-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, QNKcF1mvZSWpxMVqGbVHbN4Q81iUVkPQe5mF4y89fjUXoT3rALv+z4V8/HgkKOhw /BwlKjXCP+1JZvad35k1tg== 0000883369-01-500007.txt : 20010704 0000883369-01-500007.hdr.sgml : 20010704 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000883369-01-500007 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20010331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20010628 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIRST MORTGAGE CORP /CA/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000883369 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: 6162 IRS NUMBER: 952960716 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 0331 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-19847 FILM NUMBER: 1670558 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3230 FALLO9W FIELD DR STREET 2: P O BOX4500 CITY: DIAMOND BAR STATE: CA ZIP: 91765 BUSINESS PHONE: 9095951996 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: P O BOX 4500 CITY: DIAMOND BAR STATE: CA ZIP: 91765 10-K 1 e210k-01.htm Annual Report

FORM 10-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

[ X ] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2001, or

[ ] 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 0-19847

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

95-2960716
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3230 Fallow Field Drive
Diamond Bar, California
(Address of principal executive offices)

91765
(Zip Code)

(909) 595-1996
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class:
None

Name of each exchange on which registered:
None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, no par value

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant on June 15, 2001, based on the average bid and asked prices on that date reported by the OTC Bulletin Board, was $1,169,000. Solely for purposes of this calculation, all executive officers and directors of the registrant were considered affiliates as were all beneficial owners of more than 10% of the registrant's Common Stock. As of June 15, 2001, 5,208,502 shares of the registrant's Common Stock were issued and outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the registrant's definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders of the registrant to be held on September 20, 2001 are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof. The definitive proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after March 31, 2001.

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION
A California Corporation

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2001

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Item No.

Description

Page

PART I

1. Business

1

2. Properties

14

3. Legal Proceedings

15

4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

15

PART II

5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters

15

6. Selected Financial Data

16

7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

17

7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

25

8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

25

9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure

25

PART III

10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

25

11. Executive Compensation

26

12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

26

13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

26

PART IV

14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

26

Signatures

30

 

 

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

General

First Mortgage Corporation ("First Mortgage" or the "Company") is a mortgage banking firm engaged in the mortgage banking business since its incorporation in California in 1975. The Company originates, purchases, warehouses, sells and services primarily first mortgage loans for the purchase or refinance of owner-occupied one-to-four family residences located principally in California. The Company originates mortgage loans in geographic areas with moderately priced housing through a network of offices located in California, Nevada and Arizona. Mortgage loans are originated by the Company through the following channels: Retail production loans are generated by referrals from real estate agents, builders and other sources. Refinance loans are originated by the Direct Marketing division through targeted mail solicitations and direct telemarketing, and wholesale production generally represents loans originated through approved mortgage loan brokers. The Company's long-term production objective is to increase loan origination through strategically located new offices and to promote new products that can be marketed at an acceptable rate of return to the Company.

Generally, First Mortgage sells all mortgage loans that it originates or purchases to institutional investors in the secondary mortgage market. The decision of whether to retain servicing rights on a mortgage loan is influenced by the availability of marketing gains when the loan is sold; however, the Company has been successful in retaining the servicing rights on nearly all of the FHA/VA loans and some conventional loans. The Company emphasizes the origination of mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Authority ("FHA") or partially guaranteed by the Veterans Administration ("VA") (collectively, "FHA/VA loans"). The Company's FHA/VA loans are pooled to form securities of the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") which are sold in the secondary mortgage market to investment banking firms, substantially all of which are primary dealers in government securities. Management believes that the origination of FHA/VA loans benefits the Company by (i) increased loan servicing income due to the higher servicing fees and generally longer average loan lives associated with FHA/VA loans, and (ii) reduced interest rates paid on warehousing lines of credit due to the Company's ability to utilize tax and insurance impound accounts associated with FHA/VA loans as compensating balances with its creditor banks.

First Mortgage also originates conventional mortgage loans which comply with the requirements for sale to, or conversion into securities issued by, the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"). The Company sells a portion of the conventional mortgage loans that it originates under purchase and guarantee programs sponsored by FNMA and FHLMC. These programs provide for either direct sale of mortgage loans to FNMA or FHLMC, or for pooling of mortgage loans in exchange for securities issued by FNMA or FHLMC. Conventional loans originated by the Company, including those which do not conform to government agency requirements, are also sold to banks and other private institutional investors under the Company's correspondent relationships with several such investors. The Company believes that the ability to originate a substantial volume of conventional loans is important to the success of its business. The origination of conventional loans enables the Company to offer mortgage loans to a wider variety of markets and referral sources, thereby enhancing the Company's overall mortgage loan origination capability.

First Mortgage funds mortgage loan originations and purchases with working capital, short-term borrowings under warehousing lines of credit and reverse repurchase agreements. The Company generally holds or "warehouses" mortgage loans for a short period of time (on average 25 days) pending their nonrecourse sale to institutional investors in the secondary market as individual loans or as mortgage-backed securities.

First Mortgage's loan servicing activities include the collection, remittance and general administration of mortgage loans. Over the years, the company has been successful in retaining servicing rights on a substantial portion of loan originations. The current interest environment, however, has induced much more refinance activities, which has accelerated the prepayment rate of the servicing portfolio. The Company has managed to negate much of the impact of this runoff by retaining most of the loans eligible for refinance through its own in-house refinance programs. The Company's mortgage servicing portfolio increased by 1.0% from $1.502 billion at March 31, 2000 to $1.517 billion at March 31, 2001, and it experienced a drop of 6.6% to $1.502 billion at March 31, 2000 compared to the previous fiscal year, mainly due to the sale of its portfolio by one of the Company's sub-servicing clients.

The various phases of First Mortgage's business are discussed in greater detail below.

Loan Origination

The Company originates mortgage loans through three primary sources: retail, which represents loans generated through real estate agents and builders; direct marketing, which represents loans initiated through direct mail and telephone; and wholesale, which represents loans solicited from loan brokers. Substantially all mortgage loans originated through such sources by the Company are underwritten, funded and closed by the Company.

First Mortgage's loan origination activities include (i) offering a variety of residential mortgage loans, (ii) attracting suitable loan applicants, (iii) reviewing borrower credit and mortgaged property title, appraised value and insurance ("underwriting"), (iv) issuing conditional loan commitments, and (v) funding qualified loans at closing.

Types of Loans Originated. The Company originates three types of residential mortgage loans: (i) FHA/VA loans which qualify for sale in the form of securities guaranteed by GNMA; (ii) conventional mortgage loans which comply with the requirements for sale to, or conversion into securities issued by, FNMA or FHLMC ("conventional conforming loans"); and (iii) conventional mortgage loans which comply with other institutional investor loan requirements ("conventional nonconforming loans"). The Company does not originate any conventional conforming loans or conventional nonconforming loans (collectively, "conventional loans") with loan-to-value ratios above 80% unless the borrowers obtain private mortgage insurance for the Company's benefit from companies rated by Standard & Poor's Corporation or by Moody's Investor Service, Inc.

All loan applications, regardless of source, must be approved by the Company in accordance with its underwriting criteria, including loan-to-value ratios, borrower income and credit qualifications, investor requirements, necessary insurance and property appraisal requirements. The Company's underwriting standards also comply with the relevant guidelines set forth by the FHA, VA, FMHA, FNMA, FHLMC, private institutional investors and/or conduits and private mortgage insurers, as applicable.

Management believes that the origination of FHA/VA loans benefits the Company from (i) increased loan servicing income due to the higher servicing fees and generally longer average loan lives customarily associated with FHA/VA loans, and (ii) reduced interest rates on warehousing lines of credit due to the Company's ability to utilize tax and insurance impound accounts associated with FHA/VA loans as compensating balances with its creditor banks. However, the Company also originates conventional loans and maintains a flexible loan origination network that is capable of increasing the volume of conventional loan production as market conditions warrant.

The Company receives fees from borrowers for the origination of retail loans, generally in the range of one to two percent of the principal amount of the loan. The Company also receives fees in connection with the origination of wholesale loans which average approximately 0.6% per loan. The Company may charge additional fees depending upon market conditions or the Company's objectives concerning loan origination volume and pricing. The Company incurs certain costs in originating loans, including overhead, out-of-pocket costs, interest on money borrowed to finance loans and, when the loans are subject to a purchase commitment from private investors, related commitment fees. The volume of and type of loans and commitments made by the Company vary with competitive and economic conditions, resulting in fluctuations in revenues from loan originations. In periods of rising interest rates, the Company's volume of loan originations, particularly refinancings, declines, and the Company's revenues from loan originations decrease.

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, the number, dollar volume, percentage of total volume and average loan balance of the FHA/VA loans, conventional conforming loans and conventional nonconforming loans originated and purchased by the Company:

 

Year Ended March 31,

2001

2000

1999

(Dollars in thousands, except average loan balance data)

FHA/VA Loans:

Number of loans

930

1,144

3,728

Volume of loans

$109,402

$110,875

$336,647

Percent of total volume

31.9%

46.4%

38.8%

Average loan balance

$117,637

$96,919

$90,302

Conventional Conforming:

Loans (1):
Number of loans


940


334


1,153

Volume of loans

$130,636

$48,910

$153,971

Percent of total volume

38.0%

20.5%

17.8%

Average loan balance

$138,974

$146,437

$133,539

Conventional Nonconforming

Loans:
Number of loans


246


320


1,087

Volume of loans

$103,420

$78,941

$376,023

Percent of total volume

30.1%

33.1%

43.4%

Average loan balance

$420,407

$246,691

$345,927

Total Loans (1):

Number of loans

2,116

1,798

5,968

Volume of loans

$343,458

$238,726

$866,641

Percent of total volume

30.1%

33.1%

43.4%

Average loan balance

$162,315

$132,773

$145,215

(1) Includes sub-prime and second priority conventional conforming loans which aggregate less than 2% of the total dollar volume of loans originated and purchased in each of fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999.

Mortgage loans originated by the Company are loans which primarily fund the purchase of owner-occupied residential real property, or refinance loans which repay and replace existing mortgage loans on owner-occupied residential real property. The volume of refinance loans as a percentage of the Company's total mortgage loan origination volume for fiscal years 2001, 2000 and 1999 was approximately 70%, 45% and 81%, respectively. For fiscal years 2001, 2000 and 1999, approximately 27%, 52% and 44%, respectively, of the Company's refinance loans were originated under the FHA's "streamline" refinance program. Pursuant to this program, the FHA insures refinance loans intended solely to reduce the payments on existing FHA-insured mortgage loans. The Company believes that in some form, refinance loans will continue to represent a portion of its total mortgage loan origination volume, the amount dependent upon the level of interest rates at any given time.

Solicitation of Loan Applicants. First Mortgage follows a marketing strategy designed to maximize the efficiency of the Company's loan solicitation and origination activities. This strategy includes (i) operating a flexible branch office network, (ii) utilizing an incentive compensation structure for the majority of its work force, (iii) employing cost-efficient consumer marketing techniques, and (iv) emphasizing prompt and professional customer services.

In accordance with this strategy, the Company operates a network of retail branch offices in service areas which are located near potential borrowers, real estate brokers, builders, developers and other referral sources. This enhances the ability of the Company's sales force to solicit potential customers and referral sources and to develop referral networks which provide recurring business. To maintain this strategy, the Company's senior management actively seeks new service areas and continually reviews existing service areas to assess whether to open or close branch offices. The Company attempts to open new retail branch offices in areas where the population is growing and where housing prices are affordable for moderate income homebuyers.

While the operation of a productive network of retail branch offices is essential to mortgage loan originations, the Company believes that it is equally important to maintain the flexibility to open or close branch offices in a timely, cost-efficient manner as local market conditions dictate. Accordingly, the Company typically enters into one to two year short-term leases for 1,000 to 2,000 square foot offices, and does not enter into long-term employment agreements with branch office employees. The Company currently operates a retail network of eleven retail offices located in Covina, San Gabriel, Temecula, Bakersfield, San Diego, Fresno, Redding, Garden Grove and Upland, California, as well as Mesa and Phoenix, Arizona. Management plans to add additional branch offices in order to increase new loan production, some of which may be located outside existing service areas. Given the Company's present high concentration of loan originations in California, there can be no assurance that its results of operations will not be adversely affected to the extent California experiences decreased residential real estate lending activity.

First Mortgage operates retail branch offices as individual profit centers. Scheduled fees for loans originated and other services provided by the Company's corporate headquarters are allocated to each branch office in determining the office's profitability. Branch offices are staffed entirely by Company employees. A typical retail branch office staff consists of a branch manager, one to four salespersons, one to three loan processors and one or two clerical office assistants. Salespersons are full-time employees who work exclusively for the Company and are contractually obligated to comply with the Company's business practice guidelines.

First Mortgage's retail marketing strategy also includes an incentive compensation system designed to encourage quality mortgage loan production and to retain productive managers and salespersons. A branch manager's compensation includes (in addition to a base salary) a bonus based upon loan production and a percentage of the branch office's annual profits. Salespersons are compensated solely on commissions based upon revenue generated from their respective loan closings. In addition, loan processors at the branch office level receive, in addition to a salary, a commission based on the number of mortgage loans which are closed and, therefore, have met the Company's underwriting criteria. The Company believes that an incentive compensation system based on the number and quality of loans produced improves overall profitability, customer and employee relations and the Company's reputation for providing timely and quality mortgage banking services.

