Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005

 

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 0-50179

 


 

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   04-3669482

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

15090 Avenue of Science

San Diego, California 92128

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 858-676-2100

 

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: Not applicable.

 


 

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    or    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  x    or    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    or    No  x

 

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock as of November 4, 2005 was 21,920,446.

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

PART I

         

Item 1.

   Financial Statements of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co:     
    

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

   4
    

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

   5
    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

   6
    

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   7
     Financial statements of Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (the “REIT”):     
    

Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

   30
    

Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 and the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and from inception (May 4, 2004) to September 30, 2004

   31
    

Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and from inception (May 4, 2004) to September 30, 2004

   32
    

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

   33

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    45

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    77

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    77

PART II

         

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    78

Item 2.

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    79

Item 3.

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    79

Item 4

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    79

Item 5.

   Other Information    79

Item 6.

   Exhibits    79
     Signatures    80
     Exhibit Index    81
     Certifications     

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains certain forward-looking statements. When used in this report, statements which are not historical in nature, including the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. They also include statements containing a projection of revenues, earnings or losses, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial terms.

 

The forward-looking statements in this report are based upon our management’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future operations and economic performance, taking into account the information currently available to them. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, some of which are not currently known to us, that may cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to be materially different from the expectations of future results, performance or financial condition we express or imply in any forward-looking statements. Some of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to differ materially from expectations are:

 

    the degree and nature of our competition;

 

    a general deterioration in economic or political conditions;

 

    changes in demand for, or value of, mortgage loans due to the attributes of the loans we originate; the characteristics of our borrowers; and fluctuations in the real estate market, interest rates or the market in which we sell or securitize

 

    our ability to protect and hedge our mortgage loan portfolio against adverse interest rate movements;

 

    changes in government regulations that affect our ability to originate and service mortgage loans;

 

    changes in the credit markets, which affect our ability to borrow money to originate mortgage loans;

 

    our ability to employ and retain qualified employees; and

 

    the other factors referenced in this report, including, without limitation, under the section entitled “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur. We qualify any and all of our forward-looking statements entirely by these cautionary factors.

 

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In this Form 10-Q, unless the context requires otherwise, “Accredited,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” means Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. and its subsidiaries.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

 

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

 

     September 30,
2005


   

December 31,

2004


 
     (unaudited)        
ASSETS                 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 21,525     $ 35,155  

Restricted cash

     139,285       4,589  

Mortgage loans held for sale, net of reserve of $20,734 and $17,065, respectively

     2,349,385       1,790,134  

Mortgage loans held for investment, net of reserve of $95,728 and $60,138 respectively

     6,581,439       4,690,758  

Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net

     35,798       34,763  

Other receivables

     98,426       57,658  

Deferred income tax asset, net

     —         34,250  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     65,791       41,070  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 9,291,649     $ 6,688,377  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

LIABILITIES:

                

Warehouse credit facilities

   $ 2,074,994     $ 2,204,860  

Asset backed commercial paper

     985,348       —    

Securitization bond financing

     5,550,348       3,954,115  

Income taxes payable, current

     20,879       22,310  

Deferred income tax liability, net

     2,204       —    

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     59,113       46,615  
    


 


Total liabilities

     8,692,886       6,227,900  
    


 


COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)

                

MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY

     97,922       97,922  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 21,914,686 shares and 21,379,690 shares, respectively (including 771,885 and 585,545, respectively, of restricted stock awarded under the deferred compensation plan)

     22       21  

Additional paid-in capital

     101,598       84,281  

Unearned compensation

     (17,329 )     (12,058 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     16,130       2,042  

Retained earnings

     400,420       288,269  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     500,841       362,555  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 9,291,649     $ 6,688,377  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

REVENUES:

                                

Interest income

   $ 164,147     $ 97,493     $ 430,194     $ 242,792  

Interest expense

     (84,571 )     (37,114 )     (207,022 )     (86,137 )
    


 


 


 


Net interest income

     79,576       60,379       223,172       156,655  

Provision for losses

     (19,168 )     (14,416 )     (56,465 )     (39,708 )
    


 


 


 


Net interest income after provision

     60,408       45,963       166,707       116,947  

Gain on sale of loans

     85,644       77,993       237,886       210,342  

Loan servicing income

     3,243       1,996       8,082       5,205  

Other income

     2,461       690       5,800       2,606  
    


 


 


 


Total net revenues

     151,756       126,642       418,475       335,100  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING EXPENSES:

                                

Salaries, wages and benefits

     48,378       42,772       140,501       117,885  

General and administrative expenses

     15,441       12,298       41,019       32,929  

Occupancy

     5,247       4,810       15,694       13,341  

Advertising and promotion

     5,388       3,580       13,480       9,073  

Depreciation and amortization

     3,999       2,911       10,929       6,934  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     78,453       66,371       221,623       180,162  
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes and minority interest

     73,303       60,271       196,852       154,938  

Income tax provision

     29,517       23,234       77,217       61,101  

Minority interest—dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary

     2,495       1,160       7,484       1,160  
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 41,291     $ 35,877     $ 112,151     $ 92,677  
    


 


 


 


Earnings per common share:

                                

Basic

   $ 1.95     $ 1.75     $ 5.34     $ 4.57  

Diluted

   $ 1.87     $ 1.66     $ 5.11     $ 4.31  

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                                

Basic

     21,217       20,470       21,017       20,287  

Diluted

     22,059       21,580       21,932       21,516  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)(Unaudited)

 

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,


 
    2005

    2004

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

               

Net income

  $ 112,151     $ 92,677  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    10,929       6,934  

Provision for losses

    56,465       39,708  

Minority interest—dividends paid on preferred stock of subsidiary

    7,484       1,160  

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

    29,042       (1,162 )

Unrealized loss (gain) on risk derivatives

    7,032       (16,910 )

Adjustment into earnings for gain on derivatives from other comprehensive income

    (10,029 )     —    

Amortization of deferred costs

    2,344       4,278  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Restricted cash

    (134,696 )     (5,481 )

Mortgage loans held for sale originated, net of fees

    (11,870,478 )     (8,982,452 )

Cost of loans sold, net of fees

    7,850,953       5,789,582  

Principal payments received on loans held for sale

    98,718       52,405  

Other receivables

    (45,928 )     (15,659 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    29,467       (21,573 )

Income taxes payable

    2,311       2,676  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    9,549       3,691  
   


 


Net cash used in operating activities

    (3,844,686 )     (3,050,126 )
   


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

               

Principal payments received on loans held for investment

    1,403,442       581,562  

Capital expenditures

    (12,132 )     (18,952 )
   


 


Net cash provided by investing activities

    1,391,310       562,610  
   


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

               

Net proceeds from warehouse credit facilities

    (129,866 )     896,220  

Net proceeds from issuance of asset backed commercial paper

    985,348       —    

Proceeds from issuance of securitization bond financing, net of fees

    3,003,173       2,167,569  

Payments on securitization bond financing

    (1,417,245 )     (616,071 )

Payments on capital leases

    —         (12 )

Proceeds from sale of common stock through employee stock plans

    4,354       3,226  

Proceeds from preferred stock offering of consolidated subsidiary

    —         84,094  

Payment by consolidated subsidiary of preferred stock dividends

    (7,484 )     (1,160 )
   


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

    2,438,280       2,533,866  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    1,466       —    
   


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (13,630 )     46,350  

Beginning balance, cash and cash equivalents

    35,155       27,119  
   


 


Ending balance, cash and cash equivalents

  $ 21,525     $ 73,469  
   


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

               

Cash paid during the period for:

               

Interest

  $ 212,664     $ 74,772  

Income taxes

  $ 45,864     $ 78,194  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

               

Transfer of mortgage loans held for sale to mortgage loans held for investment

  $ 3,233,710     $ 2,570,380  

Transfer of mortgage loans held for sale to real estate owned, net of reserve, included in other assets

  $ 12,318     $ 4,721  

Transfer of mortgage loans held for investment to real estate owned, net of reserve, included in other assets

  $ 5,537     $ —    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. (“AHLHC”), a Delaware corporation, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Accredited Home Lenders, Inc. (“AHL”) and Accredited Home Lenders Canada, Inc., and AHL’s subsidiary Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (the “REIT”) (collectively referred to as “Accredited”).

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in AHLHC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Accredited engages in the business of originating, financing, securitizing, servicing and selling non-prime mortgage loans secured by residential real estate. Accredited focuses on borrowers who may not meet conforming underwriting guidelines because of higher loan-to-value ratios, the nature or absence of income documentation, limited credit histories, high levels of consumer debt, or past credit difficulties. Accredited originates loans primarily based upon the borrower’s willingness and ability to repay the loan and the adequacy of the collateral.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions included in our consolidated financial statements relate to the provision for loan losses, hedging policies and income taxes.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of financial statement presentation, Accredited considers all liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. All liquid assets with an original maturity of three months or less which are not readily available for use, including cash deposits, are classified as restricted cash.

 

Mortgage Banking Activities

 

Accredited originates, finances, securitizes, services and sells mortgage loans secured by residential real estate. Accredited recognizes interest income on loans held for sale and investment from the time that it originates the loan until the time the loans are sold. Interest income is also recognized over the life of the loans that Accredited has securitized in structures that require financing treatment. Gains on sale of loans are

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

recognized upon the sale of loans for a premium to various third-party investors under purchase and sale agreements. Loan sales may be either on a servicing retained or released basis. Loan servicing income represents fees from interim servicing for whole loan buyers, and ancillary servicing revenue for loans that Accredited securitizes net of external servicing costs and amortization of mortgage servicing rights. We do not recognize loan servicing income on our mortgage loans held for investment.

 

In the ordinary course of business, an investor may request that Accredited refund a portion of the premium paid on the sale of mortgage loans if a loan is prepaid in full within a certain amount of time from the date of sale. Accredited records a reserve for estimated premium recapture on loans sold, which is charged to gain on sale of loans.

 

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

 

Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost (including hedge basis adjustments) or market. Market is determined by current investor commitments or, in the absence of such commitments, upon current investor commitments for loans of similar credit quality. Market valuation reserves have been provided on certain non-performing loans and other loans held for sale based upon Accredited’s estimate of probable losses, generally based on Accredited’s loss history for such loans. Valuation adjustments are charged against operations.

 

Gains or losses resulting from loan sales are recognized at the time of sale, based on the difference between the net sales proceeds and the book value of the loans sold. During the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, Accredited sold $3.0 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, of loans with mortgage servicing rights released. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, Accredited sold $7.9 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively, of loans with mortgage servicing rights released.

 

Mortgage Loans Held for Investment and Securitization Bond Financing

 

Mortgage loans held for investment include loans that Accredited has securitized in structures that require financing treatment as well as mortgage loans held for a scheduled securitization. During each of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, Accredited completed one securitization of mortgage loans totaling $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, that were structured as financings under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilitiesa replacement of FASB Statement No. 125. During each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, Accredited completed securitizations of mortgage loans totaling $3.0 billion and $2.2, respectively, that were structured as financings for accounting purposes.

 

These securitizations are structured legally as sales, but for accounting purposes are treated as financings under SFAS No. 140. These securitizations do not meet the qualifying special purpose entity criteria under SFAS No. 140 and related interpretations because after the loans are securitized, the securitization trusts may acquire derivatives relating to beneficial interests retained by Accredited and, Accredited, as servicer, subject to applicable contractual provisions, has discretion, consistent with prudent mortgage servicing practices, to determine whether to sell or work out any loans securitized through the securitization trusts that become troubled. Accordingly, the loans remain on the balance sheet as “loans held for investment”, retained interests are not created, and securitization bond financing replaces the warehouse debt or asset backed commercial paper originally associated with the loans held for investment. Accredited records interest income on loans held for investment and interest expense on the bonds issued in the securitizations over the life of the securitizations. Deferred debt issuance costs and discounts related to the bonds are amortized on a level yield basis over the estimated life of the bonds.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Accredited periodically evaluates the need for or the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on its loans held for investment. Provision for loan losses on loans held for investment is made in an amount sufficient to maintain credit loss allowances at a level considered appropriate to cover probable losses in the portfolio. Accredited defines a loan as non-accruing at the time the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent under its payment terms. Probable losses are determined based on segmenting the portfolio relating to their contractual delinquency status and applying Accredited’s historical loss experience. Accredited also uses other analytical tools to determine the reasonableness of the allowance for loan losses. Loss estimates are reviewed periodically and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of Accredited’s control, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates, making it reasonably possible that they could change. Carrying values are written down to fair value when the loan is foreclosed upon or deemed uncollectible.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

As part of Accredited’s interest rate management process, Accredited uses derivative financial instruments such as futures contracts, options contracts, interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements. It is not Accredited’s policy to use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value.

 

Fair Value Hedges

 

Accredited designates certain derivative financial instruments as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133, and at trade date, these instruments and their hedging relationship are identified, designated and documented. For derivative financial instruments designated as hedge instruments, Accredited evaluates the effectiveness of these hedges against the mortgage loans being hedged to ensure that there remains adequate correlation in the hedge relationship. To hedge the effect of interest rate changes on the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale or securitization, Accredited uses derivatives as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. Once the hedge relationship is established, the realized and unrealized changes in fair value of both the hedge instrument and mortgage loans are recognized in the period in which the changes occur. Any change in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale recognized as a result of hedge accounting is reversed at the time Accredited sells the mortgage loans. This results in a correspondingly higher or lower gain on sale revenue at such time. The net amount recorded in the consolidated statements of operations is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness.

 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

During the third quarter of 2004, Accredited implemented the use of cash flow hedging on its securitization debt under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitization debt attributable to interest rate risk. During the third quarter 2005, Accredited implemented the use of cash flow hedging on its variable rate debt in Canada under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our variable rate debt in Canada attributable to interest rates. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, and recognized into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings pursuant to SFAS No. 133. At the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, Accredited assesses whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, Accredited would discontinue the application of cash flow hedge accounting prospectively. In the instance cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued, the

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

derivative will continue to be recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value. Any change in the fair value of a derivative no longer qualifying as an effective hedge is recognized in current period earnings. For terminated hedges or hedges that no longer qualify as effective, the effective portion previously recorded remains in other comprehensive income and continues to be amortized or accreted into earnings with the hedged item. The ineffective portion on the derivative instrument is reported in current earnings as a component of interest expense.

 

For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the period in which the changes occur and realized gains and losses are recognized in the period in which such instruments are settled.

 

Provision for Losses

 

Market valuation adjustments have been recorded on certain nonperforming loans, other loans held for sale and real estate owned. These adjustments are based on Accredited’s estimate of probable losses, calculated using loss severity and loss frequency rate assumptions and are based on the value that Accredited could reasonably expect to obtain from a sale, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Provision for losses on loans held for investment is recorded in an amount sufficient to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level considered appropriate to cover probable losses on such loans. Provision for losses also includes net losses on real estate owned. Accredited accrues liabilities associated with loans sold which may be required to be repurchased due to breaches of representations and warranties or early payment defaults. Accredited periodically evaluates the estimates used in calculating expected losses and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of Accredited’s control and as uncertainty is inherent in these estimates, actual amounts charged-off could differ from amounts recorded.

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income is recorded when earned. Interest income represents the interest earned on mortgage loans held for sale and on mortgage loans held for investment. For loans that are 90 days or more delinquent, Accredited reverses income previously recognized but not collected, and ceases to accrue income until all past-due amounts are collected. In addition, Accredited calculates an effective yield based on the carrying amount of our residual interest in off-balance sheet securitizations and Accredited’s then-current estimates of future cash flows and recognizes accretion income, which is included as a component of interest income. Interest income also includes revenue related to our mortgage loans held for investment (on-balance sheet securitizations), contractually designated as servicing income but classified as interest income for accounting purposes.

 

Escrow and Fiduciary Funds

 

Accredited maintains segregated bank accounts in trust for the benefit of investors for payments on securitized loans and mortgage loans serviced for investors. Accredited also maintains bank accounts for the benefit of borrowers’ property tax and hazard insurance premium payments that are escrowed by borrowers. These bank accounts totaled $120.5 million and $101.9 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, and are excluded from Accredited’s assets and liabilities.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured by applying enacted tax rates and laws to

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

taxable years in which such temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established, if necessary, based on management’s determination of the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets.

 

Real Estate Owned

 

Real estate acquired in settlement of loans generally results when property collateralizing a loan is foreclosed upon or otherwise acquired by Accredited in satisfaction of the loan. Real estate acquired through foreclosure is carried at lower of cost or its fair value less costs to dispose. Fair value is based on the net amount that Accredited could reasonably expect to receive for the asset in a current sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Adjustments to the carrying value of real estate owned are made through valuation allowances and charge-offs recognized through a charge to earnings. Legal fees and other direct costs incurred after foreclosure are expensed as incurred. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, real estate owned amounting to $10.6 million and $6.1 million, net of valuation allowances, respectively, was included in prepaid and other assets.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Accredited currently accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of Accredited’s stock at the date of grant over the grant price.

 

SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, encourages, but does not require, companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value.

 

Accredited has adopted the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123. Had compensation cost for Accredited’s stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for options consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accredited’s net income would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Net income, as reported

   $ 41,291     $ 35,877     $ 112,151     $ 92,677  

Add: Stock-based compensation included in reported net income, net of tax

     16       85       190       164  

Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined using fair value method, net of tax

     (431 )     (491 )     (2,071 )     (1,473 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 40,876     $ 35,471     $ 110,270     $ 91,368  
    


 


 


 


Earnings per share:

                                

Basic—as reported

   $ 1.95     $ 1.75     $ 5.34     $ 4.57  
    


 


 


 


Basic—pro forma

   $ 1.93     $ 1.73     $ 5.25     $ 4.50  
    


 


 


 


Diluted—as reported

   $ 1.87     $ 1.66     $ 5.11     $ 4.31  
    


 


 


 


Diluted—pro forma

   $ 1.85     $ 1.64     $ 5.03     $ 4.25  
    


 


 


 


 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The fair value of each option grant and purchase right is estimated as of the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted average risk free rate applied is for a period commensurate with the expected life of the options or purchase rights. Accredited’s historical volatility is used for options or purchase rights where there is sufficient history to correspond with the term of the option or purchase right. Where there is insufficient history due to the limited time that Accredited has been a publicly traded company, Accredited’s volatility is calculated as an average of its own volatility and the mean of its closest competitors’ volatility for the respective periods. The underlying assumptions used to estimate the fair values of options and purchase rights granted are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
         2005    

        2004    

        2005    

        2004    

 

Weighted average risk free rate for options

     3.88 %     2.97 %     3.52 %     2.36 %

Weighted average expected option life

     2.5 yrs       2.7 yrs       2.7 yrs       2.7 yrs  

Expected stock price volatility for options

     46 %     50 %     45 %     54.5 %

Expected dividend yield

     —         —         —         —    

Weighted average fair value of options granted with an exercise price equal to market price on grant date

   $ 14.13     $ 10.22     $ 14.08     $ 12.70  

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which also supersedes APB 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. The revised standard eliminates the alternative to use Opinion 25’s intrinsic value method of accounting and eliminates the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123. The compliance date for the revised standard was extended by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in April 2005. The revised standard applies to all awards granted after December 31, 2005 and requires the recognition of compensation expense in the financial statements for all share-based payment transactions subsequent to that date. The revised standard also requires the prospective recognition of compensation expense in the financial statements for all unvested options after January 1, 2006. Adoption of this standard on January 1, 2006 will have a negative impact on our earnings based on the pro forma data in the table above.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Other comprehensive net income includes unrealized gains and losses that are excluded from the consolidated Statements of Operations and are reported as a separate component in stockholders’ equity. The unrealized gains and losses include unrealized gains and losses on the effective portion of cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation adjustments.

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 is determined as follows:

 

    

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


 

Balance at December 31, 2004

   $ 2,042  

Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $11,424

     18,247  

Reclassification adjustment into earnings for realized gain on derivatives, net of taxes of $3,985

     (6,044 )

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     1,885  
    


Balance at September 30, 2005

   $ 16,130  
    


 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Comprehensive income is determined as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Net income

   $ 41,291     $ 35,877     $ 112,151     $ 92,677  

Net unrealized gains or losses on cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $8,027, ($1,240), $11,424 and ($1,240) respectively

     13,180       (1,921 )     18,247       (1,921 )

Reclassification adjustment into earnings for realized gain on derivatives, net of taxes of ($1,535), $0, ($3,985) and $0, respectively

     (2,342 )     —         (6,044 )     —    

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     1,615       —         1,885       —    
    


 


 


 


Total comprehensive income

   $ 53,744     $ 33,956     $ 126,239     $ 90,756  
    


 


 


 


 

Segment Reporting

 

Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. These segments should engage in business activities and have discrete financial information available, such as revenue, expenses, and assets. While Accredited’s management monitors originations and sales gains by wholesale and retail channels, it does not record any of the actual financial results other than direct expenses by these groups. In addition, the retail originations have generally been less than 10% of total originations over the past five years. Accordingly, Accredited operates in one reportable operating segment.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain items in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported net income. We have reclassified $2.9 billion of cash used for the origination of mortgage loans from investing activities to operating activities in the cash flow statement for the period ended September 30, 2004 to conform to the September 30, 2005 presentation.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which also supersedes APB 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. The revised standard eliminates the alternative to use Opinion 25’s intrinsic value method of accounting and eliminates the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123. The compliance date for the revised standard was extended by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in April 2005. The revised standard applies to all awards granted after December 31, 2005 and requires the recognition of compensation expense in the financial statements for all share-based payment transactions subsequent to that date. The revised standard also requires the prospective recognition of compensation expense in the financial statements for all unvested options after January 1, 2006. Adoption of this standard on January 1, 2006 will have a negative impact on our earnings based on the pro forma data in the table above.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

2. CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK

 

Significant Customers

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2005, Accredited sold $1.0 billion, $0.7 billion and $0.6 billion in loans to three separate investors, which represented 34%, 25% and 19%, respectively, of total loans sold. During the three months ended September 30, 2004, Accredited sold $0.8 billion, $0.6 billion and $0.5 billion in loans to three separate investors, which represented 34%, 25% and 22%, respectively, of total loans sold.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, Accredited sold $2.0 billion, $1.8 billion and $1.0 billion in loans to three separate investors, which represented 26%, 22% and 13%, respectively, of total loans sold. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, Accredited sold $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion in loans to two separate investors, which represented 32% and 30%, respectively, of total loans sold.

 

No other sales to individual investors accounted for more than 10% of total loans sold during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.

