Form 10-Q SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 |X| Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002 |_| Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For the transition period from _______ to _______ Commission File Number 0-24175 ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) California 94-3248318 - ---------- ---------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I. R. S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 235 Pine Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104 (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (415) 989-8800 Indicate by a 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 |_| DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE None 1 Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements. 2 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. BALANCE SHEETS SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND DECEMBER 31, 2001 (Unaudited) ASSETS 2002 2001 ---- ---- Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,919,683 $ 936,189 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $618,067 in 2002 and $118,067 in 2001 2,951,284 5,759,540 Other assets 20,018 108,015 Investments in leases 117,054,315 129,049,875 ----------------- ------------------ Total assets $121,945,300 $135,853,619 ================= ================== LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL Long-term debt $ 36,837,000 $ 38,540,000 Line of credit 10,300,000 4,100,000 Non-recourse debt 5,183,252 9,971,225 Accounts payable: General Partner - 580,916 Other 660,102 510,598 Accrued interest payable 129,937 355,458 Interest rate swap contracts 737,092 1,323,006 Unearned operating lease income 1,085,399 976,565 ----------------- ------------------ Total liabilities 54,932,782 56,357,768 Partners' capital 67,012,518 79,495,851 ----------------- ------------------ Total liabilities and partners' capital $121,945,300 $135,853,619 ================= ================== See accompanying notes. 3 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. INCOME STATEMENTS NINE AND THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001 (Unaudited) Nine Months Three Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, ------------------- ------------------- 2002 2001 2002 2001 ---- ---- ---- ---- Revenues: Leasing activities: Operating leases $ 19,066,158 $24,013,337 $ 6,522,507 $ 7,679,508 Direct financing 1,115,790 808,507 347,458 264,830 Loss on sales of assets (1,283,977) (444,808) (225,989) (93,768) Interest 11,284 47,234 2,742 10,464 Other 156,438 9,614 66,379 4,447 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ 19,065,693 24,433,884 6,713,097 7,865,481 Expenses: Depreciation 13,967,963 15,399,088 4,872,131 4,627,209 Interest expense 2,486,353 3,128,713 748,945 969,202 Equipment and incentive management fees to General Partner 730,798 943,372 239,336 254,201 Provision for doubtful accounts 500,000 - 130,000 - Provision for losses on lease assets 300,000 - 300,000 - Other 531,084 462,489 213,176 122,274 Cost reimbursements to General Partner 755,205 895,938 82,796 403,395 Professional fees 153,614 141,573 5,134 37,664 Railcar maintenance 560,297 563,293 212,835 138,102 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ 19,985,314 21,534,466 6,804,353 6,552,047 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Net (loss) income $ (919,621) $ 2,899,418 $ (91,256) $ 1,313,434 ================== ================== ================= ================== Net (loss) income: General Partner $ 899,824 $ 822,985 $ 303,240 $ 304,021 Limited Partners (1,819,445) 2,076,433 (394,496) 1,009,413 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ $ (919,621) $ 2,899,418 $ (91,256) $ 1,313,434 ================== ================== ================= ================== Net (loss) income per limited partnership unit $ (0.12) $ 0.14 $ (0.03) $ 0.07 Weighted average number of Units outstanding 14,996,050 14,996,050 14,996,050 14,996,050 See accompanying notes. 4 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 (Unaudited) Accumulated Other Limited Partners General Comprehensive ---------------- Units Amount Partner Income Total ----- ------ ------- ------ ----- Balance December 31, 2001 14,996,050 $ 80,818,857 $ - $(1,323,006) $ 79,495,851 Unrealized decrease in value of 585,914 585,914 interest rate swap contracts - - - Distributions to partners (11,249,802) (899,824) - (12,149,626) Net (loss) income (1,819,445) 899,824 - (919,621) -------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Balance September 30, 2002 14,996,050 $ 67,749,610 $ - $ (737,092) $ 67,012,518 ==================== ================== ================== ================= ================== See accompanying notes. 