real estate operations and assets. In addition, although continuing cash flows may occur related to loan repurchases and repricings the Company is obligated to make in subsequent periods under standard industry representations and warranties for its residential real estate whole loan sales, the resolution of these contingencies do not constitute continuing cash flows or continuing involvement as defined in EITF 03-13. Therefore, in accordance with SFAS No. 144, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company’s residential real estate operations are presented separately in the consolidated financial statements and notes as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
 
Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
 
The major classifications of assets and liabilities of the Company’s discontinued operations are summarized as follows as of the dates indicated:
 
             
    June 30,   December 31,
(Thousands of dollars)   2007   2006
             
Residential real estate loans held for sale – net
  $ 529,101   $ 4,949,747
             
Servicing advances
         263,100          92,175
             
Mortgage servicing rights – net
    62,770     101,172
             
Residual interests in securitized loans at fair value
    34,932     85,468
             
REO
    20,013     12,790
             
Investment securities classified as available-for-sale
    15,803     21,282
             
Loans receivable
    10,367     8,568
             
Accrued interest receivable
    9,105     18,572
             
Other assets
    10,122     26,146
 
             
Total assets to be sold
  $ 955,313   $ 5,315,920
 
             
Loan repurchase reserve
  $ 214,638   $ 140,923
             
Premium repurchase reserve
    436     6,878
             
Premium recapture reserve
        1,564
             
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
        1,060,000
             
Other liabilities
    60,152     97,840
 
             
Total liabilities
  $ 275,226   $ 1,307,205
 
 
Residential Real Estate Loans Held for Sale and Valuation Reserve:  Residential real estate loans held for sale are aggregated prior to their sale and are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or estimated fair value less costs to sell. Estimated fair values are based upon current secondary market prices for loans with similar coupons, maturities and credit quality. The following tables detail the residential real estate loans held for sale included
 
 
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in discontinued operations and the valuation reserve to adjust the loans to estimated fair value less costs to sell as of the dates indicated:
 
                 
Residential Real Estate Loans Held For Sale   June 30,     December 31,  
(Thousands of dollars)   2007     2006  
                 
Loan principal balance:
               
                 
First trust deeds
  $      851,660     $      4,843,547  
                 
Second trust deeds
    154,266       345,845  
 
                 
      1,005,926       5,189,392  
                 
Net deferred direct origination costs
    5,013       38,940  
 
                 
      1,010,939       5,228,332  
                 
Valuation reserve
    (481,838 )     (278,585 )
 
                 
Loans held for sale – net
  $ 529,101     $ 4,949,747  
 
                 
Loans held for sale on non-accrual status
  $ 146,548     $ 64,652  
 
 
                                     
Valuation Reserve   Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,      
(Thousands of dollars)   2007     2006     2007     2006      
Beginning balance
  $ 683,397     $ 48,719     $ 278,585     $ 32,753      
Provision
    124,420       29,946       517,663       47,280      
Discounted sales
    (416,602 )     (32,110 )     (471,026 )     (49,488 )    
Charge-offs
    (5,080 )     (3,172 )     (12,952 )     (4,870 )    
Transfer from repurchase reserve
    95,703       31,050       169,568       48,758      
 
Ending balance
  $ 481,838     $ 74,433     $ 481,838     $ 74,433      
 
 
Loan Repurchase Reserve:  As the residential real estate loans held for sale are sold, the Company makes standard industry representations and warranties about the loans. The Company may have to subsequently repurchase certain loans due to defects that occurred in the origination of the loans. During the second quarters of 2007 and 2006, the Company repurchased a total of $330.6 million and $159.9 million in loans, respectively. During the first six months of 2007 and 2006, the Company repurchased a total of $652.8 million and $238.6 million in loans, respectively. The following table summarizes the activity in the repurchase reserve within discontinued operations for the periods indicated.
 
                                     
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,      
(Thousands of dollars)   2007     2006     2007     2006      
Beginning balance
  $ 190,209     $ 23,337     $ 140,923     $ 14,556      
Provision
         125,852            79,750            256,589            110,295      
Charge-offs for loan repricing
    (5,720 )     (14,451 )     (13,306 )     (18,507 )    
Transfer to valuation reserve
    (95,703 )     (31,050 )     (169,568 )     (48,758 )    
 
Ending balance
  $ 214,638     $ 57,586     $ 214,638     $ 57,586      
 
 
Premium Repurchase and Recapture Reserve:  The Company also maintains a reserve for premium recapture that represents the estimate of probable refunds of premiums received on previously completed loan sales (either due to early loan prepayments or for certain loans repurchased from prior sales) that are expected to occur under the provisions of the various agreements entered into for the sale of its residential real estate loans held for sale. The following table summarizes the activity in the premium recapture reserve within discontinued operations for the periods indicated:
 
                                     
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,      
(Thousands of dollars)   2007     2006     2007     2006      
Beginning balance
  $ 2,255     $ 2,937     $ 8,442     $ 4,259      
Provision for premium recapture on repurchased loans
    (8,596 )     7,462       (8,542 )     9,771      
Provision for standard premium recapture
         (340 )     7,207       (568 )     7,629      
Refunds
    7,117            (6,945 )          1,104            (10,998 )    
 
Ending balance
  $ 436     $ 10,661     $ 436     $ 10,661      
 
 
 
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Mortgage Servicing Rights:  The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s mortgage servicing rights asset within discontinued operations for the periods indicated:
 
                                     
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,      
(Thousands of dollars)   2007     2006     2007     2006      
Beginning balance
  $ 95,746     $ 45,337     $ 101,677     $ 46,022      
Additions (sales)
         (5,072 )          26,261            5,495       33,620      
Amortization
    (15,169 )     (8,859 )          (31,667 )          (16,903 )    
 
Ending balance before valuation allowance
    75,505       62,739       75,505       62,739      
Valuation allowance:
                                   
Beginning balance
    (2,979 )           (505 )          
Provision for temporary impairment
    (9,756 )           (12,230 )          
 
Ending balance
    (12,735 )           (12,735 )          
 
Mortgage servicing rights – net
  $ 62,770     $ 62,739     $ 62,770     $ 62,739      
 
Estimated fair value
  $ 82,133     $ 68,329     $ 82,133     $ 68,329      
 
 
The key economic assumptions used in subsequently measuring the fair value of the Company’s MSRs as of the dates indicated are as follows:
 
                     
    June 30,     December 31,      
    2007     2006      
Weighted-average life (years)
    1.5       1.4      
Weighted-average annual prepayment speed
    24.5 %     38.8 %    
Weighted-average annual discount rate
    19.7 %     19.6 %    
 
 
Residual Interests in Securitized Loans: The following table summarizes the activity of the Company’s retained residual interests within discontinued operations for the periods indicated:
 
                                     
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,      
(Thousands of dollars)   2007     2006     2007     2006      
Beginning balance at fair value
  $ 60,773     $ 90,236     $ 85,468     $ 170,723      
Additions (sales)
          12,584             (64,636 )    
Interest accretion
    7,999       15,950       14,225       32,759      
Cash received
         (24,034 )          (16,882 )          (53,394 )          (31,592 )    
Change in unrealized losses
    (4,848 )     11,399       (6,409 )     6,033      
Other-than-temporary impairment
    (4,958 )     (5,752 )     (4,958 )     (5,752 )    
 
Ending balance at fair value
  $ 34,932     $ 107,535     $ 34,932     $ 107,535      
 
 
The following table summarizes delinquencies and credit losses for the loans underlying the Company’s outstanding securitization transactions as of the dates indicated:
 
                 
    June 30,   December 31,    
(Thousands of dollars)   2007   2006    
Original principal amount of loans securitized
  $      17,536,329   $ 17,536,329    
Current principal amount of loans securitized
  $ 9,348,984   $ 10,938,440    
Current delinquent principal amount (over 60 days)
  $ 1,681,600   $      1,142,794    
Inception to date credit losses (net of recoveries)
  $ 157,201   $ 53,241    
 
 
Key economic assumptions used in subsequently measuring the fair value of the Company’s residual interests as of the dates indicated are as follows:
 
                     
    June 30,
    December 31,
     
    2007     2006      
 
 
Weighted-average life (years)
    2.0       2.5      
Weighted-average annual prepayment speed
    25.0 %     25.0 %    
Weighted-average lifetime credit losses
    5.5 %     5.5 %    
Weighted-average annual discount rate
    31.4 %     24.0 %    
 
 
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Operating Results of Discontinued Operations
 
                                     
    Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,      
(Thousands of dollars)   2007     2006     2007     2006      
Interest income
  $ 64,598     $ 183,982     $ 200,702     $ 340,462      
Non-interest income
    (249,406 )     18,507       (868,266 )     17,620      
 
 
Revenues from discontinued operations
  $ (184,808 )   $ 202,489     $ (667,564 )   $ 358,082      
 
Income (loss) on sale of discontinued operations
  $ (246,283 )   $ 8,374     $ (876,975 )     (6,802 )    
Interest income
         64,598            183,982            200,702       340,462      
Interest expense
    (43,495 )     (98,807 )     (131,004 )     (175,820 )    
Provision for loan loss
    (2 )     (1 )     (15 )     13      
Loan servicing income
    30,831       23,482       63,667       44,831      
Mortgage servicing rights amortization and impairment provision
    (24,986 )     (8,859 )     (47,097 )     (16,903 )    
Impairment on residual assets
    (10,331 )     (5,752 )     (10,331 )     (5,752 )    
Other non-interest income
    1,363       1,262       2,470       2,246      
Compensation and related
    (18,582 )     (31,487 )     (69,403 )     (64,257 )    
Occupancy
    (2,407 )     (4,749 )     (14,846 )     (8,956 )    
Other non-interest expense
    (6,925 )     (13,937 )     (55,922 )     (26,369 )    
 
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
  $ (256,219 )   $ 53,508     $ (938,754 )   $ 82,693      
Income tax (expense) benefit
    3,181       (21,265 )     82,876       (33,115 )    
 
 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
  $ (253,038 )   $ 32,243     $ (855,878 )   $ 49,578      
 
 
The loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, was $253.0 million for the second quarter of 2007, representing a $3.29 diluted loss per share, compared to income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of $32.2 million, or $0.42 diluted income per share for the second quarter of 2006. During the first six months of 2007, the loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, was $855.9 million, representing a $11.10 diluted loss per share, compared to income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of $49.6 million, or $0.65 diluted income per share for the comparable period in 2006.
 
During the second quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a realized loss of $246.3 million related to the sale of $4.32 billion of residential real estate loans held for sale. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company recognized a loss of $877.0 million related to the sale of $8.51 billion of residential real estate loans held for sale. Expense provisions related to the residential real estate loan valuation, repurchase and premium recapture reserves are included in these losses. In addition, during the first six months of 2007, the Company recognized a $38.8 million adjustment to write down the carrying value of the residential real estate held for sale assets to their estimated fair value less costs to sell.
 
During the second quarters of 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized $56.6 million and $133.8 million, respectively, in interest income on the residential real estate loan portfolio. During the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized $186.5 million and $273.5 million, respectively, in interest income on the residential real estate loan portfolio.
 
During the second quarter of 2007, the Company continued to service residential real estate loans, recognizing loan servicing income of $30.8 million as compared to $23.5 million during the second quarter of 2006. During the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized $63.7 million and $44.8 million, respectively, in loan servicing income. The Company was servicing on a to maturity basis $18.83 billion and $18.12 billion in principal balance of loans as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
 
The loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007 includes a $5.3 million charge for one time severance payments paid to employees of the residential real estate loan origination operations and related support staff. In addition, the Company recorded a $10.7 million charge for lease termination costs related to the Company’s residential real estate loan origination offices.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, cash flows related to residential real estate loan originations and proceeds realized on the sale of such loans were $3.89 billion and $7.86 billion, respectively, and during the six
 
 
2007 QUARTERLY REPORT     15


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months ended June 30, 2006, such cash flows were $18.08 billion and $17.15 billion, respectively. These amounts are included in cash flows from operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
 
NOTE 5 — COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LOANS HELD FOR SALE
As more fully described in Note 1, on July 2, 2007, FIL completed the sale of its commercial real estate lending business and related loan portfolio to iStar.
 
Commercial real estate loans held for sale were primarily variable rate and were secured primarily by first mortgages on various types of properties. The commercial real estate loans held for sale were primarily comprised of bridge and construction loans of relatively short duration (rarely more than five years in length of term and often shorter, such as two to three years). These loans were funded throughout the term as the construction progressed.
 