 

Credit Repurchase Risk

 

Accredited’s sales of mortgage loans are subject to standard mortgage industry representations and warranties, material violations of which may require Accredited to repurchase one or more mortgage loans. Additionally, certain whole loan sale contracts include provisions requiring Accredited to repurchase a loan if a borrower fails to make one or more of the first loan payments due on the loan. During the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 loans repurchased totaled $21.3 million and $8.3 million, respectively, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 loans repurchased totaled $55.3 million and $21.7 million, respectively, pursuant to these provisions. The increase in repurchase activity results primarily from a modification to our typical sales agreement requiring our buyers to notify us promptly of their intent to exercise their repurchase right coupled with a more diligent review of loan payment performance on the part of our buyers. While we are unable to accurately predict the future level of repurchase activity, we expect repurchases to stabilize at current levels. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the reserve for potential future repurchase losses totaled $6.8 million and $5.1 million, respectively.

 

Geographic Concentration

 

Properties securing the mortgage loans in Accredited’s servicing portfolio (loans held for sale, loans held for investment and off-balance sheet securitizations), including loans subserviced, are geographically dispersed throughout the United States and, to a much lesser extent, in Canada. At September 30, 2005, 23% and 10% of the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans in Accredited’s servicing portfolio were secured by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. At September 30, 2004, 33% of the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans in Accredited’s servicing portfolio were secured by properties located in California. The remaining properties securing mortgage loans serviced did not exceed 10% in any other state at September 30, 2005 and 2004.

 

Loan originations are geographically dispersed throughout the United States and, to a much lesser extent, in Canada. During the three months ended September 30, 2005, 18% and 11% of loans originated were collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2004, 28% and 7% of loans originated were collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, 20% and 11% of loans originated were

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, 29% and 8% of loans originated were collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. The remaining originations did not exceed 10% in any other state during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.

 

An overall decline in the economy or the residential real estate market, or the occurrence of a natural disaster that is not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies, such as an earthquake, hurricane or wildfire, could decrease the value of mortgaged properties. This, in turn, would increase the risk of delinquency, default or foreclosure on mortgage loans in our portfolio and restrict our ability to originate, sell, or securitize mortgage loans, which would significantly harm our business, financial condition and liquidity. While we have not completed our assessment of potential losses stemming from the recent hurricanes in the southeastern United States, we do not expect the resulting losses to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

 

3. MORTGAGE LOANS

 

Mortgage loans held for sale—Mortgage loans held for sale were as follows:

 

     September 30,
2005


   

December 31,

2004


 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Mortgage loans held for sale—principal balance

   $ 2,370,788     $ 1,805,620  

Basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting

     882       5  

Net deferred origination costs (fees)

     (1,551 )     1,574  

Market reserve

     (20,734 )     (17,065 )
    


 


Mortgage loans held for sale, net

   $ 2,349,385     $ 1,790,134  
    


 


 

Mortgage loans held for investment—Mortgage loans held for investment were as follows:

 

     September 30,
2005


   

December 31,

2004


 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Mortgage loans held for investment—principal balance

   $ 5,874,947     $ 4,101,982  

Mortgage loans held for securitization

     810,833       642,451  

Basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting

     (579 )     12,365  

Net deferred origination fees

     (8,034 )     (5,902 )

Allowance for loan losses

     (95,728 )     (60,138 )
    


 


Mortgage loans held for investment, net

   $ 6,581,439     $ 4,690,758  
    


 


 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Reserves for losses—Activity in the reserves was as follows:

 

    

Balance at

Beginning

of Period


  

Provision

for Losses


  

Chargeoffs,

net


    Transfers

   

Balance at

End of

Period


     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30,:

                                    

2005:

                                    

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 19,119    $ 2,768    $ (1,153 )   $ —       $ 20,734

Mortgage loans held for investment

     84,228      12,694      (1,194 )     —         95,728

Real estate owned

     7,010      2,733      (1,784 )     —         7,959

Reserve for repurchases included in accrued liabilities

     6,328      973      (533 )     —         6,768
    

  

  


 


 

Total

   $ 116,685    $ 19,168    $ (4,664 )   $ —       $ 131,189
    

  

  


 


 

2004:

                                    

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 13,699    $ 1,281    $ (608 )   $       $ 14,372

Mortgage loans held for investment

     39,077      11,806      (557 )     (677 )     49,649

Real estate owned

     2,174      853      (1,017 )     677       2,687

Reserve for repurchases included in accrued liabilities

     5,468      476      (180 )     —         5,764
    

  

  


 


 

Total

   $ 60,418    $ 14,416    $ (2,362 )   $ —       $ 72,472
    

  

  


 


 

     Balance at
Beginning
of Period


   Provision
for Losses


   Chargeoffs,
net


    Transfers

    Balance at
End of
Period


     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,:

                                    

2005:

                                    

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 17,065    $ 7,111    $ (3,442 )   $ —       $ 20,734

Mortgage loans held for investment

     60,138      38,681      (3,091 )     —         95,728

Real estate owned

     4,405      7,696      (4,142 )     —         7,959

Reserve for repurchases included in accrued liabilities

     5,126      2,977      (1,335 )     —         6,768
    

  

  


 


 

Total

   $ 86,734    $ 56,465    $ (12,010 )   $ —       $ 131,189
    

  

  


 


 

2004:

                                    

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 9,698    $ 4,943    $ (1,811 )   $ 1,542     $ 14,372

Mortgage loans held for investment

     21,762      32,497      (1,060 )     (3,550 )     49,649

Real estate owned

     2,328      1,456      (3,105 )     2,008       2,687

Reserve for repurchases included in accrued liabilities

     5,444      812      (492 )     —         5,764
    

  

  


 


 

Total

   $ 39,232    $ 39,708    $ (6,468 )   $ —       $ 72,472
    

  

  


 


 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The following tables summarize the historical loss and delinquency amounts for the serviced portfolio, including mortgage loans and real estate owned:

 

     At September 30, 2005

   At December 31, 2004

     Total
Principal
Amount


   Delinquent
Principal
Over 90
Days


   Total
Principal
Amount


   Delinquent
Principal
Over 90
Days


     (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)          

Mortgage loans held for sale(1)

   $ 2,370,788    $ 18,176    $ 1,805,620    $ 18,556

Mortgage loans held for investment

     6,685,780      49,082      4,744,433      22,634

Mortgage loans sold servicing retained

     101,157      8,638      171,002      16,493

Real estate owned

     18,508      18,508      10,526      10,526
    

  

  

  

Total serviced portfolio

   $ 9,176,233    $ 94,404    $ 6,731,581    $ 68,209
    

  

  

  

 

     Credit Losses, net of recoveries

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


   Nine Months Ended
September 30,


         2005    

       2004    

       2005    

       2004    

     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Mortgage loans held for sale(1)

   $ 1,686    $ 788    $ 4,777    $ 2,303

Mortgage loans held for investment

     1,194      557      3,091      1,060

Real estate owned

     1,784      1,017      4,142      3,105
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 4,664    $ 2,362    $ 12,010    $ 6,468
    

  

  

  


(1) Includes loans repurchased.

 

4. OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

Other receivables were as follows:

 

    

September 30,

2005


   December 31,
2004


     (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)     

Deposit in derivative margin account

   $ 45,003    $ 15,457

Accrued interest on mortgage loans

     39,340      28,852

Corporate, escrow and servicing advances

     10,365      10,491

Other

     3,718      2,858
    

  

Total

   $ 98,426    $ 57,658
    

  

 

5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Fair Value Hedges

 

Accredited uses hedge accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 133 for certain derivative financial instruments used to hedge its mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans held for investment. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 fair value hedge basis adjustments of $881,940 and $5,000, respectively, are included as an addition to mortgage loans held for sale related to the $1.1 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, of such loans designated as the hedged assets. Hedge ineffectiveness associated with these

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

fair value hedges of ($57.6 thousand) and $0.3 million was recorded in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and is included as an addition to gain on sale of loans in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, fair value hedge basis adjustments of ($0.6 million) and $12.4 million, respectively, are included in loans held for investment. No hedge ineffectiveness associated with these fair value hedges was recorded in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, as Accredited has discontinued fair value hedge accounting on loans held for investment.

 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

During the third quarter of 2004, Accredited implemented the use of cash flow hedge accounting on its securitization debt under SFAS No. 133. Previously Accredited had been using fair value hedge accounting, but elected to add this alternative method to accommodate elements of the REIT requirements. The net impact on earnings is not expected to be materially different under the two methods. Effective unrealized gains, net of effective unrealized losses, associated with cash flow hedges of $21.2 million, reduced by related tax expense of $8.0 million, were recorded in other comprehensive income during the three months ended September 30, 2005, which is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. Effective unrealized gains, net of effective unrealized losses, associated with cash flow hedges of $29.7 million, reduced by related tax expense of $11.4 million, were recorded in other comprehensive income during the nine months ended September 30, 2005, which is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. These contracts settle on various dates ranging from December 2005 to June 2014. A total of $19.5 million in net effective gains before taxes, included in other comprehensive income at September 30, 2005, is expected to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months. Hedge ineffectiveness associated with cash flow hedges of $1.5 million and $2.0 million was recorded in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and is included as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

During the third quarter 2005, Accredited implemented the use of cash flow hedge accounting on its variable rate debt in Canada under SFAS No. 133.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Futures Contracts, Options Contracts, Interest Rate Swap and Cap Agreements and Margin Accounts

 

At September 30, 2005 Accredited had outstanding futures contracts, options contracts, interest rate swap agreements and interest rate cap agreements that were designated as hedge instruments. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the fair value of the margin account balances required for these derivatives and the futures contracts was $45.0 million and $15.5 million, respectively, and is included in other receivables. At September 30, 2005, the fair value of the options contracts, interest rate swap and cap agreements was $3.9 million, $12.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and is included in other assets. At December 31, 2004, the fair value of the options contracts, interest rate swap and cap agreements was $1.0 million, $1.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The total net liquidation value at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 of these derivatives and related margin account balances was $61.8 million and $18.6 million, respectively. A gain of $0.3 million and a gain of $2.0 million on derivative instruments not designated for SFAS No. 133 hedge accounting treatment was recorded in interest expense on the statement of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, relating to the gain in value of interest rate cap agreements and interest rate swap agreements. The change in the fair value of derivative financial instruments and the related hedged asset recorded in the statement of operations was as follows:

 

     Interest
Income


    Interest
Expense


    Gain on
Sale


    Other
Income


    Total

 
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Three months ended September 30,

                                        

2005:

                                        

Net unrealized loss

   $ (1,046 )   $ (3,970 )   $ (5,464 )   $ —       $ (10,480 )

Net realized gain

     —         9,372       13,334       —         22,706  
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ (1,046 )   $ 5,402     $ 7,870     $ —       $ 12,226  
    


 


 


 


 


2004:

                                        

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ (1,859 )   $ (204 )   $ 23,834     $ 9     $ 21,780  

Net realized loss

     (886 )     —         (23,012 )     (157 )     (24,055 )
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ (2,745 )   $ (204 )   $ 822     $ (148 )   $ (2,275 )
    


 


 


 


 


Nine months ended September 30,

                                        

2005:

                                        

Net unrealized loss

   $ (4,506 )   $ (11,303 )   $ (2,690 )   $ —       $ (18,499 )

Net realized gain

     —         24,665       16,324       46       41,035  
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ (4,506 )   $ 13,362     $ 13,634     $ 46     $ 22,536  
    


 


 


 


 


2004:

                                        

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ (4,269 )   $ (204 )   $ 18,925     $ 615     $ 15,067  

Net realized loss

     (3,578 )     —         (17,671 )     (617 )     (21,866 )
    


 


 


 


 


Total

   $ (7,847 )   $ (204 )   $ 1,254     $ (2 )   $ (6,799 )
    


 


 


 


 


 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

6. WAREHOUSE CREDIT FACILITIES

 

Outstanding warehouse credit facilities consist of committed credit lines bearing interest based on One-Month LIBOR plus a spread. The spread over LIBOR varies depending on the mortgage asset class being financed. The interest rates (One-Month LIBOR plus the spread) ranged from 3.44% to 7.34% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The warehouse credit facilities are collateralized by the mortgage loans held for sale and certain subordinated securitized bonds. The outstanding warehouse credit facilities consisted of the following:

 

     September 30,
2005


  

December 31,

2004


     (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)     

A $660 million warehouse credit facility expiring December 2006

   $ 482,546    $ 266,436

A $500 million warehouse credit facility expiring January 2006

     367,147      376,290

A $600 million warehouse credit facility expiring December 2005

     336,520      210,979

A $600 million warehouse credit facility expiring January 2006

     288,774      371,213

A $300 million warehouse credit facility expiring November 2005

     285,647      269,020

A $650 million warehouse credit facility expiring July 2006

     228,480      277,280

An $85.4 million warehouse credit facility expiring June 2006

     73,179      —  

A $40 million warehouse credit facility expiring November 2006

     12,701      28,826

A $650 million warehouse credit facility expiring January 2006

     —        404,816
    

  

Total warehouse credit facilities

   $ 2,074,994    $ 2,204,860
    

  

 

At September 30, 2005, Accredited was in compliance with all covenant requirements for each of the facilities. Accredited’s warehouse and other credit facilities contain customary covenants including minimum liquidity, profitability and net worth requirements and limitations on other indebtedness. If Accredited fails to comply with any of these covenants or otherwise defaults under a facility, the lender has the right to terminate the facility and require immediate repayment that may require sale of the collateral at less than optimal terms. In addition, if Accredited defaults under one facility, it would generally trigger a default under Accredited’s other facilities.

 

Accredited anticipates that its borrowings will be repaid from net proceeds from the sale of loans and other assets, cash flows from operations, or from refinancing the borrowings. Accredited believes that it can continue to comply with loan covenants and that other alternative sources of credit are available to Accredited to repay maturing loans if anticipated asset sales are not completed by loan due dates.

 

7. ASSET BACKED COMMERCIAL PAPER

 

During the second quarter of 2005, Accredited issued commercial paper in the form of short-term secured liquidity notes (“SLNs”) with initial maturities ranging from one to 180 days and $40.0 million of subordinated notes maturing in five years. In order to issue the debt, Accredited established a special purpose, bankruptcy remote Delaware statutory trust. The trust entered into agreements with third parties who act as back-up liquidity providers. The SLNs bear interest at customary commercial paper market rates, which vary depending on the prevailing market conditions. The capacity of this facility at September 30, 2005, was $1.0 billion of which $985.3 million was outstanding. For the ninety-two days during the quarter this facility was outstanding, the average borrowings outstanding under this facility were $952.0 million, and the weighted average interest rate was approximately 3.82%. The facility is collateralized by mortgage loans held for sale or securitization and certain restricted cash balances.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

8. SECURITIZATION BOND FINANCING

 

Securitization bond financing consisted of the following:

 

    

September 30,

2005


    December 31,
2004


 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Series 2002-1 securitization with a stated maturity date of July 25, 2032 and an interest rate of 4.93% for the fixed portion of the bond and One-Month LIBOR plus 0.32% for the variable rate portion of the bond

   $ 32,384     $ 64,644  

Series 2002-2 securitization with a stated maturity date range of January 25, 2033 through February 25, 2033 and an interest rate of 4.48% for the fixed portion of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.49% to One-Month LIBOR plus 0.50% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     144,256       221,021  

Series 2003-1 securitization with a stated maturity date of June 25, 2033 and an interest rate of 3.58% for the fixed portion of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.35% to One-Month LIBOR plus 0.38% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     87,282       147,530  

Series 2003-2 securitization with a stated maturity date of October 25, 2033 and an interest rate of 4.23% for the fixed portion of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.35% to One-Month LIBOR plus 0.37% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     159,373       251,278  

Series 2003-3 securitization with a stated maturity date of January 25, 2034 and an interest rate of 4.46% for the fixed portion of the bond and One-Month LIBOR plus 0.38% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     225,201       342,386  

Series 2004-1 securitization with a stated maturity date of April 25, 2034 and an interest rate of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.30%

     250,116       384,857  

Series 2004-2 securitization with a stated maturity date of July 25, 2034 and an interest rate range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.29% to One-Month LIBOR plus 0.30%

     422,332       604,229  

Series 2004-3 securitization with a stated maturity date of October 25, 2034 and an interest rate range of 2.90% to 5.25% for the fixed portions of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.17% to One-Month LIBOR plus 2.50% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     659,606       928,914  

Series 2004-4 securitization with a stated maturity date of January 25, 2035 and an interest rate of 5.25% for the fixed portion of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.15% to One-Month LIBOR plus 1.80% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     786,716       1,012,214  

Series 2005-1 securitization with a stated maturity date of April 25, 2035 and an interest rate of range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.10% to One-Month LIBOR plus 2.50%

     770,928       —    

Series 2005-2 securitization with a stated maturity date of July 25, 2035 and an interest rate of range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.10% to One-Month LIBOR plus 2.50%

     922,428       —    

Series 2005-3 securitization with a stated maturity date of September 25, 2035 and an interest rate of range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.10% to One-Month LIBOR plus 1.70%

     1,093,492       —    
    


 


       5,554,114       3,957,073  

Unamortized bond discounts

     (3,766 )     (2,958 )
    


 


Total securitization bond financing, net

   $ 5,550,348     $ 3,954,115  
    


 


 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The bonds are collateralized by loans held for investment with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $5.7 billion and $4.1 billion as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs, included in prepaid and other assets, are $18.4 million and $14.1 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

Amounts collected on the mortgage loans are remitted to the respective trustees, who in turn distribute such amounts each month to the bondholders, together with other amounts received related to the mortgage loans, net of fees payable to Accredited, the trustee and the insurer of the bonds. Any remaining funds after payment of fees and distribution of principal and interest is known as excess interest.

 

The securitization agreements require that a certain level of overcollateralization be maintained for the bonds. A portion of the excess interest may be initially distributed as principal to the bondholders to increase the level of overcollateralization. Once a certain level of overcollateralization has been reached, excess interest is no longer distributed as principal to the bondholders, but, rather, is passed through to Accredited. Should the level of overcollateralization fall below a required level, excess interest will again be paid as principal to the bondholders until the required level has been reached.

 

The securitization agreements provide that if delinquencies or losses on the underlying mortgage loans exceed certain maximums, the required levels of credit enhancement would be increased.

 

Due to the potential for prepayments of mortgage loans, the early distribution of principal to the bondholders and the optional clean-up call, the bonds are not necessarily expected to be outstanding through the stated maturity date set forth above.

 

The following table summarizes the expected repayments relating to the securitization bond financing at September 30, 2005 and are based on anticipated receipts of principal and interest on underlying mortgage loan collateral using historical prepayment speeds:

 

    

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)


 

Three months ending December 31, 2005

   $ 446,869  

Years Ending December 31:

        

2006

     2,093,748  

2007

     1,258,389  

2008

     563,024  

2009

     365,390  

2010

     261,614  

Thereafter

     565,080  

Discount

     (3,766 )
    


Total

   $ 5,550,348  
    


 

9. INCOME TAXES

 

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.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The tax effects of significant items comprising Accredited’s net deferred tax (liability) asset were as follows:

 

    

September 30,

2005


    December 31,
2004


 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Deferred tax assets:

                

Loans held for sale

   $ 17,437     $ 13,071  

Market reserve on loans held for sale

     9,757       8,659  

Loan securitizations

     27,248       16,921  

State taxes

     4,720       4,594  

Other reserves and accruals

     6,529       2,491  
    


 


Total deferred tax assets

     65,691       45,736  
    


 


Deferred tax liabilities:

                

Mortgage-related securities

     (10,833 )     (10,161 )

Investment in real estate investment trust

     (48,326 )     —    

Cash flow hedging

     (8,736 )     (1,325 )
    


 


Total deferred tax liabilities

     (67,895 )     (11,486 )
    


 


Net deferred tax asset

   $ —       $ 34,250  
    


 


Net deferred tax liability

   $ (2,204 )   $ —    
    


 


 

The income tax provision consists of the following:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

   2004

    2005

   2004

 
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Current:

                              

Federal

   $ 24,057    $ (1,352 )   $ 40,580    $ 50,432  

State

     4,017      (1,748 )     7,595      11,154  
    

  


 

  


Total current provision

     28,074      (3,100 )     48,175      61,586  
    

  


 

  


Deferred:

                              

Federal

     255      20,345       22,472      (742 )

State

     1,188      5,989       6,570      257  
    

  


 

  


Total deferred provision (benefit)

     1,443      26,334       29,042      (485 )
    

  


 

  


Total provision

   $ 29,517    $ 23,234     $ 77,217    $ 61,101  
    

  


 

  


 

The deferred income tax expense resulted from temporary differences in the recognition of revenues and expenses for tax and financial statement purposes.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The following is a reconciliation of the provision computed using the statutory federal income tax rate to the income tax provision reflected in the statements of operations:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,


    Nine Months Ended
September 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Federal income tax at statutory rate

   $ 25,656     $ 21,095     $ 68,898     $ 54,228  

State income tax, net of federal effects

     3,383       2,756       9,207       7,417  

REIT dividends on preferred stock

     (873 )     —         (2,619 )     —    

Other

     1,351       (617 )     1,731       (544 )
    


 


 


 


Total provision

   $ 29,517     $ 23,234     $ 77,217     $ 61,101  
    


 


 


 


 

Accredited recorded $0.8 million and $2.9 million, during the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, and $3.7 million and $5.6 million, during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, as a reduction in income taxes payable for corporate tax deductions arising from the sale by employees of common stock they acquired from employee stock plans prior to the fulfillment of the required tax holding periods for such stock. These benefits have been reflected as additional paid in capital in stockholders’ equity.

 

10. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were as follows:

 

    

September 30,

2005


   December 31,
2004


     (In thousands)
     (unaudited)     

Accrued liabilities—payroll

   $ 25,042    $ 20,678

Accrued liabilities—general

     26,550      18,401

Reserve for repurchases and premium recapture

     7,521      7,536
    

  

Total

   $ 59,113    $ 46,615
    

  

 

11. MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY

 

In May 2004, AHL formed a subsidiary, Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (REIT), for the purpose of acquiring, holding and managing real estate assets. All of the outstanding common shares of the REIT are held by AHL, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of AHLHC. The REIT, in 2004, issued Series A Preferred Shares to outside investors in the aggregate amount of $102.3 million. The Series A Preferred Shares bear a dividend of 9.75% annually.

 

The REIT has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and intends to comply with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the REIT will generally not be subject to federal or state income tax to the extent that its distributions to shareholders satisfy the real estate investment trust requirements and certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met.

 

In December 2004, the REIT’s board of trustees declared dividends on common stock of which $50 million was paid in December 2004 and $5 million was paid in January 2005.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

In March, June and September of 2005, the REIT’s board of trustees declared a quarterly cash dividend on the preferred shares at the rate of $0.609375 per share to shareholders of record on March 15, June 15 and September 15, which aggregated approximately $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

AHLHC irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the holders of each share of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the REIT or Accredited may have or assert: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) payable on the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid dividends) payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares redeemed by the REIT and (iii) the liquidation preference, if any, payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares. AHLHC’s guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to AHLHC’s indebtedness, on parity with the most senior class of AHLHC’s preferred stock and senior to AHLHC’s common stock. At September 30, 2005, the aggregate redemption value of the total preferred shares outstanding was $102.3 million. Based on total preferred shares outstanding at December 31, 2004, the REIT’s current annual preferred dividend obligation totals $10.0 million.