The utilization of personal solicitation techniques is another aspect of the Company's marketing strategy. The Company believes that on-going personal relationships between retail branch salespersons and real estate brokers, builders, developers and prior customers through regular direct contact represent the most productive solicitation technique since historically the majority of the Company's loan originations have been generated through these referral sources. The Company engages in only limited mass media advertising because it believes that the costs associated with such advertising usually outweigh the benefits. The Company also directly solicits borrowers for refinance loans, primarily through targeted mailings and telemarketing.

First Mortgage's reputation for prompt and professional service is an integral component of the Company's marketing strategy. The Company believes that its ability to process retail loan applications quickly has become increasingly important in the market place. Despite the speed with which loan applications are processed, the Company does not compromise its comprehensive underwriting and quality control criteria. The utilization of new technology and computerization of all critical phases of operations have had a significant impact on the Company's cost control efforts, especially during upturns in refinance loan production.

The Company's wholesale loan origination business utilizes independent loan brokers to originate mortgage loan applications. The Company's wholesale operations sales staff solicits loans meeting the Company's underwriting criteria from loan brokers who have been approved by the Company. These broker-referred loan applications are subject to the same underwriting, verification and approval process applied to loan applications obtained through its retail branch offices. Upon approval, these loans are funded and closed by the Company. The Company currently operates its wholesale regional offices in San Jose and Santa Ana, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. Mortgage loan production through wholesale originations as a percentage of total loan origination volume for fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999 was 32%, 34% and 41%, respectively.

Loan Processing and Underwriting. Upon receipt of mortgage loan applications, branch office loan personnel verify the completeness and accuracy of application information. Verification procedures include, among other things, obtaining (i) third-party written confirmations of the applicant's income and bank deposits, (ii) a formal credit report on the applicant from a credit reporting agency, and (iii) a preliminary title report and a real estate appraisal. The Company's underwriting department is responsible for the selection of the credit reporting agency, and such agency must issue reports which meet or exceed the requirements of FHA, VA, FNMA and FHLMC. The Company's in-house appraisers, or appraisers approved and chosen at random by the FHA or VA, prepare property appraisals for FHA and VA loans. Appraisals for retail conventional loans are prepared by the Company's in-house appraisers, or one of a number of pre-approved independent appraisers who have contractually agreed to comply with the Company's written appraisal specification requirements and who meet its experience, education and reputation standards. Wholesale loan appraisals are independently audited through the Company's quality assurance department.

Once an application has been verified and reviewed at the branch office level, a formal loan application is assembled and submitted to the Company's underwriting department. Over this past year, an increasing number of loan applications have been underwritten through automated underwriting systems, primarily the Federal National Mortgage Association's (FNMA) Desktop Underwriter, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation's (FHLMC) Loan Prospector. These systems are rapidly becoming the industry standard for conventional loan automated underwriting and have even been adopted for the underwriting of FHA and VA loans, as well as by many private institutional investors for loans which do not meet the requirements of FNMA or FHLMC. The underwriting department scrutinizes all loan applications, other than loans purchased on a wholesale basis, in accordance with the specific agency or investors' underwriting guidelines, including loan-to-value ratios, borrower income qualifications, investor requirements, necessary insurance and property appraisal requirements. The Company's underwriting guidelines comply with the underwriting criteria of FHA, VA, FNMA and FHLMC as applicable. The Company's underwriting guidelines for conventional nonconforming loans are based on the underwriting standards required by the institutional investors to whom such loans will be sold. The Company's underwriting personnel function independently of the Company's mortgage loan origination personnel. The Company believes that the implementation and enforcement of comprehensive underwriting guidelines has mitigated the foreclosure loss expense which, as a percentage of the Company's mortgage servicing portfolio, was 0.028% in fiscal 2000, 0.061% in fiscal 1999. There was no foreclosure loss in fiscal year 2001.

First Mortgage's quality assurance department audits a minimum of 10% of all formal retail loan applications submitted to the underwriting department in order to enhance the ongoing evaluation of the loan processing function, including employees, credit reporting agencies and independent appraisers. Applications from retail branch offices are chosen for audit in a manner that assures impartiality. Higher risk loans, such as those on three and four-unit properties are audited more frequently than other loans, and nearly all wholesale loans are audited. The quality assurance department re-verifies all employment and bank information, and obtains a separate credit report from a second credit reporting agency as well as a written appraisal critique from a second appraiser or audit agency familiar with the area of the mortgage property. The quality assurance department submits all audit results directly to the president of the Company. Management believes that by performing comprehensive quality assurance audits, mortgage loans of investment quality will be originated and negligent underwriting, foreclosure loss expense and overall Company risk will be minimized.

Loan Commitments. First Mortgage does not issue final loan commitments to fund or acquire mortgage loans unless it is confident that the loan will meet the acquisition criteria of institutional investors in the secondary mortgage market. Subsequent to underwriting approval and prior to loan funding, the Company issues conditional loan approvals to qualified applicants. Conditional approvals indicate loan amounts, prevailing interest rates, fees, funding conditions and approval expiration dates. The interest rate indicated is usually subject to change in accordance with market interest rate fluctuations until the final loan closing documents are prepared, at which time the Company commits to a stated interest rate ("interest rate lock-in") typically for a maximum of 15 days. The Company determines the effective interest rates for mortgage loans based upon its daily review of prevailing interest rates in the secondary mortgage market, and interest rate lock-ins beyond 15 days are not issued unless the Company receives an appropriate fee premium based upon an assessment of the risk associated with the longer lock-in period. For instance, the Company may issue a conditional loan approval with an interest rate lock-in for up to 60 days. In such cases, the Company charges an extended fee premium average of 0.25% to 0.50% of the mortgage loan amount.

Loan Funding. At closing, First Mortgage funds mortgage loans first with available working capital, which represents the Company's lowest cost of funds, and second with short-term borrowings under warehousing lines of credit which currently aggregate $100 million. The Company's current warehousing lines of credit include a $65 million secured line of credit for 90-day notes with Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association ("Bank of America") and a $35 million secured line of credit for 90-day notes from Sanwa Bank of California ("Sanwa Bank"). Both lines are subject to renewal on August 31, 2001. Advances under the Company's secured lines of credit are collateralized with the mortgage loans and/or mortgage-backed securities which they fund. The Company repays outstanding balances under warehousing lines of credit and replenishes its working capital with the proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans. Accordingly, the Company depends on mortgage loan sales to originate new mortgage loans without exceeding the limits of its warehousing lines of credit and available working capital.

First Mortgage pays interest on funds advanced under the warehousing lines of credit at pre-negotiated rates depending on the level of borrowing and the compensating balance maintained, which can be satisfied in whole or in part with tax and insurance impound funds held in custodial accounts for mortgage loans serviced by the Company. By maintaining compensating balances in excess of the minimum requirements, the Company can, and frequently does, borrow funds under the warehousing lines of credit at reduced interest rates. This method of reducing the Company's cost of borrowing can significantly improve the profitability of warehousing mortgage loans. While the Company's warehousing lines of credit are subject to periodic renewal, the Company has historically renewed or replaced these lines of credit at satisfactory rates, and the Company believes that it maintains an excellent relationship with its current lenders. There can be no assurance, however, that such financing will continue to be available to the Company or on favorable terms.

In addition to the warehouse lines of credit, the Company utilizes the short-term reverse repurchase agreements with gestation feature provided by investment banking firms in connection with its inventory of mortgage-backed securities. These facilities tend to carry lower interest rates and allow the Company to better utilize its warehouse lines.

Loan Warehousing

First Mortgage normally warehouses funded mortgage loans for a short period of time (on average 25 days), depending upon the delivery dates negotiated with institutional investors, the volume of loan originations, the availability of working capital and the amount available under warehousing lines of credit prior to purchase of the loans by institutional investors. The Company receives, as net interest income, the difference between the interest received on mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities held prior to sale which may be financed under warehousing lines of credit or the reverse repurchase agreements, and the interest paid by the Company under such lines of credit. The Company also receives interest income from mortgage loans funded with working capital. The Company attempts to mitigate interest rate risk by warehousing mortgage loans for relatively short periods of time.

Loan Sales

Unlike financial institutions and other lenders which customarily originate or acquire mortgage loans for long-term investment, mortgage bankers, including the Company, originate and purchase mortgage loans with the intention of selling them shortly after they are funded. Mortgage loans originated or purchased by the Company are sold to institutional investors in the secondary mortgage market with the Company generally retaining the right to service such loans.

The majority of the Company's FHA/VA loans are pooled to form GNMA securities and are sold to investment banking firms, substantially all of which are primary dealers in government securities. Conventional conforming loans are sold for cash as individual whole loans to FNMA, FHLMC or other institutional investors. The Company sells its conventional nonconforming loans to institutional investors in privately negotiated transactions. In fiscal 2001, approximately 23.6% of the principal amount of the Company's mortgage loans were converted into GNMA securities, 15.3% were sold directly to FNMA or FHLMC for cash and the remaining 61.1% of the Company's mortgage loans were sold to other institutional investors. The Company expects to continue to use these methods of selling mortgage loans, but in varying degrees in accordance with prevailing market conditions and may also employ other sales methods if management determines that it is prudent to do so.

Since the Company's inception, all originated or purchased mortgage loans have been sold in the secondary mortgage market without recourse to the Company in the event of borrower default, subject to certain limitations applicable to VA loans. With respect to mortgage loans securitized through GNMA programs, the Company is insured by the FHA against foreclosure losses on FHA loans, and the VA guarantees against foreclosure losses on VA loans, subject to a limitation of 25% of the loan or such higher percentage that does not exceed $50,750. Mortgage loans sold to, or securitized through, FNMA or FHLMC are contractually nonrecourse to the Company upon borrower default.

In connection with loan exchanges and sales, the Company makes representations and warranties customary in the industry relating to, among other things, compliance with laws, regulations, program standards and information accuracy. In the event of a breach of these representations and warranties, the Company could be required to repurchase such loans.

The sale of mortgage loans generates a gain or loss to the Company primarily as a result of the following factors. First, the Company may fund a loan at a price (i.e., interest rate and discount) that is higher or lower than the price the Company would receive if it immediately sold the loan in the secondary mortgage market. These pricing differences occur principally as a result of competitive pricing conditions in the primary loan origination market. Over the past few years price competition has been intensive primarily due to aggressive marketing actions taken by major banks seeking to increase their market share. If the pricing pressure continues, future marketing results will be negatively impacted. Second, gains or losses may result from changes in the market value of the loans, or in the value of the commitments to purchase loans as a result of interest rate fluctuations, from the time the Company commits to a stated interest rate charged to a borrower (i.e., an interest rate lock-in) until the time the loan is sold or a fixed-price purchase commitment is obtained in the secondary mortgage market. Consequently, if the Company anticipates that interest rates will increase, it seeks to purchase commitments from institutional investors to buy mortgage loans in amounts in excess of the Company's current fundings. If the Company does not deliver loans to fulfill these commitments, the commitment fees are expensed. If interest rates subsequently increase, and if the Company has obtained such commitments at fixed interest rates and subsequently funds loans at higher interest rates, it will benefit from the increased interest rate spread. However, if the Company anticipates that interest rates will decrease, commitments are obtained from institutional investors only for those loans which the Company expects to fund immediately. This practice minimizes the potential commitment fee expense relating to unused commitments.

First Mortgage's net gain or loss on sale of mortgage loans generally equals the difference between the Company's carrying value and the selling price of the loans, net of commitment fees paid by the Company. The gain or loss on selling of mortgage loans was recognized in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 125 "Accounting for Mortgage Servicing Rights" (FAS 125). FAS 125 requires that a portion of the cost of originating a mortgage loan be allocated to the mortgage servicing rights based on its fair value relative to the loan as a whole. Gains attributed to FAS 125 are discussed further in Notes to Financial Statements and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Loan Servicing

Loan servicing is performed at the Company's corporate headquarters, and includes (i) collecting and remitting loan payments, (ii) accounting for principal and interest, (iii) holding and disbursing escrow or impound funds for real estate taxes and insurance premiums, (iv) contacting delinquent borrowers, (v) supervising foreclosures, and (vi) otherwise administering mortgage loans for institutional investors. At March 31, 2001, approximately 64% of the aggregate principal amount of the Company's mortgage servicing portfolio consisted of FHA/VA loans. The Company believes that such loans are desirable to service because they typically command higher servicing fees (currently weighted average servicing fee is 0.46%) and generally have longer average loan lives. Overall, the Company receives annual loan servicing fees that presently average 0.42% (net of amortization of capitalized servicing rights and agency guarantee fees), and range from 0.25% to 1.50% per annum of the declining principal amount of serviced loans. The Company also retains late charges paid by borrowers and other customary fees associated with loan servicing. While the Company periodically has sold a portion of newly funded mortgage loans on a servicing-released basis, it has never sold any servicing rights from its mortgage servicing portfolio; however, the sale of such rights represents an available source of funds. The Company may also acquire servicing rights for loans originated by other lenders whenever attractive opportunities are encountered.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company's mortgage servicing portfolio for the periods indicated:

Year Ended March 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

(Dollars in thousands, except for number of loans serviced and average loan balance)

Beginning loan servicing portfolio

$1,497,616

$1,527,151

$1,570,143

Add: Loans originated and purchased

343,458

238,726

866,641

Purchase of servicing

-

73,563

3,046

Less: Prepayment of loans

(159,890)

(210,817)

(487,256)

Amortization

(23,967)

(23,959)

(24,261)

Loans sold servicing released

(142,410)

(107,048)

(401,162)

Ending loan servicing portfolio

1,514,807

1,497,616

1,527,151`

Sub-servicing

2,487

4,476

80,581

Total servicing portfolio

$1,517,294

$1,502,092

$1,607,732

Number of loans serviced (end of year)

16,233

16,611

17,676

Average loan balance (end of year)

$93,470

$90,428

$90,956

The interest rate stratification of the servicing portfolio at March 31, 2001 is as follows:

Interest Rate

Principal Balance
(Dollars in thousands)

Percent of Total

7.00% and Under

$ 176,832

11.7%

7.01% to 8.00%

826,849

54.5

8.01% to 9.00%

439,186

28.9

9.01% to 10.00%

57,404

3.8

Over 10.00%

17,023

1.1

Total Servicing Portfolio

$ 1,517,294

100.0%

The weighted average interest rate of the Company's servicing portfolio was 7.66% at March 31, 2001 as compared with 7.63% at March 31, 2000.