The following table further details the net commercial real estate loans that were classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2007 and held for investment as of December 31, 2006.
 
                         
(Thousands of dollars)     June 30,       December 31,      
 
      2007       2006      
 
 
Loans outstanding
    $      6,905,677       $      6,749,316      
Participations sold
      (642,509 )       (202,014 )    
 
 
Loans outstanding, net of participations sold
      6,263,168         6,547,302      
Unamortized deferred origination fees and costs
      (45,470 )       (59,804 )    
 
 
Loans outstanding
      6,217,698         6,487,498      
Carrying value adjustment/allowance for loan loss
      (232,465 )       (230,398 )    
 
 
Loans held for sale – net
    $ 5,985,233       $ 6,257,100      
 
Due to the reclassification of the commercial real estate loan portfolio from held for investment to held for sale in the first quarter of 2007, the Company eliminated the allowance for loan loss and adjusted the carrying value of the loans to their estimated fair value less costs to sell.
 
In cases where a borrower experienced financial difficulties and the Company made certain concessionary modifications to contractual terms (typically a reduction of the interest rate charged), the loan was classified as a restructured (accruing) loan if the loan was performing in accordance with the agreed upon modified loan terms and projected cash proceeds were deemed sufficient to repay both principal and interest. Restructured loans are presented as such in the period of restructure and the three subsequent quarters. The following table sets forth information regarding the Company’s commercial real estate loans on non-accrual status and restructured loans on accrual status.
 
                         
(Thousands of dollars)     June 30,       December 31,      
 
      2007       2006      
 
 
Non-accrual commercial real estate loans held for sale
    $      946,662       $      1,110,965      
Restructured commercial real estate loans on accrual basis
    $       $      
 
NOTE 6 — REAL ESTATE OWNED
The Company’s real estate owned (“REO”) consists of property acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure on loans secured by real estate. REO is reported in the financial statements at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value (net of estimated costs to sell). REO consisted of the following as of the dates indicated.
 
                         
(Thousands of dollars)     June 30,       December 31,      
 
      2007       2006      
 
 
Commercial real estate
    $      65,897       $      299      
Valuation reserve
      (63 )            
 
 
Real estate owned – net
    $ 65,834       $ 299      
 
 
16     FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


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NOTE 7 — EXIT AND DISPOSAL COSTS
As more fully described in Note 1, the Company completed the sale of its entire $6.27 billion commercial real estate loan portfolio to iStar in July 2007, and received cash of $1.89 billion and a 70% participation interest of $4.21 billion in the loans sold. Due to the participation, cash flows from the component will not be eliminated from the Company’s ongoing operations. Because the Company expects significant cash inflows will be received as a result of the continuation of activities between itself and the commercial real estate component, the sale does not result in the classification of the commercial real estate operation as discontinued, as defined by EITF No. 03-13. Based on management’s decision to sell the commercial loan portfolio in the first quarter of 2007, the Company reclassified the commercial real estate loans from held for investment to held for sale.
 
In connection with the sale, approximately 131 employees in the commercial real estate loan origination operation transferred to iStar. In accordance with SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” the Company recorded employee severance charges for terminated employees that did not transfer to iStar in the amount of $8,000 and $6.1 million as part of compensation and related costs in the first and second quarters of 2007, respectively. In addition, in the first and second quarters of 2007, the Company incurred $168,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, in other charges related to the sale of the commercial real estate loan origination operation and related loan portfolio. These charges are included in other non-interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
NOTE 8 — INCOME TAXES
The major components of income tax expense from continuing operations are summarized in the following table:
 
                                         
      Three Months Ended June 30,       Six Months Ended June 30,
 
(Thousands of dollars)     2007       2006       2007     2006    
 
Federal:
                                       
Current
    $   3,601       $   13,870       $   11,090     $   11,238    
Deferred
      (9,288 )       (2,782 )       (7,536 )     8,911    
 
 
        (5,687 )       11,088         3,554       20,149    
 
 
State:
                                       
Current
      758         3,541         2,304       1,983    
Deferred
      (2,470 )       (1,633 )       (3,078 )     475    
 
 
        (1,712 )       1,908         (774 )     2,458    
 
 
Total income tax expense (benefit)
    $   (7,399 )     $   12,996       $ 2,780     $ 22,607    
 
 
The Company recorded an income tax benefit relating to its discontinued operations of $(82.9) million for 2007 of which $(136.1) million was current and $53.2 million was deferred. Included in the deferred tax expense for 2007 was an addition to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $290.3 million. In 2006, the Company recorded an income tax expense relating to its discontinued operations of $33.1 million of which $64.3 million was current and $(31.2) million was deferred.
 
 
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The deferred income tax balance includes the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and for income tax purposes. The components of the Company’s deferred tax assets are summarized in the following table:
 
                           
      June 30,       December 31,        
 
(Thousands of dollars)     2007       2006        
 
Deferred tax assets:
                         
Mark-to-market on loans held for sale
    $       $ 7,398        
Premium recapture and repurchase reserves
      90,718         62,136        
Allowance for loan losses
      38,686         40,262        
Compensation related items
      56,277         29,150        
Net operating loss carryforward
      214,086         21,005        
Other – net
      4,940         164        
 
 
Total deferred tax assets
      404,707           160,115        
Deferred tax liabilities:
                         
Loan origination costs and fees
      (3,375 )       (16,902 )      
Mortgage servicing
      (25,040 )       (37,718 )      
State income and franchise taxes
      (38,483 )       (17,924 )      
 
 
Total deferred tax liabilities
      (66,898 )       (72,544 )      
 
 
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance
      337,811         87,571        
Valuation allowance
        (325,305 )       (34,995 )      
 
 
Net deferred tax asset after valuation allowance
    $ 12,504       $ 52,576        
 
 
The Company has accrued the expected tax and interest exposure for tax matters that are either in the process of resolution or have been identified as having the potential for adjustment. These matters primarily consist of issues relating to the discontinued insurance operations, the apportionment of income to various states and the deduction of certain expenses.
 
In assessing the realization of deferred income tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets depends on the ability to recover previously paid taxes through loss carrybacks and the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. At June 30, 2007, it was the Company’s opinion that it was likely that $12.5 million of the deferred tax asset would be realized and a full valuation reserve was recorded for the remaining deferred tax asset. It is expected that the projected gain on the sale of the commercial lending business to iStar, as more fully described in Note 1, will provide the future taxable income needed to realize the $12.5 million net deferred tax asset.
 
The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized an approximate $3.4 million increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption on January 1, 2007 was $22.1 million, all of which would favorably affect the effective tax rate if recognized.
 
The Company records interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. At January 1, 2007, the Company had accrued $1.8 million and $500,000 for the potential payments of interest and penalties.
 
The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining the Company’s 2004 and 2005 income tax returns. The California Franchise Tax Board has examined the Company’s franchise tax returns through the 2004 tax year.
 
 
2007 QUARTERLY REPORT     18


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NOTE 9 — DEBT — FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
The debt of Fremont General is detailed in the following table; none of the Fremont General debt is guaranteed by FIL:
 
                 
      June 30,     December 31,
 
(Thousands of dollars)     2007     2006
 
Senior Notes due 2009, less discount (2007 – $491; 2006 – $635)
    $   166,039     $   165,895
Junior Subordinated Debentures
      103,093       103,093
 
 
      $ 269,132     $ 268,988
 
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, there were no repurchases of either Senior Notes or Junior Subordinated Debentures.
 
NOTE 10 — DEPOSITS, FHLB ADVANCES, FEDERAL RESERVE AND WAREHOUSE LINES OF CREDIT — FIL
FIL utilizes the issuance of deposits, which are insured up to the maximum legal limit by the FDIC, Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances, Federal Reserve and warehouse lines of credit in funding its operations.
 
As of June 30, 2007, the weighted-average interest rate for savings and money market deposit accounts was 4.23% and for certificates of deposit it was 5.29%. The weighted-average interest rate for all deposits at June 30, 2007 was 5.10%.
 
Certificates of deposit as of June 30, 2007 are detailed by maturity and rates as follows:
 
                                 
              Maturing by
    Weighted
     
(Thousands of dollars)     Amount       June 30,     Average Rate      
 
      $ 7,893,250         2008       5.28 %    
        77,016         2009       5.68 %    
        14,015         2010       5.05 %    
        4,132         2011       5.04 %    
        15,292         2012       5.19 %    
 
 
      $ 8,003,705                 5.29 %    
 
 
Of the $8.00 billion in total certificates of deposit outstanding at June 30, 2007, $1.28 billion were obtained through brokers.
 
Interest expense on deposits is summarized as follows:
 
                                           
Three Months Ended June 30,       Six Months Ended June 30,      
 
(Thousands of dollars)     2007       2006       2007     2006      
 
Savings and money market deposit accounts
    $ 18,239       $ 14,398       $ 37,959     $ 28,298      
Certificates of deposit
      112,869         92,175         223,500       169,130      
Penalties for early withdrawal
      (530 )       (188 )       (1,198 )     (358 )    
 
 
      $ 130,578       $ 106,385       $ 260,261     $ 197,070      
 
 
Interest expense is charged back to both the commercial real estate operations as well as the residential real estate (discontinued) operations for the use of funds generated by the Company’s corporate and retail banking operations.
 
Total interest payments on deposits were $134.3 million and $101.4 million, during the second quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $252.1 million and $190.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
During the first six months of 2007, additional financing was available to FIL through advances from the FHLB. FIL’s credit line with the FHLB had a maximum financing availability that was based on a percentage of FIL’s regulatory assets, to which the actual borrowing capacity was subject to collateralization and certain collateral sublimits and eligibility limitations. In March 2007, following the issuance of the Order and the Company’s exit from the residential real estate lending business, the FHLB limited FIL’s borrowing capacity to existing outstanding debt of $3.67 billion. By March 31, 2007, FIL had utilized $2.30 billion in proceeds from loan sales and $618.1 million in debt from a warehouse lending facility to reduce the outstanding FHLB debt
 
 
2007 QUARTERLY REPORT     19


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to $800.0 million. As of June 30, 2007, outstanding FHLB debt was zero and all pledged collateral was released by the FHLB to FIL. FIL does not currently maintain pledged collateral with the FHLB.
 
In the first quarter of 2007, FIL pledged eligible commercial real estate loans to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco under the Primary Credit program (the “Program”). There was no outstanding debt at any time during 2007 under the Program. In June 2007, in anticipation of the iStar Transaction, FIL removed all commercial real estate loans pledged as collateral under the Program. As of June 30, 2007, FIL did not maintain any pledged collateral with the Federal Reserve Bank. FIL does not currently maintain pledged collateral with the Federal Reserve Bank.
 
In the first quarter of 2007, in connection with the Company’s exit from the residential real estate lending business, FIL mutually terminated two of four existing warehouse financing lines and elected to allow one financing facility to expire. As of March 31, 2007, outstanding debt on the remaining warehouse facility was $618.0 million. On April 30, 2007 all outstanding debt on this facility was repaid. In June 2007, the remaining warehouse financing facility expired. As of June 30, 2007, FIL did not have any warehouse financing lines.
 
NOTE 11 — OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The following tables detail the composition of the Company’s other assets and other liabilities as of the dates indicated:
 
                         
      June 30,       December 31,      
 
(Thousands of dollars)     2007       2006      
 
OTHER ASSETS
                       
Federal and state(s) income taxes receivable
    $      287,266       $      220,936      
Assets held in SERP – mutual funds
      33,992         33,536      
Other
      13,602         14,460      
 
 
Total other assets
    $      334,860       $      268,932      
 
 
                         
      June 30,       December 31,      
 
(Thousands of dollars)     2007       2006      
 
OTHER LIABILITIES
                       
Deferred compensation obligation
    $      42,390       $      52,926      
Accounts payable
      40,994         30,256      
Accrued interest payable
      37,517         29,884      
Accrued incentive compensation
      11,115         32,368      
Restricted stock accrual
      5,333         14,786      
Accrued ESOP expense
              15,664      
Other
      32,294         34,702      
 
 
Total other liabilities
    $ 169,643       $ 210,586      
 
 
NOTE 12 — SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS
Company stock award plans provide a long term compensation opportunity for officers and certain key employees of the Company. Stock options and awards of rights to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, generally in the form of restricted stock awards, may be granted under the 2006 Performance Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) that was approved by the Company’s stockholders on May 18, 2006.
 