 

The preferred shares are reported as minority interest in subsidiary in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

12. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the weighted average number of unissued, vested restricted common stock awards for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if net income were divided by the weighted average number of common shares and unissued, vested restricted common stock awards, plus potential common shares from outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock awards where the effect of those securities is dilutive. The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 

     Net Income
(numerator)


   Shares
(denominator)


   Per Share
Amount


     (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30,:

                  

2005:

                  

Basic earnings per share

   $ 41,291    21,217    $ 1.95
                

Effect of dilutive shares:

                  

Stock options

          610       

Restricted stock

          232       
    

  
      

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 41,291    22,059    $ 1.87
    

  
  

Potentially dilutive stock options not included above since they are antidilutive

          317       
           
      

2004:

                  

Basic earnings per share

   $ 35,877    20,470    $ 1.75
                

Effect of dilutive shares:

                  

Stock options

          963       

Restricted stock

          147       
    

  
      

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 35,877    21,580    $ 1.66
    

  
  

Potentially dilutive stock options not included above since they are antidilutive

          173       
           
      

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

     Net Income
(numerator)


   Shares
(denominator)


   Per Share
Amount


     (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,:

                  

2005:

                  

Basic earnings per share

   $ 112,151    21,017    $ 5.34
                

Effect of dilutive shares:

                  

Stock options

          678       

Restricted stock

          237       
    

  
      

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 112,151    21,932    $ 5.11
    

  
  

Potentially dilutive stock options not included above since they are antidilutive

          272       
           
      

2004:

                  

Basic earnings per share

   $ 92,677    20,287    $ 4.57
                

Effect of dilutive shares:

                  

Stock options

          1,071       

Restricted stock

          158       
    

  
      

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 92,677    21,516    $ 4.31
    

  
  

Potentially dilutive stock options not included above since they are antidilutive

          170       
           
      

 

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Accredited is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its borrowers. These financial instruments primarily represent commitments to fund loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate risk and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The credit risk is mitigated by Accredited’s evaluation of the creditworthiness of potential mortgage loan borrowers on a case-by-case basis. Accredited does not guarantee interest rates to potential borrowers when an application is received. Interest rates conditionally approved following the initial underwriting of applications are subject to adjustment if any conditions are not satisfied. Accredited commits to originate loans, in many cases dependent on the borrower’s satisfying various terms and conditions. These commitments totaled $812 million as of September 30, 2005.

 

Commitments to sell loans generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a commitment or a non-delivery fee.

 

Accredited periodically enters into other loan sale commitments. At September 30, 2005 forward loan sale commitments awaiting settlement amounted to $136.4 million.

 

Accredited’s mortgage banking business is subject to the rules and regulations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and state regulatory authorities with respect to originating, processing, selling and servicing mortgage loans. Those rules and regulations require, among other things, that Accredited maintain a minimum net worth of $250,000. Accredited is in compliance with these requirements.

 

From time to time, Accredited enters into certain types of contracts that contingently require Accredited to indemnify parties against third party claims and other obligations customarily indemnified in the ordinary course

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

of Accredited’s business. The terms of such obligations vary and, generally, a maximum obligation is not explicitly stated. Therefore, the overall maximum amount of the obligations cannot be reasonably estimated. Historically, Accredited has not been obligated to make significant payments for these obligations and no liabilities have been recorded for these obligations on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2005.

 

AHLHC irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the holders of each share of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends, (ii) the redemption price and (iii) the liquidation preference. See further discussion under Note 11. Minority Interest in Subsidiary.

 

During 2000, Accredited executed its own securitization structured as a sale of $174.7 million of mortgage loans originated or acquired by Accredited. The senior securities were sold to third parties, and Accredited retained a subordinated residual interest. In May 2005, the residual interest was extinguished by Accredited in a clean-up call and the loans were recorded on our books. As of September 30, 2005 we had sold nearly all of the loans received in the clean-up call. Prior to the clean-up call, Accredited’s receipt of such excess cash flows was delayed to the extent that such securitization provides credit enhancement to the senior security holders by requiring the retention in a reserve account and/or the distribution to the senior security holders, as an accelerated amortization of the principal balance of their securities, of certain amounts otherwise payable to Accredited as the residual interest holder.

 

During 2002, 2001 and 2000, Accredited sold to a third-party investor (and former related party) $75.8 million, $299.8 million and $321.0 million, respectively, of mortgage loans originated or acquired by Accredited. At June 30, 2002, the related party had a beneficial ownership interest in Accredited related to a convertible debt facility that existed at that date. Subsequently, all ownership and beneficial ownership interest were sold in connection with our initial public offering in 2003, ceasing the related party relationship. The loans were sold pursuant to three separate commitments, each for a twelve-month period different from the calendar year. Pursuant to the agreement with the investor, Accredited is entitled to receive payments based upon the amount of excess cash flows generated by Accredited’s sold loans under each commitment. The excess cash flows consist of the interest paid by the obligors of Accredited’s sold loans, less the sum of a specified yield payable to the investor, servicing fees and credit losses on Accredited’s sold loans. In general, if credit losses result in a negative excess cash flow, Accredited is obligated to pay the shortfall to the investor; provided, however, that Accredited is not obligated to reimburse the investor for credit losses in excess of 10% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans purchased by the investor under each commitment. The aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans purchased by the investor totaled $101.2 million at September 30, 2005. Accredited is also entitled to all prepayment penalties collected, as long as the rate of prepayments stay below certain thresholds. Should the thresholds be exceeded, then Accredited must share the prepayment penalties collected with the investor.

 

Legal Matters—In December 2002, AHL was served with a complaint and motion for class certification in a class action lawsuit, Wratchford et al. v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Madison County, Illinois under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, the consumer protection statutes of the other states in which AHL does business and the common law of unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges that AHL has a practice of misrepresenting and inflating the amount of fees it pays to third parties in connection with the residential mortgage loans that it funds. The plaintiffs claim to represent a nationwide class consisting of others similarly situated, that is, those who paid AHL to pay, or reimburse AHL’s payments of, third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund for the difference between what they paid and what was actually paid to the third party. The plaintiffs are seeking to recover damages on behalf of themselves and the class, in addition to pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest, and any other relief the court may grant. On January 28, 2005, the court issued an order conditionally certifying (1) a class of Illinois

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

residents with respect to the alleged violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act who, since November 19, 1997, paid money to AHL for third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund of the difference between the amount they paid to AHL and the amount AHL paid to the third party and (2) a nationwide class of claimants with respect to an unjust enrichment cause of action included in the original complaint who, since November 19, 1997 paid money to AHL for third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund of the difference between the amount they paid AHL and the amount AHL paid the third party. The court conditioned its order limiting the statutory consumer fraud act claims to claimants in the State of Illinois on the outcome of a case pending before the Illinois Supreme Court in which one of the issues is the propriety of certifying a nationwide class based on the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. That case has now been decided in a manner favorable to AHL’s position, and, in light of this ruling, AHL has filed with the court a motion for reconsideration of the court’s order granting class certification, or in the alternative, the court’s denial of AHL’s request for leave to take an interlocutory appeal of such order. If AHL’s motion for reconsideration is denied, AHL intends to petition the Illinois Supreme Court for a supervisory order reversing the lower court’s class certification decision. There has not yet been a ruling on the merits of either the plaintiffs’ individual claims or the claims of the class, and the ultimate outcome of this matter and the resulting liability, if any, are not presently determinable. AHL intends to continue to vigorously defend this matter and does not believe it will have a material adverse effect on its business.

 

In January 2004, AHL was served with a complaint, Yturralde v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Sacramento County, California. The named plaintiff is a former commissioned loan officer of AHL, and the complaint alleges that AHL violated California and federal law by misclassifying the plaintiff and other non-exempt employees as exempt employees, failing to pay the plaintiff on an hourly basis and for overtime worked, and failing to properly and accurately record and maintain payroll information. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of himself and all of our other similarly situated current and former employees, lost wages and benefits, general damages, multiple statutory penalties and interest, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit, and also seeks to enjoin further violations of wage and overtime laws and retaliation against employees who complain about such violations. AHL has been served with eleven substantially similar complaints on behalf of certain other former and current employees, which have been consolidated with the Yturralde action. AHL has appealed the court’s denial of its motion to compel arbitration of the consolidated cases, and a resolution of that appeal is not expected before early 2006. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing between the parties regarding potential settlement or mediation of the claims, and AHL has pursued and effected settlements directly with many current and former employees covered by the allegations of the complaints. A motion to certify a class has not yet been filed, and there has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiffs’ individual claims or the claims of the putative class. AHL does not believe these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, but, at the present time, the ultimate outcome of the litigation and the resulting liability, if any, are not determinable.

 

In June 2005, AHL was served with a complaint, Williams et al. v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The two named plaintiffs are former commissioned loan officers of AHL, and the complaint alleges that AHL violated federal law by requiring the plaintiffs to work overtime without compensation. The plaintiffs seek to recover, on behalf of themselves and other similarly situated employees, the allegedly unpaid overtime, liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit. A motion to certify a collective class has not yet been filed, and there has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiffs’ individual claims or the claims of the putative class, and the ultimate outcome of this matter and the resulting liability, if any, are not presently determinable. AHL intends to vigorously defend this matter and does not believe it will have a material adverse effect on its business.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

In September 2005, AHL and AHLHC were served with a class action complaint, Phillips v. Accredited Home Lenders Holding Company, et al., brought in the United States District Court, Central District of California. The complaint alleges violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act in connection with prescreened offers of credit made by AHL. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of herself and similarly situated individuals, damages, pre-judgment interest, declaratory and injunctive relief, and any other relief the court may grant. A motion to certify a class has not yet been filed, and there has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiff’s individual claims or the claims of the putative class. AHL and AHLHC intend to vigorously defend this matter. If, however, a class were to be certified and were to prevail on the merits, the potential liability could have a material adverse effect on Accredited. The ultimate outcome of this matter and the resulting liability, if any, are not presently determinable.

 

Accredited has accrued for loss contingencies with respect to the foregoing matters to the extent it is probable that a liability has been occurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not deem the amount of such accrual to be material.

 

In addition, because the nature of our business involves the collection of numerous accounts, the validity of liens and compliance with various state and federal lending laws, we are subject to various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business related to foreclosures, bankruptcies, condemnation and quiet title actions, and alleged statutory and regulatory violations. We are also subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business related to employment matters. We do not believe that the resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except par value amounts)

 

    

September 30,

2005


   December 31,
2004


 
     (unaudited)       
ASSETS                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,101    $ 4,018  

Mortgage loans held for investment, net of reserves of $87,748 and $54,960, respectively

     5,642,847      4,056,306  

Other receivables

     62,445      29,983  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     40,024      19,924  

Receivable from parent

     176,765      15,214  
    

  


Total assets

   $ 5,923,182    $ 4,125,445  
    

  


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                

LIABILITIES:

               

Securitization bond financing

   $ 5,550,348    $ 3,954,115  

Accrued interest payable

     5,541      5,206  
    

  


Total liabilities

     5,555,889      3,959,321  
    

  


STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

               

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, authorized 200,000,000 shares; 4,093,678 shares designated, issued and outstanding as 9.75% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Shares with an aggregate liquidation preference of $102,342 at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

     4,094      4,094  

Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares; 100,000 shares issued and outstanding

     1      1  

Additional paid-in capital

     231,354      163,287  

Other comprehensive income

     22,040      3,348  

Retained earnings (deficit)

     109,804      (4,606 )
    

  


Total stockholders’ equity

     367,293      166,124  
    

  


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 5,923,182    $ 4,125,445  
    

  


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)(Unaudited)

 

   

Three

Months
Ended
September 30,
2005


   

Three

Months
Ended
September 30,
2004


   

Nine

Months
Ended

September 30,
2005


   

Inception
(May 4,

2004) to
September 30,
2004


 

REVENUES:

                               

Interest income (including $1,151, $20, $1,582 and $20 from parent)

  $ 109,369     $ 30,898     $ 288,957     $ 36,512  

Interest expense

    (52,811 )     (10,732 )     (131,939 )     (12,574 )
   


 


 


 


Net interest income

    56,558       20,166       157,018       23,938  

Provision for losses

    (2,578 )     (2,432 )     (12,624 )     (3,642 )
   


 


 


 


Net interest income after provision

    53,980       17,734       144,394       20,296  

Other income

    502       117       859       118  
   


 


 


 


Total net revenues

    54,482       17,851       145,253       20,414  
   


 


 


 


OPERATING EXPENSES:

                               

Management fee assessed by parent

    6,750       2,317       18,247       2,660  

Direct general and administrative expenses

    51       5       112       5  
   


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

    6,801       2,322       18,359       2,665  
   


 


 


 


Net income

    47,681       15,529       126,894       17,749  

Dividends on preferred stock

    (2,495 )     (1,160 )     (7,484 )     (1,160 )
   


 


 


 


Net income available to common stockholders

  $ 45,186     $ 14,369     $ 119,410     $ 16,589  
   


 


 


 


Basic and diluted earnings per common share

  $ 451.86     $ 143.69     $ 1,194.10     $ 165.89  

Weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted

    100       100       100       100  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months

Ended

September 30,

2005


   

Inception

(May 4, 2004) to

September 30,

2004


 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net income

   $ 126,894     $ 17,749  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Amortization of net deferred origination costs (fees) on securitized loans

     (2,388 )     1,402  

Amortization of bond discount

     782       —    

Provision for losses

     12,624       3,642  

Unrealized loss on derivatives

     (6,808 )     —    

Adjustment into earnings for gain on derivatives from other comprehensive income

     (10,023 )     (1,140 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Other receivables

     (32,207 )     (8,904 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     32,610       (4,435 )

Accrued interest payable

     335       (35 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     121,819       8,279  
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Principal payments received on mortgage loans held for investment

     1,403,252       91,683  
    


 


Net cash provided by investing activities

     1,403,252       91,683  
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Proceeds from issuance of securitization bond financing, net of fees

     3,003,173       1,662,568  

Payments on securitization bond financing

     (1,417,245 )     (95,492 )

Payments on temporary credit facilities

     (2,942,626 )     (1,721,052 )

Net payments to parent

     (5,000 )     —    

Capital contributions from parent

     3,000       26,000  

Net increase in receivable from parent

     (161,806 )     —    

Payments of preferred stock dividends

     (7,484 )     (1,160 )

Proceeds from preferred stock offering of the consolidated subsidiary

     —         84,094  
    


 


Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,527,988 )     (45,042 )
    


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,917 )     54,920  

Beginning balance cash and cash equivalents

     4,018       —    
    


 


Ending balance cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,101     $ 54,920  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

                

Cash paid during the period for interest

   $ 144,911     $ 8,440  
    


 


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Transfer of loans held for investment to real estate owned, net of reserves, included in other assets

   $ 5,538     $ —    
    


 


Detail of assets and liabilities contributed from parent:

                

Mortgage loans, net of reserves, deferred origination costs and fair value basis adjustments for hedge accounting

   $ 3,007,919     $ 2,616,151  

Outstanding balances on warehouse credit facilities

     (2,942,626 )     (2,616,151 )
    


 


Net capital contributions from parent

   $ 65,293     $ —    
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (the “REIT”) was formed on May 4, 2004 as a Maryland real estate investment trust for the purpose of acquiring, holding and managing real estate assets. All of the outstanding common shares of the REIT are held by Accredited Home Lenders, Inc. (“AHL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co., (“Accredited”).

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005. The unaudited financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes thereto included in the REIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

The REIT engages in the business of acquiring, holding, financing, and securitizing non-prime mortgage loans secured by residential real estate. Generally, the REIT acquires mortgage assets and assumes related funding obligations from AHL, which are accounted for at AHL’s carrying value, as contributions of capital from AHL. These mortgage assets consist primarily of residential mortgage loans, or interests in these mortgage loans, that have been originated or acquired by AHL. AHL focuses on borrowers who may not meet conforming underwriting guidelines because of higher loan-to-value ratios, the nature or absence of income documentation, limited credit histories, high levels of consumer debt, or past credit difficulties. AHL originates loans primarily based upon the borrower’s willingness and ability to repay the loan and the adequacy of the collateral.

 

AHL also provides operating facilities, administration and loan servicing for the REIT. The REIT is, therefore, economically and operationally dependent on AHL, and, as such, the REIT’s results of operation or financial condition may not be indicative of the conditions that would have existed for its results of operations or financial condition if it had operated as an unaffiliated entity.

 

The REIT has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto. Accordingly, the REIT will generally not be subject to federal or state income tax to the extent that its distributions to shareholders satisfy the real estate investment trust requirements and certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions included in our consolidated financial statements relate to the provision for loan losses, hedging policies and income taxes.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of financial statement presentation, the REIT considers all liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. All liquid assets with an original maturity of three months or less which are not readily available for use, including cash deposits, are classified as restricted cash.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Mortgage Loans Held for Investment and Securitization Bond Financing

 

Mortgage loans held for investment include loans that the REIT has securitized in structures that require financing treatment. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the REIT completed one and three securitizations of mortgage loans totaling $1.1 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, structured as financings under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilitiesa replacement of FASB Statement No. 125.

 

The securitizations are structured legally as sales, but for accounting purposes are treated as financings under SFAS No. 140. The securitizations do not meet the qualifying special purpose entity criteria under SFAS No. 140 and related interpretations because after the loans are securitized, the securitization trusts may acquire derivatives relating to beneficial interests retained by the REIT and, AHL, as servicer, subject to applicable contractual provisions, has discretion, consistent with prudent mortgage servicing practices, to determine whether to sell or work out any loans securitized through the securitization trusts that become troubled. Accordingly, the loans remain on the balance sheet as “loans held for investment”, retained interests are not created for accounting purposes, and securitization bond financing replaces the warehouse debt originally associated with the loans held for investment. The REIT records interest income on loans held for investment and interest expense on the bonds issued in the securitizations over the life of the securitizations. Deferred debt issuance costs and discounts related to the bonds are amortized on a level yield basis over the estimated life of the bonds.

 

The REIT periodically evaluates the need for or the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on its mortgage loans held for investment. Provision for loan losses on mortgage loans held for investment is made in an amount sufficient to maintain credit loss allowances at a level considered appropriate to cover probable losses in the portfolio. The REIT defines a loan as non-accruing at the time the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent under its payment terms. Probable losses are determined based on segmenting the portfolio relating to their contractual delinquency status and applying the REIT’s and AHL’s historical loss experience. The REIT also uses other analytical tools to determine the reasonableness of the allowance for loan losses. Loss estimates are reviewed periodically and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of the REIT’s control, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates, making it reasonably possible that they could change. Carrying values are written down to fair value when the loan is foreclosed upon or deemed uncollectible.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

As part of the REIT’s interest rate management process, the REIT uses derivative financial instruments such as Eurodollar futures and options. In connection with some of the securitizations structured as financings, the REIT entered into interest rate cap agreements. In connection with four of the securitizations structured as financings, the REIT entered into interest rate swap agreements. It is not the REIT’s policy to use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the balance sheet at fair value.

 

Fair Value Hedges

 

The REIT designates certain derivative financial instruments as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133, and, at trade date, these instruments and their hedging relationship are identified, designated and documented. The REIT has implemented fair value hedge accounting on its mortgage loans held for investment, whereby certain derivatives are designated as a hedge of the fair value of mortgage loans held for investment. This process includes linking derivatives to specific assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. The REIT also assesses, both at

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives used in hedge transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values of hedged items. Changes in the fair value of such derivative instruments and changes in the fair value of the hedged assets, which are determined to be effective, are recorded as a component of interest income in the period of change. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the REIT discontinues hedge accounting. When hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the derivative no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative will continue to be recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value. For terminated hedges or hedges no longer qualifying as effective, the formerly hedged asset will no longer be adjusted for changes in fair value and any previously recorded adjustment to the hedged asset will be included in the carrying basis. These amounts will be included in results of operations at the time of disposition of the asset. Should the hedge prove to be perfectly effective, the current period net impact to earnings would be minimal. Accordingly, the net amount recorded in the statement of operations relating to fair value hedge accounting is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness.

 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

During the third quarter of 2004, the REIT implemented the use of cash flow hedging on its securitization debt under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133 hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitization debt attributable to interest rate risk. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, and recognized into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings pursuant to SFAS No. 133. At the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the REIT assesses whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, the REIT discontinues cash flow hedge accounting prospectively. In the instance cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative will continue to be recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value. Any change in the fair value of a derivative no longer qualifying as an effective hedge is recognized in current period earnings. For terminated hedges or hedges that no longer qualify as effective, the effective portion previously recorded remains in other comprehensive income and continues to be amortized or accreted into earnings with the hedged item. The ineffective portion on the derivative instrument is reported in current earnings as a component of interest expense.

 

For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the period in which the changes occur and realized gains and losses are recognized in the period when such instruments are settled.

 

Provision for Losses

 

Provision for losses on loans held for investment is recorded in an amount sufficient to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level considered appropriate to cover probable losses on such loans. Market valuation adjustments have been recorded on real estate owned. These adjustments are based on the REIT’s and AHL’s estimate of probable losses, calculated using loss frequency and loss severity rate assumptions and are based on the value that the REIT could reasonably expect to obtain from a sale, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Provision for losses also includes net losses on real estate owned. The REIT periodically evaluates the estimates used in calculating expected losses and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of the REIT’s control and as uncertainty is inherent in these estimates, actual amounts charged-off could differ from amounts recorded.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Interest Income

 

Interest income is recorded when earned. Interest income represents the interest earned on loans held for investment. The REIT does not accrue interest on loans that are 90 days or more delinquent.

 

Income Taxes

 

The REIT has elected to be subject to taxation as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. As a result, the REIT will generally not be subject to federal or state income tax to the extent that the REIT distributes its earnings to its shareholders and maintains its qualification as a real estate investment trust.

 

Real Estate Owned

 

Real estate acquired in settlement of loans generally results when property collateralizing a loan is foreclosed upon or otherwise acquired by AHL, as our servicer, in satisfaction of the loan. Real estate acquired through foreclosure is carried at fair value less estimated costs to dispose. Fair value is based on the net amount that the REIT could reasonably expect to receive for the asset in a current sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Adjustments to the carrying value of real estate owned are made through valuation allowances and charge-offs recognized through a charge to earnings. Legal fees and other direct costs incurred after foreclosure are expensed as incurred. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, real estate owned amounting to $5.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, net of valuation allowances, is included in other assets.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses that are excluded from the statement of operations and are reported as a separate component in stockholders’ equity. The unrealized gains and losses include unrealized gains and losses on the effective portion of cash flow hedges.

