a

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)


[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

March 31, 2024

OR

[ ] Transition Report Pursuant

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

For the transition period from to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commission File Number: 001-31666

First Advantage Corporation

(Exact Name of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ­­________
Commission file number:  001-31666
FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrantRegistrant as specifiedSpecified in its charter)

Charter)

 Incorporated in

Delaware

 61-1437565

84-3884690

 (State

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 (I.R.S.

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)No.)

1 Concourse Parkway NE, Suite 200

Atlanta, GA

30328

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)


12395 First American Way
Poway, California 92064
 (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(727) 214-3411

(Registrant's888) 314-9761

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)



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

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

FA

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405(§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [ ] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitionthe definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer”“smaller reporting company,” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):


Large accelerated filer     [ ]         Accelerated filer       [X]        Non-accelerated filer    [ ]
Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, [ ]

indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act Rule 12-b)Act). Yes [ ] No [X]


There were 12,098,680

As of May 3, 2024, the registrant had 145,197,595shares of outstanding Class A Common Stock of the registrant as of October 26, 2009.common stock, $0.001 par value per share, outstanding.


There were 47,726,521 shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock of the registrant as of October 26, 2009.

Part I:  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PART I.  I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1. Financial Statements

First Advantage Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
For the Three and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009 and 2008



3

First Advantage Corporation


Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)





(in thousands) September 30,  December 31, 
 2009  2008 
    Current assets:
      
       Cash and cash equivalents
 $57,784  $52,361 
       Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts
        
        of $11,520 and $8,345, respectively)
  115,870   121,531 
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  8,929   9,032 
       Income tax receivable
  11,968   - 
       Due from affiliates
  3,180   - 
       Deferred income tax asset
  18,929   16,695 
          Total current assets
  216,660   199,619 
       Property and equipment, net
  76,638   81,807 
       Goodwill
  753,547   731,369 
       Customer lists, net
  45,820   53,813 
       Other intangible assets, net
  14,375   17,245 
       Database development costs, net
  12,406   11,837 
       Marketable equity securities
  48,293   30,365 
       Other assets
  5,994   3,684 
          Total assets
 $1,173,733  $1,129,739 
Liabilities and Equity        
    Current liabilities:
        
       Accounts payable
 $35,382  $38,404 
       Accrued compensation
  27,605   32,423 
       Accrued liabilities
  14,462   11,379 
       Deferred income
  5,704   7,381 
       Income tax payable
  -   2,609 
       Due to affiliates
  -   714 
       Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases
  20,446   9,891 
          Total current liabilities
  103,599   102,801 
       Long-term debt and capital leases, net of current portion
  1,028   22,938 
       Deferred income tax liability
  76,826   61,652 
       Other liabilities
  4,897   5,300 
          Total liabilities
  186,350   192,691 
    Equity:
        
       First Advantage Corporation's stockholders' equity:
        
          Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 1,000 shares authorized,
        
              no shares issued or outstanding
  -   - 
          Class A common stock, $.001 par value; 125,000 shares
        
             authorized; 12,095 and 11,772 shares issued and outstanding
        
             as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
  12   12 
          Class B common stock, $.001 par value; 75,000 shares
        
             authorized; 47,727 shares issued and outstanding
        
             as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively
  48   48 
          Additional paid-in capital
  502,411   502,600 
          Retained earnings
  425,637   390,602 
          Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  14,414   (412)
       Total First Advantage Corporation's stockholders' equity
  942,522   892,850 
          Noncontrolling interests
  44,861   44,198 
       Total equity
  987,383   937,048 
       Total liabilities and equity
 $1,173,733  $1,129,739 



(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

March 31, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

245,436

 

 

$

213,774

 

Restricted cash

 

 

135

 

 

 

138

 

Short-term investments

 

 

600

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $893 and $1,036 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)

 

 

129,011

 

 

 

142,690

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

21,795

 

 

 

13,426

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

2,568

 

 

 

3,710

 

Total current assets

 

 

399,545

 

 

 

373,738

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

71,352

 

 

 

79,441

 

Goodwill

 

 

819,633

 

 

 

820,654

 

Trade names, net

 

 

64,370

 

 

 

66,229

 

Customer lists, net

 

 

262,876

 

 

 

275,528

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

 

2,138

 

 

 

2,257

 

Deferred tax asset, net

 

 

2,797

 

 

 

2,786

 

Other assets

 

 

9,202

 

 

 

10,021

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,631,913

 

 

$

1,630,654

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

47,956

 

 

$

47,024

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

12,742

 

 

 

16,379

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

24,102

 

 

 

16,162

 

Current portion of operating lease liability

 

 

3,367

 

 

 

3,354

 

Income tax payable

 

 

2,988

 

 

 

264

 

Deferred revenues

 

 

2,043

 

 

 

1,856

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

93,198

 

 

 

85,039

 

Long-term debt (net of deferred financing costs of $5,815 and $6,268 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)

 

 

558,909

 

 

 

558,456

 

Deferred tax liability, net

 

 

63,604

 

 

 

71,274

 

Operating lease liability, less current portion

 

 

5,632

 

 

 

5,931

 

Other liabilities

 

 

2,826

 

 

 

3,221

 

Total liabilities

 

 

724,169

 

 

 

723,921

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock - $0.001 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 145,195,030 and 145,074,802 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively

 

 

145

 

 

 

145

 

Additional paid-in-capital

 

 

982,982

 

 

 

977,290

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(52,453

)

 

 

(49,545

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(22,930

)

 

 

(21,157

)

Total equity

 

 

907,744

 

 

 

906,733

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

1,631,913

 

 

$

1,630,654

 

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

2


4

First Advantage Corporation


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income

(Unaudited)




(in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended  For the Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
  2009  2008  2009  2008 
Service revenue
 $155,980  $174,664  $510,688  $545,341 
Reimbursed government fee revenue  13,586   13,633   39,905   40,780 
Total revenue  169,566   188,297   550,593   586,121 
Cost of service revenue  51,429   53,520   191,030   160,723 
Government fees paid  13,586   13,633   39,905   40,780 
Total cost of service  65,015   67,153   230,935   201,503 
Gross margin  104,551   121,144   319,658   384,618 
Salaries and benefits  49,920   59,113   151,217   188,489 
Facilities and telecommunications  6,741   7,789   20,265   24,073 
Other operating expenses  18,453   19,899   56,397   65,642 
Depreciation and amortization  10,993   10,898   32,574   31,520 
Impairment loss  -   1,720   -   2,017 
Total operating expenses  86,107   99,419   260,453   311,741 
Income from operations  18,444   21,725   59,205   72,877 
Other (expense) income:                
Interest expense  (234)  (640)  (903)  (2,140)
Interest income  103   155   387   746 
Total other (expense), net  (131)  (485)  (516)  (1,394)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes  18,313   21,240   58,689   71,483 
Provision for income taxes  6,898   8,932   23,856   29,582 
Income from continuing operations  11,415   12,308   34,833   41,901 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax  -   -   -   (4,241)
Net income  11,415   12,308   34,833   37,660 
Less:  Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  (35)  (323)  (202)  (648)
Net income attributable to First Advantage Corporation ("FADV") $11,450  $12,631  $35,035  $38,308 
Basic income per share:                
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders $0.19  $0.21  $0.59  $0.72 
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax  -   -   -   (0.07)
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
 $0.19  $0.21  $0.59  $0.65 
Diluted income per share:                
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders $0.19  $0.21  $0.59  $0.72 
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax  -   -   -   (0.08)
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
 $0.19  $0.21  $0.59  $0.64 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:                
Basic  59,803   59,478   59,722   59,358 
Diluted  60,086   59,529   59,867   59,446 
Amounts attributable to FADV shareholders:                
Income from continuing operations $11,450  $12,631  $35,035  $42,549 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax  -   -   -   (4,241)
     Net income
 $11,450  $12,631  $35,035  $38,308 



 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

REVENUES

 

$

169,416

 

 

$

175,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)

 

 

87,192

 

 

 

91,061

 

Product and technology expense

 

 

12,466

 

 

 

12,624

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

 

40,662

 

 

 

28,682

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

29,822

 

 

 

31,866

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

170,142

 

 

 

164,233

 

(LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

 

(726

)

 

 

11,287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSE, NET:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

3,570

 

 

 

8,681

 

Total other expense, net

 

 

3,570

 

 

 

8,681

 

(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

 

(4,296

)

 

 

2,606

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

 

(1,388

)

 

 

681

 

NET (LOSS) INCOME

 

$

(2,908

)

 

$

1,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation (loss) income

 

 

(1,773

)

 

 

869

 

COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

 

$

(4,681

)

 

$

2,794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET (LOSS) INCOME

 

$

(2,908

)

 

$

1,925

 

Basic net (loss) income per share

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

0.01

 

Diluted net (loss) income per share

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

0.01

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic

 

 

143,591,713

 

 

 

145,862,562

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted

 

 

143,591,713

 

 

 

147,031,866

 

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

3


5

First Advantage Corporation


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Cash Flows

(Unaudited)





  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
(in thousands) September 30,  September 30, 
  2009  2008  2009  2008 
Net income
 $11,415  $12,308  $34,833  $37,660 
Other comprehensive income (loss) , net of tax:                
Foreign currency translation adjustments  1,495   (4,515)  4,298   (2,435)
  Unrealized gain (loss) on investment, net of tax  2,795   4,174   10,528   (25,483)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) , net of tax  4,290   (341)  14,826   (27,918)
Comprehensive income  15,705   11,967   49,659   9,742 
 Less:  Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest  (35)  (323)  (202)  (648)
Comprehensive income attributable to FADV $15,740  $12,290  $49,861  $10,390 







 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,908

)

 

$

1,925

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

29,822

 

 

 

31,866

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

 

453

 

 

 

461

 

Bad debt recovery

 

 

(112

)

 

 

(40

)

Deferred taxes

 

 

(7,808

)

 

 

(2,144

)

Share-based compensation

 

 

4,751

 

 

 

2,058

 

Gain on foreign currency exchange rates

 

(0)

 

 

 

(10

)

Loss on disposal of fixed assets and impairment of ROU assets

 

0

 

 

 

1,222

 

Change in fair value of interest rate swaps

 

 

(7,045

)

 

 

1,879

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

13,736

 

 

 

15,980

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

(3,345

)

 

 

2,933

 

Accounts payable

 

 

468

 

 

 

(7,618

)

Accrued compensation and accrued liabilities

 

 

6,608

 

 

 

(11,828

)

Deferred revenues

 

 

185

 

 

 

209

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

(328

)

 

 

(110

)

Other liabilities

 

 

(11

)

 

 

980

 

Income taxes receivable and payable, net

 

 

3,863

 

 

 

836

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

38,329

 

 

 

38,599

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(321

)

 

 

(42

)

Capitalized software development costs

 

 

(6,135

)

 

 

(6,056

)

Other investing activities

 

 

(575

)

 

 

15

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(7,031

)

 

 

(6,083

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

Share repurchases

 

 

 

 

 

(25,266

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under share-based compensation plans

 

 

976

 

 

 

1,399

 

Payments on deferred purchase agreements

 

 

(234

)

 

 

(234

)

Payments on finance lease obligations

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)

Net settlement of share-based compensation plan awards

 

 

(41

)

 

 

(25

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

689

 

 

 

(24,163

)

Effect of exchange rate on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

 

 

(328

)

 

 

147

 

Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

 

 

31,659

 

 

 

8,500

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

213,912

 

 

 

391,796

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

245,571

 

 

$

400,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received

 

$

2,510

 

 

$

2,049

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

11,954

 

 

$

10,625

 

NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment acquired on account

 

$

585

 

 

$

275

 

Non-cash property and equipment additions

 

$

540

 

 

$

 

Excise taxes on share repurchases incurred but not paid

 

$

 

 

$

252

 

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

4


6

First Advantage Corporation


Condensed Consolidated StatementStatements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)






              Accumulated       
(in thousands) Common  Common  Additional     Other       
  Stock  Stock  Paid-in  Retained  Comprehensive  Noncontrolling    
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  (Loss) Income  Interests  Total 
Balance at December 31, 2008
  59,499  $60  $502,600  $390,602  $(412) $44,198  $937,048 
Net income  -   -   -   35,035   -   (202)  34,833 
Purchase of subsidiary shares from                            
noncontrolling interest  -   -   (6,779)  -   -   865   (5,914)
Class A Shares issued in connection                            
with share based compensation  323   -   830   -   -   -   830 
Share based compensation  -   -   5,760   -   -   -   5,760 
Foreign currency translation  -   -   -   -   4,298   -   4,298 
Unrealized gain on investment, net of tax  -   -   -   -   10,528   -   10,528 
Balance at September 30, 2009  59,822  $60  $502,411  $425,637  $14,414  $44,861  $987,383 

(in thousands)

 

Common Stock

 

 

Additional
Paid-In-Capital

 

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

 

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Loss

 

 

Total Stockholders’
Equity

 

BALANCE – December 31, 2023

 

$

145

 

 

$

977,290

 

 

$

(49,545

)

 

$

(21,157

)

 

$

906,733

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

4,751

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,751

 

Forfeitures of previously declared cash dividends

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under share-based compensation plans

 

 

0

 

 

 

976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

976

 

Common stock withheld for tax obligations on restricted stock unit and option settlement

 

(0)

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,773

)

 

 

(1,773

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,908

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,908

)

BALANCE – March 31, 2024

 

$

145

 

 

$

982,982

 

 

$

(52,453

)

 

$

(22,930

)

 

$

907,744

 

(in thousands)

 

Common Stock

 

 

Additional
Paid-In-Capital

 

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

 

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Loss

 

 

Total Stockholders’
Equity

 

BALANCE – December 31, 2022

 

$

149

 

 

$

1,176,163

 

 

$

(27,363

)

 

$

(22,331

)

 

$

1,126,618

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

2,058

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,058

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(25,515

)

 

 

 

 

 

(25,517

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under share-based compensation plans

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,399

 

Common stock withheld for tax obligations on restricted stock unit and option settlement

 

 

0

 

 

 

(25

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

869

 

 

 

869

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,925

 

BALANCE – March 31, 2023

 

$

147

 

 

$

1,179,595

 

 

$

(50,953

)

 

$

(21,462

)

 

$

1,107,327

 

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

5


7

First Advantage Corporation


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)



(in thousands) For the Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
  2009  2008 
Cash flows from operating activities:
      
Net income $34,833  $37,660 
Loss from discontinued operations  -   (4,241)
Income from continuing operations $34,833  $41,901 
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net        
cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  32,574   31,520 
Impairment loss  -   2,017 
Bad debt expense  7,013   5,867 
Share based compensation  5,760   7,344 
Deferred income tax  3,132   4,288 
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:        
Accounts receivable  (2,220)  13,206 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  9   541 
Other assets  (2,597)  (790)
Accounts payable  (2,908)  (5,433)
Accrued liabilities  4,069   (1,478)
Deferred income  (1,630)  (938)
Due from affiliates  (3,894)  (5,825)
Income tax accounts  (12,072)  (52,452)
Accrued compensation and other liabilities  (5,050)  (6,739)
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations  57,019   33,029 
Net cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations  -   754 
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Database development costs  (2,955)  (3,203)
Purchases of property and equipment  (14,517)  (24,337)
Cash paid for acquisitions  (19,465)  (51,191)
Proceeds from sale of assets  900   - 
Cash balance of companies acquired  -   331 
Net cash used in investing activities - continuing operations  (36,037)  (78,400)
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations  -   1,721 
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from long-term debt  50,860   100,260 
Repayment of long-term debt  (62,260)  (85,455)
Cash contributions from First American to LeadClick Holdings, LLC  -   2,402 
Proceeds from class A shares issued in connection with stock option        
plan and employee stock purchase plan  830   4,566 
Cash paid for acquisition of noncontrolling interests  (5,914)  (8,008)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests  -   (1,127)
Tax expense related to stock options  -   (204)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (16,484)  12,434 
Effect of exchange rates on cash  925   (648)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  5,423   (31,110)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  52,361   76,060 
Change in cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations  -   540 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $57,784  $45,490 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
8

First Advantage Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)




  For the Nine Months Ended 
(in thousands) September 30, 
  2009  2008 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:      
Cash paid for interest $684  $2,106 
Cash received for income tax refunds $1,081  $1,248 
Cash paid for income taxes $33,996  $75,661 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:        
Notes issued in connection with acquisitions $-  $3,026 
Class A shares issued for compensation $4,997  $2,788 
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment, net of tax $10,528  $(25,483)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
9

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



Note 1.Organization, and Nature of Business,

and Basis of Presentation

First Advantage Corporation, (the “Company” or “First Advantage” or “FADV”) is a global risk mitigation and business solutions provider and operates in five primary business segments: Credit Services, Data Services, Employer Services, Multifamily Services, and Investigative and Litigation Support Services.  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company consolidated the previous Lender Services and Dealer Services segments and moved the consumer credit business from the Data Services segment to create the Credit Services segment. The prior periods have been recast to reflect the changed segments.

TheDelaware corporation, was formed on November 15, 2019. Hereafter, First AmericanAdvantage Corporation and its affiliates (“First American”) currently own or control, directly or indirectly,subsidiaries will collectively be referred to as the “Company.”

The Company derives its revenues from a variety of background check and compliance services performed across all phases of the Company's Class B shares of common stock, which represents approximately 80% of equity interests of the Companyworkforce lifecycle from pre-onboarding services to post-onboarding and approximately 98% of the voting power of the Company as of September 30, 2009.  The Class B common stock owned by First American is entitled to ten votes per share on all matters presented to the stockholders for vote.