Stock Options
During the years 1989 to 1997, non-qualified stock options were granted at exercise prices equal to the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. Grantees vested at the rate of 25% per year beginning on the first anniversary of the grants that expire after ten years. The remaining 468,000 non-qualified option shares outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2006 expired in February 2007. There are no outstanding option shares as of June 30, 2007.
 
 
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Restricted Stock Awards
Under SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” the Company recognizes compensation expense related to its restricted stock awards based on the fair value of the shares awarded as of the grant date. Compensation expense for the restricted stock awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (generally two to ten years). The compensation expense that has been charged against income for share-based compensation was $3.2 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and $7.0 million and $6.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested restricted stock awards as of June 30, 2007 and changes during the six month period then ended is presented below:
 
                     
              Weighted
 
              Average
 
      Number of
      Grant Date
 
      Shares       Fair Value  
   
Nonvested at December 31, 2006
      3,091,640       $      16.50  
Granted
      20,000         7.40  
Vested
      (849,010 )       18.23  
Forfeited
      (388,946 )       15.11  
 
 
Nonvested at June 30, 2007
      1,873,684       $ 15.89  
                     
 
The fair value of nonvested restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing trade price of the Company’s shares on the grant date. As of June 30, 2007, there was $22.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards.
 
NOTE 13 — DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The Company periodically contributes cash to an employee benefits trust (“GSOP”) in order to pre-fund contributions to various employee benefit plans (e.g., 401(K) match, Employee Stock Ownership Plan contribution, etc.).
 
The Company also maintains a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) and Excess Benefit Plan (“EBP”); both of which are deferred compensation plans designed to provide certain employees the ability to receive benefits that would be otherwise lost under the Company’s qualified retirement plans due to statutory or other limits on salary deferral and matching contributions.
 
The following table details the composition of the Company’s deferred compensation balance as of the dates indicated:
 
                   
      June 30,       December 31,
 
(Thousands of dollars)     2007       2006
 
SERP and EBP
    $ 9,158       $      18,209
GSOP
      3,023         2,485
 
 
Total deferred compensation
    $      12,181       $ 20,694
                   
 
NOTE 14 — INDUSTRIAL BANK REGULATORY CAPITAL
FIL is subject to various regulatory capital requirements under California and Federal regulations. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in regulatory agencies initiating certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, FIL must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of its assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. FIL’s capital amounts, its ability to pay dividends and other requirements and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by its regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
 
The terms of the Order require FIL to submit to the FDIC a capital plan that includes a Tier-1 capital ratio of not less than 14%. FIL’s actual regulatory amounts and ratios and the related standard regulatory minimum
 
 
2007 QUARTERLY REPORT     21


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amounts and ratios required to qualify as well-capitalized are detailed in the following tables as of the dates indicated:
 
                                             
      June 30, 2007      
 
      Actual       Minimum Required      
 
(Thousands of dollars, except percents)     Amount       Ratio       Amount       Ratio      
 
Tier-1 Leverage Capital
    $      536,174         4.53 %     $      591,723         5.00 %    
Risk-Based Capital:
                                           
Tier-1
      536,174         5.19 %       1,445,727         14.00 %    
Total
      536,345         5.19 %       1,032,662         10.00 %    
 
                                             
      December 31, 2006      
 
      Actual       Minimum Required      
 
(Thousands of dollars, except percents)     Amount       Ratio       Amount       Ratio      
 
 
Tier-1 Leverage Capital
    $ 1,326,563         10.09 %     $ 657,061         5.00 %    
Risk-Based Capital:
                                           
Tier-1
      1,326,563         8.77 %       907,639 *       6.00 %*    
Total
        1,392,814         9.21 %         1,512,732         10.00 %    
 
*  Based on the terms of the order, as of December 31, 2006 the minimum required amount and ratio would have been $2,117,824 and 14%, respectively.
 
The following table details the calculation of the respective capital amounts at FIL as of the dates indicated:
 
                     
      June 30,       December 31,  
   
(Thousands of dollars)     2007       2006  
   
Common stockholder’s equity at FIL
    $      536,167       $     1,326,557  
Less: Disallowed portion of deferred tax assets and mortgage servicing rights
               
Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities
      7         6  
 
 
Total Tier-1 Capital
      536,174         1,326,563  
Add: Allowable portion of the allowance for loan losses
      171         66,251  
 
 
Total Risk-Based Capital (Tier-1 and Tier-2)
    $ 536,345       $ 1,392,814  
                     
 
NOTE 15 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company retains the right in its securitization transactions to call the securities when the outstanding balance of loans in the securitization trust declines to a specific level, typically 10% of the original balance.
 
Legal Actions:
The Company is a defendant in a number of legal actions or regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, from the discontinuance of the insurance operations and from regulatory examinations conducted by the FDIC and the DFI.
 
Enron Corp., et al v. J.P. Morgan Securities, et al:
In November 2003, the Trustee for Enron Corporation filed voidable preference and fraudulent conveyance actions in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Case No. 03-92677, seeking return of money from the Company for the redemption of Enron commercial paper prior to maturity and during the preference period. The initial Complaint and First Amended Complaint alleged Enron redeemed $5 million of its commercial paper from the Company. On February 14, 2007, Enron filed a Second Amended Complaint which revised the claim against the Company from $5 million to $25 million. This increase represents the $20 million Enron allegedly redeemed from the Company’s former workers compensation insurance companies, now in liquidation. The Company does not believe there is any legal authority for a voidable preference or fraudulent conveyance against it for the alleged redemption of securities held by its subsidiaries. No trial date has been set. The case is currently in the discovery phase. The Company cannot predict the outcome and intends to vigorously defend against it.
 
 
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The Bank of New York v. Fremont General Corporation:
In December 2003, The Bank of New York filed a complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Los Angeles Division, Case No. 03-9238, seeking return of approximately $14 million transferred from a custodial account with The Bank of New York when those sums were maintained as security for the Superintendent of the New York State Department of Insurance. The Bank of New York seeks return of those sums under a variety of theories. Trial has been completed in this matter resulting in a complete judgment for the Company. The Bank of New York appealed to the Ninth Circuit. Oral argument was heard on July 9, 2007. A decision by the Ninth Circuit is expected in the near future.
 
Fremont Indemnity Company (in Liquidation) v. Fremont General Corporation, et al:
On June 2, 2004, the State of California Insurance Commissioner (the “Commissioner”), as statutory liquidator of Fremont Indemnity Company (“Fremont Indemnity”), filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the Company alleging it improperly utilized certain net operating loss deductions (“NOLs”) allegedly belonging to Fremont Indemnity (the “Fremont Indemnity Case”). This complaint involves issues that were considered resolved in an agreement among the California Department of Insurance, Fremont Indemnity and the Company (the “Letter Agreement”). The Letter Agreement, dated July 2, 2002, was executed on behalf of the California Department of Insurance by the Honorable Harry Low, the State of California Insurance Commissioner at that time. The Company has honored all of its obligations under the Letter Agreement. On July 16, 2004, the Commissioner filed a First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) adding a cause of action for concealment of an alleged reinsurance dispute and is seeking to rescind the Letter Agreement.
 
On January 25, 2005, The Company’s motions to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the Commissioner, on behalf of Fremont Indemnity, against the Company were argued and heard before the Superior Court of the State of California (the “Court”). On January 26, 2005, the Court issued its rulings dismissing all the causes of action in the FAC without leave to amend, except for the cause of action for alleged concealment by the Company of a potential reinsurance dispute, which was dismissed with leave to amend. The Court also found that the Company had properly utilized the NOLs in accordance with the Letter Agreement. In addition, the Court rejected the Commissioner’s request for findings that the Company’s use of the NOLs and worthless stock deduction were voidable preferences and/or fraudulent transfers. The Court also rejected the Commissioner’s request for injunctive relief to force the Company to amend its prior consolidated income tax returns to remove and forgo the worthless stock deduction for its investment in Fremont Indemnity.
 
On May 2, 2005, the Commissioner filed a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) with regard to the 7th cause of action on behalf of Fremont Indemnity against the Company alleging intentional misrepresentation, concealment and promissory fraud, which induced the Commissioner to first enter into the Letter Agreement. On July 15, 2005, the Court dismissed the SAC with 20 days leave to amend. On August 4, 2005, the Commissioner filed a Third Amended Complaint (“TAC”) again alleging intentional misrepresentation, concealment and promissory fraud.
 
On November 22, 2005, the Court dismissed the remaining cause of action in the TAC, finding that the “Plaintiff still failed to plead any affirmative misrepresentation which is actionable.” The Court also found that the “pleading is inadequate as to damage allegations.” This ruling by the Court dismissed the only remaining cause of action in the lawsuit originally brought by the Commissioner on behalf of Fremont Indemnity against Fremont General, first reported on June 17, 2004.
 
On February 28, 2007, the Court of Appeal of the State of California reversed the trial court’s dismissal and sent the case back to the trial court for further proceedings. The Company continues to believe that this lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it.
 
Fremont Indemnity Company (in Liquidation as Successor in Interest to Comstock Insurance Company) v. Fremont General Corporation, et al:
The Commissioner filed an additional and separate complaint against the Company on behalf of Fremont Indemnity as successor in interest to Comstock Insurance Company (“Comstock”), a former affiliate of Fremont Indemnity, which was subsequently merged into Fremont Indemnity. This case alleged similar causes of action regarding the usage of the NOLs as in the Fremont Indemnity Case as well as improper transactions with other insurance subsidiaries and affiliates of Fremont Indemnity. This matter was deemed a related case to the Fremont Indemnity case. On April 22, 2005, the Court dismissed, without leave to amend,
 
 
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the entire complaint. This ruling does not address or necessarily have legal effect on the related Fremont Indemnity case.
 
On February 28, 2007, the Court of Appeal of the State of California reversed the trial court’s dismissal and sent the case back to the trial for further proceedings. The Company continues to believe that this lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it.
 
Gerling Global Reinsurance Corporation of America v. Fremont General Corporation, et al:
On July 27, 2005, Gerling Global Reinsurance Corporation of America (“Gerling”) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court (the “Court”) against the Company arising out of a reinsurance treaty between Gerling and Fremont Indemnity alleging 1) Fraud/Intentional Misrepresentation and Concealment; 2) Breach of Fiduciary Duty; 3) Willful and Wanton Misconduct; 4) Negligent Misrepresentation; 5) Gross Negligence; 6) Tortuous Interference with Contract; 7) Unjust Enrichment; and 8) Breach of Contract for allegedly improper underwriting practices by Fremont Indemnity during 1998 and 1999. In October 2005, Gerling filed a First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) alleging 1) Fraud/Intentional Misrepresentation and Concealment; 2) Inducement to Breach and Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Duty of Utmost Good Faith; 3) Willful and Wanton Misconduct; 4) Negligent Misrepresentation; 5) Gross Negligence; 6) Tortuous Interference with Contract; 7) Unjust Enrichment; and 8) Inducement to Breach and Breach of Contract.
 
On December 12, 2005, the Company’s Motion to Dismiss the FAC was argued and heard before the Court. On December 15, 2005, the Court issued its Order dismissing with prejudice Gerling’s Third through Sixth Causes of Action, which asserted claims for Willful and Wanton Misconduct, Negligent Misrepresentation, Gross Negligence and Tortuous Interference with Contract, and also dismissed with prejudice that part of Gerling’s Eighth Cause of Action that alleged Inducement to Breach of Contract. The Court also dismissed the Breach of Contract claim, but granted Gerling leave to replead that claim.
 
In January 2006, Gerling filed a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) alleging 1) Fraud/Intentional Misrepresentation and Concealment; 2) Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Duty of Utmost Good Faith; 3) Unjust Enrichment; and 4) Breach of Contract. On March 6, 2006, Fremont General’s Motion to Dismiss this SAC were argued and heard before the Court. On its own motion, the Court converted the Motion to Dismiss to a Motion for Summary Judgment and ordered that it be reset for hearing following limited discovery on the statute of limitations issues raised in the Motion.
 
On January 8, 2007, The Court heard oral argument on the Company’s Motion for Summary Judgment. On January 11, 2007, the Court granted the Company’s Motion thereby dismissing the case. On February 5, 2007, Gerling filed its Notice of Appeal. Initial briefs have been filed. A hearing date has not yet been set.
 
