UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (Mark One) [XX] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- For Quarter Ended September 30, 1996 Commission File No. 0-16511 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) MASSACHUSETTS 04-2962676 - ---------------------------------------- -------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 98 NORTH WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON, MA 02114 - ---------------------------------------- -------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 854-5800 --------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.) 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 ----- ----- APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court 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 No ----- ----- AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FORM 10-Q INDEX PAGE PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Financial Position at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 3 Statement of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 4 Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 5 Notes to the Financial Statements 6-10 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 11-14 PART II.OTHER INFORMATION ITEMS 1-6 15 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND DECEMBER 31, 1995 (UNAUDITED) ASSETS 1996 1995 ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 442,777 $ 530,418 Rents receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $97,000 at December 31, 1995 - 13,711 Due from Buyer 880,062 - Accounts receivable--affiliate 1,956,344 3,717 Equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $7,354,059 at December 31, 1995 - 3,256,127 ------------ ------------ Total assets $ 3,279,183 $ 3,803,973 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL LIABILITIES: Notes payable $ - $ 8,904 Accounts payable 79,387 - Accrued interest - 27 Accrued liabilities 59,772 42,500 Accrued liabilities--affiliate 20,686 19,181 Deferred rental income - 50,808 Cash distributions payable to partners 2,800,268 191,099 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities 2,960,113 312,519 ------------ ------------ PARTNERS' CAPITAL (DEFICIT): General Partners (218,554) (186,830) Limited Partnership Interests (1,009,014 Units; initial purchase price of $25 each) 537,624 3,678,284 ------------ ------------ Total partners' capital 319,070 3,491,454 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities and partners' capital $ 3,279,183 $ 3,803,973 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 3 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995 (UNAUDITED) THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 1995 1996 1995 INCOME: Lease revenue $ 470,202 $ 242,651 $ 861,875 $ 734,478 Interest income 13,318 6,244 26,644 21,382 Gain on sale of equipment 145,877 93,910 167,406 159,357 ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Total income 629,397 342,805 1,055,925 915,217 ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- EXPENSES: Depreciation 92,172 169,401 358,136 460,895 Write-down of equipment - - 500,000 - Interest expense - 348 105 1,876 Equipment management fees--affiliate 23,510 12,133 43,094 36,724 Operating expenses--affiliate 101,917 15,491 144,508 77,649 ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Total expenses 217,599 197,373 1,045,843 577,144 ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- NET INCOME $ 411,798 $ 145,432 $ 10,082 $ 338,073 ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP UNIT $ 0.40 $ 0.14 $ 0.01 $ 0.33 ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- CASH DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED PER LIMITED PARTNERSHIP UNIT $ 2.75 $ 0.19 $ 3.12 $ 0.81 ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ---------- THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 4 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995 (UNAUDITED) 1996 1995 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 10,082 $ 338,073 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash from operating activities- Depreciation 358,136 460,895 Write-down of equipment 500,000 - Gain on sale of equipment (167,406) (159,357) Decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts (97,000) (43,000) Changes in assets and liabilities- Decrease (increase) in- Rents receivable 110,711 143,112 Accounts receivable--affiliate (320,489) 62,970 Increase (decrease) in- Accounts payable 79,387 - Accrued interest (27) (5,474) Accrued liabilities 17,272 (1,750) Accrued liabilities--affiliate 1,505 4,616 Deferred rental income (50,808) 46,122 ---------- ---------- Cash from operating activities 441,363 846,207 ---------- ---------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from equipment sales 53,197 159,357 ---------- ---------- Cash from investing activities 53,197 159,357 ---------- ---------- CASH FLOWS USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Principal payments--notes payable (8,904) (227,869) Distributions paid (573,297) (1,146,607) ---------- ---------- Cash used in financing activities (582,201) (1,374,476) ---------- ---------- NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (87,641) (368,912) ---------- ---------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 530,418 819,430 ---------- ---------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 442,777 $ 450,518 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid during the period for interest $ 132 $ 7,350 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES: As discussed in Note 1, the Partnership entered into a sale transaction to dispose of its equipment portfolio. This transaction was closed on September 30, 1996. The Partnership received net sales proceeds of $880,062, which were deposited into an escrow account and transferred to the Partnership on October 3, 1996. This amount has been reflected as Due from Buyer on the Statement of Financial Position at September 30, 1996. As discussed in Notes 1 and 4, the Partnership entered into an additional sale transaction to dispose of its interest in an aircraft leased to Northwest Airlines, Inc. This transaction was settled on September 30, 1996. The net sales proceeds of $1,632,138 were deposited into an escrow account and transferred to the Partnership on October 3, 1996. This amount has been included in Accounts Receivable--Affiliate on the Statement of Financial Position at September 30, 1996. THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 5 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (Unaudited) (1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION The financial statements presented herein are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and the instructions for preparing Form 10-Q under Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and are unaudited. As such, these financial statements do not include all information and footnote disclosures required under generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements, and accordingly, the accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the footnotes presented in the 1995 Annual Report. Except as disclosed herein, there has been no material change to the information presented in the footnotes to the 1995 Annual Report. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 and results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 have been made and are reflected. On September 30, 1996, the Partnership sold all of its equipment assets, excluding its interest in an aircraft, for $880,062 (see Notes 4 and 5). In October 1996, the Partnership filed Form 8-K, which provided a description of the remarketing process and the terms of sale. The entire remarketing effort was undertaken jointly by 15 individual equipment leasing programs, consisting of the Partnership and 14 affiliated partnerships, each of which individually executed separate purchase and sale agreements with RSL Finance Limited Partnership II (the Buyer) and certain of which entered into a collective purchase and sale agreement with Northwest Airlines, Inc. (NWA), to sell all or a portion of their equipment assets (the Sale Assets). Certain of these partnerships, including the Partnership sold their collective interest in a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft (NWA Aircraft) to NWA. The net consideration for this aircraft was allocated first to remaining lease rental obligations and second to sale proceeds. The Partnership's proportionate share of this consideration was $1,864,484, including $1,632,138 representing net sale proceeds (see Notes 3 and 4). The Managing General Partner anticipates that the Partnership will be dissolved on or before December 31, 1996 in accordance with the Partnership's Amended and Restated Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership. Prior to December 31, 1996, the Managing General Partner will wind-up the operations of the Partnership and make a liquidating distribution of $2,800,268 to the Partners. The distribution approximates all of the Partnership's available cash, net of estimated wind-up costs, and a contingency reserve. In November 1996, the contingency reserve of $325,000 was deposited into a separate account to cover any unforeseen liabilities that may arise in future periods. At such time as the Managing General Partner considers appropriate, any balance in the reserve account will be distributed to the Partners according to their respective ownership interests in the Partnership at the date of its dissolution (see Note 6). 6 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (Continued) (1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION (CONTINUED) The financial statements presented have been prepared on a going-concern basis through September 30, 1996. Due to the imminent dissolution of the Partnership requiring liquidation and distribution of its net assets, a statement of net assets in liquidation as of September 30, 1996 is presented below. This statement is prepared based on anticipated liquidating values of assets and liabilities. Management has determined the liquidating values of amounts receivable based on collectibility of balances prior to any final distribution and termination of the Partnership. Accrued liabilities have been estimated based on the existing obligations and anticipated fees and costs associated with the sales transactions and the wind-up effort. Cash distributions to partners, including contingency reserves, may vary depending upon the realization of the amounts estimated by management. Values estimated by management may be different from actual amounts. Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 442,777 Due from Buyer 880,062 Accounts receivable--affiliate 1,956,344 ---------- Total assets $3,279,183 ---------- ---------- Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 79,387 Accrued liabilities 59,772 Accrued liabilities--affiliate 20,686 Cash distributions payable to partners, including contingency reserve 3,119,338 ---------- Total liabilities $3,279,183 ---------- ---------- Net assets $ - ---------- ---------- (2) CASH The Partnership invests excess cash with large institutional banks in reverse repurchase agreements with overnight maturities. The reverse repurchase agreements are secured by U.S. Treasury Bills or interests in U.S. Government securities. At September 30, 1996, the Partnership had $440,000 invested in reverse repurchase agreements. 7 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (Continued) (3) REVENUE RECOGNITION Rents were payable to the Partnership monthly, quarterly or semiannually, and no significant amounts were calculated on factors other than the passage of time. The leases were accounted for as operating leases and were noncancelable. Rents received prior to their due dates were deferred. Lease rentals, representing early termination rents, were recognized as revenue in the period in which they were received. As discussed in Note 1, the Partnership realized $232,346 of early termination rents in connection with the sale of the NWA Aircraft. (4) EQUIPMENT The following is a summary of equipment owned by the Partnership immediately prior to the sale transactions described in Note 1. LEASE TERM EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT TYPE (MONTHS) AT COST Aircraft 36-108 $ 7,649,166 Motor vehicles 12-72 1,012,577 Trailers/intermodal containers 36-84 760,402 Locomotives 57-60 351,854 Research and test 17-84 111,349 Materials handling 1-84 78,910 Tractors and heavy duty trucks 1-72 47,152 ----------- Total equipment cost 10,011,410 Accumulated depreciation (7,618,587) ----------- Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation $ 2,392,823 ----------- ----------- As discussed in Note 1, on September 30, 1996, the Partnership sold all of the foregoing equipment for $2,512,200, including $1,632,138 of net sales proceeds related to the NWA Aircraft. 8 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (Continued) (5) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS All operating expenses incurred by the Partnership are paid by American Finance Group (AFG) on behalf of the Partnership, and AFG is reimbursed at its actual cost for such expenditures. Fees and other costs incurred during each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, which were paid or accrued by the Partnership to AFG or its Affiliates, are as follows: 1996 1995 Equipment management fees $ 43,094 $ 36,724 Administrative charges 21,000 15,750 Reimbursable operating expenses due to third parties 123,508 61,899 -------- -------- Total $187,602 $114,373 -------- -------- -------- -------- Administrative charges and reimbursable operating expenses due to third parties in 1996 include all costs anticipated in connection with the Partnership's wind-up and dissolution. All rents and proceeds from the sale of equipment, including the sale transaction described in Note 1, are paid directly to either AFG or to a lender. AFG temporarily deposits collected funds in a separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to the Partnership. At September 30, 1996, the Partnership was owed $1,956,344 by AFG for such funds and the interest thereon. The funds were remitted to the Partnership in October 1996. The sales proceeds due from the Buyer were deposited into the escrow account subsequent to September 30, 1996. The remarketing effort described in Note 1 was undertaken jointly by 15 individual equipment leasing programs, consisting of the Partnership and 14 affiliated partnerships (Other Affected Partnerships). Collectively, the Partnership and the Other Affected Partnerships offered for sale all or a portion of their equipment assets. Thirteen of the programs, including the Partnership, offered to sell all of their equipment assets and are expected to wind up business operations by December 31, 1996; the remaining two programs, which will continue their business operations beyond December 31, 1996, offered to sell only their interest in assets owned jointly with one or more of the 13 programs anticipating wind-up by December 31, 1996. Substantially all of the Partnership's equipment assets of material value represented partial ownership interests whereby the Partnership owned less than a 100% interest in the equipment it offered for sale. The remaining interests in such assets were owned by one or more of the Other Affected Partnerships. Ultimately, the Sale Assets were sold for an aggregate adjusted sale price of approximately $32,997,000, of which the Partnership's proportionate share, net 9 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 (Continued) (5) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED) of associated costs, was determined to be $880,062. In a separate transaction, the Partnership and certain of the Other Affected Partnerships sold their entire interest in the NWA Aircraft to the lessee and agreed to terminate the lease agreement for total proceeds of $13,200,000, of which the