<PAGE> 1
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-QSB
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1999
Commission file number 33-98346C
BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
Iowa 42-1312639
(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
100 Second Street SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(Address of principal executive offices)
(319) 365-2506
(Issuer's telephone number)
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
--- ---
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common
equity, as of the latest practicable date: 453,154 shares of Class A common
stock as of May 10, 1999
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check one): Yes No X
--- ---
<PAGE> 2
BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C> <C>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
Balance Sheet - March 31, 1999 3
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income - three months
ended March 31, 1999 and three months ended March 31, 1998 4
Statements of Cash Flows - three months ended March 31, 1999
and three months ended March 31, 1998 5
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations. 9
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 12
Item 2. Changes in Securities 12
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 12
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 12
Item 5. Other Information 12
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 12
Signatures 13
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE> 3
BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
MARCH 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 263,474
Notes receivable 2,873,396
Net investment in direct financing leases (Note 3) 1,896,551
Allowance for possible loan and lease losses (Note 4) (329,726)
-----------
Notes receivable and direct financing leases, net 4,440,221
Equipment under operating lease, less accumulated depreciation of $70,057 87,557
Due from affiliates 92,000
Receivable from Parent under tax allocation agreement 707,055
Investments in:
Limited partnerships (Note 6) 44,394
Not readily marketable securities, at cost 238,784
Available for sale security, at fair value 1,897,628
Furniture and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $225,853 133,226
Deferred costs, less accumulated amortization of $556,149 300,138
Other assets 208,206
-----------
TOTAL $ 8,412,683
===========
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Demand note payable to Parent $ 525,000
Trade accounts payable 70,977
Due to affiliates 127,021
Accrued expenses 67,657
Lease security deposits 135,196
Deferred income taxes 195,822
Notes payable (Note 5) 57,056
Subordinated notes payable (Note 5) 2,997,866
Subordinated debenture payable to parent (Note 5) 2,000,000
-----------
Total Liabilities 6,176,595
-----------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 6)
REDEEMABLE CLASS B NONVOTING CONVERTIBLE STOCK (NOTE 7) 730,958
-----------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Series A preferred stock, no par value-authorized 125,000 shares, issued
and outstanding 125,000 shares ($1,750,000 liquidation
value, convertible into 109,375 shares of Class A common stock) 1,621,422
Class A common stock, no par value-authorized 1,000,000 shares,
issued and outstanding 452,529 shares 754,474
Common stock warrants 121,831
Accumulated deficit (1,650,341)
Unrealized gain on security available for sale, net of tax effect 657,744
-----------
Total stockholders' equity 1,505,130
-----------
TOTAL $ 8,412,683
===========
</TABLE>
3
See accompanying notes.
<PAGE> 4
BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
March 31
1999 1998
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
REVENUE:
Income from direct financing leases $ 51,807 $ 240,705
Management and acquisition fees from affiliates 198,516 229,721
Interest income 126,747 205,286
Gain on early terminations 15,631 10,679
Other revenues 19,407 21,358
--------- ---------
Total revenues 412,108 707,749
--------- ---------
EXPENSES:
Employment compensation and benefits 77,401 93,145
Management fees to affiliates 60,000 62,500
Interest expense 148,452 362,672
Provision for possible loan and lease losses 5,764 11,655
Other expenses 187,054 229,434
--------- ---------
Total expenses 478,671 759,406
--------- ---------
Loss before income taxes (66,563) (51,657)
Income tax credit (23,388) (17,563)
--------- ---------
Net loss (43,175) (34,094)
Comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on available-for-
sale security, net of tax 349,788 69,089
--------- ---------
Comprehensive income $ 306,613 $ 34,995
========= =========
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE CALCULATION:
Net loss (43,175) (34,094)
Dividends on convertible preferred stock (Note 8) (34,520) (34,521)
--------- ---------
Net loss attributable to Class A stock $ (77,695) $ (68,615)
========= =========
Basic $ (.17) $ (.17)
========= =========
Fully Diluted $ (.17) $ (.17)
========= =========
Weighted average common shares outstanding 452,529 403,900
========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
4
<PAGE> 5
BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31, 1999 MARCH 31, 1998
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Loss $ (43,175) $ (34,094)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on early termination of leases and notes (15,631) (10,679)