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 is determined as follows:

 

     (In thousands)
(Unaudited)


 

Balance at December 31, 2004

   $ 3,348  

Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges

     28,715  

Reclassification adjustment into earnings for realized gain on derivatives

     (10,023 )
    


Balance at September 30, 2005

   $ 22,040  
    


 

Comprehensive income is determined as follows:

 

    

Three Months

Ended

September 30,

2005


   

Three Months

Ended

September 30,

2004


   

Nine Months

Ended

September 30,

2005


   

Inception

(May 4, 2004) to

September 30,

2004


 
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Net income

   $ 47,681     $ 15,529     $ 126,894     $ 17,749  

Net unrealized gains or losses on cash flow hedges

     20,250       (1,728 )     28,715       (1,728 )

Reclassification adjustment into earnings for realized gain on derivatives

     (3,871 )     —         (10,023 )     —    
    


 


 


 


Total comprehensive income

   $ 64,060     $ 13,801     $ 145,586     $ 16,021  
    


 


 


 


 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

2. CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK

 

Geographic Concentration

 

Properties securing mortgage loans held for investment are geographically dispersed throughout the United States. At September 30, 2005, 25% and 11% of the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans held for investment were secured by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. The remaining properties securing mortgage loans did not exceed 10% in any other state at September 30, 2005.

 

An overall decline in the economy or the residential real estate market, or the occurrence of a natural disaster that is not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies, such as an earthquake, hurricane or wildfire, could decrease the value of mortgaged properties. This, in turn, would increase the risk of delinquency, default or foreclosure on mortgage loans in our portfolio. This could restrict our and AHL’s ability to originate, sell, or securitize mortgage loans, and significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. While we have not completed our assessment of potential losses stemming from the recent hurricanes in the southeastern United States, we do not expect the resulting losses to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

 

3. MORTGAGE LOANS

 

Mortgage loans held for investment—Mortgage loans held for investment were as follows:

 

     September 30,
2005


    December 31,
2004


 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Loans held for investment—principal balance

   $ 5,734,732     $ 4,101,982  

Basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting

     2,048       13,741  

Net deferred origination fees

     (6,185 )     (4,457 )

Allowance for loan losses

     (87,748 )     (54,960 )
    


 


Loans held for investment, net

   $ 5,642,847     $ 4,056,306  
    


 


 

Reserves for losses—Activity in the reserves was as follows:

 

   

Balance at

Beginning

of Period


 

Contributions

from Parent


 

Provision

for Losses


 

Chargeoffs,

net


   

Balance at End

of Period


    (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005:

                               

Mortgage loans held for investment

  $ 78,140   $ 9,685   $ 1,164   $ (1,241 )   $ 87,748

Real estate owned

    2,995     —       1,414     —         4,409
   

 

 

 


 

Total

  $ 81,135   $ 9,685   $ 2,578   $ (1,241 )   $ 92,157
   

 

 

 


 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004:

                               

Mortgage loans held for investment

  $ 15,658   $ 16,861   $ 2,432   $ (613 )   $ 34,338

Real estate owned

    —       —       —       —         —  
   

 

 

 


 

Total

  $ 15,658   $ 16,861   $ 2,432   $ (613 )   $ 34,338
   

 

 

 


 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005:

                               

Mortgage loans held for investment

  $ 54,960   $ 25,682   $ 10,243   $ (3,137 )   $ 87,748

Real estate owned

    2,028     —       2,381     —         4,409
   

 

 

 


 

Total

  $ 56,988   $ 25,682   $ 12,624   $ (3,137 )   $ 92,157
   

 

 

 


 

Inception (May 4, 2004) to September 30, 2004:

                               

Mortgage loans held for investment

  $ —     $ 31,309   $ 3,642   $ (613 )   $ 34,338

Real estate owned

    —       —       —       —         —  
   

 

 

 


 

Total

  $     $ 31,309   $ 3,642   $ (613 )   $ 34,338
   

 

 

 


 

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the loss and delinquency amounts for mortgage loans and real estate owned:

 

     At September 30, 2005

   At December 31, 2004

     Total
Principal
Amount


   Delinquent
Principal
Over 90
Days


   Total
Principal
Amount


   Delinquent
Principal
Over 90
Days


     (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)          

Mortgage loans held for investment

   $ 5,734,732    $ 49,082    $ 4,101,982    $ 22,634

Real estate owned

     10,254      10,254      4,716      4,716
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 5,744,986    $ 59,336    $ 4,106,698    $ 27,350
    

  

  

  

 

     Credit Losses, net of recoveries

    

Three Months

Ended

September 30,

2005


  

Three Months

Ended

September 30,

2004


  

Nine Months

Ended

September 30,

2005


  

Inception
(May 4, 2004) to

September 30,

2004


     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Mortgage loans held for investment

   $ 1,241    $ 613    $ 3,137    $ 613

Real estate owned

     —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 1,241    $ 613    $ 3,137    $ 613
    

  

  

  

 

4. OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

Other receivables were as follows:

 

    

September 30,

2005


   December 31,
2004


     (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)     

Accrued interest on mortgage loans

   $ 30,502    $ 22,039

Deposit in derivative margin account

     31,943      6,361

Other

     —        1,583
    

  

Total

   $ 62,445    $ 29,983
    

  

 

5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Fair Value Hedges

 

The REIT uses hedge accounting as defined by SFAS No. 133 for certain derivative financial instruments used to hedge its loans held for investment. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, fair value hedge basis adjustments of $2.0 million and $13.7 million are included as additions to loans held for investment. No hedge ineffectiveness associated with fair value hedges was recorded in earnings during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2005 or for the three months and the period from inception (May 4, 2004) to September 30, 2004, as the REIT has discontinued fair value hedge accounting on loans held for investment.

 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

During the third quarter of 2004, the REIT began utilizing cash flow hedging and implemented the use of cash flow hedge accounting on its securitization debt under SFAS No. 133. Previously, the REIT had been using

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

fair value hedge accounting, but elected to use this alternative method to accommodate elements of the REIT requirements. The net impact on earnings is not expected to be materially different under the two methods. Effective unrealized gains, net of effective unrealized losses, associated with cash flow hedges of $20.3 million and $28.7 million were recorded in other comprehensive income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, which is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. These contracts settle on various dates ranging from December 2005 to June 2014. A total of $19.1 million in net effective gains, included in other comprehensive income at September 30, 2005, is expected to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months. Hedge ineffectiveness associated with cash flow hedges of $1.5 million and $2.0 million was recorded in earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and is included as a component of interest expense in the statement of operations.

 

Futures Contracts, Options Contracts, Interest Rate Swap and Cap Agreements and Margin Accounts

 

At September 30, 2005 the REIT had outstanding futures contracts, options contracts and interest rate swap agreements that were designated as hedge instruments, as well as interest rate cap agreements. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the fair value of the margin account balances required for these derivatives and the futures contracts was $31.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively, and is included in other receivables. At September 30, 2005, the fair value of the options contracts, interest rate swap and cap agreements was $3.9 million, $11.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and is included in other assets. At December 31, 2004, the fair value of the options contracts, interest rate swap and cap agreements was $1.0 million, $1.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The total net liquidation value at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 of these derivatives and related margin account balances was $47.8 million and $9.5 million, respectively. A gain of $0.3 million and a gain of $2.0 million on derivative instruments not designated for SFAS No. 133 hedge accounting treatment was recorded in interest expense on the statement of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, relating to the gains and losses in value of interest rate cap agreements and interest rate swap agreements.

 

The change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, and the related hedged liability, recorded in the statement of operations was as follows:

 

     Interest
Income


    Interest
Expense


    Total

 
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Three months ended September 30, 2005:

                        

Net unrealized loss

   $ (1,046 )   $ (3,970 )   $ (5,016 )

Net realized gain

     —         9,372       9,372  
    


 


 


Total

   $ (1,046 )   $ 5,402     $ 4,356  
    


 


 


Three months ended September 30, 2004:

                        

Net unrealized gain

   $ 1,588     $ —       $ 1,588  

Net realized loss

     (911 )     —         (911 )
    


 


 


Total

   $ 677     $ —       $ 677  
    


 


 


Nine months ended September 30, 2005:

                        

Net unrealized loss

   $ (4,506 )   $ (11,314 )   $ (15,820 )

Net realized gain

     —         24,659       24,659  
    


 


 


Total

   $ (4,506 )   $ 13,345     $ 8,839  
    


 


 


Inception (May 4, 2004) to September 30, 2004:

                        

Net unrealized gain

   $ 826     $ —       $ 826  

Net realized loss

     (911 )     —         (911 )
    


 


 


Total

   $ (85 )   $ —       $ (85 )
    


 


 


 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

6. TEMPORARY CREDIT FACILITIES

 

In connection with the REIT’s execution of securitization transactions, AHL and the REIT, as several borrowers or sellers, may enter into warehouse transactions with lenders to finance the related mortgage loans that are to be contributed by AHL to the REIT and then subsequently securitized with permanent bond financing. The net proceeds of the securitizations are to be used by AHL or the REIT to repay the warehouse debt and pay other expenses of the securitization.

 

AHL and the REIT, as several sellers, have entered into temporary aggregate warehouse facilities to permit the securitization of mortgage loans. The duration of any one of these facilities is approximately 30 days. Each of the agreements has cross-default and cross-collateralization provisions and AHL provides a guarantee of the REIT’s obligations under the facilities; in addition, the facilities are structured so that the REIT only has monetary responsibilities for a limited period of time prior to a securitization and otherwise does not have any monetary obligations under the facilities (“REIT Transaction”). The facilities are collateralized by performing, aged and delinquent loans and bear interest based on the One-Month LIBOR. Amounts outstanding on the warehouse facilities described above during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 totaled $3.0 billion and represented the amount of loans securitized during that period. There were no outstanding borrowings on any of the temporary warehouse facilities described above at September 30, 2005.

 

AHL and the REIT, as several borrowers or sellers, may enter into or modify additional warehouse facilities during 2005 in a similar manner in contemplation of a securitization.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

7. SECURITIZATION BOND FINANCING

 

The following is a summary of the outstanding securitization bond financing:

 

    

September 30,

2005


    December 31,
2004


 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Series 2002-1 securitization with a stated maturity date of July 25, 2032 and an interest rate of 4.93% for the fixed portion of the bond and One-Month LIBOR plus 0.32% for the variable rate portion of the bond

   $ 32,384     $ 64,644  

Series 2002-2 securitization with a stated maturity date range of January 25, 2033 through February 25, 2033 and an interest rate of 4.48% for the fixed portion of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.49% to One-Month LIBOR plus 0.50% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     144,256       221,021  

Series 2003-1 securitization with a stated maturity date of June 25, 2033 and an interest rate of 3.58% for the fixed portion of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.35% to One-Month LIBOR plus 0.38% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     87,282       147,530  

Series 2003-2 securitization with a stated maturity date of October 25, 2033 and an interest rate of 4.23% for the fixed portion of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.35% to One-Month LIBOR plus 0.37% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     159,373       251,278  

Series 2003-3 securitization with a stated maturity date of January 25, 2034 and an interest rate of 4.46% for the fixed portion of the bond and One-Month LIBOR plus 0.38% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     225,201       342,386  

Series 2004-1 securitization with a stated maturity date of April 25, 2034 and an interest rate of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.30%

     250,116       384,857  

Series 2004-2 securitization with a stated maturity date of July 25, 2034 and an interest rate range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.29% to One-Month LIBOR plus 0.30%

     422,332       604,229  

Series 2004-3 securitization with a stated maturity date of October 25, 2034 and an interest rate range of 2.90% to 5.25% for the fixed portions of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.17% to One-Month LIBOR plus 2.50% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     659,606       928,914  

Series 2004-4 securitization with a stated maturity date of January 25, 2035 and an interest rate of 5.25% for the fixed portion of the bond and a range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.15% to One-Month LIBOR plus 1.80% for the variable rate portions of the bond

     786,716       1,012,214  

Series 2005-1 securitization with a stated maturity date of April 25, 2035 and an interest rate range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.10% to One-Month LIBOR plus 2.50%

     770,928       —    

Series 2005-2 securitization with a stated maturity date of July 25, 2035 and an interest rate of range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.10% to One-Month LIBOR plus 2.50%

     922,428       —    

Series 2005-3 securitization with a stated maturity date of September 25, 2035 and an interest rate of range of One-Month LIBOR plus 0.10% to One-Month LIBOR plus 1.70%

     1,093,492       —    
    


 


       5,554,114       3,957,073  

Unamortized bond discounts

     (3,766 )     (2,958 )
    


 


Total securitization bond financing, net

   $ 5,550,348     $ 3,954,115  
    


 


 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The bonds are collateralized by loans held for investment with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $5.7 billion and $4.1 billion as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs, included in other assets, are $18.4 million and $14.1 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.

 

Amounts collected on the mortgage loans are remitted to the respective trustees, who in turn distribute such amounts each month to the bondholders, together with other amounts received related to the mortgage loans, net of fees payable to the REIT, the trustee and the insurer of the bonds. Any remaining funds after payment of fees and distribution of principal and interest is known as excess interest.

 

The securitization agreements require that a certain level of overcollateralization be maintained for the bonds. A portion of the excess interest may be initially distributed as principal to the bondholders to increase the level of overcollateralization. Once a certain level of overcollateralization has been reached, excess interest is no longer distributed as principal to the bondholders, but, rather, is passed through to the REIT. Should the level of overcollateralization fall below a required level, excess interest will again be paid as principal to the bondholders until the required level has been reached.

 

The securitization agreements provide that if delinquencies or losses on the underlying mortgage loans exceed certain maximums, the required levels of credit enhancement would be increased.

 

Due to the potential for prepayment of mortgage loans, the early distribution of principal to the bondholders and the optional clean-up call, the bonds are not necessarily expected to be outstanding through the stated maturity date set forth above.

 

The following table summarizes the expected repayments relating to the securitization bond financing at September 30, 2005. Amounts listed as bond payments are based on anticipated receipts of principal and interest on underlying mortgage loan collateral using historical prepayment spreads:

 

     (In thousands)
(Unaudited)


 

Three months ending December 31, 2005

   $ 446,869  

Years Ending December 31:

        

2006

     2,093,748  

2007

     1,258,389  

2008

     563,024  

2009

     365,390  

2010

     261,614  

Thereafter

     565,080  

Unamortized bond discounts

     (3,766 )
    


Total

   $ 5,550,348  
    


 

8. INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTION OF EARNINGS

 

With the filing of its first Federal income tax return on September 9, 2005, the REIT elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust for income tax purposes in accordance with certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. As a result of this election, the REIT will generally not be subject to federal or state income tax to the extent that it distributes its earnings to its shareholders and maintains its qualification as a real estate investment trust. Currently the REIT plans to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to common and preferred shareholders.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following is a reconciliation of the income tax provision computed using the statutory federal income tax rate to the income tax provision reflected in the statement of operations:

 

    

Three Months
Ended

September 30,
2005


   

Three Months
Ended

September 30,
2004


   

Nine Months
Ended

September 30,
2005


   

Inception

(May 4, 2004) to

September 30,
2004


 
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Federal income tax at statutory rate

   $ 16,688     $ 3,529     $ 44,413     $ 4,325  

Preferred stock dividends at statutory rate

     (873 )     (406 )     (2,619 )     (406 )

Common stock dividends paid deduction

     (15,815 )     (3,123 )     (41,794 )     (3,919 )
    


 


 


 


Total provision

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    
    


 


 


 


 

9. PREFERRED STOCK

 

The Board of Trustees, or a duly authorized committee thereof, may issue up to 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series. In addition, the Board of Trustees, or duly authorized committee thereof, may fix the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption.

 

9.75% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Shares

 

The Board of Trustees and a duly authorized committee thereof has classified and designated 4,093,678 preferred shares as Series A Preferred Shares. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, there were 4,093,678 preferred shares issued and outstanding.

 

In March, June and September of 2005, the REIT’s board of trustees declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Preferred Shares at the rate of $0.609375 per share to shareholders of record on March 15, June 15 and September 15, which aggregated $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

The Series A Preferred Shares contain covenants requiring the REIT to maintain a total shareholders’ equity balance and total loans held for investment of at least $50.0 million and $2.0 billion, respectively, commencing on December 31, 2004 and at the end of each quarter thereafter. In addition, commencing with each of the four quarters ending December 31, 2005, the REIT is also required to maintain cumulative unencumbered cash flow (as defined in the agreement) greater than or equal to six times the cumulative preferred dividends required in those four quarters. If the REIT is not in compliance with any of these covenants, no dividends can be declared on the REIT’s common shares until it is in compliance with all covenants as of the end of two successive quarters. As of September 30, 2005, the REIT was in compliance with the covenants applicable to date in 2005.

 

Accredited irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the holders of each share of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the REIT or Accredited may have or assert: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) payable on the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares; (ii) the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid dividends) payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares redeemed by the REIT and (iii) the liquidation preference, if any, payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares. Accredited’s guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to Accredited’s indebtedness, on parity with the most senior class of Accredited’s preferred stock and senior to Accredited’s common stock.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

10. RECEIVABLE FROM PARENT AND ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING AGREEMENT WITH PARENT

 

The REIT has an administration and servicing agreement with its parent company, AHL, whereby AHL provides loan servicing, treasury, accounting, tax and other administrative services for the REIT in exchange for a management fee equal to 0.5% per year on the outstanding principal balance of the loans serviced, plus miscellaneous fee income collected from mortgagors including late payment charges, assumption fees and similar items. Under this agreement, either party agrees to pay interest on the net average balance payable to the other party at an annual rate equal to the Six-Month LIBOR plus 1.0%. Management fee expense and interest income under this agreement totaled $6.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively for the three months ended September 30, 2005, and $18.2 million and $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the net receivable from parent was $176.8 million and $15.2 million, respectively. During the 3rd quarter AHL borrowed approximately $150 million from the REIT and used those funds to pay down its warehouse line debt. It is anticipated that the majority of the advance outstanding at September 30, 2005 will be repaid before the current fiscal year end.

 

44


Table of Contents

ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion should be reviewed in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this document contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 3 of this Form 10-Q. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to factors discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results” and elsewhere in this report.

 

General

 

Accredited is a mortgage banking company that originates, finances, securitizes, services and sells non-prime mortgage loans secured by residential real estate throughout the United States, and, to a lesser extent, in Canada. We focus on borrowers who may not meet conforming underwriting guidelines because of higher loan-to-value ratios, the nature or absence of income documentation, limited credit histories, high levels of consumer debt, or past credit difficulties. We originate our loans primarily through independent mortgage brokers and, to a lesser extent, through our direct sales force in our retail offices. We primarily sell our loans in whole loan sales or we securitize our loans.

 

On May 4, 2004, we formed a Maryland real estate investment trust, Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (the “REIT”), for the purpose of acquiring, holding and managing real estate assets. All of the outstanding common shares of beneficial interest of the REIT are held by Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. The REIT has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto. Accordingly, the REIT will generally not be subject to federal or state income tax to the extent that it timely distributes its taxable income to its shareholders and satisfies the real estate investment trust requirements and certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met.

 

Revenue Model

 

Our operations generate revenues in three ways:

 

    Interest income. We have two primary components to our interest income. We generate interest income over the life of the loan on the loans we have securitized in structures that require financing treatment. This interest is partially offset by the interest we pay on the bonds that we issue to fund these loans. We also generate interest income on loans held for sale and for securitization from the time we originate the loan until the time we sell or securitize the loan. This interest income is partially offset by our borrowing costs under our warehouse credit facilities used to finance these loans.

 

    Gain on sale of loans. We generate gain on sale of loans by selling the loans we originate for a premium.

 

    Loan servicing income. Our loan servicing income represents all contractual and ancillary servicing revenue for loans that Accredited services for others, net of servicing costs and amortization of mortgage servicing rights.

 

Our revenues also include net gain or loss on mortgage-related securities and derivatives, on our loans held for sale, and some of our loans held for investment, which reflect changes in the value of these instruments based on market conditions.

 

While we currently generate the majority of our earnings and cash flows from whole loan sales, we intend to increase the percentage of our earnings and cash flows received from securitizations whereby we retain an interest in the mortgage loans that we have sold. These transactions will continue to be legally structured as sales,

 

45


Table of Contents

but for accounting purposes are structured as a financing under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125. This “portfolio-based” accounting more closely matches the recognition of income with the actual receipt of cash payments. Also, such securitization structures are consistent with our strategy to predominantly generate cash-based earnings.

 

We anticipate that our results of operations may fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis. The timing and degree of fluctuation will depend upon several factors, including competition, economic slowdowns and increased interest rates in addition to those discussed under “Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results.” Although we have experienced growth in recent years, we cannot assure you that we will be able to sustain revenue growth or maintain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis or that our growth will be consistent with predictions or forecasts.

 

Results Of Operations

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2005 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

Executive Summary

 

    Net income was $41.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005, or $1.87 per diluted share, an increase of 15.1% from $35.9 million, or $1.66 per diluted share in 2004.

 

    The increase in net income was primarily driven by a 31.4% increase in net interest income after provision and a 9.8% increase in gain on whole loan sales. Whole loan sales of $3.0 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2005, resulted in gains recorded of $85.6 million, representing an average premium of 3.07% in 2005, versus 3.5% for the same period in 2004.

 

    Mortgage loan origination volume increased 39.7% from $3.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2004 to $4.5 billion in 2005, and our serviced loans increased 49.4% from $6.1 billion at September 30, 2004 to $9.2 billion at September 30, 2005. This was primarily due to the company’s quarterly securitization program and an increase in the loans held for disposition.

 

    Origination costs net of points and fees declined to 1.57% during the three months ended September 30, 2005 from 1.92% during the same period in 2004.

 

    Revenue from net interest income after provision increased from 36.3% of total net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004 to 39.8% in 2005 reflecting the growth in net interest income after provision of 31.4% which outpaced our growth in gain on sale of loans of 9.8%.

 

46


Table of Contents

Net Revenues

 

Net revenues and key indicators that affect our net revenues are as follows for the three months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

    Increase

   % Change

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest income(1)

   $ 164,147     $ 97,493     $ 66,654    68.4 %

Interest expense(2)

     (84,571 )     (37,114 )     47,457    127.9 %
    


 


 

      

Net interest income

     79,576       60,379       19,197    31.8 %

Provision for losses

     (19,168 )     (14,416 )     4,752    33.0 %
    


 


 

      

Net interest income after provision

     60,408       45,963       14,445    31.4 %

Gain on sale of loans

     85,644       77,993       7,651    9.8 %

Loan servicing income

     3,243       1,996       1,247    62.5 %

Other income

     2,461       690       1,771    256.7 %
    


 


 

      

Total net revenues

   $ 151,756     $ 126,642     $ 25,114    19.8 %
    


 


 

      

Net interest income after provision as percentage of net revenues

     39.8 %     36.3 %             

Gain on sale of loans as a percentage of net revenues

     56.4 %     61.6 %             

Mortgage loan originations

   $ 4,492,719     $ 3,216,959     $ 1,275,760    39.7 %

Whole loan sales

   $ 2,979,088     $ 2,300,907     $ 678,181    29.5 %

Mortgage loans securitized

   $ 1,120,042     $ 1,011,032     $ 109,010    10.8 %

Average inventory of mortgage loans

   $ 8,495,639     $ 5,283,913     $ 3,211,726    60.8 %

Annualized interest income as a percentage of average inventory of mortgage loans (Yield)

     7.73 %     7.38 %             

Average outstanding borrowings

   $ 8,131,966     $ 5,069,220     $ 3,062,746    60.4 %

(1) Interest income includes prepayment penalty income, gains and losses from hedging activities and contractually designated servicing income on our balance sheet securitizations treated as interest income for accounting purposes.
(2) Interest expense includes gains and losses from hedging activities and amortization of debt issuance costs.

