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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-SB
AMENDMENT NO. 1
GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 95-4821101
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(State or other jurisdiction (IRS Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
5480 EAST FERGUSON DRIVE
COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA 90022
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (213) 720-8600
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH EACH
TO BE SO REGISTERED CLASS IS TO BE REGISTERED
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock
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(Title of class)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
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PART I ............................................................................ 1
Item 1. Description of Business..................................................... 1
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations.............. 14
Item 3. Description of Property..................................................... 20
Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.............. 20
Item 5. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons................ 22
Item 6. Executive Compensation...................................................... 24
Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............................. 28
Item 8. Description of Securities................................................... 32
Part II ............................................................................ 36
Item 1. Market Price and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity and Other
Shareholder Matters......................................................... 36
Item 2. Legal Proceedings........................................................... 37
Item 3. Change in and Disagreements with Accountants................................ 37
Item 4. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities..................................... 37
Item 5. Indemnification of Directors and Officers................................... 37
Part III............................................................................ 57
Items 1 and 2. Index to and Description of Exhibits................................. 57
Part F/S
Consolidated Financial Statements................................................ F-1
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PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
COMPANY OVERVIEW
On September 6, 2000, the Board of Directors of Central Financial
Acceptance Corporation, or Central Financial, approved a Plan of Complete
Dissolution, Liquidation and Distribution, or the Plan, which provides for the
dissolution and liquidation of Central Financial, and the liquidating
distribution to its shareholders of all the common stock of its two wholly-owned
subsidiaries, one of which is our Company, Banner Central Finance Company, or
Banner Central Finance, and the other of which is Hispanic Express, Inc., or
Hispanic Express. Pursuant to the Plan, each holder of Central Financial common
stock will, for every share of common stock of Central Financial owned by such
holder on the date that Central Financial dissolves and liquidates under the
Plan, or the Liquidation Date, become the owner of one share of our common stock
and one share of common stock of Banner Central Finance.
In connection with the adoption of the Plan, Central Financial
contributed all of its assets and business to Banner Central Finance and
Hispanic Express. Specifically:
- Central Financial contributed to Banner Central Finance all of
the issued and outstanding capital stock of Central Installment
Credit Corporation, Central Financial Acceptance/Insurance
Agency and Central Premium Finance Company. In addition, Central
Financial contributed to Central Installment Credit Corporation
the assets and liabilities of the mortgage business owned by
Central Consumer Finance Company. As a result of these
contributions, Banner Central Finance through its subsidiaries
will be engaged in the purchased consumer receivables business,
the mortgage business and the sale and financing of automobile
insurance.
- Central Financial contributed to Hispanic Express all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of Central Consumer Finance
Company, Centravel, Inc. and BCE Properties I, Inc. Central
Consumer Finance Company has four wholly-owned subsidiaries,
namely, Central Check Cashing, Inc., Central Financial
Acceptance Corporation Accidental & Health Reinsurance, Limited,
Central Finance Reinsurance, Ltd. and Central Consumer Company
of Nevada. As a result of these contributions, Hispanic Express
through its subsidiaries will be engaged in the consumer
financial products business and the travel services business.
Set forth below are charts that illustrate the relationships among the
companies discussed above, before and after the consummation of the Plan:
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[FLOW CHART]
BEFORE
[FLOW CHART]
AFTER
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On September 29, 2000, West Coast Private Equity Partners, L.P., or West
Coast, owning a majority of the outstanding shares of Central Financial's common
stock, voted to approve the Plan. It is anticipated that the Liquidation Date
will be January 31, 2001.
The dissolution and liquidation of Central Financial and the
distribution of the common stock of Banner Central Finance and Hispanic Express
under the Plan is intended to separate Central Financial into two publicly held
companies and to enhance stockholder value over the long term. The businesses of
Banner Central Finance and Hispanic Express have distinct investment, operating
and financial characteristics. The Board of Directors believes that implementing
the Plan will enable the investment community to analyze more effectively the
investment characteristics, performance and future prospects of each business,
enhancing the likelihood that each will achieve appropriate market recognition
of its value. The Board also believes that the implementation of the Plan will
allow Banner Central Finance and Hispanic Express to concentrate on their
respective businesses and provide each company with greater flexibility in
pursuing their independent business objectives.
A stockholder of Central Financial will have the same percentage
ownership interest in Hispanic Express and Banner Central Finance after the
consummation of the Plan (though on a direct basis) as he had in Central
financial before the consummation of the Plan. We believe that after the
consummation of the Plan current stockholders and future investors will have the
ability to make separate investment decisions regarding each of Banner Central
Finance and Hispanic Express and their respective businesses.
In connection with the Plan, and pursuant to this registration statement
on Form 10, we are registering our shares of common stock under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The common stock of Central Financial
currently trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "CFAC." We would
expect our shares of common stock to also trade on the OTC Bulletin Board under
the symbol "BCFC" if, after the Liquidation Date, at least one market maker
submits an application to the OTC Bulletin Board in which it represents that:
- it desires to represent us as a market maker; and
- it has satisfied all applicable requirements of the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the National Association of
Securities Dealers.
There is currently no public market for our shares of common stock, and
we do not know whether a trading market will develop on or after the Liquidation
Date.
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COMPANY BUSINESS
PURCHASED CONSUMER RECEIVABLES
We purchase consumer finance receivables referred to as the Consumer
Products Portfolio, pursuant to a Financing Agreement with Banner's Central
Electric, Inc., or Banner's Central Electric, an affiliate of ours, which has
granted us the exclusive right to purchase the receivables its originates when
it sells its inventory at its retail stores. Banner's Central Electric operates
five retail stores in the greater Los Angeles area, and its inventory consists
of consumer electronics, appliances and furniture. The consumer finance
receivables we purchase are held until they mature and we earn interest income
on them during the time they are outstanding. Pursuant to the Financing
Agreement that we have entered into with Banner's Central Electric, we have
agreed to acquire and have available to transfer to Banner's Central Electric up
to $6 million of inventory which they sell to their customers. See "Item 7.
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions."
Our customers are typically low-income Hispanics, between the ages of 21
and 45, earn less than $25,000 per year, have little or no savings, and have
limited or short term employment histories. In addition, our customers typically
have no or limited prior credit histories and are generally unable to secure
credit from traditional lending sources.
We base our credit decisions on our assessment of a customer's ability
to repay the obligation. In making a credit decision, in addition to the size of
the obligation, we generally consider a customer's income level, type, and
length of employment, stability of residence, personal references, and prior
credit history with us. We also obtain a credit bureau report and rating, if
available, and seek to confirm other credit-related information. We, however,
are more susceptible to the risk that our customers will not satisfy their
repayment obligations than are less specialized consumer finance companies or
consumer finance companies that have more stringent underwriting criteria.
MORTGAGE BUSINESS
In mid-1998, we started to provide second trust mortgages on residential
properties ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 to Hispanic customers primarily in the
Los Angeles area. Our primary source of income on these mortgages is origination
fees and the interest income we earn during the time the mortgage is
outstanding. In August 2000, we temporarily suspended making second mortgage
loans pending evaluations of whether we can obtain long-term financing from
financial institutions to support future growth. In September 2000, we began to
originate first and second mortgage loans for other financial institutions for
which we earn an origination fee.
OTHER BUSINESS ACTIVITY
We also provide financing to consumers for the purchase of products and
services that independent retailers sell. Historically, we have had
relationships with approximately 75 retailers in the greater Los Angeles area.
However, in 1998 and 1999,
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we phased out of substantially all of these independent relationships. From 1995
through March 31, 1999, we also financed the sale of used automobiles primarily
sold by Banner's Central Electric. In May 1997, Banner's Central Electric
discontinued the sale of used automobiles and currently we no longer provide
financing for this business.
We began to offer financing for the sale of automobile insurance in 1996
that we sell as a broker for major automobile insurers. In recent years, the
large automobile insurance companies have started to offer direct financing, and
accordingly, our premium financing activity has declined significantly. We
currently continue to sell automobile insurance to low-income Hispanics and
operate through 3 offices in the greater Los Angeles area.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Historically, our major business activity has been providing financing
to the low-income Hispanic customers purchasing consumer products from Banner's
Central Electric. In 1997, Banner's Central Electric made a strategic decision
to de-emphasize this business line. Accordingly, since 1997 Banner's Central
Electric's retail sales have declined significantly with a corresponding
decrease in the level of consumer receivables purchased by us from them. Despite
this decline, we anticipate that interest income earned on the purchased
receivables will continue to be a significant source of income for us in the
future. See "Business Consideration and Certain Factors that May Affect Future
Results of Operations and Stock Price -- Dependence of Consumer Finance
Portfolio on Banner's Central Electric and Changing Business Focus."
Our receivables portfolio relating to our financing of independent
retailers has also experienced a significant decline as a result of our decision
in 1998 and 1999 to phase out of substantially all of these relationships. Our
receivables relating to our financing of automobile insurance premiums has also
declined in recent years as a result of the insurance companies for which we act
as brokers for offering financing directly to customers. We do not expect that
our financing of independent retailers and automobile insurance premiums
businesses will be a significant portion of our ongoing operations in the
future. At December 31, 1998 and 1999, and September 30, 2000, the aggregate of
these receivables portfolios was $6,835,000, $2,718,000, and $791,000,
respectively.
In 1998, we determined that continued growth of the Hispanic market,
particularly in the greater Los Angeles area, would create a business
opportunity to provide mortgage financing for both new homeowners and
refinancing of existing homes, or for small home equity loans generally in the
range of $5,000 to $12,000. In mid-1998, we commenced our mortgage business and
began to provide small second trust mortgages. Since we commenced this business
our portfolio of second trust mortgages has grown significantly and in August
2000, we temporarily suspended making any new second mortgage loans pending
evaluation of whether we can obtain long-term financing from financial
institutions to support future growth. In September 2000, we began to originate
first and second mortgage loans for other financial institutions for which we
earn an origination fee.
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COMPANY OPERATIONS
In order to provide cost savings and operating efficiencies, we entered
into an operating agreement with Hispanic Express under which Hispanic Express
provides us with certain services, including, credit applications, receivable
servicing, payment applications, accounting, legal and management information
systems. See "Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions --
Operating Agreement."
CREDIT PROCEDURES
Purchased Finance Receivables -- We have developed uniform guidelines
and procedures for evaluating credit applications. We take credit applications
at each of the Banner's Central Electric stores and then generally transmit them
electronically through our computer system or facsimile machines to our credit
processing facility, where all credit approval and verification is centralized.
We also take credit applications at each of the independent retail locations for
which we provide financing, and generally transmit them to our credit processing
facility via facsimile. We believe that our underwriting policies and procedures
allow us to respond quickly to credit requests. We typically respond to credit
applicants within one hour. We believe that because of our prompt response, many
customers prefer to deal with us instead of our competitors.
Our credit managers and credit approvers make their decisions on a case
by case basis and are influenced by, among other things, whether an applicant is
a new or existing customer. New applicants complete standardized credit
applications which contain information concerning income level, employment
history, stability of residence, driver's license or state identification card,
social security number, capacity to pay and personal references. We also verify
the applicant's employment and residence and depending on the relevant factors
may verify other pertinent information. We also obtain a credit bureau report
and rating, if available, and seek to confirm other credit-related information.
For an established customer, the credit process currently includes a review of
the customer's credit and payment history with us, and depending on the size of
the transaction an updated verification of employment and residence. Because we
offer multiple lines of credit, we review the aggregate amount that a customer
owes. In cases where a customer makes a request for a substantial increase in
his or her aggregate outstanding balance, we will obtain a credit bureau report
and will seek to confirm employment. In instances where the applicant has no or
limited credit history, we may require a co-signer with appropriate credit
status to sign the contract and may, in the installment credit business, also
require a down payment. See "Business Considerations and Certain Factors that
May Affect Future Results of Operations and Stock Price -- Credit Risk
Associated with Customer; Lack of Collateral."
Mortgages -- We have developed uniform guidelines and procedures for
evaluating mortgage applications. Our underwriting guidelines require a credit
bureau report on each application, which is reviewed with the applicant's credit
history in order to determine if the applicant's credit history meets our
guidelines. A number of factors determine a loan applicant's creditworthiness,
including, debt ratios, payment history, and the combined loan to value for all
existing mortgages on a property. Our guidelines
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also require that we obtain independent appraisals on all mortgage properties
prior to funding of a loan. See "Business Considerations and Certain Factors
that May Affect Future Results of Operations and Stock Price -- Mortgage
Portfolio Risks and Need for a Line of Credit."