On October 8, 2009, First American issued a press release announcing the commencementongoing monitoring services, covering employees, contractors, contingent workers, tenants, and drivers. We generally classify our service offerings into three categories: pre-onboarding, post-onboarding, and adjacent products.

Pre-onboarding services are comprised of an exchange offer (the “Offer”)extensive array of products and solutions that customers typically utilize to acquire allenhance their evaluation process and support compliance from the time a job or other application is submitted to a successful applicant’s onboarding date. This includes searches such as criminal background checks, drug / health screenings, extended workforce screening, biometrics and identity checks, education / workforce verification, driver records and compliance, healthcare credentials, and executive screening.

Post-onboarding services are comprised of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not ownedcontinuous monitoring and re-screening solutions, which are important tools to help keep their end customers, workforces, and other stakeholders safer, more productive, and more compliant. Our post-monitoring solutions include criminal records, healthcare sanctions, motor vehicle records, social media, and global sanctions screening continuously or controlledat regular intervals selected by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share (See Note 11 – Subsequent Event).  On October 9, 2009, First American filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securitiesour customers.

Adjacent products include products that complement our pre-onboarding and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which contains the Offer to Exchangepost-onboarding products and related materials.  On that same day, the Company filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation on Schedule 14D-9 pursuant to which the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company recommended on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, that the stockholders of the Company accept the Offersolutions. This includes fleet / vehicle compliance, hiring tax credits and tender their shares pursuant to the Offer.  The Offer is described in further detail in Note 11 – Subsequent Event.

In the event that the Offer is acceptedincentives, resident / tenant screening, employment eligibility, and consummated in the fourth quarter, operating results for the fourth quarter will be negatively impacted due to related costs.  As further described in Note 11 – Subsequent Event, upon meeting certain conditions, First American has announced that it intends to merge the Company with a wholly-owned subsidiary of First American.  This merger will constitute a  “Change in Control” under the FADV 2003 Incentive Compensation Plan (“the Plan”).  Upon a Change in Control, the unvested awards of stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock issued under the Plan will vest and the unamortized costs of those awards will be expensed.  At September 30, 2009, the unamortized compensation expense was approximately $8.5 million and approximately $0.9 million related to the unvested restricted stock and unvested options, respectively.  In addition, Morgan Stanley is acting as the Company’s financial advisor related to the Offer.  Pursuant to the terms of Morgan Stanley’s engagement, in the event that the Offer is accepted, the Company has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a transaction fee which is currently estimated to be approximately $3.0 million.

investigative research.


10

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred approximately $1.6 million in legal expenses related to the Offer and related litigation and expects additional professional fees in the fourth quarter related to the Offer and related litigation.
As part of the Company’s streamlining initiative, in the second quarter of 2008, First Advantage sold First Advantage Investigative Services (“FAIS”), which was included in our Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment, and Credit Management Solutions, Inc. (“CMSI”), which was included in our Credit Services segment.  The results of these businesses’ operations in the prior period are presented in discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.


2.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial information included in this report hasstatements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the instructions to Form 10-QUnited States of America (“GAAP”) and does not include allthe accounts of the informationCompany and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for completeits wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The Company includes the results of operations of acquired companies prospectively from the date of acquisition.

The condensed consolidated financial statements.  Instatements included herein are unaudited, but in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments, areconsisting of a normal recurring natureadjustments, necessary to summarize fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and are considered necessary for a fair statement of the resultscash flows for the interim period.periods presented. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from auditedinterim results reported in these condensed consolidated financial statements but doesshould not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.  This reportbe taken as indicative of results that may be expected for future interim periods or the full year. For a more comprehensive understanding of the Company and its condensed consolidated financial statements, these interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20082023.

The Company has historically experienced seasonality with respect to certain customer industries as a result of fluctuations in hiring volumes and as amendedother economic activities. Generally, the Company’s highest revenues have historically occurred between October and November of each year, driven by many customers’ pre-holiday season hiring initiatives.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP 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 amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Changes in these estimates and assumptions may have a material impact on the Current Form 8-K filedcondensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.

Significant estimates, judgments, and assumptions, include, but are not limited to, the determination of the fair value and useful lives of assets acquired and liabilities assumed through business combinations, goodwill impairment, revenue recognition, capitalized software, assumptions used for purposes of determining share-based compensation, and income tax liabilities and assets. The Company bases its estimates on October 8, 2009historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

6


Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — Certain financial assets and liabilities are reported at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurement. ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques required by ASC 820 are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3 — Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable (supported by little or no market activities). These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that reflect the Company’s best estimate of fair value from a market participant.

The fair value of an asset is considered to be the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated knowledgeable and willing parties. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor, rather than the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the Securitiescreditor. Assets and Exchange Commission.liabilities recorded at fair value are measured using a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these financial instruments (Level 1). The fair values and carrying values of the Company’s long-term debt are disclosed in Note 6.

The following table presents information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and their assigned levels within the valuation hierarchy as of March 31, 2024 (in thousands):

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

$

 

 

$

3,876

 

 

$

 


Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Other intangible assets are subject to nonrecurring fair value measurement as the result of business acquisitions. The fair values of these assets were estimated using the present value of expected future cash flows through unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Business Combinations— The Company records business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method of accounting, identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their acquisition-date fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value is recorded as goodwill. Changes in the estimated fair values of net assets recorded for acquisitions prior to the finalization of more detailed analysis, but not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, will adjust the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are reflected in the period in which they occur.

In valuing the trade names, customer lists, and software developed for internal use, the Company utilizes variations of the income approach, which relies on historical financial and qualitative information, as well as assumptions and estimates for projected financial information. The Company considers the income approach the most appropriate valuation technique because the inherent value of these assets is their ability to generate current and future income. Projected financial information is subject to risk if estimates are incorrect. The most significant estimate relates to projected revenues and profitability. If the projected revenues and profitability used in the valuation calculations are not met, then the asset could be impaired.

Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Cash is deposited with major financial institutions and, at times, such balances with each financial institution may be in excess of insured limits. The Company has not experienced, and does not anticipate, any losses with respect to its cash deposits. Accounts receivable represent credit granted to customers for services provided. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral on accounts receivable. The Company had one customer which represented approximately 11% of its consolidated revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2024. The Company did not have any customers which represented 10% or more of its consolidated revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2023. Additionally, the Company did not have any customers which represented 10% or more of its consolidated accounts receivable, net for any period presented.

7


The Company has entered into interest rate derivative agreements with a counterparty bank to reduce its exposure to interest rate volatility. The Company has determined the counterparty bank to be a high credit quality institution. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Certain amounts

Foreign Currency — The functional currency of all of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the applicable local currency. The translation of the applicable foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenues and expense accounts using average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year. Adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign currency financial statements are accumulated net of tax in a separate component of equity. Currency translation (loss) income included in accumulated other comprehensive losswas approximately $(1.8) million and $0.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008March 31, 2024 and at December 31, 2008 have been reclassified2023, respectively.

Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, except for those relating to conform withintercompany transactions of a long-term investment nature, which are captured in a separate component of equity as accumulated other comprehensive loss. Currency transaction (loss) income included in the 2009 presentation.

Operating resultsaccompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income was approximately $0.0 million and $(0.5) million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements — There were no accounting pronouncements issued during the three months ended March 31, 2024 that are expected to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

8


Note 3. Acquisitions

Pending Acquisition of Sterling Check Corp.

On February 28, 2024, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among First Advantage, Sterling Check Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Sterling”), and Starter Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of First Advantage (“Merger Sub”). The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Sterling, with Sterling continuing as the surviving corporation in such merger and becoming an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of First Advantage. The cash-and-stock transaction (the “Acquisition”) valued Sterling at approximately $2.2 billion as of the date of the Merger Agreement.

The Acquisition is subject to satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including, among others, adoption of the Merger Agreement by Sterling stockholders, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976 (the “HSR Act”) and clearance under the antitrust and foreign direct investment laws of certain other jurisdictions, and the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-4 to be filed by First Advantage in connection with the Acquisition.

2023 Acquisition

On September 30, 20091, 2023, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interest of a digital identity and 2008biometrics solutions company headquartered in New York, for $41.0 million. The acquired company operates under the trade name Infinite ID. The acquisition expands the Company’s network and portfolio of identity solutions in the United States. The acquired company was determined to constitute a business and the Company was deemed to be the acquirer under ASC 805. As a result, the Company has recorded the related purchase accounting as of September 1, 2023.

The allocation of the purchase price is based on the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the consideration paid and the amounts recognized for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

Consideration

 

 

 

Cash purchase price

 

$

41,000

 

Other transaction adjustments

 

 

97

 

Total fair value of consideration transferred

 

$

41,097

 

Current assets

 

$

1,335

 

Property and equipment, including software developed for internal use

 

 

5,959

 

Trade name

 

 

2,300

 

Customer lists

 

 

3,800

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

2,400

 

Other assets

 

 

236

 

Total liabilities

 

 

(1,427

)

Total identifiable net assets

 

$

14,603

 

Goodwill

 

$

26,494

 

Goodwill recognized is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Results of operations have been included in the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company’s Americas segment since the date of acquisition. The acquisition is not material to the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2024 or results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and therefore, pro forma operating results and other disclosures for the acquisitions are not necessarily indicativepresented.

As of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year.

Subsequent events have been evaluated through October 29, 2009, the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.issued, the purchase accounting related to this acquisition was incomplete as the valuation of deferred taxes and certain customary transaction adjustments were not yet finalized. The Company has reflected the provisional amounts in these condensed consolidated financial statements. As such, the above balances may be adjusted in a future period as the valuation is finalized and these adjustments may be material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

9


Note 4. Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

March 31, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Furniture and equipment

 

$

26,673

 

 

$

26,576

 

Capitalized software for internal use, acquired by business combination

 

 

232,361

 

 

 

232,505

 

Capitalized software for internal use, developed internally or otherwise purchased

 

 

93,525

 

 

 

86,704

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

2,810

 

 

 

2,275

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

355,369

 

 

 

348,060

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(284,017

)

 

 

(268,619

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

71,352

 

 

$

79,441

 

Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment was approximately $15.5 million and $16.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Note 5. Goodwill, Trade Names, Customer Lists and Other Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2024 by reportable segment were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Americas

 

 

International

 

 

Total

 

Balance – December 31, 2023

 

$

703,797

 

 

$

116,857

 

 

$

820,654

 

Adjustments to initial purchase price allocations

 

 

(25

)

 

 

 

 

 

(25

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

12

 

 

 

(1,008

)

 

 

(996

)

Balance – March 31, 2024

 

$

703,784

 

 

$

115,849

 

 

$

819,633

 

The following summarizes the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization for the Company’s trade names, customer lists, and other intangible assets as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):

 

 

March 31, 2024

 

 

Gross
Carrying Value

 

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

 

Net
Carrying Value

 

 

Useful Life
(in years)

Trade names

 

$

96,208

 

 

$

(31,838

)

 

$

64,370

 

 

20 years

Customer lists

 

 

519,543

 

 

 

(256,667

)

 

 

262,876

 

 

13-14 years

Other intangible assets

 

 

2,400

 

 

 

(262

)

 

 

2,138

 

 

5 years

Total

 

$

618,151

 

 

$

(288,767

)

 

$

329,384

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

 

Gross
Carrying Value

 

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

 

Net
Carrying Value

 

 

Useful Life
(in years)

Trade names

 

$

96,321

 

 

$

(30,092

)

 

$

66,229

 

 

20 years

Customer lists

 

 

520,105

 

 

 

(244,577

)

 

 

275,528

 

 

13-14 years

Other intangible assets

 

 

2,400

 

 

 

(143

)

 

 

2,257

 

 

5 years

Total

 

$

618,826

 

 

$

(274,812

)

 

$

344,014

 

 

 

Amortization expense of trade names, customer lists, and other intangible assets was approximately $14.3 million and $15.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Trade names and customer lists are amortized on an accelerated basis based upon their estimated useful life. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis over their expected useful life of five years.

10


Note 6. Long-term Debt

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt obligation approximated its book value as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

March 31, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

First Lien Credit Facility

 

$

564,724

 

 

$

564,724

 

Less: Deferred financing costs

 

 

(5,815

)

 

 

(6,268

)

Long-term debt, net

 

$

558,909

 

 

$

558,456

 

The Company is a party to a First Lien Credit Agreement (as amended, “Credit Agreement”), which provides for a term loan of $766.6 million due January 31, 2027, carrying an interest rate of 2.75% to 3.00%, based on the first lien ratio, plus LIBOR (“First Lien Credit Facility”) and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility due July 31, 2026 (“Revolver”). Pursuant to an amendment in June 2023, the reference rate under the Credit Agreement was transitioned from LIBOR to SOFR (the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York), with the addition of an applicable margin. The Credit Agreement is collateralized by substantially all assets and capital stock owned by direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries and are governed by certain restrictive covenants including limitations on indebtedness, liens, and other corporate actions such as investments and acquisitions. In the event the Company’s outstanding indebtedness under the Revolver exceeds 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the revolving commitments then in effect, it is required to maintain a consolidated first lien leverage ratio no greater than 7.75 to 1.00.As of September 30, 2009,March 31, 2024, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolver and $564.7 million outstanding under the First Lien Credit Facility. As the Company had no outstanding amounts under the Revolver, it was not subject to the consolidated first lien leverage ratio covenant. The Company was compliant with all other covenants under the agreement as of March 31, 2024.

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, on February 28, 2024, First Advantage Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company (the “Borrower”), entered into a commitment letter with certain financial institutions that committed to provide, subject to the terms and conditions of the commitment letter, an incremental term loan in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.820 billion and incremental revolving commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $150 million, in each case, under the Credit Agreement. Such financial institutions also agreed to extend the maturity date of the Revolver from July 31, 2026 to the date that is the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the Acquisition.

11


Note 7. Derivatives

To reduce exposure to variability in expected future cash outflows on variable rate debt attributable to the changes in one-month LIBOR, the Company has historically entered into interest rate derivative instruments to economically offset a portion of this risk and may do so in the future. In June 2023, the Company transitioned the reference rate for its interest rate derivative agreements from one-month LIBOR to one-month SOFR.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had the following outstanding derivatives that were not designated as a hedge in qualifying hedging relationships:

Product

Effective Date

Maturity Date

Notional

Rate

Interest rate swap(a)

June 30, 2023

February 28, 2026

$100.0 million

4.32%

Interest rate swap

December 29, 2023

December 31, 2026

$150.0 million

3.86%

Interest rate swap

March 1, 2024

December 31, 2026

$150.0 million

3.76%

(a)
In conjunction with the June 2023 transition of the reference rate from LIBOR to SOFR, the fixed rate was reduced from 4.36% to 4.32%.

Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to interest rate movements; however, the Company has not elected to apply hedge accounting for these instruments.

The following is a summary of location and fair value of the financial positions recorded related to the derivative instruments (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Derivatives not designated
as hedging instruments

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

As of
March 31, 2024

 

 

As of
December 31, 2023

 

Interest rate swaps

 

Accrued liabilities

 

$

 

 

$

1,576

 

Interest rate swaps

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

$

3,876

 

 

$

 

The following is a summary of location and amount of gains and (losses) recorded related to the derivative instruments (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

Gain/(loss)

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Derivatives not designated
as hedging instruments

 

Income Statement Location

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Interest rate collars

 

Interest expense, net

 

$

951

 

 

$

(435

)

Interest rate swaps

 

Interest expense, net

 

$

6,094

 

 

$

(1,444

)

Note 8. Income Taxes

The Company’s income tax expense and balance sheet accounts reflect the results of the Company and its subsidiaries.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company estimated the annual effective tax rate based on projected income for the full year and recorded a quarterly tax provision in accordance with the annual effective tax rate and adjusted for discrete tax items in the period.

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was 32.3%. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to nondeductible share-based compensation and U.S. state income taxes.

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was 26.1%. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the GILTI inclusion, nondeductible share-based compensation, and U.S. state income taxes.

12


Note 9. Revenues

Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are recognized at a point in time when the orders are completed and the completed reports are reported, or otherwise made available. For revenues delivered over time, the output method is utilized to measure the value to the customer based on the transfer to date of the services promised, with no rights of return once consumed. In these cases, revenues on transactional contracts with a defined price but an undefined quantity is recognized utilizing the right to invoice expedient resulting in revenues being recognized when the service is provided and becomes billable. Additionally, under this practical expedient, the Company is not required to estimate the transaction price.

The Company considers negotiated and anticipated incentives and estimated adjustments, including historical collections experience, when recording revenues.

The Company’s contracts with customers generally include standard commercial payment terms acceptable in each region, and do not include any financing components. The Company does not have any significant obligations for refunds, warranties, or similar obligations. The Company records revenues net of sales taxes.

Contract balances are generated when the revenues recognized in a given period varies from billing. A contract asset is created when the Company performs a service for a customer and recognizes more revenues than what has been billed. The contract asset balance was $6.7 million and $4.8 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and is included in accounts receivable, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

A contract liability is created when the Company transfers a good or service to a customer and recognizes less than what has been billed. The Company recognizes these contract liabilities as deferred revenues when the Company has an obligation to perform services for a customer in the future and has already received consideration from the customer. The contract liability balance was $2.0 million and $1.9 million as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and is included in deferred revenues in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. An immaterial amount of revenues was recognized in the current period related to the beginning balance of deferred revenues.

For additional disclosures about the disaggregation of our revenues, see Note 15, “Reportable Segments.”