Insurance Commissioner v. Rampino, et al:
On or about October 12, 2006, the California Insurance Commissioner, as Liquidator on behalf of Fremont Indemnity, filed a First Amended Complaint against certain former directors and officers of Fremont Indemnity for Breach of Fiduciary Duty. The Complaint alleges the defendant’s breached their fiduciary duties by orchestrating and allowing Fremont Indemnity to engage in an inappropriate underwriting scheme that caused injury to Fremont Indemnity’s reinsurers which in turn injured Fremont Indemnity by settlements it made with those reinsurers. The allegations in this complaint are substantially the same as those alleged by Gerling Global in its lawsuit. Although neither the Company nor any of its affiliates are defendants in this lawsuit, it is indemnifying and defending these directors and officers pursuant to the indemnification clause in Fremont General’s bylaws. The case is currently in the discovery phase. Trial is currently scheduled to commence on April 14, 2008. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend this matter.
 
Order to Cease & Desist:
As more fully described above, on March 7, 2007, Fremont General, FIL and FGCC consented to the Order issued by the FDIC without admitting to the allegations contained in the Order. The Order requires, among other things, that FIL make a variety of changes in its sub-prime residential loan origination business and also calls for certain changes in its commercial real estate lending business. In addition, the Order requires that FIL adopts a Capital Adequacy Plan to maintain adequate Tier 1 capital in relation to the risk profile of the Company. Further, the Order mandates various specific management requirements, including having and
 
 
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retaining qualified management acceptable to the FDIC and the DFI, and provides for enhanced regulatory oversight over FIL’s operations.
 
The Company cannot predict the cost of compliance with the Order or the impact of the Order upon the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
ERISA Complaints:
In April through June of 2007, six complaints seeking class certification were filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against the Company and various officers, directors and employees by participants in the Company’s Investment Incentive Plan (401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (collectively “the Plans”) alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) in connection with Company stock held by the Plans. The six complaints have been consolidated in a single proceeding. This litigation is still in its early stages. No trial date has been set. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend this matter.
 
Securities Complaints:
In September 2007, three separate complaints seeking class certification were filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against the Company and various officers and directors alleging violations of federal securities laws in connection with published statements by the Company regarding its loan portfolio and loans held for resale during the period from May 9, 2006 through February 27, 2007. Management expects these lawsuits will be consolidated into a single proceeding. This litigation is still in its early stages. No trial date has been set. The Company believes these lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend these matters.
 
NAACP Litigation:
On July 11, 2007, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People filed a lawsuit seeking class certification in United States District Court, Central District of California, against FIL and several other large home mortgage loan originators, alleging discriminatory lending practices. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and attorney fees, but not monetary damages, to enjoin defendants from the alleged discriminatory practices and to modify their conduct to comport with the law. The lawsuit has not yet been served on FIL. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit with respect to FIL and intends to defend against it vigorously should FIL be served.
 
Massachusetts Attorney General Action:
In October 2007, the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County on behalf of borrowers in Massachusetts, alleging that Fremont General and FIL engaged in unfair or deceptive practices in connection with the origination and servicing of residential mortgage loans. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, equitable relief for Massachusetts borrowers and civil penalties. The case is in its very early stages and the Company cannot predict the outcome or the effect it will have on its financial condition. However, the Company disagrees with the allegations in the lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend against it.
 
NOTE 16 — OPERATIONS BY REPORTABLE SEGMENT
As more fully described in Note 1, in the first quarter of 2007, the Company decided to exit the residential real estate business. Therefore, the results of operations of that business are now reported as discontinued operations and the Company only has a single reportable segment as defined by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (“SFAS No. 131”).
 
Although the Company sold its commercial real estate lending business and entire $6.27 billion loan portfolio to iStar in July 2007 and received cash of $1.89 billion and a 70% participation interest of $4.21 billion in the loans sold, as more fully described in Note 7; this continuing interest in the commercial real estate operations results in significant continuing cash flows between the Company and the commercial component. Therefore, the commercial real estate business does not meet the criteria of a discontinued operation and continues to be a reportable segment as defined by SFAS No. 131.
 
 
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Through the first six months of 2007, the commercial real estate segment originated commercial real estate loans, which were primarily bridge and construction facilities, on a nationwide basis. Beginning in the first quarter of 2007, the Company reclassified these loans from held for investment to loans held for sale. The loans generated net interest income on the difference between the rates charged on the loans and the cost of borrowed funds.
 
Management measures and evaluates the commercial real estate segment based on net interest income and pre-tax operating results. The results of operations include certain allocated corporate expenses charged back to the commercial segment. In addition, interest expense is charged back to both the commercial segment as well as the (residential real estate) discontinued operations for the use of funds generated by the Company’s corporate and retail banking operations. Interest expense is allocated to the commercial segment and discontinued operations using treasury rates matched to the terms of the respective loans.
 
Certain expenses that are centrally managed at the corporate level such as provision for income taxes and other general corporate expenses are excluded from the measure of segment profitability reviewed by management. The Company has included these general corporate expenses along with the results of the Company’s retail banking operation, which does not meet the definition of a reportable segment, in the Corporate and Retail Banking category.
 
 
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Intersegment eliminations shown in the following tables relate to the credit allocated to the retail banking operations for operating funds provided to the commercial segment.
 
Historical periods have been restated to conform to this presentation.
 
                                 
    Commercial
    Corporate and
    Intersegment
    Total
 
(Thousands of dollars)   Real Estate     Retail Banking     Eliminations     Consolidated  
   
Three months ended June 30, 2007
                               
Total revenues
  $ 142,588     $ 107,644     $ (78,487 )   $ 171,745  
                                 
Net interest income
  $ 63,183     $ 4,669     $     $ 67,852  
Provision for loan losses
    39                   39  
Other non-interest income
    918       1,305             2,223  
Compensation
    (12,802 )     (39,953 )           (52,755 )
Occupancy
    (914 )     (3,165 )           (4,079 )
Other non-interest expense
    (2,342 )     (30,482 )           (32,824 )
Allocations
    (1,787 )     1,787              
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    46,295       (65,839 )           (19,544 )
Income tax benefit
                      7,399  
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    46,295       (65,839 )           (12,145 )
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
                      (253,038 )
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 46,295     $ (65,839 )   $     $ (265,183 )
                                 
Assets – continuing operations
  $ 6,095,239     $ 3,628,492     $ (1,958 )   $ 9,721,773  
Assets – discontinued operations
                      955,313  
                                 
Total consolidated assets
  $ 6,095,239     $ 3,628,492     $ (1,958 )   $ 10,677,086  
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
    Commercial
    Corporate and
    Intersegment
    Total
 
(Thousands of dollars)   Real Estate     Retail Banking     Eliminations     Consolidated  
   
Three months ended June 30, 2006
                               
Total revenues
  $ 130,743     $ 68,365     $ (61,400 )   $ 137,708  
                                 
Net interest income
  $ 65,126     $ 15,062     $     $ 80,188  
Provision for loan losses
    (11,706 )                 (11,706 )
Other non-interest income
    4,217       (134 )           4,083  
Compensation
    (6,868 )     (18,893 )           (25,761 )
Occupancy
    (748 )     (2,678 )           (3,426 )
Other non-interest expense
    4,948       (15,649 )           (10,701 )
Allocations
    (1,282 )     1,282              
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    53,687       (21,010 )           32,677  
Income tax expense
                      (12,996 )
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    53,687       (21,010 )           19,681  
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
                      32,243  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 53,687     $ (21,010 )   $     $ 51,924  
                                 
Assets – continuing operations
  $ 5,559,496     $ 991,627           $ 6,551,123  
Assets – discontinued operations
                      6,365,955  
                                 
Total consolidated assets
  $ 5,559,496     $ 991,627           $ 12,917,078  
                                 
 
 
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    Commercial
    Corporate and
    Intersegment
    Total
 
(Thousands of dollars)   Real Estate     Retail Banking     Eliminations     Consolidated  
   
                                 
                                 
                                 
Six months ended June 30, 2007
                               
Total revenues
  $ 291,218     $ 201,038     $ (158,832 )   $ 333,424  
                                 
Net interest income
  $ 132,412     $ 10,211           $ 142,623  
Provision for loan losses
    (182 )                 (182 )
Other non-interest income
    (26 )     1,482             1,456  
Compensation
    (19,453 )     (55,004 )           (74,457 )
Occupancy
    (1,837 )     (8,048 )           (9,885 )
Other non-interest expense
    256       (56,947 )           (56,691 )
Allocations
    (3,411 )     3,411              
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    107,759       (104,895 )           2,864  
Income tax expense
                      (2,780 )
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    107,759       (104,895 )           84  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
                      (855,878 )
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 107,759     $ (104,895 )         $ (855,794 )
                                 
Assets – continuing operations
  $ 6,095,239     $ 3,628,492     $ (1,958 )     9,721,773  
Assets – discontinued operations
                      955,313  
                                 
Total consolidated assets
  $ 6,095,239     $ 3,628,492     $ (1,958 )   $ 10,677,086  
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
    Commercial
    Corporate and
    Intersegment
    Total
 
(Thousands of dollars)   Real Estate     Retail Banking     Eliminations     Consolidated  
   
Six months ended June 30, 2006
                               
Total revenues
  $ 241,800     $ 126,522     $ (112,003 )   $ 256,319  
                                 
Net interest income
  $ 124,064     $ 30,648             $ 154,712  
Provision for loan losses
    (15,597 )     (4 )           (15,601 )
Other non-interest income
    5,740       564             6,304  
Compensation
    (13,494 )     (38,907 )           (52,401 )
Occupancy
    (1,457 )     (5,392 )           (6,849 )
Other non-interest expense
    544       (30,069 )           (29,525 )
Allocations
    (2,494 )     2,494              
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    97,306       (40,666 )           56,640  
Income tax expense
                      (22,607 )
                                 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    97,306       (40,666 )           34,033  
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
                        49,578  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 97,306     $ (40,666 )         $ 83,611  
                                 
Assets – continuing operations
  $ 5,559,496     $ 991,627           $ 6,551,123  
Assets – discontinued operations
                      6,365,955  
                                 
Total consolidated assets
  $ 5,559,496     $ 991,627           $ 12,917,078  
                                 
 
 
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NOTE 17 — EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share have been computed based on the weighted-average number of shares. The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
   
    June 30,     June 30,  
   
(Thousands of shares and dollars, except per share data)   2007     2006     2007     2006  
   
Income (loss) from continuing operations
                               
(numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share)
  $   (12,145 )   $   19,681     $   84     $   34,033  
Weighted-average shares
                               
(denominator for basic earnings per share)
    76,866       74,517       75,998       74,025  
Effect of dilutive securities using the treasury stock method for restricted stock and stock options:
                               
Employee benefit plans
          1,245       1,100       1,195  
Restricted stock
          440             426  
Stock options
          77             88  
                                 
Dilutive potential common shares
          1,762       1,100       1,709  
                                 
Adjusted weighted-average shares
                               
(denominator for diluted earnings per share)
    76,866       76,279       77,098       75,734  
                                 
Potentially dilutive shares related to employee benefit plans not included above since they are antidilutive
    1,031                    
                                 
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
  $ (0.16 )   $ 0.26     $ 0.00     $ 0.46  
                                 
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
  $ (0.16 )   $ 0.26     $ 0.00     $ 0.45  
                                 
 
For additional disclosures regarding stock options and restricted stock see Note 12.
 
NOTE 18 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
As more fully described in Notes 1 and 7 the Company completed the sale of its commercial real estate loan portfolio to iStar in July 2007, and received cash and a 70% participation interest in the loans sold.
 
 
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
OVERVIEW
Fremont General Corporation (“Fremont General” or when combined with its subsidiaries the “Company” or “we” or “our”) is a holding company which during the six months ended June 30, 2007 was engaged in lending operations through its indirectly wholly-owned California industrial bank subsidiary, Fremont Investment & Loan (“FIL”). Fremont General is not a “bank holding company” as defined for regulatory purposes.
 
As discussed in more detail in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has withdrawn from the residential real estate business and has sold its commercial real estate lending business and outstanding portfolio, as well as entered into an agreement for an investment by an investor group led by Gerald J. Ford. In addition, on March 7, 2007, Fremont General, FIL and Fremont General Credit Corporation (“FGCC”) an intermediate holding company wholly owned by Fremont General, consented to a Cease and Desist Order (the “Order”) issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), without admitting to the allegations contained in the Order. The following discussion and analysis of the financial conditions and results of operations of the Company is qualified in its entirety by reference to such events and discusses the Company’s operations as they existed during the six months ended June 30, 2007.
 
