============================================================================= UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Quarter Ended October 31, 2002 Commission file number 1-12006 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Nevada 88-0244792 (State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 733 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) (212) 599-8000 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 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 --- --- At December 2, 2002, 18,571,398 shares of Registrant's common stock, $.50 par value, were outstanding. ============================================================================= FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I - Financial Information Page No. -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- Item 1 Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 31, 2002 (unaudited) and July 31, 2002 (audited) 3 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three months ended October 31, 2002 and 2001 (unaudited) 4 Consolidated Income Statements for the three months ended October 31, 2002 and 2001 (unaudited) 5 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended October 31, 2002 and 2001 (unaudited) 6 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7-10 Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 10-16 Item 4 Controls and Procedures 16 Part II - Other Information -------------------------------------------------------------------- Item 2 Changes in Securities 16 Item 6 Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 16 Signatures 17 Certifications 18-19 2 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except par value and number of shares) October 31, July 31, 2002 * 2002 ======================================================================================================== ASSETS Finance receivables $1,438,465 $1,436,469 Allowance for possible losses (24,227) (24,171) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finance receivables - net 1,414,238 1,412,298 Cash 8,295 7,092 Other assets 27,779 28,456 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL ASSETS $1,450,312 $1,447,846 ======================================================================================================== LIABILITIES Senior debt: Long-term $716,760 $577,841 Short-term 358,291 452,555 Subordinated debt -- 93,478 Accrued interest, taxes and other liabilities 51,543 44,848 Deferred income taxes 30,555 30,555 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities 1,157,149 1,199,277 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Preferred stock - $1 par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares, none issued -- -- Common stock - $.50 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares; shares issued and outstanding (net of 136,961 treasury shares): 18,570,023 at October 31, 2002 and 17,372,184 at July 31, 2002 9,285 8,686 Additional paid-in capital 103,317 67,595 Retained earnings 180,561 172,288 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total stockholders' equity 293,163 248,569 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $1,450,312 $1,447,846 ========================================================================================================* Unaudited The notes to consolidated financial statements are made a part hereof. 3 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY * (In thousands) Common Stock - $.50 Par Value ---------------------------------- Number Additional of Paid-in Retained Three Months Ended October 31, 2001 Shares Par Value Capital Earnings ======================================================================================================== Balance at July 31, 2001 16,540 $8,270 $62,921 $135,220 Shares issued under employee stock plans 97 49 329 Compensation recognized under employee stock plans 38 Net earnings 8,832 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCE AT OCTOBER 31, 2001 16,637 $8,319 $63,288 $144,052 ======================================================================================================== Common Stock - $.50 Par Value ---------------------------------- Number Additional of Paid-in Retained Three Months Ended October 31, 2002 Shares Par Value Capital Earnings ======================================================================================================== Balance at July 31, 2002 17,372 $8,686 $67,595 $172,288 Conversion of subordinated debt 1,159 580 34,439 Shares issued under employee stock plans 39 19 305 Compensation recognized under employee stock plans 703 Tax benefit from stock options 275 Net earnings 8,273 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCE AT OCTOBER 31, 2002 18,570 $9,285 $103,317 $180,561 ========================================================================================================* Unaudited The notes to consolidated financial statements are made a part hereof. 4 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS * (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended October 31, 2002 2001 ======================================================================================================== Finance income $34,971 $34,633 Interest expense 12,378 14,156 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net finance income before provision for possible losses on finance receivables 22,593 20,477 Provision for possible losses on finance receivables 1,550 1,025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net finance income 21,043 19,452 Salaries and other expenses 5,556 4,893 Loss on redemption of convertible debt 1,737 -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings before income taxes 13,750 14,559 Provision for income taxes 5,477 5,727 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET EARNINGS $8,273 $8,832 ======================================================================================================== EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: Diluted $0.45 $0.48 ======================================================================================================== Basic $0.47 $0.53 ========================================================================================================* Unaudited The notes to consolidated financial statements are made a part hereof. 