Note 10. Share-based Compensation

Share-based compensation expense is recognized in cost of services, product and technology expense, and selling, general, and administrative expense, in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services

 

$

357

 

 

$

275

 

Product and technology expense

 

 

654

 

 

 

457

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

 

3,740

 

 

 

1,326

 

Total share-based compensation expense

 

$

4,751

 

 

$

2,058

 

Prior to the IPO, all share-based awards were issued by Fastball Holdco, L.P., the Company’s previous parent company, under individual grant agreements and the partnership agreement of such parent company (collectively, the “the 2020 Equity Plan”). In connection with the IPO, the Company adopted the 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended by the First Amendment, dated as of May 10, 2023, the “2021 Equity Plan”).

In May 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a modification of the vesting terms of outstanding unvested and unearned performance-based options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock (collectively, “Performance Awards”) previously issued under its equity plans. The modification, effective May 10, 2023, allowed for unvested and unearned Performance Awards outstanding as of the date of the modification, to vest based on time on the fourth, fifth, and sixth anniversaries of the relevant vesting commencement date, as set forth in each grant agreement (the “Vesting Commencement Date”), while preserving the eligibility to vest upon the Company’s investors receiving a targeted money-on-money return, subject to continued service.

In connection with the Company’s declaration of a one-time special dividend in August 2023, the exercise price of outstanding stock option awards and stock purchases under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) was reduced by $1.50, in accordance with the non-discretionary anti-dilution provisions of the equity and stock purchase plans.

13


2020 Equity Plan

Awards issued under the 2020 Equity Plan consist of options and profit interests. No awards were issued under the plan during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

A summary of the stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

Options

 

 

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

 

 

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

 

Aggregate Intrinsic Value

December 31, 2023

 

Grants outstanding

 

 

1,915,252

 

 

$

5.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants exercised

 

 

(48,911

)

 

$

5.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants cancelled/forfeited

 

 

(16,978

)

 

$

5.11

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2024

 

Grants outstanding

 

 

1,849,363

 

 

$

5.15

 

 

5.9 Years

 

$20.5 million

March 31, 2024

 

Grants vested

 

 

823,589

 

 

$

5.12

 

 

5.9 Years

 

$9.1 million

March 31, 2024

 

Grants unvested

 

 

1,025,774

 

 

$

5.18

 

 

 

 

 

2021 Equity Plan

The 2021 Equity Plan is intended to provide a means through which to attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby our directors, officers, employees, consultants, and advisors can acquire and maintain an equity interest in us, or be paid incentive compensation, including incentive compensation measured by reference to the value of our common stock, thereby strengthening their commitment to our welfare and aligning their interests with those of our stockholders. The 2021 Equity Plan provides for the grant of awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, and other equity-based or cash-based awards as determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee. The 2021 Equity Plan initially had a total of 17,525,000 shares of common stock reserved. The number of reserved shares automatically increases on the first day of each calendar year commencing on January 1, 2022 and ending on January 1, 2030, in an amount equal to the lesser of (x) 2.5% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (y) a number of shares as determined by the Board of Directors. As of March 31, 2024, 20,037,028 shares were available for issuance under the 2021 Equity Plan.

Stock Options

A summary of the stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

Options

 

 

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

 

 

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term

 

Aggregate Intrinsic Value

December 31, 2023

 

Grants outstanding

 

 

4,686,659

 

 

$

13.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants issued

 

 

146,401

 

 

$

15.81

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grants cancelled/forfeited

 

 

(6,600

)

 

$

16.02

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2024

 

Grants outstanding

 

 

4,826,460

 

 

$

13.67

 

 

7.6 Years

 

$12.3 million

March 31, 2024

 

Grants vested

 

 

2,207,644

 

 

$

13.68

 

 

7.3 Years

 

$5.6 million

March 31, 2024

 

Grants unvested

 

 

2,618,816

 

 

$

13.66

 

 

 

 

 

The fair value for stock options granted for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

Options

 

Expected stock price volatility

 

 

34.98

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

4.22

%

Expected term (in years)

 

 

6.25

 

Fair-value of the underlying unit

 

$

15.81

 

14


Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the restricted stock units (“RSU”) activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

 

December 31, 2023

 

Nonvested RSUs

 

 

507,143

 

 

$

15.10

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

167,472

 

 

$

15.83

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

(9,443

)

 

$

14.91

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(3,777

)

 

$

17.31

 

March 31, 2024

 

Nonvested RSUs

 

 

661,395

 

 

$

15.27

 

Restricted Stock

A summary of the restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

 

December 31, 2023

 

Nonvested restricted stock

 

 

1,954,630

 

 

$

8.50

 

 

 

Vested

 

 

(586,927

)

 

$

7.73

 

March 31, 2024

 

Nonvested restricted stock

 

 

1,367,703

 

 

$

9.16

 

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had approximately $36.4 million of unrecognized pre-tax non-cash compensation expense, comprised of approximately $12.1 million related to restricted stock, $8.1 million related to RSUs, and approximately $16.2 million related to stock options, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted average period of 1.3 years.

2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company adopted the ESPP, which allows eligible employees to voluntarily make after-tax contributions of up to 15% of such employee’s cash compensation to acquire Company stock during designated offering periods. Each offering period consists of one six-month purchase period. During the holding period, ESPP purchased shares are not eligible for sale or broker transfer. The Company recorded an associated expense of approximately $0.2 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Note 11. Equity

Preferred Stock

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 250,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock were authorized, and no Preferred Stock was issued or outstanding.

Share Repurchase Program

The Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, the remaining authorized value of shares available to be repurchased under the Repurchase Program was approximately $80.5 million. In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company will be suspending purchases under its Repurchase Program.

15


Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies

There have been no material changes to the Company’s contractual obligations as compared to December 31, 2023.

The Company is involved in litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of business. At times, the Company, given the nature of its background screening business, could become subject to lawsuits, or potential class action lawsuits, in multiple jurisdictions, related to claims brought primarily by consumers or individuals who were the subject of its screening services.

For all pending matters, the Company believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend vigorously or otherwise seek indemnification from other parties as appropriate. However, the Company has recorded a liability of $4.7 million and $5.2 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, for matters that it believes a loss is both probable and estimable. This is included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company will continue to evaluate information as it becomes known and will record an estimate for losses at the time when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable.

Note 13. Related Party Transactions

The Company had no material related party transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Note 14. Net (Loss) Income Per Share

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding excludes nonvested restricted stock. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding is similar to basic weighted-average shares outstanding, except that the weighted-average number of shares is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive common share had been issued, including the dilutive impact of nonvested restricted stock. The potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2024, had an anti-dilutive effect and were therefore not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share. Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share was calculated as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Basic net (loss) income per share

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

0.01

 

Diluted net (loss) income per share

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

0.01

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income (in thousands)

 

$

(2,908

)

 

$

1,925

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic

 

 

143,591,713

 

 

 

145,862,562

 

Add stock options to purchase shares and restricted stock units

 

 

 

 

 

1,169,304

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted

 

 

143,591,713

 

 

 

147,031,866

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, 3,287,852 and 2,913,298 stock options and RSUs were excluded from the calculation of diluted net (loss) income per share, respectively, because their effect was anti-dilutive.

16


Note 15. Reportable Segments

We have two reportable segments, Americas and International. Our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) uses the profit measure of Adjusted EBITDA, on both a consolidated and a segment basis, to allocate resources and assess performance of our businesses. We use Adjusted EBITDA as our profit measure because it eliminates the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of operating performance, which is useful to compare operating results between periods. Our CODM also uses Adjusted EBITDA as a compensation measure for both segment and corporate management under our incentive compensation plans. Adjusted EBITDA is also a measure frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of the operating performance of companies similar to ours.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net (loss) income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, and as further adjusted for loss on extinguishment of debt, share-based compensation, transaction and acquisition-related charges, integration and restructuring charges, and other non-cash charges. We exclude the impact of share-based compensation because it is a non-cash expense and we believe that excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding performance and ongoing cash generation potential. We exclude loss on extinguishment of debt, transaction and acquisition related charges, integration and restructuring charges, and other charges because such expenses are episodic in nature and have no direct correlation to the cost of operating our business on an ongoing basis.

The segment financial information below aligns with how we report information to our CODM to assess operating performance and how the Company manages the business. Corporate costs are generally allocated to the segments based upon estimated revenue levels and other assumptions that management considers reasonable. The CODM does not review the Company’s assets by segment; therefore, such information is not presented. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as described in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and estimates,Note 9, “Revenues.”

The following is a description of our two reportable segments:

Americas. This segment performs a variety of background check and compliance services across all phases of the workforce lifecycle from pre-onboarding services to post-onboarding and ongoing monitoring services, covering employees, contractors, contingent workers, tenants, and drivers. We generally classify our service offerings into three categories: pre-onboarding, post-onboarding, and adjacent products. We deliver our solutions across multiple industry verticals in the United States, Canada, and Latin America markets.

International. The International segment provides services similar to our Americas segment in regions outside of the Americas. We primarily deliver our solutions across multiple industry verticals in the Europe, India, and Asia Pacific markets.

A reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

$

43,669

 

 

$

44,656

 

International

 

 

2,889

 

 

 

3,904

 

Total

 

$

46,558

 

 

$

48,560

 

Adjustments to reconcile to net (loss) income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

3,570

 

 

 

8,681

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

 

(1,388

)

 

 

681

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

29,822

 

 

 

31,866

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

4,751

 

 

 

2,058

 

Transaction and acquisition-related charges(a)

 

 

11,992

 

 

 

1,071

 

Integration, restructuring, and other charges(b)

 

 

719

 

 

 

2,278

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,908

)

 

$

1,925

 

(a)
Represents charges incurred related to acquisitions and similar transactions, primarily consisting of change in control-related costs, professional service fees, and other third-party costs. Transaction and acquisition related charges for the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes approximately $11.1 million of expense associated with the pending acquisition of Sterling, primarily consisting of legal, regulatory, and diligence professional service fees. The three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 also include insurance costs incurred related to the initial public offering.
(b)
Represents charges from organizational restructuring and integration activities, non-cash, and other charges primarily related to nonrecurring legal exposures, foreign currency (gains) losses, and (gains) losses on the sale of assets.

17


Geographic Information

The Company categorizes revenues by geographic region in which the revenues and invoicing are detailedrecorded. Other than the United States, no single country accounted for 10% or more of our total revenues during these periods.

The following summarizes revenues by geographical region (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

$

149,127

 

 

$

152,056

 

International

 

 

22,023

 

 

 

24,848

 

Eliminations

 

 

(1,734

)

 

 

(1,384

)

Total revenues

 

$

169,416

 

 

$

175,520

 

The following table sets forth net long-lived assets by geographic area (in thousands):

 

March 31, 2024

 

 

December 31, 2023

 

Long-lived assets, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States, country of domicile

 

$

1,062,684

 

 

$

1,083,318

 

All other countries

 

 

164,357

 

 

 

168,068

 

Total long-lived assets, net

 

$

1,227,041

 

 

$

1,251,386

 

18


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

The following discussion and analysis of First Advantage Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, our “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, have not changed from December 31, 2008, except for2023.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the adoptionmeaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB”) GAAP updates relatedPrivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, business combinations, noncontrolling interest in consolidatedamong other things, our operations and financial performance. Forward-looking statements subsequent events,


11

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments, and FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
Purchase Accounting
In December 2007, the FASB updated GAAP related to business combinations.  This update retains the fundamental requirements in previousinclude all statements that the acquisition method of accounting (which is called the purchase method) be used for allare not historical facts. These forward-looking statements relate to matters such as our industry, business combinationsstrategy, goals and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination.expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other financial and operating information. In general, the update 1) broadens the guidance, extending its applicability to all events where one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses, 2) broadenssome cases, you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of fair value measurements usedwords such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “future,” “will,” “seek,” “foreseeable,” the negative version of these words, or similar terms and phrases.

These forward-looking statements are subject to recognizevarious risks, uncertainties, assumptions, or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the assets acquiredfollowing: negative changes in external events beyond our control, including our customers’ onboarding volumes, economic drivers which are sensitive to macroeconomic cycles, such as interest rate volatility and liabilities assumed, 3) changes the accounting for acquisition related fees and restructuring costs incurredinflation, geopolitical unrest, uncertainty in connection with an acquisition, and 4) increases required disclosures. The Company will apply the provisions of this update prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009.  

Noncontrolling Interest
In December 2007, the FASB updated GAAP related to noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements.  This update requires that a noncontrolling interestmarkets; our operations in a subsidiary be reported as equityhighly regulated industry and the amountfact that we are subject to numerous and evolving laws and regulations, including with respect to personal data, data security, and artificial intelligence; inability to identify and successfully implement our growth strategies on a timely basis or at all; potential harm to our business, brand, and reputation as a result of consolidated net income specifically attributablesecurity breaches, cyber-attacks, or the mishandling of personal data; operating in a penetrated and competitive market; our reliance on third-party data providers; due to the noncontrolling interestsensitive and privacy-driven nature of our products and solutions, we could face liability and legal or regulatory proceedings, which could be identifiedcostly and time-consuming to defend and may not be fully covered by insurance; our international business exposes us to a number of risks; real or perceived errors, failures, or bugs in our products could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and growth prospects; our ability to identify attractive targets or successfully complete such transactions; the consolidated financial statements. It also requires consistencytiming, manner and volume of repurchases of common stock pursuant to our share repurchase program; failure to comply with anti-corruption laws and regulations; disruptions at our Global Operating Center and other operating centers; our contracts with our customers, which do not guarantee exclusivity or contracted volumes; disruptions, outages, or other errors with our technology and network infrastructure, including our data centers, servers, and third-party cloud and internet providers and our migration to the cloud; the continued integration of our platforms and solutions with human resource providers such as applicant tracking systems and human capital management systems as well as our relationships with such human resource providers; risks relating to public opinion, which may be magnified by incidents or adverse publicity concerning our industry or operations; our reliance on third-party vendors to carry out certain portions of our operations; our dependence on the service of our key executive and other employees, and our ability to find and retain qualified employees; our ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property and other proprietary information; our ability to maintain, protect, and enforce the confidentiality of our trade secrets; the use of open-source software in our applications; the manner of reportingindemnification provisions in our contracts with our customers and third-party data suppliers; seasonality in our operations from quarter to quarter; our indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the parent’s ownership interesteconomy or our industry, and requires fair value measurementprevent us from meeting our obligations; Silver Lake’s control of any noncontrolling equity investment retained in a deconsolidation. The Company has applied the provisions of this update effective beginning on January 1, 2009us and the adoption did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
In April 2009, the FASB updated GAAP related to interim disclosures about fair value of financial instruments. This amends previous statements, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This also requires those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. This is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The update does not require disclosures for earlier periods presented for comparative purposes at initial


12

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


adoption. In periods after initial adoption, this update requires comparative disclosures only for periods ending after initial adoption. The Company adopted this new standard effective April 1, 2009.
The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, which includes cash and cash equivalents, marketable equity securities and accounts receivable, approximates fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.  The Company’s marketable equity securities are classified as available for sale securities.  Unrealized holding gains and losses for available for sale securities are excluded from earnings and reported, net of taxes, as accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.  The Company considers its variable rate debt to be representative of current market rates and, accordingly, estimates that the recorded amounts approximate fair market value.  Fair value estimatespotential conflict of its fixed rate debt were determined using discounted cash flow methodsinterest with a discount rateours or those of 3.25%, which are the estimated ratesour stockholders; and changing interpretations of tax laws.

For additional information on these and other factors that similar instruments could be negotiated at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, none of which are heldcause First Advantage’s actual results to differ materially from expected results, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for trading purposes, are summarized as follows:



  September 30, 2009  December 31, 2008 
(in thousands) Carrying  Estimated  Carrying  Estimated 
  Amount  Fair Value  Amount  Fair Value 
Cash and cash equivalents $57,784  $57,784  $52,361  $52,361 
Accounts receivable  115,870   115,870   121,531   121,531 
Marketable equity securities  48,293   48,293   30,365   30,365 
Long-term debt and capital leases  (21,474)  (21,508)  (32,829)  (32,699)

Subsequent Events
In May 2009, the FASB updated GAAP related to subsequent events.  The update establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued.  It is effective for reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted this update effective April 1, 2009.
Accounting Standards Codification
The FASB has adopted the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) as the single authoritative source for GAAP, replacing the mix of accounting standards that have evolved over the last 50 plus years. The Codification is effective for financial statements that cover interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. While not intended to change GAAP, the Codification significantly changes the way in which accounting literature is organized. It's now organized by accounting topic, which should enable users to more quickly identify the guidance that applies to a specific accounting issue.  The Company adopted this new standard effective September 15, 2009.
3.Acquisitions
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company paid consideration of approximately $19.5 million in cash related to earnout provisions from prior year acquisitions, approximately $5.1 million for the final purchase of a portion of noncontrolling interests in LeadClick Media, Inc, and $0.8 million for an additional portion of noncontrolling interest in PrideRock Holding Company.  The additional


13

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


consideration related to earnout provisions was recorded to goodwill and the purchase of noncontrolling interests was recorded to additional paid in capital when paid.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by operating segment, are as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:


     Acquisitions,  Adjustments    
  Balance at  (Disposals)  to net assets  Balance at 
(in thousands) December 31, 2008  and Earnouts  acquired   September 30, 2009 
Credit Services $107,578  $-  $-  $107,578 
Data Services  218,505   (611  -   217,894 
Employer Services  272,461   2,266   3,308   278,035 
Multifamily Services  49,174   -   -   49,174 
Investigative and Litigation Support Services  83,651   17,199   16   100,866 
Consolidated $731,369  $18,854  $3,324  $753,547 

The adjustments to net assets acquired represent post acquisition adjustments for those companies acquired in the past periods.