Depreciation of furniture and equipment 19,309 20,336
Amortization 50,032 44,136
Provision for possible loan and lease losses 5,764 11,655
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Due from affiliates (14,610) 17,872
Receivable from parent under tax allocation agreement (30,099) (17,562)
Other assets 52,614 279,536
Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance (424,053) 38,330
Trade accounts payable (30,776) 75,281
Due to affiliates 5,571 (18,622)
Accrued expenses (13,027) 9,467
----------- -----------
Net cash from operating activities (438,081) 415,656
----------- -----------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of equipment for direct financing leases (62,362) (777,000)
Repayments of direct financing leases 100,271 328,697
Repayments of notes receivable 128,555 373,213
Proceeds from sale or early termination of direct financing leases 85,723 93,847
Proceeds from early termination of notes receivable -0- 782,890
Net lease security deposits repaid (3,595) (25,992)
Purchases of furniture and equipment (735) (9,191)
----------- -----------
Net cash from investing activities 247,857 766,464
----------- -----------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net repayments of line of credit -0- (1,055,705)
Repayments of notes payable (208,086) (126,415)
Dividends paid on Series A preferred stock (35,288) -0-
----------- -----------
Net cash from financing activities (243,374) (1,182,120)
----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (433,598) -0-
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 697,072 -0-
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 263,474 $ -0-
=========== ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid $ 149,088 $ 361,900
Amortization of Class B nonvoting convertible stock issuance costs 2,006 2,007
Change in unrealized gain on security, net of tax effect 349,788 --
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
5
<PAGE> 6
BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required
by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 1999 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31,
1999. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for the year ended December 31, 1998.
2. ORGANIZATION
Berthel Fisher & Company Leasing, Inc. (the "Company") is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Berthel Fisher & Company, (the "Parent"). During the year ended
December 31, 1994, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Communications
Finance Corporation. All of the assets and liabilities of Communications Finance
Corporation have been assumed by the Company. The Company intends to keep
Communications Finance Corporation as a shell for use in future financing
transactions.
The Company is the general partner in three limited partnerships,
Telecommunications Income Fund IX, L.P. ("TIF IX"), Telecommunications Income
Fund X, L.P. ("TIF X"), and Telecommunications Income Fund XI, L.P. ("TIF XI")
collectively referred to as the "TIFS". The Company accounts for its general
partnership interests in the TIFS under the equity method of accounting.
3. NET INVESTMENT IN DIRECT FINANCING LEASES
The Company's net investment in direct financing leases at March 31, 1999
consists of:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Minimum lease payments receivable $ 2,077,612
Estimated unguaranteed residual values 153,448
Unamortized initial direct costs 14,492
Unearned income (349,001)
-----------
$ 1,896,551
===========
</TABLE>
4. ALLOWANCE FOR POSSIBLE LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
The change in the allowance for possible loan and lease losses is as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1998 $ 329,674
Provision 5,764
Charge-offs (5,712)
---------
Balance at March 31, 1999 $ 329,726
=========
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE> 7
5. CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
Notes payable at March 31, 1999 consists of:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Installment loan agreements with banks, 9% to 10.5%, maturing
through 2000 with subjective acceleration clauses, collateralized
by net investment in certain direct financing leases, certain
agreements are also guaranteed by the Company's Parent $ 51,037
Capital lease obligations, 5.37%, due through 2000 6,019
--------
Notes payable $ 57,056
========
</TABLE>
Subordinated debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Uncollateralized subordinated debenture payable to
Parent, floating interest rate, maturing in 2005 $ 2,000,000
Uncollateralized subordinated notes payable, 9.5%
to 10%, maturing in 2001 and 2004 2,997,866
-----------
Total subordinated debt $ 4,997,866
===========
</TABLE>
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is contingently liable for all debts of TIF IX, X and XI as the
general partner.
The Company also has guaranteed amounts outstanding under a line-of-credit
agreement with a bank of TIF X. The line-of-credit agreement allows TIF X to
borrow the lesser of $4 million or 40% of its qualified accounts, as defined in
the agreement. The balance outstanding under this line-of-credit was $2,292,926
at March 31, 1999. The agreement matures on June 30, 2000, is cancelable by the
lender after giving a 90-day notice and is collateralized by substantially all
assets of TIF X. The note is also guaranteed by the Company's Parent and a
principal stockholder of the Company's Parent.