5 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS * (In thousands) Three Months Ended October 31, 2002 2001 ======================================================================================================== Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $8,273 $8,832 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: Provision for possible losses on finance receivables 1,550 1,025 Depreciation and amortization 4,331 2,946 Loss on redemption of convertible debt 1,737 -- Deferred income taxes -- 400 Increase in other assets (858) (4) Increase (decrease) in accrued interest, taxes and other liabilities 7,153 (907) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 22,186 12,292 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from investing activities: Finance receivables: Originated (184,150) (182,116) Collected 177,511 163,019 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (6,639) (19,097) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from financing activities: Commercial paper - maturities 90 days or less (net) (68,874) (3,854) Commercial paper - maturities greater than 90 days: Proceeds 41,977 14,243 Repayments (27,578) (18,772) Bank borrowings - net proceeds (repayments) (40,870) 69,450 Proceeds from senior term notes 100,000 -- Proceeds from asset securitization financing 100,000 -- Repayments of senior term notes (60,000) (55,000) Redemptions of subordinated debt (59,598) -- Proceeds from exercise of stock options 324 335 Other 275 217 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (14,344) 6,619 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH 1,203 (186) Cash - beginning of period 7,092 10,251 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH - END OF PERIOD $8,295 $10,065 ======================================================================================================== Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Interest paid $11,169 $13,934 ======================================================================================================== Income taxes paid $1,933 $1,925 ========================================================================================================* Unaudited The notes to consolidated financial statements are made a part hereof. 6 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (In thousands, except per share amounts and number of shares) NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation In the opinion of the management of Financial Federal Corporation and Subsidiaries (the "Company"), the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the financial position at October 31, 2002 and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the three month periods ended October 31, 2002 and 2001. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and note disclosures included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2002. The consolidated results of operations for the three month periods ended October 31, 2002 and 2001 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the respective full years. Effective August 1, 2002, the Company began classifying assets received to satisfy finance receivables (repossessed equipment) as other assets. Prior to August 1, 2002, the Company included these assets in finance receivables. Assets received to satisfy finance receivables are initially written-down to their current estimated net liquidation value by a charge to the allowance for possible losses and any subsequent write-downs and recoveries are reflected in operating income or expense. Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to reflect this change. In addition, the Company reduced the number of days, from 120 to 90, that a receivable must be past due to be classified as non-accrual. This change did not have a significant impact on the Company's operations, and increased finance receivables on non-accrual at October 31, 2002 by $3,102. Management made these changes to conform to industry practice. Description of Business The Company provides collateralized lending, financing and leasing services nationwide to middle-market businesses in the general construction, road and infrastructure construction and repair, road transportation, manufacturing and waste disposal industries. The Company lends against, finances and leases a wide range of revenue-producing/essential-use equipment such as cranes, earth movers, machine tools, personnel lifts, trailers and trucks. New Accounting Standard On August l, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." SFAS No. 4, "Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt," required gains and losses from extinguishment of debt to be classified as an extraordinary item. As a result of the rescission of SFAS No. 4, the $1,737 loss incurred by the Company on the August 2002 redemption of its convertible notes (see Note 3) has been reported as a separate item in operating income instead of an extraordinary item net of income taxes. NOTE 2 - FINANCE RECEIVABLES Finance receivables comprise installment sale agreements and secured loans (including line of credit arrangements), collectively referred to as loans, with fixed or floating (indexed to the prime rate) interest rates, and investments in direct financing leases as follows: ===================================================================== October 31, July 31, 2002 2002 ===================================================================== Loans: Fixed rate $1,034,233 $1,009,275 Floating rate 99,944 100,558 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total loans 1,134,177 1,109,833 Direct financing leases 304,288 326,636 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Finance receivables $1,438,465 $1,436,469 ===================================================================== Direct financing leases include residual values of $51,926 at October 31, 2002 and $57,432 at July 31, 2002. 