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U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-QSB
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999
Commission file number 33-98346C
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BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
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(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
Iowa 42-1312639
- -------------------------------- ------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)
100 Second Street SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
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(Address of principal executive offices)
(319) 365-2506
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(Issuer's telephone number)
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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
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APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
equity, as of the latest practicable date: 453,154 shares of Class A common
stock as of November 10, 1999.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check one): Yes No X
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BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
INDEX
Page
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
Balance Sheet - September 30, 1999 3
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Three
months ended September 30, 1999 and three months ended
September 30, 1998 4
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) Nine
months ended September 30, 1999 and nine months ended
September 30, 1998 5
Statements of Cash Flows - nine months ended September 30, 1999
and nine months ended September 30, 1998 6
Notes to Financial Statements 7
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations 10
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 14
Item 2. Changes in Securities 14
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 14
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 14
Item 5. Other Information 14
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 14
Signatures 15
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BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 914,073
Notes receivable 2,308,721
Net investment in direct financing leases (Note 3) 1,546,211
Allowance for possible loan and lease losses (Note 4) (325,161)
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Notes receivable and direct financing leases, net 3,529,771
Equipment under operating lease, less accumulated depreciation of $85,626 107,489
Due from affiliates 237,128
Receivable from Parent under tax allocation agreement 995,479
Investments in:
Limited partnerships 49,477
Not readily marketable securities, at cost 238,784
Available-for-sale security, at fair value 1,393,831
Furniture and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $155,319 90,439
Deferred costs, less accumulated amortization of $644,397 211,891
Other assets 121,861
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TOTAL $ 7,890,223
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LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Liabilities:
Demand note payable to Parent $ 525,000
Trade accounts payable 25,930
Due to affiliates 117,514
Accrued expenses 144,052
Lease security deposits 123,418
Deferred income taxes 195,822
Notes payable (Note 5) 46,530
Subordinated notes payable (Note 5) 2,998,386
Subordinated debenture payable to Parent (Note 5) 2,000,000
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Total Liabilities 6,176,652
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Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Redeemable Class B nonvoting convertible stock (Note 7) 734,970
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Stockholders' Equity:
Series A preferred stock, no par value-authorized 125,000 shares, issued
and outstanding 125,000 shares ($1,750,000 liquidation value,
convertible into 109,375 shares of Class A common stock) (Note 8)
1,621,422
Class A common stock, no par value-authorized 1,000,000 shares,
issued and outstanding 453,154 shares 878,703
Common stock warrants 6,002
Accumulated deficit (1,875,435)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effect 347,909
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Total stockholders' equity 978,601
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TOTAL $ 7,890,223
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See accompanying notes.
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BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30
1999 1998
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REVENUE:
Income from direct financing leases $ 25,748 $ 177,707
Management fees from affiliates 320,802 135,877
Interest income 117,524 152,501
Gain on early terminations 1,718 82,243
Other revenues 55,984 19,741
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Total revenues 521,776 568,069
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EXPENSES:
Employment compensation and benefits 173,288 104,448
Management fees to affiliates 60,000 61,666
Interest expense 142,038 299,870
Provision for possible loan and lease losses 15,340 3,048
Other expenses 157,773 212,470
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Total expenses 548,439 681,502
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Loss before income taxes (26,663) (113,433)
Income tax credit (8,165) (43,453)
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Net loss (18,498) (69,980)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-
sale security, net of tax 18,395 (14,227)
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Comprehensive loss $ (103) $ (84,207)
========= =========
Loss per common share calculation:
Net loss $ (18,498) $ (69,980)
Dividends on convertible preferred stock (Note 8) (35,288) (35,286)
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Net loss attributable to Class A stock $ (53,786) $(105,266)
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Basic $ (.12) $ (.23)
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Fully Diluted $ (.12) $ (.23)
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Weighted average common shares outstanding 453,154 452,529
See accompanying notes.