5 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS NINE AND THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001 Nine Months Three Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, ------------------- ------------------- 2002 2001 2002 2001 ---- ---- ---- ---- Operating activities: Net (loss) income $ (919,621) $ 2,899,418 $ (91,256) $ 1,313,434 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 13,967,963 15,399,088 4,872,131 4,627,209 Loss on sales of assets 1,283,977 444,808 225,989 93,768 Provision for doubtful accounts 500,000 - 130,000 - Provision for losses on lease assets 300,000 - 300,000 - Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 2,308,256 778,771 389,813 (685,685) Other assets 87,997 29,997 9,999 9,999 Accounts payable, General Partner (580,916) (293,287) - (471,314) Accounts payable, other 149,504 946,084 (411,171) 1,088,625 Accrued interest expense (225,521) (300,656) (48,971) (90,529) Unearned lease income 108,834 (67,385) 268,964 269,599 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Net cash provided by operations 16,980,473 19,836,838 5,645,498 6,155,106 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Investing activities: Proceeds from sales of assets 2,703,781 1,483,557 1,778,351 661,693 Reduction in net investment in direct financing leases 859,894 1,574,719 (737,462) 219,377 Purchases of equipment on operating leases (3,959,522) (1,950,111) - - Payment of initial direct costs to General Partner (107,961) (16,726) - - Purchases of equipment on direct financing leases (3,052,572) (492,988) - - ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (3,556,380) 598,451 1,040,889 881,070 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ 6 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued) SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001 (Unaudited) Nine Months Three Months Ended September 30, Ended September 30, ------------------- ------------------- 2002 2001 2002 2001 ---- ---- ---- ---- Financing activities: Distributions to partners (12,149,626) (12,072,725) (4,053,188) (4,053,615) Borrowings under line of credit 16,500,000 8,500,000 3,300,000 3,000,000 Repayments of borrowings under line of credit (10,300,000) (8,500,000) - (6,500,000) Proceeds of long-term debt 10,100,000 8,000,000 - 6,000,000 Repayments of long-term debt (11,803,000) (11,222,000) (3,692,000) (3,108,000) Repayments of non-recourse debt (4,787,973) (4,718,790) (1,844,670) (1,511,753) ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Net cash used in financing activities (12,440,599) (20,013,515) (6,289,858) (6,173,368) ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 983,494 421,774 396,529 862,808 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 936,189 1,321,417 1,523,154 880,383 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,919,683 $ 1,743,191 $ 1,919,683 $ 1,743,191 ================== ================== ================= ================== Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for interest $ 2,711,874 $ 3,429,369 $ 797,916 $ 1,059,731 ================== ================== ================= ================== See accompanying notes. 7 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 (Unaudited) 1. Summary of significant accounting policies: Interim financial statements: The unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of the general partners, necessary to a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the most recent report on Form 10K. 2. Organization and partnership matters: ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P. (the Fund), was formed under the laws of the State of California on July 17 , 1996, for the purpose of acquiring equipment to engage in equipment leasing and sales activities. Contributions in the amount of $600 were received as of July 17, 1996, $100 of which represented the General Partner's (ATEL Financial Corporation's) continuing interest, and $500 of which represented the Initial Limited Partners' capital investment. Upon the sale of the minimum amount of Units of Limited Partnership interest (Units) of $1,200,000 and the receipt of the proceeds thereof on January 7, 1997, the Partnership commenced operations. The Partnership does not make a provision for income taxes since all income and losses will be allocated to the Partners for inclusion in their individual tax returns. 3. Investment in leases: The Partnership's investment in leases consists of the following: Depreciation Balance Expense or Reclassi- Balance December 31, Amortization fications or September 30, 2001 Additions of Leases Dispositions 2002 ---- --------- --------- ------------ ---- Net investment in operating leases $ 101,066,589 $ 3,959,522 $ (13,821,227) $(1,751,577) $ 89,453,307 Net investment in direct financing leases 18,931,921 3,052,572 (859,894) (3,152,253) 17,972,346 Assets held for sale or lease 9,267,614 - - 411,845 9,679,459 Reserve for losses (504,227) (300,000) - 504,227 (300,000) Initial direct costs, net of accumulated amortization 287,978 107,961 (146,736) - 249,203 -------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ $ 129,049,875 $ 6,820,055 $ (14,827,857) $ (3,987,758) $117,054,315 ==================== ================== ================== ================= ================== 