The Company also has guaranteed amounts outstanding under a line-of-credit
agreement with a bank of TIF XI. The line-of-credit agreement allows TIF XI to
borrow the lesser of $2 million or 32% of its qualified accounts, as defined in
the agreement. The balance outstanding under this line-of-credit was $0 at March
31, 1999. The agreement matures on June 30, 2000, is cancelable by the lender
after giving a 90-day notice and is collateralized by substantially all assets
of TIF XI. The note is also guaranteed by the Company's Parent and a principal
stockholder of the Company's Parent.
7. REDEEMABLE CLASS B NONVOTING CONVERTIBLE STOCK
The Company's Redeemable Class B nonvoting convertible stock carries a 12%
noncumulative dividend limited to 25% of the Company's income before taxes each
year, up to a maximum of $1.20 per share. The Class B nonvoting convertible is
convertible on a one-for-one basis up to a maximum of 20% of the Class A common
stock of the Company after conversion. The stock is redeemable at $10 per share
for a 30-day period after the tenth anniversary of the issuance date (April,
1990 to September, 1991) at the option of the holder. Shares which are not
redeemed during that time are automatically converted to Class A common stock on
a one-for-one basis.
7
<PAGE> 8
The following summarizes the amounts pertaining to the Class B nonvoting
convertible stock as set forth in the balance sheets at March 31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Class B nonvoting convertible stock (no par value-authorized 100,000
shares, issued and outstanding 74,500 shares) at redemption or
liquidation value $ 745,000
Unamortized stock issuance costs (14,042)
---------
$ 730,958
=========
</TABLE>
8. PREFERRED STOCK
Each share of the Series A preferred stock is entitled to cumulative annual
dividends of 8% payable, if as and when declared by the Board of Directors,
quarterly. Unpaid dividends will accumulate and be payable prior to the payment
of dividends on the Company's Class A common stock. The preferred stock is
redeemable at any time at the option of the Company, on not less than 30 days
written notice to registered holders. The redemption price shall be $14.42 per
share if redeemed during 1999, $14.28 per share if redeemed during 2000, $14.14
per share if redeemed during 2001, and $14.00 per share if redeemed thereafter,
plus, in each case, accumulated unpaid dividends. Unless previously redeemed by
the Company, the holders of the preferred stock are entitled at any time to
convert each share into .875 shares of Class A common stock. The preferred stock
is not entitled to vote on any matter except where the Iowa Corporation Act
requires voting as a class, in which case each share of stock shall be entitled
to one vote per share on those matters where the preferred stock is voting as a
class. The preferred stock is entitled to a preference on liquidation equal to
$14.00 per share, plus accumulated dividends.
8
<PAGE> 9
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Total revenues in the three months ended March 31, 1999 have decreased $295,641
compared to the same period in 1998. Income from direct financing leases
decreased $188,898 and interest income decreased $78,539. This is primarily due
to the sale of leases and repayments of notes receivable in 1998. Leases
totalling $6,363,403 were sold or terminated in 1998 and repayments of notes
receivable were $4,896,646 in 1998 with the proceeds used to pay off the line of
credit and other debt. Investment in leases and notes receivable was $13,268,331
at March 31, 1998 and $4,769,947 at March 31, 1999.
The Company receives management, administrative, and acquisition fees from the
TIFS. This revenue decreased $31,205 for the period compared to a year ago. TIF
IX entered its liquidation phase on May 1, 1998 and, therefore, the management
fee from TIF IX was discontinued. Administrative fees paid by TIF IX also
decreased upon entering liquidation. Currently, the Company receives a fee equal
to 5% of rental and note payments for TIF X. This amount decreased as the lease
and note portfolio decreased in TIF X compared to a year ago. The Company
receives management fees from TIF XI in the amount of 2% of rental and note
payments. TIF XI also pays the Company an equipment acquisition fee equal to 5%
of the equipment cost for new leases and notes receivable, which amounted to
$79,545 in the first quarter of 1999.
