================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2009 OR [ ] 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 001-14237 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Nevada 88-0244792 (State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 733 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017 (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (212) 599-8000 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ] Indicate by check mark whether each registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [ ] No [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer [X] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [ ] Smaller reporting company [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [ ] No [X] The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock on June 1, 2009 was 25,876,654. ================================================================================ FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 30, 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I - Financial Information Page No. --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- Item 1. Financial Statements: Consolidated Balance Sheets at April 30, 2009 (unaudited) and July 31, 2008 (audited) 1 Consolidated Income Statements for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited) 2 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited) 3 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited) 4 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 5-11 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 12-22 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 22 Item 4. Controls and Procedures 22 Part II - Other Information --------------------------------------------------------------------- Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 23 Item 5. Other Information 23 Item 6. Exhibits 23 Signatures 24 PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except par value) =========================================================================================== April 30, 2009* July 31, 2008 =========================================================================================== ASSETS Finance receivables $1,679,811 $1,940,792 Allowance for credit losses (24,899) (24,769) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finance receivables - net 1,654,912 1,916,023 Cash 7,451 8,232 Other assets 20,476 18,613 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL ASSETS $1,682,839 $1,942,868 =========================================================================================== LIABILITIES Debt: Long-term ($5,400 at April 30, 2009 and $1,400 at July 31, 2008 owed to related parties) $1,089,000 $1,189,000 Short-term 109,000 278,000 Accrued interest, taxes and other liabilities 40,895 60,996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities 1,238,895 1,527,996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Preferred stock - $1 par value, authorized 5,000 shares -- -- Common stock - $.50 par value, authorized 100,000 shares, shares issued and outstanding (net of 1,696 treasury shares): 25,867 at April 30, 2009 and 25,673 at July 31, 2008 12,933 12,836 Additional paid-in capital 145,500 139,490 Retained earnings 287,635 265,026 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,124) (2,480) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total stockholders' equity 443,944 414,872 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $1,682,839 $1,942,868 =========================================================================================== * Unaudited See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 1 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS * (In thousands, except per share amounts) ============================================================================================ Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended April 30, April 30, ----------------------------------------- 2009 2008 2009 2008 ============================================================================================ Finance income $ 37,587 $ 46,361 $121,193 $144,665 Interest expense 11,424 17,239 39,742 59,847 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net finance income before provision for credit losses on finance receivables 26,163 29,122 81,451 84,818 Provision for credit losses on finance receivables 2,000 1,500 5,500 2,700 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net finance income 24,163 27,622 75,951 82,118 Gain on debt retirement -- -- 1,588 -- Salaries and other expenses (7,338) (6,922) (21,744) (20,283) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before provision for income taxes 16,825 20,700 55,795 61,835 Provision for income taxes 6,520 8,008 21,513 23,893 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET INCOME $ 10,305 $ 12,692 $ 34,282 $ 37,942 ============================================================================================ EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: Diluted $ 0.41 $ 0.51 $ 1.37 $ 1.52 ============================================================================================ Basic $ 0.42 $ 0.52 $ 1.39 $ 1.55 ============================================================================================ * Unaudited See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 2 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY * (In thousands) ======================================================================================================= Accumulated Common Stock Additional Other ----------------- Paid-In Retained Comprehensive Shares Amount Capital Earnings Loss Total ======================================================================================================= BALANCE - JULY 31, 2007 25,760 $12,880 $129,167 $244,646 $ 1,060 $387,753 Net income -- -- -- 37,942 -- 37,942 Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge, after $(2,291) of tax -- -- -- -- (3,624) (3,624) Reclassification of realized gain in net income, after $(24) of tax -- -- -- -- (36) (36) -------- Comprehensive income 34,282 -------- Stock repurchased (retired) (713) (357) (3,782) (14,317) -- (18,456) Stock plan activity: Shares issued 453 227 2,724 -- -- 2,951 Compensation recognized -- -- 5,907 -- -- 5,907 Excess tax benefits -- -- 257 -- -- 257 Common stock cash dividends -- -- -- (11,542) -- (11,542) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCE - APRIL 30, 2008 25,500 $12,750 $134,273 $256,729 $(2,600) $401,152 ======================================================================================================= ======================================================================================================= Accumulated Common Stock Additional Other ----------------- Paid-In Retained Comprehensive Shares Amount Capital Earnings Loss Total ======================================================================================================= BALANCE - JULY 31, 2008 25,673 $12,836 $139,490 $265,026 $(2,480) $414,872 Net income -- -- -- 34,282 -- 34,282 Reclassification of realized net loss in net income, after $224 of tax -- -- -- -- 356 356 -------- Comprehensive income 34,638 -------- Stock repurchased (retired) (37) (18) (722) (36) -- (776) Stock plan activity: Shares issued 231 115 435 -- -- 550 Compensation recognized -- -- 6,278 -- -- 6,278 Excess tax benefits -- -- 19 -- -- 19 Common stock cash dividends -- -- -- (11,637) -- (11,637) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BALANCE - APRIL 30, 2009 25,867 $12,933 $145,500 $287,635 $(2,124) $443,944 ======================================================================================================= * Unaudited See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 3 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS * (In thousands) ============================================================================================ Nine Months Ended April 30, 2009 2008 ============================================================================================ Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 34,282 $ 37,942 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Amortization of deferred origination costs and fees 12,406 13,411 Stock-based compensation 3,739 3,593 Provision for credit losses on finance receivables 5,500 2,700 Depreciation and amortization 1,121 527 Gain on debt retirement (1,588) -- Increase in other assets (148) (5,612) Decrease in accrued interest, taxes and other liabilities (20,306) (11,461) Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards (19) (257) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 34,987 40,843 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from investing activities: Finance receivables originated (427,825) (715,474) Finance receivables collected and repossessed assets sales proceeds 671,244 819,462 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash provided by investing activities 243,419 103,988 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash flows from financing activities: Bank borrowings, net (decrease) increase (26,000) 126,550 Commercial paper, net decrease (16,000) (222,800) Repayments of term asset securitization borrowings (52,000) -- Repayments of convertible debentures (173,343) -- Proceeds from term notes -- 75,000 Repayments of term notes -- (85,750) Payments for settlement of interest rate locks -- (5,915) Proceeds from stock option exercises 505 2,906 Common stock issued 45 45 Common stock cash dividends (11,637) (11,542) Common stock repurchased (776) (18,456) Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards 19 257 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net cash used in financing activities (279,187) (139,705) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH (781) 5,126 Cash - beginning of period 8,232 5,861 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH - END OF PERIOD $ 7,451 $ 10,987 ============================================================================================ * Unaudited See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 4 FINANCIAL FEDERAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Financial Federal Corporation ("FFC") is a holding company operating primarily through one subsidiary to provide collateralized lending, financing and leasing services nationwide to small and medium sized businesses in the general construction, road and infrastructure construction and repair, road transportation and refuse industries. We lend against, finance and lease a wide range of new and used revenue-producing, essential-use equipment including cranes, earthmovers, personnel lifts, trailers and trucks. Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation We prepared the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements according to the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and regulations. These rules and regulations permit condensing or omitting certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared according to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The July 31, 2008 Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. However, we believe the disclosures are sufficient to make the information presented not misleading. These Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes should be read with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008. In our opinion, the Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2009 may not be indicative of full year results. Use of Estimates GAAP requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions to record the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes for the allowance for credit losses, non-performing assets, residual values, income taxes and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from these estimates significantly. New Accounting Standards Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("SFAS No. 157") and SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" became effective for us on August 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value (replacing all prior definitions) and creates a framework to measure fair value, but does not create any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specified election dates and to report unrealized gains and losses on these items in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. We did not choose to measure any financial instruments or other items at fair value. The only items we measure at fair value are impaired finance receivables and assets received to satisfy finance receivables (repossessed equipment, included in other assets). We were required to measure these items at fair value before these statements took effect and these statements did not change how we determine their fair value materially. Therefore, these statements did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The FASB issued Staff Position ("FSP") EITF 03-6-1, "Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities", in June 2008. Securities participating in dividends with common stock according to a formula are participating securities. This FSP determined unvested shares of restricted stock and stock units with nonforfeitable dividend rights meet the definition of participating securities. Participating securities require the "two-class" method to calculate basic earnings per share. This method lowers basic earnings per common share. This FSP takes effect in the first quarter of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. It will take effect for us on August 1, 2009. We have 1,273,000 unvested shares of restricted stock and stock units with nonforfeitable rights to dividends. Based on this amount, our current dividend rate and number of shares of common stock outstanding, we estimate 5 applying this FSP would reduce annual basic earnings per common share by $0.08. This FSP will not affect diluted earnings per share or net income. The FASB issued FSP APB 14-1, "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlements)", in May 2008. This FSP requires a portion of this type of convertible debt to be recorded as equity and interest expense to be recorded on the debt portion at a rate that would have been charged on non-convertible debt with the same terms. This FSP takes effect in the first quarter of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and will be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. It will take effect for us on August 1, 2009. This FSP will apply to our 2.0% convertible debentures retrospectively for fiscal 2009 and 2008 but will not affect our consolidated financial statements for periods after April 30, 2009 because the convertible debentures were repaid in April 2009. We determined we would have been charged 4.2% on five-year non-convertible term debt when we issued the convertible debentures in April 2004. As a result, $6,200 of the convertible debentures net of $2,200 of deferred income taxes will be reclassified as equity as of August 1, 2007 (the beginning of the earliest fiscal period to be presented after the FSP takes effect). We will record the $6,200 reclassified amount as additional interest expense during the period from August 1, 2007 to April 14, 2009 (the last day interest was due on the debentures) using the interest method. Therefore, net income for fiscal 2009 and 2008 presented in future consolidated financial statements will be lower than the amounts reported previously. 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 interest rates, and direct financing leases as follows: ======================================================================= April 30, 2009 July 31, 2008 ======================================================================= Loans: Fixed rate $1,387,557 $1,592,839 Floating rate (indexed to the prime rate) 142,533 168,793 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Total loans 1,530,090 1,761,632 Direct financing leases * 149,721 179,160 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Finance receivables $1,679,811 $1,940,792 ======================================================================= * includes residual values of $35,600 at April 30, 2009 and $42,300 at July 31, 2008 Line of credit arrangements contain off-balance sheet risk and are subject to the same credit policies and procedures as other finance receivables. The unused amount of these commitments was $19,300 at April 30, 2009 and $21,600 at July 31, 2008. Allowance for credit losses activity is summarized below: ========================================================================= Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended April 30, April 30, -------------------------------------- 2009 2008 2009 2008 ========================================================================= Allowance - beginning of period $24,846 $24,133 $24,769 $23,992 Provision 2,000 1,500 5,500 2,700 Write-downs (2,654) (1,737) (7,256) (4,061) Recoveries 707 781 1,886 2,046 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Allowance - end of period $24,899 $24,677 $24,899 $24,677 ========================================================================= Percentage of finance receivables 1.48% 1.23% 1.48% 1.23% ========================================================================= Net charge-offs * $ 1,947 $ 956 $ 5,370 $ 2,015 ========================================================================= Loss ratio ** 0.45% 0.19% 0.39% 0.13% ========================================================================= * write-downs less recoveries ** net charge-offs over average finance receivables, annualized 6 Non-performing assets comprise impaired finance receivables and assets received to satisfy finance receivables as follows: ======================================================================= April 30, 2009 July 31, 2008 ======================================================================= Impaired finance receivables $46,415 $33,542 Assets received to satisfy finance receivables 15,507 13,182 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-performing assets $61,922 $46,724 ======================================================================= The allowance for credit losses included $1,100 at April 30, 2009 and $900 at July 31, 2008 specifically allocated to $12,200 and $9,400 of impaired finance receivables, respectively. We did not recognize any income in the nine months ended April 30, 2009 or 2008 on impaired receivables before collecting our net investment. We repossessed assets to satisfy $36,900 and $26,700 of finance receivables in the nine months ended April 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We recorded $16,000 of impaired finance receivables based on the fair value of the collateral and $4,000 of assets received to satisfy finance receivables at fair value at April 30, 2009. We measured fair value using significant other observable inputs (Level 2); primarily quoted prices in active markets for identical or similar assets adjusted for their condition. NOTE 3 - DEBT Debt is summarized below: ======================================================================= April 30, 2009 July 31, 2008 ======================================================================= Fixed rate term notes: 4.31% - 4.60% due 2013 $ 75,000 $ 75,000 4.96% - 5.00% due 2010 - 2011 275,000 275,000 5.45% - 5.57% due 2011 - 2014 325,000 325,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Total fixed rate term notes 675,000 675,000 Asset securitization borrowings - term 117,000 169,000 2.0% convertible debentures due 2034 -- 175,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Total term debt 792,000 1,019,000 Bank borrowings 343,000 369,000 Commercial paper 63,000 79,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Total debt $1,198,000 $1,467,000 ======================================================================= Convertible Debentures All holders of the $132,700 of 2.0% convertible debentures outstanding exercised their first five-year put option requiring us to repay the debentures at their principal amount in April 2009. We previously purchased $42,300 of the debentures in the open market under our common stock and convertible debt repurchase program in November 2008 and January 2009 for $40,643 resulting in a $1,588 debt retirement gain (net of $69 of unamortized deferred debt issuance costs). Asset Securitization Borrowings We obtained a new $100,000 asset securitization facility and we obtained a two-month extension on our $325,000 asset securitization facility in April 2009. The $325,000 facility now expires in June 2009 and the $100,000 facility expires in April 2010. The facilities provide for committed revolving financing during their term and we can convert borrowings outstanding into amortizing term debt if they are not renewed. The amortizing term debt would be repaid monthly from collections of securitized receivables and would be repaid substantially within two years. The full amount of the facilities was unused and available for us to borrow at April 30, 2009. We converted $200,000 of revolving asset securitization borrowings into amortizing term debt in fiscal 2008. This lowered the amount of the facility to the current amount of $325,000. We are repaying the remaining $117,000 of these term borrowings monthly from collections of securitized receivables. The monthly repayment amounts vary based on the amount of securitized receivables collected and the amount borrowed under the $325,000 facility, and would increase if we borrow under this facility or convert this facility into amortizing term debt upon nonrenewal. The term debt will be repaid substantially in two years based on the amount of securitized receivables at April 30, 2009 and not borrowing under this facility. 