At March 31, 2001, approximately 52% of the Company's mortgage servicing portfolio was covered by servicing agreements pursuant to the mortgage-backed securities programs of GNMA. Under these agreements, the Company may be required to advance funds temporarily to make scheduled payments of principal, interest, taxes or insurance if the borrower fails to make such payments. Although the Company cannot charge any interest on such advanced funds, the Company typically recovers the advances within five to ten days upon receipt of the borrower's payment, or in the absence of such payment, most of the advances can be recovered through FHA insurance, VA guarantee, FNMA or FHLMC reimbursement provisions in connection with loan foreclosures. In fiscal year 2001, all advances were covered by working capital and the monthly average amount of funds advanced by the Company for mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, VA buydown, foreclosure expenses and non-mandatory early removal of foreclosed loans (being processed by the Company) from GNMA pools amounted to $3,260,000. There were no foreclosure losses for fiscal 2001. The balance of the Company's mortgage servicing portfolio is covered by servicing agreements that require the Company to make required loan payments only out of funds actually received from borrowers.

The following table sets forth the geographic distribution of the Company's loan servicing portfolio at March 31, 2001.

State

Number of Loans Serviced

 

Percentage of No. of Loans Serviced

 

Principal Balance Serviced
(Dollars in thousands)

 

Percentage of Principal Balance Serviced

California

14,076

 

86.7%

 

$1,337,006

 

88.1%

Arizona

692

 

4.3

 

66,791

 

4.4

Nevada

663

 

4.1

 

50,153

 

3.3

Washington

411

 

2.5

 

40,893

 

2.7

Texas

153

 

0.9

 

6,828

 

0.5

Oregon

103

 

0.6

 

10,153

 

0.7

Other States

135

 

0.9

 

5,470

 

0.3

Total

16,233

 

100.0%

 

$1,517,294

 

100.0%

The Company believes that its mortgage servicing portfolio (net of capitalized mortgage servicing assets) has significant market value, although approximately fifty percent of the mortgage servicing portfolio has not been treated as an asset for financial statement reporting purposes. The two primary risks to mortgage servicing portfolio revenue (and therefore mortgage servicing portfolio market value) are loan prepayments and loan foreclosures which prematurely eliminate or reduce future loan servicing fees. The prepayment risk to the mortgage servicing portfolio increases as (i) mortgage interest rates decline, and (ii) the percentage of adjustable rate mortgages ("ARM's") in a servicing portfolio increases because ARM's historically are prepaid more frequently than fixed-rate loans. The Company believes that the composition of its mortgage servicing portfolio, as measured by interest rates, compares favorably to that of the mortgage banking industry as a whole. At March 31, 2001, ARM's represented approximately 9% of the aggregate dollar amount of loans in the Company's mortgage servicing portfolio. At March 31, 2001, 0.33% of the number of mortgage loans in the Company's mortgage servicing portfolio were more than 90 days past due, and 0.36% of the number of mortgage loans were in foreclosure.

First Mortgage believes that its loan servicing and loan origination operations provide a macro hedge and reduce the risk of fluctuating interest rates. As interest rates increase, loan origination income may decrease; however, this decline is mitigated by the stabilization of loan administration income generated by the Company's mortgage servicing portfolio as a result of diminished loan prepayments. Conversely, as interest rates decline, increased loan prepayments may reduce loan administration income, but this reduction tends to be offset by increased loan origination fees due to increased loan production. The Company can also reduce the risk to its loan servicing and origination revenue resulting from interest rate fluctuations by selling mortgage loans for a premium on a servicing-released basis when interest rates are high, and by increasing its solicitation of refinance loans when interest rates are low.

Seasonality

The purchase loan segment of the mortgage banking industry is usually subject to seasonal trends. These trends reflect the general pattern of nationwide home sales. Such sales typically peak during the spring and summer seasons and decline to lower levels from mid-October through January. The refinance segment is not seasonal, instead peaking whenever interest rates fall.

Competition

The mortgage banking business is highly competitive and fragmented. First Mortgage Corporation competes with other mortgage bankers, state and national banks, savings and loan associations, mortgage brokers, credit unions and others for mortgage loans. The periodic refinance surges of 1993, 1998 and again in early 2001 led to a rapid expansion of mortgage providers, resulting in industry over-capacity whenever interest rates increase and the volume of new mortgage loans declines accordingly. During fiscal year 2001 competition for mortgage loans intensified due to the shrinking market of calendar 2000 and the expanded aggressiveness of major banks. Banks have an advantage over others in that they can price their mortgages at their lower short term cost of funds. And, due to their strengthened capital position which increases their capacity to hold portfolio loans, banks are extremely aggressive with mortgage price discounting in order to expand their mortgage base as a platform from which to cross-sell other bank products. The result is a competitive market wherein major banks, through their mortgage banking subsidiaries, are more aggressively pricing their loans than the traditional secondary market agencies such as FHLMC and FNMA. Recognizing this, the Company has correspondent relationships with several of the most aggressive major banks. The Company also competes by operating only in strategically selected geographic markets, motivating its sales force through incentive compensation based on loan origination volume, providing prompt and comprehensive service and otherwise maintaining strong professional relationships with realtors, developers and customers.

Regulation

First Mortgage is an FHA-approved Direct Endorsement Mortgagee, a VA Automatic Lender, an approved issuer and servicer under the GNMA mortgage-backed securities program, and an approved seller and servicer with the FNMA, FHLMC, the California Housing Financing Agency, the California Public Employees Retirement System and several private mortgage-backed securities conduit companies. As such, the Company's mortgage banking business is subject to the periodic reporting, examination and auditing requirements and other rules and regulations of such governmental agencies with respect to its net worth and its mortgage loan origination, processing, sales and servicing. These rules and regulations, among other things, prohibit race, age and sex discrimination, provide for inspections and appraisals of properties, require credit reports on prospective borrowers, set (in some cases) maximum interest rates, fees and loan amounts, and mandate the annual submission of audited financial statements.

First Mortgage's loan origination activities are also subject to such federal laws as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth-In-Lending Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder which prohibit discrimination and require the disclosure of certain information to borrowers concerning credit and settlement costs. Furthermore, the Company is licensed to do business in California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Washington and Texas, and its mortgage banking operations are subject to the laws of those states, including those prohibiting usury. The Company is licensed by the California Department of Corporations as a Residential Mortgage Lender.

The Company employs a full-time compliance officer and Quality Assurance staff to monitor and audit compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Employees

As of March 31, 2001, First Mortgage employed 220 persons. None of the Company's employees is represented by a labor union, and the Company believes that it has an excellent relationship with its employees.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

First Mortgage's executive and administrative headquarters are located in a 22,000 square foot office building at 3230 Fallow Field Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765. The entire building is leased by the Company from Fin-West Group ("Fin-West"), an affiliated corporation which owned 92.2% of the Company's outstanding common stock at March 31, 2001. On April 1, 2001, the Company successfully negotiated a second extension to the lease originally signed on January 1, 1992. The second extension allows the Company to have options to extend the lease for three one-year terms, starting on January 1, 2001. The monthly rental payment will be $23,000 effective January 1, 2001 and $24,000 effective January 1, 2002. The Company has exercised the option to renew the lease through December 31, 2001. The monthly rental payment for any lease extension is subject to increase (but not decrease) upon any such extension. Such payments may not exceed the fair market rent for comparable facilities at the time of the extension. The Company pays for repairs, insurance and utility services for the entire building. The Company believes the current facilities are adequate to meet foreseeable future needs.

The Company's branch offices each are leased at varying rates and each office contains approximately 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. For the year ended March 31, 2001, the annual aggregate rental expense for the administrative headquarters and all branch offices was approximately $684,000. Many of the Company's branch offices are on one to two year short-term leases.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

First Mortgage is currently a defendant in certain litigation arising in the normal course of its business. In the opinion of the Company, any potential liability with respect to such legal actions will not, in the aggregate, be material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The Company's Common Stock was traded on the NASDAQ National Market System (the "NASDAQ System") under the symbol FMOR from April 20, 1992 to April 24, 1997, and is presently traded on the Over The Counter ("OTC") Bulletin Board under the same trading symbol. The reason behind the change was that the Company no longer retains two registered and active market makers as required by NASDAQ.

The following table sets forth the high and low bid quotations per share of the Company's Common Stock during each of the quarterly periods indicated below.

Fiscal 2001

High

Low

First quarter

$2.938

$2.688

Second quarter

2.938

2.875

Third quarter

2.906

2.875

Fourth quarter

3.000

2.875

Fiscal 2000

High

Low

First quarter

$4.750

$4.000

Second quarter

4.250

3.875

Third quarter

4.000

2.750

Fourth quarter

3.100

3.040

As of March 31, 2001, there were 29 shareholders of record of the Company's Common Stock.

No cash dividends have been paid on the Company's common stock. The Company presently intends to retain all earnings for use in its business and therefore does not anticipate paying cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The Company's warehousing lines of credit with Bank of America and Sanwa Bank restrict the Company's ability to pay dividends or to make other distributions with respect to the Common Stock. Any decision to pay cash dividends on the Common Stock will depend on the Company's circumstances at the time, including the profitability of operations, availability of cash, lines of credit restrictions and other factors.

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Year Ended March 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

(In thousands, except per share data)

Loan origination income

$2,207

$2,073

$3,857

$3,303

$3,426

Loan servicing income

7,241

7,763

7,761

7,628

7,137

Gain on sale of mortgage loans

6,087

3,189

18,191

7,611

5,374

Interest income

4,431

4,821

3,862

2,527

2,165

Other income

9

13

3

5

2

Total revenues

19,975

17,859

33,674

21,074

18,104

Expenses:

Compensation and benefits

$7,491

$6,806

$11,407

$8,282

$8,217

General and administrative
expenses


4,453


4,861


8,782


6,285


5,708

Amortization of capitalized
servicing rights


4,676


4,661


4,061


7,611


5,374

Interest expense

2,244

2,306

1,275

701

690

Total expenses

18,864

18,634

25,525

18,442

16,178

Income (loss) before income taxes

1,111

(775)

8,149

2,632

1,926

Income tax expense (benefit)

468

(221)

3,375

1,101

811

Net income (loss)

$643

$(554)

$4,774

$1,531

$1,115

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per
share

$0.12

$(0.10)

$0.87

$0.26

$0.19

Weighted average shares outstanding

5,222

5,288

5,507

5,848

5,873

Operating Data:

Loans originated and purchased

$343,458

$238,726

$866,641

$476,986

$353,411

Loans serviced (end of year)

1,517,294

1,502,092

1,607,732

1,666,851

1,683,652

At March 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

(In thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:

Mortgage loans and mortgage backed
securities held for sale


$87,995


$67,336


$45,463


$53,052


$27,286

Capitalized mortgage servicing rights

9,928

11,555

12,475

7,490

6,709

Total assets

120,927

97,825

81,861

80,445

50,923

Notes and sight drafts payable

87,039

19,291

44,919

49,799

22,626

Stockholders' equity

29,325

28,811

29,730

26,995

25,648

No cash dividends were paid on common shares for any period.

 

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL

CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

At the beginning of fiscal year 2001, First Mortgage Corporation had just completed one of its most disappointing years ever, with the lowest volume of new loan originations in ten years. Although the economy was performing well, interest rates were near the highs for this cycle, and new loan originations were only slightly better than early fiscal 2000.

In fact, going into third quarter fiscal 2001, our originations for the year were virtually the same as in the same period for the year earlier, and it looked as though fiscal year 2001 was going to be a repeat of fiscal 2000. Starting in October 2000 however, our originations picked up and we began to rapidly pull away from the previous year origination numbers. In fact, by the last fiscal quarter we were making dramatic gains in new loan originations, enabling us to end fiscal 2001 with 43.87% more originations than in fiscal 2000.

There were three major reasons for the turn-around in our origination performance. Most important was the reversal of Federal Reserve Board policy, reducing interest rates rather than increasing them as had happened during fiscal 2000 and early fiscal 2001. Second was the improved performance of our retail division. We began rebuilding this division early in fiscal 2000, increasing the number of retail origination branches to eleven by the close of fiscal 2001. New retail branches generally go through a long start-up curve, and by the third quarter this division began to come on line. Third was the addition of more wholesale origination resources. In January 2001 the Company hired many of the employees of another California based mortgage banker which was dissolving. Included among them were many experienced wholesale origination employees, with which we were able to add two new wholesale origination offices to our existing wholesale office in San Jose, California. The new offices are in Santa Ana, California and Phoenix, Arizona. Unlike retail, these new wholesale origination offices were able to contribute immediately, and by March 2001 the new wholesale offices accounted for $20 million or 23% of the $87 million in new originations for that month.