PAYMENT AND COLLECTIONS
Industry studies estimate that a significant percentage of the adult
population in the United States does not maintain a checking account, which is a
standard prerequisite for obtaining a consumer loan, credit card or other form
of credit from most consumer credit sources. Our customers are required to make
their monthly payments using a payment schedule that we provide to them. The
vast majority of our customers make their payments in cash at our locations or
at our payment facilities in Banner's Central Electric's stores. For our
customers who are paid their wages by check but who do not maintain checking
accounts, we cash such checks at no charge in order to facilitate account
payments.
We consider payments past due if a borrower fails to make any payment in
full on or before its due date, as specified in our receivables contracts that
the customers signs. We currently attempt to contact borrowers whose payments
are not received by the due date within 10 days after such due date. We contact
these borrowers by both letter and telephone. If no payment is remitted to us
after the initial contact, we make additional contacts every seven days, and,
after a loan becomes 31 days delinquent, we generally turn over the account to
our credit collectors. Under our guidelines, we generally charge off and turn
over an account to a collection agency when we determine that the account is
uncollectible, which is typically when the account is 150 days past due. We
accrue interest income on our account until we charge it off.
FINANCE CONTRACTS AND MORTGAGE LOANS
Each of the finance contracts and mortgage loans is in Spanish and
English and requires monthly financing payments. State and federal regulations
govern many of the terms, conditions, and disclosures in the finance contracts.
See "Regulation." When a qualifying customer with an open account finance
contract balance increases the amount outstanding with an additional purchase or
loan, the customer executes a new finance contract for the new aggregate balance
and, with the proceeds, pays off the original contract.
INSURANCE
We maintain various insurance policies of the type, and in the amounts,
which are usual for our business. We maintain coverage for business
interruptions, including interruptions resulting from computer failure. We
believe that our insurance coverage is adequate.
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MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Under the operating agreement with Hispanic Express, we will use
Hispanic Express's management information systems. Hispanic Express has invested
significant resources to develop a proprietary system that integrates all major
aspects of our business. The computer system uses a high-range IBM AS-400 as our
server, which provides on-line, real-time information processing services to
terminals located in each of our locations and in Hispanic Express's centralized
credit-processing facility. The system allows for complete processing of our
- consumer product finance contracts, including application
processing and credit approval;
- acquisition of credit bureau reports, accessing the payment
history of all active accounts;
- preparation of contracts;
- payment posting; and
- all other collection-monitoring activities.
In addition, the system provides customized reports to analyze each of
our portfolios on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. We believe that the
computer system is sufficient to maintain our business lines and portfolios
without the need for a material additional investment in management information
systems. Hispanic Express has adopted procedures designed to minimize the effect
of systems failures and other types of potential problems, including routine
backup and off-site storage of computer tapes, as well as redundancy and
"mirroring" of certain computer processes.
ADVERTISING
We actively advertise primarily in Hispanic television and radio, and
through newspapers and direct mail targeting both our present and former
customers, and potential customers who have used other sources of consumer
credit. We believe that our advertising significantly increases our ability to
compete effectively with other providers of credit.
EMPLOYEES
At November 30, 2000, we employed a total of 39 full-time employees.
None of our employees are represented by a union or are covered by a collective
bargaining agreement. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.
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REGULATION
GENERAL
Our finance operations are subject to extensive regulation. Violation of
statutes and regulations applicable to us may result in actions for damages,
claims for refunds of payments made, certain fines and penalties, injunctions
against certain practices and the potential forfeiture of rights to repayment of
loans. Changes in state and federal statutes and regulations may affect us. We,
together with industry associations, actively lobby in the states in which we
operate. Although we are not aware of any pending or proposed legislation that
could have a material adverse effect on our business, we cannot assure that
future regulatory changes will not adversely affect our lending practices,
operations, profitability or prospects.
STATE REGULATION
Consumer Product Portfolio. In California, the California Retail
Installment Sales Act, or the "Unruh Act," regulates our consumer product
financing business. The Unruh Act requires us to disclose to our customers,
among other matters,
- the conditions under which we may impose a finance change;
- the method of determining the balance which is subject to a
finance charge;
- the method used to determine the amount of the finance charge;
and
- the minimum periodic payment required.
In addition, the Unruh Act provides consumer protection against unfair or
deceptive business practices by:
- regulating the contents of retail installment sales contracts;
- setting forth the respective rights and obligations of buyers
and sellers; and
- regulating the maximum legal finance rate or charge and limiting
other fees on installment credit sales.
Mortgage Business. The Company originates mortgages under the California
Finance Lender's License issued by the Department of Corporations. We are
monitored and regulated by the Department of Corporations and are subject to
annual audits. Under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corporations we are
regulated on such items as minimum loan amounts, restrictions on mortgage
companies to which we can deliver loans, and certain fees and charges. These
fees and charges include appraisal
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fees, escrow and reconveyance fees. Interest rate and finance charges are not
regulated by the Department of Corporations.
Insurance Premium Finance. The State of California Department of
Financial Institutions regulates our insurance premium finance business. In
general, state law and regulations set forth requirements and procedures for:
- the cancellation of policies and collection of unearned
premiums;
- regulating the form and content of premium finance agreements;
- limiting the amount of finance, delinquency, cancellation and
other fees we may charge; and
- prescribing notice periods for the cancellation of policies for
nonpayment.
FEDERAL REGULATION
We are subject to extensive federal regulation as well, including the
Truth-in-Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Credit
Reporting Act and the regulations thereunder and the Federal Trade Commission's
Credit Practices Rule. These laws require us to provide full disclosure of the
key terms of each loan to every prospective borrower, prohibit misleading
advertising, protect against discriminatory lending practices and proscribe
unfair credit practices. Among the key disclosure items under the
Truth-in-Lending Act are the terms of repayment, the total finance charge and
the annual rate of finance charge or "Annual Percentage Rate" on each loan. The
Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against
loan applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age or martial status.
Regulation B issued under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act requires creditors to
make certain disclosures regarding consumer rights and advise consumers whose
credit applications are not approved of the reasons for the rejection. The Fair
Credit Reporting Act requires us to provide certain information to consumers
whose credit applications are not approved on the basis of a report obtained
from a consumer-reporting agency. The Credit Practices Rule limits the types of
property a creditor may accept as collateral to secure a consumer loan.
BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS AND CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS AND STOCK PRICE
This Registration Statement discusses certain matters that may involve
risks and uncertainties. This registration statement contains statements that
relate to, among other things, expectations of the business environment in which
we operate in, projections of future performance, perceived opportunities in the
market and statements regarding our mission and vision. Our actual results,
performance and achievements may differ significantly from the results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied in such statements. The
following is a summary of some of the important factors that could affect our
future results of operations and/or our stock price, and should be considered
carefully.
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ABSENCE OF OPERATING HISTORY
Our Company was formed on September 5, 2000 and we do not have an
operating history as a separate stand-alone company. Our success will depend, in
large part, of the ability of our management to implement its business strategy.
ABSENCE OF TRADING MARKET
There is currently no public market for the shares of our common stock,
and we do not know whether a trading market will develop on or after the date
such shares are distributed to you. If we do become a publicly traded company,
the price at which our common stock would trade cannot be predicted. The price
at which our common stock would trade will be determined by the marketplace and
may be influenced by many factors, including the limited amount of public float
for our common stock, investors' perception of our dividend policy (See "Absence
of Dividend") and general economic and market considerations, particularly in
California. We anticipate that if we become a publicly traded company, we will
have approximately 138 initial beneficial holders and approximately six initial
holders of record of our common stock, and that the public float will be
1,939,000 common shares.
ABSENCE OF DIVIDEND
We do not currently intend to pay regular cash dividends on our common
stock. Our dividend policy will be reviewed from time to time by our Board of
Directors in light of our earnings and financial position and other business
considerations that our Board of Directors considers relevant.
CREDIT RISK ASSOCIATED WITH PURCHASED ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES; LACK OF COLLATERAL
Our customers are typically between the ages of 21 and 45, earn less
than $25,000 per year, have little or no savings, and have limited or short-term
employment histories. In addition, our customers typically have no prior credit
histories and are unable to secure credit from traditional lending sources. We
base our credit decisions primarily on our assessment of a customer's ability to
repay the obligation. In making a credit decision, in addition to the size of
the obligation, we generally consider a customer's income level, type and length
of employment, stability of residence, personal references and prior credit
history with us. We, however, are more susceptible to the risk that our
customers will not satisfy their repayment obligations than are less specialized
consumer finance companies or consumer finance companies that have more
stringent underwriting criteria.
Because we rely on the creditworthiness of our customers for repayment
and do not rely on collateral securing the debt, we experience actual rates of
losses higher than lenders who have collateral that they can repossess in the
event of a borrower's default. At September 30, 2000 and at December 31, 1999,
net finance receivables of our consumer products portfolio, which accounts for
substantially all of our net receivables, had accounts with payments 31 days or
more past due as a percentage of end of period net receivables of 7.0%, and
5.9%, respectively. For the nine months ended September
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30, 2000 and 1999, and the twelve months ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, the
consumer products portfolio had net write-offs of $1.2 million, and $1.7 million
and $2.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively. We cannot assure that we will
not experience increases in delinquencies and net write-offs, which would
require additional increases in the provisions for credit losses. For
information concerning our credit quality experience, see "Management's
Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations -- Consumer Products Portfolio
Trend" and "Delinquency Experience and Allowance for Credit Losses."
GENERAL ECONOMIC RISK
The risks associated with our business become more significant in an
economic slowdown or recession. During periods of economic slowdown or recession
we have experienced and may again experience a decreased demand for our
financial products and services and an increase in rates of delinquencies and
the frequency and severity of losses. Our actual rates of delinquencies and
frequency and severity of losses have been in the past and may be in the future
higher under adverse economic conditions than those generally experienced in the
consumer finance industry. Any sustained period of economic slowdown or
recession could materially adversely affect its financial condition and results
of operations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of
Operations -- Consumer Products Portfolio Trend" and "Delinquency Experience and
Allowance for Credit Losses."
DEPENDENCE ON CALIFORNIA MARKET
Substantially all of our businesses are located, and substantially all
of our revenues are generated in California. To date, substantially all of our
operations have been in Southern California. Therefore, our performance depends
upon economic conditions in California, and in Southern California in
particular, and may be adversely affected by social factors or natural disasters
in California. During the early 1990's, California experienced adverse economic
conditions. A decline in the California economy could have a material adverse
effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
DEPENDENCE ON CONSUMER FINANCE PORTFOLIO OF BANNER'S CENTRAL ELECTRIC AND
CHANGING BUSINESS FOCUS
Historically, our major source of revenue has been derived from the
consumer finance receivables we purchase from Banner's Central Electric. The
performance of the Consumer Products Portfolio and the ability to continue this
business line, therefore, depends substantially upon the success of Banner's
Central Electric's retail stores and its decision and ability to remain in
business over which we have no control. Also, since 1997, Banner's Central
Electric's sales have declined significantly with a corresponding decline in the
level of receivables we purchase from them and, accordingly, we have begun to
change our strategic business focus away from the purchase of these receivables
toward our mortgage business.
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MORTGAGE PORTFOLIO RISKS AND NEED FOR A LINE OF CREDIT
The credit risks associated with our second mortgage loans, including
applicable loan to value ratios, and the credit and income histories of the
mortgagors are generally higher than in conventional conforming mortgage loans
and may lead to higher delinquency rates. Also, our businesses may be materially
and adversely affected by declining real estate values as our security interest
in the property securing such loans is subordinated to the interest of the first
mortgage holder. If the value of the property securing the second mortgage loan
is not sufficient to repay the borrowers obligation to the first mortgage holder
upon foreclosure, or if there is no additional value in such property after
satisfying the borrowers obligation to the first mortgage loan holder, the
borrowers obligation to us will likely not be satisfied. If we are to continue
to grow our mortgage business we will require substantial capital to finance our
future operations. Consequentially, our ability to expand our operations will be
dependent upon obtaining financing and the terms thereof. To date, we have had
preliminary discussions with financial institutions about obtaining a line of
credit for our mortgage business, but there cannot be any assurance that we will
be successful in obtaining such a line.
SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
We historically experience the highest demand for our purchased finance
receivables between October and December, and experience the lowest demand for
our purchased finance receivables between January and March. These significant
seasonal fluctuations in our business directly impact our operating results and
cash needs.
COMPETITION
The installment credit business is highly competitive. Through our
relationship with Banner's Central Electric and other retailers, we compete with
those department stores, discount stores and other retail outlets which also
provide credit to low-income consumers. The largest national and regional
competitors have significantly greater resources than we do. Competition may
arise from new sources having the expertise and resources to enter our markets
either through expansion of operations or acquisitions. Our competitors in the
mortgage business include other consumer finance companies, mortgage banking
companies, commercial banks, credit unions, savings associations and insurance
companies. The largest national and regional competitors have more capital, more
locations and greater economic resources than we do.
IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Our operations are regulated by federal, state and local government
authorities and are subject to various laws and judicial and administrative
decisions imposing various requirements and restrictions. These requirements and
restrictions include, among other things:
- regulating credit granting activities;
- establishing maximum interest rates and charges;
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- requiring disclosures to customers;
- governing secured transactions;
- setting collection repossession and claims handling procedures;
and
- regulating insurance claims practices and procedures, and other
trade practices.
Although we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects
with applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations, we cannot
assure that more restrictive laws, rules and regulations will not be adopted in
the future which may make compliance more difficult or expensive, restrict our
ability to purchase or finance installment sales, further limit or restrict the
amount of interest and other charges imposed in installment sales originated by
us or by third-party retailers, or otherwise materially adversely affect our
business or prospects. See "Business -- Regulation."
DEPENDENCE UPON KEY PERSONNEL
Our success depends substantially on certain members of our senior
management, in particular Mr. Cypres, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. The loss of the services of Mr. Cypres
could materially adversely affect our business and financial condition. We do
not maintain key man life insurance
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
information in our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and other
financial data included elsewhere in this Information Statement. Certain
statements under this caption relate to matters that involve risks and
uncertainties. Our actual results may differ significantly from the results
discussed in these statements. Factors that might cause such a difference,
include but are not limited to, credit quality, economic conditions competition
in the geographic and business areas in which we conduct our operations,
fluctuations in interest rates and government regulation. For additional
information concerning these factors see "Business -- Business Considerations
and Certain Factors that May Affect Future Results of Operations and Stock
Price."
Overview
Our aggregate portfolio of gross receivables from which we derived the
majority of our revenues declined to $29.8 million at September 30, 2000
compared to $35.5 million and $41.0 million at December 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively, primarily reflecting continued decline in our Consumer Products
Portfolio. In 1997, West Coast made a strategic decision to de-emphasize
Banner's Central Electric's business and since then Banner's Central Electric
retail sales have declined significantly with a corresponding decrease in the
level of consumer receivables that we purchased from
14
<PAGE> 17
them. Our gross receivables of the Consumer Products Portfolio declined to $22.8
million at September 30, 2000 compared to $27.8 million and $33.9 million at
December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Our Consumer Products Portfolio
historically increases from the period between October through December
reflecting higher holiday retail credit sales at Banner's Central Electric
stores, which we subsequently purchase. Our portfolio of receivables, which we
generate from customers of independent retailers, has also experienced
significant decline as a result of our decision in 1998 and 1999 to phase out
substantially all of these relationships. Our portfolio of automobile insurance
premiums, which we finance, has also declined in 1998 and 1999, and in the nine
months ended September 30, 2000, as a result of the insurance companies that we
act as brokers for offering financing directly to its customers.
Our Mortgage Portfolio increased to $6.3 million at September 30, 2000
compared to $5.0 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. In August 2000, we made a decision to temporarily suspend making
any new mortgage loans pending evaluation of whether we can obtain long-term
financing from financial institutions to support future growth. In September
2000, we began to originate first and second mortgage loans for other financial
institutions for which we earn an origination fee.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousand, except per share data)
YEARS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------- --------------------
1998 1999 1999 2000
------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES:
Interest income $ 9,960 $ 7,821 $ 6,006 $ 5,232
Other income 4,070 2,804 2,245 1,663
Transaction fee from affiliate 933 799 519 --
------- ------- ------- -------
Total Revenue 14,963 11,424 8,770 6,895
------- ------- ------- -------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating expenses 8,639 6,713 4,988 4,698
Provision for credit losses 2,862 2,719 1,859 1,422
------- ------- ------- -------
Total Costs and Expenses 11,501 9,432 6,847 6,120
------- ------- ------- -------
Income before taxes 3,462 1,992 1,923 775
Income tax expenses 1,384 797 769 310
------- ------- ------- -------
Net Income $ 2,078 $ 1,195 $ 1,154 $ 465
======= ======= ======= =======
PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA:
Basic earnings per share $ 0.17 $ 0.06
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.17 $ 0.06
Weighted average number of
Common shares outstanding 7,166 7,166
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE> 18
CONSUMER PRODUCTS PORTFOLIO TREND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSUMER PRODUCTS PORTFOLIO
(DOLLARS IN THOUSAND, EXCEPT AVERAGE CONTRACT BALANCE)
YEARS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------- ---------------------
1998 1999 1999 2000
------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gross receivable (at end of period) $33,886 $27,788 $26,153 $22,771
Deferred interest (at end of period) 3,333 2,787 2,395 2,244
------- ------- ------- -------
Net receivable (at end of period) 30,553 25,001 23,758 20,527
Deferred insurance revenues (at end of period) 94 69 71 50
------- ------- ------- -------
Net carrying value $30,459 $24,932 $23,687 $20,477
======= ======= ======= =======
Average net receivable $30,655 $26,359 $27,035 $22,805
Number of contracts (at end of period) 62,897 56,010 52,051 43,908
Average net contract balance $ 496 $ 471 $ 470 $ 470
Total interest income 7,224 6,477 4,985 4,268
Late charge and extension fee income 1,343 1,283 985 889
Provision for credit losses 2,404 2,475 1,727 1,395
Provision for credit loss as a percentage
of average net receivable (1) 7.8% 9.4% 8.5% 8.2%
Net write-offs 2,541 2,474 1,727 1,245
Net write-offs as a percentage of average
net receivable (1) 8.3% 9.4% 8.5% 7.3%
Average interest rate on average net
Receivable (1) 23.6% 24.6% 24.6% 25.0%
</TABLE>
(1) Percentages for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 and 2000 are
annualized.
MORTGAGE PORTFOLIO
At September 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999 and 1998, the gross
receivables of the mortgage portfolio was $6.3 million, $5.0 million and $0.3
million, respectively. The number of mortgage loans outstanding at September 30,
2000, and December 31 1999 and 1998 were 737, 505 and 18, respectively. The
average interest rate on the portfolio for the nine months ended September 30,
2000 and years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, was 15.6%, 14.7% and 14.5%,
respectively.
At September 30, 2000, and December 31, 1999, there was $0.3 million and
$0.2 million of receivables with balances over 31 days past due.
16
<PAGE> 19
DELINQUENCY EXPERIENCE AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Borrowers under our contracts are required to make monthly payments. The
following sets forth our delinquency experience for accounts with payments 31
days or more past due and allowance for credit losses for our finance
receivables.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCE RECEIVABLES (1)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------- -----------------------
1998 1999 1999 2000
-------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Past due accounts 31 days or more
(gross receivable): $ 2,334 $ 2,205 2,210 $ 1,502
Accounts with payments 31 days or more past
due as a percentage of end of
period gross receivables 5.7% 7.2% 7.5% 6.4%
Allowance for credit losses $ 1,590 $ 1,619 $ 1,590 $ 1,441
Allowance for credit losses as a
percentage of net receivables 4.3% 5.9% 5.9% 6.8%
</TABLE>
(1) Includes our consumer products, independent retailer and premium finance
portfolios.
Our finance receivables accounts which were 31 days or more past due
decreased to $1.5 million at the end of September 30, 2000 compared to $2.2
million at the end of September 30, 1999 and $2.2 million at the end of December
31, 1999. These declines primarily reflect the decline in the aggregate level of
our finance receivables portfolios during these periods. As a percentage of the
end of period gross finance receivables, accounts with 31 days or more past due
decreased to 6.4% at September 30, 2000 from 7.2% at December 31, 1999,
reflecting more stringent credit guidelines which were implemented following a
rise in this percentage at the end of December 31, 1999 as compared to December
31, 1998. We believe the rise experienced in this percentage during 1999 was a
result of excessive credit burdens for some customers due to an aggressive over
extension of credit in the market place in which we compete. Although the
allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2000 decreased to $1.4 million from
$1.6 million at December 31, 1999, expressed as percentage of net receivables
the allowance for credit losses increased to 6.8% at September 30, 2000 compared
to 5.9% at December 31, 1999, primarily as a result of the continuing decline of
the aggregate receivables portfolios.
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2000 COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30, 1999
Total revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2000 decreased to
$6.9 million from $8.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1999, a
decrease of $1.9 million.
17
<PAGE> 20
Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 decreased
to $5.2 million from $6.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1999, a
decrease of $0.8 million. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in our
Consumer Products Portfolio as a result of a decreased level of receivables
purchased from Banner's Central Electric, reflecting Banner's Central Electric's
declining retail sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2000, our net
consumer products portfolio averaged $22.8 million compared to $27.0 million in
the nine months ended September 30, 1999. Also contributing to the decline was a
decrease in interest income earned on our independent retailers and premium
finance portfolio, as a result of our decision to phase out of substantially all
of our independent retailer relationships and insurance companies (for which we
act as broker) because they are offering financing directly to customers.
Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 declined to
$1.7 million from $2.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 1999, a
decrease of $0.5 million. Other income primarily includes late charges and other
fees charged on the receivables portfolio and the sale of automobile insurance.
Of the decrease approximately $0.2 million was due to a decline in late charges
and other fees primarily reflecting the decrease level of the finance
receivables portfolio and $0.3 million was due to a decrease in the level of
automobile insurance sold. The agreement under which we charged a transaction
fee to Banner's Central Electric was terminated effective January 1, 2000.
Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2000
decreased to $4.7 million from $5.0 million in the nine months ended September
30, 1999, a decrease of $0.3 million. Of this decrease, approximately $1.3 was
due to a reduction in salary and overhead expenses corresponding to the decrease
in revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2000, offset by a charge of
approximately $1.0 million for the early termination of a lease. As a percentage
of interest and other income, operating expenses (net of the lease termination
charge) were 53.7% and 60.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and
1999, respectively.
The provision for credit losses decreased to $1.4 million in the nine
months ended September 30, 2000 compared to $1.9 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 1999. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the
average receivable portfolio in the nine months ended September 30, 2000
compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1999, and to decreased
delinquencies.
As a result of the foregoing factors, net income in the nine months
ended September 30, 2000 decreased to $0.5 million from $1.2 million in the nine
months ended September 30, 1999.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
Revenues in the year ended December 31, 1999 decreased to $11.4 million
from the $15.0 million in the year ended December 31, 1998, a decrease of $3.6
million.
Interest income for the year ended December 31, 1999 decreased to $7.8
million compared to $10.0 million in the year ended December 31, 1998, a
decrease of
18
<PAGE> 21
$2.2 million. Of this decrease, $0.8 million was due to a decrease in
interest income earned on our consumer products portfolio as a result of the
decreased level of receivables we purchased from Banner's Central Electric,
reflecting Banner's Central Electric's declining retail sales. For the year
ended December 31, 1999 our gross consumer products portfolio averaged $26.4
million compared to $30.7 million in the year ended December 31, 1998. The
remaining decrease was primarily attributable to a $0.8 million and $0.6 million
decrease in interest income earned on our independent retailer and premium
finance portfolios, respectively, reflecting the declining trends in these
portfolios. Also contributing to the decline was a decrease in interest income
earned on our independent retailers and premium finance portfolios as a result
of our decision to phase out of substantially all of our independent retailer
relationships and insurance companies (for which we act as broker) because they
are offering financing directly to customers.
Other income for the year ended December 31, 1999 decreased to $2.8
million from $4.1 million in the year ended December 31, 1998. A decline of $1.3
million in the income primarily includes late charges and other fees charged on
the receivables portfolio and the sale of automobile insurance. Of the decrease,
approximately $0.2 million was due to a decline in late charges and other fees
primarily reflecting the decreased level of the finance receivables portfolio
and $1.1 million due to a decrease in the level of automobile insurance sold.
Transaction fees from an affiliate decreased to $0.8 million in the year
ended December 31, 1999 compared to $0.9 million in the year ended December 31,
1998. Banner's Central Electric paid transaction fees to us based upon the level
of receivables we purchased from them. The decline in transaction fees of $0.1
million reflected the decline in the level of receivables purchased and a
decline in the rate charged on each transaction
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 1999 decreased to
$6.7 million from $8.6 million in the year ended December 31, 1998, a decrease
of $1.9 million. This decrease was due to reductions in direct expenses and
corporate overhead reflecting the decreased level of business activity. As a
percentage of revenue, excluding transaction fees, operating expenses were 63.2%
in the year ended December 31, 1999 compared to 61.6% in the year ended December
31, 1998.