FIL’s commercial real estate lending operation included nine regional offices and, as of June 30, 2007, had loans outstanding in 30 states. FIL funded its lending operations primarily through deposit accounts sourced in California that are insured up to the maximum legal limit by the FDIC and, to a lesser extent, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of San Francisco. FIL is regulated by the FDIC and the Department of Financial Institutions of the State of California (“DFI”). FIL raises its retail deposits in California (predominately Southern California) through a network of 22 branches and a centralized call center.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, FIL’s commercial real estate lending operation provided first mortgage financing on various types of commercial properties. The loans that FIL originated were substantially all held for investment, with some loans participated out to limit credit exposures. Loans are originated through broker and borrower relationships and the borrowers were typically mid-size developers and owners seeking a loan structure that provided limited recourse and were short-term, providing bridge or construction financing for comprehensive construction, renovation, conversion, repositioning and lease-up of existing or new properties. To manage the credit risk involved in this lending, FIL was focused on the value and quality of the collateral and the quality and experience of the parties with whom it did business. The size of loan commitments originated generally ranged from $20 million to $100 million, with some loans for larger amounts.
 
The Company’s business is influenced by the overall condition of the economy, in particular the interest rate environment, and various market conditions. As a result, the Company is subject to experiencing cyclicality in volume, gain (or loss) on the sale of loans, net interest income, loan losses and earnings. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company’s commercial real estate operation generated income as follows.
 
Commercial real estate loans, which are classified as held for sale, generated net interest income on the difference between the rates charged on the loans and the cost of borrowed funds. The majority of commercial real estate loans originated were adjustable interest rate loans based upon either one, three and six-month LIBOR and an applicable margin. Previously, an allowance for loan losses was maintained through provisions (which were either an expense or a credit to income) that were recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. In connection with the reclassification of the commercial real estate loans from held for investment to held for sale, the Company established a valuation account to reduce the carrying value of the loans to their fair value less costs to sell.
 
The principal market risks the Company faces are interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the valuation of the Company’s interest sensitive assets and liabilities and its net interest income will change due to changes in interest rates. Liquidity risk, which is the ability of the Company to access the necessary funding and capital resources, in a cost-effective manner, to sell its loans held for sale. Liquidity risk also entails the risk of changes in secondary market conditions, which can negatively impact the
 
 
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pricing realized by the Company on the loans it sells. Credit risk is the Company’s potential risk of loss due to borrower default which is impacted not only by specific borrower issues but by macro economic factors such as the supply and demand of housing.
 
This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto presented under Item 1, and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon its consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, which are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
The Company has identified three accounting policies as being critical because they require more significant judgment and estimates about matters that may differ from the estimates determined under different assumptions or conditions. These critical accounting policies relate to the gain or loss on whole loan sales of residential real estate loans (which is included as part of discontinued operations beginning in the first quarter of 2007), income taxes and discontinued operations. The first two critical accounting policies and estimates are discussed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
 
The third critical accounting policy relates to the Company’s discontinued operations. As more fully described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in March 2007, the Company decided to exit the residential real estate business and to sell substantially all of the assets related to such business. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS No. 144”), the Company has classified the residential real estate operations as discontinued operations as the cash flow of the business has been eliminated from our ongoing operations and we will no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the business. Therefore, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company’s residential real estate operations are presented separately in the consolidated financial statements and notes as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
 
When an operation meets the criteria for “held for sale accounting” as defined in SFAS No. 144, the operation is evaluated to determine whether the carrying value exceeds its fair value less costs to sell. Any loss resulting from the carrying value exceeding the fair value less costs to sell is recorded in the statement of operations in the period the operation meets the criteria for held for sale accounting. Management judgment is required to both assess the criteria required for held for sale accounting as well as to estimate fair value. Changes in the operation could cause it to no longer qualify for held for sale accounting and changes in fair value could result in an increase or decrease to previously recognized losses. For additional information concerning the Company’s discontinued operations see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional information regarding the Company’s commercial real estate loan portfolio and its subsequent sale in July 2007, see Notes 5 and 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Two changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies since December 31, 2006 are the Company no longer considers derivatives and the allowance for loan losses to be critical accounting policies. Due to the Company’s exit from the residential real estate business, the Company utilized fewer derivative instruments beginning in the first quarter of 2007. As of the end of the second quarter of 2007, the Company no longer had any derivative instruments. In addition, due to the Company’s decision to sell the commercial real estate loan portfolio in the first quarter of 2007, the Company reclassified the portfolio from held for investment to held for sale. The Company eliminated the allowance for loan losses and adjusted the carrying value of the loans to their estimated fair value less costs to sell. On July 2, 2007 the Company completed the sale of its
 
 
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$6.27 billion commercial real estate portfolio to iStar and removed from its balance sheet the total amount of its commercial real estate loans held for sale.
 
EARNINGS PERFORMANCE
As more fully described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company decided to exit the residential real estate business in March 2007 and the results of that business are now reported as discontinued operations. Therefore, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 the Company’s reported earnings from continuing operations are limited to the results from its commercial real estate business and retail banking and corporate operations.
 
The Company reported a loss from continuing operations before income taxes of $19.5 million for the second quarter of 2007 as compared to income of $32.7 million for the second quarter of 2006. During the six months ended June 30, 2007 the Company reported income from continuing operations before income taxes of $2.9 million as compared to $56.6 million during the comparable period in 2006. The components of the Company’s results of operations are more fully described below.
 
Due to the Company’s exit from its residential real estate lending operations and sale of its commercial real estate lending business and related loan portfolio as more fully described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company will have a reduced revenue stream for at least the remainder of fiscal year 2007, relying on interest income as its primary source of revenue. The Company expects that it will experience a lower yield on its interest earning assets due to a higher concentration in short term investment grade securities. As a result, the Company expects that it will incur a net loss from continuing operations for at least the remainder of fiscal year 2007.
 
Net Interest Income
The Company, in connection with its near-term strategic goal of attempting to reduce its risk profile and achieve a steady state of operations, began the process of divesting the sub-prime mortgage loan portfolio and business and its commercial real estate loan portfolio and business during 2007. This reorientation in the operations will necessarily have the effect of lowering both returns and risk profiles simultaneously with regard to the Company’s balance sheet mix. The shift in the mix and risk profile of the Company’s investment portfolio is deemed to be a necessary step in the Company’s transition prior to setting up more permanent, sustainable and diversified asset generating businesses. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to develop or acquire any such businesses. The following is an outline of the Company’s current activities and their impact on net interest income.
 
Residential real estate loans
 
Although the whole loan sales of residential real estate loans during the first six months of 2007 reduced the Company’s exposure to credit risk, they also reduced the net interest margin compared to historical results and balance sheet composition.
 
The Company, between December 31, 2006 and June 30, 2007, reduced its residential real estate loans held for sale by $4.42 billion to $529.1 million in connection with its previously announced loan sales. While the Company continues to market its remaining loans held for sale, it does so on a discounted or “scratch and dent” basis due to the nature and marketability of the remaining loans in terms of their delinquency status, aging, valuation profile, and repurchase composition. Yields will be lower because proceeds from loan sales have been reinvested in short term investment grade instruments. As an example, the Company earned $564.0 million in interest income on $6.84 billion in residential real estate loans held for sale, or 8.25% during 2006. Reinvestment of these balances is currently being executed at rates that approximate the one month LIBOR index (current yields range from 4.6% to 5.25%) as a result of the lower risk nature of the Company’s short term investments.
 
Commercial real estate loans
 
The sale of the Company’s $6.27 billion commercial real estate loan portfolio in return for a $4.21 billion lower yielding LIBOR-based participation interest and $1.89 billion in cash in July 2007 has enabled the Company to reinvest that money into short term investment grade securities designed to help give the Company maximum flexibility.
 
 
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Short term investments
 
The Company’s short term investment portfolio strategy is designed to help preserve liquidity in an effort to provide maximum balance sheet flexibility during the Company’s transition period. The Company will attempt to maintain a low credit risk profile and selectively purchase short lockout agency callable notes of short duration or floating rate agency collateralized mortgage obligations to enhance yield relative to other short term investments.
 
Deposits
 
The Company’s funding needs are a result of the sale of its commercial real estate loans and the substantial reduction of its residential real estate loans as compared to December 31, 2006. Retail deposits were $8.37 billion at December 31, 2006 with a weighted average interest rate of 5.05% compared to $7.33 billion at September 30, 2007 with an average interest rate of 4.96%.
 
Broker Deposits
 
Broker deposits are continuing to run off based on original maturity. The Company does not expect to replenish broker deposits because the Company is required to seek prior approval from the FDIC to raise additional broker deposits under the Order. At December 31, 2006 the Company’s outstanding broker deposit liability was $1.62 billion. Assuming no additional broker deposits, this run off will result in less than $300 million in these deposits outstanding as of December 31, 2007.
 
Net Interest Income Table
 
The Company recorded net interest income for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007 of $67.9 million and $142.6 million, respectively, and $80.2 million and $154.7 million, respectively, for the comparable periods in 2006.
 
The following tables identify the consolidated interest income, interest expense, average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and net interest margins, as well as an analysis of changes in net interest income due to volume and rate changes, for the second quarter and first six months of 2007 and 2006:
 
                                                                 
      Three Months Ended June 30,      
 
      2007       2006      
 
      Average
              Yield/
      Average
              Yield/
     
(Thousands of dollars, except percents)     Balance       Interest       Cost       Balance       Interest       Cost      
 
                                                                 
Interest-earning assets(1):
                                                               
                                                                 
Commercial real estate loans
    $   6,226,741       $   141,670         9.13 %     $   5,560,025       $   126,526         9.13 %    
                                                                 
Cash equivalents and investment securities
      1,899,359         27,852         5.88 %       651,366         7,099         4.37 %    
 
 
                                                                 
Total interest-earning assets
    $ 8,126,100       $ 169,522         8.37 %     $ 6,211,391       $ 133,625         8.63 %    
                                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                               
                                                                 
Time deposits
    $ 8,577,053       $ 112,339         5.25 %     $ 8,081,385       $ 92,027         4.57 %    
                                                                 
Savings deposits
      1,682,574         18,239         4.35 %       1,521,289         14,358         3.79 %    
                                                                 
Senior Notes due 2009
      166,530         3,350         8.05 %       171,994         3,464         8.06 %    
                                                                 
LYONs
                                                   
                                                                 
Junior Subordinated Debentures
      103,093         2,319         9.00 %       103,093         2,319         9.00 %    
                                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities allocated to discontinued operations
      (2,406,174 )       (34,577 )       5.76 %       (4,133,719 )       (58,731 )       5.70 %    
 
 
                                                                 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    $ 8,123,076       $ 101,670         5.02 %     $ 5,744,042       $ 53,437         3.73 %    
                                                                 
Net interest income
              $ 67,852                           $ 80,188                
                                                                 
Percent of average interest-earning assets:
                                                               
                                                                 
Interest income
                          8.37 %                           8.63 %    
                                                                 
Interest expense
                          5.02 %                           3.45 %    
 
 
                                                                 
Net interest margin
                          3.35 %                           5.18 %    
                                                                 
(1) Average loan balances include non-accrual loan balances.
 
 
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      Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to 2006      
 
      Change Due To      
 
(Thousands of dollars)     Volume(1)       Rate       Total      
 
                                   
Cash equivalent and investment securities
    $ 18,300       $ 2,453       $ 20,753      
                                   
Commercial real estate loans
      15,169         (25 )       15,144      
 
 
                                   
Total increase in interest income
      33,469         2,428         35,897      
 
 
                                   
Time deposits
      (6,492 )       (13,820 )       (20,312 )    
                                   
Savings deposits
      (1,748 )       (2,133 )       (3,881 )    
                                   
Senior Notes due 2009
      114                 114      
                                   
Junior Subordinated Debentures
                           
                                   
Interest-bearing liabilities allocated to discontinued operations
      (24,825 )       671         (24,154 )    
 
 
                                   
Total (increase) in interest expense
      (32,951 )       (15,282 )       (48,233 )    
 
 
                                   
Increase / (decrease) in net interest income
    $ 518       $ (12,854 )     $ (12,336 )    
                                   
(1) Changes in rate/volume are allocated to change in volume.
 