4.Discontinued Operations
As discussed in Note 1, as part of the Company’s streamlining initiative, in the second quarter of 2008, the Company sold FAIS, which was included in our Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment, and CMSI, which was included in our Credit Services segment.  The results of these businesses’ operations in the prior period are presented in discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
The following amounts have been segregated from continuing operations and are reflected as discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.


14

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



  Nine months ended 
  September 30, 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2008 
Total revenue $7,671 
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes $(7,155)
Income tax benefit  (2,914)
    Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
 $(4,241)
Loss per share:    
Basic $(0.07)
Diluted $(0.08)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:    
Basic  59,358 
Diluted  59,446 

5.Goodwill and Intangible Assets
In accordance with GAAP, the Company will perform the goodwill impairment test for all reporting units in the fourth quarter of 2009.   There have been no impairments of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Given the current economic environment and the uncertainties regarding the impact on the Company’s business, there can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates and assumptions regarding the duration of the ongoing economic downturn, or the period or strength of recovery, made for purposes of the Company’s goodwill impairment testing during the year ended December 31, 2008 will prove2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as such factors may be updated from time to be accurate predictionstime in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the future. Ifdate of this Form 10-Q, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Glossary of Selected Terminology

The following terms are used in this Form 10-Q, unless otherwise noted or indicated by the context:

“Americas” in regards to our business, means the United States, Canada, and Latin America;
“Enterprise customers” means our customers who contribute $500,000 or more to our revenues in a calendar year;
“First Advantage,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean the business of First Advantage Corporation and its subsidiaries;
“International” in regards to our business, means all geographical regions outside of the United States, Canada, and Latin America;
“Revenues attributable to the Company’s assumptions regarding forecasted revenueacquisitions” means revenues recognized in the first year following each acquisition; and
“Silver Lake” means Silver Lake Group, L.L.C., together with its affiliates, successors, and assignees.

Certain monetary amounts, percentages, and other figures included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have been subject to rounding adjustments. Percentage amounts included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures, but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Certain other amounts that appear in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may not sum due to rounding.

Website and Social Media Disclosure

We use our websites (https://fadv.com/ and https://investors.fadv.com/) to distribute company information. We make available free of charge a variety of information for investors, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file that material with, or margin growth ratesfurnish it, to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The information we post on our websites may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor our websites, in addition to following our press releases, filings with the SEC, and public conference calls and webcasts. In addition, you may opt in to automatically receive email alerts and other information about First Advantage when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Email Alerts” section of certain reporting unitsour investor website at https://investors.fadv.com/. The contents of our websites and social media channels are not, achieved,however, a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

First Advantage is a leading provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification solutions. We deliver innovative services and insights that help our customers manage risk and hire the Company may be requiredbest talent. Enabled by our proprietary technology, we help companies protect their brands and provide safer environments for their customers and their most important resources: employees, contractors, contingent workers, tenants, and drivers.

Our comprehensive product suite includes criminal background checks, drug / health screening, extended workforce screening, biometrics and identity, education / work verifications, resident screening, fleet / driver compliance, executive screening, data analytics, continuous monitoring, social media monitoring, and hiring tax incentives. We derive a substantial majority of our revenues from pre-onboarding screening and perform screens in over 200 countries and territories, enabling us to record additional goodwill impairment lossesserve as a one-stop-shop provider to both multinational companies and growth companies. Our more than 30,000 customers are global enterprises, mid-sized companies, and small companies, and our products and solutions are used by personnel in connectionrecruiting, human resources, risk, compliance, vendor management, safety, and/or security.

Our products are sold both individually and packaged. The First Advantage platform offers flexibility for customers to specify which products to include in their screening package, such as Social Security numbers, criminal records, education and work verifications, sex offender registry, and global sanctions. Generally, our customers order a background screening package or selected combination of screens related to a single individual before they onboard that individual. The type and mix of products and solutions we sell to a customer vary by customer size, their screening requirements, and industry vertical. Therefore, order volumes are not comparable across both customers and periods. Pricing can also vary considerably by customer depending on the product mix in their screening packages, order volumes, screening requirements and preferences, pass-through and third-party out of pocket costs, and bundling of products.

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We enter into contracts with our customers that are typically three years in length. These contracts set forth the Company’s next annual impairment testinggeneral terms and pricing of our products and solutions but generally do not include minimum order volumes or committed order volumes. Accordingly, contracts do not provide guarantees of future revenues. Due to our contract terms and the nature of the background screening industry, we determined our contract terms for ASC 606 purposes are less than one year. We typically bill our customers at the end of each month and recognize revenues as completed orders are reported or otherwise made available to our customers. Approximately 90% of our criminal searches performed in the fourth quarterUnited States in 2023 were completed the same day they were submitted.

We generated revenues of 2009 or in future periods. It is not possible at this time to determine if any such future impairment loss would result or, if it does, whether such charge would be material.



15

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:
(in thousands) September 30, 2009  December 31, 2008 
Goodwill $753,547  $731,369 
Customer lists $93,757  $95,446 
Less accumulated amortization  (47,937)  (41,633)
Customer lists, net $45,820  $53,813 
Other identifiable intangible assets:        
   Noncompete agreements $9,097  $11,783 
   Trade names  20,468   21,631 
   29,565   33,414 
Less accumulated amortization  (15,190)  (16,169)
Other identifiable intangible assets, net $14,375  $17,245 

Amortization of customer lists and other identifiable intangible assets totaled approximately $3.6 million and $5.3$169.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and approximately $11.0 million and $13.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
An impairment lossMarch 31, 2024, which represents a decline of $1.3 million was recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 in the Credit Services segment.  The charge is related3.5% as compared to the write-off of the net book value of the automotive lead generation business’ identifiable intangible assets and customer list.  The impairment loss was incurred due to the challenging credit market and the negative impact to the automotive lead generation business.
Estimated amortization expense relating to intangible asset balances as of September 30, 2009, is expected to be as follows over the next five years:


(in thousands)   
Remainder of 2009 $3,609 
2010  13,956 
2011  11,323 
2012  10,231 
2013  8,831 
Thereafter  12,245 
  $60,195 





16

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The changes in the carrying amount of identifiable intangible assets are as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:
  Other    
  Identifiable    
  Intangible  Customer 
(in thousands) Assets  Lists 
Balance, at December 31, 2008 $17,245  $53,813 
Adjustments  37   57 
Amortization  (2,907)  (8,050)
Balance, at September 30, 2009 $14,375  $45,820 



6.Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following at September 30, 2009:


(in thousands, except percentages)   
    
Acquisition notes:  Weighted average interest rate of 3.64% with maturities
   
    through 2011
 $9,657 
Bank notes:  $225 million Secured Credit Facility, interest at 30-day LIBOR    
    plus 1.13% (1.37% at September 30, 2009) matures September 2010
  10,000 
Capital leases and other debt:  Various interest rates with maturities through 2011
   1,817 
    Total long-term debt and capital leases
 $21,474 
    Less current portion of long-term debt and capital leases
  20,446 
    Long-term debt and capital leases, net of current portion
 $1,028 

At September 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of its loan agreement.  In the event that the First American Offer is accepted and consummated with a merger, this may be determined to be an “Event of Default,” under the terms of the Credit Agreement.


7.Earnings Per Share
A reconciliation of earnings per share and weighted-average shares outstanding is as follows:
  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) September 30,  September 30, 
  2009  2008  2009  2008 
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders $11,450  $12,631  $35,035  $42,549 
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax  -   -   -   (4,241)
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
 $11,450  $12,631  $35,035  $38,308 
Denominator:                
Weighted-average shares for basic earnings per share  59,803   59,478   59,722   59,358 
Effect of restricted stock  255   42   135   72 
Effect of dilutive securities - employee stock options and warrants  28   9   10   16 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share  60,086   59,529   59,867   59,446 
Earnings per share:                
 Basic                
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders $0.19  $0.21  $0.59  $0.72 
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax  -   -   -   (0.07)
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
 $0.19  $0.21  $0.59  $0.65 
 Diluted                
Income from continuing operations attributable to FADV shareholders $0.19  $0.21  $0.59  $0.72 
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to FADV shareholders, net of tax  -   -   -   (0.08)
    Net income attributable to FADV shareholders
 $0.19  $0.21  $0.59  $0.64 

For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, options and warrants totaling 2,962,431 and 3,999,719, respectively, were excluded from the weighted average diluted shares outstanding, as they were antidilutive.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, options and warrants totaling 3,162,930 and 3,895,234, respectively, were excluded from the weighted average diluted shares outstanding, as they were antidilutive.

8.Share-Based Compensation
In the first quarter of 2008, the Company changed from granting stock options as the primary means of share-based compensation to granting restricted stock units (“RSU”). The fair value of any RSU grant is based on the market value of the Company’s shares on the date of the grant and is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period.  RSUs generally vest over three years at a rate of 33.3% for the first two years and 33.4% for last year.
Restricted stock activity since December 31, 2008 is summarized as follows:


     Weighted 
(in thousands, except weighted average fair value prices)    Average 
  Number of  Grant-Date 
  Shares  Fair Value 
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2008  632  $21.93 
    Restricted stock granted
  423  $10.89 
    Restricted stock forfeited
  (30) $17.99 
    Restricted stock vested
  (253) $23.06 
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2009  772  $15.66 




18

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


The following table illustrates the share-based compensation expense recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

  Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30,  September 30, 
(in thousands) 2009  2008  2009  2008 
Stock options $457  $1,165  $1,578  $3,875 
Restricted stock  1,363   1,169   4,109   3,357 
Employee stock purchase plan  20   26   73   112 
  $1,840  $2,360  $5,760  $7,344 


Stock option activity under the Company’s stock plan since December 31, 2008 is summarized as follows:


     Weighted  Aggregate 
(in thousands, except exercise prices) Number of  Average  Intrinsic 
  Shares  Exercise Price  Value 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2008  3,492  $23.06  $863 
    Options exercised
  (26) $15.51     
    Options forfeited
  (294) $24.66     
Options outstanding at September 30, 2009  3,172  $22.98  $697 
Options exercisable, end of the quarter  2,956  $22.83  $692 


The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at September 30, 2009:


                 
(in thousands, except for exercise prices, years and weighted average amounts)       
                 
   Options Outstanding  Options Exercisable 
      Weighted Avg  Weighted     Weighted 
      Remaining Contractual  Average     Average 
Range of Exercise Prices  Shares  Life in Years  Exercise Price  Shares  Exercise Price 
$7.00 - $ 12.50   9   1.9  $11.13   9  $11.13 
$12.51 - $ 25.00   2,075   4.6  $20.90   2,018  $20.91 
$25.01 - $ 50.00   1,084   6.1  $26.97   925  $27.01 
$50.01 - $242.25   4   1.8  $50.25   4  $50.25 
     3,172           2,956     

The Company had outstanding warrants to purchase up to 41,462 shares of its common stock at exercise prices of $12.05 per share as of September 30, 2009.  The weighted average remaining contractual life in years for the warrants outstanding is 1.68.

9.Income Taxes
The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state jurisdictions, and foreign jurisdictions.  


19

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for years before 2005, and state and local, and non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities before 2003.  In April 2009, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) concluded an examination of First Advantage’s consolidated 2005 federal income tax return without any material adjustments. In March 2009, the IRS initiated an examination of First Advantage’s consolidated 2006 and 2007 federal income tax returns, which the Company does not anticipate will result in material adjustments.
As of September 30, 2009, the Company has a $4.9 million total liability recorded for unrecognized tax benefits as well as a $0.5 million total liability for income tax related interest.  The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is $3.3 million.  The majority of the unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate and associated interest relates to foreign operations.  The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.  The Company does not currently anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease by the end of 2009.

10. Segment Information
The Company operates in five primary business segments: Credit Services, Data Services, Employer Services, Multifamily Services, and Investigative and Litigation Support Services. In the first quarter of 2009, the Company consolidated the previous Lender Services and Dealer Services segments and moved the consumer credit business from the Data Services segment to create the Credit Services segment. The prior periods have been recast to reflect the changed segments.
The Credit Services segment include business lines that offer lenders credit reporting solutions for mortgage and home equity needs, that provide consumer credit reporting services and serve the automotive dealer marketplace by delivering consolidated consumer credit reports.

The Data Services segment includes business lines that provide transportation credit reporting, motor vehicle record reporting, fleet management, criminal records reselling, specialty finance credit reporting, and lead generation services.  Revenue for the Data Services segment includes $0.9 million and $1.2 million of inter-segment sales for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $2.8 million and $4.0 million of inter-segment sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The Employer Services segment includes employment background screening, occupational health services, tax incentive services and hiring solutions.  Products and services relating to employment background screening include criminal records searches, employment and education verification, social security number verification


20

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


and credit reporting.  Occupational health services include drug-free workplace programs, physical examinations and employee assistance programs.  Hiring solutions include applicant tracking software, recruiting services and outsourced management of payroll and human resource functions.  Tax incentive services include services related to the administration of employment-based and location-based tax credit and incentive programs, sales and use tax programs and fleet asset management programs.  Revenue for the Employer Services segment includes $0.6 million of inter-segment sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

The Multifamily Services segment includes resident screening and software services.  Resident screening services include criminal background and eviction searches, credit reporting, employment verification and lease performance and payment histories.  Revenue for the Multifamily Services segment includes $0.2 million of inter-segment sales for each of the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, and $0.5 million of inter-segment sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

The Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment includes all investigative services.  Products and services offered by the Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment includes computer forensics, electronic discovery, due diligence reports and other high level investigations.

The elimination of intra-segment revenue and cost of service revenue is included in Corporate.  These transactions are recorded at cost.

Service revenue for international operations included in the Employer Services segment was $8.0 million and $11.9$175.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $21.4 million and $35.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Service revenue for international operations included in the Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment was $0.4 million and $7.6 millionMarch 31, 2023. Approximately 87% of our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $1.3 million and $32.3 millionMarch 31, 2024 was generated in the Americas, predominantly in the United States, while the remaining 13% was generated internationally. Other than the United States, no single country accounted for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.



21

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table sets forth segment informationour total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009March 31, 2024. Please refer to “Results of Operations” for further details.

Segments

We manage our business and 2008.

report our financial results in two reportable segments, Americas and International:


(in thousands) Service  Depreciation  Income (Loss)    
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Revenue  and Amortization  From Operations  Assets 
Credit Services $59,443  $1,533  $12,489  $202,380 
Data Services  25,514   2,435   3,590   298,524 
Employer Services  41,731   3,771   3,929   388,095 
Multifamily Services  19,879   1,542   7,268   84,458 
Investigative and Litigation Support Services  9,804   724   1,337   120,971 
Corporate and Eliminations  (391)  988   (10,169)  79,305 
Consolidated $155,980  $10,993  $18,444  $1,173,733 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008                
Credit Services $60,837  $1,728  $7,063  $196,406 
Data Services  21,922   2,570   3,680   312,606 
Employer Services  54,199   3,255   6,644   408,139 
Multifamily Services  19,702   1,444   6,654   87,782 
Investigative and Litigation Support Services  18,600   837   6,347   111,259 
Corporate and Eliminations  (596)  1,064   (8,663)  64,606 
Consolidated $174,664  $10,898  $21,725  $1,180,798 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009                
Credit Services $191,567  $4,470  $44,820  $202,380 
Data Services  113,456   7,367   11,389   298,524 
Employer Services  119,350   11,058   6,110   388,095 
Multifamily Services  57,467   4,553   20,521   84,458 
Investigative and Litigation Support Services  30,224   2,176   2,753   120,971 
Corporate and Eliminations  (1,376)  2,950   (26,388)  79,305 
Consolidated $510,688  $32,574  $59,205  $1,173,733 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008                
Credit Services $202,723  $4,480  $35,371  $196,406 
Data Services  60,422   7,601   11,214   312,606 
Employer Services  163,397   9,629   13,119   408,139 
Multifamily Services  58,037   4,242   17,995   87,782 
Investigative and Litigation Support Services  63,281   2,460   23,407   111,259 
Corporate and Eliminations  (2,519)  3,108   (28,229)  64,606 
Consolidated $545,341  $31,520  $72,877  $1,180,798 










Americas. This segment performs a variety of background check and compliance services across all phases of the workforce lifecycle from pre-onboarding services to post-onboarding and ongoing monitoring services, covering employees, contractors, contingent workers, tenants, and drivers. We generally classify our service offerings into three categories: pre-onboarding, post-onboarding, and adjacent products. We deliver our solutions across multiple industry verticals in the United States, Canada, and Latin America markets.
International. The International segment provides services similar to our Americas segment in regions outside of the Americas. We primarily deliver our solutions across multiple industry verticals in the Europe, India, and Asia Pacific markets.
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October and November, leading up to the U.S. holiday season and lowest in December and at the beginning of the new year, following the U.S. holiday hiring season. Certain customers across various industries also historically increase their hiring throughout the second quarter of the year as winter concludes, commercial activity tied to outdoor activities increases, and the school year ends, giving rise to student and graduate hiring. We expect that further growth in e-commerce, the continued digital transformation of the economy, and other economic forces may impact future seasonality, but we are unable to predict these potential shifts and how our business may be impacted.

Recent Developments

Pending Acquisition of Sterling Check Corp.