7 Finance receivables included $210,000 of securitized receivables at April 30, 2009 and $410,000 at July 31, 2008. The amount of receivables we can securitize is limited to 40% of our major operating subsidiary's receivables because of restrictions in its other debt agreements. This limit was $660,000 at April 30, 2009. Borrowings under these facilities and the amortizing term debt are limited to 92% of eligible securitized receivables and are without recourse. Securitized receivables classified as impaired or with terms outside of defined limits are ineligible to be borrowed against. These facilities also restrict the amount of net charge-offs of securitized receivables and the amount of delinquent receivables. These facilities would terminate if these restrictions are exceeded, and borrowings outstanding would then be repaid monthly from collections of securitized receivables. Bank Borrowings We have $455,000 of committed unsecured revolving credit facilities from ten banks with $95,000 expiring within one year and $360,000 expiring between September 2010 and February 2013, and $112,000 of these facilities was unused and available for us to borrow at April 30, 2009. Borrowings under these facilities can mature between 1 and 270 days and their interest rates are based on domestic money market rates or LIBOR. Borrowings outstanding at April 30, 2009 matured in May 2009, were reborrowed and remain outstanding. We incur a fee on the unused portion of the facilities. We renewed a $30,000 two-year facility for another two years in September 2008 and a $25,000 one-year facility expired in March 2009. Other All of our debt and credit facilities were obtained through our major operating subsidiary except for the 2.0% convertible debentures (issued by FFC). The subsidiary's debt agreements and facilities have restrictive covenants limiting the subsidiary's indebtedness, encumbrances, investments, sales of assets, mergers and other business combinations, capital expenditures, interest coverage, net worth and dividends and other distributions to FFC. The subsidiary complied with all debt covenants and restrictions at April 30, 2009. None of the agreements or facilities has a material adverse change clause and all of our debt is senior. Long-term debt comprised the following: ======================================================================= April 30, 2009 July 31, 2008 ======================================================================= Term notes $ 662,500 $ 675,000 Bank borrowings and commercial paper supported by bank credit facilities expiring after one year 360,000 410,000 Asset securitization borrowings - term 66,500 104,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Total long-term debt $1,089,000 $1,189,000 ======================================================================= NOTE 4 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY We received 37,000 shares of common stock from employees at an average price of $21.00 per share for the payment of $776 of income tax due on vested shares of restricted stock in the nine months ended April 30, 2009. We increased the amount authorized for repurchases under our common stock and convertible debt repurchase program by $35,282 in January 2009 and by $23,251 in September 2008, and $43,862 remained authorized for future repurchases at April 30, 2009. We established the program in fiscal 2007 and it does not have an expiration date. We paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.45 per share in the nine months ended April 30, 2009. In June 2009, we declared a $0.15 per share quarterly cash dividend payable in July 2009. 8 NOTE 5 - STOCK PLANS We have two stockholder approved stock plans; the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan") and the Amended and Restated 2001 Management Incentive Plan (the "Amended MIP"). The 2006 Plan provides for the issuance of 2,500,000 shares of restricted stock, non-qualified or incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock units and common stock to officers, other employees and directors with annual participant limits, and expires in December 2016. Awards may be performance-based. The exercise price of stock options cannot be less than the fair market value of our common stock when granted and their term is limited to ten years. There were 1,678,000 shares available for future grants under the 2006 Plan at April 30, 2009. The Amended MIP provides for the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of restricted stock, with an annual participant limit of 200,000 shares, and awards of performance-based cash or stock bonuses to our CEO and other selected officers. The Amended MIP expires in December 2011. There were 625,000 shares available for future grants under the Amended MIP at April 30, 2009. We also have a Supplemental Retirement Benefit ("SERP") for our CEO. We awarded 150,000 stock units in fiscal 2002 vesting annually in equal amounts over eight years. Subject to forfeiture, our CEO will receive shares of common stock equal to the number of stock units vested when our CEO retires after attaining age 62 and 131,000 units were vested at April 30, 2009. We awarded 55,000 restricted stock units to executive officers under the 2006 Plan in March 2009 vesting six months after the officer's service terminates after (i) the officer attains age 62 or (ii) August 2026 if earlier (twelve-year average). Unvested units are subject to forfeiture and a portion (based on the percentage of the vesting period elapsed) of the units would vest earlier upon certain qualifying employment terminations. Each unit represents the right to receive one share of common stock and the executives receive dividend equivalent payments when we pay dividends on our common stock. We also awarded 55,000 shares of restricted stock to other officers vesting annually in equal amounts over five years and we granted 15,000 non-qualified stock options to employees with a five-year term vesting 25% after one, two, three and four years. In October 2008, we awarded 100,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock to executive officers under the 2006 Plan vesting 25% after two, three, four and five years, and 50,000 shares of performance-based restricted stock to our CEO under the Amended MIP vesting in October 2013. These shares would be forfeited if the performance condition, based on diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2009, is not met. We awarded 10,000 restricted stock units under the 2006 Plan to non-employee directors in December 2008. The units vest in one year or earlier upon the sale of the Company or the director's death or disability. Unvested units are subject to forfeiture. Each unit represents the right to receive one share of common stock. Vested units will convert into shares of common stock when the director's service terminates. The directors also held 30,000 vested restricted stock units at April 30, 2009. The directors receive dividend equivalent payments on all units. We issued 2,000 shares of common stock under the 2006 Plan in December 2008 as payment of annual director retainer fees at a director's election. The price of our common stock on the date we issued these shares was $22.38. Shares of restricted stock, stock units and stock options are the only incentive compensation we provide (other than a cash bonus for the CEO) and we believe these stock-based awards further align employees' and directors' interests with those of our stockholders. We do not have a policy to repurchase shares in the open market, and we issue new shares, when we award shares of restricted stock or when options are exercised. Restricted stock activity for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 is summarized below (shares in thousands): ======================================================================= Weighted-Average Shares Grant-Date Fair Value ======================================================================= Unvested - August 1, 2008 1,176 $26.20 Granted 205 19.14 Vested (180) 22.15 Forfeited (12) 26.62 ------------------------------------------- Unvested - April 30, 2009 1,189 25.59 ======================================================================= 9 Information on shares of restricted stock that vested follows (in thousands, except intrinsic value per share): ======================================================================= Nine Months Ended April 30, 2009 2008 ======================================================================= Number of shares vested 180 167 Total intrinsic value * $3,700 $3,400 Intrinsic value per share 20.56 20.36 Excess tax benefits (tax shortfall) realized 19 (43) ======================================================================= * shares vested multiplied by the closing prices of our common stock on the dates vested Stock unit activity and related information for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 are summarized below (stock units in thousands): ======================================================================= Weighted-Average Units Grant-Date Fair Value ======================================================================= Outstanding - August 1, 2008 207 $23.71 Granted 65 18.47 Converted into common stock -- -- ------------------------------------------- Outstanding - April 30, 2009 272 22.46 ======================================================================= Vested - April 30, 2009 188 $23.68 ======================================================================= Stock option activity and related information for the nine months ended April 30, 2009 are summarized below (options and intrinsic value in thousands): ======================================================================= Weighted-Average ---------------------- Exercise Remaining Intrinsic Options Price Term (years) Value* ======================================================================= Outstanding - August 1, 2008 892 $24.31 Granted 20 19.15 Exercised (24) 21.24 Expired unexercised (94) 25.01 Forfeited (25) 22.65 ------------------------------------ Outstanding - April 30, 2009 769 24.25 1.8 $1,100 ====================================================================== Exercisable - April 30, 2009 578 $24.06 1.3 $ 900 ====================================================================== * number of in-the-money options multiplied by the difference between their average exercise price and the $24.61 closing price of our common stock on April 30, 2009 Information on stock option exercises follows (in thousands, except intrinsic value per option): ======================================================================= Nine Months Ended April 30, 2009 2008 ======================================================================= Number of options exercised 24 158 Total intrinsic value * $ 77 $1,300 Intrinsic value per option 3.20 8.23 Excess tax benefits realized -- 300 ======================================================================= * options exercised multiplied by the difference between their exercise prices and the closing prices of our common stock on the exercise dates Future compensation expense (before deferral) for stock-based awards unvested at April 30, 2009 and expected to vest, and the average expense recognition periods follow: ======================================================================= Expense Weighted-Average Years ======================================================================= Restricted stock $17,600 5.2 Stock units 1,000 7.0 Stock options 700 2.0 -------------------------------------- Total $19,300 5.2 ======================================================================= 10 Compensation recorded, deferred, included in salaries and other expenses, and tax benefits recorded for stock-based awards follow: ========================================================================= Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended April 30, April 30, -------------------------------------- 2009 2008 2009 2008 ========================================================================= Total stock-based compensation $2,111 $1,946 $6,278 $5,907 Deferred stock-based compensation 841 793 2,539 2,314 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net stock-based compensation in salaries and other expenses $1,270 $1,153 $3,739 $3,593 ========================================================================= Tax benefits $ 464 $ 429 $1,362 $1,326 ========================================================================= NOTE 6 - EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Earnings per common share ("EPS") was calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): ========================================================================= Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended April 30, April 30, -------------------------------------- 2009 2008 2009 2008 ========================================================================= Net income $10,305 $12,692 $34,282 $37,942 ========================================================================= Weighted-average common shares outstanding (used for basic EPS) 24,724 24,359 24,623 24,459 Effect of dilutive securities: Shares of restricted stock and stock units 433 284 434 335 Stock options 10 46 9 94 Shares issuable from convertible debt -- -- -- 59 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted weighted-average common shares outstanding (used for diluted EPS) 25,167 24,689 25,066 24,947 ========================================================================= Net income per common share: Diluted $ 0.41 $ 0.51 $ 1.37 $ 1.52 ========================================================================= Basic $ 0.42 $ 0.52 $ 1.39 $ 1.55 ========================================================================= Antidilutive shares of restricted stock, stock units and stock options * 961 1,257 809 964 ========================================================================= * excluded from the calculation because they would have increased diluted EPS 11 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Overview Financial Federal Corporation is an independent financial services company operating in the United States through three wholly owned subsidiaries. We do not have any unconsolidated subsidiaries, partnerships or joint ventures. We also do not have any off-balance sheet assets or liabilities (other than commitments to extend credit), goodwill, other intangible assets or pension obligations, and we are not involved in income tax shelters. We have two fully consolidated special purpose entities for our on-balance-sheet asset securitization facilities. We have one line of business. We lend money under installment sale agreements, secured loans and leases (collectively referred to as "finance receivables") to small and medium sized businesses for their equipment financing needs. Finance receivable transactions generally range between $50,000 and $1.5 million, have terms between two and five years and require monthly payments. The average transaction size is approximately $250,000. We earn revenue solely from interest and other fees and amounts earned on our finance receivables. We need to borrow most of the money we lend. Therefore, liquidity (money currently available for us to borrow) is very important. We borrow from banks and insurance companies and we issue commercial paper to other investors. Approximately 70% of our finance receivables were funded with debt at April 30, 2009. Our main areas of focus are (i) asset quality (ii) liquidity (iii) net interest spread (the difference between the rates we earn on our receivables and the rates we incur on our debt) and (iv) interest rate risk. Changes in the asset quality of our finance receivables can affect our profitability significantly. Classifying receivables as impaired, incurring write-downs and incurring costs associated with non-performing assets can have an adverse affect on our finance income, provisions for credit losses and operating expenses. Changes in market interest rates can also affect our profitability significantly because interest rates on our finance receivables were 92% fixed and 8% floating, and interest rates on our debt were 56% fixed and 44% floating at April 30, 2009. We use various strategies to manage our credit risk and interest rate risk. Each of these four areas is integral to our long-term profitability and we discuss them in detail in separate sections of this discussion. Our key operating statistics are net charge-offs, loss ratio, non-performing assets, delinquencies, leverage, available liquidity, receivables growth, return on equity, net interest margin and net interest spread, and expense and efficiency ratios. Significant events We obtained a new $100.0 million asset securitization facility in April 2009. The facility provides for committed revolving financing through April 2010. We discuss this facility further in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section. We also obtained a two-month extension on our existing $325.0 million securitization facility. This facility now expires in June 2009 and we believe we will be able to renew it for another year before the extension expires. We repaid the $132.7 million of 2.0% convertible debentures in April 2009 at their principal amount because all holders chose to exercise their first five-year put option as we expected. We previously purchased $42.3 million of the debentures in the open market in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 for $40.6 million resulting in a $1.6 million debt retirement gain (net of $0.1 million of unamortized deferred debt issuance costs). It is still difficult and expensive for finance companies to obtain or renew financing because of credit market conditions. Most banks and other lenders, including all of our funding sources, remain reluctant or unable to provide or are charging prohibitively high credit spreads on new financing. Credit spread is the percentage amount lenders charge above a base market interest rate. Our cost of debt will increase considerably as we obtain or renew financing if credit spreads persist at these levels. The credit spread on our new asset securitization facility and the proposed credit spread on the asset securitization facility we expect to renew are higher than the credit spread we are currently being charged. The U.S. government has taken unprecedented, drastic steps to support credit markets and improve the flow of capital. The Federal Reserve has lowered its target Federal Funds Rate ten times since September 2007 to between 0.00% and 0.25%; the lowest level in history. This includes three decreases totaling 175 basis points during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. The government has also injected over $1.0 trillion into the financial system through several programs to prevent it from failing and to encourage lending. Our available liquidity has increased by $234.0 million to $474.0 million at April 30, 2009 from $240.0 million at July 31, 2007 (the approximate start of the credit markets crisis). The increase resulted from significantly lower receivable originations, our ability to obtain and renew financing and strong operating cash flows. Based on the amount of our available liquidity, the maturity and expiration dates of our debt and credit facilities, and receivable 12 originations and collections continuing at recent levels, we do not anticipate a need for any new financing until the third quarter of fiscal 2011. We discuss our liquidity and debt in the Liquidity and Capital resources section. In addition, our cost of debt has decreased during the crisis because (i) short-term market interest rates decreased significantly (ii) the relatively small amount of expiring credit facilities and maturing debt have limited the impact of higher credit spreads and (iii) we have $455.0 million of low-cost committed bank credit facilities without any restrictions on borrowing the full amount. Our cost of debt was 3.75% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to 5.35% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 (the quarter before the crisis started). We expect our cost of debt will increase because short-term market interest rates are at historic lows and we will be charged higher credit spreads as we renew or obtain financing. We discuss our cost of debt in the Market Interest Rate Risk and Sensitivity section. Maintaining conservative leverage and ample liquidity, having multi-year committed bank credit facilities and term debt with staggered maturities, and our approach to managing credit risk on our finance receivables (as discussed in the Finance Receivables and Asset Quality section) have been integral to our success during this difficult period. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Applying accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires judgment, assumptions and estimates to record the amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. We describe the significant accounting policies and methods we use to prepare the Consolidated Financial Statements in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008. Accounting policies involving significant judgment, assumptions and estimates are considered critical accounting policies and are discussed below. Allowance for Credit Losses The allowance for credit losses on finance receivables is our estimate of losses inherent in our finance receivables at the balance sheet date. The allowance is difficult to determine and requires significant judgment. The allowance is based on total finance receivables, net charge-off experience, impaired and delinquent finance receivables and our current assessment of the risks inherent in our finance receivables from national and regional economic conditions, industry conditions, concentrations, the financial condition of customers and guarantors, collateral values and other factors. We may need to change the allowance level significantly if unexpected changes in these conditions or factors occur. Increases in the allowance would reduce net income through higher provisions for credit losses. We would need to record a $1.7 million provision for each 0.10% required increase in the allowance. The allowance was $24.9 million (1.48% of finance receivables) at April 30, 2009 including $1.1 million specifically allocated to impaired receivables. The allowance includes amounts specifically allocated to impaired receivables and an amount to provide for losses inherent in finance receivables not impaired (the "general allowance"). We evaluate the fair values of impaired receivables and compare them to the carrying amounts. The carrying amount is the amount receivables are recorded at when we evaluate them and may include prior write-downs or a specific allowance. If our fair value estimate is lower than the carrying amount, we record a write-down or establish a specific allowance depending on (i) how we determined fair value (ii) how certain we are of our fair value estimate and (iii) the level and type of factors and items other than the primary collateral supporting our fair value estimate, such as guarantees and secondary collateral. We do not have a fixed formula or a pre-determined period of past due status to record write-downs or specific reserves and we do not write-off our entire net investment because our receivables are secured by collateral that retains value and we do not lend to consumers. To estimate the general allowance, we analyze historical write-down activity to develop percentage loss ranges by risk profile. Risk profiles are assigned to receivables based on past due status and the customers' industry. We do not use a loan grading system. We then adjust the calculated range of losses for expected recoveries and differences between current and historical loss trends and other factors to arrive at the estimated allowance. We record a provision for credit losses if the recorded allowance differs from our current estimate. The adjusted calculated range of losses may differ from actual losses significantly because we use significant estimates. Non-Performing Assets We record impaired finance receivables and repossessed equipment (assets received to satisfy receivables) at their current estimated fair value (if less than their carrying amount). We estimate fair value of these non-performing assets by evaluating the market value and condition of the collateral or assets and the expected cash flows of impaired receivables. We evaluate market value based on recent sales of similar equipment, used equipment publications, our market knowledge and information from equipment vendors. Unexpected adverse changes in or incorrect estimates of expected cash flows, market value or the 13 condition of collateral or assets, or time needed to sell equipment would require us to record a write-down. This would lower net income. Non-performing assets totaled $61.9 million (3.7% of finance receivables) at April 30, 2009. Residual Values We record residual values on 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) our projection of the equipment's fair value at the end of the lease. We may not realize the full amount of recorded residual values because of unexpected adverse changes in or incorrect projections of future equipment values. This would lower net income. Residual values totaled $35.6 million (2.1% of finance receivables) at April 30, 2009. Historically, we have realized recorded residual values on disposition. Income Taxes We record a liability for uncertain income tax positions by (i) identifying the uncertain tax positions we take on our income tax returns (ii) determining if these positions would more likely than not be allowed by a taxing authority and (iii) estimating the amount of tax benefit to record if these tax positions pass the more-likely-than-not test. Therefore, we record a liability for tax benefits from positions failing the test and from positions where the full amount of the tax benefits are not expected to be realized. Identifying uncertain tax positions, determining if they pass the test and determining the liability to record requires significant judgment because tax laws are complicated and subject to interpretation, and because we have to assess the likely outcome of hypothetical challenges to these positions by taxing authorities. Actual outcomes of these uncertain tax positions differing from our assessments significantly and taxing authorities examining positions we did not consider uncertain could require us to record additional income tax expense including interest and penalties. This would lower net income. The gross liability recorded for uncertain tax positions was $1.2 million at July 31, 2008 and we do not expect this amount to change in fiscal 2009 significantly. Stock-Based Compensation We record compensation expense only for stock-based awards expected to vest. Therefore, we must estimate expected forfeitures of stock awards. This requires significant judgment and an analysis of historical data. We would need to record more compensation expense for stock awards if expected forfeitures exceed actual forfeitures. Our average expected annual rate of forfeitures on all stock awards was 2.3% at April 30, 2009 resulting in 0.2 million stock awards expected to be forfeited. Results of Operations Comparison of three months ended April 30, 2009 to three months ended April 30, 2008 ======================================================================== Three Months Ended April 30, ($ in millions, except per ------------------ share amounts) 2009 2008 $ Change % Change ======================================================================== Finance income $37.6 $46.3 $ (8.7) (19)% Interest expense 11.4 17.2 (5.8) (34) Net finance income before provision for credit losses 26.2 29.1 (2.9) (10) Provision for credit losses 2.0 1.5 0.5 33 Salaries and other expenses 7.4 6.9 0.5 6 Provision for income taxes 6.5 8.0 (1.5) (19) Net income 10.3 12.7 (2.4) (19) Diluted earnings per share 0.41 0.51 (0.10) (20) Basic earnings per share 0.42 0.52 (0.10) (19) Return-on-equity 9.6% 13.0% ======================================================================== Net income decreased by 19% to $10.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 from $12.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 because the effects of the 15% decrease in average receivables and higher non-performing assets exceeded the effects of lower short-term market interest rates. Finance income decreased by 19% to $37.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 from $46.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 because (i) average finance receivables decreased 15% ($300.0 million) to $1.75 billion from $2.05 billion (ii) the yield on finance receivables decreased to 8.82% from 9.21% mostly due to the prime rate averaging 240 basis points (2.40%) lower and, 14 to a lesser extent, (iii) higher impaired (non-accrual) receivables. Changes in the prime rate affect the yield on receivables because 8% of our receivables are floating rate and indexed to prime. Interest expense (incurred on debt used to fund finance receivables) decreased by 34% to $11.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 from $17.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 because our average debt decreased 21% ($327.0 million) and our cost of debt decreased to 3.75% from 4.44%. Lower short-term market interest rates caused the decrease in our cost of debt because the interest rates on over 40% of our debt were indexed to short-term market interest rates. We discuss this in the Market Interest Rate Risk and Sensitivity section. Net finance income before provision for credit losses on finance receivables decreased to $26.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 from $29.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Net interest margin (net finance income before provision for credit losses expressed as an annualized percentage of average finance receivables) increased to 6.14% from 5.79% because of lower short-term market interest rates. The provision for credit losses on finance receivables was $2.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 and $1.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The provision for credit losses is the amount needed to change the allowance for credit losses to our estimate of losses inherent in finance receivables. Net charge-offs (write-downs of finance receivables less recoveries) increased to $1.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 from $1.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, and the loss ratio (net charge-offs expressed as an annualized percentage of average finance receivables) increased to 0.45% from 0.19%. Net charge-offs have been increasing because of higher non-performing assets, worsening economic conditions and declining collateral values. We discuss the allowance and net charge-offs further in the Finance Receivables and Asset Quality section. Salaries and other expenses increased by 6% to $7.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 from $6.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008 because we deferred a lower percentage of salary costs due to the decrease in receivables originated. The expense ratio (salaries and other expenses expressed as an annualized percentage of average finance receivables) worsened to 1.72% from 1.38% because expenses increased and receivables decreased. The efficiency ratio (expense ratio expressed as a percentage of net interest margin) worsened to 28.0% from 23.7% because expenses increased and net finance income before provision for credit losses decreased. Diluted earnings per share decreased by 20% to $0.41 in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 from $0.51 in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, and basic earnings per share decreased by 19% to $0.42 from $0.52 because of the decrease in net income. Comparison of nine months ended April 30, 2009 to nine months ended April 30, 2008 ======================================================================== Nine Months Ended April 30, ($ in millions, except per ----------------- share amounts) 2009 2008 $ Change % Change ======================================================================== Finance income $121.2 $144.7 $(23.5) (16)% Interest expense 39.7 59.9 (20.2) (34) Net finance income before provision for credit losses 81.5 84.8 (3.3) (4) Provision for credit losses 5.5 2.7 2.8 104 Gain on debt retirement 1.6 -- 1.6 100 Salaries and other expenses 21.8 20.3 1.5 7 Provision for income taxes 21.5 23.9 (2.4) (10) Net income 34.3 37.9 (3.6) (10) Diluted earnings per share 1.37 1.52 (0.15) (10) Basic earnings per share 1.39 1.55 (0.16) (10) Return-on-equity 10.7% 12.8% Excluding the debt retirement gain: ----------------------------------- Net income $ 33.3 $ 37.9 $ (4.6) (12)% Diluted earnings per share 1.33 1.52 (0.19) (13) Basic earnings per share 1.35 1.55 (0.20) (13) Return-on-equity 10.3% 12.8% ======================================================================== 15 Net income decreased by 10% to $34.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 from $37.