For the entire fiscal year 2001, loan originations and purchases increased by 43.87% to $343.5 million from the $238.7 million in the previous year. The total loan servicing portfolio, including sub-servicing, increased 1% to $1.517 billion.

The net income for fiscal year 2001 was $643,000, compared to the loss of $554,000 in fiscal 2000. Compared to fiscal 2000, total revenues increased by 11.85%, while total expenses increased by only 1.23%.

Results of Operations

Revenue

The Company generates revenue primarily from (i) loan origination fees, (ii) fees received for servicing (i.e., administering) mortgage loans, (iii) net gain on the sale of mortgage loans in the secondary market and (iv) interest income received on mortgage loans during the period in which the Company warehouses loans pending their sale and purchase. Loan origination fees, interest income and net gain on the sale of mortgage loans are largely transaction oriented and volume driven. Loan servicing fees constitute a continuing stream of revenue produced by the portfolio of mortgage loans serviced. The sale of servicing rights represents a potential revenue source available to the Company at any time should such need arise .

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of the Company's total revenue represented by each source of income:

Year Ended March 31,

 

2001

2000

1999

Loan origination income

11.1%

11.6%

11.5%

Loan servicing income

36.2

43.5

23.0

Gain on sale of mortgage loans

30.5

17.9

54.0

Interest income

22.2

27.0

11.5

Total

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

Loan Origination Income. The Company defers immediate recognition of loan origination fees paid by the borrower for an originated mortgage loan. Instead, fees and direct loan origination costs are offset and the net amount deferred until the related loans are sold by the Company. Historically speaking, the amount of loan origination fee income correlated positively to some extent to the volume of loan origination. Loan origination income showed an increase of 6.46% to $2.21 million in fiscal 2001 from $2.07 million in fiscal 2000, while new loan production increased by 43.87% from 2000 to 2001. This is due primarily to the greatly increased volume of wholesale and refinance loans. Loan origination income decreased by 46.3% to $2.07 million in fiscal 2000 from $3.86 million in fiscal 1999 as loan production fell by 72.5% from 1999 to 2000.

In recent years, loan origination income does not precisely track loan origination volume as it used to because a majority of borrowers now elect to pay slightly higher mortgage rates to reduce some or all of the amount of their loan origination fees. The Company is then able to obtain a premium upon the sale of such mortgage loans in the secondary market because of their higher interest rates, and those premiums are reflected in the gain on sale of mortgage loans.

Loan Servicing Income. Loan servicing income represents loan servicing fees, late charges and other fees earned by the Company for administering loans on behalf of permanent investors. The Company's annual loan servicing fee for mortgage loans ranges from 0.25% to 1.50% of the principal amount of the loan serviced depending on the type of mortgage loan, and on average is approximately 0.42% net of amortization of capitalized service rights and agency guarantee fees. The loan servicing income was $7.24 million in fiscal 2001 compared to $7.76 million in fiscal 2000. This can generally be attributable to lower late charge fees associated with the much lower delinquency ratios, and a slight shrinking of the loan servicing portfolio during early quarters of the fiscal year, which turned around in the last quarter of the year. The loan servicing income, however, remained steady at $7.76 million in both fiscal year 1999 and 2000.

Gains on Sale of Mortgage Loans. Gains and losses from the sale of mortgage loans result from: (a) competitive market forces affecting our pricing structure at the time of origination; and (b) interest rate increases or decreases between the time that the Company commits to originate or purchase loans and when the Company commits to sell the loans in the secondary markets. It is also impacted by two other factors: price subsidies and the recognition of gains relating to originated mortgage servicing rights ("OMSRs").

Since 1995, price competition has grown increasingly intense. Commercial banks in particular have been very aggressive with mortgage pricing in order to capture a higher percentage of the market, with the Company's wholesale operations particularly impacted. The Company therefore is often forced to set prices below the secondary markets for some of its loan programs. To the extent that the pricing pressure continues, it will have a negative impact on the Company's future gains on selling of mortgages.

But gain on mortgage sales increased by 90.9% to $6.09 million in fiscal 2001 from $3.19 million in fiscal 2000. This increase was attributable to the higher loan originations generated by the Company (primarily during the last quarter) and falling interest rates, which enabled the firm to realize higher gains on the larger pipeline of loans. The gain on selling of mortgages decreased by 82.5% to $3.19 million in fiscal 2000 from prior year due mostly to lower loan production and higher interest rates.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income consists of the difference between the interest income received on mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities held for sale and the interest paid by the Company on the short-term bank borrowings used to finance mortgage loans prior to settlement of purchase. The conditions that affect net interest income from period to period include the relationship between prevailing mortgage rates and short-term borrowing rates, the mix of fixed-rate and adjustable rate mortgage loans held for sale and the average holding period before the loans are sold. The Company also uses cash generated from operations in lieu of short-term borrowings to fund a portion of its mortgage loans to reduce interest expense and increase net interest income. Interest income earned by the Company on mortgage loans held for sale has exceeded interest expense on the Company's short-term bank borrowings in every fiscal year.

The following table sets forth certain data regarding net interest income:

Year Ended March 31,

 

2001

2000
Dollars in Thousands

1999

Interest income

$4,431

$4,821

$3,862

Interest expense

2,244

2,306

1,275

Net interest income

$2,187

$2,515

$2,587

Interest income, which consisted mostly of the interest received on mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities held for sale, fell by 8.09% in fiscal 2001 from fiscal 2000. The decrease was largely due to the selling of all of the securities carried over from the prior year in the third quarter of fiscal 2001. Interest income rose by 24.8% in fiscal 2000 from fiscal 1999 as the Company carried a larger mortgage inventory and mortgage-backed securities from a year ago.

Interest expense decreased by 2.69% in fiscal 2001 from fiscal 2000. The main reason was the decrease in utilizing short-term financing in the December 2000 quarter due to the selling of all of the mortgage-backed securities issued in the last fiscal year, to take advantage of the marketing gain enhanced by the favorable interest rate environment. Expense for interest increased by 80.9% in fiscal 2000 from prior year due primarily to the rising interest rate and higher mortgage inventory.

Expenses

The major components of the Company's total expenses are (i) compensation and benefits, (ii) general and administrative expenses, (iii) amortization of capitalized servicing rights and (iv) interest expense. Total expenses increased by 1.23% to $18.86 million in fiscal 2001 from $18.63 million in fiscal 2000, compared to a decrease of 27.0% from fiscal 2000 to fiscal 1999.

As the amount of mortgage loans originated by the Company increases, an increase in total employee compensation results from commissions paid to loan originators, processors and underwriters and other staff necessitated to support the loan origination volume. Compensation and benefits expenses therefore increased 10.06% to $7.49 million in fiscal 2001 from $6.81 million in fiscal 2000. However, the expense dropped by 40.3% in fiscal 2000 from $11.41 million in fiscal 1999 as business was negatively impacted by the higher interest rates.

Amortization of capitalized servicing rights was virtually flat, increasing slightly by 0.32% to $4.68 million in fiscal year 2001 compared to fiscal year 2000. It rose by 14.8% to 4.66 million in year 2000 compared to prior year as a result of larger investment in mortgage servicing rights and higher volume of prepayments over the prior period.

General and administrative expenses, which included foreclosure losses, decreased 8.39% to $4.45 million in fiscal 2001 from $4.86 million in fiscal 2000. The decreases were primarily due to a substantial drop in foreclosure losses as compared to the prior fiscal year, and management was able to implement effective cost control measures in spite of loan production increases. The same expense dropped by 44.6% in fiscal 2000 from $8.78 million in year 1999 due mostly to the contraction in mortgage banking business triggered by increase in interest rates.

Income Taxes

The Company's effective tax rates were 42.1% and 41.4% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2001 and March 31, 1999, respectively. The rates differ from the federal statutory rate of 34% due primarily to state income taxes.

The effective combined federal and state income tax rate was 28.5% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, due primarily to the loss of tax benefits of California net operating losses.

Disclosure About Market Risk

The Company manages many risks in its normal course of business; however, management considers interest rate risk to be the most significant market risk which could materially impact its financial position and results of operations. The movements in interest rates affect the value of capitalized mortgage servicing rights, the mortgage inventory held for sale, volume of loan production and total net interest income earned.

The Company has been managing this risk by striving to balance its loan origination and loan servicing segments, which generally are counter cyclical in nature. In an environment of raising interest rates, loan production will slow down, but the drop in origination income is mitigated by a decrease in the loan prepayment rate in its servicing portfolio and hence write-offs, amortization and impairment charges against income will fall. Conversely, the opposite scenario is true during a period of declining interest rates. The overall objective is to offset changes in the values of the following items arising from fluctuations in interest rates, such as the production pipeline, mortgage loan inventory, mortgage-backed securities held for sale and capitalized mortgage servicing rights. The Company does not speculate on the direction or movement of the interest rates.

Based on the information available and on the estimates quantified by various interest rate calculations, the Company believes that a 50 basis point change in long-term interest rates over a twelve month period, up or down and all else being constant, would increase or decrease the Company's gross income by approximately $1.75 million dollars. These estimates are limited by the fact that they are performed at a particular point in time and do not incorporate many other factors and, consequently, should not be relied on as a forecast of actual results.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's principal liquidity requirement is the funding of its new mortgage loans, loan origination expenses, advances of delinquent payments and escrow balances and other operating activities. To meet these needs, the Company relies on warehouse lines of credit with banks, its own capital and cash flows from operations.

At March 31, 2001, maximum permitted borrowings under the warehouse lines of credit with two nonaffiliated banks were $100 million and the amount outstanding was $83.26 million. Borrowings under these facilities are secured by mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities. The agreements also contain various covenants, including minimum net worth, current ratio (as defined), net income, servicing portfolio balances, debt to net worth ratio and restrict the Company's ability to pay dividends. Management believes that the warehouse agreements will be renewed when the current terms expire on August 30, 2001.

In addition to the warehouse lines of credit, the Company utilizes the short-term reverse repurchase agreements with gestation feature provided by investment banking firms in connection with its inventory of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities. These facilities tend to carry lower interest rates and allow the Company to better utilize its warehouse lines.

From April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001, the Company repurchased in open market transactions 44,695 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $129,000.

The Company's mortgage servicing portfolio can provide a source of liquidity since approximately fifty percent of the loan servicing rights are an unrecorded asset which may be sold. Although the Company does not intend to sell mortgage servicing rights solely to increase liquidity, the sale of such rights is a viable option should the need arise.

It is the Company's policy to remain strongly capitalized and conservatively leveraged. Management believes that its current financing arrangements are adequate to satisfy its anticipated operating needs; however, increases in the existing facilities or other supplementary sources may have to be explored should the market conditions improve and loan origination volume increase.

Inflation

Inflation may significantly affect the Company's ability to originate loans. Interest rates typically increase during periods of high inflation and decrease during periods of low inflation. Generally, the mortgage banking industry has experienced increased origination volume in response to low interest rates and loan originations have generally decreased during periods of high interest rates. As interest rates decline, prepayments on the loan servicing portfolio generally increase as borrowers refinance mortgage loans to take advantage of lower rates. A higher prepayment rate on loans serviced decreases the value of the Company's loan servicing portfolio, accelerating amortization of mortgage servicing rights and decreases the amount of servicing income. As interest rates rise, new loan originations are likely to fall, but prepayments of existing loans generally decline and the value of the Company's servicing portfolio and of the escrow balances collected thereunder may be enhanced.

Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This Statement requires, among other provisions, that entities recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair values would be accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. The main criterion for hedge accounting is that the hedging relationship must be highly effective, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis.

In June 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities" as an amendment to SFAS No. 133. This Statement provides clarification with regard to certain implementation issues under SFAS No. 133 on specific types of hedges.

Effective January 1, 2001, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133, as amended. After careful evaluation and analysis, the effect of the Statement on the Company operating results for year ended March 31, 2001 is immaterial. However, its adoption may cause significant future volatility in the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In September 2000, the FASB issued Statement No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," that replaces, in its entirety, FASB Statement No. 125. Statement No. 140 revises the standards for accounting for securitizations and other transfers of financial assets and collateral and requires certain disclosures. Statement No. 140 is effective for transfers occurring after March 31, 2001, and the expanded disclosure requirements regarding securitizations and collateral are effective for fiscal years ended after December 15, 2000. The Company believes that the adoption of Statement No. 140 on April 1, 2001, will have no material impact on net income.

Prospective Trends

The mortgage banking industry is greatly influenced by the level of interest rates in the economy. Evidence of this can readily be seen in the dramatic differences in our new loan production in March 2000 versus March 2001. In March 2000, the Federal Reserve Board was increasing interest rates, and our production had plunged to $9.3 million. Conversely, in March 2001 the Federal Reserve Board had been lowering interest rates, and our production soared to $87 million, an 833% increase and our third best month ever.