8 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 (Unaudited) 3. Investment in leases (continued): Property on operating leases consists of the following: Balance Balance December 31, Acquisitions, Dispositions & Reclassifications September 30, ---------------------------------------------- 2001 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 2002 ---- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---- Transportation $ 80,788,684 $ (180,106) $ (356,586) $ (3,448,074) $ 76,803,918 Marine vessels/barges 27,030,136 - - - 27,030,136 Construction 22,831,963 (417,700) - - 22,414,263 Manufacturing 9,702,801 (28,868) (306,545) - 9,367,388 Materials handling 5,265,654 3,959,522 (166,602) - 9,058,574 Mining 9,012,965 - - - 9,012,965 Communications 4,387,819 - - (77,934) 4,309,885 Office automation 5,297,632 (466,740) (1,119,362) - 3,711,530 Other 5,813,733 (120,237) 320,234 242,316 6,256,046 -------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ 170,131,387 2,745,871 (1,628,861) (3,283,692) 167,964,705 Less accumulated depreciation (69,064,798) (3,445,301) (3,236,625) (2,764,674) (78,511,398) -------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------ $ 101,066,589 $ (699,430) $ (4,865,486) $ (6,048,366) $ 89,453,307 ==================== ================== ================== ================= ================== All of the property on leases was acquired in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002. At September 30, 2002, the aggregate amounts of future minimum lease payments are as follows: Direct Operating Financing Leases Leases Total Three months ending December 31, 2002 $ 4,589,199 $ 1,158,139 $ 5,747,338 Year ending December 31, 2003 16,526,171 3,935,864 20,462,035 2004 9,655,069 3,850,612 13,505,681 2005 6,430,497 3,779,344 10,209,841 2006 1,509,428 1,706,695 3,216,123 Thereafter 769,350 746,260 1,515,610 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- $ 39,479,714 $ 15,176,914 $ 54,656,628 ================== ================== ================= 9 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 (Unaudited) 4. Non-recourse debt: Notes payable to financial institutions are due in varying monthly, quarterly and semi-annual installments of principal and interest. The notes are secured by assignments of lease payments and pledges of the assets which were purchased with the proceeds of the particular notes. Interest rates on the notes vary from 7.4% to 8.828%. Future minimum principal payments of non-recourse debt are as follows: Principal Interest Total Three months ending December 31, 2002 $ 969,476 $ 65,782 $ 1,035,258 Year ending December 31, 2003 3,261,130 288,831 3,549,961 2004 298,403 67,364 365,767 2005 322,838 42,927 365,765 2006 216,850 20,179 237,029 Thereafter 114,555 5,418 119,973 ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- $ 5,183,252 $ 490,501 $ 5,673,753 ================== ================== ================= 5. Long-term debt: In 1998, the Partnership entered into a $65 million receivables funding program (the Program) with a receivables financing company that issues commercial paper rated A1 by Standard and Poors and P1 by Moody's Investor Services. Under the Program, the receivables financing company receives a general lien against all of the otherwise unencumbered assets of the Partnership. The Program provides for borrowing at a variable interest rate (1.8105% at September 30, 2002). The Program requires the General Partner to enter into various interest rate swaps with a financial institution (also rated A1/P1) to manage interest rate exposure associated with variable rate obligations under the Program by effectively converting the variable rate debt to fixed rates. As of September 30, 2002, the Partnership receives or pays interest on a notional principal of $36,837,000, based on the difference between nominal rates ranging from 4.10% to 7.58% and the variable rate under the Program. No actual borrowing or lending is involved. The last of the swaps terminates in 2009. The differential to be paid or received is accrued as interest rates change and is recognized currently as an adjustment to interest expense related to the debt. 10 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 (Unaudited) 5. Long-term debt (continued): Through hedge agreements, the interest rates have been effectively fixed. Borrowings under this facility are as follows: Original Balance Rate on Date Amount September 30, Interest Swap Borrowed Borrowed 2002 Agreement -------- -------- ---- --------- 4/1/98 $ 21,770,000 $ 1,709,000 6.22000% 7/1/98 25,000,000 3,913,000 6.15500% 10/1/98 20,000,000 6,839,000 5.55000% 4/16/99 9,000,000 2,640,000 5.89000% 1/26/00 11,700,000 7,143,000 7.58000% 5/25/01 2,000,000 1,500,000 5.79000% 9/28/01 6,000,000 4,574,000 4.36000% 1/31/02 4,400,000 3,716,000 4.10000% 2/19/02 5,700,000 4,803,000 5.49000% ------------------ ------------------ $105,570,000 $36,837,000 ================== ================== Future minimum