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Without the $1.0 million after-tax debt retirement gain, net income decreased by 12%. Net income without the after-tax debt gain decreased because the effects of the 12% decrease in average receivables and higher non-performing assets exceeded the effects of lower short-term market interest rates. Finance income decreased by 16% to $121.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 from $144.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 because (i) average finance receivables decreased 12% ($253.0 million) to $1.84 billion from $2.09 billion (ii) the yield on finance receivables decreased to 8.82% from 9.24% mostly due to the prime rate averaging 300 basis points (3.00%) lower and, to a lesser extent, (iii) higher impaired receivables. Interest expense decreased by 34% to $39.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 from $59.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 because our average debt decreased 17% ($272.0 million) and our cost of debt decreased to 3.95% from 4.94%. Lower short-term market interest rates caused the decrease in our cost of debt because the interest rates on over 40% of our debt were indexed to short-term market interest rates. Net finance income before provision for credit losses on finance receivables decreased to $81.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 from $84.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Net interest margin increased to 5.92% from 5.42% because of lower short-term market interest rates. The provision for credit losses on finance receivables was $5.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 and $2.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Net charge-offs increased to $5.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 from $2.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008, and the loss ratio increased to 0.39% from 0.13%. Net charge-offs have been increasing because of higher non-performing assets, worsening economic conditions and declining collateral values. Salaries and other expenses increased by 7% to $21.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 from $20.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008 because of higher non-performing asset costs and, to a lesser extent, because we deferred a lower percentage of salary costs. The expense ratio worsened to 1.58% from 1.30% because expenses increased and receivables decreased. The efficiency ratio worsened to 26.7% from 23.9% because expenses increased and net finance income before provision for credit losses decreased. Diluted earnings per share decreased by 10% to $1.37 in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 from $1.52 in the first nine months of fiscal 2008, and basic earnings per share decreased by 10% to $1.39 from $1.55 because of the decrease in net income. The $1.0 million after-tax debt retirement gain increased diluted and basic earnings per share by $0.04 in the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Without this gain, diluted and basic earnings per share each decreased by 13%. The amounts of net income, diluted and basic earnings per share and return-on-equity excluding the $1.0 million after-tax debt retirement gain are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe presenting these financial measures is useful to investors because they provide consistency and comparability with our operating results for the prior period and a better understanding of the changes and trends in our operating results. 16 Finance Receivables and Asset Quality We discuss trends and characteristics of our finance receivables and our approach to managing credit risk in this section. The key aspect is asset quality. Asset quality statistics measure our underwriting standards, skills and policies and procedures and can indicate the direction of future net charge-offs and non-performing assets. ======================================================================== April 30, July 31, ($ in millions) 2009 * 2008 * $ Change % Change ======================================================================== Finance receivables $1,679.8 $1,940.8 $(261.0) (13)% Allowance for credit losses 24.9 24.8 0.1 1 Non-performing assets 61.9 46.7 15.2 33 Delinquent finance receivables 44.7 22.9 21.8 95 Net charge-offs 5.4 2.9 2.5 88 As a percentage of receivables: ------------------------------- Allowance for credit losses 1.48% 1.28% Non-performing assets 3.69 2.41 Delinquent finance receivables 2.66 1.18 Net charge-offs (loss ratio) 0.39 0.19 ======================================================================== * as of and for the nine months ended Finance receivables comprise installment sale agreements and secured loans (collectively referred to as loans) and direct financing leases. Loans were 91% ($1.53 billion) of finance receivables and leases were 9% ($150 million) at April 30, 2009. Finance receivables decreased $261.0 million or 13% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 because of lower originations. We originated $77.0 million of finance receivables in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to $232.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, and we originated $428.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 compared to $715.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Originations have been decreasing because the recession has reduced equipment financing demand significantly and because we are approving transactions selectively to preserve asset quality. We collected $193.0 million of finance receivables and repossessions in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to $288.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, and we collected $671.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 compared to $819.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Collections decreased because of fewer prepayments and lower receivables. Our primary focus is the credit quality of our receivables. We manage our credit risk by adhering to disciplined and sound underwriting policies and procedures, by monitoring our receivables closely, by handling non-performing accounts effectively and by managing the size of our receivables portfolio. Our underwriting policies and procedures require a first lien on equipment financed. We focus on financing equipment with a remaining useful life longer than the term financed, historically low levels of technological obsolescence, use in more than one type of business, ease of access and transporting, and broad, established resale markets. Securing our receivables with equipment possessing these characteristics can mitigate potential net charge-offs. We may also obtain additional equipment or other collateral, third-party guarantees, advance payments or hold back a portion of the amount financed. We do not finance or lease aircraft or railcars, computer related equipment, telecommunications equipment or equipment located outside the United States, and we do not lend to consumers. Our underwriting policies also limit our credit exposure with any customer. The limit was $39.0 million at April 30, 2009. Our ten largest customers accounted for 7.5% ($126.0 million) of total finance receivables at April 30, 2009 compared to 6.4% ($125.0 million) at July 31, 2008. Our allowance for credit losses was $24.9 million at April 30, 2009 compared to $24.8 million at July 31, 2008, and the allowance level increased to 1.48% of finance receivables from 1.28%. The allowance is our estimate of losses inherent in our finance receivables. We determine the allowance quarterly based on our analysis of historical losses and the past due status of receivables adjusted for expected recoveries and any differences between current and historical loss trends and other factors. Our estimates of inherent losses increased during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 because of higher net charge-offs, delinquencies and non-performing assets. Net charge-offs of finance receivables (write-downs less recoveries) were $5.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 compared to $2.9 million in the last nine months of fiscal 2008 (the prior nine month period) and the loss ratios were 0.39% and 0.19%. Net charge-offs were $1.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to $2.0 million in the second 17 quarter of fiscal 2009 and the loss ratios were 0.45% and 0.44%. Net charge-offs have been increasing because the recession is having an adverse impact on our customers' cash flows and collateral values. The net investments in impaired finance receivables, repossessed equipment (assets received to satisfy receivables), total non-performing assets and delinquent finance receivables (transactions with more than a nominal portion of a contractual payment 60 or more days past due) follow ($ in millions): ========================================================================= April 30, July 31, April 30, 2009 2008 2008 ========================================================================= Impaired receivables * $46.4 $33.5 $31.7 Repossessed equipment 15.5 13.2 8.8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total non-performing assets $61.9 $46.7 $40.5 ========================================================================= Delinquent receivables $44.7 $22.9 $22.9 ========================================================================= Impaired receivables not delinquent 42% 52% 63% ========================================================================= * before specifically allocated allowance of $1.1 million at April 30, 2009, $0.9 million at July 31, 2008 and $0.8 million at April 30, 2008 We expect the trend of increases in net charge-offs, impaired and delinquent receivables and repossessed equipment to continue because of the recession and credit market conditions. This could require us to record higher provisions for credit losses. Liquidity and Capital Resources We describe our need for raising capital (debt and equity), our need to maintain a substantial amount of liquidity (money currently available for us to borrow), how we manage liquidity and our current funding sources in this section. Key indicators are leverage (the number of times debt exceeds equity), available liquidity, credit ratings and debt diversification. Our leverage is low for a finance company, we have ample liquidity available, we have been successful in issuing debt and our debt is diversified with maturities staggered over five years. We are not dependent on any of our funding sources or providers. Liquidity and access to capital are vital to our operations and growth. We need continued availability of funds to originate or acquire finance receivables and to repay debt. To ensure we have enough liquidity, we project our financing needs based on estimated receivables growth and maturing debt, we monitor capital markets closely, we diversify our funding sources and we stagger our debt maturities. Funding sources usually available to us include operating cash flow, private and public issuances of term debt, committed