 

Interest Income. Interest income increased 68.4% during the three months ended September 30, 2005 from the comparable period in 2004 reflecting the 60.8% increase in our average inventory of mortgage loans during the period and an increase in the total yield on our average inventory of mortgage loans outstanding during the three months ended September 30, 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004. The increase in our average inventory of mortgage loans is due to higher loan origination volume during the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in our average yield primarily reflects the increase in pricing of loan originations over the past year.

 

Interest Expense. The increase in interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2005 of 127.9% reflects an increase in our average outstanding borrowings, which increased from $5.1 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2004 to $8.1 billion during the same period in 2005, or 60.4%. The increase in interest expense also resulted from a net increase in our average borrowing rates, which increased from 3.13% on our warehouse lines during the three months ended September 30, 2004 to 4.57% during the same period in 2005 and from 2.77% in 2004 on our securitization debt to 3.93% during the same period in 2005.

 

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Table of Contents

The components of our net interest margin are as follows for the three months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

 
     Interest
Income
(Expense)


    Average
Balance
Outstanding


   Average
Rate


    Interest
Income
(Expense)


    Average
Balance
Outstanding


   Average
Rate


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Warehouse:

                                          

Interest income

   $ 58,506     $ 3,115,998    7.51 %   $ 42,734     $ 2,357,879    7.25 %

Interest expense

     (33,543 )     2,935,474    (4.57 )     (17,481 )     2,236,885    (3.13 )
    


        

 


        

Spread

     24,963            2.94 %     25,253            4.12 %
    


        

 


        

Securitizations:

                                          

Interest income

     105,641       5,379,641    7.85 %     54,758       2,926,034    7.49 %

Interest expense

     (51,028 )     5,196,492    (3.93 )     (19,634 )     2,832,335    (2.77 )
    


        

 


        

Spread

     54,613            3.92 %     35,124            4.72 %
    


        

 


        

Net interest margin

   $ 79,576     $ 8,495,639    3.75 %   $ 60,377     $ 5,283,913    4.57 %
    


        

 


        

 

The net interest spread for our warehouse loans declined from 4.12% during the three months ended September 30, 2004 to 2.94% for the comparable period in 2005. This is due to the One-Month LIBOR, which our borrowing costs are indexed to, increasing by more than the average mortgage coupon rate earned on our loan portfolio. This effect was partially offset by a reduction in the spread of the borrowing costs over One-Month LIBOR charged by the warehouse credit facilities, as well as a reduction in the borrowing costs due to the formation of a special purpose entity which issues commercial paper to finance a portion of the loan portfolio held for sale and securitization. The lower growth in coupon rate relative to borrowing costs reflects increased competition from other lenders combined with a flattening of the yield curve. This trend may continue if the yield curve continues to flatten, as suggested by the current forward rates, or if competitive pressures increase.

 

The net interest spread for our securitized loans declined from 4.72% during the three months ended September 30, 2004 to 3.92% for the comparable period in 2005. The decline reflects higher cost of borrowings due to market interest rates increasing, and a greater mix of variable rate bonds to fixed rate bonds in 2005. The spread may continue to decline if short-term rates increase further, as suggested by the forward curve.

 

Provision for Losses. The provision for losses is comprised of the following for the three months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

    Increase
(Decrease)


   % Change

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Current period provision for:

                             

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 2,768     $ 1,281     $ 1,487    116.1 %

Mortgage loans held for investment

     12,694       11,806       888    7.5 %

Repurchases and real estate owned

     3,706       1,329       2,377    178.9 %
    


 


 

      

Total provision for losses

   $ 19,168     $ 14,416     $ 4,752    33.0 %
    


 


 

      

Reserve balance at period end:

                             

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 20,734     $ 14,372     $ 6,362    44.3 %

Mortgage loans held for investment

     95,728       49,649       46,079    92.8 %
    


 


 

      

Total reserve balance on mortgage loans

   $ 116,462     $ 64,021     $ 52,441    81.9 %
    


 


 

      

Principal balance at period end:

                             

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 2,370,788     $ 1,853,673     $ 517,115    27.9 %

Mortgage loans held for investment

     6,685,780       4,083,987       2,601,793    63.7 %
    


 


 

      

Total principal balance at period end

   $ 9,056,568     $ 5,937,660     $ 3,118,908    52.5 %
    


 


 

      

Reserve balance on mortgage loans as a percentage of the principal balance at period end

     1.3 %     1.1 %             

 

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Table of Contents

The 33.0% increase in our total provision for losses during the three months ended September 30, 2005 results from the 52.5% increase during 2005 in our total mortgage loan principal balance and the increase in the total reserve balance on mortgage loans as a percentage of the principal balance outstanding at period end, which increased from 1.1% at September 30, 2004 to 1.3% at September 30, 2005. The increase in the total reserve percentage is due primarily to higher default assumptions used in determining our expected losses, partially caused by an increase in the weighted-average seasoning of our loans held for investment.

 

Accredited monitors net interest income after provision as a percentage of net revenues in order to track its progress toward producing more stable, predictable earnings from our loan portfolio. We estimate that this ratio is also representative of the portfolio’s contribution to profitability. The net interest income after provision as a percentage of net revenues increased from 36.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 to 39.8% for the comparable period in 2005. This increase reflects our quarterly securitization program, which caused the growth in net interest income after provision of 31.4% to outpace our growth in gain on sale of loans of 9.8%.

 

Gain on Sale of Loans. The components of the gain on sale of loans and the calculation of our average whole loan premium are as follows for the three months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

 
     Amount

    Percentage

    Amount

    Percentage

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Gross gain on whole loan sales

   $ 83,572           $ 79,796        

Gain on sale of loans acquired in clean-up call

     526             —          

Net gain on derivatives

     7,870             822        

Provision for premium recapture

     (1,462 )           (1,146 )      

Net origination points and fees

     7,046             9,938        

Direct loan origination expenses

     (11,908 )           (11,417 )      
    


       


     

Total net gain on sale of loans

   $ 85,644           $ 77,993        
    


       


     

Gross gain on whole loan sales(1)

   $ 83,572     2.81 %   $ 79,796     3.46 %

Net gain on derivatives(1)

     7,870     .26       822     .04  
    


 

 


 

Net premium received on whole loan sales(1)

   $ 91,442     3.07     $ 80,618     3.50  
    


       


     

Less: Net cost to originate(2)

           (1.57 )           (1.92 )
            

         

Net profit margin on whole loan sales

           1.50 %           1.58 %
            

         

Whole loan sales

   $ 2,979,088           $ 2,300,907        

(1) Reflects the cash premium that we receive on our whole loan sales. The percentages are determined by dividing the gain by whole loan sales.
(2) Net cost to originate loans is defined as total operating expenses, less loan servicing related costs, plus yield spread premiums paid, less points and fees collected, all prior to any deferrals of origination costs for accounting purposes. Refer to our discussion of expenses below for the calculation of this percentage.

 

Gain on sale of loans increased 9.8% during the three months ended September 30, 2005 from the comparable period in 2004 due to a higher volume of whole loan sales for cash, enabled by higher loan origination volume during the period in 2005. Our average whole loan premiums, however, net of hedging gains and losses, and excluding gains associated with called securitizations, decreased from 3.50% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 to 3.07% for the same period in 2005 primarily due to lower interest rate margins reflecting price competition as money costs increased throughout the year. In the calculation of the net profit margin on whole loan sales percentage for the three months ended September 30, 2005, we excluded $0.5 million of gain related to the call and subsequent sale of loans included in a securitization trust that had previously been held off balance sheet.

 

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Table of Contents

Loan Servicing Income. Loan servicing income increased 62.5% during the three months ended September 30, 2005 from the comparable period in 2004 due primarily to an increase in assets serviced on an interim basis for our whole-loan sales customers and an increase in ancillary fees earned.

 

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses are as follows for the three months ended September 30:

 

     2005

   2004

   Increase

   % Change

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Salaries, wages and benefits

   $ 48,378    $ 42,772    $ 5,606    13.1 %

General and administrative

     15,441      12,298      3,143    25.6 %

Occupancy

     5,247      4,810      437    9.1 %

Advertising and promotion

     5,388      3,580      1,808    50.5 %

Depreciation and amortization

     3,999      2,911      1,088    37.4 %
    

  

  

      

Total operating expenses

   $ 78,453    $ 66,371    $ 12,082    18.2 %
    

  

  

      

Total serviced loans at period end

   $ 9,176,234    $ 6,140,400    $ 3,035,834    49.4 %

Total number of employees at period end

     2,639      2,455      184    7.5 %

 

Salaries, Wages and Benefits. Salaries, wages and benefits increased 13.1% during the three months ended September 30, 2005 due to growth in the number of employees of 7.5%, and increased bonus and commissions costs related to higher loan originations offset in part by greater efficiencies.

 

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased 25.6% during the three months ended September 30, 2005 and reflect costs associated with the 39.7% increase in loan origination volume, the 49.4% increase in our servicing portfolio and the 7.5% increase in the number of employees as compared to the same period in 2004.

 

Occupancy. Occupancy expense increased 9.1% during the three months ended September 30, 2005 due to 5, or 9.3%, more office sites leased over the three months ended September 30, 2004 as we continue to penetrate new geographic markets, as well as an increase in square footage at some existing sites.

 

Advertising and Promotion. Advertising and promotion expenses increased 50.5% during the three months ended September 30, 2005 due primarily to increased spending on referrals and leads to support our growth in retail loan originations.

 

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased during the three months ended September 30, 2005 due to additional investments in technology and infrastructure to support the increase in our production, number of employees and offices during 2005.

 

Net Cost to Originate. We monitor our net cost to originate mortgage loans as we believe that it provides a measurement of efficiency in our mortgage loan origination process. The calculation of this net cost to originate is as follows for the three months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

    % Change

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Total operating expenses

   $ 78,453     $ 66,371        

Add: deferred direct loan origination expenses (1)

     17,419       14,210        

Less: servicing cost (2)

     (5,971 )     (4,093 )      
    


 


     

Loan origination expenses

     89,901       76,488     17.5 %

Less: deferred net origination points and fees (3)

     (19,230 )     (14,761 )      
    


 


     

Net cost to originate

   $ 70,671     $ 61,727     14.5 %
    


 


     

Total mortgage loan originations

   $ 4,492,719     $ 3,216,959     39.7 %

Loan origination expenses as a percentage of volume

     2.00 %     2.38 %      

Net cost to originate as percentage of volume

     1.57 %     1.92 %      

 

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Table of Contents

(1) Represents the amount of direct expenses incurred and deferred in the period in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard No. 91.
(2) Servicing cost consists of direct expenses and allocated corporate overhead.
(3) Deferred net origination points and fees represent amounts received from borrowers during the period less amounts paid to brokers on all loans originated during the period.

 

The net cost to originate mortgage loans as a percentage of total mortgage loan origination volume declined from 1.92% for the three months ended September 30, 2004 to 1.57% for the same period in 2005 as a result of the 39.7% increase in mortgage loan origination volume that outpaced our 17.5% increase loan origination expenses.

 

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes as a percentage of pre-tax income was 40.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2005 compared with 38.6% for the same period in 2004. The increase in the effective tax rate for the quarter was primarily caused by a change in our estimate of the annual loss from operations incurred by our Canadian subsidiary. The year-to-date effect of the change in rate was recorded in the quarter ending September 30, 2005. The two major components of our effective tax rate are the federal corporate tax rate of 35.0% and the effective state income tax rates. We operate and pay tax in nearly every state.

 

REIT Operating Results (included in Consolidated Results). Net revenues for the REIT were $54.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The REIT incurred expenses of $6.8 million for the same period related to servicing and management fees charged by AHL in accordance with an administration and servicing agreement between the two parties. Resulting net income after dividends on preferred stock for the same period was $45.2 million.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 

Executive Summary

 

    Net income was $112.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, or $5.11 per diluted share, an increase of 21.0% from $92.7 million, or $4.31 per diluted share in 2004.

 

    The increase in net income was primarily driven by a 42.5% increase in net interest income after provision and a 13.1% increase in gain on whole loan sales. Whole loan sales of $7.9 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2005, resulted in gains recorded of $237.9 million, representing an average premium of 3.14% in 2005, versus 3.8% for the same period in 2004.

 

    Mortgage loan origination volume increased 32.5% from $9.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $11.9 billion in 2005, and our serviced loans increased 49.4% from $6.1 billion at September 30, 2004 to $9.2 billion at September 30, 2005. This growth was achieved by penetrating new and existing markets from September 30, 2004 to September 30, 2005.

 

    Origination costs net of points and fees declined to 1.73% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from 1.94% during the same period in 2004.

 

    Revenue from net interest income after provision increased from 34.9% of total net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to 39.8% in 2005 reflecting the growth in net interest income after provision of 42.5% which outpaced our growth in gain on sale of loans of 13.1%.

 

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Table of Contents

Net Revenues

 

Net revenues and key indicators that affect our net revenues are as follows for the nine months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

    Increase
(Decrease)


   % Change

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest income(1)

   $ 430,194     $ 242,792     $ 187,402    77.2 %

Interest expense(2)

     (207,022 )     (86,137 )     120,885    140.3 %
    


 


 

      

Net interest income

     223,172       156,655       66,517    42.5 %

Provision for losses

     (56,465 )     (39,708 )     16,757    42.2 %
    


 


 

      

Net interest income after provision

     166,707       116,947       49,760    42.5 %

Gain on sale of loans

     237,886       210,342       27,544    13.1 %

Loan servicing income

     8,082       5,205       2,877    55.3 %

Other income

     5,800       2,606       3,194    122.6 %
    


 


 

      

Total net revenues

   $ 418,475     $ 335,100     $ 83,375    24.9 %
    


 


 

      

Net interest income after provision as percentage of net revenues

     39.8 %     34.9 %             

Gain on sale of loans as a percentage of net revenues

     56.8 %     62.8 %             

Mortgage loan originations

   $ 11,862,013     $ 8,955,835     $ 2,906,178    32.5 %

Whole loan sales

   $ 7,915,870     $ 5,784,663     $ 2,131,207    36.8 %

Mortgage loans securitized

   $ 3,045,080     $ 2,223,157     $ 821,923    36.9 %

Average inventory of mortgage loans

   $ 7,522,770     $ 4,420,610     $ 3,102,160    70.2 %

Annualized interest income as a percentage of average inventory of mortgage loans (Yield)

     7.62 %     7.32 %             

Average outstanding borrowings

   $ 7,139,307     $ 4,234,157     $ 2,905,150    68.6 %

(1) Interest income includes prepayment penalty income and gains and losses from hedging activities and contractually designated servicing income on our on balance sheet securitizations treated as interest income for accounting purposes.
(2) Interest expense includes gains and losses from hedging activities and amortization of debt issuance costs.

 

Interest Income. Interest income increased 77.2% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from the comparable period in 2004 reflecting the 70.2% increase in our average inventory of mortgage loans during the period and an increase in the total yield on our average inventory of mortgage loans outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 when compared to the same period in 2004. The increase in our average inventory of mortgage loans is due to higher loan origination volume during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

We currently expect interest income to increase primarily from modest origination growth on our expanded platform and future securitizations. In the future, to the extent we continue to complete new securitizations, our interest income will be higher and our gain on sale revenue will be lower than it would have been otherwise.

 

Interest Expense. The increase in interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 of 140.3% reflects an increase in our average outstanding borrowings, which increased from $4.2 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $7.1 billion during the same period in 2005, or 68.6%. The increase in interest expense also resulted from a net increase in our average borrowing rates, which increased from 2.85% on our warehouse lines during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to 4.33% during the same period in 2005 and from 2.60% in 2004 on our securitization debt to 3.62% during the same period in 2005.

 

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Table of Contents

The components of our net interest margin are as follows for the nine months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

 
     Interest
Income
(Expense)


    Average
Balance
Outstanding


   Average
Rate


    Interest
Income
(Expense)


    Average
Balance
Outstanding


   Average
Rate


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Warehouse:

                                          

Interest income

   $ 150,318     $ 2,673,173    7.50 %   $ 109,411     $ 2,022,526    7.21 %

Interest expense

     (79,740 )     2,457,890    (4.33 )     (40,695 )     1,905,708    (2.85 )
    


        

 


        

Spread

     70,578            3.17 %     68,716            4.36 %
    


        

 


        

Securitizations:

                                          

Interest income

     279,876       4,849,596    7.69 %     133,381       2,398,084    7.41 %

Interest expense

     (127,282 )     4,681,417    (3.62 )     (45,442 )     2,328,449    (2.60 )
    


        

 


        

Spread

     152,594            4.07 %     87,939            4.81 %
    


        

 


        

Net interest margin

   $ 223,172     $ 7,522,770    3.96 %   $ 156,655     $ 4,420,610    4.72 %
    


        

 


        

 

The net interest spread for our warehouse loans declined from 4.36% during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to 3.17% for the comparable period in 2005. This is due to the One-Month LIBOR, which our borrowing costs are indexed to, increasing by more than the average coupon rate earned on our loan portfolio. This effect was partially offset by a reduction in the spread of the borrowing costs over One-Month LIBOR charged by the warehouse credit facilities, as well as a reduction in the borrowing costs due to the formation of a special purpose entity which issues commercial paper to finance a portion of the loan portfolio held for sale. The lower growth in coupon rate relative to borrowing costs reflects increased competition from other lenders combined with a flattening of the yield curve. This trend may continue if the yield curve continues to flatten, as suggested by the current forward rates, or if competitive pressures increase.

 

The net interest spread for our securitized loans declined from 4.81% during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to 4.07% for the comparable period in 2005. The decline reflects higher cost of borrowings due to market interest rates increasing, and a greater mix of variable rate bonds to fixed rate bonds in 2005.

 

Provision for Losses. The provision for losses is comprised of the following for the nine months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

    Increase

   % Change

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Current period provision for:

                             

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 7,111     $ 4,943     $ 2,168    43.9 %

Mortgage loans held for investment

     38,681       32,497       6,184    19.0 %

Repurchases and real estate owned

     10,673       2,268       8,405    370.6 %
    


 


 

      

Total provision for losses

   $ 56,465     $ 39,708     $ 16,757    42.2 %
    


 


 

      

Reserve balance at period end:

                             

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 20,734     $ 14,372     $ 6,362    44.3 %

Mortgage loans held for investment

     95,728       49,649       46,079    92.8 %
    


 


 

      

Total reserve balance on mortgage loans

   $ 116,462     $ 64,021     $ 52,441    81.9 %
    


 


 

      

Principal balance at period end:

                             

Mortgage loans held for sale

   $ 2,370,788     $ 1,853,673     $ 517,115    27.9 %

Mortgage loans held for investment

     6,685,780       4,083,987       2,601,793    63.7 %
    


 


 

      

Total principal balance at period end

   $ 9,056,568     $ 5,937,660     $ 3,118,908    52.5 %
    


 


 

      

Reserve balance on mortgage loans as a percentage of the principal balance at period end

     1.3 %     1.1 %             

 

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Table of Contents

The 42.2% increase in our total provision for losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 results from the 52.5% increase during 2005 in our total mortgage loan principal balance and the increase in the total reserve balance on mortgage loans as a percentage of the principal balance outstanding at period end, which increased from 1.1% at September 30, 2004 to 1.3% at September 30, 2005. The increase in the total reserve percentage is due primarily to higher default assumptions used in determining our expected losses, partially caused by an increase in the weighted-average seasoning of our loans held for investment.

 

We currently expect our total provision for losses to increase in 2005 commensurate with our average on-balance sheet loan portfolio.

 

Accredited monitors net interest income after provision as a percentage of net revenues in order to track its progress toward producing more stable, predictable earnings from our loan portfolio. We estimate that this ratio is also representative of the portfolio’s contribution to profitability. The net interest income after provision as percentage of net revenues increased from 34.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to 39.8% for the comparable period in 2005. This increase reflects our quarterly securitization program, which caused the growth in net interest income after provision of 42.5% to outpace our growth in gain on sale of loans of 13.1%.

 

Gain on Sale of Loans. The components of the gain on sale of loans and the calculation of our average whole loan premium are as follows for the nine months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

 
     Amount

    Percentage

    Amount

    Percentage

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Gross gain on whole loan sales

   $ 234,995           $ 218,906        

Gain on sale of loans required in clean-up call

     3,172             —          

Net gain on derivatives

     13,634             1,254        

Provision for premium recapture

     (3,925 )           (2,699 )      

Net origination points and fees

     24,260             25,831        

Direct loan origination expenses

     (34,250 )           (32,950 )      
    


       


     

Total net gain on sale of loans

   $ 237,886           $ 210,342        
    


       


     

Gross gain on whole loan sales(1)

   $ 234,995     2.97 %   $ 218,906     3.78 %

Net gain on derivatives(1)

     13,634     0.17       1,254     0.02  
    


 

 


 

Net premium received on whole loan sales(1)

   $ 248,629     3.14     $ 220,160     3.80  
    


       


     

Less: Net cost to originate(2)

           (1.73 )           (1.94 )
            

         

Net profit margin on whole loan sales

           1.41 %           1.86 %
            

         

Whole loan sales

   $ 7,915,870           $ 5,784,663        

(1) Reflects the cash premium that we receive on our whole loan sales. The percentages are determined by dividing the gain by whole loan sales.
(2) Net cost to originate loans is defined as total operating expenses, less loan servicing related costs, plus yield spread premiums, less points and fees collected, all prior to any deferrals of origination costs for accounting purposes. Refer to our discussion of expenses below for the calculation of this percentage.

 

Gain on sale of loans increased 13.1% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from the comparable period in 2004 due to a higher volume of whole loan sales for cash, enabled by higher loan origination volume during the period in 2005. Our average whole loan premiums, however, net of hedging gains and losses, and excluding gains associated with called securitizations, decreased from 3.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to 3.14% for the same period in 2005 primarily from lower coupon rate reflecting price competition as money costs increased throughout the year. In the calculation of the net profit margin on whole loan sales percentage for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we excluded $3.2 million of gain related to the call and subsequent sale of loans included in a securitization trust that had previously been held off balance sheet.