Partnership's proportionate share, net of associated costs, was determined to be $1,864,484, including early termination rents of $232,346. The Partnership's proportionate share in both transactions is net of certain third-party advisory fees incurred in connection with the equipment sales. The Buyer is a limited partnership established to acquire the Sale Assets, excluding the NWA Aircraft, and has no direct affiliation with the Partnership, the Other Affected Partnerships, the General Partners or AFG. The sole general partner of the Buyer is RSL Holdings, Inc. (RSL). An affiliate of RSL purchased a significant limited partnership interest in a direct-participation equipment leasing program co-sponsored by AFG in 1992. AFG acquired this interest in 1993 for cash and assumption of indebtedness. There have been no other business dealings between the Buyer and AFG and their affiliates. (6) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On October 10, 1996, the Managing General Partner entered into a Cross Partnership Agreement with the general partners of certain other affiliated partnerships. Under this agreement, each of the general partners has agreed to set aside a contingency reserve amount for future liabilities and deposit that amount into an account that may be accessed by any of the general partners to fund any and all obligations contemplated under the Cross Partnership Agreement. Any obligation of the Partnership that is not associated with the sales transactions (see Note 1) will directly reduce the Partnership's reserve amount. All costs arising as a result of the sales transactions will be allocated against the reserve amount of the Partnership and other affiliated partnerships. If the reserve amount contributed by the Partnership is reduced below zero, the reserve amounts contributed by the general partners of certain other affiliated partnerships shall be debited on a pro rata basis to cover the deficit. If the reserve amount contributed by one of the affiliated partnerships is reduced below zero, the reserve amounts of the Partnership and the remaining affiliated partnerships shall be debited on a pro rata basis to cover the deficit. Upon termination of the contingency reserve account, any monies remaining will be distributed to those partnerships with positive balances. The Partnership's reserve amount under this agreement was determined to be $325,000 and was deposited in the reserve account in November 1996. In connection with the wind-up effort, AFG Leasing Incorporated, the Managing General Partner of the Partnership, was merged with and into AFG Leasing IV Incorporated effective October 17, 1996. Accordingly, AFG Leasing IV Incorporated became the Managing General Partner of the Partnership commencing October 17, 1996. AFG Leasing IV Incorporated was established in 1987 and is also the general partner or managing general partner of certain other affiliated partnerships sponsored by AFG. 10 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FORM 10-Q PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 Compared To the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995: OVERVIEW The Partnership was organized in 1987 as a direct-participation equipment leasing program to acquire a diversified portfolio of capital equipment subject to lease agreements with third parties. The Partnership's stated investment objectives and policies contemplated that the Partnership would wind-up its operations within approximately seven years of its inception. On September 30, 1996, the Partnership sold all of its remaining equipment assets. The remarketing effort described in Note 1 was undertaken jointly by 15 individual equipment leasing programs, consisting of the Partnership and 14 affiliated partnerships (Other Affected Partnerships). Collectively, the Partnership and the Other Affected Partnerships sold all or a portion of their equipment assets (Sale Assets). Thirteen of the programs, including the Partnership, offered to sell all of their equipment assets and are expected to wind up business operations by December 31, 1996; the remaining two programs, which will continue their business operations beyond December 31, 1996, sold only their interest in assets owned jointly with one or more of the 13 programs anticipating wind-up by December 31, 1996. Substantially all of the Partnership's equipment assets of material value represented partial ownership interests whereby the Partnership owned less than a 100% interest in the equipment it sold. The remaining interests in such assets were owned by one or more of the Other Affected Partnerships. Ultimately, the Sale Assets, excluding the NWA Aircraft, were sold for an aggregate adjusted sale price of approximately $32,997,000, of which the Partnership's proportionate share, net of associated costs, was determined to be $880,062. In a separate transaction, the Partnership and certain of the Other Affected Partnerships sold their entire interest in the NWA Aircraft, to the lessee and agreed to terminate the lease agreement for total proceeds of $13,200,000, of which the Partnership's proportionate share, net of associated costs, was determined to be $1,864,484, including early termination rents of $232,346. The Partnership's proportionate share in both transactions is net of certain third-party advisory fees incurred in