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BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)
NINE MONTHS ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30
1999 1998
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REVENUE:
Income from direct financing leases $ 121,414 $ 689,929
Management fees from affiliates 747,263 594,656
Interest income 353,336 517,117
Gain/(loss) on early terminations (13,691) 310,071
Other revenues 101,957 71,568
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Total revenues 1,310,279 2,183,341
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EXPENSES:
Employment compensation and benefits 363,624 297,736
Management fees to affiliates 180,000 186,666
Interest expense 432,358 986,692
Provision for possible loan and lease losses 125,070 258,096
Other expenses 517,731 664,266
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Total expenses 1,618,783 2,393,456
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Loss before income taxes (308,504) (210,115)
Income tax credit (114,435) (71,439)
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Net loss (194,069) (138,676)
Comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on available-for-
sale security, net of tax 39,953 94,071
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Comprehensive loss $ (154,116) $ (44,605)
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Loss per common share calculation:
Net loss $ (194,069) $ (138,676)
Dividends on convertible preferred stock (Note 8) (104,712) (104,713)
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Net loss attributable to Class A stock $ (298,781) $ (243,389)
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Basic $ (.66) $ (.57)
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Fully Diluted $ (.66) $ (.57)
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Weighted average common shares outstanding 452,914 425,632
See accompanying notes.
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BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30
1999 1998
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OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Loss $ (194,069) $ (138,676)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash from operating activities:
Loss/(gain) on early termination of leases and notes 13,691 (310,071)
Depreciation of furniture and equipment 54,061 61,004
Amortization 144,266 132,408
Provision for possible loan and lease losses 125,070 258,096
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due from affiliates (159,738) (207,615)
Receivable from parent under tax allocation agreement (129,644) (23,914)
Other assets 138,958 44,186
Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance (424,053) -0-
Trade accounts payable (75,823) 8,187
Due to affiliates (3,935) 1,467,179
Accrued expenses 62,602 (74,992)
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Net cash from operating activities (448,614) 1,215,792
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INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of equipment for direct financing leases (167,728) (1,639,416)
Repayments of direct financing leases 346,727 3,823,978
Proceeds from sale or early termination of direct financing leases 122,749 1,852,958
Purchase of Safeguard notes -0- (983,984)
Repayments of notes receivable 398,882 1,612,633
Proceeds from early termination of notes receivable 294,349 2,352,999
Net lease security deposits repaid (15,373) (203,201)
Purchases of furniture and equipment (735) (12,281)
Proceeds from sale of furniture and equipment 1,669 -0-
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Net cash from investing activities 980,540 6,803,686
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FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from exercise of stock warrants 8,400 583,548
Net repayments of line of credit -0- (6,761,493)
Net repayments of notes payable (218,612) (1,431,962)
Dividends on Series A preferred stock (104,713) -0-
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Net cash from financing activities (314,925) (7,609,907)
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Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 217,001 409,571
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 697,072 (126,982)
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 914,073 $ 282,589
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SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Interest paid $ 434,813 $ 472,126
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Amortization of Class B nonvoting convertible stock issuance costs 6,018 6,018
Change in unrealized gain on security, net of tax 39,953 94,071
Note converted to investment in not readily marketable security -0- 25,400
Crescent note exchanged for Digital notes -0- 989,893
See accompanying notes.
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BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required
by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending
December 31, 1999. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with
the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 1998.
2. ORGANIZATION
Berthel Fisher & Company Leasing, Inc. (the "Company") is a subsidiary of
Berthel Fisher & Company, (the "Parent"). During the year ended December 31,
1994, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Communications Finance
Corporation. All of the assets and liabilities of Communications Finance
Corporation have been assumed by the Company. The Company intends to keep
Communications Finance Corporation as a shell for use in future financing
transactions.
The Company is the general partner in three limited partnerships,
Telecommunications Income Fund IX, L.P. ("TIF IX"), Telecommunications Income
Fund X, L.P. ("TIF X"), and Telecommunications Income Fund XI, L.P. ("TIF XI")
collectively referred to as the "TIFS". The Company accounts for its general
partnership interests in the TIFS under the equity method of accounting.