principal payments of long-term debt are as follows: Rates on Interest Swap Principal Interest Total Agreements* --------- -------- ----- ----------- Three months ending December 31, 2002 $ 3,291,000 $ 527,060 $ 3,818,060 5.859%-5.870% Year ending December 31, 2003 11,524,000 1,653,145 13,177,145 5.858%-5.878% 2004 9,458,000 1,041,833 10,499,833 5.871%-5.910% 2005 7,875,000 539,650 8,414,650 5.927%-6.257% 2006 2,810,000 206,986 3,016,986 6.414%-7.009% 2007 903,000 103,979 1,006,979 7.007%-7.211% 2008 635,000 46,443 681,443 7.245%-7.480% 2009 341,000 12,229 353,229 7.580% ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- $ 36,837,000 $ 4,131,325 $ 40,968,325 ================== ================== ================= * Represents the range of monthly weighted average fixed interest rates paid for amounts maturing in the particular year. The receive-variable rate portion of the swap represents commercial paper rates (1.8105% at September 30, 2002). 11 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 (Unaudited) 6. Related party transactions: The terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement provide that the General Partner and/or Affiliates are entitled to receive certain fees for equipment management and resale and for management of the Partnership. The Limited Partnership Agreement allows for the reimbursement of costs incurred by the General Partner in providing administrative services to the Partnership. Administrative services provided include Partnership accounting, investor relations, legal counsel and lease and equipment documentation. The General Partner is not reimbursed for services where it is entitled to receive a separate fee as compensation for such services, such as management of equipment. Reimbursable costs incurred by the General Partner are allocated to the Partnership based upon actual time incurred by employees working on Partnership business and an allocation of rent and other costs based on utilization studies. Substantially all employees of the General Partner record time incurred in performing administrative services on behalf of all of the Partnerships serviced by the General Partner. The General Partner believes that the costs reimbursed are the lower of actual costs incurred on behalf of the Partnership or the amount the Partnership would be required to pay independent parties for comparable administrative services in the same geographic location and are reimbursable in accordance with the Limited Partnership Agreement. The General Partner and/or Affiliates earned fees, commissions and reimbursements, pursuant to the Limited Partnership Agreement as follows: 2002 2001 ---- ---- Incentive management fees (computed as 4% of distributions of cash from operations, as defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement) and equipment management fees (computed as 3.5% of gross revenues from operating leases, as defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement plus 2% of gross revenues from full payout leases, as defined in the Limited Partnership $ 730,798 $ 943,372 Cost reimbursements to General Partner 755,205 895,938 ----------------- ------------------ $ 1,486,003 $ 1,839,310 ================= ================== 12 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 (Unaudited) 7. Partner's capital: As of September 30, 2001, 14,996,050 Units ($149,960,050) were issued and outstanding. The Fund is authorized to issue up to 15,000,050 Units, including the 50 Units issued to the initial limited partners. Available Cash from Operations, as defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement, shall be distributed as follows: First, Distributions of Cash from Operations shall be 88.5% to the Limited Partners, 7.5% to the General Partner and 4% to the General Partner or its affiliate designated as the recipient of the Incentive Management Fee, until the Limited Partners have received Aggregate Distributions in an amount equal to their Original Invested Capital, as defined, plus a 10% per annum cumulative (compounded daily) return on their Adjusted Invested Capital, as defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement. Second, 85% to the Limited Partners, 7.5% to the General Partner and 7.5% to the General Partner or its affiliate designated as the recipient of the Incentive Management Fee. Available Cash from Sales or Refinancing, as defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement, shall be distributed as follows: First, Distributions of Sales or Refinancings shall be 92.5% to the Limited Partners and 7.5% to the General Partner, until the Limited Partners have received Aggregate Distributions in an amount equal to their Original Invested Capital, as defined, plus a 10% per annum cumulative (compounded daily) return on their Adjusted Invested Capital. Second, 85% to the Limited Partners, 7.5% to the General Partner and 7.5% to the General Partner or its affiliate designated as the recipient of the Incentive Management Fee. 13 