 

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Loan Servicing Income. Loan servicing income increased 55.3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 from the comparable period in 2004 due primarily to the increase in assets serviced on an interim basis on behalf of our whole loan sales customers and an increase in ancillary fees earned.

 

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses are as follows for the nine months ended September 30:

 

     2005

   2004

   Increase

  

%

Change


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Salaries, wages and benefits

   $ 140,501    $ 117,885    $ 22,616    19.2 %

General and administrative

     41,019      32,929      8,090    24.6 %

Occupancy

     15,694      13,341      2,353    17.6 %

Advertising and promotion

     13,480      9,073      4,407    48.6 %

Depreciation and amortization

     10,929      6,934      3,995    57.6 %
    

  

  

      

Total operating expenses

   $ 221,623    $ 180,162    $ 41,461    23.0 %
    

  

  

      

Total serviced loans at period end

   $ 9,176,234    $ 6,140,400    $ 3,035,834    49.4 %

Total number of employees at period end

     2,639      2,455      184    7.5 %

 

Salaries, Wages and Benefits. Salaries, wages and benefits increased 19.2% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 due to growth in the number of employees of 7.5% and increased bonus and commissions costs related to higher loan originations offset in part by greater efficiencies.

 

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased 24.6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and reflect costs associated with the 32.5% increase in loan origination volume, the 49.4% increase in our servicing portfolio and the 7.5% increase in the number of employees as compared to the same period in 2004.

 

Occupancy. Occupancy expense increased 17.6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 due to more office sites leased over the prior year’s nine months as we continue to penetrate new geographic markets.

 

Advertising and Promotion. Advertising and promotion expenses increased 48.6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 due primarily to increased spending on referrals and leads to support our growth in retail loan originations.

 

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 due to additional investments in technology and infrastructure to support the increase in our production, number of employees and offices during 2005.

 

Net Cost to Originate. We monitor our net cost to originate mortgage loans as we believe that it provides a measurement of efficiency in our mortgage loan origination process. The calculation of this net cost to originate is as follows for the nine months ended September 30:

 

     2005

    2004

    % Change

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Total operating expenses

   $ 221,623     $ 180,162        

Add: deferred direct loan origination expenses(1)

     47,345       42,783        

Less: servicing cost(2)

     (17,507 )     (9,989 )      
    


 


     

Loan origination expenses

     251,461       212,956     18.1 %

Less: deferred net origination points and fees(3)

     (46,132 )     (39,356 )      
    


 


     

Net cost to originate

   $ 205,329     $ 173,600     18.3 %
    


 


     

Total mortgage loan originations

   $ 11,862,013     $ 8,955,835     32.5 %

Loan origination expenses as percentage of volume

     2.12 %     2.38 %      

Net cost to originate as percentage of volume

     1.73 %     1.94 %      

 

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(1) Represents the amount of direct expenses incurred and deferred in the period in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard No. 91.
(2) Servicing cost consists of direct expenses and allocated corporate overhead.
(3) Deferred net origination points and fees represent amounts received from borrowers during the period less amounts paid to brokers on all loans originated during the period.

 

The net cost to originate mortgage loans as a percentage of total mortgage loan origination volume declined from 1.94% for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to 1.73% for the same period in 2005 as a result of the 32.5% increase in mortgage loan origination volume that outpaced our 18.1% increase in loan origination expenses, partially offset by a reduction in points and fees received.

 

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes as a percentage of pre-tax income was 39.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared with 39.4% for the same period in 2004. The decrease in the effective tax rate is due primarily to the decrease in the state effective tax rate in 2005. The two major components of our effective tax rate are the federal corporate tax rate of 35.0% and the effective state income tax rates. We operate and pay tax in nearly every state. Changes in the effective state tax rate occur due to changes in our business activities in various states, as well as the various states’ tax structures and rates, causing a slight benefit in 2005 when compared to 2004.

 

REIT Operating Results (included in Consolidated Results). Net revenues for the REIT were $145.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The REIT incurred expenses of $18.2 million for the same period related to servicing and management fees charged by AHL in accordance with an administration and servicing agreement between the two parties, and $0.1 million in direct general and administrative costs for professional services. Resulting net income after dividends on preferred stock for the same period was $119.4 million.

 

Liquidity And Capital Resources

 

As a mortgage banking company, our cash requirements include the funding of mortgage loan originations, interest expense on and repayment of principal on warehouse credit facilities, asset-backed commercial paper, securitization bond financing, operational expenses, servicing advances, hedging margin requirements, and tax payments. Our cash requirements also included the funding of quarterly dividends on preferred shares issued by our REIT subsidiary. We fund these cash requirements with cash received from loan sales, borrowings under warehouse credit facilities and securitization bond financing secured by mortgage loans, cash distributions from our mortgage-related securities, interest collections on loans held for sale and loans held for investment, servicing fees and other servicing income, and points and fees collected from the origination of loans.

 

Our liquidity strategy is to maintain sufficient and diversified warehouse credit facilities and asset-backed commercial paper to finance our mortgage loan originations, to maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of whole loan purchasers, and to maintain the ability to execute our own securitizations. This provides us with the ability to finance our growing origination operations and to maximize our realization of the value of loans we originate. Net cash used in operating activities totaled $1.5 billion and $0.9 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The negative cash flow for these periods reflects primarily our funding of loans held for sale and investment that are either not entirely sold in the same period or financed with proceeds reported in our cash flows from financing activities.

 

Warehouse Facilities

 

We use our various warehouse credit facilities to finance the actual funding of our loan originations. We then sell or securitized our mortgage loans generally within one to four months from origination and pay down the warehouse credit facilities with the proceeds. At September 30, 2005, we had voluntary and recoverable warehouse line paydowns of $295.3 million that increased our warehouse line availability by a corresponding

 

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amount. These voluntary and recoverable warehouse line paydowns plus cash of $21.2 million brought our total liquidity to $316.5 million at September 30, 2005. The majority of our current warehouse credit facilities are committed lines, whereby the lender is obligated to fund up to the committed amount subject to us meeting various financial and other covenants. A portion of one of our warehouse lines is, and in the future some may be, uncommitted, which means that the lender may fund the uncommitted amount at its discretion. The majority of our current warehouse credit facilities also contain a sub-limit for “wet” funding, which is the funding of loans for which the collateral custodian has not yet received the related loan documents. Our warehouse credit facilities generally have a one or two year term.

 

Except as otherwise noted below, all of our warehouse credit facilities accrue interest at a rate based upon One-Month LIBOR plus a specified spread and as of November 4, 2005 have other material terms and features as follows:

 

Warehouse Lender


   Committed
Amount


   Uncommitted
Amount


   Total
Facility
Amount


   Portion
Available for
Wet Funding


   Expiration Date

     (In millions)

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company

   $ 660    $ —      $ 660    $ 120    December 2006

Morgan Stanley Bank and Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc.

     650      —        650      100    July 2006

Merrill Lynch Bank USA

     650      —        650      260    January 2006

IXIS Real Estate Capital Inc. (CDC)

     600      —        600      240    January 2006

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC

     500      100      600      240    December 2005

Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB

     500      —        500      110    January 2006

Residential Funding Corporation

     300      —        300      150    November 2005

Merrill Lynch Capital Canada Inc

     85      —        85      —      June 2006

HSBC Mortgage Services Warehouse Lending Inc.

     40      —        40      40    November 2006
    

  

  

  

    

Total

   $ 3,985    $ 100    $ 4,085    $ 1,260     
    

  

  

  

    

 

At June 30, 2005, Accredited Home Lenders Canada, Inc. entered into a 100.0 million Canadian dollar (approximately $85.4 million U.S. dollars at September 30, 2005) warehouse credit facility. The credit facility is collateralized by Canadian mortgage loans, is guaranteed by the AHLHC and expires June 29, 2006.

 

Certain of our credit facilities include sublimits for aged and delinquent loans, as well as for real estate owned (properties acquired through foreclosure of defaulted mortgage loans or through deeds in lieu of foreclosure) and subordinated asset-backed bonds.

 

Our warehouse and other credit facilities contain customary covenants including minimum liquidity, profitability and net worth requirements, and limitations on other indebtedness. If we fail to comply with any of these covenants or otherwise default under a facility, the lender has the right to terminate the facility and require immediate repayment that may require sale of the collateral at less than optimal terms. In addition, if we default under one facility, it would generally trigger a default under our other facilities. As of September 30, 2005, we were in compliance with all covenant requirements for each of the facilities.

 

Asset Backed Commercial Paper Facility

 

During the second quarter of 2005, Accredited issued commercial paper in the form of short-term secured liquidity notes (“SLNs”) with initial maturities ranging from one to 180 days and $40.0 million of subordinated notes maturing in five years. The SLNs bear interest at customary commercial paper market rates, which vary depending on the prevailing market conditions. The capacity of this facility at September 30, 2005 was $1.0 billion, of which $985.3 million was outstanding at that date. For the ninety-two days during the quarter this

 

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facility was outstanding, the average borrowings outstanding under this facility were $952.0 million, and the weighted average interest rate was approximately 3.82%. The facility is collateralized by mortgage loans held for sale or securitization and certain restricted cash balances.

 

REIT Activity

 

At September 30, 2005 the REIT had cash of $1.1 million, a decrease of $2.9 million from December 31, 2004. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $121.8 million, net cash from REIT investing activities totaled $1.4 billion and net cash used in REIT financing activities totaled $1.5 billion.

 

In February 2005, we closed a securitization containing $917.2 million of first priority residential mortgage loans through the REIT. The securitization utilized a senior/subordinated structure consisting of senior and subordinated notes with original principal balances totaling $903.5 million and a final stated maturity date of April 2035. The securitization is structured as a financing; therefore, both the mortgage loans and the debt represented by the notes will remain on our consolidated balance sheet. We used the proceeds from the securitization primarily to repay warehouse financing for the mortgage loans.

 

In May 2005, we closed a securitization containing $1.0 billion of primarily first priority residential mortgage loans through the REIT. The securitization utilized a senior/subordinated structure consisting of senior and subordinated notes with original principal balances totaling $1.0 billion and a final stated maturity date of July 2035. The securitization is structured as a financing; therefore, both the mortgage loans and the debt represented by the notes will remain on our consolidated balance sheet. We used the proceeds from the securitization primarily to repay warehouse financing for the mortgage loans.

 

In August 2005, we completed a securitization of approximately $1.1 billion of first priority residential mortgage loans. Pursuant to the securitization, senior notes with variable rates ranging from One-Month LIBOR plus 0.10% to One-Month LIBOR plus 0.37%, and subordinated notes with variable rates ranging from One-Month LIBOR plus 0.45% to One-Month LIBOR plus 1.70% were issued totaling approximately $1.1 billion. The notes have a final stated maturity date of September 2035.

 

In March, June and September of 2005, the REIT’s board of trustees declared a quarterly cash dividend on the preferred shares at the rate of $0.609375 per share to shareholders of record on March 15, June 15 and September 15, which aggregated $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

AHLHC irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the holders of each share of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the REIT or Accredited may have or assert: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) payable on the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid dividends) payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares redeemed by the REIT and (iii) the liquidation preference, if any, payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares. AHLHC’s guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to AHLHC’s indebtedness, on parity with the most senior class of AHLHC’s preferred stock and senior to AHLHC’s common stock. At September 30, 2005, the aggregate redemption value of the total preferred shares outstanding was $102.3 million. Based on total preferred shares outstanding at September 30, 2005, the REIT’s current annual dividend obligation totals $10.0 million.

 

Subject to the various uncertainties described above, and assuming that we will be able to successfully execute our liquidity strategy, we anticipate that our liquidity, credit facilities and capital resources will be sufficient to fund our operations for the foreseeable future.

 

Market Risk

 

Market risks generally represent the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in the value of a financial instrument due to fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates and in equity and commodity

 

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prices. Our market risk relates primarily to interest rate fluctuations. We may be directly affected by the level of and fluctuations in interest rates, which affect the spread between the rate of interest received on our mortgage loans and the related financing rate. Our profitability could be adversely affected during any period of unexpected or rapid changes in interest rates, by impacting the value of loans held for sale, loans held for investment and loans sold with retained interests. A significant change in interest rates could also change the level of loan prepayments, thereby adversely affecting our long-term net interest income and servicing income.

 

The objective of interest rate risk management is to control the effects that interest rate fluctuations have on the value of our assets and liabilities. Our management of interest rate risk is intended to mitigate the volatility of earnings associated with fluctuations in the unrealized gain (loss) on mortgage-related securities, the market value of loans held for sale and the net interest on loans held for investment due to changes in the current market rate of interest.

 

We use several internal reports and risk management strategies to monitor, evaluate, and manage the risk profile of our loan portfolio in response to changes in the market risk. We cannot assure you, however, that we will adequately offset all risks associated with interest rate fluctuations impacting our loan portfolio.

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

As part of our interest rate management process, we use derivative financial instruments such as Eurodollar futures and options on Eurodollar futures. In connection with five of our securitizations structured as financings, we entered into interest rate cap agreements. In connection with three of our securitizations structured as financings, we entered into interest rate swap agreements. It is not our policy to use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value.

 

Fair Value Hedges

 

We designate certain derivative financial instruments as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133, and, at trade date, these instruments and their hedging relationship are identified, designated and documented. For derivative financial instruments designated as hedge instruments, we evaluate the effectiveness of these hedges against the mortgage loans being hedged to ensure that there remains adequate correlation in the hedge relationship. To hedge the adverse effect of interest rate changes on the fair market value of mortgage loans held for sale or securitization, we use derivatives as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. Once the hedge relationship is established, the realized and unrealized changes in fair value of both the hedge instruments and mortgage loans are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the changes occur. Any change in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale recognized as a result of hedge accounting is reversed at the time the mortgage loans are sold. The net amount recorded in the consolidated statement of operations is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness.

 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

During the third quarter of 2004, we implemented the use of cash flow hedging on our securitization debt under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitization debt attributable to interest rate risk. During the third quarter 2005, Accredited implemented the use of cash flow hedging on its variable rate debt in Canada under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our variable rate debt in Canada attributable to interest rates. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, and recorded into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings pursuant to SFAS No. 133. The ineffective portion on the derivative instrument is reported in current earnings as a component of interest expense.

 

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For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the period in which the changes occur and realized gains and losses are recognized in the period when such instruments are settled.

 

Interest Rate Simulation Sensitivity Analysis

 

Changes in market interest rates affect our estimations of the fair value of our mortgage loans held for sale, loans held for investment and the fair value of our mortgage-related securities and related derivatives. Changes in fair value that are stated below are derived based upon immediate and equal changes to market interest rates of various maturities. All derivative financial instruments and interest rate sensitive financial assets and liabilities have been included within the sensitivity analysis presented. We model the change in value of our derivative financial instruments using outside valuation models generally recognized within the industry. Projected changes in the value of our loans as stated below are determined based on the change in net present value arising from the selected hypothetical changes in market interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate risk from the time the loans are funded to the time the loans are settled because the interest paid on the various warehouse facilities is based on the spot One-Month LIBOR rate. The interest rate risk associated with the interest expense paid on the various warehouse facilities has been included based on the average holding period from the time of funding to settlement. Changes in the fair value of our derivative positions with optionality have been included based on an immediate and equal change in market interest rates. The base or current interest rate curve is adjusted by the levels shown below as of September 30, 2005:

 

     +50 bp

    +100 bp

    -50 bp

    -100 bp

 
     (In thousands)  

Change in fair value of:

                                

Mortgage loans committed and held for sale

   $ (21,880 )   $ (43,364 )   $ 22,291     $ 45,006  

Derivatives related to mortgage loans committed and held for sale

     18,574       37,148       (18,574 )     (37,148 )

Warehouse debt and asset backed commercial paper

     (1,729 )     (3,458 )     1,729       3,458  

Securitized debt subject to portfolio-based accounting and mortgage-related securities

     (35,859 )     (71,326 )     36,291       73,135  

Derivatives related to securitized debt subject to portfolio-based accounting and mortgage-related securities

     32,497       65,525       (31,724 )     (62,207 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ (8,397 )   $ (15,475 )   $ 10,013     $ 22,244  
    


 


 


 


 

The simulation analysis reflects our efforts to balance the repricing characteristics of our interest-bearing assets and liabilities.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Our February 2005, May 2005 and August 2005 securitizations significantly increased our securitization bond financing balance from the balance at December 31, 2004. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations for securitization bond financing, excluding future interest, at September 30, 2005, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

 

     Payments Due by Calendar Period

     Total

  

Less than

1 year


   1-3 Years

   3-5 Years

   More than 5
Years


     (In thousands)

Securitization bond financing(1)

   $ 5,550,348    $ 446,869    $ 3,352,137    $ 928,414    $ 826,694

(1) Amounts represent the expected repayment requirements based on anticipated receipts of principal and interest on underlying mortgage loan collateral using historical prepayment speeds. The securitization bond financing represents obligations of the respective trusts that issue the notes and the assets sold to these issuers are not available to satisfy claims of Accredited’s creditors. The noteholders’ recourse is limited to the pledged collateral.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

 

In the normal course of business, in order to meet the financing needs of our borrowers, we are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments primarily represent commitments to individual borrowers to fund their loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate risk and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. We seek to mitigate the credit risk by evaluating the creditworthiness of potential mortgage loan borrowers on a case-by-case basis. We do not guarantee interest rates to potential borrowers when an application is received. Interest rates conditionally approved following the initial underwriting of applications are subject to adjustment if any conditions are not satisfied. We commit to originating loans, in many cases dependent upon the borrower’s satisfying various conditions. These commitments to fund individual borrower loans totaled $812 million as of September 30, 2005.

 

During 2000, Accredited executed its own securitization structured as a sale of $174.7 million of mortgage loans originated or acquired by Accredited. The senior securities were sold to third parties, and Accredited retained a subordinated residual interest. In May 2005, the residual interest was extinguished by Accredited in a clean-up call and the loans were recorded on our books. As of September 30, 2005 we had sold nearly all of the loans received in the clean-up call. Prior to the clean-up call, Accredited’s receipt of such excess cash flows was delayed to the extent that such securitization provides credit enhancement to the senior security holders by requiring the retention in a reserve account and/or the distribution to the senior security holders, as an accelerated amortization of the principal balance of their securities, of certain amounts otherwise payable to Accredited as the residual interest holder.

 

During 2002, 2001 and 2000, Accredited sold to a third-party investor (and former related party) $75.8 million, $299.8 million and $321.0 million, respectively, of mortgage loans originated or acquired by Accredited. At June 30, 2002, the related party had a beneficial ownership interest in Accredited related to a convertible debt facility that existed at that date. Subsequently, all ownership and beneficial ownership interest were sold in connection with our initial public offering in 2003, ceasing the related party relationship. The loans were sold pursuant to three separate commitments, each for a twelve-month period different from the calendar year. Pursuant to the agreement with the investor, Accredited is entitled to receive payments based upon the amount of excess cash flows generated by Accredited’s sold loans under each commitment. The excess cash flows consist of the interest paid by the obligors of Accredited’s sold loans, less the sum of a specified yield payable to the investor, servicing fees and credit losses on Accredited’s sold loans. In general, if credit losses result in a negative excess cash flow, Accredited is obligated to pay the shortfall to the investor; provided, however, that Accredited is not obligated to reimburse the investor for credit losses in excess of 10% of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans purchased by the investor under each commitment. The aggregate outstanding principal balance of the mortgage loans purchased by the investor totaled $101.2 million at September 30, 2005. Accredited is also entitled to all prepayment penalties collected, as long as the rate of prepayments stay below certain thresholds. Should the thresholds be exceeded, then Accredited must share the prepayment penalties collected with the investor.

 

AHLHC irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the holders of each share of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the REIT or Accredited may have or assert: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) payable on the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid dividends) payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares redeemed by the REIT and (iii) the liquidation preference, if any, payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares. AHLHC’s guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to AHLHC’s indebtedness, on parity with the most senior class of AHLHC’s preferred stock and senior to AHLHC’s common stock. At September 30, 2005, the aggregate redemption value of the total preferred shares outstanding was $102.3 million. Based on total preferred shares outstanding at September 30, 2005, the REIT’s current annual dividend obligation totals $10.0 million.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

Accounting for Our Loan Sales

 

We generally sell our loans in transactions that are accounted for in our financial statements as securitizations structured as a financing or whole loan sales.

 

We completed one securitization during the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, which were structured as financings. The transactions were legally structured as sales of mortgage loans, but for accounting purposes were treated as financings under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125. When we enter into a securitization structured as a financing, the loans remain on our balance sheet, retained interests are not created, and debt securities issued in the securitization replace the warehouse debt originally associated with the securitized mortgage loans. We record interest income on the mortgage loans and interest expense on the debt securities, as well as ancillary fees, over the life of the securitization, instead of recognizing a gain or loss upon closing of the transaction.

 

When we sell our mortgage loans in whole loan sale transactions, the transaction is structured as a sale of mortgage loans for legal and accounting purposes and we dispose of our entire interest in the loans. Gain on sale revenue is recorded at the time we sell loans, but not when we securitize loans in transactions structured as financings. Accordingly, our financial results are significantly impacted by the timing of our loan sales and the securitization structure we may elect to implement. If we hold a significant pool of loans at the end of a reporting period, those loans will remain on our balance sheet, along with the related debt used to fund the loans. The revenue that we generate from those loans will not be recorded until the subsequent reporting period when we sell the loans. If we elect to complete a securitization structured as a financing rather than a transaction that would generate gain on sale revenue, our gain on sale revenue will be lower and our interest income will be higher than it would have been otherwise. A number of factors influence the timing of our loan sales, our targeted disposition strategy and the whole loan sale premiums we receive, including the current market demand for our loans, the quality of the loans we originate, the sufficiency of our loan documentation, liquidity needs, and our strategic objectives. From time to time, management has delayed the sale of loans to a later period, and may do so again in the future.

 

Estimates

 

The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although we base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, our management exercises significant judgment in the final determination of our estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The following areas require significant judgments by management:

 

    provision for losses; and

 

    interest rate risk, derivatives and hedging strategies.

 

Provisions for Losses

 

We provide market valuation adjustments on certain nonperforming loans, other loans we hold for sale and real estate owned. These adjustments are based upon our estimate of expected losses, calculated using loss severity and loss frequency rate assumptions, and are based upon the value that we could reasonably expect to obtain from a sale, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. An allowance for losses on mortgage loans held for investment is recorded in an amount sufficient to maintain appropriate coverage for probable losses on such loans. The provision for losses also includes net losses on real estate owned. We also accrue for liabilities associated with loans sold, which we may be requested to repurchase due to breaches of representations and

 

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warranties and early payment defaults. We periodically evaluate the estimates used in calculating expected losses, and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of our control and as uncertainty is inherent in these estimates, it is reasonably possible that they could change.