The provision for credit losses in the year ended December 31, 1999 was
$2.7 million compared to $2.9 million in the year ended December 31, 1998. This
decrease was due to a decreasing balance in the receivables portfolio.
As a result of the foregoing factors, net income in the year ended
December 31, 1999 declined to $1.2 million compared to $2.1 million in the year
ended December 31, 1998, a decrease of $0.9 million.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We primarily finance our operations through the cash flow generated from
operations and the liquidation of our receivables portfolios and historically
from capital
19
<PAGE> 22
contributions from Central Financial. Net cash flow provided from operations
totaled $3.5 million and $0.2 million in the nine months ended September 30,
2000 and 1999, respectively.
Net cash flow used in operations for the year ended December 31, 1999
totaled $0.9 million, while net cash flow provided from operations in the year
ended December 31, 1998 was $5.3 million. During the nine months ended September
30, 2000 and 1999, and the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, cash
collected from liquidation of our receivables portfolio was $3.5 million, $4.8
million, $2.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively. These amounts together
with our cash flow from operations and capital contributions generated funds to
pay down debt in the periods presented.
We presently do not have a bank line of credit. Pursuant to an operating
agreement with Hispanic Express, Hispanic Express has agreed to guarantee up to
$4 million of bank borrowings to acquire consumer receivables that we may
purchase from Banner's Central Electric. Should we decide to expand our mortgage
business, we will need to obtain a bank line of credit.
Our Board of Directors has authorized open-market purchases of up to 3
million shares of our common stock, subject to applicable law and depending on
market considerations and other considerations that may affect open market
repurchases of such shares pursuant to authorization from time to time. Any
decision to purchase such shares will be based on the price of such shares and
whether we have capital available for such purchase.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Historically, we have been exposed to interest rate risk in the form of
variable interest rates on our Line of Credit. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 and the twelve months ended December 31, 1999, the average
interest rate charged on our previous Line of Credit was 8.7% and 7.7%,
respectively. At September 30, 2000, we had no borrowings outstanding and no
line of credit.
ITEM 3. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Our executive and administrative offices occupy 5,000 feet of a building
which is owned by an affiliate of West Coast. We do not pay any rent for this
space. We believe that our executive and administrative offices are adequate for
current and future needs.
ITEM 4. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
As of December 13, 2000, Central Financial owned all 7,166,000 shares of
our outstanding common stock.
Following the liquidation of Central Financial and the distribution of
our common stock to Central Financial's shareholders under the Plan, our
directors and executive officers will beneficially own our common stock in the
amounts and
20
<PAGE> 23
percentages shown on the following table, based upon their respective ownership
of Central Financial common stock as of December 13, 2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1)
-----------------------
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES(2) CLASS(3)
------------------------ --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Gary M. Cypres(4) ................................ 5,312,500 72.6%
Arturo Ochoa(5) .................................. 5,000 *
William R. Sweet(6) .............................. 3,800 *
Salvatore J. Caltagirone(7) ...................... 2,800 *
All directors and executive officers as a group
(4 persons)(8) ................................... 5,319,100 72.7%
</TABLE>
---------
* Less than 1%
(1) "Beneficial ownership" is a technical term broadly defined by the
Securities and Exchange Commission to mean more than ownership in the
usual sense. So, for example, you "beneficially" own our common stock
not only if you hold it directly, but also if you directly or indirectly
(through a relationship, a position as a director or trustee, or a
contract or understanding), have (or share) the power to vote the stock,
to invest it, to sell it or you currently have the right to acquire it
or the right to acquire it, for the purposes of this table, within 60
days of December 13, 2000.
(2) Except as otherwise note below, each individual named in the table
directly or indirectly has sole voting and investment power with respect
to the shares shown which each such individual beneficially owns.
(3) Shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options
exercisable within 60 days of December 13, 2000 are considered
outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding those
options but are not considered outstanding for computing the percentage
of any other person.
(4) Consists of 5,150,000 shares that are held as of December 13, 2000 by
West Coast, Wells Fargo & Company and WLEP Pte. Ltd., for which Mr.
Cypres has voting power, 77,500 shares that are held of record as of
December 13, 2000 directly by Mr. Cypres, 12,500 shares that are held of
record as of December 13, 2000 by Mr. Cypres' spouse and 12,500 shares
that are held of record as of December 13, 2000 by or in trust by Mr.
Cypres and his spouse for their children. An additional 60,000 shares is
included representing options exercisable within 60 days of December 13,
2000. Of the 5,312,500 shares, Mr. Cypres will share voting and
investment power of 25,000 shares with his spouse.
(5) Consists of 5,000 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
exercisable within 60 days of December 13, 2000.
(6) Consists of 1,000 shares that are held of record as of December 13, 2000
directly by Mr. Sweet and 2,800 shares issuable upon exercise of stock
options exercisable within 60 days of December 13, 2000.
(7) Consists of 2,800 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
exercisable within 60 days of December 13, 2000.
(8) Consists of 91,200 shares issuable upon exercise of stock options
exercisable within 60 days of December 13, 2000.
21
<PAGE> 24
BENEFICIAL STOCK OWNERSHIP OF 5% STOCKHOLDERS
The following table shows all persons or entities that will be
"beneficial owners" of more than five percent of our common stock following the
liquidation of Central Financial and the distribution of our common stock to
Central Financial's shareholders under the Plan, based on their respective
ownership of Central Financial common stock as of December 13, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1)
---------------------------
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(2) SHARES(3) CLASS(4)
--------------------------------------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Gary M. Cypres(5) ............................ 5,312,500 72.6%
West Coast Private Equity Partners, L.P. ..... 3,665,047 51.15%
Wells Fargo & Company ........................ 1,104,933 15.42%
WCEP Pte Ltd. ................................ 380,020 5.30%
Wellington Management Company, LLP(6) ........ 684,200 9.3%
</TABLE>
(1) See footnote 1 in table included above.
(2) The address for Mr. Cypress, and West Coast is 5480 East Ferguson Drive,
Commerce, California 90022, and the address for Wellington Management
Company, LLP, or Wellington Management, is 75 State Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02109. The address for Wells Fargo & Company and WCEP Pte.
Ltd. is c/o West Coast, 5480 East Feguson Drive, Commerce, California
90022.
(3) Except as otherwise noted below, each person and entity named in the
table directly or indirectly has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares shown which each such person or entity
beneficially owns.
(4) Shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options
exercisable within 60 days of December 13, 2000 are considered
outstanding for computing the percentage of the person or entity holding
those options but are not considered outstanding for computing the
percentage of any other person or entity.
(5) Consists of 5,150,000 shares that are held as of December 13, 2000 by
West Coast, Wells Fargo & Company and WCEP Pte. Ltd. for which Mr.
Cypres has voting control. 77,500 shares that are held of record as of
December 13, 2000 directly by Mr. Cypres, 12,500 shares that are held of
record as of December 13, 2000 by Mr. Cypres' spouse and 12,500 shares
that are held of record as of December 13, 2000 by or in trust by Mr.
Cypres and his spouse for their children. An additional 60,000 shares is
included representing options exercisable within 60 days of December 13,
2000. Of the 5,312,500 shares, Mr. Cypres will share voting and
investment power of 25,000 shares with his spouse.
(6) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2000 relating
to beneficial ownership of Central Financial's common stock by
Wellington Management's clients. Of the 684,200 shares, Wellington
Management shares the power to vote 436,000 of these shares and shares
the power to dispose of all of these shares in its capacity as
investment advisor to these clients.
ITEM 5. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS
The following tables sets forth certain information at December 13, 2000
regarding our directors and executive officers, their ages and their positions
and offices with us. There are no arrangements among or between any of our
directors or executive officers relating to their appointment or election to the
respective position in our
22
<PAGE> 25
company and there are no family relationships among any of our directors or
executive officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Gary M. Cypres 56 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Arturo Ochoa 39 President
Salvatore Caltagirone 57 Director
William R. Sweet 62 Director
</TABLE>
GARY M. CYPRES has been our Chairman of the Board and Chief Financial Officer
since our formation and Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Hispanic Express since its formation. Mr. Cypres has been Chairman
of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer of Central Financial since its
formation in 1996, Chairman of the Board of Central since February 1991,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Central Rents, Inc. since
June 1994 and managing general partner of West Coast since March 1990. Prior to
that, Mr. Cypres was a general partner of SC Partners, a private investment
banking and consulting firm. From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Cypres was Chief Financial
Officer of The Signal Companies. From 1973 to 1983, Mr. Cypres was Senior Vice
President of Finance at Wheelabrator-Frye Inc. Mr. Cypres was a member of the
Board of Trustees and a faculty member of The Amos Tuck School of Business at
Dartmouth College.
It is contemplated that after the distribution of our common stock to Central
Financial's shareholders, Mr. Cypres will spend that portion of his business
time as may be required to oversee our operations and to direct or implement our
business strategies, as contemplated by our operating agreement with Hispanic
Express. Mr. Cypres will continue to spend a portion of his business time as the
managing general partner of West Coast, as Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Banner's Central Electric, and
as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Central Rents, Inc. See
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
ARTURO J. OCHOA has been our President since our formation. Since August 1998,
Mr. Ochoa has been President of Central Financial's mortgage business. Prior to
joining Central Financial, Mr. Ochoa was Area Manager and then Regional Vice
President with Home Savings of America. From 1983 to 1992 he served as a
District Manager with Transamerica Financial Services. Mr. Ochoa graduated from
the University of Southern California, School of Business.
SALVATORE J. CALTAGIRONE has been one of our directors since our formation and
director of Central Financial since September 1997. Mr. Caltagirone has been
retired since October 1994. From the fall of 1990 to October 1994, he was an
employee of G.M. Cypres & Company. From March 1987 to June 1990, he was employed
as the Managing Director of Henley Group.
WILLIAM R. SWEET has been one of our directors of the since our formation and
director of Central Financial since September 1997. In July 1996, Mr. Sweet
retired from his
23
<PAGE> 26
position of Executive Vice President -- Wholesale Banking at Union Bank of
California, N.A., a position he had held since July 1985. Mr. Sweet currently
serves as a trustee of CNI Charter Funds.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has established a Compensation Committee and an
Audit Committee. The Compensation Committee consists of Mr. Caltagirone and Mr.
Sweet and will have the authority to determine compensation for our executive
officers and to administer our 2000 Stock Option Plan. The Audit Committee
consists of Mr. Caltagirone and Mr. Sweet, who have the authority to make
recommendations concerning the engagement of independent public accountants,
review with the independent public accountants the plans and results of the
audit engagement, approve professional services provided by the independent
public accountants, review the independence of the independent public
accountants, consider the range, of the audit and non-audit fees and review the
adequacy of our internal accounting controls.
ITEM 6. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the compensation for the year ended
December 31, 1999 of our Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officer
whose compensation exceeded $100,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE(1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
AWARDS
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION SALARY BONUS OPTIONS/SARS
--------------------------- ------ ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Gary M. Cypres(2) $25,000 $ -- --
Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer
Arturo Ochoa(3) $140,000 $20,000 --
President
</TABLE>
(1) Certain of our executive officers receive benefits in addition to salary
and cash bonuses. The aggregate amount of such benefits, do not exceed
the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus of
such Named Executive.
(2) Mr. Cypres became an executive officer of our company upon our
formation. In 1999, $25,000 of Mr. Cypres's total compensation paid by
Central Financial was allocated to our company. Concurrent with the
distribution of our common stock to Central Financial's shareholders,
Mr. Cypres will receive a yearly compensation of $75,000.
(3) Mr. Ochoa became an executive officer of our company upon our formation.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
We established a Compensation Committee, which consists of Mr.
Caltagirone and Mr. Sweet. Prior to the establishment of the Compensation
Committee,
24
<PAGE> 27
decisions concerning the compensation of executive officers were made by the
Board of Directors of Central Financial. None of our executive officers
currently serves as a director or member of the Compensation Committee of
another entity or of any other committee of the Board of Directors of another
entity performing similar functions. See "Certain Relationships."
COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO PLANS AND ARRANGEMENTS
Set forth below is information with respect to certain of our benefit
plans and employment arrangements pursuant to which cash and non-cash
compensation is proposed to be paid or distributed in the future to our
directors and executive officers. Base compensation does not include
compensation pursuant to any of the plans and arrangements described herein.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
Concurrent with the distribution of our common stock to the shareholders
of Central Financial, Central Financial will terminate its Stock Option Plan.