Total expenses decreased $280,735 compared to a year ago, from $759,406 in the
first quarter of 1998 to $478,671 in the first quarter of 1999. The Company
currently pays its Parent $20,000 per month for management fees. Interest
expense decreased $214,220 as a result of the Company terminating its line of
credit agreement in 1998. Provision for possible losses decreased from $11,655
in the first quarter of 1998 to $5,764 for the same period of 1999 due to the
smaller portfolio of leases and notes receivable. The Company's current reserves
of $329,726 represent 6.9% of its portfolio. Other expenses include legal fees,
accounting fees, depreciation and amortization, and other general and
administrative costs. These costs decreased from $229,434 for the first quarter
of 1998 to $187,054 for the same period of 1999, primarily due to the decreased
lease volume, resulting in less credit and documentation expense, advertising
expense, travel and related expenses, and data processing expenses.
The Company had a net loss of $43,175 for the first quarter of 1999, while
comprehensive income was $306,613 for the same period. The difference of
$349,788 is attributable to an unrealized gain on an available-for-sale
security. This security is recorded on the balance sheet at market value, which
increased $568,761 during the quarter. The unrealized gain of $349,788 above is
net of estimated taxes of $218,973.
At March 31, 1999, sixteen customers were past due over 90 days. The contract
balance remaining on these contracts was $341,743 at March 31, 1999. The
Company's net investment in these contracts at March 31, 1999 was $280,106. One
customer, Soil Recovery Services, has four contracts past due totalling
$163,811. The Company's net investment in these four contracts was $123,468.
When payments are past due more than 90 days, the Company discontinues
recognizing income on the contracts.
The Company's portfolio of leases and notes receivable are concentrated in pay
telephones, and office and computer equipment, representing approximately 59%,
and 28%, respectively, of the portfolio at March 31, 1999. Two lessees account
for approximately 47% of the Company's portfolio at March 31, 1999.
YEAR 2000 ISSUE: The Company recognizes that the arrival of the Year 2000 poses
a unique challenge to the ability of all systems to recognize the date change
from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000. The costs of ensuring systems are
compatible with the Year 2000 are not believed to be material. There are no
non-information technology processes that the Company has identified which would
affect its
9
<PAGE> 10
operations. An assessment of the readiness of external entities which it
interfaces with, such as vendors, counterparties, customers, and others, is
ongoing. At present the Company does not contemplate that any specific charges
will be incurred for this assessment or any other costs directly related to
fixing Year 2000 issues, and if there are any related expenditures, does not
expect them to be significant.
The Company is assessing the impact of the Year 2000 issue on information
technology and non-information technology systems used by lessees. No lessee is
contractually obligated to become Year 2000 compliant or to disclose their
capabilities to the Company. The Company has not yet determined whether the Year
2000 issue has been addressed by all of its customers. The Company has contacted
some of its customers and will continue to contact its customers in 1999. In a
worst case scenario, the inability of lessees to be Year 2000 compliant could
result in delayed or no payment of amounts due to the Company. The Company has
no contingency plans at this time to alleviate this worst case scenario should
it be encountered.
The Company has determined that the software it utilizes in its operations is
compatible with the Year 2000. The Company utilizes an unrelated third party for
lease servicing. This third party vendor has been contacted and it has been
determined that their lease servicing application is year 2000 compliant. A
written confirmation regarding compliance of this application has been received
from the software developer.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company relies primarily upon debt financing to originate its leases and
notes receivable. The Company had a $10 million revolving line-of-credit with
Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A. with an expiration date of April 30, 1998, which
was extended to June 30, 1998, at which time it was terminated. Management is
currently attempting to establish a line of credit with another financial
institution.
The Company has a note payable to the Parent, which is payable on demand. The
note bears interest at 10.5 %. At March 31, 1999, the balance on this note
payable was $525,000. The Company paid $200,000 on the note in March 1999. The
Company will continue to pay off this note payable as cash is available.
From time to time the Company will consolidate a portion of its lease portfolio
to be used as collateral for fixed rate and fixed term loans. The Company
determines the average maturity of the consolidated leases and obtains fixed
rate and fixed term loans using the consolidated leases as collateral. The term
and interest rate of the financing offered by banks financing this collateral is
matched to the average maturity of the leases. Utilizing this type of financing
allows the Company to establish a spread between the financing interest rate and
the rates of return on a certain portfolio of leases. This type of financing
permits the Company to plan for a specific return on a portion of its lease
portfolio. At March 31, 1999, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $51,037
from various banks in fixed rate loan transactions.