unsecured revolving bank credit facilities, conduit and term securitizations of finance receivables, secured term financings, dealer placed and direct issued commercial paper and sales of common and preferred equity. The external funding sources may not be available to us currently or may only be available at unfavorable terms because of credit markets conditions. However, we have $474.0 million available to borrow under our committed revolving bank and asset securitization facilities (after subtracting commercial paper outstanding) at April 30, 2009. Therefore, we do not have a current need for additional financing. We are also considering applying for a bank holding company charter. This could lead to adding FDIC insured deposits as a liquidity source. Our term notes are rated 'BBB+' by Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch", a Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization) and our commercial paper is rated 'F2' by Fitch. Fitch affirmed these investment grade ratings in March 2009 and maintained its stable outlook. As a condition of our 'F2' credit rating, commercial paper outstanding is limited to the unused amount of our committed credit facilities. Our ability to obtain or renew financing and our credit spreads can be dependent on these investment grade credit ratings. All of our debt and credit facilities were obtained through our major operating subsidiary except for the 2.0% convertible debentures (issued by FFC). The subsidiary's debt agreements and facilities have restrictive covenants limiting the subsidiary's indebtedness, encumbrances, investments, sales of assets, mergers and other business combinations, capital expenditures, interest coverage, net worth and dividends and other distributions to FFC. The subsidiary has always complied with all debt covenants and restrictions. None of the agreements or facilities has a material adverse change clause and all of our debt is senior. 18 Our leverage (debt-to-equity ratio) has decreased to 2.7 at April 30, 2009 from 3.5 at July 31, 2008 and from 4.3 at July 31, 2007 because we have remained profitable while contracting during the credit markets crisis and recession. Debt decreased by 18% ($269.0 million) to $1.20 billion from $1.47 billion during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 and stockholders' equity increased by 7% ($29.0 million) to $443.9 million from $414.9 million. This low level of leverage allows for substantial asset growth and equity distributions and repurchases. Debt comprised the following ($ in millions): ========================================================================= April 30, 2009 July 31, 2008 ------------------ ------------------ Amount Percent Amount Percent ========================================================================= Term notes $ 675.0 56% $ 675.0 46% Bank borrowings 343.0 29 369.0 25 Asset securitization borrowings - term 117.0 10 169.0 12 Commercial paper 63.0 5 79.0 5 Convertible debentures -- -- 175.0 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total debt $1,198.0 100% $1,467.0 100% ========================================================================= Term Notes We issued the term notes between fiscal 2003 and 2008. They are five and seven year fixed rate notes with principal due at maturity between April 2010 and April 2014. Their average maturity was 2.2 years at April 30, 2009. Interest is payable semiannually. Bank Credit Facilities We have $455.0 million of committed unsecured revolving credit facilities from ten banks with original terms ranging from two to five years, and $112.0 million was unused and available for us to borrow at April 30, 2009. The facilities expire between July 2009 and February 2013 with an average remaining term of 2.3 years and range from $15.0 million to $110.0 million. Borrowings under these facilities can mature between 1 and 270 days. Borrowings outstanding at April 30, 2009 matured in May 2009, were reborrowed and remain outstanding. We borrow amounts usually for one day, and also for one week or one month depending on interest rates, and roll the borrowings over when they mature depending on whether we issue or repay other debt. These committed facilities are a low-cost source of funds and support our commercial paper program. We can borrow the full amount under each facility immediately. None of the facilities are for commercial paper back-up only and the facilities do not have usage fees. These facilities might be renewed, extended or increased before they expire. We renewed a $30.0 million two-year facility for another two years in September 2008 and a $25.0 million one-year facility expired in March 2009. Asset Securitization Financings We have $425.0 million of asset securitization facilities that provide for committed revolving financing during their term and we can convert borrowings into amortizing term debt if the facilities are not renewed. The amortizing term debt would be repaid monthly from collections of securitized receivables and would be repaid substantially within two years. The full amount of the facilities was unused and available for us to borrow at April 30, 2009. We converted $200.0 million of revolving asset securitization borrowings into amortizing term debt in fiscal 2008 and are repaying the remaining $117.0 million monthly from collections of securitized receivables. The monthly repayment amounts vary based on the amount of securitized receivables collected and the amount borrowed under our $325.0 million facility, and would increase if we borrow under this facility or convert this facility into amortizing term debt upon nonrenewal. The term debt will be repaid substantially in two years based on the amount of securitized receivables at April 30, 2009 and not borrowing under this facility. Finance receivables included $210.0 million of securitized receivables at April 30, 2009 and $410.0 million at July 31, 2008. The amount of receivables we can securitize is limited to 40% of our major operating subsidiary's receivables because of restrictions in its other debt agreements. This limit was $660.0 million at April 30, 2009. Borrowings under these facilities and the amortizing term debt are limited to 92% of eligible securitized receivables and are without recourse. Securitized receivables classified as impaired or with terms outside of defined limits are 19 ineligible to be borrowed against. These facilities also restrict the amount of net charge-offs of securitized receivables and the amount of delinquent receivables. These facilities would terminate if these restrictions are exceeded, and borrowings outstanding would then be repaid monthly from collections of securitized receivables. Commercial Paper We issue commercial paper direct and through a $500.0 million dealer program with maturities between 1 and 270 days. The amount of commercial paper we could issue is limited to the lower of $500.0 million and the unused amount of our committed credit facilities ($537.0 million at April 30, 2009). There is still reduced demand for and higher credit spreads on commercial paper because of credit market conditions. As a result, our commercial paper has decreased to $63.0 million from $79.0 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 and from $289.7 million at July 31, 2007. Stockholders' Equity We increased the amount authorized under our common stock and convertible debt repurchase program by $58.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009. We also purchased $42.3 million of our convertible debentures under the program for $40.6 million and 37,000 shares of our common stock for $0.8 million, leaving $43.9 million authorized for future repurchases at April 30, 2009. We established the program in fiscal 2007 and it does not have an expiration date. Repurchases are discretionary and contingent upon many conditions. We paid $11.6 million of cash dividends and we received $0.5 million from stock option exercises in the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Market Interest Rate Risk and Sensitivity We discuss how changes in market interest rates and credit spreads affect our net interest spread and how we manage interest rate risk in this section. Net interest spread (net yield of finance receivables less cost of debt) is an integral part of a finance company's profitability and is calculated below: ======================================================================== Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended April 30, April 30, -------------------------------------- 2009 2008 2009 2008 ======================================================================== Net yield of finance receivables 8.82% 9.21% 8.82% 9.24% Cost of debt 3.75 4.44 3.95 4.94 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net interest spread 5.07% 4.77% 4.87% 4.30% ======================================================================== Our net interest spread was 30 basis points (0.30%) higher in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2008, and was 57 basis points (0.57%) higher in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2008 because decreases in market interest rates lowered our cost of debt more than they lowered the net yield on our finance receivables as explained below. Short-term market interest rates have decreased significantly since July 2007 because the Federal Reserve lowered its target Federal Funds Rate more than 500 basis points (5.00%) in response to credit market and economic conditions. Short-term LIBOR rates decreased on average 450 basis points (4.50%) with overnight LIBOR decreasing more than 500 basis points to 0.23% at April 30, 2009. Interest rates on most of our floating rate debt are indexed to short-term LIBOR rates. This is the primary reason our cost of debt decreased in the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Decreases in short-term market interest rates also lowered the net yield because the rates on our floating rate receivables are indexed to the prime rate. The prime rate also decreased by 500 basis points since July 2007. Long-term market interest rates also decreased significantly. Lower long-term market interest rates normally would decrease the cost of new fixed-rate term debt and result in lower yields on finance receivable originations, but these effects have been offset largely by significantly higher credit spreads. Our net interest spread is sensitive to changes in short and long-term market interest rates (includes LIBOR, rates on U.S. Treasury securities, money-market rates, swap rates and the prime rate). Increases in short-term rates reduce our net interest spread and decreases in short-term rates increase it because our floating rate debt (includes short-term debt) exceeds our floating rate finance receivables by a significant amount. Interest rates on our debt change faster than the yield on our receivables because 44% of our debt is floating rate compared to floating rate receivables of only 8%. 