3. NET INVESTMENT IN DIRECT FINANCING LEASES
The Company's net investment in direct financing leases at September 30, 1999
consists of:
Minimum lease payments receivable $ 1,687,149
Estimated unguaranteed residual values 131,232
Unamortized initial direct costs 8,645
Unearned income (280,815)
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Net investment in direct financing leases $ 1,546,211
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4. ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
The change in the allowance for possible loan and lease losses for the nine
months ended September 30, 1999 is as follows:
Balance at December 31, 1998 $ 329,674
Provision 125,070
Charge-offs (190,215)
Recovery 60,632
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Balance at September 30, 1999 $ 325,161
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BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
5. CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
Notes payable at September 30, 1999 consists of:
Installment loan agreements with banks, 9% to 10.5%, maturing through
2000 with subjective acceleration clauses, collateralized by net
investment in certain direct financing leases, certain agreements are
also guaranteed by the Company's Parent $ 43,367
Capital lease obligations, 5.37%, due through 2000 3,163
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Notes payable $ 46,530
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Subordinated debt at September 30, 1999 consists of the following:
Uncollateralized subordinated debenture payable to
Parent, floating interest rate, maturing in 2005 $ 2,000,000
Uncollateralized subordinated notes payable, 9.5%
to 10%, maturing in 2001 and 2004 2,998,386
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Total subordinated debt $ 4,998,386
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6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is contingently liable for all debts of TIF IX, X, and XI as the
general partner.
The Company also has guaranteed amounts outstanding under a line-of-credit
agreement with a bank of TIF X. The line-of-credit agreement allows TIF X to
borrow the lesser of $4 million or 40% of its qualified accounts, as defined in
the agreement. The balance outstanding under this line-of-credit was $2,971,062
at September 30, 1999. The agreement matures on June 30, 2000, is cancelable by
the lender after giving a 90-day notice, and is collateralized by substantially
all assets of TIF X. The note is also guaranteed by the Company's Parent and a
principal stockholder of the Company's Parent.
The Company also has guaranteed amounts outstanding under a line-of-credit
agreement with a bank of TIF XI. As of September 30, 1999, the line-of-credit
agreement allowed TIF XI to borrow the lesser of $2 million or 32% of its
qualified accounts, as defined in the agreement. The balance outstanding under
this line-of-credit was $1,897,482 at September 30, 1999. On October 26,1999,
the agreement was amended to increase the available amount from $2,000,000 to
$4,400,000 (limited by 32% of qualified accounts), and extend the maturity from
June 30, 2000 to June 30, 2002. The agreement is cancelable by the lender after
giving a 90-day notice, and is collateralized by substantially all assets of TIF
XI. The note is also guaranteed by the Company's Parent and a principal
stockholder of the Company's Parent.
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BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)
7. CLASS B NONVOTING CONVERTIBLE STOCK
The Company's Class B nonvoting convertible stock carries a 12% noncumulative
dividend limited to 25% of the Company's income before taxes each year, up to a
maximum of $1.20 per share. The Class B nonvoting convertible stock is
convertible on a one-for-one basis up to a maximum of 20% of the Class A common
stock of the Company after conversion. The stock is redeemable at $10 per share
for a 30-day period after the tenth anniversary of the issuance date (April,
1990 to September, 1991) at the option of the holder. Shares which are not
redeemed during that time are automatically converted to Class A common stock on
a one-for-one basis.
The following summarizes the amounts pertaining to the Class B nonvoting
convertible stock as set forth in the balance sheet at September 30, 1999:
Class B nonvoting convertible stock (no par value-authorized 100,000
shares, issued and outstanding 74,500 shares) at redemption or
liquidation value $ 745,000
Unamortized stock issuance costs (10,030)
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$ 734,970
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8. PREFERRED STOCK
Each share of the Series A preferred stock is entitled to cumulative annual
dividends of 8% payable, if as and when declared by the Board of Directors,
quarterly. Unpaid dividends will accumulate and be payable prior to the payment
of dividends on the Company's Class A common stock. The preferred stock is
redeemable at any time at the option of the Company, on not less than 30 days
written notice to registered holders. The redemption price shall be $14.42 per
share if redeemed during 1999, $14.28 per share if redeemed during 2000, $14.14
per share if redeemed during 2001, and $14.00 per share if redeemed thereafter,
plus, in each case, accumulated unpaid dividends. Unless previously redeemed by
the Company, the holders of the preferred stock are entitled at any time to
convert each share into .875 shares of Class A common stock. The preferred stock
is not entitled to vote on any matter except where the Iowa Corporation Act
requires voting as a class, in which case each share of stock shall be entitled
to one vote per share on those matters where the preferred stock is voting as a
class. The preferred stock is entitled to a preference on liquidation equal to
$14.00 per share, plus accumulated dividends.