On February 28, 2024, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among First Advantage, Corporation


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


11.Subsequent Event
    Proposed Offer to Exchange bySterling Check Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Sterling”), and Starter Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of First American
On October 8, 2009, First American commenced an exchange offer (the “Offer”Advantage (“Merger Sub”) to acquire all of. The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not owned or controlled by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share.  The offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 (the “Expiration Time”).
First American has stated that the offer is conditioned upon, among other things, satisfaction of the “Minimum Condition”, which means that there must be validly tendered,terms and not properly withdrawn priorsubject to the Expiration Time, at least a majority of the Class A Shares owned by stockholders other than certain parties described in the Offerconditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Sterling, with Sterling continuing as the “Excluded Parties.” Assurviving corporation in such merger and becoming an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of October 26, 2009, there were 12,098,680 Class A Shares outstanding, of which we believe 632,544Class A Shares are held by Excluded Parties. Accordingly, we believe thatFirst Advantage. The cash-and-stock transaction (the “Acquisition”) valued Sterling at least 5,733,069 Class A Shares not owned by the Excluded Parties would have to be validly tendered into the Offer, and not have been properly withdrawn,approximately $2.2 billion as of the Expiration Time, in orderdate of the Merger Agreement.

The Acquisition is subject to satisfy this condition.  In addition,satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions, including, among others, the following conditions must also be satisfied or waived (except as noted below):

adoption of the Merger Condition — which means there must be sufficient Class A Shares validly tendered, and not properly withdrawn asAgreement by Sterling stockholders, the expiration or termination of the Expiration Time, such that once such tendered Class A Shares are purchased by First American inwaiting period under the Offer, First American will own or control at least 90%Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976 (the “HSR Act”) and clearance under the outstanding Class A Shares (after giving effect toantitrust and foreign direct investment laws of certain other jurisdictions, and the conversioneffectiveness of the Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis). We calculate that, based on the number of outstanding Class A Shares as of October 26, 2009, approximately 6,112,774 Class A Shares would have to be tendered in order to satisfy this condition;
the Registration Statement Effectiveness Condition — which means the registration statement on Form S-4 filed by First American shall have been declared effective byAdvantage in connection with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”);
Acquisition.

In connection with the Listing Condition — which means the First American common shares to be issued in the Offer andexecution of the Merger shall have been approved for listing onAgreement, the New York Stock Exchange; and

the absence of legal impedimentsBorrower, entered into a commitment letter with certain financial institutions that committed to provide, subject to the Offer or the Mergerterms and other General Conditions.
The Minimum Condition, the Registration Statement Effectiveness Condition and the Listing Condition will not be waived in the Offer. The Merger Condition is waivable in First American’s sole discretion. In the event that allconditions of the conditionscommitment letter, an incremental term loan in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.820 billion and incremental revolving commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $150 million, in each case, under the Offer have


23

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


not been satisfied or waived at the then scheduled Expiration Time, First American may, in its discretion, extend the Expiration Time in such increments as it may determine. However, First American is under no obligationBorrower’s existing credit agreement. Such financial institutions also agreed to extend the Offer if the conditions have not been satisfied, or waived if permitted, asmaturity date of the Expiration Time. Borrower’s revolving credit facility from July 31, 2026 to the date that is the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the Acquisition.

21


Current Economic Conditions

Macroeconomic factors, including inflation, interest rates, recent declines in hiring activity and job openings, stability of the global banking system, global health crises, global supply chain constraints, and global economic and geopolitical developments, have negatively impacted significant portions of the global economy, and created volatility in the financial markets.

If the Offereconomic uncertainty is not consummatedsustained or increases, we may experience a negative impact on new business, customer renewals and demand levels, sales and marketing efforts, revenues growth rates, customer deployments, customer collections, product development, or other financial metrics. Any of these factors could harm our business, financial condition, and operating results.

Despite the market pricecontinuing uncertainty associated with these events, we are confident in the overall long-term health of our business, the Class A Shares may decline. The conditionsstrength of our product offerings, and our ability to continue to execute on our strategy and help our customers hire smarter and onboard faster. Our ability to deliver innovative products and solutions that enhance workplace safety and address compliance risks has contributed to the Offer are for the sole benefitdurability of First Americanour financial results. For additional information, see our “Risk Factors” and may be asserted by it in its sole discretion, regardless of the circumstances giving rise to such conditions, or, except as set forth above, may be waived by First American, in whole or in part, in its sole discretion, whether or not any other condition of the Offer also is waived.

First American has also announced that if the Merger Condition is satisfied and First American consummates the Offer, First American will convert (or cause to be converted) all of the Class B Shares that it owns or controls into Class A Shares and cause all such Class A Shares and the Class A Shares acquired by First American in the Offer to be contributed to Algonquin Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First American (“Merger Sub”). If First American consummates the Offer, and thereafter owns or controls 90% or more of the outstanding Class A Shares (after giving effect to the conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis), First American has stated that it shall promptly thereafter effect a short form merger with Merger Sub merging into First Advantage (the “Merger”) unless prohibited by court order or other applicable legal requirement. As provided by Delaware law, the Merger may be effected without the approvalof First Advantage’s board of directors or any remaining public stockholders. If First American consummates the Offer and does not own or control 90% or more of the outstanding Class A Shares (after giving effect to the conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis), First American will use commercially reasonable efforts to acquire additional Class A Shares such that after such acquisition, Merger Sub owns or controls at least 90%of each class of the issued and outstanding capital stock of First Advantage (after giving effect to the conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis); provided, however, that such use of commercially reasonable efforts to acquire additional Class A Shares shall not require First American to exchange more than 0.58 of a First American share (or equivalent value) for any Class A Share. In such event, once First American owns or controls 90%or more of the outstanding Class A Shares (after giving effect to the conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares on a one-for-one basis), First American shall effect the Merger promptly thereafter unless prohibited by court order or other applicable legal requirement. As a result of the Merger, any Class A Sharesnot previously purchased by First American in the Offer (and in subsequent purchases, if any) would be converted into First American common shares at the Exchange Ratio, other than the Class A Shares in respect of which appraisal rights have been properly perfected under Delaware law.
On October 8, 2009, First American filed the Offer to Exchange and related materials with the SEC on a Registration Statement on Form S-4.  In addition, on October 8, 2009, the Company filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9.  Stockholders are urged to read the Offer to Exchange and related materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement and any amendments thereto

24

First Advantage Corporation

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


filed from time to time, because they will contain important information. Stockholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the Offer to Exchange and related materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov ..  In addition, the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, as well as the Company’s other public SEC filings, can be obtained at www.fadv.com.  Stockholders may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by First American or the Company with the SEC at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room.





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

Notice to stockholders of Exchange Offer by First American
    On October 8, 2009, The First American Corporation (“First American”) commenced an exchange offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not owned or controlled by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share, and First American filed an Offer to Exchange and related materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on a Registration Statement on Form S-4.  On October 8, 2009, the Company filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9. Stockholders are urged to read the Offer to Exchange and related materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement and any amendments thereto filed from time to time, because they will contain important information. Stockholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the Offer to Exchange and related materials and the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov ..  In addition, the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement, as well as the Company’s other public SEC filings, can be obtained at www.fadv.com.  Stockholders may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by First American or the Company with the SEC at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 or visit the SEC’s website for further information on its public reference room.


Note of Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q relate to future results of the Company and are considered “forward-looking statements”.  These statements, which may be expressed in a variety of ways, including the use of future or present tense language, relate to among other things, sufficiency and availability of cash flows and other sources of liquidity, current levels of operations, anticipated growth, future market positions, synergies from integration, ability to execute its growth strategy, levels of capital expenditures and ability to satisfy current debt.  These forward-looking statements, and others forward-looking statements contained in other public disclosures of the Company are based on assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, and that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which are beyond the Company’s control).  Risks and uncertainties exist that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause the anticipated results to differ from those described in the forward-looking statements include: general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of the Company’s Class A common stock; the Company’s ability to successfully raise capital; the Company’s ability to identify and complete acquisitions and to successfully integrate businesses it acquires; changes in applicable government regulations; the degree and nature of the Company’s competition; increases in the Company’s expenses; continued consolidation among the Company’s competitors and customers; unanticipated technological changes and requirements; the Company’s ability to identify suppliers of quality and cost-effective data; statements with respect to First American's proposed exchange offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not owned or controlled by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share; and other factors described in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.   In addition to the risk factors set forth above and in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, stockholders should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by the Form 8-K filed October 8, 2009, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as well as the other information contained the Company’s Annual Report, as updated or modified in subsequent filings.  The Company faces risks other than those listed in the Annual Report, as updated, including those that are unknown and others of which the Company may be aware but, at present, considers immaterial.  Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied as a result of these risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.  The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

First Advantage Corporation (Nasdaq: FADV) (“First Advantage” or the “Company”) provides global risk mitigation, screening services and credit reporting to enterprise and consumer customers.  The Company operates in five primary business segments: Credit Services, Data Services, Employer Services, Multifamily Services, and Investigative & Litigation Support Services.  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company consolidated the previous Lender Services and Dealer Services segments and moved the consumer credit business from the Data Services segment to create the Credit Services segment. The prior periods have been recast to reflect the changed segments.  First Advantage is headquartered in Poway, California and has approximately 3,800 employees in offices throughout the United States and abroad.

The current economic downturn has caused decreased service revenue in the Credit Services segment related to the mortgage and auto industries and the Data Services segment related to the transportation and specialty finance businesses.  Management expects continued weakness in the real estate and mortgage markets to continue impacting the Company’s Credit Services segment and the transportation and specialty credit businesses in the Data Services segment.  In addition, the effect of the issues in the real estate and related credit markets together with the other macroeconomic matters has resulted in higher unemployment rates negatively impacting the volumes in the Employer Services segment.  Given this outlook, management is focusing on expense reductions, operating efficiencies, and increasing market share throughout the Company.

Given the current economic environment and the uncertainties regarding the impact on the Company’s business, there can be no assurance that the Company’s estimates and assumptions regarding the duration of the ongoing economic downturn, or the period or strength of recovery, made for purposes of the Company’s goodwill impairment testing during the year ended December 31, 2008 will prove to be accurate predictions of the future. If the Company’s assumptions regarding forecasted revenue or margin growth rates of certain reporting units are not achieved, the Company may be required to record additional goodwill impairment losses in connection with the Company’s next annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2009 or in  future periods. It is not possible at this time to determine if any such future impairment loss would result or, if it does, whether such charge would be material.

Operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2009Operations” included total service revenue of $156.0 million, this represents a decrease of 10.7% over the same period in 2008.  Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included total service revenue of $510.7 million, this represents a decrease of 6.4% over the same period in 2008.  Operating income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $18.4 million and $59.2 million, respectively.  Operating income decreased $3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 in comparison to the same period in 2008.  Operating income decreased $13.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 in comparison to the same period in 2008.

On October 8, 2009, First American issued a press release announcing its intention to commence an exchange offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A common stock (“Class A Shares”) not owned or controlled by First American at an exchange ratio of 0.58 of a First American common share per Class A Share (See Note 11 – Subsequent Event).  On October 9, 2009, First American filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which contains the Offer to Exchange and related materials.  On that same day, the Company filed with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation on Schedule 14D-9 pursuant to which the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company recommended on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company, that the stockholders of the Company accept the Offer and tender their shares pursuant to the Offer.  The Offer is described in further detail in Note 11 – Subsequent Event. 
    In the event that the Offer is accepted and consummated in the fourth quarter, operating results for the fourth quarter will be negatively impacted due to related costs.  As further described in Note 11 – Subsequent Event, upon meeting certain conditions, First American has announced that it intends to merge the Company with a wholly-owned subsidiary of First American.  This merger will constitute a “Change in Control” under the FADV 2003 Incentive Compensation Plan (“the Plan”).  Upon a Change in Control, the unvested awards of stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock issued under the Plan will vest and the unamortized costs of those awards will be expensed.  At September 30, 2009, the unamortized compensation expense was approximately $8.5 million and approximately $0.9 million related to the unvested restricted stock and unvested options, respectively.  In addition, Morgan Stanley is acting as the Company’s financial advisor related to the Offer.  Pursuant to the terms of Morgan Stanley’s engagement, in the event that the Offer is accepted, the Company has agreed to pay Morgan Stanley a transaction fee which is currently estimated to be approximately $3.0 million.


    For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company incurred approximately $1.6 million in legal expenses related to the Offer and related litigation and expects additional professional fees in the fourth quarter related to the Offer and related litigation.

As part of the Company’s streamlining initiative, in the second quarter of 2008, First Advantage sold First Advantage Investigative Services (“FAIS”), which was included in our Investigative and Litigation Support Services segment, and Credit Management Solutions, Inc. (“CMSI”), which was included in our Credit Services segment.  The results of these businesses’ operations in the prior period are presented in discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following is a summary of the operating results by the Company’s business segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

(in thousands, except percentages)                     
  Credit  Data  Employer  Multifamily  Invest/Litigation  Corporate    
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Services  Services  Services  Services  Support Services  and Eliminations  Total 
                      
Service revenue $59,443  $25,514  $41,731  $19,879  $9,804  $(391) $155,980 
Reimbursed government fee revenue  223   11,987   2,138   -   -   (762)  13,586 
  Total revenue  59,666   37,501   43,869   19,879   9,804   (1,153)  169,566 
                             
Cost of service revenue  26,691   12,419   10,651   1,790   495   (617)  51,429 
Government fees paid  223   11,987   2,138   -   -   (762)  13,586 
  Total cost of service  26,914   24,406   12,789   1,790   495   (1,379)  65,015 
                             
Gross margin  32,752   13,095   31,080   18,089   9,309   226   104,551 
                             
Salaries and benefits  12,238   4,839   16,142   6,110   5,303   5,288   49,920 
Facilities and telecommunications  1,771   551   2,036   754   675   954   6,741 
Other operating expenses  4,721   1,680   5,202   2,415   1,270   3,165   18,453 
Depreciation and amortization  1,533   2,435   3,771   1,542   724   988   10,993 
Income (loss) from operations $12,489  $3,590  $3,929  $7,268  $1,337  $(10,169) $18,444 
Operating margin percentage  21.0%  14.1%  9.4%  36.6%  13.6%  N/A   11.8%
                             
  Credit  Data  Employer  Multifamily  Invest/Litigation  Corporate     
Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 Services  Services  Services  Services  Support Services  and Eliminations  Total 
                             
Service revenue $60,837  $21,922  $54,199  $19,702  $18,600  $(596) $174,664 
Reimbursed government fee revenue  -   11,743   2,828   -   -   (938)  13,633 
  Total revenue  60,837   33,665   57,027   19,702   18,600   (1,534)  188,297 
                             
Cost of service revenue  28,985   8,628   14,234   1,915   503   (745)  53,520 
Government fees paid  -   11,743   2,828   -   -   (938)  13,633 
  Total cost of service  28,985   20,371   17,062   1,915   503   (1,683)  67,153 
                             
Gross margin  31,852   13,294   39,965   17,787   18,097   149   121,144 
                             
Salaries and benefits  14,294   4,755   18,511   6,320   7,622   7,611   59,113 
Facilities and telecommunications  2,203   643   2,280   836   722   1,105   7,789 
Other operating expenses  4,844   1,646   9,275   2,533   2,569   (968)  19,899 
Depreciation and amortization  1,728   2,570   3,255   1,444   837   1,064   10,898 
Impairment loss  1,720   -   -   -   -   -   1,720 
Income (loss) from operations $7,063  $3,680  $6,644  $6,654  $6,347  $(8,663) $21,725 
Operating margin percentage  11.6%  16.8%  12.3%  33.8%  34.1%  N/A   12.4%

  Credit  Data  Employer  Multifamily  Invest/Litigation  Corporate    
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Services  Services  Services  Services  Support Services  and Eliminations  Total 
                      
Service revenue $191,567  $113,456  $119,350  $57,467  $30,224  $(1,376) $510,688 
Reimbursed government fee revenue  614   35,305   6,483   -   -   (2,497)  39,905 
  Total revenue  192,181   148,761   125,833   57,467   30,224   (3,873)  550,593 
                             
Cost of service revenue  86,292   68,806   31,367   5,029   1,366   (1,830)  191,030 
Government fees paid  614   35,305   6,483   -   -   (2,497)  39,905 
  Total cost of service  86,906   104,111   37,850   5,029   1,366   (4,327)  230,935 
                             
Gross margin  105,275   44,650   87,983   52,438   28,858   454   319,658 
                             
Salaries and benefits  36,477   14,584   48,875   18,218   17,008   16,055   151,217 
Facilities and telecommunications  5,153   1,758   6,248   2,247   1,985   2,874   20,265 
Other operating expenses  14,355   9,552   15,692   6,899   4,936   4,963   56,397 
Depreciation and amortization  4,470   7,367   11,058   4,553   2,176   2,950   32,574 
Income (loss) from operations $44,820  $11,389  $6,110  $20,521  $2,753  $(26,388) $59,205 
Operating margin percentage  23.4%  10.0%  5.1%  35.7%  9.1%  N/A   11.6%
                             
  Credit  Data  Employer  Multifamily  Invest/Litigation  Corporate     
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 Services  Services  Services  Services  Support Services  and Eliminations  Total 
                             
Service revenue $202,723  $60,422  $163,397  $58,037  $63,281  $(2,519) $545,341 
Reimbursed government fee revenue  -   35,958   7,859   -   -   (3,037)  40,780 
  Total revenue  202,723   96,380   171,256   58,037   63,281   (5,556)  586,121 
                             
Cost of service revenue  92,135   19,458   45,041   5,229   1,524   (2,664)  160,723 
Government fees paid  -   35,958   7,859   -   -   (3,037)  40,780 
  Total cost of service  92,135   55,416   52,900   5,229   1,524   (5,701)  201,503 
                             
Gross margin  110,588   40,964   118,356   52,808   61,757   145   384,618 
                             
Salaries and benefits  45,004   14,874   59,082   19,958   25,317   24,254   188,489 
Facilities and telecommunications  6,544   1,922   7,330   2,666   2,217   3,394   24,073 
Other operating expenses  17,469   5,353   28,899   7,947   8,356   (2,382)  65,642 
Depreciation and amortization  4,480   7,601   9,629   4,242   2,460   3,108   31,520 
Impairment loss  1,720   -   297   -   -   -   2,017 
Income (loss) from operations $35,371  $11,214  $13,119  $17,995  $23,407  $(28,229) $72,877 
Operating margin percentage  17.4%  18.6%  8.0%  31.0%  37.0%  N/A   13.4%

Credit Services Segment


Service revenue was $59.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $1.4 million compared to service revenue of $60.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease is due to a $6.9 million decrease in revenue related to vehicle financing, reflecting an overall decline in auto and truck sales.  This is partially offset by a $4.4 million increase in revenue related to our direct to consumer credit business and a $1.1 million increase in mortgage related credit revenue reflecting increased lending volumes as compared to the same period in 2008.  
Gross margin was $32.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $0.9 million compared to gross margin of $31.9 million in the same period of 2008.  The impact of the increase in transactions resulted in an overall increase in gross margin. Gross margin was 55.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 52.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $2.1 million.  Salaries and benefits were 20.6% of service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 23.5% during the same period in 2008.  Salaries and benefits expense decreased due to operational efficiencies and reduced staffing.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $0.4 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expense were 3.0% in and 3.6% of service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease is due to the consolidation of operations.