7 Non-performing assets include finance receivables classified as non-accrual (income recognition has been suspended) and assets received to satisfy finance receivables (repossessed equipment) as follows: ===================================================================== October 31, July 31, 2002 2002 ===================================================================== Finance receivables classified as non-accrual $36,688 $29,374 Assets received to satisfy finance receivables 23,404 23,788 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-performing assets $60,092 $53,162 ===================================================================== The activity of the allowance for possible losses is summarized as follows: ===================================================================== Three Months Ended October 31, 2002 2001 ===================================================================== Beginning balance $24,171 $21,938 Provision 1,550 1,025 Write-downs (2,190) (1,620) Recoveries 696 892 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Ending balance $24,227 $22,235 ===================================================================== Percentage of finance receivables 1.68% 1.68% ===================================================================== Net credit losses * $ 1,494 $ 728 ===================================================================== Loss ratio ** 0.41% 0.22% ===================================================================== * write-downs less recoveries ** net credit losses over average finance receivables, annualized The Company also provides commitments to extend credit. These commitments contain off-balance sheet risk. The Company uses the same credit policies and procedures in making these commitments as it does for finance receivables, as the credit risks are substantially the same. At October 31, 2002 and July 31, 2002, the unused portion of these commitments was $6,464 and $5,636, respectively. NOTE 3 - DEBT Debt is summarized as follows: ===================================================================== October 31, July 31, 2002 2002 ===================================================================== Senior debt: Fixed rate term notes due 2003 - 2008 $ 427,500 $ 423,750 Floating rate term notes due 2003 - 2008 122,500 86,250 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total term notes 550,000 510,000 Asset securitization financings 325,000 225,000 Commercial paper 172,691 227,166 Bank borrowings 27,360 68,230 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total senior debt 1,075,051 1,030,396 Subordinated debt 4.5% convertible subordinated notes -- 91,188 8.0% subordinated debentures -- 2,290 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total subordinated debt -- 93,478 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total debt $1,075,051 $1,123,874 ===================================================================== Senior Term Notes In August 2002, the Company received the remaining $100,000 of its July 2002 $200,000 private placement of fixed and floating rate unsecured senior notes. The placement includes $112,500 of fixed rate notes and $88,500 of floating rate notes. The notes are due at maturity as follows: $55,500 in three years, $76,000 in four years and $68,500 in five years. 8 Interest on fixed rate notes is generally payable semi-annually. Interest rates on floating rate notes are indexed to either LIBOR or domestic money market rates and generally change every thirty to ninety days. Prepayments of the fixed rate notes are generally subject to a premium based on yield maintenance formulas. Asset Securitization Financings In August 2002, the Company completed its third transaction under its asset securitization facility obtaining proceeds of $100,000. The Company structured the terms of the facility so that securitization proceeds would be recorded as secured borrowings on its consolidated balance sheets and not as sales of receivables. Therefore, no gains on sales of securitized receivables would be recorded. The secured borrowings are without recourse to the Company. The terms of the facility provide for committed revolving financing for a one year term that, if not renewed prior to the current expiration date of January 31, 2003, can be converted into term debt at the Company's option. Finance receivables in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include $377,286 and $265,301 of securitized receivables at October 31, 2002 and July 31, 2002, respectively. The unsecured senior debt agreements of the Company's major operating subsidiary limit the amount of finance receivables that the subsidiary can securitize to 40% of its finance receivables outstanding, approximately $570,000 at October 31, 2002. Therefore, the Company could securitize approximately $192,714 of additional finance receivables at October 31, 2002. The amount that the Company can borrow under the securitization facility is limited to 94% of securitized receivables. Bank Borrowings At October 31, 2002, the Company had $405,000 of committed unsecured revolving credit facilities with various banks expiring as follows: $220,000 within one year and $185,000 on various dates from December 2003 through April 2006. Borrowings under these credit facilities generally mature between one and ninety days and bear interest based on domestic money market rates or LIBOR. Subordinated Debt In July 2002, the Company called its 4.5% convertible subordinated notes, with an original maturity of May 2005, for redemption. The redemption was completed in August 2002; $56,223 of the notes were redeemed for cash and $34,965 of the notes were converted into 1,159,000 shares of the Company's common stock at the stated conversion price of $30.15625 per share. The Company paid a $1,085 prepayment premium equal to 1.93% of the notes redeemed for cash. The premium, combined with the expensing of unamortized deferred debt issuance costs (which were being amortized over the term of the notes), resulted in a $1,737 pre-tax charge. The Company also redeemed for cash its 8.0% subordinated debentures, with a maturity of March 2003, in October 2002 at face value. Other The debt agreements of the Company's major operating subsidiary contain certain restrictive covenants including limitations on the subsidiary's indebtedness, encumbrances, investments, dividends and