The Company issued, in connection with the Series A preferred stock offering,
common stock warrants expiring on April 30, 1999. During the second quarter of
1999, 625 warrants were exercised at $14.00 per share and $8,750 ($8,400 net of
issuance costs) of common stock was issued.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Total revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 1999 have decreased
$873,062 compared to the same period in 1998. Income from direct financing
leases decreased $568,515 and interest income decreased $163,781. This is
primarily due to the sale of leases and repayments of notes receivable in 1998.
Leases totalling $6,363,403 were sold or terminated in 1998 and repayments of
notes receivable were $4,896,646 in 1998 with the proceeds used to pay off the
line of credit and other debt. The sale and termination of leases in 1998 also
resulted in gains on early lease terminations of $310,071 for the first nine
months of 1998. Investment in leases and notes receivable was $5,134,770 at
September 30, 1998 and $3,854,932 at September 30, 1999.
The Company receives management, administrative, and acquisition fees from the
TIFS. This revenue increased $152,607 for the nine months ended September 30,
1999 compared to the same period a year ago. For the third quarter, this revenue
increased $184,925 from $135,877 in 1998 to $320,802 in 1999. This revenue
increase is due to acquisition fees received from TIF XI, which are equal to 5%
of the equipment cost for new leases and notes receivable. For the quarter
ending September 30, 1999, acquisition fees received from TIF XI were $184,613.
TIF IX entered its liquidation phase on May 1, 1998 and, therefore, the
management fee from TIF IX was discontinued. Currently, the Company receives a
management fee equal to 5% of gross rental and note payments for TIF X and 2% of
gross rental and note payments for TIF XI.
TIF X will enter its liquidation phase on December 31, 1999 at which time
management fees paid to the Company from TIF X will cease. Also, TIF XI's
offering period for the sale of its partnership units is scheduled to close on
December 23, 1999. Therefore, the raising of equity capital, which TIF XI uses
to fund new leases, will cease. The Company earns acquisition fees from TIF XI
as new leases are funded. The acquisition fees are paid throughout the operating
phase of TIF XI. However, this revenue may decrease as fewer new leases are apt
to be funded after the offering phase is complete. The Company earned management
fees from TIF X of $162,806 and acquisition fees from TIF XI of $380,552 for the
nine months ended September 30, 1999. The loss of this revenue can be offset, to
a certain extent, through management fees from TIF XI, by increasing TIF XI's
lease portfolio through it's own anticipated working capital, and leveraging
opportunities by increasing and utilizing TIF XI's line of credit. No assurance
can be given that the Company, acting in its capacity as general partner for TIF
XI, can significantly increase TIF XI's lease portfolio.
Total expenses decreased $133,063 in the third quarter, from $681,502 in 1998 to
$548,439 in 1999. For the first nine months, total expenses decreased $774,673,
from $2,393,456 in 1998 to $1,618,783 in 1999. Employment compensation and
benefits increased from $297,736 for the nine months ending September 30, 1998
to $363,624 for the same period in 1999. This increase is due to commissions
paid for leases acquired in TIF XI and leases financed by other leasing
companies. When leases are financed by other leasing companies, the Company
serves as a broker, and receives a
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commission from the other leasing company. The Company then pays a commission to
its salesperson out of the revenue received. Commission revenue totalled $73,496
for the nine months ending September 30, 1999 and is included in other revenue.
As a result of the Company terminating its line of credit agreement in 1998,
interest expense has decreased from $986,692 for the nine months ended September
30, 1998 to $432,358 for the same period of 1999. The provision for possible
loan and lease losses decreased $133,026 for the first nine months of 1999
compared to year ago. This decrease is due to a smaller portfolio of direct
financing leases and notes receivable. The Company's reserves of $325,161 at
September 30, 1999 represent 8.4% of the lease and note portfolio. Other
expenses include legal fees, accounting fees, depreciation and amortization, and
other general and administrative costs. These expenses have decreased from
$664,266 for the nine-month period of 1998 to $517,731 for the same period of
1999, primarily due to the decreased lease and note portfolio.