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 (Unaudited) 8. Line of credit: The Partnership participates with the General Partner and certain of its affiliates in a $43,654,928 revolving line of credit with a financial institution that includes certain financial covenants. The line of credit expires on June 28, 2004. As of September 30, 2002, borrowings under the facility were as follows: Amount borrowed by the Partnership under the acquisition facility $ 10,300,000 Amounts borrowed by affiliated partnerships and limited liability companies under the acquisition facility 21,900,000 ------------------ Total borrowings under the acquisition facility 32,200,000 Amounts borrowed by the General Partner and its sister corporation under the warehouse facility - ------------------ Total outstanding balance $ 32,200,000 ================== Total available under the line of credit $ 43,654,928 Total outstanding balance (32,200,000) ------------------ Remaining availability $ 11,454,928 ================== Draws on the acquisition facility by any individual borrower are secured only by that borrower's assets, including equipment and related leases. Borrowings on the warehouse facility are recourse jointly to certain of the affiliated partnerships and limited liability companies, the Partnership and the General Partner. The credit agreement includes certain financial covenants applicable to each borrower. The Partnership was in compliance with its covenants as of September 30, 2002. 9. Commitments: As of September 30, 2002, the Company had no outstanding commitments to purchase lease equipment. 14 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Capital Resources and Liquidity During the first three quarters of 2002 and 2001, our primary activity was engaging in equipment leasing activities. Our liquidity will vary in the future, increasing to the extent cash flows from leases exceed expenses, and decreasing as lease assets are acquired, as distributions are made to the limited partners and to the extent expenses exceed cash flows from leases. As another source of liquidity, we have contractual obligations with a diversified group of lessees for fixed lease terms at fixed rental amounts. As the initial lease terms expire we will re-lease or sell the equipment. The future liquidity beyond the contractual minimum rentals will depend on our success in re-leasing or selling the equipment as it comes off lease. The Partnership participates with the General Partner and certain of its affiliates in a $43,654,928 revolving line of credit with a financial institution that includes certain financial covenants. The line of credit expires on June 28, 2004. As of September 30, 2002, borrowings under the facility were as follows: Amount borrowed by the Partnership under the acquisition facility $ 10,300,000 Amounts borrowed by affiliated partnerships and limited liability companies under the acquisition facility 21,900,000 ------------------ Total borrowings under the acquisition facility 32,200,000 Amounts borrowed by the General Partner and its sister corporation under the warehouse facility - ------------------ Total outstanding balance $ 32,200,000 ================== Total available under the line of credit $ 43,654,928 Total outstanding balance (32,200,000) ------------------ Remaining availability $ 11,454,928 ================== Draws on the acquisition facility by any individual borrower are secured only by that borrower's assets, including equipment and related leases. Borrowings on the warehouse facility are recourse jointly to certain of the affiliated partnerships and limited liability companies, the Partnership and the General Partner. We anticipate reinvesting a portion of lease payments from assets owned in new leasing transactions. These reinvestments will occur only after the payment of all obligations, including debt service (both principal and interest), the payment of management fees to the General Partner and providing for cash distributions to the Limited Partners. We currently have available adequate reserves to meet contingencies, but in the event those reserves were found to be inadequate, we would likely be in a position to borrow against its current portfolio to meet such requirements. We envision no such requirements for operating purposes. We do not expect to make commitments of capital other than for the acquisition of additional equipment. As of September 30, 2002, we had made none of these commitments. If inflation in the general economy becomes significant, it may affect us in that the residual (resale) values and rates on re-leases of our leased assets may increase as the costs of similar assets increase. However, our revenues from existing leases would not increase, as such rates are generally fixed for the terms of the leases without adjustment for inflation. If interest rates increase significantly, the lease rates that we can obtain on future leases will be expected to increase as the cost of capital is a