connection with the equipment sales. The Managing General Partner anticipates that the Partnership will be dissolved on or before December 31, 1996 in accordance with the Partnership's Amended and Restated Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership (Partnership Agreement). Prior to December 31, 1996, the Managing General Partner will wind up the operations of the Partnership and make a liquidating distribution of $2,800,268 to the Partners. The distribution approximates all of the Partnership's available cash, net of estimated wind-up costs and a contingency reserve. In 11 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FORM 10-Q PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) OVERVIEW (Continued) November 1996, the contingency reserve of $325,000, was deposited in a separate account to cover any unforeseen liabilities that may arise in future periods. At such time as the Managing General Partner considers appropriate, any balance in the reserve account will be distributed to the Partners according to their respective ownership interests in the Partnership at the date of its dissolution (see Note 6 to the financial statements). The financial statements presented have been prepared on a going-concern basis through September 30, 1996. Due to the imminent dissolution of the Partnership requiring liquidation and distribution of its net assets, management has determined the liquidating values of amounts receivable based on collectibility of balances prior to any final distribution and termination of the Partnership. Accrued liabilities have been estimated based on the existing obligations and anticipated fees and costs associated with the sales transactions and the wind-up effort. Cash distributions to Partners, including contingency reserves, may vary depending upon the realization of the amounts estimated by management. Values estimated by management may be different from actual amounts. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS For the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Partnership recognized lease revenue of $470,202 and $861,875, respectively, compared to $242,651 and $734,478 for the same periods in 1995. The increase in lease revenue from 1995 to 1996 resulted from the recognition of $232,346 in lease revenue related to early termination rents associated with the sale of the NWA Aircraft. This was partially offset by renewal lease term expirations and the sale of equipment. The Partnership also earned interest income from temporary investments of rental receipts and equipment sales proceeds in short-term instruments. Prior to the sale of the Partnership's assets, the Partnership's equipment portfolio included certain assets in which the Partnership held a proportionate ownership interest. In such cases, the remaining interests were owned by AFG or an affiliated equipment leasing program sponsored by AFG. Proportionate equipment ownership enabled the Partnership to further diversify its equipment portfolio by participating in the ownership of selected assets, thereby reducing the general levels of risk that could result from a concentration in any single equipment type, industry or lessee. The Partnership and each affiliate individually reported, in proportion to their respective ownership interests, their respective shares of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses associated with the equipment. 12 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FORM 10-Q PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued) During the three months ended September 30, 1996, the Partnership sold equipment in the normal course of business having a net book value of $226 to existing lessees and third parties. These sales resulted in a net gain, for financial statement purposes, of $26,500 compared to a net gain of $93,910 on equipment which had been fully depreciated for the same period in 1995. During the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Partnership sold equipment in the normal course of business having a net book value of $5,168 to existing lessees and third parties. The sales resulted in a net gain, for financial statement purposes, of $48,029 compared to a net gain of $159,357 on equipment which had been fully depreciated for the same period in 1995. In connection with the September 30, 1996 sale transactions discussed above, the Partnership realized a net gain of $119,377. Depreciation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996 was $92,172 and $358,136, respectively, compared to $169,401 and $460,895 for the same periods in 1995. For financial reporting purposes, to the extent that an asset was held on primary lease term, the Partnership depreciated the difference between (i) the cost of the asset and (ii) the estimated residual value of the asset on a straight-line basis over such term. To the extent that equipment was held beyond its primary lease term, the Partnership continued to depreciate the remaining net book value of the asset on a straight-line basis over the asset's remaining economic life. During the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Partnership recorded a write-down, representing an impairment in value, pertaining to its interest in a Lockheed L-1011 aircraft. This adjustment was precipitated by continuing deterioration in the secondary market