The Company had a net loss of $18,498 for the third quarter of 1999, and a
comprehensive loss of $103. The difference of $18,395 is due to the unrealized
gain on an available-for-sale security. This security is recorded on the balance
sheet at market value and increased in value (net of the estimated tax effect)
during the quarter. For the first nine months of 1999, the Company's net loss is
$194,069 and the comprehensive loss is $154,116. The available-for-sale security
has an unrealized gain of $39,953 (net of taxes) for the nine-month period. This
security's fair value was $1,393,831 at September 30, 1999.
At September 30, 1999, five customers were past due over 90 days. The contract
balance remaining on these past due contracts was $1,556,996 at September 30,
1999. The Company's net investment in these contracts was $1,428,350 at
September 30, 1999. One customer has two contracts that are past due with a
total balance remaining on the two contracts of $1,367,618 and a total net
investment of $1,282,021. This customer is in the process of negotiating
financing, and as such, the Company has not established reserves for this
particular customer as of September 30, 1999. When payments are past due more
than 90 days, the Company discontinues recognizing income on the contracts.
The Company's portfolio of leases and notes receivable are concentrated in pay
telephones, and office and computer equipment, representing approximately 58%
and 32%, respectively, of the portfolio at September 30, 1999. Two lessees
account for approximately 65% of the Company's portfolio at September 30, 1999.
One of those customers is past due over 90 days and has a total net investment
of $1,282,021, as mentioned above. This customer represents approximately 33% of
the Company's net investment in direct financing leases and notes receivable at
September 30, 1999. The other customer, a related party to the past due customer
above, represents approximately 19% of the portfolio at September 30, 1999.
YEAR 2000 ISSUE
The Company recognizes that the arrival of the Year 2000 poses a unique
challenge to the ability of all systems to recognize the date change from
December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000. The costs of ensuring systems are
compatible with the Year 2000 are
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not believed to be material. The Company has determined that the software it
utilizes in its operations is compatible with the Year 2000. The Company
utilizes an unrelated third party for lease servicing. This third party vendor
has been contacted and it has been determined that their lease servicing
application is Year 2000 compliant. A written confirmation regarding compliance
of this application has been received from the software developer. There are no
non-information technology processes that the Company has identified which would
affect its operations. An assessment of the readiness of external entities which
it interfaces with, such as vendors, customers, and others, is ongoing. At
present the Company does not contemplate that any specific charges will be
incurred for this assessment or any other costs directly related to fixing Year
2000 issues, and if there are any related expenditures, does not expect them to
be significant.
The Company is assessing the impact of the Year 2000 issue on information
technology and non-information technology systems used by lessees. No lessee is
contractually obligated to become Year 2000 compliant or to disclose their
capabilities to the Company. The Company has not yet determined whether the Year
2000 issue has been addressed by all of its customers. The Company has contacted
some of its customers and will continue to contact its customers in 1999. In a
worst case scenario, the inability of lessees to by Year 2000 compliant could
result in delayed or no payment of amounts due to the Company. The Company has
no contingency plans at this time to alleviate this worst case scenario should
it be encountered.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company relies primarily upon debt financing to originate its leases and
notes receivable. The Company had a $10 million revolving line of credit with
Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A. with an expiration date of April 30, 1998, which
was extended to June 30, 1998, at which time it was terminated. Management is
currently attempting to establish a line of credit with another financial
institution.
From time to time the Company will consolidate a portion of its lease portfolio
to be used as collateral for fixed rate and fixed term loans. The Company
determines the average maturity of the consolidated leases and obtains fixed
rate and fixed term loans using the consolidated leases as collateral. The term
and interest rate of the financing offered by banks financing this collateral is
matched to the average maturity of the leases. Utilizing this type of financing
allows the Company to establish a spread between the financing interest rate and
the rates of return on a certain portfolio of leases. This type of financing
permits the Company to plan for a specific return on a portion of its lease
portfolio. At September 30, 1999, the Company had outstanding borrowings of
$43,367 from various banks in fixed rate loan transactions.
Approximately $670,000 of the Company's redeemable class B stock will be subject
to redemption, at the shareholder's option, in 2000. Also, for the nine months
ended September 30, 1999, the Company used $448,614 in cash to fund operating
activities. This use of cash, however, is due to a reduction in the liability of
checks issued in excess of bank balance at December 31, 1998 of $424,053.