                                                                 
      Six Months Ended June 30,      
 
      2007       2006      
 
      Average
              Yield/
      Average
              Yield/
     
(Thousands of dollars, except percents)     Balance       Interest       Cost       Balance       Interest       Cost      
 
                                                                 
Interest-earning assets(1):
                                                               
                                                                 
Commercial real estate loans
    $   6,467,066       $   291,244         9.08 %     $   5,297,643       $   236,060         8.99 %    
                                                                 
Cash equivalents and investment securities
      1,431,780         40,724         5.74 %       581,601         13,955         4.84 %    
 
 
                                                                 
Total interest-earning assets
    $ 7,898,846       $ 331,968         8.48 %     $ 5,879,244       $ 250,015         8.58 %    
                                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                                               
                                                                 
Time deposits
    $ 8,568,877       $ 222,302         5.23 %     $ 7,753,930       $ 168,836         4.39 %    
                                                                 
Savings deposits
      1,724,086         37,959         4.44 %       1,550,445         28,234         3.67 %    
                                                                 
Senior Notes due 2009
      166,530         6,700         8.05 %       174,076         7,010         8.05 %    
                                                                 
LYONs
                                                   
                                                                 
Junior Subordinated Debentures
      103,093         4,639         9.00 %       103,093         4,639         9.00 %    
                                                                 
Interest-bearing liabilities allocated to discontinued operations
      (2,845,477 )       (82,255 )       5.83 %       (4,200,148 )       (113,416 )       5.45 %%    
 
 
                                                                 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    $ 7,717,109       $ 189,345         4.95 %     $ 5,381,396       $ 95,303         3.57 %    
                                                                 
Net interest income
              $ 142,623                           $ 154,712                
                                                                 
Percent of average interest-earning assets:
                                                               
                                                                 
Interest income
                          8.48 %                           8.58 %    
                                                                 
Interest expense
                          4.83 %                           3.27 %    
 
 
                                                                 
Net interest margin
                          3.65 %                           5.31 %    
                                                                 
(1) Average loan balances include non-accrual loan balances.
 
 
 
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      Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to 2006      
 
      Change Due To      
 
(Thousands of dollars)     Volume(1)       Rate       Total      
 
                                   
Cash equivalent and investment securities
    $   24,182       $   2,587       $ 26,769      
                                   
Commercial real estate loans
      52,665         2,519         55,184      
 
 
                                   
Total increase in interest income
      76,847         5,106         81,953      
 
 
                                   
Time deposits
      (21,142 )       (32,324 )       (53,466 )    
                                   
Savings deposits
      (3,823 )       (5,902 )       (9,725 )    
                                   
Senior Notes due 2009
      310                 310      
                                   
Junior Subordinated Debentures
                           
                                   
Interest-bearing liabilities allocated to discontinued operations
      (39,160 )       7,999         (31,161 )    
 
 
                                   
Total (increase) in interest expense
      (63,815 )       (30,227 )       (94,042 )    
 
 
                                   
Increase / (decrease) in net interest income
    $ 13,032       $ (25,121 )     $ (12,089 )    
                                   
(1) Changes in rate/volume are allocated to change in volume.
 
Non-Interest Expense
Total non-interest expense increased to $89.7 million during the second quarter of 2007 from $39.9 million for the second quarter of 2006. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, total non-interest expense increased to $141.0 million from $88.8 million for the comparable period in 2006.
 
The primary drivers of the increase in other non-interest expense were the increases in compensation and all other non-interest expenses during the second quarter of 2007.
 
Compensation expense increased to $52.8 million in the second quarter of 2007 from $25.8 million in the second quarter of 2006. The increase was attributable in part to one-time termination costs related to both residential and commercial real estate loan origination and related support staff of $9.9 million. In addition, expenses related to the Company’s SERP and EBP plans and other non qualified retirement plans were $17.1 million higher in the second quarter of 2007 versus 2006 due primarily to changes in the Company’s stock price during the respective periods.
 
All other non-interest expense increased to $32.8 million in the second quarter of 2007 from $10.7 million in the second quarter of 2006. As indicated in the table below, this increase in 2007 was primarily due to higher legal and professional fees, net expenses incurred on REO (versus a net gain in 2006) and an increase in all other costs that included $16.7 million in additional expenses related to FDIC examinations. Legal and professional fees increased during the period in part due to costs related to compliance with the Order, the sale of the commercial real estate lending business and related loan portfolio to iStar, the transaction with Gerald J. Ford and the potential sale of the Company’s sub-prime residential loan servicing platform and other assets.
 
 
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Other non-interest expense categories for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 are summarized below.
 
                                     
      Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended
     
      June 30,     June 30,      
 
(Thousands of dollars)     2007     2006     2007   2006      
 
Legal, professional and other outside services
    $ 11,452     $ 5,978     $ 21,510   $ 11,116      
Information technology
      2,841       4,334       6,572     7,424      
Printing, supplies and postage
      691       1,323       1,326     2,632      
Advertising and promotion
      1,057       1,208       3,113     3,587      
Auto and travel
      766       1,284       1,943     2,304      
Leasing and loan expense
      900       206       1,340     448      
Net real estate owned expenses
      166       (8,159 )     249     (6,967 )    
Telephone
      867       748       1,600     1,402      
All other
      14,084       3,779       19,038     7,579      
 
 
Total other expenses
    $ 32,824     $ 10,701     $ 56,691   $ 29,525      
                                     
 
Income Taxes
Income tax benefit was $7.4 million on a loss from continuing operations of $19.5 million for the second quarter of 2007, compared to income tax expense of $13.0 million on income from continuing operations of $32.7 million for the second quarter of 2006.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2007, income tax expense was $2.8 million on income from continuing operations of $2.9 million, compared to income tax expense of $22.6 million on income from continuing operations of $56.6 million for the comparable period in 2006.
 
The effective tax rate for 2007 and 2006 is different than the Federal enacted tax rate of 35% due mainly to various apportioned state income tax provisions and for 2007, a $1.4 million adjustment to deferred taxes.
 
Discontinued Operations
As more fully described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in the first quarter of 2007, the Company decided to exit the residential real estate business and to sell substantially all of the assets related to such business. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, income after taxes from discontinued operations and the net loss on disposal of discontinued operations are reported in the consolidated statements of operations after income from continuing operations for all periods presented.
 
The loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, was $253.0 million for the second quarter of 2007, representing a $3.29 diluted loss per share, compared to income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of $32.2 million, or $0.42 diluted income per share for the second quarter of 2006. During the first six months of 2007, the loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, was $855.9 million, representing a $11.10 diluted loss per share, compared to income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, of $49.6 million, or $0.65 diluted income per share for the comparable period in 2006.
 
During the second quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a realized loss of $246.3 million related to the sale of $4.32 billion of residential real estate loans held for sale. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company recognized a loss of $877.0 million related to the sale of $8.51 billion of residential real estate loans held for sale. Expense provisions related to the residential real estate loan valuation, repurchase and premium recapture reserves are included in this loss. In addition, during the first six months of 2007, the Company recognized a $38.8 million adjustment to write down the carrying value of the residential real estate held for sale assets to their estimated fair value less costs to sell.
 
During the second quarters of 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized $56.6 million and $133.8 million, respectively, in interest income on the residential real estate loan portfolio. During the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized $186.5 million and $273.5 million, respectively, in interest income on the residential real estate loan portfolio.
 
 
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During the second quarter of 2007, the Company continued to service residential real estate loans, recognizing loan servicing income of $30.8 million, as compared to $23.5 million during the second quarter of 2006. During the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized $63.7 million and $44.8 million, respectively, in loan servicing income. The Company was servicing on a to maturity basis $18.83 billion and $18.12 billion in principal balance of loans as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
 
The loss from discontinued operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007 includes a $5.3 million charge for one time severance payments paid to employees of the residential real estate loan origination operations and related support staff. In addition, the Company recorded a $10.7 million charge for lease termination costs related to the Company’s residential real estate loan origination offices. For further information concerning the results of operations from the discontinued operations see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, cash flows related to residential real estate loan originations and proceeds realized on the sale of such loans were $3.89 billion and $7.86 billion, respectively, and during the six months ended June 30, 2006, such cash flows were $18.08 billion and $17.15 billion, respectively. These amounts are included in cash flows from operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
 
Review of Financial Condition
 
Commercial Real Estate Loans Held for Sale
As more fully described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, on July 2, 2007 the Company completed the sale of its entire $6.27 billion commercial real estate loan portfolio to iStar, and received cash of $1.89 billion and a 70% participation interest of $4.21 billion in the loans sold. Due to the Company’s decision to sell the commercial real estate loan portfolio in the first quarter of 2007, the Company reclassified the portfolio from held for investment to held for sale. The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by such determination.
 
The Company’s commercial real estate loans held for sale before the carrying value adjustment/allowance for loan loss was approximately $6.22 billion at June 30, 2007, as compared to $6.49 billion at December 31, 2006. Commercial real estate loan participations to other financial institutions or investors were $642.5 million and $202.0 million as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
 
The following table provides additional information related to the Company’s commercial real estate non-accrual loans, foreclosed assets, delinquencies, restructured loans on accrual status and accruing loans past due 90 days or more as of the dates indicated.
 
                     
   
      June 30,       December 31,  
   
(Thousands of dollars, except percents)     2007       2006  
   
Non-accrual loans held for sale
    $      946,662       $      1,110,965  
 
Real estate owned / foreclosed assets
    $ 65,833       $ 299  
 
Accruing loans receivable past due 90 days or more
    $       $  
 
Restructured loans on accrual status
    $       $  
 
Delinquent loans 60 days past due or greater
    $      370,218       $      98,747  
 
Non-accrual loans to loans held for sale
      15.23 %       17.12 %
 
 
The level of non-performing assets fluctuates and specific loans can have a material impact upon the total. Consideration must be given that, due to the secured nature of the Company’s loans and the presence of larger-balance loans, the classification, and the timing thereof, of an individual loan as non-accrual or REO can have a significant impact upon the level of total non-performing assets, without necessarily a commensurate increase in loss exposure.
 
 
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Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Operations
For additional information concerning the Company’s assets and liabilities related to its discontinued operations, see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company’s commercial lending activities were financed primarily through deposit accounts offered by FIL and which are insured by the FDIC. FIL offers certificates of deposit and savings and money market deposit accounts (insured by the FDIC to the legal maximum) through its 22 branches in California. FIL minimizes the costs associated with its deposit operations by not offering traditional checking, safe deposit boxes, ATM access and other traditional retail services. Deposits totaled $9.68 billion at June 30, 2007 and are summarized as to type as follows:
 
                 
      Number of
     
(Thousands of dollars)     Accounts     Deposits
 
Savings and money market deposit accounts
      39,393     $ 1,677,440
Certificates of deposit:
               
Retail
      139,505       6,723,778
Brokered
      N/M       1,279,927
 
 
Total deposits
            $ 9,681,145
 
N/M = not meaningful
               
 
During the first six months of 2007, additional financing was available to FIL through advances from the FHLB. FIL’s credit line with the FHLB had a maximum financing availability that was based on a percentage of FIL’s regulatory assets, to which the actual borrowing capacity was subject to collateralization and certain collateral sublimits and eligibility limitations. In March 2007, following the issuance of the Order and the Company’s exit from the residential real estate lending business, the FHLB limited FIL’s borrowing capacity to existing outstanding debt of $3.67 billion. By March 31, 2007, FIL had utilized $2.30 billion in proceeds from loan sales and $618.0 million in debt from a warehouse lending facility to reduce the outstanding FHLB debt to $800.0 million. As of June 30, 2007, outstanding FHLB debt was zero and all pledged collateral was released by the FHLB to FIL. FIL does not currently maintain pledged collateral with the FHLB.
 
In the first quarter of 2007, FIL pledged eligible commercial real estate loans to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco under the Primary Credit program (the “Program”). There was no outstanding debt at any time during 2007 under the Program. In June 2007, in anticipation of the iStar Transaction, FIL removed all commercial real estate loans pledged as collateral under the Program. As of June 30, 2007, FIL did not maintain any pledged collateral with the Federal Reserve Bank. FIL does not currently maintain pledged collateral with the Federal Reserve Bank.
 
In the first quarter of 2007, in connection with the Company’s exit from the residential real estate lending business, FIL mutually terminated two of four existing warehouse financing lines and elected to allow one financing facility to expire. As of March 31, 2007, outstanding debt on the remaining warehouse facility was $618.1 million. On April 30, 2007 all outstanding debt on this facility was repaid. In June 2007, the remaining warehouse financing facility expired. As of June 30, 2007, FIL did not have any warehouse financing lines.
 
As of June 30, 2007, the Company’s liquidity position was comprised of cash and high grade short term investments totaling $3.23 billion. To ensure that these funds remain a source of short term liquidity the Company currently anticipates that the composition of cash and short term investments will be predominantly invested in cash, cash equivalents and short-term U.S. government and agency securities.
 
