Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

B. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MicroFinancial and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Segment Reporting

We operate in one industry segment that leases and rents microticket equipment and provides other financing services. All of our operations are located in the United States. Accordingly, we believe we have a single reportable segment for disclosure purposes.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates are revenue recognition, the allowance for credit losses, share-based payments and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid instruments purchased with original maturities of less than three months to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist principally of overnight investments, collateralized repurchase agreements, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and US government and agency securities. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, our cash equivalents consisted of overnight investments. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Restricted Cash

Our line of credit requires that all TimePayment cash receipts be deposited into a cash collateral account held by Sovereign Bank. These funds are applied directly to amounts outstanding under the line of credit as they clear. Those funds which are pending clearance and application against the line of credit are deemed to be restricted.

Leases and Revenue Recognition

Our lease contracts are accounted for as financing leases. At origination, we record the gross lease receivable, the estimated residual value of the leased equipment, initial direct costs incurred and the unearned lease income. Unearned lease income is the amount by which the gross lease receivable plus the estimated residual value exceeds the cost of the equipment. Unearned lease income and initial direct costs incurred are amortized over the related lease term using the interest method. Amortization of unearned lease income and initial direct costs is suspended and the contract written off, if, in our opinion, full payment of the contractual amount due under the lease agreement is doubtful. In conjunction with the origination of leases, we may retain a residual interest in the underlying equipment upon termination of the lease. The value of such interest is estimated at inception of the lease and evaluated periodically for impairment. At the end of the lease term, the lessee has the option to buy the equipment at the fair market value, return the equipment or continue to rent the equipment on a month-to-month basis. If the lessee continues to rent the equipment, we record our investment in the rental contract at its estimated residual value. Rental revenue and depreciation are recognized based on the methodology described below. Other revenues, such as loss and damage waiver fees and service fees relating to the leases and contracts, are recognized as they are earned.

Allowance for Credit Losses and Credit Quality of Loans

We maintain an allowance for credit losses on our investment in leases, service contracts and rental contracts at an amount that we believe is sufficient to provide adequate protection against losses in our portfolio. Given the nature of the microticket market and the individual size of each transaction, we do not have a formal credit review committee to review individual transactions. Rather, we have developed a sophisticated, multi-tiered pricing model and have automated the credit scoring, approval and collection processes. We believe that with the proper pricing model, we can grant credit to a wide range of applicants provided we have priced appropriately for the associated risk. As a result of approving a wide range of credits, we experience a relatively high level of delinquency and write-offs in our portfolio. We periodically review the credit scoring and approval process to ensure that the automated system is making appropriate credit decisions. Given the nature of the microticket market and the individual size of each transaction, we do not evaluate transactions individually for the purpose of developing and determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. Contracts in our portfolio are not re-graded subsequent to the initial extension of credit and the allowance is not allocated to specific contracts. Rather, we view the contracts as having common characteristics and maintain a general allowance against our entire portfolio utilizing historical collection statistics and an assessment of current credit risk in the portfolio as the basis for the amount.

Each period the provision for credit losses in the income statement results from the combination of an estimate by management of credit losses that occurred during the current period and the ongoing adjustment of prior estimates of losses occurring in prior periods. To serve as a basis for making this provision, we have adopted a consistent, systematic procedure for establishing and maintaining an appropriate allowance for credit losses for our microticket transactions. We estimate the likelihood of credit losses net of recoveries in the portfolio at each reporting period based upon a combination of an internally-developed proprietary scoring model that considers several factors including the lessee’s bureau reported credit score at lease inception and the current delinquency status of the account. In addition to these elements, we also consider other relevant factors including general economic trends, trends in delinquencies and credit losses, static pool analysis of our portfolio, trends in recoveries made on charged off accounts, and other relevant factors which might affect the performance of our portfolio. This combination of historical experience, credit scores, delinquency levels, trends in credit losses, and the review of current factors provide the basis for our analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. In general, a receivable is considered uncollectable when it is 360 days past due or earlier if other adverse events occur with respect to an account. None of our receivables are placed on non-accrual status as accounts are charged off when deemed uncollectible. Historically, the typical monthly payment under our microticket leases has been small and as a result, our experience is that lessees will pay past due amounts later in the process because of the relatively small amount necessary to bring an account current.

We segregate our lease portfolio between TimePayment and Leasecomm to perform the calculation and analysis of the allowance for credit losses. Each subsidiary consists of a single portfolio segment – microticket equipment. Leases of microticket equipment are made to businesses and individuals and are generally secured by assets of the business or a personal guarantee. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business or individual. A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer spending, may have a negative effect on the credit quality in this segment.

We assign internal risk ratings for all lessees and determine the creditworthiness of each lease based upon this internally developed proprietary scoring model. The Leasecomm portfolio is evaluated in total with a reserve calculated based upon the aging of the portfolio and our collection experience. The TimePayment scoring model generates one of nine acceptable risk ratings based upon the creditworthiness of each lease or it rejects the lease application. The scores are assigned at lease inception and these scores are maintained over the lease term regardless of payment performance. To facilitate review and reporting, management aggregates these nine scores into one of three categories with similar risk profiles and delinquency characteristics identified as Gold, Silver or Bronze.

• Leases assigned a Gold rating represent those transactions which exhibit the best risk rating based on our internal credit scores. They are considered of sufficient quality to preclude an otherwise adverse rating. Gold rated leases are typically represented by lessees with high bureau reported credit scores for personal guarantors at lease inception or are supported by established businesses for those transactions which are not personally guaranteed by the lessee.