Our board of Directors and shareholder have approved the Banner Central Finance
Company 2000 Stock Option Plan, or the 2000 Plan. The 2000 Plan provides that it
is to be administered by a committee of the Board of Directors, referred to as
the Option Committee. The Compensation Committee is expected to function as the
Option Committee. The Option Committee has the authority, within limitations as
set forth in the 2000 Plan, to establish rules and regulations concerning the
2000 Plan, to determine the persons to whom options may be granted, the number
of shares of common stock to be covered by each option, and the terms and
provisions of the option to be granted, provided, that such grants shall conform
with Section 260.140.41 of the California Securities Code. Subject to the terms
set forth in the 2000 Plan, the Option Committee has the right to cancel any
outstanding options and to issue new options on such terms and upon such
conditions as may be consented to by the optionee affected.
A total of 1,100,000 shares are reserved for issuance under the 2000
Plan. No individual may be granted options under the 2000 Plan with respect to
more than 550,000 shares during the duration of the 2000 Plan. It is expected
that options to purchase 421,000 shares of common stock will be granted to
eligible participants under the 2000 Plan effective upon the closing of the
Distribution, including options to certain executive officers as set forth
below. Options granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan would vest over two different
time periods. Options granted which equal the number of Options granted to
executive officers and employees under the Central Financial Stock Option Plan
will vest as they would have been vested under the Central Financial Stock
Option Plan at the time of distribution, except for those officers and employees
which had been with Central Financial or its predecessor company for a period in
excess of 5 years, which shall be 60% vested in total options granted to them.
Options granted to executive officers and employees which exceed the amounts
granted to them under the Central Financial Stock Option Plan will vest in such
Options over a five-year period in equal annual amounts, subject to reasonable
conditions such as continued employment. Upon
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<PAGE> 28
the effectiveness of these grants, 679,000 shares of common stock will remain
available for future grants of options under the 2000 Plan.
The number of shares which may be granted under the 2000 Plan or under
any outstanding options will be proportionately adjusted in the event of any
stock dividend or if the common stock shall be split, reverse split,
recapitalized, converted, exchanged, reclassified or in any way substituted.
Subject to the terms of the 2000 Plan, and in the event of a recapitalization,
merger, consolidation, rights offering, separation, reorganization or
liquidation, or any other change in our corporate structure or outstanding
shares, the Option Committee may make such equitable adjustments to the number
and class of shares available under the 2000 Plan or to any outstanding options
as it shall deem appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights. The
maximum term of any option granted pursuant to the 2000 Plan is ten years. In
general, shares subject to options granted under the 2000 Plan which expire,
terminate or are canceled without having been exercised in full become available
again for options grants.
The class of eligible persons under the 2000 Plan will consist of
directors and employees of, and consultants to, us or a parent or subsidiary of
us, as determined by the Option Committee, except that nonemployee directors can
only receive fixed grants of options under the terms set forth in the 2000 Plan.
See "Compensation of the Board of Directors." Options granted under the 2000
Plan may be incentive stock options, or ISOs, or non-qualified options, at the
discretion of the Option Committee; however, ISOs can only be granted to our
employees or a parent or subsidiary. The 2000 Plan provides that the exercise
price of an option (other than nonemployee director's option) will be fixed by
the Option Committee on the date of grant; however, the exercise price of an
ISOs must be not less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date
of the grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option may be granted with an
exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such
Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option
in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. The exercise price of an ISOs granted to any
participant who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of our outstanding stock, or a Ten Percent Stockholder,
must be at least equal to 110% of the fair market value of the common stock on
the date of grant and the rate of exercise shall be at least twenty percent per
year over five years. Prior to the listing date, no Ten Percent Stockholder
shall be eligible for the grant of a nonqualified stock option unless the
exercise price of such option is at least 110% of the fair market value of the
common stock on the date of grant. Any ISOs granted to such participants also
must expire within five years from the date of grant and the rate of exercise
shall be at least twenty percent per year over five years. Additionally, options
granted under the 2000 Plan will not be ISOs to the extent that aggregate fair
market value of the shares with respect to which ISOs under the 2000 Plan (or
under any other plan maintained by us or a parent or subsidiary of ours) first
become exercisable in any year exceeds $100,000. No options shall be granted
under the 2000 Plan or after the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the 2000
Plan.
Options will be non-transferable and non-assignable except by will, the
laws of descent and distribution, by instrument to an inter vivos or
testamentary trust in
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<PAGE> 29
which the Options are to be passed to beneficiaries upon the death of the
trustor (settlor), or by gift to "immediate family" as defined in 17 C.F.R.
240.16a-1(e). Options (other than nonemployee director's options) are
exercisable by the holder thereof subject to terms fixed by the Option
Committee. However, no option can be exercised until at least six months after
the date of grant.
Notwithstanding the above, an option will be exercisable immediately
upon the happening of any of the following (but in no event during the six-month
period following the date of grant or subsequent to the expiration of the term
of an option): (1) the holder's retirement on or after attainment of age 65; (2)
the holder's disability or death; (3) a "change of control" (as defined in the
2000 Plan) of Banner Central Finance while the holder is in the employ or
service of Banner Finance Company; or (4) the occurrence of such special
circumstances or events as the Option Committee determines merits special
consideration, except with respect to nonemployee directors' options, by such
other method as the Option Committee may permit from time to time.
If an option holder terminates employment with us or service as one of
our directors or as our consultant while holing an unexercised option, the
option will terminate 30 days after such termination of employment or service
unless the option holder exercises the option within such 30-day period.
However, all options held by an option holder will terminate immediately if the
termination is a result of a violation of such holder's duties. If cessation of
employment or service is due to retirement on or after attainment of age 65,
disability or death, the option holder or such holder's successor-in-interest,
as the case may be, is permitted to exercise any option within three months
after retirement or within one year after disability or death.
The 2000 Plan may be terminated and may be modified or amended by the
Option Committee or the Board of Directors at any time; provided, however, that
(1) no modification or amendment either increasing the aggregate number of
shares which may be issued under options or to any individual or modifying the
requirements as to eligibility to receive options will be effective without
stockholder approval within one year of the adoption of such amendment; and, (2)
no such termination, modification or amendment of 2000 Plan will alter or affect
the terms of any then outstanding options without the consent of the holders
thereof.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES
UNDER OPTIONS
NAME TO BE GRANTED
----- -------------
<S> <C>
Gary M. Cypres.............................. 325,000
Arturo Ochoa................................ 50,000
William Sweet............................... 18,000
Salvatore Caltagirone....................... 18,000
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 30
COMPENSATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We intend to pay to our Board of Directors who are not also our
employees, or the nonemployee directors, an annual fee of $5,000. Members of the
Board of Directors who are our employees will not be paid any Directors' fees.
In addition, we may reimburse members of the Board of Directors for expenses
incurred in connection with their activities on our behalf. Nonemployee
directors will also each receive options to purchase 18,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price to be determined by the Board of Directors under the
2000 Stock Option Plan. All options granted to the nonemployee directors will be
40% vested with remaining balance to vest in equal annual installments over 3
years beginning on the date of grant, subject to continued service on the Board
of Directors; however, no option can be exercised until at least six months
after the date of grant. We will enter into agreements with all directors
pursuant to which we will agree to indemnify them against certain claims arising
out of their services as directors. Directors are also entitled to the
protection of certain indemnification provisions in our Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws. See "Compensation Pursuant to Plans and Arrangements
-- Stock Option Plan" and "-- Indemnification Arrangements."
ITEM 7. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In connection with the Plan, Central Financial, Hispanic Express, our
company and Banner's Central Electric have entered into various agreements for
the purpose of defining the ongoing relationships among them. Since Central
Financial currently owns both Hispanic Express and our company, these agreements
are not the result of arm's-length negotiations. We believe, however, that these
agreements are at least as favorable to us as those that could have been
obtained from unaffiliated third parties. The following is a summary of the
material terms of the agreements. See Notes 1 and 9 to our Consolidated
Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this registration statement.
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
We entered into a contribution agreement, referred to as the
Contribution Agreement, with Central Financial and Hispanic Express. The
Contribution Agreement covers the following matters:
Contribution of Central Financial Subsidiaries. The Contribution
Agreement provides for the contribution of all of the assets and businesses of
Central Financial to us and to Hispanic Express. Specifically:
- Central Financial contributed to Hispanic Express all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of Central Consumer Finance
Company, Centravel, Inc. and BCE Properties I, Inc. Central
Consumer Finance Company has four wholly-owned subsidiaries,
namely, Central Check Cashing, Inc., Central Financial
Acceptance Corporation Accident & Health Reinsurance, Limited,
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<PAGE> 31
Central Finance Reinsurance, Ltd. and Central Consumer Company
of Nevada; and
- Central Financial contributed to our company all of the issued
and outstanding capital stock of Central Installment Credit
Corporation, Central Financial Acceptance/Insurance Agency and
Central Premium Finance Company. In addition, Central Financial
contributed to Central Installment Credit Corporation all of the
assets and liabilities of the mortgage business owned by Central
Consumer Finance Company.
Contribution of Additional Property. The Contribution Agreement provides
for the contribution by Central Financial of additional property from time to
time, prior to or upon its dissolution and liquidation, if Central Financial
should choose to do so.
FINANCING AGREEMENT
We have entered into an agreement with Banner's Central Electric,
referred to as the Financing Agreement, pursuant to which Banner's Central
Electric granted us the exclusive right, at our option, to purchase without
recourse consumer finance receivables originated by Banner's Central Electric
for sales of merchandise at Banner's Central Electric stores in operation on the
date of the Financing Agreement, and for all stores that Banner's Central
Electric may determine to open in the future during the term of the Financing
Agreement. We are not obligated to provide financing to any particular Banner's
Central Electric customers, or to offer financing at any Banner's Central
Electric location or locations. As part of this agreement, we have agreed to
provide Banner's Central Electric with up to $6 million of inventory or
inventory financing as long as the Financing Agreement remains in effect, and
Banner's Central Electric has agreed to provide us, at no charge, an amount of
floor space at Banner's Central Electric's stores as we may from time to time
request. The Financing Agreement has a term of 10 years. Either party may
terminate the Financing Agreement at any time upon one-year's prior written
notice to the other party.
OPERATING AGREEMENT
We have entered into an agreement with Hispanic Express, referred to as
the Operating Agreement, which covers the following matters:
Allocation of Business Opportunities. Due to the potential conflicts of
interest resulting from the relationships between us and Hispanic Express, the
Operating Agreement provides that we and our subsidiaries and Hispanic Express
and its subsidiaries will not, without prior written consent of each other,
directly or indirectly, engage in or enter any business which the other is
currently engaged in.
Management and Other Services. The Operating Agreement provides that
Hispanic Express and its subsidiaries are obligated to provide to us and our
subsidiaries and we and our subsidiaries are obligated to utilize, certain
services, including
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<PAGE> 32
management information systems, employee benefit plans, legal and accounting,
insurance, computer and data processing systems. These arrangements will
continue until terminated by either of us upon one-year's prior written notice.
Termination may be made on a service-by-service basis or in its entirety. We
will pay Hispanic Express its actual cost of providing services to us. If such
services involve an allocation of expenses, Hispanic Express shall determine the
allocation on the basis of the percentage utilization of such service or its
management's best estimate thereof.
Employee Benefits. The Operating Agreement provides that both we and
Hispanic Express will assume all liabilities under the existing employee welfare
benefit and profit sharing plans of Central Financial with respect to our
employees and the employees of Hispanic Express and the employees of each of our
subsidiaries who have become employees of each company. The Operating Agreement
also provides that the employment by us and Hispanic Express of individuals who
were employees of Central Financial and the subsidiaries prior to the
distribution of our common stock to Central Financial's shareholders will not be
deemed a severance of employment from Central Financial and its subsidiaries for
the purpose of any policy, plan, program or agreement that provides for the
payment of severance, salary continuation or similar benefits.
Guaranty of Our Debt. The Operating Agreement provides that so long as
the Financing Agreement between our company and Banner's Central Electric is in
effect, Hispanic Express will guarantee up to $4 million of bank or similar
financing, which we may borrow in connection with the purchases of consumer
receivables generated from Banner's Central Electric.
TAX-SHARING AGREEMENT
We have entered into a tax-sharing agreement with Central Financial and
Hispanic Express, referred to as the Tax-Sharing Agreement, providing for:
- the payment of federal, state and other income tax remittances
or refunds for periods during which we and Hispanic Express are
included in the same consolidated group for federal income tax
purposes;
- the allocation of responsibility for the filing of such tax
returns;
- the conduct of tax audits and the handling of tax controversies;
and various related matters.