As of March 31 and June 30, 2007, the Company’s capital position was adversely impacted by the operating losses as further described above. Due to these losses, the potential impact of ongoing restructuring efforts on earnings, the adverse market conditions described above and the terms of the Order, the Company has limited access to capital at this time. The Company has submitted a capital plan to the FDIC as required by the Order.
 
 
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During 2006 and 2005, FIL had transferred by dividend certain of its residual interests in securitized loans to FGCC. The residual interests at FGCC as of June 30, 2007, had an estimated fair value of $11.4 million. The purpose of these dividends was to create an additional source of cash flow to Fremont General to the extent of cash received from the residual interests.
 
There exist certain Federal Income Tax and California Franchise Tax matters pending resolution, of which Fremont General is not yet able to make a determination of their ultimate liability, if any, but does not believe that the actual outcomes of these matters will adversely impact its liquidity or earnings. It is expected that the final resolution of these matters may take several years.
 
The Company’s ability to access the capital markets is very limited as a result of the factors described herein. If it were able to access capital, it would likely be with disadvantageous conditions and pricing reflecting current factors.
 
Fremont General has cash and cash equivalents of $56.8 million as of June 30, 2007 and no debt maturities until March of 2009.
 
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ACTIVITIES
Prior to 2007, the Company securitized a certain amount of its residential real estate loans. Securitization was a process of transforming the loans into securities sold to investors. The loans were first sold to a special purpose corporation, which then transferred them to a qualifying special-purpose entity (a “QSPE”) which was legally isolated from the Company. The QSPE, in turn, issued interest-bearing securities, commonly known as asset-backed securities, that were secured by the future cash flows to be derived from the securitized loans. The QSPE used the proceeds from the issuance of the securities to pay the purchase price of the securitized loans.
 
The investors and the QSPEs do not have any recourse to the Company if the cash flows generated by the securitized loans are inadequate to service the securities issued by the QSPEs. At the close of each securitization, the Company removed from its balance sheet the carrying value of the loans securitized and added to its balance sheet the estimated fair value of the assets obtained in consideration for the loans which generally included the cash received (net of transaction expenses), retained junior class securities (referred to as residual interests) and mortgage servicing rights.
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements and the currently reported results are based upon our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon us. These statements and our results reported herein are not guarantees of future performance or results and there can be no assurance that actual developments and economic performance will be as anticipated by us. Actual developments and/or results may differ significantly and adversely from our expected or currently reported results as a result of significant risks, uncertainties and factors, often beyond our control (as well as the various assumptions utilized in determining our expectations), and which include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
•  the impact of the Company’s withdrawal from the sub-prime residential real estate mortgage loan origination business;
 
•  the impact of the sale of FIL’s commercial real estate lending business and related loan portfolio;
 
•  the uncertainty of the closing of an investment in FIL or Fremont General by an entity controlled by Gerald J. Ford and the ability of the Company to enter into any alternative transactions;
 
•  the ability of the Company to enter into new lending businesses;
 
•  the variability of general and specific economic conditions and trends, and changes in, and the level of, interest rates;
 
•  the impact of competition and pricing environments on deposit products;
 
 
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•  the ability to access the necessary capital resources in a cost-effective manner to fund our operations;
 
•  our ability to sell our existing residential real estate loans held for sale and the prices obtained for such loans;
 
•  our ability to realize the full principal amount of the participation interest in the commercial real estate loan portfolio sold to iStar;
 
•  the impact of changes in the commercial real estate markets, in particular the housing market, and changes in the fair values of our assets and loans, including the value of the underlying real estate collateral;
 
•  the ability to service, collect and realize the amounts outstanding, and the timing thereof, of loans and foreclosed real estate;
 
•  the ability to appropriately estimate an adequate level for the valuation reserve for loans held for sale, the loan repurchase reserve and the premium recapture reserve, as well as the fair value of the retained mortgage servicing rights and residual interests in securitizations;
 
•  changes in various economic and other factors which influence the timing and ultimate realization of the cash flows supporting our estimate of fair value for our residual interests in securitized loans and mortgage servicing rights;
 
•  the effect of certain determinations or actions taken by, or the inability to secure regulatory approvals from, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Department of Financial Institutions of the State of California or other regulatory bodies on various matters;
 
•  the impact of the Order on the Company’s ability to conduct its business;
 
•  our ability to maintain cash flow, including at the Fremont General level, sufficient for us to meet our debt service and other obligations;
 
•  the ability to maintain effective compliance with laws and regulations and control expenses;
 
•  the impact and cost of adverse state and federal legislation and regulations, litigation, court decisions and changes in the judicial or regulatory climate;
 
•  the impact of changes in federal and state tax laws and interpretations, including tax rate changes, and the effect of any adverse outcomes from the resolution of issues with taxing authorities;
 
•  the ability to maintain an effective system of internal and financial disclosure controls, and to identify and remediate any control deficiencies, under the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and
 
•  other events, risks and uncertainties discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-Q and from time to time in our other reports, press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
We undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements.
 
Item 3. Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
MARKET RISK
The Company is subject to market risk resulting primarily from the impact of fluctuations in interest rates upon balance sheet financial instruments such as loans, residual interests, mortgage servicing rights, debt and derivatives. Changes in interest rates can affect loan interest income, gains or losses on the sale of residential real estate loans, interest expense, net investment income and total stockholders’ equity. The level of gain or loss on the sale of residential real estate loans is highly dependent upon the premium paid by the purchasers of such loans. Each of these factors, in turn, are highly dependent upon changes in, and the level of, interest rates and other economic factors. The Company may experience a decrease in the amount of gain it realizes should significant interest rate volatility occur or if other economic factors have a negative impact on the value of the loans. The objective of the asset and liability management activities is to provide an acceptable level of net interest and investment income and to seek cost effective sources of capital, while maintaining acceptable levels of interest rate and liquidity risk. There is no exposure to foreign currency or commodity price risk.
 
 
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The Company is subject to interest rate risk resulting from differences between the rates on, and repricing characteristics of, interest-earning loans held for sale and the rates on, and repricing characteristics of, interest-bearing liabilities used to finance these loans such as deposits and debt. Interest rate gaps may arise when assets are funded with liabilities having different repricing intervals or different market indices to which the instruments’ interest rate is tied and to this degree, earnings will be sensitive to interest rate changes. Additionally, interest rate gaps could develop between the market rate and the interest rate on loans in the loan portfolio, which could result in borrowers’ prepaying their loan obligations. The Company attempts to match the characteristics of interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities to minimize the effect of fluctuations in interest rates. For the Company’s financial instruments, the expected maturity date does not necessarily reflect the net market risk exposure because certain instruments are subject to interest rate changes before expected maturity.
 
The Company is reliant upon the secondary mortgage market for execution of its whole loan sales of residential real estate loans. While the Company strives to maintain adequate levels of liquidity support and capital to withstand certain disruptions in the secondary mortgage market, a significant disruption or change in the level of demand could lead to reduced gains (or higher losses) on sale and a corresponding decrease in revenue and earnings. A deterioration in performance of the residential real estate loans after being sold in whole loan sales could adversely impact the availability and pricing of such future transactions.
 
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the Company’s market risk are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
 
Item 4. Controls And Procedures
 
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of June 30, 2007, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). The management of Fremont General is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all error and all fraud. All internal control systems, regardless of how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
 
The evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to insure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure, because of the material weaknesses described below:
 
The Company’s management concluded that material weaknesses existed in its internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2007. A material weakness is a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. As previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (“2006 Annual Report”) under Item 9A “Controls and Procedures,” the following two material weaknesses were identified:
 
As of June 30, 2007, March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we did not maintain effective operation of internal control over the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, resulting in material adjustments to the Company’s preliminary annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006. Specifically, the Company misapplied the application of subsequent event accounting literature to its residential real estate loans held for sale, residual interests in securitized assets, and repurchase reserves as of December 31, 2006. This misapplication resulted in net understatement of loss on sale in the preliminary consolidated financial statements of approximately $34.8 million and a net understatement of impairment of retained residual interests of approximately
 
 
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$25.6 million. These adjustments are properly reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in its 2006 Annual Report. The adjustments are properly included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and for the six months ended June 30, 2007.
 
As of June 30, 2007, March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we did not maintain effective monitoring controls over the Company’s commercial real estate business. Specifically, the following deficiencies were noted:
 
•  The grading of some commercial loans were not consistent with the Company’s loan grading guidelines; and
 
•  the valuation methodology used for collateral dependant loans was inappropriate.
 
As a result, there was an understatement of the allowance for loan loss in the preliminary consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 of approximately $35.7 million. This adjustment to the allowance for loan loss is properly reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in its 2006 Annual Report.
 
The Company believes that its consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2007 fairly present, in all material respects, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of, and for, the periods presented.
 
REMEDIATION OF MATERIAL WEAKNESSES
As more fully described in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report, Part I Item 1 — Business, on July 2, 2007, the Company completed the sale of its commercial real estate lending business and related $6.27 billion loan portfolio to iStar. The material weakness as of June 30, 2007, March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 related to monitoring controls was isolated to the commercial real estate business. The Company has discussed this material weakness with Squar, Milner, Peterson, Miranda & Williamson, LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and the Company has concluded that this material weakness has been fully remediated by the sale of its commercial real estate lending business and related $6.27 billion loan portfolio in the third quarter of 2007.
 
The Company has also fully remediated the material weakness related to the misapplication of subsequent event accounting literature, as management increased training and education related to proper accounting treatment for subsequent events. This was completed in the third quarter of 2007.
 
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Except as otherwise discussed herein, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have occurred since the beginning of the second fiscal quarter of 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to material affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
 
 
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
The Company is a defendant in a number of legal actions or regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, from the discontinuance of the insurance operations and from regulatory examinations conducted by the FDIC and the DFI.
 
Enron Corp., Et Al V. J.P. Morgan Securities, Et Al:
In November 2003, the Trustee for Enron Corporation filed voidable preference and fraudulent conveyance actions in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Case No. 03-92677, seeking return of money from the Company for the redemption of Enron commercial paper prior to maturity and during the preference period. The initial Complaint and First Amended Complaint alleged Enron redeemed $5 million of its commercial paper from the Company. On February 14, 2007, Enron filed a Second Amended Complaint which revised the claim against the Company from $5 million to $25 million. This increase represents the $20 million Enron allegedly redeemed from the Company’s former workers compensation insurance companies, now in liquidation. The Company does not believe there is any legal authority for a voidable preference or fraudulent conveyance against it for the alleged redemption of securities held by its subsidiaries. No trial date has been set. The case is currently in the discovery phase. The Company cannot predict the outcome and intends to vigorously defend against it.
 
The Bank of New York V. Fremont General Corporation:
In December 2003, The Bank of New York filed a complaint against the Company in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Los Angeles Division, Case No. 03-9238, seeking return of approximately $14 million transferred from a custodial account with The Bank of New York when those sums were maintained as security for the Superintendent of the New York State Department of Insurance. The Bank of New York seeks return of those sums under a variety of theories. Trial has been completed in this matter resulting in a complete judgment for the Company. The Bank of New York appealed to the Ninth Circuit. Oral argument was heard on July 9, 2007. A decision by the Ninth Circuit is expected in the near future.
 
Fremont Indemnity Company (In Liquidation) V. Fremont General Corporation, Et Al:
On June 2, 2004, the State of California Insurance Commissioner (the “Commissioner”), as statutory liquidator of Fremont Indemnity Company (“Fremont Indemnity”), filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the Company alleging it improper utilized certain net operating loss deductions (“NOLs”) allegedly belonging to Fremont Indemnity (the “Fremont Indemnity Case”). This complaint involves issues that were considered resolved in an agreement among the California Department of Insurance, Fremont Indemnity and the Company (the “Letter Agreement”). The Letter Agreement, dated July 2, 2002, was executed on behalf of the California Department of Insurance by the Honorable Harry Low, the State of California Insurance Commissioner at that time. The Company has honored all of its obligations under the Letter Agreement. On July 16, 2004, the Commissioner filed a First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) adding a cause of action for concealment of an alleged reinsurance dispute and is seeking to rescind the Letter Agreement.
 