Other operating expenses were flat compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. Other operating expenses were 7.9% and 8.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively. 

Depreciation and amortization decreased $0.2 million.  Depreciation and amortization was 2.6% of service revenue during the third quarter of 2009 compared to 2.8% in the same period in 2008.

    Income from operations was $12.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $7.1 million in the same period of 2008. The operating margin percentage increased from 11.6% to 21.0% primarily due operational efficiencies gained related to the segment’s cost reduction measures in the prior year and the $1.7 million impairment loss recorded in 2008. 


Data Services Segment

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $25.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $3.6 million compared to service revenue of $21.9 million in the same period of 2008.  This segment has experienced an increase in service revenue primarily due to the lead generation business, offset by reduced volumes in the specialty credit and transportation businesses as a result of the overall economic downturn.

Gross margin was $13.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $0.2 million compared to gross margin of $13.3 million in the same period of 2008.  Gross margin as a percentage of service revenue was 51.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 60.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease in the gross margin as a percentage of service revenue is primarily due to the revenue mix.  The lead generation’s eAdvertising business has lower margins.

Salaries and benefits were flat when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008.  Salaries and benefits were 19.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 21.7% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2008.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses for the third quarter of 2009 were comparable to the same period in 2008. Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 2.2% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 2.9% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2008.

Other operating expenses were flat when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008. Other operating expenses were 6.6% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 7.5% in the third quarter of 2008.

Depreciation and amortization for the third quarter of 2009 was comparable to the same period in 2008.  Depreciation and amortization was 9.5% of service revenue during the third quarter of 2009 compared to 11.7% in the same period in 2008.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 16.8% to 14.1% in comparing the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter of 2009.  The decrease in the operating margin is primarily due to the change in the revenue mix of the businesses in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Income from operations was $3.6 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of $0.1 million compared to $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2008.   The decrease is primarily driven by the lead generation business where cost of service and operating expenses have increased related to the increase in service revenue.

Employer Services Segment

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $41.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $12.5 million compared to service revenue of $54.2 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease was a result of a decrease in hiring in the United States and abroad.  The recession has caused increased unemployment, which directly affects this segment.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $2.4 million.  Salaries and benefits were 38.7% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 34.2% in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is a direct effect of office consolidations and the reduction in staffing, offset by an increase in salary and benefit expense related to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased by $0.2 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 4.9% and 4.2% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively.   The expense decrease is a direct effect of office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $4.1 million. Other operating expenses were 12.5% and 17.1% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The expense decrease in other operating expenses is primarily due to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services which were previously allocated from Corporate to other expenses, a decrease in professional fees, bad debt expense and decreased foreign currency losses.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $0.5 million.  Depreciation and amortization was 9.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 6.0% in the same period of 2008.  The increase is primarily due to accelerated depreciation on software related to outsourcing certain services in our drug screening division in 2009.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 12.3% to 9.4% primarily due to the decline in revenue.

Income from operations was $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $2.7 million compared to income from operations of $6.6 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is due to the decline in service revenue, offset by a 18.5% decrease in operating expenses.


Multifamily Services Segment

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $19.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $0.2 million compared to service revenue of $19.7 million in the same period of 2008.

Salaries and benefits cost decreased $0.2 million.  Salaries and benefits were 30.7% of service revenue for the third quarter of 2009 compared to 32.1% of service revenue in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is primarily due to a reduction in employees.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses were flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.   Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 3.8% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 4.2% in the third quarter of 2008.


Other operating expenses were flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.   Other operating expenses were 12.1% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 12.9% in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is due to reduced leased equipment, marketing and travel expenses.

Depreciation and amortization was flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.   Depreciation and amortization was 7.8% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 7.3% in the same period of 2008.

Income from operations was $7.3 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to income from operations of $6.7 million in the same period of 2008. The operating margin percentage increased from 33.8% to 36.6% primarily due to management’s cost containment initiatives.


Investigative and Litigation Services Segment

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
Total service revenue was $9.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $8.8 million compared to service revenue of $18.6 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is primarily due to the diminished case activity level in the Litigation Support Services division.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $2.3 million.  Salaries and benefits were 54.1% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 41.0% in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is mainly due to the decline of compensation related to revenue and profitability.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses were flat compared to the same period in 2008.  Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 6.9% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 3.9% in the third quarter of 2008.

Other operating expenses decreased by $1.3 million. Other operating expenses were 13.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 13.8% for the same period of 2008.  The decrease in expense is primarily due to a reduction in bad debt expense, travel expenses and professional fees.

Depreciation and amortization was flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.  Depreciation and amortization was 7.4% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 4.5% in the same period of 2008.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 34.1% to 13.6%.  The decrease in margin is primarily due to the revenue decline on the higher margin electronic discovery business.

Income from operations was $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $6.3 million for the same period of 2008.   The decrease is primarily due to the revenue decrease on the higher margin electronic discovery business.


Corporate

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Corporate costs and expenses represent primarily compensation and benefits for senior management, administrative staff, and their related expenses in addition to an administrative fee paid to First American.  The corporate expenses were $10.2 million in the third quarter of 2009 compared to expenses of $8.7 million in the same period of 2008.  The expense increase is primarily due to $1.6 million in legal expenses recorded related to the Offer and related litigation.  This increase is offset by expense decreases due to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services, decreases in compensation and benefit expenses, and travel expenses.


Consolidated Results

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Consolidated service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was $156.0 million, a decrease of $18.7 million compared to service revenue of $174.7 million in the same period in 2008. The decrease in service revenue compared to the third quarter of 2008 is directly related to the downturn in domestic and international hiring, weakness in the credit markets, and overall economic slowdown, offset by the increase in the Data Services segment.

Salaries and benefits decreased $9.2 million.  Salaries and benefits were 32.0% of service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 33.8% for the same period in 2008. The decrease is primarily due to strategic reductions in employees, a decline of compensation related to revenue and profitability, and the elimination of the 401(k) match in 2009.

 Facilities and telecommunication decreased by $1.0 million compared to the same period in 2008. Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 4.3% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 and 4.5% in the third quarter of 2008.  The decrease is primarily due to savings related to office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $1.4 million compared to the same period in 2008.  Other operating expenses were 11.8% and 11.4% of service revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease in expense is due to office consolidations and cost reduction measures offset by an increase in legal fees.  
Depreciation and amortization was flat when compared to the third quarter of 2008.  Depreciation and amortization was 7.0% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 6.2% in the same period of 2008.

    The consolidated operating margin was 11.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 12.4% for the same period in 2008.  Income from operations was $18.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $21.7 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease of $3.3 million is comprised of an increase in Corporate expenses of $1.5 million, a decrease in operating income of $5.0 million in Investigative and Litigation Support Services, $0.1 million in Data Services, and $2.7 million at Employer Services offset by increases in operating income of $5.4 million in Credit Services, and $0.6 million in Multifamily Services.


Credit Services Segment
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Service revenue was $191.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $11.1 million compared to service revenue of $202.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  A decrease in revenue at the dealer services division resulted in an overall decrease in service revenue, which is partially offset by an increase in revenue from the mortgage credit and consumer credit divisions.  The challenging credit markets and overall economy continues to affect our credit reporting businesses compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008.


Gross margin was $105.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $5.3 million compared to gross margin of $110.6 million in the same period of 2008.  The decline in gross margin is primarily due to the overall decrease in revenue and revenue mix compared to prior year. Gross margin was 55.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 54.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $8.5 million.  Salaries and benefits were 19.0% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 22.2% during the same period in 2008.  Salaries and benefits expense decreased due to operational efficiencies and reduced staffing.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $1.4 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expense were 2.7% and 3.2% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The expense decrease is due to the office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $3.1 million. Other operating expenses were 7.5% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 8.6% for the same period of 2008. The decrease is due to a decline in lease expense, marketing expense, bad debt expense, office expenses and travel expense, offset by an increase in temporary labor and professional service fees.

Depreciation and amortization was flat when compared to the nine months ended 2008.  Depreciation and amortization was 2.3% of service revenue in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 2.2% in the same period of 2008.

    Income from operations was $44.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $35.4 million in the same period of 2008. The operating margin percentage increased from 17.4% to 23.4% primarily due operational efficiencies gained related to the segment’s cost reduction measures in 2008 the $1.7 million impairment loss recorded in 2008. 


Data Services Segment

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $113.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $53.1 million compared to service revenue of $60.4 million in the same period of 2008.  This segment has experienced a significant increase in service revenue primarily due to the lead generation business, offset by reduced volumes in the specialty credit and transportation businesses as a result of the overall economic downturn.

Gross margin was $44.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $3.7 million compared to gross margin of $41.0 million in the same period of 2008.  Gross margin as a percentage of service revenue was 39.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 67.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  The decrease in the gross margin as a percentage of service revenue is primarily due to the revenue mix.  The lead generation’s eAdvertising business has lower margins.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $0.3 million.  Salaries and benefits were 12.9% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 24.6% of service revenue in the same period of 2008.  The decrease in expense is related to the reduction in staffing as compared to the same period in 2008.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $0.2 million. Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 1.5% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 3.2% of service revenue in the same period of 2008.

Other operating expenses increased by $4.2 million. Other operating expenses were 8.4% of service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 8.9% in the same period of 2008. The expense increase is primarily due to the increase in bad debt expense at the lead generation business.

Depreciation and amortization decreased by $0.2 million. Depreciation and amortization was 6.5% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 12.6% in the same period of 2008.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 18.6% to 10.0% primarily due to the revenue mix of the businesses in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Income from operations was $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $0.2 million compared to $11.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.   The increase is primarily driven by the lead generation business where revenue has increased, offset by increased cost of service and operating expenses.


Employer Services Segment

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $119.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $44.0 million compared to service revenue of $163.4 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease was a result of the decline in hiring in the United States and abroad.  The recession has caused increased unemployment, which directly affects this segment.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $10.2 million.  Salaries and benefits were 41.0% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 36.2% in the same period of 2008.  The decrease in expense is a direct effect of office consolidations and the reduction in staffing, offset by an increase in expense related to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased by $1.1 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 5.2% and 4.5% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.   The expense decrease is a direct effect of office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $13.2 million. Other operating expenses were 13.1% and 17.7% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The expense decrease in other operating expenses is primarily due to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services which increased costs allocated out of Employer services, a decrease in temporary labor, a decrease in bad debt expense and decreased foreign currency losses.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.4 million. Depreciation and amortization was 9.3% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 5.9% in the same period of 2008.  The increase is primarily due to the rollout of internally developed software and the accelerated depreciation on software related to outsourcing certain services in our drug screening division.



The operating margin percentage decreased from 8.0% to 5.1% primarily due to the decline in service revenue.

Income from operations was $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $7.0 million compared to income from operations of $13.1 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is due to the decline in service revenue, offset by a 22.2% decrease in operating expenses.


Multifamily Services Segment
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Total service revenue was $57.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $0.5 million compared to service revenue of $58.0 million in the same period of 2009.  The decrease is primarily due to a decline in revenue related to the current economic conditions.

Salaries and benefits cost decreased $1.7 million.  Salaries and benefits were 31.7% of service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 34.4% of service revenue in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is primarily due to a reduction in employees.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $0.4 million.   Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 3.9% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 4.6% in the same period of 2008.   The expense decrease is a direct effect of office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased $1.0 million.   Other operating expenses were 12.0% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 13.7% in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is due to reduced leased equipment, marketing and travel expenses.

Depreciation and amortization increased $0.3 million.   Depreciation and amortization was 7.9% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 7.3% in the same period of 2008.

The operating margin percentage increased from 31.0% to 35.7% primarily due to management’s cost containment initiatives.  Income from operations was $20.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to income from operations of $18.0 million in the same period of 2008.


Investigative and Litigation Services Segment

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
Total service revenue was $30.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $33.1 million compared to service revenue of $63.3 million in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is primarily due to the diminished case activity level in the Litigation Support Services division.

Salaries and benefits decreased by $8.3 million.  Salaries and benefits were 56.3% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 40.0% in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is mainly due to the decline of compensation related to revenue and profitability.

Facilities and telecommunication expenses decreased $0.2 million.  Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 6.6% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 3.5% in the first quarter of 2008.


Other operating expenses decreased by $3.4 million. Other operating expenses were 16.3% of service revenue in the nine months September 30, 2009 and 13.2% for the same period of 2008.  The decrease in expense is primarily due to a reduction in bad debt expense, travel expenses and professional fees.

Depreciation and amortization decreased $0.3 million.  Depreciation and amortization was 7.2% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 3.9% in the same period of 2008.

The operating margin percentage decreased from 37.0% to 9.1%.  Income from operations was $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $23.4 million for the same period of 2008.   The decrease in margin is primarily due to the revenue decrease on the higher margin electronic discovery business.


Corporate

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Corporate costs and expenses represent primarily compensation and benefits for senior management, administrative staff, and their related expenses in addition to an administrative fee paid to First American.  The Corporate expenses were $26.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to expenses of $28.2 million in the same period of 2008.  The expense decrease is due to moving technology personnel from Corporate to Employer Services, decreases in compensation and benefit expenses, and travel expenses.  The decrease is offset by $1.6 million in legal expenses recorded  in the current quarter related to the Offer and related litigation.

Consolidated Results

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Consolidated service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $510.7 million, a decrease of $34.6 million compared to service revenue of $545.3 million in the same period in 2008. The decrease in service revenue is directly related to the downturn in domestic and international hiring, the decline in the mortgage industry, weakness in the credit markets, and overall economic slowdown, partially offset by an increase in the Data Services segment.

Salaries and benefits decreased $37.3 million.  Salaries and benefits were 29.6% of service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 34.6% for the same period in 2008. The decrease is primarily due to strategic reductions in employees, office consolidations, a decline of compensation related to revenue and profitability, and a reduction in the 401(k) match expense.

 Facilities and telecommunication decreased by $3.8 million compared to the same period in 2008. Facilities and telecommunication expenses were 4.0% of service revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 4.4% in the same period of 2008.  The decrease is primarily due to savings related to office consolidations.

Other operating expenses decreased by $9.2 million compared to the same period in 2008.  Other operating expenses were 11.0% and 12.0% of service revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The decrease in expense is due to office consolidations and cost reduction measures.  This is offset by an increase in bad debt expense at the Data Services segment and $1.6 million in legal expenses recorded related to the Offer and related litigation.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.1 million due to fixed asset additions and the roll out of internally developed software, offset by certain fixed assets and intangibles becoming fully depreciated.


The consolidated operating margin was 11.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 13.4% for the same period in 2008.  Income from operations was $59.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $72.9 million for the same period in 2008. The decrease of $13.7 million is comprised of a decrease in operating income of $20.6 million in Investigative and Litigation Support Services, and $7.0 million at Employer Services offset by increases in operating income of $9.4 million in Credit Services, $0.2 million in Data Services, $2.5 million in Multifamily Services and a decrease of Corporate expenses of $1.8 million.


Critical Accounting Estimates

         Critical accounting policies are those policies used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements that require management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosure of contingencies. A summary of these policies can be found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.2023.

Components of our Results of Operations

Revenues

The Company derives revenues from a variety of background screening and adjacent products that cover all phases of the workforce lifecycle from pre-onboarding screening services to post-onboarding and ongoing monitoring services, covering employees, contractors, contingent workers, tenants, and drivers. We generally classify our products and solutions into three major categories: pre-onboarding, post-onboarding, and adjacent products, each of which is enabled by our technology, proprietary internal databases, and data analytics capabilities. Pre-onboarding products, which comprise the substantial majority of our revenues, span an extensive array of products that customers typically utilize to enhance their applicant evaluation process and help ensure compliance with their workforce onboarding criteria from the time an application is submitted to an applicant’s successful onboarding. Post-onboarding products are comprised of continuous monitoring, re-screening, and other solutions to help our customers keep their end customers, workforces, and other stakeholders safer, more productive, and more compliant. Adjacent products include products that complement our pre-onboarding and post-onboarding solutions such as fleet / vehicle compliance, hiring tax credits and incentives, resident / tenant screening, employment eligibility, and investigative research.