The Company is currently sponsoring a limited partnership, Telecommunications
Income Fund XI, L.P. ("TIF XI") for which the Company serves as general partner.
TIF XI is offering a minimum of $1,200,000 and a maximum of $25,000,000 in units
of limited partnership interest ("Units") in the partnership. As of April 27,
1999, 8,004 units ($8,004,000) were sold. The Company, as general partner, will
originate leases and finance contracts for TIF XI. This will result in the
Company realizing acquisition fees and management fees.
10
<PAGE> 11
OUTLOOK
This Section and other portions of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB contain
statements relating to future results of the Company that are "forward-looking
statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain
risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, changes in economic conditions, changes in interest rates,
availability of lease business to the Company, changes in personnel, regulation
of the telecommunications industry, and the success or failure of the Company's
customers as well as other risks and uncertainties. The Company does not
undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after
the date of such statements.
The business of the Company is dependent upon being able to continue originating
leases, both for its own portfolio and for the portfolios of third party
entities, such as the TIFS. If the Company cannot continue to originate leases,
the Company will not be able to grow, either through the expansion of its
portfolio of leases or by deriving revenue from originating and managing leases
for other entities. The successful completion of the Company's business plan is
dependent upon having sufficient funds available to enable the Company to
continue to originate leases. Sources for obtaining capital include the sale of
existing leases owned by the Company, obtaining new capital from the Company's
Parent, and obtaining a line of credit agreement. Such alternative capital may
not be available depending upon a variety of factors, including without
limitation the possibility that purchasers of leases cannot be found, interest
rates increase, the Company's Parent has no funds available to it, the Company
is unable to secure a line of credit, or the Company fails to operate
effectively in 1999.
The Company's current business plan includes the Company's sponsorship of TIF
XI, for which the Company serves as general partner. The Company registered
interests in TIF XI under the Securities Act of 1933 and is offering those
interests publicly. The maximum offering amount for TIF XI is $25,000,000. The
Company, as general partner, will originate leases and finance contracts for TIF
XI, resulting in the Company realizing acquisition fees and management fees. The
Company may not be able to rely upon the availability of TIF XI's maximum
offering amount to originate leases. TIF XI could not reach the maximum offering
amount due to several factors, including the lack of investor interest. If the
public offering is not successful at the maximum offering amount, the Company
would not be able to originate more leases for TIF XI, and would not realize
more revenue from management fees and acquisition fees. Management anticipates
that the Company's long term success and profitability is highly dependent upon
the successful offering of TIF XI.
The best-efforts public offering of TIF XI is in process and through April 27,
1999, approximately $8,004,000 has been raised out of the maximum offering
amount of $25,000,000. The offering must terminate in December, 1999. No
assurance can be provided that the maximum offering amount will be raised or
that the Company will be profitable upon completion of the offering.
11
<PAGE> 12
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
a. Exhibits - None
b. No reports on Form 8-K were filed for the quarter ended March 31,
1999.
12
<PAGE> 13
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: 5/11/1999 /s/ Ronald O. Brendengen
-------------------------------------
Ronald O. Brendengen, Chief Financial
Officer, Treasurer
Date: 5/11/1999 /s/ Daniel P. Wegmann
-------------------------------------
Daniel P. Wegmann, Controller
13
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BERTHEL FISHER & COMPANY LEASING, INC. AS OF
MARCH 31, 1999, AND THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999, AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-1999
<CASH> 263,474
<SECURITIES> 2,180,806
<RECEIVABLES> 5,569,002
<ALLOWANCES> (329,726)
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 1,511,129
<DEPRECIATION> (782,002)
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 8,412,683
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 596,673
<BONDS> 6,310,880
0
1,621,422
<COMMON> 876,305
<OTHER-SE> (992,597)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 8,412,683
<SALES> 412,108
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 412,108
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 324,455
<LOSS-PROVISION> 5,764
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 148,452
<INCOME-PRETAX> (66,563)
<INCOME-TAX> (23,388)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (43,175)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (43,175)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (.17)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.17)
</TABLE>