For periods during which we and Hispanic Express were included in
Central Financial's consolidated federal and state income tax returns, we and
Hispanic Express will each be required to pay its allocable portion of the
consolidated federal, state and other income tax liabilities and will be
entitled to receive refunds determined as if each of us and our subsidiaries had
filed separate income tax returns. With respect to Central Financial's liability
for payment of taxes for all periods during which we and Hispanic Express were
so included in Central Financial's consolidated federal income tax
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<PAGE> 33
returns, we and Hispanic Express will indemnify Central Financial for all
federal, state, and other income tax liabilities for such periods. The date of
the distribution will be the last day on which Hispanic Express and our company
are required to be included in Central Financial's consolidated federal income
tax returns.
SERVICE MARK LICENSE AGREEMENT
We have entered into a Service Mark License Agreement, referred to as
the Service Mark License Agreement, with Banner's Central Electric. Under the
Service Mark License, Banner's Central Electric granted to us, Hispanic Express
and Central Rents, Inc. and each of our respective subsidiaries, whether such
subsidiaries exist now or come into existence at a later time, the right to
license the federally registered trademark "CFAC." The Service Mark License is
non-exclusive and has an initial term of one year. The Service Mark License can
be terminated by any party to it upon one year's written notice, and Banner's
Central Electric can terminate the Service Mark License at any time if there is
a change in control of our company, Hispanic Express or Central Rents, Inc.
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
We entered into an Guaranty Agreement pursuant to which we have agreed
to assume all liabilities and responsibilities under the Central Financial
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan or the SERP, solely and exclusively for
Mr. Cypres, should Hispanic Express default on its obligation to pay the
benefits due Mr. Cypres under the SERP.
Benefits under the SERP are equal to 60% of Mr. Cypres' final average
compensation as of the date he retires or terminates his employment. At December
31, 1999, Mr. Cypres was fully vested under the SERP. The following table shows
the estimated annual retirement benefit that would be payable under the SERP by
us if Hispanic Express defaults on its obligation to pay such benefit.
PENSION PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF SERVICE
-----------------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION 10 15 20 25 30 or more
------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$250,000 ......... $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000
275,000 ......... 165,000 165,000 165,000 165,000 165,000
300,000 ......... 180,000 180,000 180,000 180,000 180,000
325,000 ......... 195,000 195,000 195,000 195,000 195,000
</TABLE>
OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
After completion of the distribution of our common stock to Central
Financial's shareholders, West Coast and its coinvestors will beneficially own
or otherwise control an aggregate of approximately 72% of our common stock. As
such, West Coast will be able to elect the entire Board of Directors, adopt
amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation, or effect a merger, sale of
assets, or other fundamental corporate transaction without the approval of our
other stockholders. West Coast will be able to control the direction of our
future operations, including decisions regarding the
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<PAGE> 34
issuance of additional shares of common stock and other securities. As long as
West Coast is a majority stockholder of our common stock, it will be impossible
for third parties to obtain control of us through purchases of common stock not
beneficially owned or otherwise controlled by West Coast.
Our company and Hispanic Express, or our respective subsidiaries, may
enter into additional agreements, arrangements and transactions or agreements
that modify the agreements described above, after the consummation of the
distribution of our common stock to the shareholders of Central Financial. Any
such agreements, arrangements and transactions will be determined through
negotiations between us and Hispanic Express or our respective subsidiaries.
Because West Coast may control both companies, such negotiations will not be at
arm's length.
Mr. Cypres is our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial, and is the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Hispanic Express and Chairman of the Board of Banner's Central
Electric. West Coast, of which Mr. Cypres is the managing general partner,
controls our company. West Coast and Mr. Cypres may have conflicts of interest
with respect to transactions concerning us and our affiliates. Additionally,
West Coast controls other companies, including us, Hispanic Express and Banner's
Central Electric, all of which may have divergent interests. Banner's Central
Electric owns and operates five installment credit stores in greater Los
Angeles.
Prior to the distribution of our common stock to Central Financial's
shareholders, Mr. Cypres rendered services to us through an employment agreement
with Central Financial. Effective as of September 6, 2000, Mr. Cypres is
employed by our company and will receive compensation at the rate of $75,000 per
year. Mr. Cypres will act as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer. In such capacities, Mr. Cypres will spend that portion
of his business time as is required to oversee our operations and to formulate
and direct the implementation of our business strategies. Mr. Cypress will
continue to spend a portion of his business time as the managing general partner
of West Coast, as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
of Hispanic Express, and as Chairman of the Board of Banner's Central Electric.
See "Management" and "Description of Securities."
ITEM 8. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Our authorized capital stock consists of 10,000,000 shares of common
stock, $.01 par value.
As of the Liquidation Date, we will have 7,166,000 shares of common
stock issued and outstanding. All shares of common stock to be issued in
connection with the distribution of our common stock to Central Financial's
shareholders will be fully paid and nonassessable.
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<PAGE> 35
The following summarizes the rights of holders of our common stock:
- each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share on
all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders, except as
discussed in "Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws";
- subject to preferences that may apply to shares of preferred
stock that we may issue in the future, the holders of common
stock are entitled to receive such lawful dividends as may be
declared by the Board of Directors;
- upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of
shares of common stock are entitled to receive a pro rata
portion of all of our assets remaining for distribution after
satisfaction of all our liabilities and the payment of any
liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock;
- there are no redemptive or sinking fund provisions applicable to
our common stock; and
- there are no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights
applicable to our common stock.
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF PROVISIONS OF OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND
BYLAWS
Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have
an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or
takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest,
including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price
for the shares held by our stockholders. Such provisions may also render the
removal of our current Board of Directors or management more difficult. These
provisions include:
Limitation of Liability. Our certificate of incorporation eliminate the
personal liability of our directors to us and our stockholders to the fullest
extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law; provided, however,
that directors shall be liable to the extent provided by applicable law:
- for any breach of the directors' duty of loyalty to us or our
stockholders;
- for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
- under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or
- for any transaction from which the director derived any improper
personal benefit.
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<PAGE> 36
Our bylaws authorize us to provide indemnification to our directors and
officers if they are made party to litigation by reason that such person was
acting reasonably on our behalf and in good faith. These provisions may reduce
the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and may discourage or
deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for
breach of their duty of care.
Calling Special Meeting and Action by Written Consent. Special meetings
of our stockholders may be called only by our Board of Directors. This may make
it more difficult to change the composition of our board of directors or to
propose a transaction which could result in a change in control.
No Cumulative Voting. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide
for cumulative voting for any purpose. This ensures that the holder or holders
of a majority of our common shares entitled to vote in an election of directors
are able to elect all of the directors. This could deter investors from
acquiring a minority of our shares of our common stock in order to obtain a
board seat and influence corporate policy.
SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
Under Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, we may not
engage in a "business combination," which includes certain mergers,
consolidations, asset sales and stock issuances and certain other transactions
resulting in a financial benefit to an "interested stockholder," namely, any
entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock
and any entity or person affiliated with such an entity or person, for three
years following the time that stockholder became an interested stockholder,
unless;
- prior to such date our Board of Directors approved either the
business combination or the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
- upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder owned at least
85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction
commenced (excluding for the purposed of determining the number
of shares outstanding those shares owned by (x) persons who are
directors and also officers and (y) employee stock plans in
which employee participants do not have the right to determine
confidentially whether shares held subject to the plans will be
tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or
- on or subsequent to such date the business combination is
approved by the Board of Directors and of at least 66-2/3% of
the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the
interested stockholder.
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<PAGE> 37
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is U.S. Stock
Transfer Corporation.
EFFECT OF QUASI-CALIFORNIA CORPORATION LAW
Section 2115 of the California General Corporation Law, or the
California General Corporation Law, provides that quasi-California corporations
will be subject to certain substantive provisions in the California General
Corporation Law notwithstanding comparable provisions in the law of the
jurisdiction where the corporation is incorporated. Section 2115 is applicable
to foreign corporations that have more than half of their stockholders residing
in California and more than half of their business deriving from California. The
determination of whether a corporation is a quasi-California corporation is
based upon information contained in a certificate required to be filed within
three months and fifteen days after the end of the corporation's fiscal year or
within 30 days after the filings of its franchise tax return, if an extension of
time to file such return was granted. Quasi-California corporations that are
Large Public Corporations (i.e., that have securities listed on the New York or
American stock exchanges, or securities designated for trading on the Nasdaq
National Market, if the corporation has at least 800 holders of its equity
securities as of the record date for its most recent annual meeting), are exempt
from the application of Section 2115.
We have qualified to do business in the State of California because we
have substantially all of our property, employees and operations in California.
Therefore, absent an exemption, we would be deemed to be a quasi-California
corporation.
Because we will be deemed to be a quasi-California corporation, certain
of the provisions for our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws would not be
authorized by California law. In addition, under California law, cumulative
voting for the election of directors is mandatory unless a corporation that is a
Large Public Corporation has expressly eliminated cumulative voting in its
articles of incorporation. Furthermore, California law with respect to the
payment of dividends is more restrictive than Delaware law. Under California
law, a corporation is prohibited from paying dividends unless (i) the retained
earnings of the corporation immediately prior to the distribution exceeds the
amount of the distribution; (ii) the assets of the corporation exceed 1 1/4
times its liabilities; or (iii) the current assets of the corporation exceed its
current liabilities, but if the average pretax net earnings of the corporation
before interest expense for the two years preceding the distribution was less
than the average interest expense of the corporation for those years, the
current assets of the corporation must exceed 1 1/4 times its current
liabilities.
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<PAGE> 38
PART II
ITEM 1. MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND OTHER
SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
MARKET INFORMATION
There is currently no public market for our shares of common stock, and
we do not know whether a trading market will develop on or after the Liquidation
Date. The common stock of Central Financial currently trades on the OTC Bulletin
Board. We would expect our shares of common stock to also trade on the OTC
Bulletin Board under the symbol "BCFC" if, after the Liquidation Date, at least
one market maker submits application to the OTC Bulletin Board in which it
represents that:
- it desires to represent us as a market maker; and
- it has satisfied all applicable requirements of the Securities
and Exchange Commission and the National Association of
Securities Dealers.
In connection with the Plan, and pursuant to this registration statement
on Form 10, we are registering our common stock under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Following the Liquidation Date we will have 7,166,000
share of our common stock outstanding, and we anticipate that if we become a
publicly traded company, we will have approximately 138 initial beneficial
holders and approximately six initial holders of record of our common stock, and
that the public float will be 1,939,000 common shares. Approximately 421,000
shares of our common stock will be subject to outstanding options to purchase,
or securities convertible into shares of our common stock.
The shares of our common stock distributed in connection with the Plan
will be freely transferable, except for shares received by persons who may be
deemed to be "affiliates" of our company under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of our company after the
distribution of our common stock to Central Financial's shareholders generally
include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under
common control with us and may include our directors as well as our principal
stockholders. Persons who are our affiliates will be permitted to sell their
shares of our common stock only pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act, such as the exemption afforded by Rule 144 thereunder.
However, under applicable law and because of the substantial control it has over
us, West Coast will have "restricted securities" under Rule 144. We do not have
any agreements to register our common stock under the Securities Act, nor do we
currently anticipate that we will register our common stock under the Securities
Act.
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<PAGE> 39
DIVIDEND INFORMATION
We have never paid and have no present intention of paying cash
dividends on our common stock. We anticipate that we will retain all earnings
for use in our business, and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends for the
foreseeable future. Any determination in the future to pay dividends will depend
on our financial condition, capital requirements, results of operations,
contractual limitations, legal restrictions and any other factors our Board of
Directors deems relevant.
ITEM 2. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are involved in certain legal proceedings arising in the normal
course of business. We do not believe the outcome of these matters will have a
material effect on us.
ITEM 3. CHANGE IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
None.
ITEM 4. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
On September 5, 2000, we issued 7,166,000 shares of our common stock,
representing all of the outstanding shares of our common stock, to Central
Financial, in consideration for the contribution to us by Central Financial of
three of its subsidiaries on that date. The contributed subsidiaries are Central
Installment Credit Corporation, Central Financial Acceptance/Insurance Agency
and Central Premium Finance Company.
There were no underwriters employed in connection with any of the
transactions set forth in this Item 4.
The securities were issued and considered to be exempt from registration
under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, as a
transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
ITEM 5. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS
We entered into Indemnification Agreements pursuant to which we have
agreed to indemnify certain of our directors and officers against judgments,
claims, damages, losses and expenses incurred as a result of the fact that any
director or officer, in his capacity as such, is made or threatened to be made a
party to any suit or proceeding. Such persons will be indemnified to the fullest
extent now or hereafter permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The
Indemnification Agreements also provide for the advancement of certain expenses
to such directors and officers in connection with any such suit or proceeding.