Our suite of products is available individually or through packaged solutions that can be configured and tailored according to our customers’ needs. We typically bill our customers at the end of each month and recognize revenues after completed orders are reported or otherwise made available to our customers, with a substantial majority of our customers’ orders completed the same day they are submitted. We recognize revenues for other products over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the products and solutions delivered.

Operating Expenses

We incur the following expenses related to our cost of revenues and operating expenses:

Cost of Services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below):Consists of amounts paid to third parties for access to government records, other third-party data and services, and our internal processing fulfillment and customer care functions. In addition, cost of services includes expenses from our drug screening lab and collection site network as well as our court runner network. Third-party cost of services are largely variable in nature and are typically invoiced to our customers as direct pass-through costs. Cost of services also includes our salaries and benefits expense for personnel involved in the processing and fulfillment of our screening products and solutions, as well as our customer care organization and robotics process automation implementation team. Other costs included in cost of services relate to allocations of certain overhead costs for our revenue-generating products and solutions, primarily consisting of certain facility costs and administrative services allocated by headcount or another related metric. We do not allocate depreciation and amortization to cost of services.

22



Product and Technology Expense: Consists of salaries and benefits of personnel involved in the maintenance of our technology and its integrations and APIs, product marketing, management of our network and infrastructure capabilities, and maintenance of our information security and business continuity functions. A portion of the personnel costs are related to the development of new products and features that are primarily developed through agile methodologies. These costs are partially capitalized, and therefore, are partially reflected as amortization expense within the depreciation and amortization cost line item. Product and technology expense also includes third-party costs related to our cloud computing services, software licensing and maintenance, telecommunications, and other data processing functions. We do not allocate depreciation and amortization to product and technology expense.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expense: Consists of sales, customer success, marketing, and general and administrative expenses. Sales, customer success, and marketing expenses consist primarily of employee compensation such as salaries, bonuses, sales commissions, share-based compensation, and other employee benefits for our verticalized sales and customer success teams. General and administrative expenses include travel expenses and various corporate functions including finance, human resources, legal, and other administrative roles, in addition to certain professional service fees and expenses incurred in connection with our IPO and our pending acquisition of Sterling. We expect our selling, general, and administrative expenses to increase in the short-term, primarily as a result of additional public company related reporting and compliance costs. Over the long-term, we expect our selling, general, and administrative expenses to decrease as a percentage of revenues as we leverage our past investments. We do not allocate depreciation and amortization to selling, general, and administrative expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization: Property and equipment consisting mainly of capitalized software costs, furniture, hardware, and leasehold improvements are depreciated or amortized and reflected as operating expenses. We also amortize the capitalized costs of finite-life intangible assets acquired in connection with business combinations.

We have a flexible cost structure that allows our business to adjust quickly to the impacts of macroeconomic events and scale to meet the needs of large new customers. Operating expenses are influenced by the amount of revenues, customer mix, and product mix that contribute to our revenues for any given period. As revenues grow, we would generally expect cost of services to grow in a similar fashion, albeit influenced by the effects of automation, productivity, and other efficiency initiatives as well as customer and product mix shifts and third-party pass-through costs. We regularly review expenses and investments in the context of revenues growth and any shifts we identify in the business in order to align with our overall financial objectives. While we expect operating expenses to increase in absolute dollars to support our continued growth, we believe that, in the long term, operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues will decline gradually in the future as our business grows and our operating efficiency and automation initiatives continue to advance.

Other Expense, Net

Our other expense, net consists of interest expense, net. Interest expense, net relates primarily to our debt service costs, the interest-related unrealized gains and losses of our interest rate derivative instruments and, to a lesser extent, the interest on our capital lease obligations and the amortization of deferred financing costs. Additionally, interest expense, net includes interest income earnings on our cash and cash equivalent balances held in interest-bearing accounts. We also earn interest income on our short-term investments which are fixed-time deposits having a maturity date within twelve months.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes consists of domestic and foreign corporate income taxes related to earnings from our sale of services, with statutory tax rates that differ by jurisdiction. Our effective tax rate may be affected by many other factors including changes in tax laws, regulations or rates, new interpretations of existing laws or regulations, shifts in the allocation of income earned throughout the world, and changes in overall levels of income before tax.

23


Results of Operations

The information contained below should be read in conjunction with our accompanying historical condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes.

Comparison of Results of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Revenues

 

$

169,416

 

 

$

175,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)

 

 

87,192

 

 

 

91,061

 

Product and technology expense

 

 

12,466

 

 

 

12,624

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

 

40,662

 

 

 

28,682

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

29,822

 

 

 

31,866

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

170,142

 

 

 

164,233

 

(Loss) income from operations

 

 

(726

)

 

 

11,287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Expense, Net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

3,570

 

 

 

8,681

 

Total other expense, net

 

 

3,570

 

 

 

8,681

 

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes

 

 

(4,296

)

 

 

2,606

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

 

(1,388

)

 

 

681

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,908

)

 

$

1,925

 

Net (loss) income margin

 

 

(1.7

)%

 

 

1.1

%

Revenues

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

$

149,127

 

 

$

152,056

 

International

 

 

22,023

 

 

$

24,848

 

Eliminations

 

 

(1,734

)

 

$

(1,384

)

Total revenues

 

$

169,416

 

 

$

175,520

 

Revenues were $169.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $175.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $6.1 million, or 3.5%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a net decrease of $17.8 million, or 10.2%, in existing customer revenues, primarily driven by reduced demand from our customers more impacted by the macroeconomic events, primarily in the International segment, and the impact of lost accounts. These consolidated decreases were partially offset by ongoing strength in upselling and cross-selling to existing customers, contributing $7.7 million, or 4.4%, of additional revenues, and increased revenues from certain existing customers that were impacted by macroeconomic conditions, to a lesser extent, as compared to other existing customers.

The decrease in existing customer revenues was offset by:

revenues of $8.9 million, or 5.1%, from new customers, primarily attributable to our Americas segment; and
revenues of $2.8 million, or 1.6%, attributable to the Infinite ID acquisition in the Americas segment.

Pricing remained relatively stable across all periods.

24


Cost of Services

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Cost of services

 

 

87,192

 

 

 

91,061

 

Revenues

 

$

169,416

 

 

$

175,520

 

Cost of services as a % of revenue

 

 

51.5

%

 

 

51.9

%

Cost of services was $87.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $91.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Cost of services for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $3.9 million, or 4.2%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The decrease in cost of services was primarily due to:

a $2.3 million decrease in variable third-party data expenses as a result of decreased revenue volumes, variation in customer ordering mix, and increased automation; and
a $1.2 million decrease in personnel expenses in our operations and customer care functions as a result of cost savings actions taken by the Company, as well as productivity efficiencies from the implementation of additional automation programs.

Cost of services as a percentage of revenues was 51.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to 51.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The cost of services percentage of revenues for the first quarter of 2024 was impacted by cost savings from the Company’s continued implementation of automation and other process efficiencies, as well as certain cost savings actions taken by the Company. These decreases were partially offset by slight increases in certain third-party data costs, primarily due to variation in customer ordering mix.

Product and Technology Expense

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Product and technology expense

 

$

12,466

 

 

$

12,624

 

Product and technology expense was $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $12.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Product and technology expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $0.2 million, or 1.3%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Product and technology expense decreased primarily due to:

a $0.7 million decrease in software licensing related expenses; and
a number of other corporate expenses that decreased primarily as a result of cost savings actions taken by the Company.

The decrease in product and technology expense was partially offset by $0.9 million increase in personnel expenses, primarily due to increased share-based compensation expense and additional investments made to enhance our product, solutions, and technology platforms.

25


Selling, General, and Administrative Expense

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense

 

$

40,662

 

 

$

28,682

 

Selling, general, and administrative expense was $40.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $28.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Selling, general, and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased by $12.0 million, or 41.8%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Selling, general, and administrative expense increased primarily due to:

a $11.1 million increase in professional service and legal fees incurred related to the Company’s pending acquisition of Sterling;
a $2.4 million increase in share-based compensation expense primarily as a result of a modification to the vesting terms of outstanding unvested and unearned performance-based equity awards in May 2023 and incremental awards granted; and
a $1.2 million increase in expenses related to litigation in the ordinary course of business.

The increase in selling, general, and administrative expense was partially offset by:

a $1.3 million decrease in personnel expenses due to certain cost savings actions taken by the Company in the second half of 2023; and
a $1.1 million decrease in expenses related to the impairment of certain operating lease assets resulting from office space exited in 2023 that did not reoccur in 2024.

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

29,822

 

 

$

31,866

 

Depreciation and amortization was $29.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $31.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $2.0 million, or 6.4%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. This decrease was partially offset by increases in depreciation related to assets placed in service during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Interest Expense, Net

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Interest expense, net

 

$

3,570

 

 

$

8,681

 

Interest expense, net was $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $8.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Interest expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $5.1 million or 58.9%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The decrease in interest expense, net was primarily attributable to $7.0 million of unrealized gains on the interest rate swaps as a result of the increased interest rate volatility observed in the first quarter of 2024. This decrease was offset by higher interest expense on the First Lien Credit Facility as a result of increasing interest rates and lower interest income earned on cash held within interest bearing accounts as a result of lower cash on hand.

26


Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

$

(1,388

)

 

$

681

 

Our (benefit) provision for income taxes was $(1.4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Our provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $2.1 million, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The decrease in our provision for income taxes was primarily due to the decrease of income before income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Net (Loss) Income and Net (Loss) Income Margin

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,908

)

 

$

1,925

 

Net (loss) income margin

 

 

(1.7

)%

 

 

1.1

%

Net (loss) income was $(2.9) million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $4.8 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Net (loss) income margin was (1.7)% for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to 1.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as increases in selling, general, and administrative expenses, as a result of the Company’s pending acquisition of Sterling and reduced demand from customers more impacted by macroeconomic events, contributed to lower profitability.

Key Operating and Financial Metrics

In addition to our results determined in accordance with GAAP, we believe certain measures are useful in evaluating our operating performance. Management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in highlighting trends in our operating performance, while other measures can differ significantly depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, and capital investments. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share to supplement GAAP measures of performance in the evaluation of the effectiveness of our business strategies, to make budgeting decisions, to establish discretionary annual incentive compensation, and to compare our performance against that of other peer companies using similar measures. Management supplements GAAP results with non-GAAP financial measures to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the business than GAAP results alone.

The presentations of these measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the presentations of these measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies and can differ significantly from company to company. A reconciliation is provided below for each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable financial measure stated in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a strong indicator of our overall operating performance and is useful to management and investors as a measure of comparative operating performance from period to period. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net (loss) income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, and as further adjusted for loss on extinguishment of debt, share-based compensation, transaction and acquisition-related charges, integration and restructuring charges, and other non-cash charges. We exclude the impact of share-based compensation because it is a non-cash expense and we believe that excluding this item provides meaningful supplemental information regarding performance and ongoing cash generation potential. We exclude loss on extinguishment of debt, transaction and acquisition related charges, integration and restructuring charges, and other charges because such expenses are episodic in nature and have no direct correlation to the cost of operating our business on an ongoing basis.

Adjusted EBITDA was $46.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and represented an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 27.5%. Adjusted EBITDA was $48.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and represented an Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 27.7%. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $2.0 million, or 4.1%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

27


Adjusted EBITDA declined during the three months ended March 31, 2024, as macroeconomic events impacted our revenues attributed to existing customers. These decreases were partially offset by increased revenues from certain existing and new customers, including ongoing strength in upselling and cross-selling, cost structure benefits due to increased automation, operational efficiencies, and certain other cost savings actions taken by the Company.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,908

)

 

$

1,925

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

3,570

 

 

 

8,681

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

 

(1,388

)

 

 

681

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

29,822

 

 

 

31,866

 

Share-based compensation(a)

 

 

4,751

 

 

 

2,058

 

Transaction and acquisition-related charges(b)

 

 

11,992

 

 

 

1,071

 

Integration, restructuring, and other charges(c)

 

 

719

 

 

 

2,278

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

46,558

 

 

$

48,560

 

(a)
Share-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2024, includes approximately $2.6 million of incrementally recognized expense associated with the May 2023 vesting modification. See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information.
(b)
Represents charges incurred related to acquisitions and similar transactions, primarily consisting of change in control-related costs, professional service fees, and other third-party costs. Transaction and acquisition related charges for the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes approximately $11.1 million of expense associated with the pending acquisition of Sterling, primarily consisting of legal, regulatory, and diligence professional service fees. The three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 also include insurance costs incurred related to the initial public offering.
(c)
Represents charges from organizational restructuring and integration activities, non-cash, and other charges primarily related to nonrecurring legal exposures, foreign currency (gains) losses, and (gains) losses on the sale of assets.

We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenues. The following table presents the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the periods presented.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

46,558

 

 

$

48,560

 

Revenues

 

 

169,416

 

 

 

175,520

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

 

27.5

%

 

 

27.7

%

The following table presents a calculation of Adjusted EBITDA by segment for the periods presented. See Note 15, “Reportable Segments” to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented by segment.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands, except percentages)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

$

43,669

 

 

$

44,656

 

International

 

 

2,889

 

 

 

3,904

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

46,558

 

 

$

48,560

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

$

149,127

 

 

$

152,056

 

International

 

 

22,023

 

 

 

24,848

 

Less: intersegment eliminations

 

 

(1,734

)

 

 

(1,384

)

Total revenues

 

$

169,416

 

 

$

175,520

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

 

29.3

%

 

 

29.4

%

International

 

 

13.1

%

 

 

15.7

%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

 

27.5

%

 

 

27.7

%

(1)
See the reconciliation of net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA above. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margins are calculated using segment gross revenues and segment Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated using consolidated revenues and consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.

28


Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share

Similar to Adjusted EBITDA, management believes that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share are strong indicators of our overall operating performance and are useful to our management and investors as measures of comparative operating performance from period to period. We define Adjusted Net Income for a particular period as net (loss) income before taxes adjusted for debt-related costs, acquisition-related depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, transaction and acquisition related charges, integration and restructuring charges, and other non-cash charges, to which we then apply the related effective tax rate. We define Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share as Adjusted Net Income divided by adjusted weighted average number of shares outstanding—diluted.

Adjusted Net Income was $24.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $28.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Adjusted Net Income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $3.6 million, or 12.6% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share was $0.17 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $0.19 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $0.02, or 10.5% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share declined during the three months ended March 31, 2024 as reduced demand from customers more impacted by macroeconomic events contributed to lower revenues and profitability. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share were further impacted by changes in acquisition-related depreciation and amortization and changes in our capital structure that are captured in interest expense.Gains or losses and actual cash payments and receipts on the Company’s interest rate swaps impact the comparability of Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share across historical periods. Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share is further impacted by shares repurchased under the Company’s Repurchase Program.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income for the periods presented.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,908

)

 

$

1,925

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

 

(1,388

)

 

 

681

 

(Loss) income before provision for income taxes

 

 

(4,296

)

 

 

2,606

 

Debt-related charges(a)

 

 

(3,014

)

 

 

4,468

 

Acquisition-related depreciation and amortization(b)

 

 

22,625

 

 

 

25,485

 

Share-based compensation(c)

 

 

4,751

 

 

 

2,058

 

Transaction and acquisition-related charges(d)

 

 

11,992

 

 

 

1,071

 

Integration, restructuring, and other charges(e)

 

 

719

 

 

 

2,278

 

Adjusted Net Income before income tax effect

 

 

32,777

 

 

 

37,966

 

Less: Adjusted income taxes(f)

 

 

7,991

 

 

 

9,602

 

Adjusted Net Income

 

$

24,786

 

 

$

28,364

 

29


The following table presents the calculation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share for the periods presented.