significant factor in the pricing of lease financing. Our leases already in place, for the most part, would not be affected by changes in interest rates. During 2002 and 2001, our primary source of liquidity was rents from operating leases. In both 2002 and in 2001, our cash flows from operating activities came almost entirely from operating lease rents for both the three and nine month periods. Our sources of cash from investing activities consisted of proceeds from sales of assets and direct financing lease rents. Rents from direct financing leases decreased compared to 2001 as a result of asset sales over the last year. We do not expect that the amounts of proceeds from sales of assets will be consistent from one period to another. In 2002 and 2001, we used cash in investing activities to purchase assets on operating and direct financing leases and to pay initial direct costs to the Managing Member. 15 In 2002 and 2001, borrowings on the line of credit and proceeds of long-term debt were our only sources of cash from financing sources. The amounts we distributed to our partners have not changed significantly compared to 2001. The amounts of cash we used to repay non-recourse debt increased slightly for the nine month period and the three month period as a result of scheduled debt payments we have made. The portion of the debt payments attributed principal payments, as opposed to interest payments, has increased. Results of operations Our operations in 2002 resulted in a net loss of $919,621 (nine months) and $91,256 (three months). In 2001, our operations resulted in a net income of $2,899,418 (nine months) and $1,313,434 (three months). Our primary source of revenues is from operating leases. These lease revenues and the related depreciation expenses have decreased compared to 2001 as a result of asset sales over the last year. Equipment management fees are based on our rental revenues and have decreased due to decreases in our revenues from leases. Incentive management fees are based on the levels of distributions of cash from operations to limited partners. Our lease revenues and distributions of operating cash flows decreased compared to 2001, and as a result, management fees also decreased. Interest expense has decreased as a result of the scheduled debt payments we have made over the last year. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings. No material legal proceedings are currently pending against the Partnership or against any of its assets. Applied Magnetics Corporation: In January 2000, Applied Magnetics Corporation (the Debtor) filed for protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Partnership had assets with a total net book value of $8,048,095 leased to Applied Magnetics Corporation at the bankruptcy filing date. On January 31, 2000, the General Partner was appointed to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors and currently serves as the Chairperson of the Committee. Procedures were quickly undertaken for the liquidation of the Partnership's leased equipment, which proceeds resulted in recoveries of $1,773,798 or 21.7% of original equipment cost. As of November 1, 2000, liquidation of the assets was completed. The debtor filed a Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan"), which was approved by a vote of the creditors of the debtor in October 2001. The Plan provided that the Debtor change its name to "Integrated Micro-Technology", and enter into a new line of business, the manufacture and production of "micro-machines". As part of the Plan, the Partnership, along with the other unsecured creditors, receives a proportionate share of their unsecured claims, in the form of ownership shares and warrants in the newly formed business. The success of this new business plan is highly uncertain. On February 13, 2002, the reorganized Debtor filed a notice of objection to the Partnership's claim due to duplication and an improper liquidated damages provision. The Partnership disputed this and, as of July 26, 2002, agreement has been reached between the Partnership and Debtor as to the amount of the Partnership's claim, and the Debtor's objection to the Partnership's claim was withdrawn. The Partnership anticipates additional amounts may be recoverable through its equity interests in the reorganized lessee's business, however, any recoveries above the amounts received upon liquidation of the Partnership's equipment are highly uncertain and speculative. Pioneer Companies, Inc.: On July 31, 2001, petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code were filed by the Pioneer Companies, Inc., et al. The Partnership's Proof of Claim was timely filed on October 14, 2001, with the Bankruptcy Clerk in Houston. The Partnership is the successor in interest to First Union Rail Corporation (FURC) under four (4) tank car lease schedules for 36 tank cars with Pioneer Chlor-Alkali Company, Inc. n/k/a Pioneer Americas, Inc. (together, the "Lease"). FURC manages the Lease for the