But the industry as a whole continues to suffer from the confluence of two other major developments: the consolidation of the industry and the presence of the major commercial banks in the mortgage arena. The consolidation and now dominant market share of banks has by itself led to price cutting and reduced operating margins for all mortgage originators. Furthermore, the American consumer is now well-tuned to interest rates, and even relatively small movements in rates can have dramatic effects on new mortgage volume and earnings, as can be seen by the rapid ups and downs of new mortgage originations, particularly refinance loans, over the course of this past year.

In the second instance, as discussed under Competition on page 13, most of the major banks continue to be fiercely competitive in pricing mortgage products and growing their mortgage banking operations. Their present hope that holding a consumer's mortgage is the gateway to cross-selling many other bank products has engaged the banks in a virtual price war with one another for those mortgages. Their valuation models for loan servicing rights and the resulting downstream impact on pricing at the origination level, particularly through their wholesale channel with its thousands of loan brokers, is having a major impact on the mortgage banking industry and our ability to compete on the types of mortgage loans most sought-after by these commercial banks.

The Company's strategy in the face of this is to continue to compete in the channels and with the loan products which are not the most sought-after by the commercial bank giants. Although we will maintain our correspondent relationships with the major banks who presently have such a strong appetite for certain mortgage products, our primary emphasis will be on the origination of FHA, VA and state sponsored loan programs for which the major banks largely do not compete and with which we can retain the servicing rights; to expand our retail branch network into smaller metropolitan areas in the western states; and to add new non-bank loan products which have more profit potential for the Company. Much of this strategy has been implemented already with the ongoing expansion of our retail channel, and the opening of two new wholesale origination offices which will enable us to quickly increase loan production, particularly during periods of dips in interest rates.

We have greatly increased and widened our loan production channels, having grown to 16 production offices compared to the five offices of a little more than a year ago. But the level and direction of interest rates remains as the single biggest detriment to the volume of new loan production. At this point in time there are mixed opinions as to what the Federal Reserve Board is likely to do. Should interest rates continue at the present levels, we expect new loan production to remain healthy. Should interest rates increase, new loan production and operating results would suffer.

Forward-Looking Statements

From time to time, the Company or its representatives may make forward-looking statements in this report or elsewhere relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, including projections of revenues, expenses, earnings, liquidity, capital resources or other financial items; business plans, objectives and prospects; and similar matters. Forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 frequently are identified by the use of terms such as "expect," "believe," "estimate," "may," "should," "will" or similar expressions.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, the Company notes that a variety of factors could cause the Company's actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements made by the Company or its representatives. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company's business include the following, among other factors: (a) the cyclical financial results traditionally experienced by the mortgage banking industry, which have been caused in large part by periodic fluctuations in mortgage interest rates and in consumer demand for new mortgage loans; (b) the possibility of adverse changes in the Company's ability to obtain suitable warehousing lines of credit with which to fund new loans; (c) the possibility of adverse changes in the Company's ability to sell new mortgage loans in the secondary mortgage market; (d) increasing competition faced by the Company, particularly from commercial banks; (e) the possibility of adverse regulatory changes, such as changes in the level or terms of programs administered by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC or the FHA or VA; (f) dependence on existing management; (g) credit risks inherent in the lending business; and (h) periodic fluctuations in general economic conditions, with corresponding fluctuations in the Company's ability to originate new mortgage loans.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information required by this Item is contained in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Disclosure About Market Risk", incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The information with respect to this item is set forth in "Index to Financial Statements".

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON

ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

 

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT*

The information pertaining to directors and executive officers of the registrant is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement to be used in connection with its 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the Commission within 120 days of March 31, 2001.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information pertaining to executive compensation is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement to be used in connection with its 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Commission within 120 days of March 31, 2001.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT

The information pertaining to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement to be used in connection with its 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the Commission within 120 days of March 31, 2001.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information pertaining to certain relationships and related transactions is hereby incorporated by reference to the Company's Proxy Statement to be used in connection with its 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the Commission within 120 days of March 31, 2001.

PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K

(a) Financial Statements

The financial statements that are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are set forth in the Index to Financial Statements at page F-1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

The Company filed no current report on Form 8-K during the quarter ended March 31, 2001.

(c) Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or are incorporated by reference herein:

Exhibit

Number Description

3.1 Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Company (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 1992 as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2 Restated Bylaws of the Company (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.1 Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement dated July 22, 1999 by and among the Company, other lenders from time to time party hereto and Nations Bank, as administrative agent (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2000 as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.2 First Amendment dated August 30, 1999 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A. (formerly Nations Bank, N.A.), as administrative agent (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2000 as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.3 Second Amendment dated October 15, 1999 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2000 as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.4 First Amendment dated August 30, 1999 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.

10.5 Second Amendment dated October 15, 1999 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.

10.6 Third Amendment dated August 30, 2000 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.

10.7 Fourth Amendment dated November 17, 2000 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.

10.8 Lease dated January 1, 1992, between the Company and Fin-West Group (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.9 Lease extension dated December 15, 1998 to Standard Office Lease-Net dated January 1, 1992 between the Company and Fin-West Group (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 1999 as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.10 1992 Stock Incentive Plan (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 1992 as Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.11 1993 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 1993 as Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 33-70760, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.12 Extension of 1993 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors adopted by the Board of Directors on July 30, 2000.

10.13 Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Fin-West Group, dated April 5, 1990 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.14 Fin-West Group 401(k) Savings Plan, dated April 5, 1990 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.15 Employee Pre-Tax Premium Plan of Fin-West Group, a California corporation, dated January 1, 1990 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.16 Extension of Employment Agreement dated April 1, 2001 between Clement Ziroli and the Company.

10.17 Extension of Employment Agreement dated April 1, 2001 between Bruce G. Norman and the Company.

10.18 Extension of Employment Agreement dated April 30, 1998 between Pac W. Dong and the Company.

23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors.

Exhibits filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein will be furnished to shareholders of the Company upon written request and payment of a fee of $.20 per page, which fee covers only the Company's reasonable expense in furnishing such exhibits. Written requests should be addressed to Robyn S. Fredericks, Secretary, First Mortgage Corporation, 3230 Fallow Field Drive, Diamond Bar, California 91765.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

 

Dated June 26, 2001 By /S/Clement Ziroli

Clement Ziroli, Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities indicated on June 26, 2001.

 

By /S/Clement Ziroli

Clement Ziroli, Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

 

By /S/Pac W. Dong

Pac W. Dong, Director, Chief Financial Officer, Controller
and Executive Vice President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

By /S/Bruce G. Norman

Bruce G. Norman, Director, President
and Chief Operating Officer.

 

By /S/Harold Harrigian

Harold Harrigian, Director

 

By /S/Robert E. Weiss

Robert E. Weiss, Director

 

 

First Mortgage Corporation

Index to Financial Statements

 

 

 

Contents

Report of Independent Auditors

F-2

Financial Statements

 

Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2001 and 2000

F-3

Statements of Income for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999

F-4

Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999

F-5

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999

F-6

Notes to Financial Statements

F-7

All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, are not applicable or because the information is included in the Company's financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

 

Report of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors

First Mortgage Corporation

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of First Mortgage Corporation as of March 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First Mortgage Corporation at March 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Irvine, California

May 31, 2001

First Mortgage Corporation

Balance Sheets

 

 

March 31

 

2001

2000

Assets

 

 

Cash

$ 16,202,000

$ 11,264,000

Mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities
held for sale

87,995,000

67,336,000

Other receivables and servicing advances, net

5,340,000

5,558,000

Capitalized servicing rights, net

9,928,000

11,555,000

Property and equipment, net

847,000

581,000

Prepaid expenses and other assets

615,000

1,531,000

Total assets

$ 120,927,000

$ 97,825,000

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

Notes payable, banks

$ 83,255,000

$ 19,291,000

Notes payable, other

-

43,787,000

Sight drafts payable

3,784,000

393,000

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

1,460,000

564,000

Deferred income taxes

3,103,000

4,979,000

Total liabilities

91,602,000

69,014,000

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

Preferred stock, no par value:

 

 

Authorized shares - 1,000,000

 

 

Issued and outstanding shares - None

-

-

Common stock, no par value:

 

 

Authorized shares - 10,000,000

 

 

Issued and outstanding shares - 5,208,502 in
2001 and 5,253,197 in 2000

2,430,000

2,559,000

Retained earnings

26,895,000

26,252,000

Total stockholders' equity

29,325,000

28,811,000

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 120,927,000

$ 97,825,000

See accompanying notes.

First Mortgage Corporation

Statements of Income

 

 

Year ended March 31

 

2001

2000

1999

Revenues:

 

 

 

Loan origination income

$ 2,207,000

$ 2,073,000

$3,857,000

Loan servicing income

7,241,000

7,763,000

7,761,000

Gain on sale of mortgage loans

6,087,000

3,189,000

18,191,000

Interest income

4,431,000

4,821,000

3,862,000

Other income

9,000

13,000

3,000

Total revenues

19,975,000

17,859,000

33,674,000

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

7,491,000

6,806,000

11,407,000

General and administrative expenses

4,453,000

4,861,000

8,782,000

Amortization of capitalized servicing rights

4,676,000

4,661,000

4,061,000

Interest expense

2,244,000

2,306,000

1,275,000

Total expenses

18,864,000

18,634,000

25,525,000

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

1,111,000

(775,000)

8,149,000

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

468,000

(221,000)

3,375,000

Net income (loss)

$ 643,000

$ (554,000)

$4,774,000

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

$ .12

$ (0.10)

$ .87

See accompanying notes.

First Mortgage Corporation

Statements of Stockholders' Equity

 

 

Common Stock

Retained

 

 

Shares

Amount

Earnings

Total

Balance at March 31, 1998

5,808,697

$ 4,963,000

$22,032,000

$26,995,000

Net income

-

-

4,774,000

4,774,000

Repurchases of shares

(461,500)

(2,039,000)

-

(2,039,000)

Balance at March 31, 1999

5,347,197

2,924,000

26,806,000

29,730,000

Net loss

-

-

(554,000)

(554,000)

Repurchase of shares

(94,000)

(365,000)

-

(365,000)

Balance at March 31, 2000

5,253,197

2,559,000

26,252,000

28,811,000

Net income

-

-

643,000

643,000

Repurchase of shares

(44,695)

(129,000)

-

(129,000)

Balance at March 31, 2001

5,208,502

$2,430,000

$26,895,000

$29,325,000

See accompanying notes.

First Mortgage Corporation

Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

Year ended March 31

 

2001

2000

1999

Operating activities

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$ 643,000

$ (554,000)

$4,774,000

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

Provision for deferred income taxes

(1,876,000)

914,000

1,806,000

Provision for losses on foreclosure

(217,000)

(324,000)

(344,000)

Amortization of originated mortgage servicing rights, excess service fee and purchased
servicing rights

4,687,000

4,712,000

4,157,000

Depreciation of property and equipment

230,000

256,000

269,000

Originations and purchases of mortgage loans held for sale

(343,458,000)

(238,726,000)

(866,641,000)

Sales and principal repayments of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities held for sale

322,799,000

216,853,000

874,230,000

Change in other receivables and servicing advances

435,000

2,144,000

3,532,000

Change in prepaid expenses and other assets

916,000

(766,000)

(404,000)

Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

896,000

(2,403,000)

1,575,000

Loss (gain) on sale of assets

2,000

19,000

(1,000)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

(14,943,000)

(17,875,000)

22,953,000

Investing activities

 

 

 

Originated mortgage servicing rights

(3,038,000)

(3,274,000)

(9,119,000)

Purchase of mortgage servicing rights

(22,000)

(518,000)

(23,000)

Note receivable, Fin-West

-

-

130,000

Purchase of property and equipment

(500,000)

(109,000)

(369,000)

Proceeds from sale of assets

2,000

14,000

4,000

Net cash used in investing activities

(3,558,000)

(3,887,000)

(9,377,000)

Financing activities

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in revolving lines, net

63,964,000

(16,178,000)

(4,958,000)

(Decrease) increase in repo lines, net

(43,787,000)

43,787,000

-

Change in sight drafts payable, net

3,391,000

(9,057,000)

78,000

Repurchase of common stock

(129,000)

(365,000)

(2,039,000)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

23,439,000

18,187,000

(6,919,000)

Increase (decrease) in cash

4,938,000

(3,575,000)

6,657,000

Cash at beginning of year

11,264,000

14,839,000

8,182,000

Cash at end of year

$16,202,000

$11,264,000

$14,839,000

See accompanying notes.

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business and Basis of Presentation

First Mortgage Corporation (the Company) is a mortgage banking company that originates, purchases, warehouses, sells and services primarily first deed of trust loans (mortgage loans) for the purchase or refinance of owner-occupied one-to-four family residences through a network of branch offices located in the states of California, Arizona and Nevada.

Fin-West Group (Fin-West), an affiliated company, owns 92.2% of the Company's outstanding common stock. The accounts and operating results of the Company are included in the consolidated financial statements of Fin-West.

Mortgage Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities Held for Sale

Mortgage loans held for sale are stated at the lower of cost or aggregate market value. Market value is determined by purchase commitments from investors and prevailing market prices.

Originated Mortgage Servicing Rights and Purchased Servicing Rights

Originated Mortgage Servicing Rights (OMSR)

In accordance with Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Estinguishments of Liabilities (FAS 125), the Company recognizes OMSRs as an asset separate from the underlying originated mortgage loan by allocating the total cost of originating a mortgage loan between the loan and the servicing right based on their respective fair values. Mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost, less accumulated amortization, or fair value.