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Diluted net (loss) income per share (GAAP)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

$

0.01

 

Adjusted Net Income adjustments per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

0.00

 

Debt-related charges(a)

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 

0.03

 

Acquisition-related depreciation and amortization(b)

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

0.17

 

Share-based compensation(c)

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

0.01

 

Transaction and acquisition-related charges(d)

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.01

 

Integration, restructuring, and other charges(e)

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

0.02

 

Adjusted income taxes(f)

 

 

(0.05

)

 

 

(0.07

)

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (Non-GAAP)

 

$

0.17

 

 

$

0.19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding used in computation of Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding—diluted (GAAP)

 

 

143,591,713

 

 

 

147,031,866

 

Options and restricted stock not included in weighted average number of shares outstanding—diluted (GAAP) (using treasury stock method)

 

 

2,110,928

 

 

 

 

Adjusted weighted average number of shares outstanding—diluted (Non-GAAP)

 

 

145,702,641

 

 

 

147,031,866

 

(a)
Represents the non-cash interest expense related to the amortization of debt issuance costs for the 2021 February refinancing of the Company’s First Lien Credit Facility (as defined below). This adjustment also includes the impact of the change in fair value of interest rate swaps, which represents the difference between the fair value gains or losses and actual cash payments and receipts on the interest rate swaps.
(b)
Represents the depreciation and amortization expense related to intangible assets and developed technology assets recorded due to the application of ASC 805, Business Combinations. As a result, the purchase accounting related depreciation and amortization expense will recur in future periods until the related assets are fully depreciated or amortized, and the related purchase accounting assets may contribute to revenue generation.
(c)
Share-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2024, includes approximately $2.6 million of incrementally recognized expense associated with the May 2023 vesting modification. See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information.
(d)
Represents charges incurred related to acquisitions and similar transactions, primarily consisting of change in control-related costs, professional service fees, and other third-party costs. Transaction and acquisition related charges for the three months ended March 31, 2024 includes approximately $11.1 million of expense associated with the pending acquisition of Sterling, primarily consisting of legal, regulatory, and diligence professional service fees. The three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 also include insurance costs incurred related to the initial public offering.
(e)
Represents charges from organizational restructuring and integration activities, non-cash, and other charges primarily related to nonrecurring legal exposures, foreign currency (gains) losses, and (gains) losses on the sale of assets.
(f)
Effective tax rates of approximately 24.4% and 25.3% have been used to compute Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

30


Liquidity and Capital Resources


Overview

Liquidity

The Company’s principal sources of capital include, butprimary liquidity requirements are not limited to, existing cash balances, operating cash flows and borrowing under its Secured Credit Facility (see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).  The Company’s short-term and long-term liquidity depends primarily upon its level of net income,for working capital, management (accounts receivable, accounts payablecontinued investments in software development and accrued expenses),other capital expenditures, and bank borrowings.  Theother strategic investments, including the Acquisition. In 2023, the Company believes that, based on current forecasts and anticipated market conditions, sufficientfully utilized its remaining U.S. Federal income tax net operating cash flowloss carryforwards. As a result, income taxes will be generated to meet all operating needs, to make planned capital expenditures, scheduled debt payments, and tax obligations for the next twelve months.  Any material variance of operating results could require us to seek other funding alternatives including raising additional capital, which may be difficult in the current economic conditions.


In previous years, First Advantage sought to acquire other businesses as part of its growth strategy. The Company will continue to evaluate acquisitions in order to achieve economies of scale, expand market share and enter new markets.

While uncertainties within the Company’s industry exist, management is not aware of any trends or events likely to havebecome a material adverse effectuse of funds, depending on liquidity or the accompanying financial statements. Management expects continued weakness in the real estateour future profitability, and mortgage markets to continue impacting the Company’s Credit Services segment and the transportation and specialty credit businesses in the Data Services segment.  In addition, the effect of the issues in the real estate and related credit markets and other macroeconomic matters has resulted in higher unemployment rates negatively impacting the volumes in the Employer Services segment.  Given this outlook, management is focusing on expense reductions, operating efficiencies, and increasing market share throughout the Company.


Statements of Cash Flows

future tax rates. The Company’s primary source of liquidity isneeds are met primarily through existing balance sheet cash, flowcash flows from operations, and amountsas well as funds available under our revolving credit linesfacility and proceeds from our term loan borrowings, including incremental term loan borrowings expected to be incurred to fund the Company has establishedAcquisition pursuant to a commitment letter entered into with a bank.  certain financial institutions. Our cash flows from operations include cash received from customers, less cash costs to provide services to our customers, which includes general and administrative costs and interest payments.

As of September 30, 2009,March 31, 2024, we had $245.4 million in cash and cash equivalents were $57.8 million.




NetMarch 31, 2024, we had $564.7 million of total debt outstanding. We believe our cash on hand, together with amounts available under our revolving credit facility, and cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $57.0 millionare and $33.0 millionwill continue to be adequate to meet our operational and business needs in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Cash provided by operating activitiesnext twelve months. To the extent additional funds are necessary to meet our long-term liquidity needs as we continue to execute our business strategy, we anticipate that they will be obtained through the incurrence of continuing operations increased by $24.0 million when comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the same period in 2008.  Income from continuing operations was $34.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $41.9 million for the same period in 2008. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the first quarter 2008 income tax paymentsadditional indebtedness, additional equity financings or a combination of $56.9 million related to the salethese potential sources of DealerTrack shares.

Cash used in investing activities of continuing operations was $36.1 million and $78.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net cash in the amount of $19.5 million was used for earnout provisions from prior year acquisitions, compared to $51.2 million in the same period of 2008. Purchases of property and equipment were $14.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $24.3 million in the same period of 2008.

Cash used in financing activities of continuing operations was $16.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations of $12.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, proceeds from existing credit facilities were $50.9 million compared to $100.3 million in the same period of 2008. Repayment of debt was $62.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and $85.5 million in the same period of 2008.  Cash used to acquire noncontrolling interest in a consolidated subsidiary was $5.9 million and $8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  In addition, $1.1 million was distributed to noncontrolling interests in the nine months ended September 30, 2008.


Debt and Capital

In 2005, the Company executed a revolving credit agreement with a bank syndication (the “Credit Agreement”).  Borrowings available under the Credit Agreement total up to $225 million.  The Credit Agreement includes a $10 million sub-facility for the issuance of letters of credit and up to a $5 million swing loan facility.  The credit facility maturity date is September 28, 2010. The Credit Agreement is collateralized by the stock and accounts receivable of the Company’s subsidiaries.

At September 30, 2009, the Company had available lines of credit of $209.7 million, and was in compliance with the financial covenants of its loan agreements.funds. In the event that we need access to additional cash, we may not be able to access the First American Offer is acceptedcredit markets on commercially acceptable terms or at all. Our ability to fund future operating expenses and consummated with a merger, thiscapital expenditures and our ability to meet future debt service obligations or refinance our indebtedness will depend on our future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, and other factors that may be determined to be an "Event of Default,"beyond our control, including those described under the terms of the Credit Agreement.

First Advantage filed a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the issuance of up to 5.0 million shares of our Class A common stock, par value $.001 per share, from time to time as full or partial consideration for the acquisition of businesses, assets or securities of other business entities.  The Registration Statement was declared effective on January 9, 2006.  A total of 1,338,631 shares were issued for acquisitions as of September 30, 2009.


Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following is a schedule of long-term contractual commitments, as of September 30, 2009, over the periods in which they are expected to be paid.


(In thousands) 2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  Thereafter  Total 
 Minimum contract purchase commitments $1,019  $2,653  $897  $41  $41  $26  $4,677 
 Advertising commitments  105   -   -   -   -   -   105 
 Operating leases  3,670   12,576   8,931   7,024   6,958   14,907   54,066 
 Debt and capital leases  2,359   18,420   492   72   78   53   21,474 
 Interest payments related to debt (1)  197   231   4   -   -   -   432 
 Total (2) $7,350  $33,880  $10,324  $7,137  $7,077  $14,986  $80,754 
                             
                             
                             
(1) Estimated interest payments are calculated assuming current interest rates over minimum maturity periods specified in debt agreements.
(2) Excludes tax liability of $4.9 million due to uncertainty of payment period.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    There have been no material changes“Risk Factors” included in the Company’s risk since filing itsAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.2023.

Share Repurchase Program

On August 2, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of the Company’s common stock over the 12-month period ending August 2, 2023 (the “Repurchase Program”). Stock repurchases may be effected through open market repurchases at prevailing market prices, including through the use of block trades and trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, privately-negotiated transactions, through other transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws, or a combination of these methods on such terms and in such amounts as the Company deems appropriate and will be funded from available capital. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the timing, manner, value, and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s stock price and liquidity requirements, other business considerations and general market and economic conditions. No shares will be purchased from SLP Fastball Aggregator, L.P. and its affiliates. The Company may discontinue or modify purchases without notice at any time. The Company has used and plans to use its existing cash to fund repurchases made under the share repurchase program.

On November 8, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase to the total available amount under its Repurchase Program to $150.0 million and extended the program through December 31, 2023. On February 28, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase to the total available amount under its Repurchase Program to $200.0 million. On September 14, 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a one-year extension of its share repurchase authorization, extending the previously authorized $200.0 million program through December 31, 2024. Through May 3, 2024, the Company repurchased approximately $119.5 million of shares under the Repurchase Program. In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company suspended purchases under its Repurchase Program.

Dividends

On August 8, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a one-time special cash dividend of $1.50 per share to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 21, 2023. An aggregate cash dividend of $217.7 million was paid on August 31, 2023 with cash from the balance sheet.

31


Long-Term Debt

In February 2020, a new financing structure was established, which included a new First Lien Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provided financing in the form of a $670.0 million term loan due January 31, 2027 (“First Lien Credit Facility”) and a $75.0 million new revolving credit facility due January 31, 2025 (“Revolver”).

On February 1, 2021, we amended the First Lien Agreement to fund $100.0 million of additional first lien term loans and reduce the applicable margins by 0.25%.

In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into an amendment to increase the borrowing capacity under the Revolver from $75.0 million to $100.0 million and extend the maturity date from January 31, 2025 to July 31, 2026.

Borrowings under the First Lien Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either (a) a base rate or (b) LIBOR, which is subject to a floor of 0.00% per annum. Pursuant to an amendment in June 2023, the reference rate under the Credit Agreement was transitioned from LIBOR to SOFR (the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York), with the addition of an applicable margin. The applicable margins under the First Lien Agreement are subject to stepdowns based on our first lien net leverage ratio. In connection with the closing of the IPO, each applicable margin was reduced further by 0.25%. In addition, the borrower, First Advantage Holdings, LLC, which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is required to pay a commitment fee on any unutilized commitments under the revolving credit facility. The commitment fee rate ranges between 0.25% and 0.50% per annum based on our first lien net leverage ratio. The borrower is also required to pay customary letter of credit fees.

The First Lien Credit Facility amortizes in equal quarterly installments in aggregate annual amounts equal to 1.00% of the principal amount. The Revolver has no amortization. The First Lien Credit Facility requires the borrower to prepay outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions, with certain proceeds from non-ordinary course asset sales, issuance of debt not permitted by the credit agreement to be incurred and annual excess cash flows. In addition, any voluntary prepayment of term loans in connection with certain repricing transactions on or prior to August 1, 2021 were subject to a 1.00% prepayment premium. Otherwise, the borrower may voluntarily repay outstanding loans without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs.

In connection with the closing of the IPO, on June 30, 2021, the Company repaid $200.0 million of the First Lien Credit Facility outstanding, of which $44.3 million was applied to all of the remaining quarterly amortizing principal payments due under the First Lien Agreement. The remaining $564.7 million term loan is scheduled to mature on January 31, 2027.

The First Lien Agreement is unconditionally guaranteed by Fastball Parent, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the direct parent of the borrower, and material wholly owned domestic restricted subsidiaries of Fastball Parent, Inc. The First Lien Agreement and the guarantees of such obligations, are secured, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions, by (1) a first priority security interest in certain tangible and intangible assets of the borrower and the guarantors and (2) a first-priority pledge of 100% of the capital stock of the borrower and of each wholly-owned material restricted subsidiary of the borrower and the guarantors (which pledge, in the case of any non-U.S. subsidiary of a U.S. subsidiary, does not include more than 65% of the voting stock of such non-U.S. subsidiary).

The First Lien Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants, negative covenants, and events of default (including upon a change of control). The First Lien Agreement also includes a “springing” first lien net leverage ratio test, applicable only to the Revolver, that requires such ratio to be no greater than 7.75:1.00 on the last day of any fiscal quarter if more than 35.0% of the Revolver is utilized on such date.


32


Cash Flow Analysis

Comparison of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023

The following table is a summary of our cash flow activity for the periods presented:

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

38,329

 

 

$

38,599

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(7,031

)

 

 

(6,083

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

689

 

 

 

(24,163

)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $38.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $38.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased by $0.3 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. Cash flows from operating activities were impacted by the continuation of more modest hiring activity from our customers resulting from the ongoing uncertainty from the macroeconomic environment. This was offset in part by lower accounts receivable driven by increased cash collections from customers.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $7.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased by $0.9 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. Increases in cash flows used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were driven primarily by capitalized software development costs, which increased in 2024 as the Company continued to make incremental investments in its technology platform and increases in short-term investments internationally.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities was $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $(24.2) million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was driven by cash inflows related to share-based compensation activity. These inflows were offset by cash outflows related to payments on the deferred purchase of a software platform. Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was impacted by shares repurchased under the Company’s Repurchase Program. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, 1,871,691 shares were repurchased under the program at a total cost of $25.3 million.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for disclosure of the impact that recent accounting pronouncements may have on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, there have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates compared with those disclosed in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

As of March 31, 2024, no material change had occurred in our market risks, compared with the disclosure in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


    The Company’s

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)(principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)(principal financial officer), after evaluatinghas evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. The term “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in RuleRules 13a-15(e) ofand 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended have concluded that, as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s disclosure(the “Exchange Act”) means controls and other procedures were effectiveof a company that are designed to provide reasonable assurancesensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports filedthat it files or submittedsubmits under suchthe Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’sSEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management including the CEOChief Executive Officer and CFO,Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisionsdiscussions regarding required disclosures.


    There was

Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no changematter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving their desired control objectives. Based on the evaluation of management’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the Company’squarter covered by this report, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during(as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the quarter ended September 30, 2009Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’sour internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II.  II—OTHER INFORMATION

Legal Proceedings
    On July 2, 2009, Norfolk County Retirement System filed a Verified Class Action Complaint

Information in the Courtresponse to this Item is included in “Part I — Item 1. — Note12 — Commitments and Contingencies” and is incorporated by reference into Part II of Chancerythis Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

As of the State of Delaware against First American, First Advantage and Parker S. Kennedy. Norfolk County Retirement System contends that as a result of the June 26, 2009 offer, the defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the minority public stockholders of First Advantage. The plaintiff seeks, among other things, to enjoin the consummation or closing of the Offer.

In addition, First Advantage’s subsidiaries are involved in litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of their businesses. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation involving these entities will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

Risk Factors

There have beenMarch 31, 2024, no material changes from thehad occurred in our risk factors, previously disclosedcompared with the disclosure in the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal Year Endingthe year ended December 31, 2008.
2023.

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

The following information relates to the Company’s purchase of its common stock during each month within the first quarter of 2024:

Period

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased

 

 

Average Price
Paid Per Share
(1)

 

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs

 

 

Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)

 

January 1, 2024 through January 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

80,478,639

 

February 1, 2024 through February 29, 2024

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

80,478,639

 

March 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

80,478,639

 

Total

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

80,478,639

 


(1)
Average price paid per share for shares purchased as part of our Repurchase Program (includes brokerage commissions).
(2)
42

On August 2, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50.0 million of the Company’s common stock over the 12-month period ending August 2, 2023. On November 8, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase to the total available amount under its Repurchase Program to $150.0 million and extended the program through December 31, 2023. On February 28, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase to the total available amount under its Repurchase Program to $200.0 million. On September 14, 2023, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a one-year extension of its share repurchase authorization, extending the previously authorized $200.0 million program through December 31, 2024. Through May 3, 2024, the Company repurchased approximately $119.5 million of shares under the Repurchase Program.
Table

Stock repurchases may be effected through open market repurchases at prevailing market prices, including through the use of Contentsblock trades and trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, privately-negotiated transactions, through other transactions in accordance with applicable securities laws, or a combination of these methods on such terms and in such amounts as the Company deems appropriate and will be funded from available capital. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the timing, manner, value, and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s stock price and liquidity requirements, other business considerations and general market and economic conditions. No shares will be purchased from SLP Fastball Aggregator, L.P. and its affiliates. The Company may discontinue or modify purchases without notice at any time. In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, the Company suspended purchases under its Repurchase Program.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) adopted, terminated, or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).

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Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit

Number

Unregistered Sales

Description

2.1

Agreement and Plan of EquityMerger, dated as of February 28, 2024, by and among First Advantage Corporation, Sterling Check Corp. and Starter Merger Sub, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of First Advantage’s Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2024).

2.2

Waiver of Brazil Antitrust Filing Obligation and Closing Condition, dated as of March 25, 2024, related to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 28, 2024, by and among First Advantage Corporation, Sterling Check Corp. and Starter Merger Sub, Inc.

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of First Advantage Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of First Advantage’s Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2021).

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of First Advantage Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of First Advantage’s Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2021).

10.1

Support Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2024, by and among First Advantage Corporation and certain stockholders of Sterling Check Corp. party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of First Advantage’s Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2024).

10.2

Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as February 28, 2024, by and among First Advantage Corporation, certain parties that will become stockholders of First Advantage Corporation pursuant to the Merger Agreement and certain other parties party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of First Advantage’s Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2024).

10.3

Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2024, by and among First Advantage Corporation, SLP Fastball Aggregator, L.P. and certain stockholders of First Advantage Corporation party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of First Advantage’s Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2024).

10.4

Incremental Facilities Commitment letter, dated February 28, 2024, by and among First Advantage Holdings, LLC, and certain financial institutions, party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of First Advantage’s Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2024).

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and Use15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of Proceeds1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema With Embedded Linkbase Documents.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).


None

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

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


    None

Item 5.
Other Information

None

Exhibits

See Exhibit Index.






43

Table

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of Contentsthe agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

36



SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES

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


FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPORATION
(Registrant)

FIRST ADVANTAGE CORPORATION

Date: October 29, 2009

May 9, 2024

By:

By:

/s/ ANAND NALLATHAMBI

Scott Staples

Name:  Anand Nallathambi

Scott Staples

Title: 

Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

Date: May 9, 2024

By:

/s/ David L. Gamsey

Date:  October 29, 2009

By:

/s/ JOHN LAMSON

David L. Gamsey

Name:  John Lamson

Title: 

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

37






EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                                Description


10.1Third Amended and Restated Services Agreement between The First American Corporation and First Advantage Corporation, effective January 1, 2009.

31.1Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1Certifications pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2Certifications pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002















45