for wide-body aircraft of this type. Several air carriers have reduced their commitment to the L-1011, and a major domestic air carrier is expected to retire eleven L-1011 aircraft from its fleet. Further, it appeared that future demand for this type of aircraft would be weak, consisting principally of air cargo or operators of passenger charters. In consideration of such circumstances and in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 121, ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND FOR LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF, the Partnership reduced the carrying value of its L-1011 aircraft interest to its estimated current fair market value. This resulted in a write-down of $500,000, representing $0.49 per limited partnership unit. Management fees were 5% of lease revenue during each of the periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995. 13 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FORM 10-Q PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued) RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued) Operating expenses consisted principally of administrative charges, professional service costs, such as audit and legal fees, as well as printing, distribution and remarketing expenses. In certain cases, equipment storage or repairs and maintenance costs were incurred in connection with equipment being remarketed. Collectively, operating expenses represented 21.7% and 16.8% of lease revenue during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1996, respectively, compared to 6.4% and 10.6% of lease revenue for the same periods in 1995. Operating expenses for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1996 included all costs anticipated in connection with the Partnership's wind-up and dissolution. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES AND DISCUSSION OF CASH FLOWS The Partnership, by its nature, is a limited-life entity that was established for specific purposes described in the preceding "Overview." As an equipment leasing program, the Partnership's principal operating activities have been derived from asset rental transactions. Accordingly, the Partnership's principal source of cash from operations has been provided from the collection of periodic rents. These cash inflows were used to satisfy debt service obligations associated with leveraged leases and to pay management fees and operating costs. Operating activities generated net cash inflows of $441,363 and $846,207 during the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Cash realized from asset disposal transactions, excluding the sales transactions on September 30, 1996, is reported under investing activities on the accompanying Statement of Cash Flows. During the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, the Partnership realized $53,197 and $159,357, respectively, in equipment sale proceeds during the normal course of business. The Partnership obtained long-term financing in connection with certain equipment leases. The repayments of principal related to such indebtedness are reported as a component of financing activities. All of the Partnership's outstanding debt obligations were retired in 1996. On September 30, 1996, the Partnership recorded a receivable in the amount of $1,864,484 in connection with the disposal of the NWA Aircraft. The Partnership also recorded a receivable of $880,062 in connection with the sale of all of its remaining equipment assets. These proceeds were deposited into an escrow account and transferred to the Partnership on October 3, 1996. In conjunction with this transaction, the Managing General Partner has commenced the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership. The aggregate funds from the sale transaction and liquidation will be used to fund existing obligations, including costs of the wind-up effort and sale transactions and to establish a contingency reserve to cover any unforeseen liabilities. The remaining funds, including any unutilized contingency reserves, will be distributed to the partners in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement and related agreements. 14 AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP FORM 10-Q PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings Response: None. Item 2. Changes in Securities Response: None. Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities Response: None. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Response: None. Item 5. Other Information Response: None. Item 6(a). Exhibits Response: None. Item 6(b). Reports on Form 8-K Response: None. 15 SIGNATURE PAGE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and on the date indicated. AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS III-A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP By: AFG Leasing IV Incorporated, a Massachusetts corporation and the Managing General Partner of the Registrant. By: /S/ Michael J. Butterfield -------------------------- Michael J. Butterfield Treasurer of AFG Leasing IV Incorporated (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) Date: November 19, 1996 ----------------- By: /S/ Gary M. Romano ------------------ Gary M. Romano Clerk of AFG Leasing IV Incorporated (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer) Date: November 19, 1996 ----------------- 16