Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries

Partially-Owned Leasing Subsidiaries

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, TILC, we formed two subsidiaries, TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013, for the purpose of providing railcar leasing services in North America for institutional investors. Each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 are direct, partially-owned subsidiaries of TILC in which we have a controlling interest. Each is governed by a seven-member board of representatives, two of whom are designated by TILC. TILC is the agent of each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 and, as such, has been delegated the authority, power, and discretion to take certain actions on behalf of the respective companies.

At March 31, 2020, the carrying value of our investment in TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 totaled $187.2 million. Our weighted average ownership interest in TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 is 38% while the remaining 62% weighted average interest is owned by third-party, investor-owned funds. The investment in our partially-owned leasing subsidiaries is eliminated in consolidation.

Each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 has wholly-owned subsidiaries that are the owners of railcars acquired from our Rail Products and Leasing Groups. These wholly-owned subsidiaries are TRIP Rail Master Funding LLC ("TRIP Master Funding", wholly-owned by TRIP Holdings) and Trinity Rail Leasing 2012 LLC ("TRL-2012", wholly-owned by RIV 2013). Railcar purchases by these subsidiaries were funded by secured borrowings and capital contributions from TILC and third-party equity investors. TILC is the contractual servicer for TRIP Master Funding and TRL-2012, with the authority to manage and service each entity's owned railcars. Our controlling interest in each of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 results from our combined role as both equity member and agent/servicer. The noncontrolling interest included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the non-Trinity equity interest in these partially-owned subsidiaries.

Trinity has no obligation to guarantee performance under any of our partially-owned subsidiaries' (or their respective subsidiaries') debt agreements, guarantee any railcar residual values, shield any parties from losses or guarantee minimum yields.

The assets of each of TRIP Master Funding and TRL-2012 may only be used to satisfy the particular subsidiary's liabilities, and the creditors of each of TRIP Master Funding and TRL-2012 have recourse only to the particular subsidiary's assets. Each of TILC and the third-party equity investors receive distributions from TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013, when available, in proportion to its respective equity interests, and has an interest in the net assets of the partially-owned subsidiaries upon a liquidation event in the same proportion. TILC is paid fees for the services it provides to TRIP Master Funding and TRL-2012 and has the potential to earn certain incentive fees. TILC and the third-party equity investors have commitments to provide additional equity funding to TRIP Holdings that are scheduled to expire in May 2021, contingent upon certain returns on investment in TRIP Holdings and other conditions being met. There are no remaining equity commitments with respect to RIV 2013.

See Note 7 regarding the debt of TRIP Holdings and RIV 2013 and their respective subsidiaries.