other distributions to the Company, sales of assets, mergers and other business combinations, capital expenditures, interest coverage and net worth. None of the Company's debt agreements contain a material adverse change clause. Long-term senior debt comprised the following: ===================================================================== October 31, July 31, 2002 2002 ===================================================================== Term notes $375,000 $277,000 Bank borrowings and commercial paper supported by bank credit facilities that expire after October 31, 2002 and July 31, 2002, respectively 185,000 185,000 Asset securitization financings 156,760 115,841 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total long-term senior debt $716,760 $577,841 ===================================================================== 9 NOTE 4 - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Earnings per common share was calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): ===================================================================== Three Months Ended October 31, 2002 2001 ===================================================================== Net earnings (used for basic earnings per share) $8,273 $8,832 Effect of convertible securities 115 733 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted net earnings (used for diluted earnings per share) $8,388 $9,565 ===================================================================== Weighted average common shares outstanding (used for basic earnings per share) 17,761 16,557 Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options 465 357 Restricted stock 75 -- Convertible notes 493 3,024 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted weighted average common shares and assumed conversions (used for diluted earnings per share) 18,794 19,938 ===================================================================== Net earnings per common share: Diluted $0.45 $0.48 ===================================================================== Basic $0.47 $0.53 ===================================================================== PART I Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make judgments, assumptions, and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2002 describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, the accounting for the allowance for possible losses on finance receivables, impairments of finance receivables, assets received to satisfy receivables and residual values on direct financing leases. The following critical accounting policies are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions, and estimates used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. The allowance for possible losses on finance receivables is estimated by management based on total finance receivables, historical and expected credit losses, the level of delinquencies and management's current assessments of the risks inherent in the Company's finance receivables from national and regional economic conditions, industry conditions, concentrations, the financial condition of counterparties (includes the obligor/lessee and other parties the Company may have recourse to such as equipment vendors/manufacturers and owners/affiliates of the obligor/lessee), equipment collateral values and other factors. Changes in the level of the allowance may be necessary based on unexpected changes in these factors. Impaired finance receivables are written-down to the current estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. Assets received to satisfy receivables are written-down to their current estimated fair value less selling costs. Management estimates these amounts based on the prevailing market value and condition of the collateral. Adverse changes in the collateral's market value and condition would cause the Company to incur additional write-downs. The Company records residual values on its direct financing leases at the lowest of (i) any stated purchase option, (ii) the present value at the end of the initial lease term of rentals due under any renewal options or (iii) the estimated fair value of the equipment at the end of the lease. The Company may not be able to realize the full amount of the estimated residual value recorded due to subsequent adverse changes in equipment values which would cause the Company to book a write-down. 10 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Comparison of three months ended October 31, 2002 to three months ended October 31, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net earnings decreased by 6% to $8.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $8.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. Excluding the $1.7 million loss on the redemption of the Company's convertible debt in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 (net of income taxes), net earnings increased by 6% to $9.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $8.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The increase was primarily due to lower market interest rates and finance receivables growth, partially offset by increases in salaries and other expenses and higher net credit losses. Finance income increased by 1% to $35.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $34.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The increase was primarily due to the 9% ($122 million) increase in average finance receivables outstanding to $1.441 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $1.318 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2002, offset by the decrease in the net yield of finance receivables as a result of declining market interest rates and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the level of finance receivables on non-accrual. Finance receivables originated in the first quarters of fiscal 2003 and 2002 were $184 million and $182 million, respectively. Interest expense, incurred on borrowings used to fund finance receivables, decreased by 13% to $12.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $14.