FAS 125 requires that a portion of the cost of originating a mortgage loan be allocated to the mortgage servicing right based on its fair value relative to the loan as a whole. To determine the fair value of the mortgage rights created during the year, the Company used quoted market prices of comparable servicing transactions.

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Originated Mortgage Servicing Rights and Purchased Servicing Rights (continued)

Purchased Servicing Rights

The purchase price paid for contractual rights to service mortgage loans (not exceeding the present value of estimated future net servicing income) is capitalized and amortized in proportion to, and over, the period in which estimated servicing revenue is in excess of estimated servicing costs.

The Company evaluates the net realizable value of purchased servicing rights based on a disaggregation basis based on loan type, loan origination year and loan interest rate.

Originated mortgage servicing rights and purchased servicing rights are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated future net servicing income. Amortization of originated mortgage servicing rights and purchased servicing rights is based upon estimates of future prepayment rates for the underlying mortgage loans which, in turn, are affected by changes in general economic conditions and prevailing interest rates for home mortgages. Prepayment rates tend to increase (causing faster amortization) as mortgage interest rates decline, and are inversely affected as mortgage interest rates increase. The Company adjusts its amortization rates (which consider differences in mortgage loans including interest rate, loan type and the loan's age or seasoning) as estimated prepayment rates vary from those originally anticipated.

Servicing Advances

Servicing advances consist of advances and costs incurred by the Company in connection with the administration of the foreclosure process for loans being serviced. The majority of these amounts will be received from either the insuring agency or proceeds of the foreclosure sale. The Company provides a reserve for the estimated portion of the advances and costs that are not reimbursable by the insuring agencies.

Loan Origination Fees

Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs for mortgage loans held for sale are deferred until the related loans are sold.

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Loan Origination Fees (continued)

Loan servicing income, which is generally a fee based on a percentage of the outstanding principal balances of the mortgage loans serviced by the Company (or by a subservicer +where the Company is the master servicer), is recorded as income as the installment collections on the mortgages are received by the Company or the subservicer.

Gain on Sale of Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Gains or losses on the sale of mortgage loans held for sale are recognized at the date of sale. Included in gain on sale is the estimated present value of any servicing fees to be received by the Company and included in capitalized servicing rights.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to eight years. Leasehold improvements are being amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the lease terms, using the straight-line method.

Income Taxes

The Company is included in the federal consolidated income tax return and is included in the State of California combined return of Fin-West. Income taxes are allocated as if the Company filed separate federal and state income tax returns.

Statement of Cash Flows

The Company paid interest in 2001, 2000 and 1999 of $2,250,000, $2,249,000 and $1,282,000, respectively.

The Company paid income taxes in 2001, 2000 and 1999 of $1,457,000, $0 and $1,855,000, respectively.

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the financial statements of the Company requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Current Accounting Pronouncements

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended, generally requires the Company to recognize all freestanding and embedded derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. Statement No. 133 allows for hedge accounting treatment for derivatives used to hedge various risks and sets forth specific documentation requirements and qualifying criteria to be used to determine when hedge accounting can be applied. Depending on the nature of the hedging relationship, hedge accounting treatment provides for changes in the fair value of derivatives to be either offset against the change in fair value of assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

On April 1, 2001, the Company adopted Statement No. 133. The Company's transition adjustment of $135,000 resulting from the adoption of Statement No.133 on April 1, 2001 will be recorded as a cumulative effect transition adjustment in earnings in the 2002 financial statements. This transition adjustment relates primarily to the Company's mortgage banking activities, including best effort forward commitments to sell loans and loan origination commitments (interest rate locks).

The transition amount was determined by the Company based on the existing interpretive guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). The FASB continues to issue interpretive guidance that could require changes in the Company's application of Statement No. 133 and may impact future earnings.

 

2. Mortgage Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities Held for Sale

In September 2000, the FASB issued Statement No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," that replaces, in its entirety, FASB Statement No. 125. Statement No. 140 revises the standards for accounting for securitizations and other transfers of financial assets and collateral and requires certain disclosures. Statement No. 140 is effective for transfers occurring after March 31, 2001, and the expanded disclosure requirements regarding securitizations and collateral are effective for fiscal years ended after December 15, 2000. The Company adopted Statement No. 140 on April 1, 2001, and the adoption had no material impact on net income.

Mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities held for sale consist of the following at March 31:

 

2001

2000

Principal balance outstanding

$ 90,798,000

$ 69,406,000

Loan origination discounts and market reserve

(2,675,000)

(2,037,000)

Deferred loan fees

(128,000)

(33,000)

 

$ 87,995,000

$ 67,336,000

All mortgage loans held for sale are collateralized by first trust deeds on underlying real properties located primarily in California and may be used as collateral for the Company's borrowings.

At March 31, 2001, the Company had short-term commitments amounting to approximately $37,210,000 to fund mortgage loans subject to credit approval. The Company generally does not engage in forward delivery contracts to hedge its portfolio.

3. Mortgage Servicing Assets

Capitalized mortgage servicing assets consist of originated mortgage servicing rights and purchased servicing rights. Activities are summarized as follows at March 31:

 

2001

2000

Beginning balance

$ 11,555,000

$12,475,000

Additions

3,061,000

3,792,000

Amortization and write-offs

(4,688,000)

(4,712,000)

Ending balance

$ 9,928,000

$11,555,000

3. Mortgage Servicing Assets (continued)

To determine servicing value impairment at the end of the year, the post-implementation originated servicing portfolio was disaggregated into its predominant risk characteristics, namely loan type, interest rate and investor type. These segments of the portfolio were then valued, using quoted market prices of comparable servicing rights. The calculated value was then compared with the book value of each segment to determine if a reserve for impairment was required. As of March  31, 2001, no valuation allowance was required, and the fair value of the aggregate MSRs was approximately $21,500,000.

4. Other Receivables and Servicing Advances

Other receivables and servicing advances consists of the following at March 31:

 

2001

2000

Foreclosures and advances on real estate owned

$1,717,000

$3,322,000

Servicing advances

3,212,000

2,143,000

Other

736,000

529,000

Allowance for possible losses

(325,000)

(436,000)

 

$5,340,000

$5,558,000

5. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following at March 31:

 

2001

2000

Furniture and equipment

$3,019,000

$2,582,000

Automobiles

164,000

115,000

Leasehold improvements

410,000

400,000

 

3,593,000

3,097,000

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

(2,746,000)

(2,516,000)

 

$847,000

$581,000

 

6. Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for the years ended March 31:

 

2001

2000

1999

Current:

 

 

 

Federal

$1,435,000

$(1,136,000)

$1,270,000

State

909,000

1,000

299,000

 

2,344,000

(1,135,000)

1,569,000

Deferred:

 

 

 

Federal

(1,092,000)

860,000

1,206,000

State

(784,000)

54,000

600,000

 

(1,876,000)

914,000

1,806,000

 

$468,000

$(221,000)

$3,375,000

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of March 31 are as follows:

 

2001

2000

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

State income taxes

$293,000

$463,000

Accrued liabilities

60,000

46,000

Deferred loan fees

58,000

15,000

Provision for foreclosure

32,000

86,000

Purchased servicing rights

314,000

396,000

Mark-to-market adjustments

232,000

152,000

Net operating loss carry-forward

-

137,000

Total deferred tax assets

989,000

1,295,000

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

Originated mortgage servicing rights

(3,829,000)

(5,999,000)

Capitalized servicing fees

(5,000)

(5,000)

Accelerated depreciation

(110,000)

(122,000)

Other

(148,000)

(148,000)

Total deferred tax liabilities

(4,092,000)

(6,274,000)

Net deferred tax liabilities

$(3,103,000)

$(4,979,000)

 6. Income Taxes (continued)

Income tax expense (benefit) computed at the statutory federal income tax rate (34%) and income tax expense provided in the financial statements differ as follows for the years ended March 31:

 

2001

2000

1999

Tax computed at the statutory rate

$378,000

$(263,000)

$2,771,000

State income tax, net of federal income
tax benefit

82,000

36,000

594,000

Other

8,000

6,000

10,000

Income tax expense

$468,000

$(221,000)

$3,375,000

7. Notes Payable, Banks

At March 31, 2001, the Company had two line of credit agreements with banks which provide for borrowings up to $50,000,000 and $35,000,000, respectively, with interest payable monthly at 1.25% per annum or the fed fund rate plus 1.25% at March 31, 2001, depending on the level of borrowings and the compensating balances maintained. A portion of the compensating balance requirement is satisfied by using the Company's fiduciary funds. At March 31, 2001, borrowings under these lines amounted to $83,255,000 and are collateralized by mortgage loans held for sale. The weighted average interest rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001 was 1.28%.

The lines of credit are subject to renewal on August 31, 2001. Management believes the line of credit agreements will be renewed prior to their expiration. Under the credit agreements, the Company must comply with certain financial and other covenants, including the maintenance of a minimum net worth, other financial ratios, and a minimum servicing portfolio size. Further, absent the consent of the lenders, such covenants prohibit the Company from declaring or paying any dividends on any shares of the Company's common stock. At March 31, 2001, the Company was in compliance with the aforementioned loan covenants.

One of the warehousing lines of credit allows the bank to act as an agent on behalf of the Company and invest in short term, highly liquid investment grade securities to the extent that the warehouse line is not utilized to fund mortgage loans. All investment securities are considered to be available for sale and carried at fair value. As of March 31, 2001, there were no investment securities purchased under these agreements.

8. Notes Payable, Other

The Company utilizes short-term reverse repurchase agreements provided by two independent investment banking firms in connection with the funding of its mortgage loans and mortgage-back securities. These facilities allow the Company to better manage its warehousing lines. There was no balance outstanding as of March 31, 2001 under these agreements.

9. Related Party Transactions

The Company leases certain premises from Fin-West, at a monthly rental of $22,000. Total rent expense for these premises amounted to $264,000 for each of the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999.

The Company paid title insurance fees to an affiliated entity of $178,000, $103,000 and $582,000 for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

10. Loan Servicing

The Company's loan servicing portfolio at March 31 consisted of the following:

 

2001

2000

GNMA mortgage-backed securities

$782,252,000

$846,755,000

FHLMC

161,296,000

178,424,000

FNMA

153,738,000

133,650,000

Other

420,008,000

343,263,000

 

$1,517,294,000

$1,502,092,000

At March 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company subserviced approximately $2,487,000 and $4,476,000, respectively, of mortgage loans for a nonaffiliated company, which is included above.

Related fiduciary funds held by the Company in noninterest-bearing accounts totaled approximately $25,136,000 and $17,651,000 at March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. These funds are not included in the accompanying balance sheets. The Company is required to pay interest equal to 2% per annum of the average daily balance of certain fiduciary funds to mortgagors.

 

10. Loan Servicing (continued)

The Company had insurance coverage for errors and omissions and employee fidelity in the amount of $2,100,000 and $2,300,000 at March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

11. Financial Instruments

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off balance sheet risk in the normal course of business through the origination and sale of mortgage loans. These financial instruments include mandatory and optional forward commitments which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk. At any time the risk to the Company in the event of default by the purchaser, is the difference between the contract price and current market value, which amount is a percentage of the outstanding commitments. Historically the Company has not incurred losses due to the failure or lack of performance of the counterparties to these commitments.

Realized gains and losses on mandatory and optional delivery forward commitments are recognized in the period settlement occurs. Unrealized gains and losses on mandatory forward commitments are included in the lower of cost or market valuation adjustment to mortgage loans held for sale. Additionally, unrealized gains and losses on optional delivery forward commitments to which mortgages have been allocated are included in the lower of cost or market valuation adjustment to mortgage loans held for sale.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No, 107, Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (FAS 107), requires disclosure of fair value information about all financial instruments held or owned by a company except for certain excluded instruments and instruments for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value. At March 31, 2001, the estimated fair value of mortgage loans held for sale, mortgage-backed securities, mortgage servicing rights and notes payable approximated the net carrying value of such accounts.

12. Profit Sharing Plan

Prior to April 1, 2000, the Company sponsored two noncontributory defined benefit retirement plans: the Profit Sharing Plan and the 401(k) Plan. Effective April 1, 2000, the two plans were combined into one by merging the 401(k) Plan into the Profit Sharing Plan. Under the amended Plan, upon completing the minimum service requirement, each

12. Profit Sharing Plan (continued)

participant's account is credited with matching by the Company equal to 10% - 40% of the participant's monthly contribution to the plan, up to a maximum of $750 per year. Annual contributions by the Company were $33,813, $0 and $150,000 for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

Minimum annual rental payments under operating leases for office space are as follows:

2002

$ 559,000

2003

485,000

2004

235,000

 

$ 1,279,000

Net rental payments to nonaffiliated entities of approximately $420,000, $274,000 and $268,000 have been charged to occupancy expense in the accompanying statements of operations for the years ended March 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.

Litigation

The Company is currently a defendant in certain litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. It is management's opinion that the outcome of these actions will not have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

14. Stockholders' Equity

Under the Company's 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, the compensation committee of the Board of Directors is authorized to grant awards to any officer or employee of the Company. Awards granted can take the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options or restricted stock or any combination thereof. A maximum of 625,000 shares of common stock may be issued under the Plan. Incentive stock options are granted at a price not less than 100% of the fair market value at date of grant, except for employees who own shares possessing greater than 10% of total combined voting power whose grant price shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value at date of grant.