• Leases assigned a Silver rating fall in the middle range of the nine acceptable scores generated by the scoring model. These transactions possess a reasonable amount of risk based on their profile and may exhibit vulnerability to deterioration if adverse factors are encountered. These accounts typically demonstrate adequate coverage but warrant a higher level of monitoring by management to ensure that weaknesses do not advance.

• A Bronze rating applies to leases at the lower end of the nine acceptable scores generated by the scoring model whereby the lessee may have difficulty meeting the lease obligation if adverse factors are encountered. Bronze rated transactions typically have lower reported credit scores at lease inception and will typically have other less desirable credit attributes.

See Note C for details of our allowance for credit losses and the aged analysis of past due financing receivables based upon our internally-developed proprietary lease scoring model.

Investment in Service Contracts

Our investments in service contracts are recorded at cost and amortized over the expected life of the contract. Income on service contracts from monthly billings is recognized as the related services are provided. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income. We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that may affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of our investment in service contracts. Historically, most of our service contract revenue was derived from our Leasecomm portfolio, for which we have not purchased any new security service contracts since 2002. However, beginning in the second quarter of 2012, TimePayment began acquiring service contracts.

Investment in Rental Contracts

Our investment in rental contracts is either recorded at estimated residual value for converted leases and depreciated using the straight-line method over a period of twelve months or at the acquisition cost and depreciated using the straight line method over an estimated life of three years. Rental equipment consists of a wide variety of low-priced commercial equipment with similar characteristics. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income. We periodically evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred that may affect the estimated useful life or recoverability of the investment in rental contracts.

Property and Equipment

Office and computer equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated lives of three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the lease or the estimated life of the improvement. Upon retirement or other disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation of the assets are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Accounting for fair value measurements involves a single definition of fair value, along with a conceptual framework to measure fair value, with fair value defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” The fair value measurement hierarchy consists of three levels:

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions which are developed by the reporting entity and reflect those assumptions that a market participant would use.

We apply valuation techniques that (1) place greater reliance on observable inputs and less reliance on unobservable inputs and (2) are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, other assets, accounts payable and other liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of the amounts outstanding under our revolving line of credit, evaluated using Level 2 inputs as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, approximate the carrying value. We have elected not to mark the amount outstanding under this facility to market.

Debt Issue Costs

Costs incurred in securing financing are capitalized in other assets and amortized over the term of the financing, which is considered the interval from the current date until the expiration of the credit facility. When we modify our revolving line of credit, we evaluate the arrangement in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 470, Line-of-Credit or Revolving-Debt Arrangements. In accordance with this guidance, if the borrowing capacity of the new arrangement is greater than or equal to the borrowing capacity of the old arrangement, then any unamortized deferred costs, any fees paid to the creditor, and any third-party costs incurred shall be associated with the new arrangement (that is, deferred and amortized over the term of the new arrangement).

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. FASB ASC 740 prescribes the use of the liability method whereby deferred tax asset and liability account balances are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company provides a valuation allowance, if necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to their estimated realizable value.

FASB ASC Topic 740 clarifies the accounting for income taxes, by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. It also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement and classification of amounts relating to uncertain tax positions, accounting for and disclosure of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and transition relating to the adoption of the new accounting standard.

Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted net income per share does not assume the issuance of common shares that have an antidilutive effect on net income per common share.

Stock-Based Employee Compensation

We have adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. FASB ASC Topic 718 requires us to recognize the compensation cost related to share-based payment transactions with employees in the financial statements. The compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense as it is earned over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period. Share-based compensation transactions with employees covered by FASB ASC Topic 718 include share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans.

We estimate the fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes valuation model, consistent with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718 and Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 Share Based Payments. Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the expected option term, volatility of the stock, the risk-free interest rate and the dividend yield.

The expected life represents the average period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding given consideration to vesting schedules; annualized volatility is based on historical volatilities of our common stock; dividend yield represents the current dividend yield expressed as a constant percentage of our stock price and the risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the measurement date for periods corresponding to the expected life of the option.

Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are valued at the stock price at date of grant, and expensed ratably over the performance period or vesting period, as appropriate. The number of performance-based RSUs for which stock compensation expense is calculated is based upon management’s assessment of the likelihood of achieving the performance targets.

Non-employee stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 505, Equity-based payments to non-employees. In accordance with this topic, cost recognized for non-employee share-based payment transactions is determined by the fair value of whichever is more reliably measurable: (a) the goods or services received; or (b) the equity instruments issued.

Lease Obligation and Deferred Rent

We lease our facilities, located in Massachusetts and California, under multi-year operating lease agreements. We account for these leases in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 840, Leases. In connection with these two lease agreements, we received landlord incentives for build out expenses incurred. The incentive or allowance is recorded as deferred rent and amortized as a reduction to lease expense over the initial lease terms. Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of lease and rental receivables and cash and cash equivalent balances. To reduce our risk, credit policies are in place for approving leases and the lease pools are monitored by us. In addition, cash and cash equivalents are maintained at high-quality financial institutions.

Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash equivalents and deposits in bank accounts. We deposit our cash and invest in short-term investments primarily through national commercial banks. Deposits in excess of amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) are exposed to loss in the event of nonperformance by the institution. The Company has had cash deposits in excess of the FDIC insurance coverage. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.