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in the Company's weighted average cost of borrowed funds that resulted from lower average market interest rates and the August 2002 conversion/redemption of the Company's convertible debt, partially offset by the increase in fixed rate term debt and the 6% ($61 million) increase in average debt outstanding. Net finance income before provision for possible losses on finance receivables increased by 10% to $22.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $20.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. Net finance income before provision for possible losses expressed as a percentage of average finance receivables outstanding ("net interest margin") increased to 6.2% in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from 6.1% in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The increase was primarily due to declining market interest rates and, to a lesser extent, the decrease in the Company's leverage to 3.7 at October 31, 2002 from 4.8 at October 31, 2001. The provision for possible losses on finance receivables increased by 51% to $1.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $1.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002 primarily due to higher net credit losses. The provision for possible losses is determined by the amount required to increase the allowance for possible losses to a level considered appropriate by management. Management estimated the allowance based on various factors as described in the Receivable Portfolio and Asset Quality section herein. Salaries and other expenses increased by 14% to $5.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $4.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The increase was primarily due to salary increases and increases in costs associated with problem accounts. Problem accounts are defined as customers that the Company has incurred legal and/or other costs in its efforts to collect amounts due. Diluted earnings per share decreased by 6% to $0.45 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $0.48 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2002, and basic earnings per share decreased by 11% to $0.47 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $0.53 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. The percentage change in basic earnings per share was lower than the percentage change in net earnings primarily due to the issuance of 1.16 million shares of common stock from the August 2002 conversion of $35.0 million of debt. Diluted and basic earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2003, excluding the loss on redemption of convertible debt, $1.1 million net of income tax, were $0.51 and $0.53, respectively. RECEIVABLE PORTFOLIO AND ASSET QUALITY Finance receivables outstanding increased by less than 1% ($2.0 million) to $1.438 billion at October 31, 2002 from $1.436 billion at July 31, 2002 (reflects the reclassification of assets received to satisfy receivables to other assets). Finance receivables comprise installment sale agreements and secured loans (collectively referred to as "loans") and investments in direct financing leases. At October 31, 2002, loans totaled $1.134 billion, or 79% of finance receivables, and leases totaled $304.0 million, or 21% of finance receivables. 11 The Company has an allowance for possible losses on finance receivables on its balance sheet. The purpose of the allowance is to account for any losses that have been incurred at the balance sheet date. Losses are recorded when management has reason to expect that all amounts contractually due will not be collected from the combination of the obligor/lessee, any guarantor and the sale of any collateral repossessed by the Company. The allowance for possible losses was $24.2 million at October 31, 2002 and July 31, 2002. The allowance level was 1.68% of finance receivables at October 31, 2002 and at July 31, 2002. Management periodically reviews the allowance to determine that its level is appropriate. The equipment collateral securing the Company's finance receivables generally possess certain characteristics that have mitigated potential credit losses. The equipment collateral typically has an economic life that exceeds the term of the transaction, historically low levels of technological obsolescence, use in multiple industries, ease of access and transporting, and a broad, established resale market. The Company also does not finance high-risk, big-ticket items such as aircraft and railcars nor does the Company finance "soft" collateral such as computer related equipment, fixtures and telecommunications equipment. Commencing with the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company reduced the number of days, from 120 to 90, that a receivable must be past due to be classified as non-accrual. This change did not have a significant impact on the Company's operations. In addition, the Company has reclassified repossessed equipment from finance receivables to other assets. The Company made these changes to better conform to industry practice. The amounts of finance receivables on non-accrual and repossessed equipment for the previous five fiscal quarters are presented below (in millions): ============================================================================= Three Months Ended: 10/31/2002 7/31/2002 4/30/2002 1/31/2002 10/31/2001 ============================================================================= Non-accrual finance receivables $36.7* $29.4 $27.7 $27.0 $28.6 Repossessed equipment 23.4 23.8 21.8 19.3 13.2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total non-performing assets $60.1 $53.2 $49.5 $46.3 $41.8 ============================================================================= Percentage of total finance receivables 4.2% 3.7% 3.5% 3.4% 3.2% ============================================================================= * includes $3.1 million (0.2% of total finance receivables) arising from the reduction in the number of days past due, from 120 to 90 days, for classification as non-accrual Delinquent finance receivables (transactions with a contractual payment more than 60 days past due) were $27.0 million (1.9% of total finance receivables) at October 31, 2002 compared to $32.4 million (2.3% of total finance receivables) at July 31, 2002 and $34.4 million (2.6% of total finance receivables) at October 31, 2001. Approximately half of the Company's non- accruing finance receivables at October 31, 2002 were not delinquent. Net credit losses (write-downs of receivables less subsequent recoveries) incurred on finance receivables increased by 105% to $1.