37
<PAGE> 40
DELAWARE CORPORATE LAW, CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
Our certificate of incorporation eliminates the personal liability of
our directors to us and our stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by the
Delaware General Corporation Law; provided, however, that directors shall be
liable to the extent provided by applicable law:
- for any breach of the directors' duty of loyalty to us or our
stockholders;
- for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
- under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or
- for any transaction from which the director derived any improper
personal benefit.
Our bylaws authorize us to provide indemnification to our directors and
officers if they are made party to litigation by reason that such person was
acting reasonably on our behalf and in good faith. These provisions may reduce
the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and may discourage or
deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for
breach of their duty of care.
38
<PAGE> 41
PART III
ITEMS 1 AND 2. INDEX TO AND DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number Description
------ -----------
<S> <C>
2.1 Certificate of Incorporation, as amended*
2.2 Bylaws*
3.1 Form of specimen common stock certificate*
6.1 Banner Central Finance Company 2000 Stock Option Plan*
6.2 Contribution Agreement dated September 6, 2000 among Central
Financial Acceptance Corporation and Banner Central Finance
Company*
6.3 Financing Agreement dated September 6, 2000 between Banner
Central Finance Company and Banner's Central Electric, Inc*
6.4 Operating Agreement dated September 6, 2000 between Hispanic
Express, Inc. and Banner Central Finance Company*
6.5 Tax-Sharing Agreement dated September 6, 2000 among Hispanic
Express, Inc. among Central Financial Acceptance Corporation,
Hispanic Express, Inc. and Banner Central Finance Company*
6.6 [Reserved]
6.7 Service Mark License Agreement dated September 6, 2000 among
Banner's Central Electric, Inc., Hispanic Express, Inc., Banner
Central Finance Company and Central Rents, Inc.*
6.8 Form of Indemnification Agreement between Banner Central Finance
Company and certain directors and/or officers*
6.9 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Guaranty Agreement between
Banner Central Finance Company and Hispanic Express, Inc.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
-------------
* Previously filed in Registration Statement Form 10-SB filed on October
11, 2000
39
<PAGE> 42
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the registrant caused this registration statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY
Date: December 14, 2000 By: /s/ Gary M. Cypres
--------------------------------
Gary M. Cypres
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer
40
<PAGE> 43
PART F/S
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants.......................................... F-2
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Balance Sheets..................................................... F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income............................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity................................. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows........................................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...................................... F-7
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 44
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Banner Central Finance Company:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Banner Central
Finance Company, a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries, (the "Company") as of
December 31, 1999, and the related consolidated statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period
ended December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Banner Central Finance Company
as of December 31, 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1999, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Los Angeles, California
September 29, 2000
F-2
<PAGE> 45
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
1999 2000
----------- ------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash $ 72,000 $ 27,000
Finance receivables, net 30,231,000 25,304,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 99,000 14,000
Inventory 4,893,000 4,282,000
Deferred income taxes 560,000 484,000
Property and equipment, net 235,000 216,000
Intangible and other assets, net 693,000 668,000
----------- -----------
TOTAL ASSETS $36,783,000 $30,995,000
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable $ 1,800,000 $ --
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 554,000 1,367,000
----------- -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 2,354,000 1,367,000
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Group equity 34,429,000 29,628,000
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 34,429,000 29,628,000
----------- -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $36,783,000 $30,995,000
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 46
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
---------------------------- ----------------------------
1998 1999 1999 2000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Interest income $ 9,960,000 $ 7,821,000 $ 6,006,000 $ 5,232,000
Other income 5,003,000 3,603,000 2,764,000 1,663,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total revenues 14,963,000 11,424,000 8,770,000 6,895,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Operating expenses 8,639,000 6,713,000 4,988,000 4,698,000
Provision for credit losses 2,862,000 2,719,000 1,859,000 1,422,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total costs and expenses 11,501,000 9,432,000 6,847,000 6,120,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before provision for 3,462,000 1,992,000 1,923,000 775,000
income taxes
Provision for income taxes 1,384,000 797,000 769,000 310,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ 2,078,000 $ 1,195,000 $ 1,154,000 $ 465,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA DATA: (NOTE 1)
Pro forma net income per common share
(Unaudited):
Basic $ 0.17 $ 0.06
Diluted $ 0.17 $ 0.06
Pro forma shares used in calculating
pro forma net income per common share
(Unaudited):
Basic 7,166,000 7,166,000
Diluted 7,166,000 7,166,000
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 47
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROUP EQUITY
------------
<S> <C>
Balance, December 31, 1997 $ 26,879,000
Capital distribution to related party (3,866,000)
Net income for the year ended December 31, 1998 2,078,000
------------
Balance, December 31, 1998 25,091,000
Capital contribution from related party 8,143,000
Net income for the year ended December 31, 1999 1,195,000
------------
Balance, December 31, 1999 34,429,000
Capital distribution to related party (Unaudited) (5,266,000)
Net income for the nine months ended September 30,
2000 (Unaudited) --
465,000
------------
Balance, September 30, 2000 (Unaudited) $ 29,628,000
============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of
these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 48
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------- -------------------------------
1998 1999 1999 2000
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 2,078,000 $ 1,195,000 $ 1,154,000 $ 465,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 103,000 180,000 80,000 56,000
Provision for credit losses 2,862,000 2,719,000 1,859,000 1,422,000
Deferred income taxes 194,000 (1,000) 5,000 76,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 318,000 (99,000) (49,000) 85,000
Inventory -- (4,893,000) (3,655,000) 611,000
Accounts payable and accrued
expenses (256,000) (2,000) 842,000 813,000
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities 5,299,000 (901,000) 236,000 3,528,000
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Installment contracts and other
contract receivables (originated
and acquired) collected, net of
recoveries 7,123,000 2,368,000 4,781,000 3,505,000
Installment contracts returned to
Central 2,138,000 262,000 245,000 --
Capital expenditures, net (37,000) (48,000) (72,000) (12,000)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by investing
activities 9,224,000 2,582,000 4,954,000 3,493,000
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayment of notes payable, net (10,000,000) (10,200,000) (12,000,000) (1,800,000)
Capital (distribution to)
contribution from related party (3,866,000) 8,143,000 6,422,000 (5,266,000)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in financing
activities (13,866,000) (2,057,000) (5,578,000) (7,066,000)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE(DECREASE) IN CASH 657,000 (376,000) (388,000) (45,000)
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD (209,000) 448,000 448,000 72,000
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
CASH, END OF PERIOD $ 448,000 $ 72,000 $ 60,000 $ 27,000
============ ============ ============ ============
CASH PAID DURING THE PERIOD FOR:
INTEREST $ 656,000 $ 144,000 $ 105,000 $ --
INCOME TAXES $ 908,000 $ 825,000 $ 523,000 $ 9,000
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE> 49
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Basis of Presentation -- Banner Central Finance Company ("Banner Central
Finance" or the "Company") was formed in September 2000. On September 6, 2000
the Board of Directors of Central Financial Acceptance Corporation ("Central
Financial") approved a Plan of Complete Dissolution, Liquidation and
Distribution (the "Plan") under which Central Financial's subsidiaries have been
reorganized into two public companies, Hispanic Express, Inc. ("Hispanic
Express") and Banner Central Finance. The Plan was approved by the stockholders
of Central Financial on September 29, 2000 and it is anticipated that the Plan
will be consummated on or about January 31, 2001. The Plan requires Central
Financial to distribute to Central Financial's stockholders 100% of the
outstanding Common Stock of Hispanic Express and Banner Central Finance.
Pursuant to the Plan, Central Financial will contribute to Hispanic Express its
investment subsidiaries, which are engaged in the small loan, travel finance and
travel services businesses and will contribute to Banner Central Finance, its
businesses engaged in selling and financing of automobile insurance, its
consumer products receivable portfolio and its mortgage business.
In addition, pursuant to the Plan, Hispanic Express and Banner Central
Finance have entered into certain agreements for the purpose of defining the
ongoing relationship among them (See Note 6). The transaction and agreements
entered into contain provisions for the allocations of certain costs and
expenses. Management of Banner Central Finance believes that such agreements
provide for reasonable allocation of costs and expenses between the parties.
The formation of Banner Central Finance has been accounted for at
historical cost in a manner similar to a pooling of interest. The accompanying
consolidated financial statements reflect the combined operations of Banner
Central Finance and its subsidiaries, as if they had been consolidated at the
beginning of the periods presented. For accounting purposes, Banner Central
Finance has been allocated $1,800,000 of notes payable for the year ended
December 31, 1999 (See Note 4).
Unaudited pro forma net income per share is based on the number of
common shares issued by the Company pursuant to the Plan that are assumed to be
outstanding as of January 1, 1999.
Nature of Operations -- The Company (1) purchases and services consumer
finance receivables generated by the Company's customers for purchases of high
quality brand name consumer products, appliances and furniture sold by Banner's
Central Electric, Inc. ("Central," an affiliated company) and by independent
retailers; (2) provides automobile insurance products and insurance premium
financing to its customers; and (3) originates second trust mortgages. The
Company's purchased finance receivables business is dependent upon the business
activity of Banner's Central Electric,
F-7
<PAGE> 50
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
Inc., or Central, which is focused in Southern California. Central is an
affiliate of the Company that has granted the Company the exclusive right to
purchase the receivables it originates when it sells its inventory at its retail
stores. The Company generally experiences the highest demand for its financial
products and services between October and December.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
Principles of Consolidation -- The accompanying consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of Banner Central Finance and its wholly owned
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation.
Interim Consolidated Financial Information (Unaudited) -- The interim
consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2000 and for the nine
months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 and related footnote information are
unaudited and have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated
financial statements. In the opinion of management, the interim unaudited
consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of only
normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of these interim
periods. The results for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 are not
necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the entire
year.
Finance Receivables -- Finance receivables include installment contracts
that are purchased from Central, (referred to herein as the "Consumer Product
Portfolio"), mortgage loan receivables originated by the Company (referred to
herein as the "Mortgage Portfolio"), installment contracts that are originated
when customers buy used cars, installment contracts purchased from unaffiliated
third party retailers that sell products or services and receivables that arise
from automobile insurance premium contracts, (collectively, referred to herein
as the "Other Portfolio"). The annual percentage rate varies depending on the
length of the contract and the amount of administrative fees. The contracts
provide for scheduled monthly payments and mature generally from 1 to 24 months
in the Consumer Product Portfolio, 48-60 months in the Mortgage Portfolio and
from 8 to 60 months in the Other Portfolio.
Certain direct loan origination costs are capitalized and recognized
into expense over the life of the related loan using a method that approximates
the interest method.
The allowance for credit losses is provided for loans based on previous
experience or when the events giving rise to credit losses are estimated to have
occurred. The Company's portfolios comprise generally of smaller-balance,
homogeneous loans that are evaluated collectively to determine an appropriate
allowance for credit losses.
F-8
<PAGE> 51
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level considered adequate by
management to cover losses in the existing portfolios. Collection of past due
accounts is pursued by the Company, and when the characteristics of an
individual account indicates that collection is unlikely, the account is charged
off and turned over to a collection agency. Accounts are generally charged off
when they are between 91 and 150 days past due.
Allowance for credit losses is increased by charges to the provision for
credit losses and decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. Management's
periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on the Company's
past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse
situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay and current economic
conditions. The Company's non-mortgage customers are typically between the ages
of 21 and 45 and earn less than $25,000 per year, have little or no savings and
limited short-term employment histories. In addition, the Company's customers
typically have no prior credit histories and are unable to secure credit from
traditional lending sources. The Company makes its credit decisions primarily on
its assessment of a customer's ability to repay the obligation. In making a
credit decision, in addition to the size of the obligation, the Company
generally considers a customer's income level, type and length of employment,
stability of residence, personal references and prior credit history with the
Company. As a result, the Company is more susceptible to the risk that its
customers will not satisfy their repayment obligations than are less specialized
consumer lending companies or consumer finance companies that have more
stringent underwriting criteria. Because the Company relies on the
creditworthiness of its customers for repayment and does not rely on collateral
securing the debt, the Company experiences actual rates of losses higher than
lenders who have collateral which they can repossess in the event of a
borrower's default.
Recoveries on charge-offs are recognized as an addition to the allowance
for credit losses on the cash basis of accounting and at the time the payment is
received. Expenses related to recoveries are included in operating expenses.
Recoveries for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999, and the years
ended December 31, 1999, and 1998, amounted to $514,000, and $663,000, and
$848,000 and $961,000, respectively.