Accounting treatment does not allow for an offset between two accounts at
different financial institutions, which had
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the effect of reporting greater available cash and total liabilities at December
31, 1998. The Company currently has a demand note payable from its Parent in the
amount of $525,000. Management expects to be able to borrow, including loans
from the Parent, to meet its liquidity needs for at least the next twelve
months.
OUTLOOK
This Section and other portions of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB contain
statements relating to future results of the Company that are "forward-looking
statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain
risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, changes in economic conditions, changes in interest rates,
availability of lease business to the Company, changes in personnel, regulation
of the telecommunications industry, and the success or failure of the Company's
customers as well as other risks and uncertainties. The Company does not
undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward
looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date
of such statements.
The business of the Company is dependent upon being able to continue originating
leases, both for its own portfolio and for the portfolios of third party
entities, such as the TIFS. If the Company cannot continue to originate leases,
the Company will not be able to grow, either through the expansion of its
portfolio of leases or by deriving revenue from originating and managing leases
for other entities. The successful completion of the Company's business plan is
dependent upon having sufficient funds available to enable the Company to
continue to originate leases. Sources for obtaining capital include the sale of
existing leases and notes receivable owned by the Company, obtaining new capital
from the Company's Parent, and obtaining a line of credit agreement. Such
alternative capital may not be available depending upon a variety of factors,
including without limitation the possibility that purchasers of leases cannot be
found, interest rates increase, the Company's Parent has no funds available to
it, the Company is unable to secure a line of credit, or the Company fails to
operate effectively.
The Company's current business plan includes the Company's sponsorship of TIF
XI, for which the Company serves as general partner. The Company registered
interests in TIF XI under the Securities Act of 1933 and is offering those
interests publicly. The maximum offering amount for TIF XI is $25,000,000. The
Company, as general partner, will originate leases and finance contracts for TIF
XI, resulting in the Company realizing acquisition fees and management fees. The
best-efforts public offering of TIF XI is in process and through October 31,
1999, $11,282,000 has been raised out of the maximum offering amount of
$25,000,000. The offering must terminate December 23, 1999. No assurance can be
provided that the Company will be profitable upon completion of the offering.
The Company expects to continue sponsoring limited partnership(s) that would
originate leases and other financing contracts. The Company may register
interests in a new limited partnership as early as the first half of 2000, and
would serve as the general partner. These partnership interests are intended to
be offered publicly and registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Upon the
successful offering of the partnership
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interests, the Company would generate revenue from management and acquisition
fees. No assurance can be provided that the offering of limited partnership
interests will be approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, that the
Company would be successful in offering these partnership units to the public,
or that the Company would be profitable upon completion of the offering.
The Company is currently exploring various means of refinancing the debt
structure of its balance sheet. Alternatives may include, but are not limited
to, conversion of the Company's subordinated debt to its Parent to equity, or
the possibility of the Parent becoming a public company with the intent of
raising additional capital and contributing a portion of the funds raised to the
Company. If the Parent is successful in raising additional capital, the Company
would likely reduce debt from the proceeds received. No assurance can be
provided that the Company, or its Parent, will be successful in their attempts
to raise additional funds or reduce debt.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In December 1998, the Company, TIF IX, TIF X, North American Communications
Group ("NACG"), and others filed a suit against Shelby County, Tennessee
("County"). The County removed that suit from Tennessee State Court to Federal
Court. The suit alleges, among other things, damages for wrongful termination of
the pay phone contract between NACG and Shelby County and racial discrimination
by the County against NACG. The County filed an answer and the initial discovery
has been completed. An expert hired by the Company has concluded that based on
the facts discovered it is unlikely that the Company and the rest of the
plaintiffs would prevail in the litigation for wrongful termination of the pay
phone contract and racial discrimination against the County. Therefore, it was
determined it was not economical to continue to spend Company funds in an effort
to obtain additional information or to continue the lawsuit.
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES
None
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
a. Exhibits - None
b. No Report on Form 8-K was filed for the quarter ended September 30,
1999.
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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.
BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
--------------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: November 10, 1999 /s/ Ronald O. Brendengen
----------------- ---------------------------------
Ronald O. Brendengen, Chief
Financial Officer, Treasurer
Date: November 10, 1999 /s/ Daniel P. Wegmann
----------------- ---------------------------------
Daniel P. Wegmann, Controller
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