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from $728,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. Net credit losses, expressed as a percentage of average finance receivables outstanding ("loss ratio"), increased to 0.41% in the first quarter of fiscal 2003 from 0.22% in the first quarter of fiscal 2002. Net credit losses have been increasing due to the increase in the amount of repossessed equipment and declining equipment values. Non-performing assets and net credit losses have been increasing primarily due to the weak domestic economy. A weak economy increases the possibility that customers will pay late, stop paying, declare or be forced into bankruptcy or liquidate their businesses and also causes collateral values to decline. Continued weakness in the economy could result in additional increases in the levels of non-performing assets and net credit losses. Increases in net credit losses would have a negative effect on earnings through additional increases in the provision for possible losses. Increases in non-performing assets would have a negative effect on earnings by reducing revenue. Although non-performing assets and net credit losses have increased and could continue to increase, their current and expected levels remain below current and historical industry experience. 12 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company's operations and growth are dependent upon the continued availability of funds needed to originate or acquire finance receivables, to purchase portfolios of finance receivables and to repay maturing debt. The Company may obtain required funds from a variety of sources, including operating cash flow, dealer placed and directly issued commercial paper, borrowings under committed unsecured revolving credit facilities, private and public issuances of term debt, conduit and term securitizations of finance receivables and sales of common and preferred equity. Management believes that the Company's sources of liquidity are well diversified. As such, the Company is not dependent on any single funding source or on any single credit provider. Management believes, but cannot assure, that sufficient liquidity is available to the Company to support its future operations and growth. The Company's senior term notes are rated "BBB" by Fitch, Inc. ("Fitch") and the Company's commercial paper is rated "F-2" by Fitch. The Company's access to capital markets at competitive rates is partly dependent on these credit ratings. Fitch reported in July 2002 that its ratings outlook for the Company is stable. The debt agreements of the Company's major operating subsidiary contain certain restrictive covenants including limitations on the subsidiary's indebtedness, encumbrances, investments, dividends and other distributions to the Company, sales of assets, mergers and other business combinations, capital expenditures, interest coverage and net worth. None of the Company's debt agreements contain a material adverse change clause. Total debt decreased by 4% ($48.9 million) to $1.075 billion at October 31, 2002 from $1.124 billion at July 31, 2002 and stockholders' equity increased by 18% ($44.6 million) to $293.2 million at October 31, 2002 from $248.6 million at July 31, 2002. As a result, leverage (debt to equity ratio) decreased to 3.7 at October 31, 2002 from 4.5 at July 31, 2002. The decrease in debt and the increase in equity were primarily due to the conversion of $35.0 of debt into equity in August 2002 and net earnings of $8.3 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2003. At October 31, 2002, debt comprised the following (in millions): ===================================================================== Amount Percent ===================================================================== Senior term notes $ 550.0 51% Assets securitization financings 325.0 30 Commercial paper 172.7 16 Borrowings under bank credit facilities 27.4 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Total debt $1,075.1 100% ===================================================================== Senior Term Notes In August 2002, the Company received the remaining $100.0 million of its July 2002 $200.0 million private placement of fixed and floating rate unsecured senior notes and used the proceeds to repay borrowings under bank credit facilities and commercial paper. In the first quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company repaid $60.0 million of unsecured senior term notes at maturity with proceeds from borrowings under bank credit facilities. At October 31, 2002, the $550.0 million of senior term notes comprised $470.0 million of private placements with insurance companies and $80.0 million of bank term loans. Bank Credit Facilities At October 31, 2002, the Company had $405.0 million of committed unsecured revolving credit facilities from thirteen banks (a decrease of $20.0 million from July 31, 2002). This amount includes $210.0 million of facilities with original terms ranging from two to five years and $195.0 million of facilities with original terms of one year or less. At October 31, 2002, $27.4 million was outstanding under the multi-year facilities, with maturities between one and thirty days. These facilities provide the Company with a dependable, low-cost source of funds and support for its commercial paper program. The Company can borrow the full amount under each facility. None of the credit facilities are for commercial paper back-up only. 13 Commercial Paper The Company issues commercial paper directly and through a $350.0 million program. The Company's commercial paper is unsecured and matures within 270 days. The Company has not obtained commitments from any purchaser of its commercial paper for additional or future purchases. Increases in commercial paper are generally offset by decreases in bank and other borrowings, and vice versa. Commercial