 

Our estimate of expected losses could increase if our actual loss experience or repurchase activity is different than originally estimated, or if economic factors change the value we could reasonably expect to obtain from a sale. In particular, if actual losses increase or if values reasonably expected to be obtained from a sale decrease, the provision for losses would increase. Any increase in the provision for losses would adversely affect our results of operations.

 

Interest Rate Risk, Derivatives and Hedging

 

We regularly originate, securitize and sell fixed and variable rate loans. We face three primary periods of interest rate risk: during the period from approval of a loan application through loan funding; on our loans held for sale from the time of funding to the date of sale; and on the loans underlying our mortgage-related securities and on our loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting.

 

Interest rate risk exists during the period from approval of a loan application through loan funding and from the time of funding to the date of sale because the premium earned on the sale of these loans is partially contingent upon the then-current market rate of interest for loans as compared to the contractual interest rate of the loans. Our use of derivatives is intended to mitigate the volatility of earnings associated with fluctuations in the gain on sale of loans due to changes in the current market rate of interest.

 

The interest rate risk on the loans underlying our mortgage-related securities and on our loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting exists because some of these loans have fixed interest rates for a period of two, three or five years while the rate passed through to the investors in the mortgage-related securities and the holders of the securitization bonds is based upon an adjustable rate. We also have interest rate risk for six month adjustable loans and when the loans become adjustable after their two, three or five year fixed rate period. This is due to the loan rates resetting every six months, subject to various caps and floors, versus the monthly reset on the rate passed through to the investors in the mortgage-related securities and holders of the securitization bonds. Our use of derivatives is intended to mitigate the volatility of earnings associated with fluctuations in the unrealized gain (loss) on the mortgage-related securities and changes in the cash flows of our loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting due to changes in LIBOR rates.

 

As part of our interest rate management process, we use derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps and caps, Eurodollar futures and options on Eurodollar futures. In connection with the securitizations structured as financings, we have entered into interest rate cap agreements and interest rate swap agreements. We do not use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value.

 

Fair Value Hedges

 

We designate certain derivative financial instruments as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133, and at trade date, these instruments and their hedging relationship are identified, designated and documented. For derivative financial instruments designated as hedge instruments, we evaluate the effectiveness of these hedges against the mortgage loans being hedged to ensure there remains a highly effective correlation in the hedge relationship. To hedge the effect of interest rate changes on the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale, we are using derivatives as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. Once the hedge relationship is established, the realized and unrealized changes in fair value of both the hedge instrument and mortgage loans are recognized in the period in which the changes occur. Any change in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale recognized as a result of hedge accounting is reversed at the time we sell the mortgage loans. This results in a correspondingly higher or lower gain on sale revenue at such time. The net amount recorded in the consolidated statements of operations is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness.

 

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Cash Flow Hedges

 

During the third quarter 2004, we implemented the use of cash flow hedge accounting on our securitization debt under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitization debt attributable to interest rate risk. During the third quarter 2005, Accredited implemented the use of cash flow hedging on its variable rate debt in Canada under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our variable rate debt in Canada attributable to interest rates. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported in other comprehensive income, and that the ineffective portion be reported in current earnings.

 

For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the period in which the changes occur and realized gains and losses are recognized in the period when such instruments are settled.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which also supersedes APB 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. The revised standard eliminates the alternative to use Opinion 25’s intrinsic value method of accounting and eliminates the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123. The compliance date for the revised standard was extended by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in April 2005. The revised standard applies to all stock options and awards granted after December 31, 2005 and requires the recognition of compensation expense in the financial statements for all share-based payment transactions subsequent to that date. The revised standard also requires the prospective recognition of compensation expense in the financial statements for all unvested options after January 1, 2006. Adoption of this standard on January 1, 2006 will have a negative impact on our earnings based on our current pro forma earnings as presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

 

You should carefully consider the following risks, together with other matters described in this Form 10-Q in evaluating our business and prospects. If any of the events referred to below actually occur, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Certain statements in this Form 10-Q (including certain of the following risk factors) constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 3 of this Form 10-Q.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We face intense competition that could adversely impact our market share and our revenues.

 

We face intense competition from finance and mortgage banking companies, Internet-based lending companies where entry barriers are relatively low, and from traditional bank and thrift lenders that have entered the non-prime mortgage industry. As we seek to expand our business further, we will face a significant number of additional competitors, many of whom will be well established in the markets we seek to penetrate. Some of our competitors are much larger, have better name recognition, and have far greater financial and other resources than us.

 

The government-sponsored entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are also expanding their participation in the non-prime mortgage industry. These government-sponsored entities have a size and cost-of-funds advantage

 

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that allows them to purchase loans with lower rates or fees than we are willing to offer. While the government- sponsored entities presently do not have the legal authority to originate mortgage loans, including non-prime loans, they do have the authority to buy loans. A material expansion of their involvement in the market to purchase non-prime loans could change the dynamics of the industry by virtue of their sheer size, pricing power and the inherent advantages of a government charter. In addition, if as a result of their purchasing practices, these government-sponsored entities experience significantly higher-than-expected losses, such experience could adversely affect the overall investor perception of the non-prime mortgage industry.

 

The intense competition in the non-prime mortgage industry has also led to rapid technological developments, evolving industry standards and frequent releases of new products and enhancements. As mortgage products are offered more widely through alternative distribution channels, such as the Internet, we may be required to make significant changes to our current retail and wholesale structure and information and technology systems to compete effectively. Our inability to continue enhancing our current Internet capabilities, or to adapt to other technological changes in the industry, could significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. In addition, we rely on software and other technology-based programs to gather and analyze competitive and other data from the marketplace. Problems with our technology or inability to implement technological changes may, therefore, result in delayed detection of market trends and conditions.

 

Competition in the industry can take many forms, including interest rates and costs of a loan, less stringent underwriting standards, offering of loan products which we do not offer, convenience in obtaining a loan, customer service, amount and term of a loan and marketing and distribution channels. The need to maintain mortgage loan volume in this competitive environment creates a risk of price competition in the non-prime mortgage industry. Price competition could prevent us from raising rates in response to a rising cost of funds or cause us to lower the interest rates that we charge borrowers, which could adversely impact our profitability and lower the value of our loans. If our competitors adopt less stringent underwriting standards, we will be pressured to do so as well, which would result in greater loan risk without compensating pricing. If we do not relax underwriting standards in response to our competitors, we may lose market share. Any increase in these pricing and underwriting pressures could reduce the volume of our loan originations and sales and significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Any substantial economic slowdown could increase delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures and reduce our ability to originate loans.

 

Periods of economic slowdown or recession may be accompanied by decreased demand for consumer credit, decreased real estate values, and increased rates of delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures. Any material decline in real estate values would increase the loan-to-value ratios (“LTVs”) on loans that we hold pending sale and loans in which we have a residual or retained interest, weaken our collateral coverage and increase the possibility and severity of a loss if a borrower defaults. We originate loans to borrowers who make little or no down payment, resulting in higher LTVs. A lack of equity in the home may reduce the incentive a borrower has to meet his payment obligations during periods of financial hardship, which might result in higher delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures. These factors would reduce our ability to originate loans and increase our losses on loans in which we have a residual or retained interest. In addition, loans we originate during an economic slowdown may not be as valuable to us because potential purchasers of our loans might reduce the premiums they pay for the loans to compensate for any increased risks arising during such periods. Any sustained increase in delinquencies, defaults or foreclosures is likely to significantly harm the pricing of our future loan sales and securitizations and also our ability to finance our loan originations.

 

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We finance borrowers with lower credit ratings. The non-prime loans we originate generally have higher delinquency and default rates than prime mortgage loans, which could result in losses on loans that we hold or that we are required to repurchase, the loss of our servicing rights and damage to our reputation as a loan servicer.

 

We are in the business of originating, selling, securitizing and servicing non-prime mortgage loans. Non-prime mortgage loans generally have higher delinquency and default rates than prime mortgage loans. Delinquency interrupts the flow of projected interest income from a mortgage loan and default can ultimately lead to a loss if the net realizable value of the real property securing the mortgage loan is insufficient to cover the principal and interest due on the loan. Also, our cost of financing and servicing a delinquent or defaulted loan is generally higher than for a performing loan. We bear the risk of delinquency and default on loans beginning when we originate them until we sell them and we continue to bear the risk of delinquency and default after we securitize loans or sell loans with a retained interest. Loans that become delinquent prior to sale or securitization may become unsaleable or saleable only at a discount, and the longer we hold loans prior to sale or securitization, the greater the chance we will bear the costs associated with the loans’ delinquency. Factors that may increase the time held prior to sale or securitization include the time required to accumulate loans for securitizations or sales of large pools of loans, the amount and timing of third-party due diligence in connection with sales or securitizations, and defects in the loans.

 

We also reacquire the risks of delinquency and default for loans that we are obligated to repurchase. Repurchase obligations are typically triggered in loan sale transactions if an early payment default occurs on the loan after sale, or in any sale or securitization if the loan materially violates our representations or warranties. At September 30, 2005, mortgage loans held for sale included $73.7 million of loans repurchased. Our total provision for losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was $56.5 million and for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $56.9 million. If we experience higher-than-expected levels of delinquency or default in pools of loans that we service, we may lose our servicing rights, which would result in a loss of future servicing income and may damage our reputation as a loan servicer.

 

We attempt to manage these risks with risk-based mortgage loan pricing and appropriate underwriting policies and loan collection methods. However, if such policies and methods are insufficient to control our delinquency and default risks and do not result in appropriate loan pricing, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could be significantly harmed. Our total delinquency rate (30 or more days past due, including loans in foreclosure and converted into real estate owned) for our servicing portfolio was 1.95% at September 30, 2005. Historically, our delinquency rate has increased, and may increase in the future, as the mortgage loans in our portfolio age.

 

An increase in interest rates could result in a reduction in our loan origination volumes, an increase in delinquency, default and foreclosure rates and a reduction in the value of, and income from, our loans.

 

The following are some of the risks we face related to an increase in interest rates:

 

    A substantial and sustained increase in interest rates could harm our ability to originate loans because refinancing an existing loan would be less attractive and qualifying for a purchase loan may be more difficult.

 

    Existing borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages may incur higher monthly payments as the interest rate increases, which may lead to higher delinquency and default rates.

 

    If prevailing interest rates increase after we fund a loan, the value that we receive upon the sale or securitization of the loan decreases.

 

   

The cost of financing our mortgage loans prior to sale or securitization is based primarily upon the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The interest rates we charge on our mortgage loans are based, in part, upon prevailing interest rates at the time of origination, and the interest rates on all of our mortgage loans are fixed for at least the first six months, or two, three or five years. If LIBOR increases

 

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after the time of loan origination, our net interest income—which represents the difference between the interest rates we receive on our mortgage loans pending sale or securitization and our LIBOR-based cost of financing such loans—will be reduced. The weighted average cost of financing our mortgage loans, prior to sale or securitization, was 4.33% during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

 

    When we securitize loans or sell loans with retained interests, the value of and the income we receive from the loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting and the mortgage-related securities we retain are also based on LIBOR to the extent the underlying loans have an adjustable interest rate. This is because the income we receive from these mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities is based on the difference between the fixed rates payable on the loans for the first two or three years, and an adjustable LIBOR-based yield payable to the senior security holders or loan purchasers. We also have interest rate risk when the loans become adjustable after their two or three year fixed rate period. This is due to the loan rates resetting every nine months, subject to various caps and floors, versus the monthly reset on the rate passed through to the investors in the mortgage-related securities and holders of the securitization bonds.

 

Accordingly, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may be significantly harmed as a result of increased interest rates.

 

Our business may be significantly harmed by a slowdown in the economy or a natural disaster in the states of California or Florida, where we conduct a significant amount of business.

 

A significant portion of the mortgage loans we have originated, purchased or serviced has been secured by properties in California and Florida. During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, 20% and 11% of the principal balance of the loans we originated were collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. At September 30, 2005, 23% and 10% of the unpaid principal balance of loans we serviced were collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. An overall decline in the economy or the residential real estate market, or the occurrence of a natural disaster that is not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies, such as an earthquake, hurricane or wildfire, could decrease the value of mortgaged properties in these states. This, in turn, would increase the risk of delinquency, default or foreclosure on mortgage loans in our portfolio or that we have sold to others. This could restrict our ability to originate, sell, or securitize mortgage loans, and significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Our hedging strategies may not be successful in mitigating our risks associated with interest rates.

 

We use various derivative financial instruments to provide a level of protection against interest rate risks, but no hedging strategy can protect us completely. When rates change, we expect to record a gain or loss on derivatives which would be offset by an inverse change in the value of loans held for sale and mortgage-related securities, as reflected in the Interest Rate Simulation Sensitivity Analysis in the section entitled Market Risk in “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We cannot assure you, however, that our use of derivatives will offset the risks related to changes in interest rates. There have been periods, and it is likely that there will be periods in the future, during which we will not have offsetting gains or losses in loan values after accounting for our derivative financial instruments. The derivative financial instruments we select may not have the effect of reducing our interest rate risk. In addition, the nature and timing of hedging transactions may influence the effectiveness of these strategies. Poorly designed strategies, improperly executed transactions, or inaccurate assumptions could actually increase our risk and losses. In addition, hedging strategies involve transaction and other costs. We cannot assure you that our hedging strategy and the derivatives that we use will adequately offset the risk of interest rate volatility or that our hedging transactions will not result in losses. See discussion under Market Risk in “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

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Our business requires a significant amount of cash and if it is not available our business will be significantly harmed.

 

Our primary sources of cash are our warehouse credit facilities and the proceeds from the sales and securitizations of our loans. We require substantial cash to fund our loan originations, to pay our loan origination expenses and to hold our loans pending sale or securitization. Also, as a servicer of loans, we are required to advance delinquent principal and interest payments, unpaid property taxes, hazard insurance premiums, and foreclosure and foreclosure-related costs. Our warehouse credit facilities also require us to observe certain financial covenants, including the maintenance of certain levels of cash and general liquidity in our company.

 

As of September 30, 2005, we financed substantially all of our loans through nine separate warehouse lenders. Each of these facilities is cancelable by the lender for cause at any time and at least one is cancelable at any time without cause. These facilities generally have a renewable, one-year term. Because these are short-term commitments of capital, the lenders may respond to market conditions, which may favor an alternative investment strategy for them, making it more difficult for us to secure continued financing. If we are not able to renew any of these warehouse credit facilities or arrange for new financing on terms acceptable to us, or if we default on our covenants or are otherwise unable to access funds under any of these facilities, or if the lenders do not honor their commitments for any reason, we will have to curtail our loan origination activities. This would result in decreased revenues and profits from loan sales.

 

The timing of our loan dispositions (which are periodic) is not always matched to the timing of our expenses (which are continuous). This requires us to maintain significant levels of cash to maintain acceptable levels of liquidity. When we securitize our loans or sell our loans with a retained interest, we may not receive any amounts in excess of the principal amount of the loan for up to 12 months or longer. Further, any decrease in demand in the whole loan market such that we are unable to timely and profitably sell our loans could inhibit our ability to meet our liquidity demands.

 

Our warehouse credit facilities contain covenants that restrict our operations and may inhibit our ability to grow our business and increase revenues.

 

Our warehouse credit facilities contain extensive restrictions and covenants that, among other things, require us to satisfy specified financial, asset quality and loan performance tests and may prohibit inter-company dividends in certain circumstances. If we fail to meet or satisfy any of these covenants, we would be in default under these agreements and our lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the agreements to be immediately due and payable, enforce their interests against collateral pledged under such agreements and restrict our ability to make additional borrowings. These agreements also contain cross-default provisions, so that if a default occurs under any one agreement, the lenders under our other agreements could also declare a default.

 

The covenants and restrictions in our warehouse credit facilities may restrict our ability to, among other things:

 

    incur additional debt;

 

    make certain investments or acquisitions;

 

    repurchase or redeem capital stock;

 

    engage in mergers or consolidations;

 

    finance loans with certain attributes;

 

    reduce liquidity below certain levels; and

 

    hold loans for longer than established time periods.

 

These restrictions may interfere with our ability to obtain financing or to engage in other business activities, which may significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

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Our rights to cash flow from our loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting are subordinate to senior interests and may fail to generate any revenues for us if the revenue stream only generates enough revenues to pay the senior interest holders.

 

As part of the credit enhancement for our securitizations, the net cash flow that we receive from the loans held for investment generally represents the excess of amounts, if any, generated by the underlying mortgage loans over the amounts required to be paid to the senior security holders or loan purchasers. This excess amount is also calculated after deduction of servicing fees and any other specified expenses related to the sale or securitization. These excess amounts are derived from, and are affected by, the interplay of several factors, including:

 

    the extent to which the interest rates of the mortgage loans exceed the interest rates payable to the senior security holders or loan purchasers;

 

    the level of losses and delinquencies experienced on the underlying loans; and

 

    the extent to which the underlying loans are prepaid by borrowers in advance of scheduled maturities.

 

Any combination of the factors listed above may reduce the income we receive from and the value of our loans held for investment.

 

If we do not manage our growth effectively, our financial performance could be harmed.

 

In recent years, we have experienced rapid growth that has placed, and will continue to place, certain pressures on our management, administrative, operational and financial infrastructure. As of December 31, 2002, we had 1,294 employees and by September 30, 2005, we had 2,639 employees. Many of these employees have very limited experience with us and a limited understanding of our systems and controls. The increase in the size of our operations may make it more difficult for us to ensure that we originate quality loans and that we service them effectively. We will need to attract and hire additional sales, servicing and management personnel in an intensely competitive hiring environment in order to preserve and increase our market share. At the same time, we will need to continue to upgrade and expand our financial, operational and managerial systems and controls. We also intend to continue to grow our business in the future, which could require capital, systems development and human resources beyond what we currently have. We cannot assure you that we will be able to:

 

    meet our capital needs;

 

    expand our systems effectively;

 

    allocate our human resources optimally;

 

    identify and hire qualified employees;

 

    satisfactorily perform our servicing obligations; or

 

    effectively integrate the components of any businesses that we may acquire in our effort to achieve growth.

 

The failure to manage growth effectively would significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Our inability to attract and retain qualified employees could significantly harm our business.

 

We depend upon our wholesale account executives and retail loan officers to attract borrowers by, among other things, developing relationships with financial institutions, other mortgage companies and brokers, real estate agents, borrowers and others. We believe that these relationships lead to repeat and referral business. The market for skilled executive officers, account executives and loan officers is highly competitive and historically has experienced a high rate of turnover. Because of the difficulty in retaining qualified management personnel,

 

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we currently recruit college graduates to participate in our management trainee program. If we are unable to retain those trainees for a sufficient period following their training, we may be unable to recapture our costs of training and recruitment. In addition, if a manager leaves our company there is an increased likelihood that other members of his or her team will follow. Competition for qualified account executives and loan officers may lead to increased hiring and retention costs. If we are unable to attract or retain a sufficient number of skilled account executives at manageable costs, we will be unable to continue to originate quality mortgage loans that we are able to sell for a profit, which will reduce our revenues.

 

We may not be able to continue to sell and securitize our mortgage loans on terms and conditions that are profitable to us.

 

A substantial portion of our revenues comes from the gains on sale generated by sales of pools of our mortgage loans as whole loans. We make whole loan sales to a limited number of institutional purchasers, some of which may be frequent, repeat purchasers, and others of which may make only one or a few purchases from us. We cannot assure you that we will continue to have purchasers for our loans on terms and conditions that will be profitable to us. Also, even though our mortgage loans are generally marketable to multiple purchasers, certain loans may be marketable to only one or a few purchasers, thereby increasing the risk that we may be unable to sell such loans at a profit.

 

We also rely on our ability to securitize our mortgage loans to realize a greater percentage of the full economic value of the loans. We cannot assure you, however, that we will continue to be successful in securitizing mortgage loans. Our ability to complete securitizations of our loans will depend upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including conditions in the credit and securities markets generally, conditions in the asset-backed securities market specifically, the availability of credit enhancements such as financial guarantee insurance, a senior subordinated structure or other means, and the performance of our loans previously held for investment.

 

An interruption in, or breach of, our information systems may result in lost business.

 

We rely heavily upon communications and information systems to conduct our business. As we implement our growth strategy and increase our volume of loan production, that reliance will increase. Any failure, interruption or breach in the security of our information systems or the third-party information systems on which we rely could cause underwriting or other delays and could result in fewer loan applications being received, slower processing of applications and reduced efficiency in loan servicing. We cannot assure you that such failures or interruptions will not occur, or if they do occur that they will be adequately addressed by us or the third parties on which we rely. The occurrence of any failures or interruptions could significantly harm our business.

 

The success and growth of our business will depend upon our ability to adapt to and implement technological changes.

 

Our mortgage loan origination business is currently dependent upon our ability to effectively interface with our brokers, borrowers and other third parties and to efficiently process loan applications and closings. The origination process is becoming more dependent upon technological advancement, such as the ability to process applications over the Internet, accept electronic signatures, provide status updates instantly and other customer-expected conveniences that are cost-efficient to our business. In addition, competition and increasing regulation may increase our reliance on technology as a means to improve efficiency. Implementing this new technology and becoming proficient with it may also require significant capital expenditures. As these requirements increase in the future, we will have to fully develop these technological capabilities to remain competitive or our business will be significantly harmed.

 

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If we are unable to maintain and expand our network of independent brokers, our loan origination business will decrease.

 

A significant majority of our originations of mortgage loans comes from independent brokers. During 2004, 90% of our loan originations were originated through our broker network. Our brokers are not contractually obligated to do business with us. Further, our competitors also have relationships with our brokers and actively compete with us in our efforts to expand our broker networks. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in maintaining our existing relationships or expanding our broker networks, the failure of which could significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Our financial results fluctuate as a result of seasonality and other timing factors, which makes it difficult to predict our future performance and may affect the price of our common stock.

 

Our business is generally subject to seasonal trends. These trends reflect the general pattern of housing sales, which typically peak during the spring and summer seasons. Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and are expected to fluctuate in the future, reflecting the seasonality of the industry. Further, if the closing of a sale of loans is postponed, the recognition of gain from the sale is also postponed. If such a delay causes us to recognize income in the next quarter, our results of operations for the previous quarter could be significantly depressed.

 

We are subject to losses due to fraudulent and negligent acts on the part of loan applicants, mortgage brokers, other vendors and our employees.

 

When we originate mortgage loans, we rely heavily upon information supplied by third parties including the information contained in the loan application, property appraisal, title information and employment and income documentation. If any of this information is intentionally or negligently misrepresented and such misrepresentation is not detected prior to loan funding, the value of the loan may be significantly lower than expected. Whether a misrepresentation is made by the loan applicant, the mortgage broker, another third party or one of our own employees, we generally bear the risk of loss associated with the misrepresentation. A loan subject to a material misrepresentation is typically unsaleable or subject to repurchase if it is sold prior to detection of the misrepresentation. Even though we may have rights against persons and entities who made or knew about the misrepresentation, such persons and entities are often difficult to locate and it is often difficult to collect any monetary losses that we have suffered as a result of their actions.