14. Stockholders' Equity (continued)

The compensation committee also determines the exercise price of nonqualified stock options and the purchase price of restricted stock, provided that the purchase price of restricted stock may not be less than 25% of its fair market value at the date of grant. Incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options become exercisable not less than six months after the date of grant, as determined by the compensation committee. Options remain exercisable until their specified expiration date, but the expiration date cannot be more than five years after the date of grant for incentive stock options.

The Company also has a 1993 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the Plan) which provides for an aggregate of 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock to be available for eligible directors. The Plan was amended and extended to the last business day in July 2000. All options granted under the Plan are to be nonqualified options with an exercise price equal to 100% of fair market value of the common stock on the date the option is granted. Each option granted under the Plan may be exercised in full on the 185th day after the date of grant and terminates five years from the date of grant.

Under the Plan, an option to purchase 5,750 shares of the Company's common stock has been granted to each nonemployee director in office on the last business day of each July beginning in 1993.

The following summarizes stock option activity under both of the Company's stock plans for the year ended March 31, 2001:

 

Options

Weighted-Average Exercise Price

Options

 

March 31 2001

March 31 2001

March 31 2000

Options outstanding at beginning of fiscal year

363,750

4.32

422,150

Option granted

97,000

2.84

97,675

Options exercised

-

-

-

Options expired

(67,250)

4.29

(156,075)

Options outstanding at end of fiscal year

393,500

3.92

363,750

 

 

 

 

Exercise price:

 

 

 

Per share for options exercised
during the fiscal year

n/a

 

n/a

14. Stockholders' Equity (continued)

 

Options

Options

 

March 31, 2001

March 31, 2000

 

 

 

Per share for options outstanding at end of fiscal year

$2.75 - $5.23

$4.13 - $4.63

 

 

 

Weighted average fair value of options granted

$.92

$1.43

 

 

 

Weighted average contractual life of option outstanding (in years)

2.49

2.54

All outstanding options as of March 31, 2001, were exercisable. Options available for future grants under the plans were 331,500 and 361,250 as of March 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively .

The Company currently follows Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25) and related interpretations in accounting for its stock options. Under APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options is equal to the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized. The Company intends to follow the provisions of APB 25 for future years.

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (FAS 123), and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

2001

2000

 

 

 

Expected life (years)

4.33

4.33

Interest rate

6.50%

7.00%

Volatility

0.29

0.305

Dividend yield

0.00%

0.00%

 

14. Stockholders' Equity (continued)

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

The estimated stock-based compensation cost calculated using the assumptions indicated totaled $52,000 and $65,000 in 2001 and 2000, respectively. The pro forma net result of the increased compensation cost was net income of $591,000 ($0.11 per share) and net loss of $619,000 ($0.12 per share) in 2001 and 2000, respectively. The effect of stock-based compensation on net income (loss) for 2001 and 2000 may not be representative of the effect on pro forma net income in future years because compensation expense related to grants made prior to 1999 is not considered.

15. Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic diluted earnings (loss) per share:

 

Year ended March 31

 

2001

2000

1999

Numerator:

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

$ 643,000

$ (554,000)

$ 4,774,000

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

Shares used in computing basic earnings (loss) per share

5,222,071

5,288,431

5,506,690

Effect of stock options treated as equivalents under the treasury stock method

 

3,028

 

-

 

11,498

Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share

5,225,099

5,288,431

5,518,188

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share

$0.12

$(.10)

$.87

16. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following table presents summarized quarterly operating results:

 

Fiscal year 2001

 

Quarter ended

Operations

Jun-00

Sep-00

Dec-00

Mar-01

Annual

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$ 4,214

$ 5,486

$ 5,207

$ 5,068

$ 19,975

Total expenses

4,527

4,330

4,711

5,296

18,864

Net income (loss)

(199)

690

287

(135)

643

Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted

(0.04)

0.13

0.06

(0.03)

0.12

 

 

Fiscal year 2000

 

Quarter ended

 

Jan-99

Sep-99

Dec-99

Mar-00

Annual

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

$ 6,010

$ 4,230

$ 3,670

$ 3,949

$ 17,859

Total expenses

5,623

4,531

4,067

4,413

18,634

Net income (loss)

226

(179)

(234)

(367)

(554)

Net income (loss) per share - basic and diluted

0.04

(0.03)

(0.04)

(0.07)

(0.10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 23-1

 

 

 

Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-707060) pertaining to the First Mortgage Corporation 1992 Stock Incentive Plan and 1993 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors and in the related Prospectus of our report dated May 31, 2001, with respect to the financial statements of First Mortgage Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended March 31, 2001.

Irvine, California

June 25, 2001

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Sequential
Page
Number

Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit

3.1 Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Company (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 1992 as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2 Restated Bylaws of the Company (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.1 Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement dated July 22, 1999 by and among the Company, other lenders from time to time party hereto and Nations Bank, as administrative agent (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2000 as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.2 First Amendment dated August 30, 1999 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A. (formerly Nations Bank, N.A.), as administrative agent (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2000 as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.3 Second Amendment dated October 15, 1999 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2000 as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.4 First Amendment dated August 30, 1999 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.

10.5 Second Amendment dated October 15, 1999 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.

10.6 Third Amendment dated August 30, 2000 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.

10.7 Fourth Amendment dated November 17, 2000 to Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement by and among the Company, Sanwa Bank, as collateral agent and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.

10.8 Lease dated January 1, 1992, between the Company and Fin-West Group (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.9 Lease extension dated December 15, 1998 to Standard Office Lease-Net dated January 1, 1992 between the Company and Fin-West Group (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 1999 as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999 and incorporated herein by reference).

10.10 1992 Stock Incentive Plan (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 1992 as Exhibit 10.8 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.11 1993 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 1993 as Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, File No. 33-70760, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.12 Extension of 1993 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors adopted by the Board of Directors on July 30, 2000.

10.13 Profit Sharing Plan for Employees of the Fin-West Group, dated April 5, 1990 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.14 Fin-West Group 401(k) Savings Plan, dated April 5, 1990 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.15 Employee Pre-Tax Premium Plan of Fin-West Group, a California corporation, dated January 1, 1990 (previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 1992 as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 33-45187, and incorporated herein by reference).

10.16 Extension of Employment Agreement dated April 1, 2001 between Clement Ziroli and the Company.

10.17 Extension of Employment Agreement dated April 1, 2001 between Bruce G. Norman and the Company.

10.18 Extension of Employment Agreement dated April 30, 1998 between Pac W. Dong and the Company.

23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors.

 

EX-4 2 ex10-4.htm FIRST AMENDMENT

Exhibit 10-4

FIRST AMENDMENT

TO

MORTGAGE LOAN WAREHOUSING AGREEMENT

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO MORTGAGE LOAN WAREHOUSING AGREEMENT (the "First Amendment") is made and dated as of the 30th day of August, 1999 by and among FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, a California corporation (the "Company"), the Lenders, SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA, as collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent"), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (formerly NationsBank, N.A.), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent").

RECITALS

A. Pursuant to that certain Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement dated as of July 22, 1999 among the Company, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (as amended, extended and replaced from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," and with capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined used with the meanings given such terms in the Credit Agreement), the Lenders agreed to extend credit to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

B. The parties hereto have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement in certain respects, as set forth more particularly below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing Recitals and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1. Amendments.

(a) Maturity Date. To reflect the agreement of the parties hereto to extend the Maturity Date, effective as of the First Amendment Effective Date (as defined in Paragraph 3 below), the definition of the term "Maturity Date" set forth in the Glossary is hereby amended by deleting the date "September 1, 1999" set forth therein and inserting in place thereof the date "August 31, 2000."

(b) Settlement Account. To reflect the agreement of the parties hereto to change the Settlement Account, effective as of the First Amendment Effective Date, the definition of the term "Settlement Account" set forth in the Glossary is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

"'Settlement Account" shall mean 'no-access' Account No. 3751396510 maintained in the Company's name alone with the Administrative Agent."

The Collateral Agent shall prepare the transmittal letters and other forms required pursuant to the Security Agreement in accordance with this amendment.

<PAGE>

2. Reaffirmation of Loan Documents. The Company hereby affirms and agrees that (a) the execution and delivery by the Company of and the performance of its obligations under this First Amendment shall not in any way amend, impair, invalidate or otherwise affect any of the obligations of the Company or the rights of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any other document or instrument made or given by the Company in connection therewith, (b) the term "Obligations" as used in the Loan Documents include, without limitation, the Obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby, and (c) except as expressly amended hereby, the Loan Documents remain in full force and effect as written.

3. First Amendment Effective Date. This First Amendment shall be effective as of the date (the "First Amendment Effective Date") that there shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly executed by the parties hereto, this First Amendment.

4. No Other Amendment. Except as expressly amended herein, the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect as currently written.

5. Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

6. Representations and Warranties. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent as follows:

(a) The Company has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver and perform this First Amendment and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this First Amendment. This First Amendment has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms.

(b) At and as of the date of execution hereof and at and as of the effective date of this First Amendment and both prior to and after giving effect to this First Amendment: (1) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are accurate and complete in all respects, and (2) there has not occurred an Event of Default or Potential Default under the Credit Agreement.

<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Amendment to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

By:

Name:

Title:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as the Administrative Agent and a Lender

By:

Name:

Title:

SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA, as the Collateral Agent and a Lender

By:

Name:

Title:

EX-6 3 ex10_6.htm THIRD AMENDMENT

Exhibit 10-6

THIRD AMENDMENT

TO

MORTGAGE LOAN WAREHOUSING AGREEMENT

THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO MORTGAGE LOAN WAREHOUSING AGREEMENT (the "Third Amendment") is made and dated as of August 30, 2000 by and among FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, a California corporation (the "Company"), the Lenders, SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA, as collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent"), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent").

RECITALS

A. Pursuant to that certain Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement dated as of July 22, 1999 among the Company, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (as amended, extended and replaced from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," and with capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined used with the meanings given such terms in the Credit Agreement), the Lenders agreed to extend credit to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

B. The parties hereto have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement in certain respects, as set forth more particularly below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing Recitals and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1.Maturity Date. To reflect the agreement of the parties hereto to extend the Maturity Date, effective as of the Third Amendment Effective Date (as defined in Paragraph 3 below), the definition of the term "Maturity Date" set forth in the Glossary is hereby amended by deleting the date "August 31, 2000' set forth therein and inserting in place thereof the date "August 30, 2001."

2. Reaffirmation of Loan Documents. The Company hereby affirms and agrees that (a) the execution and delivery by the Company of and the performance of its obligations under this Third Amendment shall not in any way amend, impair, invalidate or otherwise affect any of the obligations of the Company or the rights of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any other document or instrument made or given by the Company in connection therewith, (b) the term "Obligations" as used in the Loan Documents include, without limitation, the Obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby, and (c) except as expressly amended hereby, the Loan Documents remain in full force and effect as written.

3. Third Amendment Effective Date. This Third Amendment shall be effective as of the date (the "Third Amendment Effective Date") that there shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly executed by the parties hereto, this Third Amendment.

4. No Other Amendment. Except as expressly amended herein, the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect as currently written.

5. Counterparts. This Third Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

6. Representations and Warranties. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent as follows:

(a) The Company has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Third Amendment and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Third Amendment. This Third Amendment has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms.

(b) At and as of the date of execution hereof and at and as of the effective date of this Third Amendment and both prior to and after giving effect to this Third Amendment: (1) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are accurate and complete in all respects, and (2) there has not occurred an Event of Default or Potential Default under the Credit Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Amendment to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

By

Name

Title

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as the Administrative Agent and a Lender

 

By

Name

Title

 

SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA, as the Collateral Agent and a Lender

 

By

Name

Title

EX-7 4 ex10-7.htm FOURTH AMENDMENT

FOURTH AMENDMENT

TO

MORTGAGE LOAN WAREHOUSING AGREEMENT

 

THIS FOURTH AMENDMENT TO MORTGAGE LOAN WAREHOUSING AGREEMENT (the "Fourth Amendment") is made and dated as of November 17, 2000, by and among FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, a California corporation (the "Company"), the Lenders, SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA, as collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent"), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent").

RECITALS

A. Pursuant to that certain Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement dated as of July 22, 1999 among the Company, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (as amended, extended and replaced from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," and with capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined used with the meanings given such terms in the Credit Agreement), the Lenders agreed to extend credit to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

B. The parties hereto have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement in certain respects, as set forth more particularly below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing Recitals and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1. Tranche D Credit Facility (Negotiated Loans). To reflect the agreement of the parties to add a Tranche D Credit Facility (the "Tranche D Credit Facility"), effective as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date (as defined in Paragraph 5 below), the following Paragraph 3A is added to the Credit

Agreement:

"3A. Tranche D Credit Facility (Negotiated Loans).