Partnership. The Order Confirming Debtor's Joint Plan of Reorganization Under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code ("Plan") was entered on November 28, 2001. The Effective Date, as defined in the Plan, was December 31, 2001. Pursuant to Schedules 6.1(a)(x) and 6.1(a)(y) of the Plan, the Lease was rejected by the debtor. Although the equipment was to be returned to FURC by December 31, 2001, the debtor continued to use and pay for the equipment under the lease on a month-to-month basis. A letter agreement has been executed by the debtor to formalize an understanding for debtor's continued use of the equipment under the terms of the Lease on a month-to-month basis until the cars were returned. The debtor has also objected to the Partnership's claim, which objection was being disputed by the Partnership and is likely to be resolved via an amended Proof of Claim. At this point, all equipment has been returned to the Partnership, and is in the process of being re-leased and/or sold. The full extent of any recovery is not known at this time. 16 Item 2. Changes In Securities. Inapplicable. Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. Inapplicable. Item 4. Submission Of Matters To A Vote Of Security Holders. Inapplicable. Item 5. Other Information. Inapplicable. Item 6. Exhibits And Reports On Form 8-K. (a) Documents filed as a part of this report 1. Financial Statements Included in Part I of this report: Balance Sheets, September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001. Statements of operations for the nine and three month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2001. Statement of changes in partners' capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. Statement of cash flows for the nine and three month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2001. Notes to the Financial Statements. 2. Financial Statement Schedules All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted. (b) Report on Form 8-K None 17 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. Date: November 7, 2002 ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII, L.P. (Registrant) By: ATEL Financial Corporation General Partner of Registrant By: /s/ DEAN L. CASH ------------------------------------- Dean L. Cash President and Chief Executive Officer of General Partner By: /s/ PARITOSH K. CHOKSI ------------------------------------- Paritosh K. Choksi Executive Vice President of Managing Member and Principal financial officer of registrant By: /s/ DONALD E. CARPENTER --------------------------------------- Donald E. Carpenter Principal accounting officer of registrant 18 CERTIFICATIONS I, Paritosh K. Choksi, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ATEL Cash Distribution Fund VII, LP; 2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; 5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and 6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Date: November 7, 2002 /s/ PARITOSH K. CHOKSI - -------------------------------------- Paritosh K. Choksi Principal financial officer of registrant, Executive Vice President of General Partner 19 CERTIFICATIONS I, Dean L. Cash, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ATEL Cash Distribution Fund VII, LP; 2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; 5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and 6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Date: November 7, 2002 /s/ DEAN L. CASH - -------------------------------------- Dean L. Cash President and Chief Executive Officer of General Partner 20 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Quarterly report on Form 10Q of ATEL Cash Distribution Fund VII, LP, (the "Partnership") for the period ended June 30, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, as adopted pursuant to ss.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Dean L. Cash, Chief Executive Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC, general partner of the Partnership, hereby certify that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership. Date: November 7, 2002 /s/ DEAN L. CASH - -------------------------------------- Dean L. Cash President and Chief Executive Officer of General Partner CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Quarterly report on Form 10Q of ATEL Cash Distribution Fund VII, LP, (the "Partnership") for the period ended June 30, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), and pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, as adopted pursuant to ss.906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Paritosh K. Choksi, Chief Financial Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC, general partner of the Partnership, hereby certify that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership. Date: November 7, 2002 /s/ PARITOSH K. CHOKSI - -------------------------------------- Paritosh K. Choksi Executive Vice President of General Partner, Principal financial officer of registrant 21