 

We have controls and processes designed to help us identify misrepresented information in our loan origination operations. We cannot assure you, however, that we have detected or will detect all misrepresented information in our loan originations.

 

We are subject to losses due to fraudulent and negligent acts in other parts of our operations. If we experience a significant number of such fraudulent or negligent acts, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would be significantly harmed.

 

Defective loans may harm our business.

 

In connection with the sale and securitization of our loans, we are required to make a variety of customary representations and warranties regarding our company and the loans. We are subject to these representations and warranties for the life of the loan and they relate to, among other things:

 

    compliance with laws;

 

    regulations and underwriting standards;

 

    the accuracy of information in the loan documents and loan file; and

 

    the characteristics and enforceability of the loan.

 

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A loan that does not comply with these representations and warranties may take longer to sell, impact our ability to obtain third party financing, and be unsaleable or saleable only at a discount. If such a loan is sold before we detect a non-compliance, we may be obligated to repurchase the loan and bear any associated loss directly, or we may be obligated to indemnify the purchaser against any such losses, either of which could reduce our cash available for operations and liquidity. We believe that we have qualified personnel at all levels and have established controls to ensure that all loans are originated to the market’s requirements, but we cannot assure you that we will not make mistakes, or that certain employees will not deliberately violate our lending policies. We seek to minimize losses from defective loans by correcting flaws if possible and selling or re-selling such loans. We also create allowances to provide for defective loans in our financial statements. We cannot assure you, however, that losses associated with defective loans will not harm our results of operations or financial condition.

 

If the prepayment rates for our mortgage loans are higher than expected, our results of operations may be significantly harmed.

 

When a borrower pays off a mortgage loan prior to the loan’s scheduled maturity, the impact on us depends upon when such payoff or “prepayment” occurs. Our prepayment losses generally occur after we sell or securitize our loans and the extent of our losses depends on when the prepayment occurs. If the prepayment occurs:

 

    within 12 to 18 months following a whole loan sale, we may have to reimburse the purchaser for all or a portion of the premium paid by the purchaser for the loan, again resulting in a loss of our profit on the loan; or

 

    after we have securitized the loan or sold the loan in a sale with a retained interest, we lose the future income from that loan, and if we recorded a gain at the time of such securitization or sale, we may be required to record a charge against our earnings if actual prepayment rates for the related pool of loans are higher than the prepayment rates assumed in recording the gain at the time of sale or securitization.

 

Prepayment rates on mortgage loans vary from time to time and tend to increase during periods of declining interest rates. Of the securitized loans we serviced during the three months ended September 30, 2005, 33.8%, on an annualized basis, were prepaid. We seek to minimize our prepayment risk through a variety of means, including originating a significant portion of loans with prepayment penalties with terms of two to five years. No strategy, however, can completely insulate us from prepayment risks, whether arising from the effects of interest rate changes or otherwise. See “Statutory and Regulatory Risks” below for a discussion of statutes related to prepayment penalties.

 

We are exposed to environmental liabilities, with respect to properties that we take title to upon foreclosure, that could increase our costs of doing business and harm our results of operations.

 

In the course of our servicing activities, we may foreclose and take title to residential properties and become subject to environmental liabilities with respect to those properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. Moreover, as the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based upon damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. If we ever become subject to significant environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would be significantly harmed.

 

Statutory and Regulatory Risks

 

The scope of our operations exposes us to risks of noncompliance with an increasing and inconsistent body of complex laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels.

 

Because we originate mortgage loans in all 50 states, in the District of Columbia and Canada, we must comply with the laws and regulations, as well as judicial and administrative decisions, of all of these

 

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jurisdictions, as well as an extensive body of federal and international laws and regulations. The volume of new or modified laws and regulations has increased in recent years, and, in addition, individual cities and counties have begun to enact laws that restrict non-prime loan origination activities in those cities and counties. The laws and regulations of each of these jurisdictions are different, complex and, in some cases, in direct conflict with each other. As our operations continue to grow, it may be more difficult to comprehensively identify, to accurately interpret and to properly program our technology systems and effectively train our personnel with respect to all of these laws and regulations, thereby potentially increasing our exposure to the risks of noncompliance with these laws and regulations.

 

For example, certain provisions of Illinois law, known as the Illinois Interest Act, limit the charging of certain fees on mortgage loans with interest rates that exceed a specified threshold. On March 31, 2004, an Illinois appellate court held, in U.S. Bank, National Association, et al., v. Clark, et al., that the Illinois Interest Act was not preempted by federal law. Before this decision, prior case law and published positions of the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate supported federal preemption of the Illinois Interest Act with respect to first priority mortgage loans. In reliance on that prior authority, some of the first priority mortgage loans we made in Illinois prior to the Clark decision had fees which may have exceeded the limit of the Illinois Interest Act. Damages for violation of the Illinois Interest Act include actual economic damage and an amount equal to twice the total of all interest, discount and charges determined by the loan contract or paid by the obligor, whichever is greater. The Clark decision is currently on appeal to the Supreme Court of Illinois. If the Clark decision is not reversed on appeal, or if legislation overriding the holding of the Clark decision is not enacted, we could be materially and adversely affected by the potential liability from mortgage loans we made prior to the Clark decision which may be found to have been in violation of the Illinois Interest Act.

 

In addition, recently enacted and changed laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and stock exchange rules, are creating uncertainties for companies like ours. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations due, in many cases, to their lack of specificity. As their applications evolve over time and new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, we may incur higher costs of compliance resulting from ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices.

 

Our failure to comply with these laws can lead to:

 

    civil and criminal liability;

 

    loss of approved status;

 

    demands for indemnification or loan repurchases from purchasers of our loans;

 

    class action lawsuits; and administrative enforcement actions.

 

Stockholder refusal to comply with regulatory requirements may interfere with our ability to do business in certain states.

 

Some states in which we operate may impose regulatory requirements on our officers and directors and persons holding certain amounts, usually 10% or more, of our common stock. If any person holding such an amount of our stock fails to meet or refuses to comply with a state’s applicable regulatory requirements for mortgage lending, we could lose our authority to conduct business in that state.

 

We may be subject to fines or other penalties based upon the conduct of our independent brokers.

 

The mortgage brokers from which we obtain loans are subject to legal obligations which are parallel to, but separate from, the legal obligations that we are subject to as a lender. While these laws may not explicitly hold

 

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the originating lenders responsible for the legal violations of mortgage brokers, federal and state agencies have increasingly sought to impose such assignee liability.

 

For example, the United States Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) entered into a settlement agreement with a mortgage lender in which the FTC characterized a broker that had placed all of its loan production with a single lender as the “agent” of the lender. The FTC imposed a fine on the lender in part because, as “principal,” the lender was legally responsible for the mortgage broker’s unfair and deceptive acts and practices. Also, the United States Justice Department in the past has sought to hold a non-prime mortgage lender responsible for the pricing practices of its mortgage brokers, alleging that the mortgage lender was directly responsible for the total fees and charges paid by the borrower under the Fair Housing Act even if the lender neither dictated what the mortgage broker could charge nor kept the money for its own account. Accordingly, we may be subject to fines or other penalties based upon the conduct of our independent mortgage brokers.

 

We are no longer able to rely on the Alternative Mortgage Transactions Parity Act to preempt certain state law restrictions on prepayment penalties, and we may be unable to compete effectively with financial institutions that are exempt from such restrictions.

 

The value of a mortgage loan depends, in part, upon the expected period of time that the mortgage loan will be outstanding. If a borrower pays off a mortgage loan in advance of this expected period, the holder of the mortgage loan does not realize the full value expected to be received from the loan. However, a prepayment penalty payable by a borrower who repays a loan earlier than expected helps offset the reduction in value resulting from the early payoff. Consequently, the value of a mortgage loan is enhanced to the extent the loan includes a prepayment penalty, and a mortgage lender can offer a lower interest rate and/or lower loan fees on a loan which has a prepayment penalty. Prepayment penalties are an important feature to obtain value on the loans we originate.

 

Certain state laws restrict or prohibit prepayment penalties on mortgage loans, and we have relied on the federal Alternative Mortgage Transactions Parity Act (the “Parity Act”) and related rules issued in the past by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”) to preempt state limitations on prepayment penalties. The Parity Act was enacted to extend to financial institutions, other than federally chartered depository institutions, the federal preemption which federally chartered depository institutions enjoy. However, on September 25, 2002, the OTS released a new rule that reduced the scope of the Parity Act preemption as of July 1, 2003, preventing us from relying on the Parity Act to preempt state restrictions on prepayment penalties. The elimination of this federal preemption requires us to comply with state restrictions on prepayment penalties. This may place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to financial institutions that will continue to enjoy federal preemption of such state restrictions because such institutions will be able to charge prepayment penalties without regard to state restrictions and thereby may be able to offer loans with interest rate and loan fee structures that are more attractive than we are able to offer.

 

The increasing number of federal, state and local “anti-predatory lending” laws may restrict our ability to originate, or increase our risk of liability with respect to, certain mortgage loans and could increase our cost of doing business.

 

In recent years, several federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations have been adopted, or are under consideration, that are intended to eliminate so-called “predatory” lending practices. These laws, rules and regulations impose certain restrictions on loans on which certain points and fees or the annual percentage rate (“APR”) exceeds specified thresholds, commonly referred to as “high cost” loans. Some of these restrictions expose a lender to risks of litigation and regulatory sanction no matter how carefully a loan is underwritten. In addition, an increasing number of these laws, rules and regulations seek to impose liability for violations on purchasers of loans, regardless of whether a purchaser knew of or participated in the violation.

 

We have generally avoided and will continue to avoid originating “high cost” loans because the rating agencies generally will not rate securities backed by such loans, and the companies that buy our loans and/or

 

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provide financing for our loan origination operations generally do not want to buy or finance such loans. The continued enactment or adoption of these laws, rules and regulations may prevent us from making certain loans that we would otherwise make, may cause us to cease operations in certain jurisdictions altogether and may cause us to reduce the APR or the points and fees on loans that we do make. In addition, the difficulty of managing the risks presented by these laws, rules and regulations may decrease the availability of warehouse financing and the overall demand for non-prime loans, making it difficult to fund, sell or securitize any of our loans. If we decide to relax our restrictions on loans subject to these laws, rules and regulations, we will be subject to greater risks for actual or perceived non-compliance with such laws, rules and regulations, including demands for indemnification or loan repurchases from our lenders and loan purchasers, class action lawsuits, increased defenses to foreclosure of individual loans in default, individual claims for significant monetary damages, and administrative enforcement actions. If nothing else, the growing number of these laws, rules and regulations will increase our cost of doing business, as we are required to develop systems and procedures to ensure that we do not violate any aspect of these new requirements. Any of the foregoing could significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

Risks Related to Our Capital Structure

 

Our guarantee of the Series A preferred shares of the REIT is senior to claims of our common stockholders.

 

Our guarantee of dividend and principal payments on the Series A preferred shares of the REIT is subordinate to all of our existing and future indebtedness but is senior to our common stock. As a result, upon any distribution to our creditors in a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or similar proceeding, the holders of the Series A preferred shares will be entitled to be paid in full under the guarantee before any payment may be made to holders of our common stock.

 

We are a holding company and our assets consist primarily of investments in our subsidiaries. Substantially all of our consolidated liabilities have been incurred by our subsidiaries. Therefore, our right to participate in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the latter’s liquidation or reorganization will be subject to prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that we may be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary, in which case our claims would still be subject to the prior claims of any secured creditor of such subsidiary and of any holder of indebtedness of such subsidiary that is senior to that held by us.

 

If the REIT fails to maintain its status as a real estate investment trust, the REIT will be subject to federal and state income tax on taxable income at regular corporate rates, and the value of our common stock may be adversely impacted as a result.

 

The REIT was organized to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The REIT has conducted, and intends to continue to conduct, its operations so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust. Qualification as a real estate investment trust involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements, some on an annual and some on a quarterly basis, established under highly technical and complex provisions of the Code for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within the REIT’s control. For instance, in order to qualify as a real estate investment trust, no more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the REIT may be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) (the “Ownership Test”). Furthermore, each year the REIT must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of the REIT’s taxable income (the “Annual Distribution Requirements”). We cannot assure you that the REIT will at all times satisfy these rules and tests.

 

If the REIT were to fail to timely meet the Annual Distribution Requirements, satisfy the Ownership Test or otherwise qualify as a real estate investment trust in any taxable year, the REIT would be subject to federal and

 

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state income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on its taxable income at regular corporate rates. Moreover, unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, the REIT would also be disqualified from treatment as a real estate investment trust for the four taxable years following the year during which the qualification is lost. This treatment would reduce the REIT’s net earnings and cash flow available for distribution to shareholders, including to us as holder of the REIT’s common shares, because of its additional tax liability for the years involved. Additionally, distributions to shareholders would no longer be required to be made by the REIT. Accordingly, the REIT’s failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust could have a material adverse impact on our financial results and the value of the common stock held by our stockholders.

 

Moreover, in order to satisfy the Ownership Test, the REIT’s Declaration of Trust establishes certain ownership restrictions on its shares of beneficial interest. For example, no individual (as described above) may beneficially own more than 9.8% of the value of the REIT. Even with this restriction, depending on the concentration of ownership of our stock and the relative value in the REIT’s common and preferred shares, it is possible that our ownership of the REIT’s common shares would cause the REIT to fail to satisfy the Ownership Test. In such a situation, the Declaration of Trust would require that the number of the REIT common shares held by us which causes the REIT to fail to satisfy the Ownership Test be transferred to a charitable trust at a price no greater than the fair market value of the REIT common shares as of such date, and we would have no future beneficial interest in such REIT common shares (including the right to vote or receive dividends on such REIT common shares).

 

The market price of our common stock could be volatile.

 

The market price for our common stock may fluctuate substantially due to a number of factors, including:

 

    the issuance of new equity securities pursuant to a future offering;

 

    changes in interest rates;

 

    competitive developments, including announcements by us or our competitors of new products or services or significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

    variations in quarterly operating results;

 

    changes in financial estimates and forecasts published by securities analysts;

 

    the depth and liquidity of the market for our common stock;

 

    investor perceptions of our company and the mortgage industry generally (including the non-prime and nonconforming mortgage industry); and

 

    general economic and other national conditions.

 

Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may deter takeover attempts, which may limit the opportunity of our stockholders to sell their shares at a favorable price.

 

Some of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our stockholders by providing them with the opportunity to sell their shares possibly at a premium over the then market price.

 

For example, our board of directors is divided into three classes. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the terms of approximately one-third of the directors will expire, and new directors will be elected to serve for three years. The term of the first class expires at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of the second class expires in 2005, and the term of the third class expires in 2006. Thus, it will take at least two annual meetings to effect a change in control of our board of directors because a majority of the directors cannot be elected at a single meeting, which may delay, discourage, prevent or make it more difficult or costly to acquire or effect a change in control, even if such a change in control would be favorable to our stockholders.

 

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In addition, our certificate of incorporation authorizes the board of directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by our board of directors without further action by the stockholders. These terms may include voting rights including the right to vote as a series on particular matters, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion rights, redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding. The issuance of any preferred stock in the future could diminish the rights of holders of our common stock, and therefore could reduce the value of our common stock. In addition, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict our ability to merge with, or sell assets to, a third party. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock could delay, discourage, prevent or make it more difficult or costly to acquire or effect a change in control, even if such a change in control would be favorable to our stockholders.

 

Our bylaws contain provisions that require stockholders to act only at a duly-called meeting and make it difficult for any person other than management to introduce business at a duly-called meeting by requiring such other person to follow certain notice procedures.

 

Finally, we are also subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder. The preceding provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, could discourage potential acquisition proposals, or delay or prevent a change of control and prevent changes in our management, even if such things would be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

See discussion under Market Risk in “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Accredited maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that it is able to collect the information it is required to disclose in the reports it files with the SEC, and to process, summarize and disclose this information within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations of the SEC. As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, in connection with the audit of our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, our management identified a material weakness in internal controls related to Accredited’s accounting for cash flows from mortgage origination activities in its financial statements. In response to the identification of the material weakness, an adjustment to the financial statements was made by Accredited to properly classify on our statement of cash flows, cash used for origination of mortgage loans from cash flows from investing activities to cash flows from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2004. As a result, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe that our cash flows as reported in our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 and contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K were in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principals, or GAAP, and that the identified material weakness has been remediated. Based on an evaluation of Accredited’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report conducted by Accredited’s management, Accredited’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe that Accredited’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that Accredited is able to collect, process and disclose the information it is required to disclose in the reports it files with the SEC within the required time periods.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

 

In December 2002, we were served with a complaint and motion for class certification in a class action lawsuit, Wratchford et al. v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Madison County, Illinois under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, the consumer protection statutes of the other states in which we do business and the common law of unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges that we have a practice of misrepresenting and inflating the amount of fees we pay to third parties in connection with the residential mortgage loans that we fund. The plaintiffs claim to represent a nationwide class consisting of others similarly situated, that is, those who paid us to pay, or reimburse our payments of, third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund for the difference between what they paid and what was actually paid to the third party. The plaintiffs are seeking to recover damages on behalf of themselves and the class, in addition to pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest, and any other relief the court may grant. On January 28, 2005, the court issued an order conditionally certifying (1) a class of Illinois residents with respect to the alleged violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act who, since November 19, 1997, paid money to us for third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund of the difference between the amount they paid us and the amount we paid the third party and (2) a nationwide class of claimants with respect to an unjust enrichment cause of action included in the original complaint who, since November 19, 1997 paid money to us for third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund of the difference between the amount they paid us and the amount we paid the third party. The court conditioned its order limiting the statutory consumer fraud act claims to claimants in the State of Illinois on the outcome of a case pending before the Illinois Supreme Court in which one of the issues is the propriety of certifying a nationwide class based on the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. That case has now been decided in a manner favorable to our position, and, in light of this ruling, we have filed with the court a motion for reconsideration of the court’s order granting class certification, or in the alternative, the court’s denial of our request for leave to take an interlocutory appeal of such order. If our motion for reconsideration is denied, we intend to petition the Illinois Supreme Court for a supervisory order reversing the lower court’s class certification decision. There has not yet been a ruling on that petition or the merits of either the plaintiffs’ individual claims or the claims of the class, and the ultimate outcome of this matter and the resulting liability, if any, are not presently determinable. We intend to continue to vigorously defend this matter and we do not believe it will have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

In January 2004, we were served with a complaint, Yturralde v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Sacramento County, California. The named plaintiff is a former commissioned loan officer of ours, and the complaint alleges that we violated California and federal law by misclassifying the plaintiff and other non-exempt employees as exempt employees, failing to pay the plaintiff on an hourly basis and for overtime worked, and failing to properly and accurately record and maintain payroll information. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of himself and all of our other similarly situated current and former employees, lost wages and benefits, general damages, multiple statutory penalties and interest, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit, and also seeks to enjoin further violations of wage and overtime laws and retaliation against employees who complain about such violations. We have been served with eleven substantially similar complaints on behalf of certain other former and current employees, which have been consolidated with the Yturralde action. We have appealed the court’s denial of our motion to compel arbitration of the consolidated cases, and a resolution of that appeal is not expected before early 2006. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing between the parties regarding potential settlement or mediation of the claims, and we have pursued and effected settlements directly with many current and former employees covered by the allegations of the complaints. A motion to certify a class has not yet been filed, and there has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiffs’ individual claims or the claims of the putative class. We do not believe these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, but, at the present time, the ultimate outcome of the litigation and the resulting liability, if any, are not determinable.

 

In June 2005, we were served with a complaint, Williams et al. v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The two named plaintiffs are former

 

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commissioned loan officers of ours, and the complaint alleges that we violated federal law by requiring the plaintiffs to work overtime without compensation. The plaintiffs seek to recover, on behalf of themselves and other similarly situated employees, the allegedly unpaid overtime, liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit. A motion to certify a collective class has not yet been filed, and there has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiffs’ individual claims or the claims of the putative class, and the ultimate outcome of this matter and the resulting liability, if any, are not presently determinable. We intend to vigorously defend this matter and do not believe it will have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

In September 2005, we were served with a class action complaint, Phillips v. Accredited Home Lenders Holding Company, et al., brought in the United States District Court, Central District of California. The complaint alleges violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act in connection with prescreened offers of credit which we have made. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of herself and similarly situated individuals, damages, pre-judgment interest, declaratory and injunctive relief, and any other relief the court may grant. A motion to certify a class has not yet been filed, and there has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiff’s individual claims or the claims of the putative class. We intend to vigorously defend this matter. If, however, a class were to be certified and were to prevail on the merits, the potential liability could have a material adverse effect on our business. The ultimate outcome of this matter and the resulting liability, if any, are not presently determinable.

 

Accredited has accrued for loss contingencies with respect to the foregoing matters to the extent it is probable that a liability has been occurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not deem the amount of such accruals to be material.

 

In addition, because the nature of our business involves the collection of numerous accounts, the validity of liens and compliance with various state and federal lending laws, we are subject to various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business related to foreclosures, bankruptcies, condemnation and quiet title actions, and alleged statutory and regulatory violations. We are also subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business related to employment matters. We do not believe that the resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None.

 

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

None.

 

ITEM 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

ITEM 6. Exhibits

 

For a list of exhibits filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, refer to the Exhibit Index beginning on page 81.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: November 9, 2005

 

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO.

BY:

 

/s/    JAMES A. KONRATH        


   

James A. Konrath

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

BY:

 

/s/    JOHN S. BUCHANAN        


   

John S. Buchanan

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

2.1(1)    Agreement and Plan of Merger.
3.1(2)    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.
3.2(2)    Bylaws of the Registrant.
4.1(2)    Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
4.2(3)    Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement.
4.3(4)    Articles Supplementary to Declaration of Trust of Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust Dated August 11, 2004.
4.4(5)    Articles Supplementary to Declaration of Trust of Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust Dated October 4, 2004..
4.5(4)    Guarantee Agreement of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co., dated as of August 12, 2004.
4.6(5)    Guarantee Agreement of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co., dated as of October 6, 2004.
10.1(6)
   Office Lease between Kilroy Realty, L.P. and Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., dated as of June 6, 2005.
10.2    Executive Employment Agreement between Accredited Home Lenders, Inc. and Stuart Marvin effective as of April 11, 2005.
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1(7)    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).
32.2(7)    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).

(1) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
(2) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91644) dated November 12, 2002.
(3) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91644) dated August 20, 2002.
(4) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50179) dated August 9, 2004.
(5) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32275) dated October 1, 2004.
(6) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50179) dated June 9, 2005.
(7) The information contained in these certifications is furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made by the Company whether before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

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