On January 25, 2005, The Company’s motions to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the Commissioner, on behalf of Fremont Indemnity, against the Company were argued and heard before the Superior Court of the State of California (the “Court”). On January 26, 2005, the Court issued its rulings dismissing all the causes of action in the FAC without leave to amend, except for the cause of action for alleged concealment by the Company of a potential reinsurance dispute, which was dismissed with leave to amend. The Court also found that the Company had properly utilized the NOLs in accordance with the Letter Agreement. In addition, the Court rejected the Commissioner’s request for findings that the Company’s use of the NOLs and worthless stock deduction were voidable preferences and/or fraudulent transfers. The Court also rejected the Commissioner’s request for injunctive relief to force the Company to amend its prior consolidated income tax returns to remove and forgo the worthless stock deduction for its investment in Fremont Indemnity.
 
On May 2, 2005, the Commissioner filed a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) with regard to the 7th cause of action on behalf of Fremont Indemnity against the Company alleging intentional misrepresentation, concealment and promissory fraud, which induced the Commissioner to first enter into the Letter
 
 
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Agreement. On July 15, 2005, the Court dismissed the SAC with 20 days leave to amend. On August 4, 2005, the Commissioner filed a Third Amended Complaint (“TAC”) again alleging intentional misrepresentation, concealment and promissory fraud.
 
On November 22, 2005, the Court dismissed the remaining cause of action in the TAC, finding that the “Plaintiff still failed to plead any affirmative misrepresentation which is actionable.” The Court also found that the “pleading is inadequate as to damage allegations.” This ruling by the Court dismissed the only remaining cause of action in the lawsuit originally brought by the Commissioner on behalf of Fremont Indemnity against Fremont General, first reported on June 17, 2004.
 
On February 28, 2007, the Court of Appeal of the State of California reversed the trial court’s dismissal and sent the case back to the trial court for further proceedings. The Company continues to believe that this lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it.
 
Fremont Indemnity Company (In Liquidation as Successor in Interest to Comstock Insurance Company) V. Fremont General Corporation, Et Al:
The Commissioner filed an additional and separate complaint against the Company on behalf of Fremont Indemnity as successor in interest to Comstock Insurance Company (“Comstock”), a former affiliate of Fremont Indemnity, which was subsequently merged into Fremont Indemnity. This case alleged similar causes of action regarding the usage of the NOLs as in the Fremont Indemnity Case as well as improper transactions with other insurance subsidiaries and affiliates of Fremont Indemnity. This matter was deemed a related case to the Fremont Indemnity case. On April 22, 2005, the Court dismissed, without leave to amend, the entire complaint. This ruling does not address or necessarily have legal effect on the related Fremont Indemnity case.
 
On February 28, 2007, the Court of Appeal of the State of California reversed the trial court’s dismissal and sent the case back to the trial for further proceedings. The Company continues to believe that this lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend against it.
 
Gerling Global Reinsurance Corporation of America V. Fremont General Corporation, Et Al:
On July 27, 2005, Gerling Global Reinsurance Corporation of America (“Gerling”) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court (the “Court”) against the Company arising out of a reinsurance treaty between Gerling and Fremont Indemnity alleging 1) Fraud/Intentional Misrepresentation and Concealment; 2) Breach of Fiduciary Duty; 3) Willful and Wanton Misconduct; 4) Negligent Misrepresentation; 5) Gross Negligence; 6) Tortuous Interference with Contract; 7) Unjust Enrichment; and 8) Breach of Contract for allegedly improper underwriting practices by Fremont Indemnity during 1998 and 1999. In October 2005, Gerling filed a First Amended Complaint (“FAC”) alleging 1) Fraud/Intentional Misrepresentation and Concealment; 2) Inducement to Breach and Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Duty of Utmost Good Faith; 3) Willful and Wanton Misconduct; 4) Negligent Misrepresentation; 5) Gross Negligence; 6) Tortuous Interference with Contract; 7) Unjust Enrichment; and 8) Inducement to Breach and Breach of Contract.
 
On December 12, 2005, the Company’s Motion to Dismiss the FAC was argued and heard before the Court. On December 15, 2005, the Court issued its Order dismissing with prejudice Gerling’s Third through Sixth Causes of Action, which asserted claims for Willful and Wanton Misconduct, Negligent Misrepresentation, Gross Negligence and Tortuous Interference with Contract, and also dismissed with prejudice that part of Gerling’s Eighth Cause of Action that alleged Inducement to Breach of Contract. The Court also dismissed the Breach of Contract claim, but granted Gerling leave to replead that claim.
 
In January 2006, Gerling filed a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) alleging 1) Fraud/Intentional Misrepresentation and Concealment; 2) Breach of Fiduciary Duty and Duty of Utmost Good Faith; 3) Unjust Enrichment; and 4) Breach of Contract. On March 6, 2006, Fremont General’s Motion to Dismiss this SAC were argued and heard before the Court. On its own motion, the Court converted the Motion to Dismiss to a Motion for Summary Judgment and ordered that it be reset for hearing following limited discovery on the statute of limitations issues raised in the Motion.
 
On January 8, 2007, The Court heard oral argument on the Company’s Motion for Summary Judgment. On January 11, 2007, the Court granted the Company’s Motion thereby dismissing the case. On February 5, 2007, Gerling filed its Notice of Appeal. Initial briefs have been filed. A hearing date has not yet been set.
 
 
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Insurance Commissioner V. Rampino, Et Al:
On or about October 12, 2006, the California Insurance Commissioner, as Liquidator on behalf of Fremont Indemnity, filed a First Amended Complaint against certain former directors and officers of Fremont Indemnity for Breach of Fiduciary Duty. The Complaint alleges the defendant’s breached their fiduciary duties by orchestrating and allowing Fremont Indemnity to engage in an inappropriate underwriting scheme that caused injury to Fremont Indemnity’s reinsurers which in turn injured Fremont Indemnity by settlements it made with those reinsurers. The allegations in this complaint are substantially the same as those alleged by Gerling Global in its lawsuit. Although neither the Company nor any of its affiliates are defendants in this lawsuit, it is indemnifying and defending these directors and officers pursuant to the indemnification clause in Fremont General’s bylaws. The case is currently in the discovery phase. Trial is currently scheduled to commence on April 14, 2008. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend this matter.
 
Order to Cease & Desist:
As more fully described above, on March 7, 2007, Fremont General, FIL and FGCC consented to the Order issued by the FDIC without admitting to the allegations contained in the Order. The Order requires, among other things, that FIL make a variety of changes in its sub-prime residential loan origination business and also calls for certain changes in its commercial real estate lending business. In addition, the Order requires that FIL adopts a Capital Adequacy Plan to maintain adequate Tier 1 capital in relation to the risk profile of the Company. Further, the Order mandates various specific management requirements, including having and retaining qualified management acceptable to the FDIC and the DFI, and provides for enhanced regulatory oversight over FIL’s operations.
 
The Company cannot predict the cost of compliance with the Order or the impact of the Order upon the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operation.
 
ERISA Complaints:
In April through June of 2007, six complaints seeking class certification were filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against the Company and various officers, directors and employees by participants in the Company’s Investment Incentive Plan (401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (collectively “the Plans”) alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) in connection with Company stock held by the Plans. The six complaints have been consolidated in a single proceeding. This litigation is still in its early stages. No trial date has been set. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to vigorously defend this matter.
 
Securities Complaints:
In September 2007, three separate complaints seeking class certification were filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against the Company and various officers and directors alleging violations of federal securities laws in connection with published statements by the Company regarding its loan portfolio and loans held for resale during the period from May 9, 2006 through February 27, 2007. Management expects these lawsuits will be consolidated into a single proceeding. This litigation is still in its early stages. No trial date has been set. The Company believes these lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend these matters.
 
NAACP Litigation:
On July 11, 2007, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People filed a lawsuit seeking class certification in United States District Court, Central District of California, against FIL and several other large home mortgage loan originators, alleging discriminatory lending practices. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and attorney fees, but not monetary damages, to enjoin defendants from the alleged discriminatory practices and to modify their conduct to comport with the law. The lawsuit has not yet been served on FIL. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit with respect to FIL and intends to defend against it vigorously should FIL be served.
 
 
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Massachusetts Attorney General Action:
In October 2007, the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts Superior Court in Suffolk County on behalf of borrowers in Massachusetts, alleging that Fremont General and FIL engaged in unfair or deceptive practices in connection with the origination and servicing of residential mortgage loans. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, equitable relief for Massachusetts borrowers and civil penalties. The case is in its very early stages and the Company cannot predict the outcome or the effect it will have on its financial condition. However, the Company disagrees with the allegations in the lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend against it.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
We included a discussion of our Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. There has been no material change in such risks during the six months ended June 30, 2007.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
                         
                (d) Maximum Number
            (c) Total Number of
  (or Approximate
            Shares (or Units)
  Dollar Value) of
    (a) Total Number
  (b) Average
  Purchased as Part
  Shares (or Units)
    of Shares
  Price Paid
  of Publicly
  that May Yet Be
    (or Units)
  per Share
  Announced Plans
  Purchased Under the
Period   Purchased(1)   (or Unit)(2)   or Programs   Plans or Programs(3)
April 1-30, 2007
    1,136   $ 7.10     1,136      
May 1-31, 2007
    55,027   $ 12.73     55,027      
June 1-30, 2007
    42,598   $ 12.24     42,598      
TOTAL
    98,761   $ 12.45     98,761     1,425,628
(1) Shares of common stock acquired by the Company through purchases of shares under certain employee benefit plans at fair value.
 
(2) The average price per share was $12.45 for the three months ended June 30, 2007.
 
(3) A repurchase program for four million shares was announced to the public on February 27, 2003, and a repurchase program for an additional four million shares was announced to the public on May 19, 2005.
 
 
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Item 6. Exhibits
 
         
 
Exhibit No.     Description
 
  2.1     Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2007, between Fremont Investment & Loan and iStar Financial Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  3.1     Restated Articles of Incorporation of Fremont General Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended June 30, 1998, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  3.2     Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of Fremont General Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  3.3(a)     Amended and Restated By-Laws of Fremont General Corporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  3.3(b)     Fremont General Corporation Bylaw Amendment Adopted by the Board of Directors on November 20, 2003. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3(b) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  3.3(c)     Fremont General Corporation Bylaw Amendment Adopted by the Board of Directors on March 16, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3(c) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended June 30, 2004, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.1     Form of Stock Certificate for Common Stock of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.2     Indenture with respect to the 9% Junior Subordinated Debentures among the Registrant, the Trust and Bank of New York (originated with First Interstate Bank of California), a New York Banking Corporation, as trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.3     Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust with respect to the 9% Trust Originated Preferred Securities among the Registrant, the Regular Trustees, Bank of New York, a Delaware banking corporation, as Delaware trustee, and Bank of New York, N.A., a national banking association, as Institutional Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.4     Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between the Registrant and Bank of New York, N.A., a national banking association, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.5     Common Securities Guarantee Agreement by the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.6     Form of Preferred Securities. (Included in Exhibit 4.5). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.7     Form of Restricted Stock Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 18, 2006, Registration Number 333-134236)
  4.8     Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 18, 2006, Registration Number 333-134236)
  4.9     Investment Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2007, by and among the Registrant, Fremont Investment & Loan and Hunter’s Glen/Ford, Ltd. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.10     Form of Exchange and Shareholder Rights Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.11     Form of Warrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  4.12     Form of Certificate of Determination. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  10.1(a)*     Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Alan W. Faigin dated April 11, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 17, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  10.1(b)*     Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Alan W. Faigin dated April 2, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  10.1(c)*     Letter Agreement Amendment between the Registrant and Alan W. Faigin dated August 27, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  10.2*     Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Patrick E. Lamb dated April 11, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 17, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  10.3(a)*     Management Continuity Agreement among the Registrant, Fremont Investment & Loan and Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr. dated April 3, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 12, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
 
 
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Exhibit No.     Description
 
  10.3(b)*     Letter Agreement between Fremont Investment & Loan and Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr. dated April 3, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 12, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  10.3(c)*     Letter Agreement between the Registrant and Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr. dated August 27, 2007. (Incorporate by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  10.4     Form of Loan Participation Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2007, Commission File Number 001-08007)
  31.1     Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  31.2     Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.1     Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
Management or compensatory plans or arrangements. With respect to long-term debt instruments, the Registrant undertakes to provide copies of such agreements upon request by the Commission.
 
 
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
     
    FREMONT GENERAL CORPORATION
     
Date: October 8, 2007
  /s/ LOUIS J. RAMPINO
   
    Louis J. Rampino
    President and Chief Executive Officer
     
Date: October 8, 2007
  /s/ RONALD J. NICOLAS, JR.
   
    Ronald J. Nicolas, Jr.
    Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
    (Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
2007 QUARTERLY REPORT     S-1