paper outstanding at October 31, 2002 was $172.7 million. The Company's current policy is to maintain committed revolving credit facilities from banks so that the aggregate amount available thereunder exceeds commercial paper outstanding. Asset Securitization Financings In August 2002, the Company obtained $100.0 million from its third transaction under its asset securitization facility established in July 2001. The Company used the proceeds to repay borrowings under bank credit facilities and commercial paper. The Company structured the terms of the facility so that any securitization proceeds obtained would be classified as debt by the Company and not as sales of receivables for financial reporting purposes. Therefore, the Company has not recorded any gains on sales of securitized receivables. At October 31, 2002, the Company had $325.0 million of asset securitization financings accounted for as secured borrowings included in senior debt on its October 31, 2002 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The terms of the securitization facility limit the amount that the Company can borrow to a minimum level of securitized receivables. When borrowings exceed the minimum level, the Company has the option to repay the excess or to securitize more receivables. The Company can securitize more receivables during the term of the facility. The facility expires January 31, 2003. The Company currently intends to renew the facility for another year. Upon the expiration of the facility, the Company has the option to repay borrowings outstanding or to convert them into term debt. The term debt would be repaid monthly in amounts equal to the collections of securitized receivables. Currently, the Company would exercise the conversion option. Based on the contractual payments of securitized receivables at October 31, 2002, the term debt would be fully repaid by January 2005. The unsecured senior debt agreements of the Company's major operating subsidiary limit the amount of finance receivables that the subsidiary can securitize to 40% of its finance receivables outstanding, approximately $570.0 million at October 31, 2002. Therefore, the Company could securitize approximately $192.7 million of additional finance receivables at October 31, 2002. The amount that the Company can borrow under the securitization facility is limited to 94% of securitized receivables. Convertible Notes In July 2002, the Company called its 4.5% convertible subordinated notes, with an original maturity of May 2005, for redemption. The redemption was completed in August 2002; $56.2 million of the notes were redeemed for cash and $35.0 million of the notes were converted into 1.16 million shares of the Company's common stock at the stated conversion price of $30.15625 per share. The Company called the notes because they were an expensive form of financing considering their dilution and their cost relative to current market interest rates. The Company also had the resources to do so from the aforementioned recent debt issuances. The Company paid a $1.1 million prepayment premium equal to 1.93% of the notes redeemed for cash. MARKET INTEREST RATE RISK AND SENSITIVITY The Company's earnings are sensitive to fluctuations in market interest rates (includes LIBOR, rates on U.S. Treasury securities, money market rates and the prime rate). Changes in these rates affect the Company's finance income and interest expense. Generally, based on the current mix of fixed rate and floating rate finance receivables and debt, increases in rates would have a negative impact on earnings, and decreases in rates would have a positive impact on earnings because the Company has more floating rate and short-term debt than fixed rate term debt, and more fixed rate finance receivables than floating rate finance receivables. As a result, when market interest rates rise, the Company's borrowing costs would increase faster than the yield on its finance receivables. Conversely, when market interest rates decline, the Company's borrowing costs would decrease faster than the yield on its finance receivables. These effects would diminish over time. In addition, since the Company's interest earning assets exceed its interest bearing liabilities, eventually, decreases in rates would reduce net earnings and increases in rates would increase net earnings. These broad statements do not take into account the effects of other economic conditions that could accompany interest rate fluctuations. 14 The net yield of finance receivables less the weighted average cost of borrowed funds represents the net interest spread, an important measure of a finance company's profitability. The net interest spread for the first quarters of fiscal 2003 and 2002 follow: ===================================================================== Three Months Ended October 31, 2002 2001 ===================================================================== Net yield of finance receivables 9.6% 10.3% Weighted average cost of borrowed funds 4.5 5.4 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Net interest spread 5.1% 4.9% ===================================================================== The increase in the net interest spread resulted from lower market interest rates. At October 31, 2002, market interest rates were at their lowest levels in over forty years and declined further in November 2002. The net interest spread may increase in the remaining quarters of fiscal 2003 primarily due to the 40-50 basis point (0.40%-0.50%) decline in market interest rates in November 2002 and the scheduled repayment, over the next seven months, of $123.0 million of term debt bearing fixed rates of interest above current market rates. This will be partially offset by new finance receivables originated at current rates that are lower than the rates on finance receivables being collected. The Company monitors and manages its exposure to market interest rate fluctuations through risk management procedures that may include using certain derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps and changing the proportion of its fixed rate term debt versus its floating rate and short term debt. The Company may use certain derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to interest rate risk on certain debt obligations. The Company does not use derivatives for speculation and the Company does not trade derivatives. The Company did not have any derivatives at October 31, 2002, although the Company may enter into interest rate swaps and locks and other derivative financial instruments in the future. At October 31, 2002, $1.336 billion, or 93%, of finance receivables were fixed rate and $102.3 million, or 7%, of finance receivables were indexed to the prime rate. Finance receivables generally have original maturities ranging from two to five years and provide for monthly installments. The Company experiences some prepayments on its finance receivables that accelerate the scheduled maturities. At October 31, 2002, $465.0 million of fixed rate finance receivables are scheduled to mature within one year and the weighted average remaining maturity of fixed rate finance receivables is 1.9 years. Fixed rate term debt of $427.5 million and stockholders' equity of $293.2 million totaled $720.7 million at October 31, 2002. Due to the significant amount of fixed rate finance receivables above this amount, the net interest spread would be affected by fluctuations in market interest rates. The Company does not match the maturities of its debt to its finance receivables. Management periodically calculates the effect on net earnings of a hypothetical, immediate 100 basis point (1.0%) increase in market interest rates. At October 31, 2002, such a hypothetical increase in rates would reduce quarterly net earnings by approximately $500,000. The calculated reduction in net earnings assumes the occurrence of an adverse change in market interest rates. Actual future changes in market interest rates may differ materially and their effect on net earnings may also differ materially due to changes in finance receivable and debt repricing structures. The calculation also does not take into account other factors that may accompany an actual immediate 100 basis point increase in market interest rates. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD On August 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." SFAS No. 4, "Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt," required gains and losses from extinguishment of debt to be classified as an extraordinary item. As a result of the rescission of SFAS No. 4, the $1.7 million loss that the Company incurred on the redemption of its convertible notes in August 2002 has been reported as a separate item included in operating income instead of an extraordinary item net of income taxes. 15 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this document may include the words or phrases "can be," "expects," "may," "may affect," "may depend," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "could," "should," "would," "if" and similar words and phrases that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties and the Company cautions you that any forward-looking information provided by or on its behalf is not a guarantee of future performance. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including, without limitation, (i) the ability to obtain funding on acceptable terms, (ii) changes in the risks inherent in the Company's receivables portfolio and the adequacy of the Company's reserves, (iii) changes in market interest rates, (iv) changes in economic, financial, and market conditions, (v) changes in competitive conditions and (vi) the loss of key executives or personnel. Forward-looking statements apply only as of the date made and the Company is not required to update forward-looking statements for subsequent or unanticipated events or circumstances. Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES a. Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have conducted an evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14 (c) and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) within 90 days of the date of this report and each has concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. b. Changes in internal controls. There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. PART II Item 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES On August 16, 2002, $35.0 million of the Company's convertible notes were converted into 1.16 million shares of the Company's common stock at the stated conversion price of $30.15625 per share and the remaining $56.2 million of convertible notes were repaid. Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits: Page No. 99.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, dated December 9, 2002 20 (b) Reports on Form 8-K: None 16 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. FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION (Registrant) By: /s/ Steven F. Groth ------------------------------ Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) By: /s/ David H. Hamm ------------------------------ Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) December 9, 2002 ---------------- (Date) 17 CERTIFICATIONS CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER I, Paul R. Sinsheimer, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Financial Federal Corporation; 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 we 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 function): 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 or not 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: December 9, 2002 ---------------- /s/ Paul R. Sinsheimer ------------------------------------- Paul R. Sinsheimer Chief Executive Officer and President 18 CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER I, Steven F. Groth, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Financial Federal Corporation; 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 we 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 function): 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 or not 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: December 9, 2002 ---------------- /s/ Steven F. Groth ---------------------------------- Steven F. Groth Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President 19