20 Credit spreads also affect our net interest spread. Changes in credit spreads affect the yield on our receivables when originated and the cost of our debt when issued. Credit spreads have increased significantly since the crisis in credit markets began. Our cost of debt will increase considerably as we obtain or renew financing if credit spreads remain high. Our net interest spread is also affected when the differences between short-term and long-term rates change. Long-term rates normally exceed short-term rates. When this excess narrows (resulting in a "flattening yield curve") or when short-term rates exceed long-term rates (an "inverted yield curve"), our net interest spread should decrease and when the yield curve widens our net interest spread should increase because the rates we charge our customers are largely determined by long-term market interest rates and rates on our floating rate debt are largely determined by short-term market interest rates. We can mitigate the effects of a flat or inverted yield curve by issuing long-term fixed rate debt. Our income is subject to the risk of rising short-term market interest rates and a flat or inverted yield curve because floating rate debt exceeded floating rate receivables by $380.5 million at April 30, 2009 (see the table below). The terms and prepayment experience of fixed rate receivables mitigate this risk. Receivables are collected monthly over short periods of two to five years with $584.0 million (38%) of fixed rate receivables scheduled to be collected in one year at April 30, 2009 and the average remaining life of fixed rate receivables excluding prepayments is approximately twenty months. Historically, annual collections have exceeded 50% of average receivables. We do not match the maturities of our debt to our receivables. We monitor and manage our exposure to potential adverse changes in market interest rates with derivative financial instruments and by changing the proportion of our fixed and floating rate debt. We may use derivatives to hedge our exposure to interest rate risk on existing debt and debt expected to be issued. We do not speculate with or trade derivatives. We had no derivatives outstanding during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. We quantify interest rate risk by calculating the effect on net income of a hypothetical, immediate 100 basis point (1.0%) rise in market interest rates. This hypothetical change in rates would reduce quarterly net income by approximately $0.3 million at April 30, 2009 based on the scheduled repricing of floating rate debt, fixed rate debt maturing within one year and the expected effects on the yield of new receivables. This amount increases to $0.6 million excluding the effects on the yield of new receivables. We believe these amounts are acceptable considering the cost of floating rate debt is lower than fixed rate debt. Actual future changes in market interest rates and their effect on net income may differ from these amounts materially. Other factors that may accompany an actual immediate 100 basis point rise in market interest rates were not considered in the calculation. These hypothetical reductions of net income at April 30, 2008 were $0.5 million and $0.9 million excluding the effects on the yield of new receivables. The impact of this hypothetical increase in rates was lower at April 30, 2009 because our floating rate debt decreased by 28% to $523.0 million from $731.0 million at April 30, 2008. The fixed and floating rate amounts and percentages of our receivables and capital at April 30, 2009 follow ($ in millions): ========================================================================== Fixed Rate Floating Rate ----------------- --------------- Amount Percent Amount Percent Total ========================================================================== Finance receivables $1,537.3 92% $142.5 8% $1,679.8 ========================================================================== Debt $ 675.0 56% $523.0 44% $1,198.0 Stockholders' equity 443.9 100 -- -- 443.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total debt and equity $1,118.9 68% $523.0 32% $1,641.9 ========================================================================== The fixed and floating rate amounts and percentages of our receivables and capital at July 31, 2008 follow ($ in millions): ========================================================================== Fixed Rate Floating Rate ----------------- --------------- Amount Percent Amount Percent Total ========================================================================== Finance receivables $1,772.0 91% $168.8 9% $1,940.8 ========================================================================== Debt $ 850.0 58% $617.0 42% $1,467.0 Stockholders' equity 414.9 100 -- -- 414.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total debt and equity $1,264.9 67% $617.0 33% $1,881.9 ========================================================================== 21 Floating rate debt comprises bank borrowings, term asset securitization borrowings and commercial paper, and reprices (interest rates change based on current short-term market interest rates) after April 30, 2009 as follows: $498.0 million (95%) in one month, $17.0 million (3%) in two to three months and $8.0 million (2%) in four to six months. Floating rate receivables only reprice when the prime rate changes. Repricing frequencies of floating rate debt follow ($ in millions): ========================================================================= Balance Repricing Frequency ========================================================================= Bank borrowings $343.0 1 to 30 days Asset securitization borrowings - term 117.0 1 to 30 days Commercial paper 63.0 1 to 180 days (40 day average) ========================================================================= New Accounting Standards Refer to Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this report containing the words or phrases "expect," "anticipate," "may," "might," "believe," "appears," "intend," "estimate," "could," "should," "would," "will," "if," "outlook," "likely," "unlikely" and other words and phrases expressing our expectations are "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements materially because they involve various assumptions and known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Information about risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially is discussed in "Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2008 and other sections of this report. Risk factors include (i) an economic slowdown (ii) the inability to collect finance receivables and the sufficiency of the allowance for credit losses (iii) the inability to obtain capital or maintain liquidity (iv) rising short-term market interest rates and adverse changes in the yield curve (v) increased competition (vi) the inability to retain key employees and (vii) adverse conditions in the construction and road transportation industries. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee our future performance and apply only as of the date made. We are not required to update or revise them for future or unanticipated events or circumstances. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk See Item 2, Market Interest Rate Risk and Sensitivity. Item 4. Controls and Procedures Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management (with our Chief Executive Officer's and Chief Financial Officer's participation) evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) at the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported timely. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of fiscal 2009 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. 22 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds Our common stock repurchase activity for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 is summarized below: ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES For the Quarter Ended April 30, 2009 ========================================================================================== (c) Total Number of (d) Maximum Number (a) Total Shares Purchased (or Approximate Dollar Number (b) Average as Part of Publicly Value) of Shares that May of Shares Price Paid Announced Plans or Yet Be Purchased Under Month Purchased per Share Programs the Plans or Programs ========================================================================================== March 2009 26,257 $19.91 26,257 $43,958,000 April 2009 3,885 24.61 3,885 43,862,000 -------------------------------------------------------------- Total 30,142 $20.52 30,142 ========================================================================================== We established a $50.0 million common stock and convertible debt repurchase program in June 2007. We increased the amount authorized by $23.2 million in September 2008 and by an additional $35.3 million in January 2009. We purchased 0.9 million shares of common stock for $24.0 million and $42.3 million of convertible debentures for $40.6 million since the inception of the program through April 30, 2009. The program does not have an expiration date. We did not sell any unregistered shares of our common stock during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Item 5. Other Information We issued a press release on June 2, 2009 reporting our results for the quarter ended April 30, 2009. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1. Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference. We issued a press release on June 2, 2009 announcing our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share on our common stock. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.2. The dividend is payable on July 10, 2009 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 19, 2009. The dividend rate is the same as the previous quarter. Item 6. Exhibits Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.1 (a) Articles of Incorporation 3.2 (b) Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation dated December 9, 1998 3.3 (c) Amended and Restated By-laws dated March 5, 2007 *10.1 ** Amendment dated March 3, 2009 to Equity Awards between the Registrant and its CEO *10.2 ** Form of Stock Unit Agreement between the Registrant and certain senior officers 31.1 ** Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer 31.2 ** Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer 32.1 ** Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer 32.2 ** Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer 99.1 ** Press release dated June 2, 2009 99.2 ** Press release dated June 2, 2009 Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to our: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-46662) filed May 28, 1992 (b) Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 1999 (c) Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2007 * management contract or compensatory plan ** filed with this report 23 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) June 4, 2009 ------------ (Date) 24