3(A)(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, any Lender may from time to time to but not including the Maturity Date, in its sole and absolute discretion, offer to make loans (the "Negotiated Loans" or a "Negotiated Loan") to the Company in such amounts, at such interest rates and for such terms (not to extend beyond the Maturity Date) as such Lender and the Company may agree; provided, however, that in no event will any Lender advance any Negotiated Loan nor will the Company accept the proceeds of any Negotiated Loan if upon the funding thereof the aggregate amount of Negotiated Loans outstanding from all Lenders would exceed the lesser of: (a) the Aggregate Credit Limit minus the aggregate dollar amount of Loans (other than Negotiated Loans) outstanding (including all such Loans to be funded on the proposed date of funding of the requested Negotiated Loan), and (b) the Collateral Value of the Warehouse Borrowing Base and the Collateral Value of the Gestation Loans Borrowing Base

 

I

339997.01

minus the aggregate dollar amount of Loans (other than Negotiated Loans) outstanding (including all such Loans to be funded on the proposed date of funding of the requested Negotiated Loan). In calculating the availability of Negotiated Loans on any date, Loans outstanding shall not include any of such items which will be repaid with Loans to be advanced on such date. The agreement of a Lender to make a Negotiated Loan shall not to any extent reduce such Lender's obligation to fund other Loans to the fullest extent of such Lender's Maximum Commitment, it being expressly acknowledged and agreed that the agreement to make Negotiated Loans is optional on the part of such Lender and in addition to its Maximum Commitment.

3(A)(b) The obligation of the Company to repay a Negotiated Loan shall be evidenced by a note (a "Tranche D Note") executed by the Company and payable to the order of the applicable Lender and in a form satisfactory to such Lender."

2. Allocation of Payments Received. To reflect the agreement of the parties, effective as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, Paragraph 5(g) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

"5(g) Allocation of Payments Received.

(I) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and acceleration of all Loans outstanding hereunder or termination of the commitments of the Lenders to advance Loans hereunder, amounts received by the Administrative Agent as proceeds of the sale or other disposition of Eligible Mortgage Loans and Eligible Mortgage-Backed Securities, including without limitation all amounts from time to time deposited in the Settlement Account, shall be allocated among the Lenders as follows:

(i) First, to the Swing Line Lender to repay all outstanding Swing Line Advances;

(ii) Then, pro rata to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Percentage Shares, until the principal amount of the Loan or Loans initially advanced against such Eligible Mortgage Loans and/or Eligible Mortgage-Backed Securities (and the principal amount of all Negotiated Loans) has been paid in full;

(iii) Then, the balance, if any, to the Company.

(2) Following the occurrence of an Event of Default and acceleration of all Loans outstanding hereunder or termination of the commitments of the Lenders to advance Loans hereunder, all amounts received by the Administrative Agent on account of the Obligations shall be disbursed by the Administrative Agent as follows:

(i) First, to the payment of fees owing to and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent in the performance of their respective duties and enforcement of their respective rights under the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, all costs and expenses of collection, attorneys fees, court costs and foreclosure expenses;

(ii) Then, to the Lenders, pro rata in accordance with their respective Post-Default Percentage Shares, until all outstanding Loans (including all Negotiated

339997.01 2

Loans) and interest accrued thereon and all other Obligations have been paid in full, said amounts to be allocated first to interest and then, but only after all accrued interest has been paid in full, to principal of Loans: and

(iii) Then, to such Persons as may be legally entitled thereto."

3. Certain Definitions. To reflect the agreement of the parties, effective as of the Fourth Amendment Effective Date, APPENDIX I: GLOSSARY attached to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add the following new or replacement definitions, as applicable:

"Loans" shall mean, collectively and severally, Standard Loans, Gestation Loans, Swing Line Loans and, unless the context otherwise requires, Negotiated Loans.

"Post-Default Percentage Share" shall mean for any Lender that percentage which (a) the principal dollar amount of Loans outstanding (including all Negotiated Loans) held by such Lender bears to (b) the aggregate principal dollar amount of all Loans outstanding (including all Negotiated Loans).

4. Reaffirmation of Loan Documents. The Company hereby affirms and agrees that (a) the execution and delivery by the Company of and the performance of its obligations under this Fourth Amendment shall not in any way amend, impair, invalidate or otherwise affect any of the obligations of the Company or the rights of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any other document or instrument made or given by the Company in connection therewith, (b) the term "Obligations" as used in the Loan Documents include, without limitation, the Obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby, and (c) except as expressly amended hereby, the Loan Documents remain in full force and effect as written.

5. Fourth Amendment Effective Date. This Fourth Amendment shall be effective as of the date (the "Fourth Amendment Effective Date") that there shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly executed by the parties hereto, this Fourth Amendment.

6. No Other Amendment. Except as expressly amended herein, the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect as currently written.

7. Counterparts. This Fourth Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

8. Representations and Warranties. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent as follows:

(a) The Company has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Fourth Amendment and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Fourth Amendment. This Fourth Amendment has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

(b) At and as of the date of execution hereof and at and as of the Effective Date of this Fourth Amendment and both prior to and after giving effect to this Fourth Amendment:

339997.01 3

(1) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are accurate and complete in all respects, and (2) there has not occurred an Event of Default or Potential Default under the Credit Agreement.

[N WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fourth Amendment to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

 

By:

Name:____________________________________________________________________

Title:_______________________________________________________

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as the Administrative Agent and a Lender

 

By:

Name:______________________________________________________

Title:_______________________________________________________

 

SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA, as the Collateral Agent and a Lender

By:________________________________________________________

Name:______________________________________________________

Title:_______________________________________________________

EX-12 5 ex10_12.htm ACTION BY UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT

Exhibit 10-12

ACTION BY UNANIMOUS WRITTEN CONSENT

OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

 

The undersigned, being all of the directors of First Mortgage Corporation, a California corporation, hereby approve the following resolution and consent to its adoption:

RESOLVED, that the option grant date of the 1993 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors is hereby amended and extended to the last business day in July 2000.

This written consent is executed pursuant to Section 307 of the General Corporation Law of the State of California and shall be filed in the minute book of the Company.

Dated: July 30, 2000

 

 

 

Clement Ziroli

 

 

 

Bruce G Norman

 

Pac Dong

 

Harold Harrigian

 

Robert E. Weiss

EX-16 6 ex10_16.htm 0

Exhibit 10-16

AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made this 1st day of April ,2001.

The Employment Agreement by and between FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION as Employer, and CLEMENT ZIROLI as Employee, dated October 1, 1997 and heretofore extended through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001, is modified and amended in the following particulars, only:

I. The said Employment Agreement is extended through March 31, 2002.

2. Said Amendment is effective April 1,2001.

 

 

ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

REMAIN THE SAME AS FIRST WRITTEN.

Employer
FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION


By

CLEMENT ZIROLI

EX-17 7 ex10_17.htm AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10-16

AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made this 1st

Day of April ,2001.

The Employment Agreement by and between FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION as Employer, and BRUCE G. NORMAN as Employee, dated April 1, 1998 and heretofore extended through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001, is modified and amended in the following particulars, only:

1. The said Employment Agreement is extended through March 3 1, 2002.

2. Said Amendment is effective April 1, 2001.

 

 

ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

REMAIN THE SAME AS FIRST WRITTEN.

 

Employer:

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

 

By:

 

 

 

Employee:

BRUCE G. NORMAN

EX-18 8 ex10_18.htm 0

Exhibit 10-18

AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made this 1st

Day of April ,2001.

The Employment Agreement by and between FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION as Employer, and PAC DONG as Employee, dated October 1, 1997 and heretofore extended through the fiscal year ending March 31, 2001, is modified and amended in the following particulars, only

1. The said Employment Agreement is extended through March 3 1, 2002.

2. Paragraph 3, sub-paragraph 3.1 entitled "Base Salary" is amended to include the earlier amendment which increased the Base Salary from $130,000.00 per annum to $150,000.00, and is further amended for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2002 to the sum of $170,000.00.

3. This Amendment is effective April 1, 2001.

 

 

ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

REMAIN THE SAME AS FIRST WRITTEN.

 

Employer:

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

By

Employee:

PAC DONG

EX-5 9 ex10_5.htm SECOND AMENDMENT

Exhibit 10-5

SECOND AMENDMENT

TO

MORTGAGE LOAN WAREHOUSING AGREEMENT

THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO MORTGAGE LOAN WAREHOUSING AGREEMENT (the Second Amendment) is made and dated as of the 15th day of October, 1999 by and among FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION, a California corporation (the Company), the Lenders, SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA, as collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Collateral Agent), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (formerly NationsBank, N.A.), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent).

RECITALS

A. Pursuant to that certain Mortgage Loan Warehousing Agreement dated as of July 22, 1999 among the Company, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (as amended, extended and replaced from time to time, the "Credit Agreement," and with capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined used with the meanings given such terms in the Credit Agreement), the Lenders agreed to extend credit to the Company on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

B. The parties hereto have agreed to amend the Credit Agreement in certain respects, as set forth more particularly below.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing Recitals and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1. Amendments.

(a) Eligible Mortgage-Backed Security. To reflect the agreement of the parties hereto to change the definition of the term "Eligible Mortgage-Backed Security," effective as of the Second Amendment Effective Date (as defined in Paragraph 3 below), the definition of the term "Eligible Mortgage-Backed Security" set forth in the Glossary is hereby amended by deleting subparagraph (g) set forth therein.

(b) Unit Collateral Value. To reflect the agreement of the parties hereto to change the

Unit Collateral Value of Eligible Mortgage-Backed Securities, effective as of the Second

Amendment Effective Date, subparagraph (f) of the definition of the term "Unit Collateral

Value" set forth in the Glossary is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

"(f) With respect to each Eligible Mortgage-Backed Security that has been included in the Warehouse Borrowing Base for not more than sixty (60) days, ninetynine percent (99%) of the least of: (1) the face amount thereof, (2) the Applicable Take-Out Price therefor, if any, and (3) the Fair Market Value thereof; and with respect to each Eligible Mortgage-Backed Security that has been included in the

Ia-324448

Warehouse Borrowing Base for more than sixty (60) days, ninety-two percent (92%) of the least of: (1) the face amount thereof, (2) the Applicable Take-Out Price therefor, if any, and (3) the Fair Market Value thereof."

(c) Fair Market Value. To reflect the agreement of the parties hereto to add certain provisions regarding the Fair Market Value, effective as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the term "Fair Market Value" set forth in the Glossary is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

"'Fair Market Value' shall mean at any date with respect to any Mortgage Loan or Mortgage-Backed Security, the fair market value thereof as of such date as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable business judgment in conformity with standard industry practice for valuing similar Mortgage Loans and Mortgage-Backed Securities; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may rely on information provided by the Company to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Paragraph 9(b)(4) of the Agreement; and provided further, that the Fair Market Value of any Mortgage-Backed Security shall not exceed at any date the lowest Fair Market Value determined prior to such date for such Mortgage-Backed Security during the term it is included in the Warehouse Borrowing Base."

(d) Applicable Eurodollar Rate. To reflect the agreement of the parties hereto to modify the Eurodollar Spread in connection with the Applicable Eurodollar Rate, effective as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the definition of the term "Eurodollar Spread" set forth in the Glossary is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

"'Eurodollar Spread' shall mean: (a) with respect to Standard Loans up to a principal amount equal to the Collateral Value of the Warehouse Borrowing Base consisting of Eligible Mortgage-Backed Securities, three-quarters of one percent (0.75%), (b) with respect to any remaining Standard Loans, one and one-quarter of one percent (1.25%), and (c) with respect to Gestation Loans, three-quarters of one percent (0.75%)."

(e) Applicable Effective Fed Funds Rate. To reflect the agreement of the parties hereto to modify the Applicable Effective Fed Funds Rate, effective as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, the term "Applicable Effective Fed Funds Rate" set forth in the Glossary is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:

"'Applicable Effective Fed Funds Rate' shall mean on any day the Effective

Fed Funds Rate on such day plus, (a) with respect to Standard Loans and Swing Line

Loans up to a principal amount equal to the Collateral Value of the Warehouse

Borrowing Base consisting of Eligible Mortgage-Backed Securities, three-quarters of

one percent (0.75%), (b) with respect to any remaining Standard Loans and Swing

Line Loans, one and one-quarter of one percent (1.25%), and (c) with respect to

Gestation Loans, three-quarters of one percent (0.75%)."

2. Reaffirmation of Loan Documents. The Company affirms and agrees that (a) the execution and delivery by the Company of and the performance of its obligations under this Second Amendment shall not in any way amend, impair, invalidate or otherwise affect any of the

la-324448 2

obligations of the Company or the rights of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any other document or instrument made or given by the Company in connection therewith, (b) the terms "Obligations" as used in the Loan Documents include, without limitation, the Obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby, and (c) except as expressly amended hereby, the Loan Documents remain in full force and effect as written.

3. Second Amendment Effective Date. This Second Amendment shall be effective as of July 22, 1999 (the "Second Amendment Effective Date") upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of this Second Amendment duly executed by all parties hereto.

4. No Other Amendment. Except as expressly amended herein, the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect as currently written.

5. Counterparts. This Second Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

6. Representations and Warranties. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Lender as follows:

(a) The Company has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Second Amendment and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Second Amendment. This Second Amendment has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms.

(b) At and as of the date of execution hereof and at and as of the effective date of this

Second Amendment and both prior to and after giving effect to this Second Amendment: (1) the

representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Credit Agreement and the other

Loan Documents are accurate and complete in all respects, and (2) there has not occurred an

Event of Default or Potential Default under the Credit Agreement.

la-324448 3

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Amendment to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

FIRST MORTGAGE CORPORATION

By

Name

Title

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as the Administrative

Agent and a Lender

By

Name

Title

 

SAN WA BANK CALIFORNIA, as the Collateral

Agent and a Lender

By

Name

Title

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

la-324448 4

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