Deferred insurance revenue arises from the deferral of the recognition
of revenue from certain credit insurance contracts. Insurance premium revenue is
recognized over the life of the related contract using a method that
approximates the interest method.
Pursuant to the terms of a financing agreement entered into in 1996
between Central and Central Installment Credit Company, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Central Financial, Central Financial returned to Central purchased
receivables with a book value, at the date of transfer, of $245,000 for the nine
months ended September 30,
F-9
<PAGE> 52
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
1999 and $262,000 and $2,138,000 for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively.
Inventories -- The Company purchases consumer product inventory which it
holds under a consignment arrangement until sold by Central. Inventories are
stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the average cost
method.
Property and Equipment -- Property and equipment are carried at cost.
Long-lived property is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such an asset may not be
recoverable in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long Lived Assets." If the
carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash
flows to be generated by the asset, an impairment loss would be recorded to
reduce the asset's carrying value to its estimated fair value.
Depreciation and amortization are computed primarily using the
straight-line method over the estimated lives of the assets, as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Furniture, equipment and software.......... 5 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements..................... Life of lease
</TABLE>
Intangible Assets -- Intangible assets primarily arose in connection
with the Company's acquisition of the net assets of an automobile insurance
business during 1996. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of
net assets acquired is being amortized using the straight-line method over 30
years. The recoverability of the excess of the purchase price over the fair
value of net assets acquired is analyzed annually based on undiscounted future
cash flows. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds the estimated
undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment loss would be recorded to reduce
the asset's carrying value to its estimated fair value. No impairment loss has
been recorded to date. Accumulated amortization of intangibles as of September
30, 2000 and December 31, 1999 was $112,000 and $93,000, respectively.
Income Recognition -- Interest income on the Consumer Product Portfolio
is deferred (recorded as an off-set to finance receivables -- See Note 3) and
recognized over the lives of the contracts using a method that approximates the
interest method. Interest income on the Other Portfolio and our Mortgage
Portfolio are deferred and recognized using the interest method. Transaction
fees on contracts purchased from a related party and origination fees earned on
mortgages are deferred and recognized using the interest method. Commissions
income and broker fee income from the sale of automobile insurance products is
deferred and recognized over the terms of the contracts, typically 12 months.
F-10
<PAGE> 53
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
Other income consists of:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------- --------------------------
1998 1999 1999 2000
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Other Income
Late and extension charges $1,585,000 $1,408,000 $1,083,000 $ 927,000
Insurance products and
other 3,418,000 2,195,000 1,681,000 736,000
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$5,003,000 $3,603,000 $2,764,000 $1,663,000
========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
Income Taxes -- The Company, Central Financial and Hispanic Express have
entered into a Tax-Sharing Agreement (See Note 6). The Company follows SFAS No.
109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under SFAS No. 109, income tax expense
includes income taxes payable for the current year and the change in deferred
income tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that
have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or income tax
returns. A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the
deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some or all of the
deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Advertising -- The Company advertises primarily on Hispanic television
and radio, and through newspapers and direct mail. All advertising costs are
expensed as incurred. Advertising expense for the nine months ended September
30, 2000 and 1999, and the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 were $91,000
and $134,000, and $172,000 and $134,000, respectively.
Concentration of Credit Risk -- The Company places its temporary cash
and cash investments with high quality financial institutions. Management
monitors the financial creditworthiness of these financial institutions. As of
December 31, 1999, such investments were in excess of insured limits. The
Company's purchased receivables business activity is with low-income customers
located primarily in the greater Los Angeles area. A significant portion of a
customer's ability to repay their loans is dependent upon general economic
factors within the geographical area in which the Company operates. The
Company's loans are unsecured and, thereby, the Company's ability to get repaid
is totally dependent upon the general financial strength of the borrower. To
mitigate a portion of this risk, the Company generally limits the amount of a
loan to a single customer to an amount not to exceed $1,300. The Company's
mortgage business is also with customers located primarily in the greater Los
Angeles area. A significant portion of a customer's ability to repay their
mortgage loans is dependent upon general economic factors within the area the
Company operates. Although these loans are secured, the Company is still
dependent upon the general financial strength of the borrowers and the value of
the borrowers' residential property.
F-11
<PAGE> 54
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
Fair Value of Financial Instruments -- The carrying value of the
Company's finance receivables approximates their fair value due to their short
term nature and generally stable rates of interest currently being charged in
comparison to the rates reflected in the existing portfolios. Management
believes that the fair value of the Company's financial instruments approximates
their carrying values as of September 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999.
The fair value of mortgages is estimated by utilizing discounted future
cash flow calculations using interest rates currently being offered for similar
loans to borrowers with similar credit risks and for the remaining estimated
maturities. Substantially all of the Company's mortgages were issued after
January 1, 1999. Management believes the carrying value of the mortgage
portfolio approximates its carrying value as of September 30, 2000 and December
31, 1999.
Use of Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and
assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements -- In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which
establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative
instrument be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability
measured at fair value. SFAS No. 133 requires that changes in the derivative's
fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting
criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's
gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the statement
of income, and requires that a company formally document, designate, and assess
the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting.
The effective date of SFAS No. 133 was delayed by the issuance of SFAS
No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities --
Deferral of the Effective Date of SFAS No. 133," until fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2000. The Company plans to adopt this statement on January 1,
2001. Management does not believe that adoption of this statement will have a
material effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
The Company does not currently own any derivative instruments.
F-12
<PAGE> 55
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
3. FINANCE RECEIVABLES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
---------------------------- ------------
1998 1999 2000
----------- ----------- ------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Finance Receivables consist of:
Consumer Product Portfolio $33,886,000 $27,788,000 $22,771,000
Mortgage Portfolio 327,000 4,986,000 6,256,000
Other Portfolios 6,835,000 2,718,000 791,000
----------- ----------- -----------
41,048,000 35,492,000 29,818,000
Less: deferred interest and insurance 3,807,000 3,056,000 2,370,000
Less: deferred loan origination fees 70,000 537,000 640,000
Less: allowance for credit losses 1,590,000 1,668,000 1,504,000
----------- ----------- -----------
$35,581,000 $30,231,000 $25,304,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
Customers are required to make monthly payments on installment contracts. The
aggregate gross balance of accounts with payments 31 days or more past due are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------- -------------
1998 1999 2000
---------- ---------- ------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Consumer Product Portfolio:
Past due 31 days or more $1,566,000 $1,470,000 $1,442,000
========== ========== ==========
Mortgage Portfolio:
Past due 31 days or more $ -- $ 153,000 $ 261,000
========== ========== ==========
Other Portfolios:
Past due 31 days or more $ 768,000 $ 735,000 $ 60,000
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
Included in the other portfolios are delinquencies on canceled automobile
insurance premium contracts. Since the Company seeks recovery of unearned
premiums from the insurance companies, which can take up to 90 days, loans are
not considered delinquent until more than 90 days past due. The amount greater
than 90 days was $303,000 at December 31, 1999. There were no amounts greater
than 90 days at September 30, 2000.
F-13
<PAGE> 56
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
The allowance for credit losses includes the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------- ----------------------------
1998 1999 1999 2000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allowance for credit losses,
beginning of period $ 2,048,000 $ 1,590,000 $ 1,590,000 $ 1,668,000
Provision for credit losses 2,862,000 2,719,000 1,859,000 1,422,000
Charge-offs, Net (3,320,000) (2,641,000) (1,859,000) (1,586,000)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Allowance for credit losses,
end of period $ 1,590,000 $ 1,668,000 $ 1,590,000 $ 1,504,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
4. NOTES PAYABLE
Central Financial had a line of credit agreement with several banks and Wells
Fargo Bank National Association, as Agent, (the "Wells Fargo Line of Credit"),
that provided for the issuance of notes up to $100,000,000 subject to an
allowable borrowing base. Borrowings under the facility bore interest at a
weighted average rate of 8.0% and 7.7% in 1998 and 1999. Notes payable allocated
to the Company at December 31, 1999 was $1,800,000 (See Note 1). The note was
repaid in January 2000.
5. INCOME TAXES
The Company, Central Financial and Hispanic Express have entered into a
Tax-Sharing Agreement (See Note 6). The income tax provision as presented in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements are based upon the amount the
Company would have paid as if it filed separate income tax returns for the
periods presented.
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------------- ----------------------------
1998 1999 1999 2000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CURRENT:
Federal $ 1,041,000 $ 699,000 $ 669,000 $ 203,000
State 149,000 99,000 95,000 31,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
1,190,000 798,000 764,000 234,000
DEFERRED:
Federal 170,000 (1,000) 4,000 66,000
State 24,000 -- 1,000 10,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
194,000 (1,000) 5,000 76,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Provision for income taxes $ 1,384,000 $ 797,000 $ 769,000 $ 310,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
F-14
<PAGE> 57
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the statutory rates is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------- -------------------
1998 1999 1999 2000
------ ------ ------ ------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Federal income taxes at statutory rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
State franchise taxes, net of
federal benefit 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0%
------ ------ ------ ------
40.0% 40.0% 40.0% 40.0%
====== ====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
The tax effects of temporary differences giving rise to the deferred income tax
assets and (liabilities) are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
1999 2000
------------ ------------
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
Allowance for credit losses $ 647,000 $ 579,000
Amortization of goodwill (37,000) (45,000)
Other (50,000) (50,000)
--------- ---------
Net deferred tax asset $ 560,000 $ 484,000
========= =========
</TABLE>
6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In connection with its formation, the Company, Central Financial,
Hispanic Express and Central entered into certain agreements (the "Financing
Agreement," the "Tax-Sharing Agreement" and the "Operating Agreement").
The Financing Agreement grants the Company the exclusive right to
provide financing to Central customers for a term of ten years from the date of
the Plan and provides that any contracts purchased pursuant to this agreement
will be at face value. As part of the Financing Agreement, the Company has
agreed to provide Central with up to $6.0 million of inventory or inventory
financing as long as the Financing Agreement remains in effect and Central has
agreed to provide the Company, at no charge, an amount of floor space at
Central's stores as the Company from time to time requests. In connection with
this Financing Agreement, the Company purchased $13.8 million and $11.8 million
of inventory during the year ended December 31, 1999 and nine months ended
September 30, 2000, respectively, of which $4.9 million and $4.3 million is
included in inventory at December 31, 1999 and September 30, 2000, respectively.
The Company can terminate the Financing Agreement at any time upon one year's
prior written notice to Central. Prior to January 1, 2000, the Company purchased
receivables from Central at face value less a transaction fee and could return
to Central certain levels of purchased receivables. For the nine months ended
September 30, 1999
F-15
<PAGE> 58
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
and the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, the transaction fees amounted to
$0.5 million, $0.8 million and $0.9 million, and the receivables returned to
Central were $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
The Operating Agreement provides, among other things, that Hispanic
Express or their affiliates are obligated to provide to the Company, and the
Company is obligated to utilize, certain services, including receivables
servicing, collections, payments, applications, accounting, management
information systems and employee benefits. The Operating Agreement also provides
for Hispanic Express to guarantee up to $4,000,000 of bank or similar financing
of the Company, pursuant to certain conditions. To the extent that such services
directly relate to the finance portion of the consumer products business
contributed by Central Financial to the Company, or to the extent that other
costs are incurred by Hispanic Express or their affiliates that directly relate
to the Company, the Company is obligated to pay Hispanic Express or their
affiliates the actual cost of providing such services or incurring such costs.
The Operating Agreement continues until terminated by either the Company or
Hispanic Express upon one year's prior written notice. Termination may be made
on a service-by-service basis or in total. Allocated expenses totaled
$2,410,000, and $3,289,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999
and $4,373,000 and $5,529,000 for the years ended December 31, 1999, and 1998,
respectively.
The Company, Central Financial and Hispanic Express have entered into a
Tax-Sharing Agreement which provides, among other things, for the payment of
federal, state and other income tax remittances or refunds for periods during
which the Company was included in the same consolidated group for federal income
tax purposes; the allocation of responsibility for the filing of such tax
returns and various related matters. For periods in which the Company was
included in Central Financial's consolidated federal income tax returns, the
Company will be required to pay its allocable portion of the consolidated
federal, state and other income tax liabilities of the group and will be
entitled to receive refunds determined as if the Company had filed separate
income tax returns. With respect to Central Financial's liability for payment of
taxes for all periods during which the Company was so included in Central
Financial's consolidated federal income tax returns, the Company will indemnify
Central Financial for all federal, state and other income tax liabilities of the
Company for such periods. The date of the consummation of the Plan will be the
last day on which the Company will be required to be included in Central
Financial's consolidated federal income tax returns.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 1998, the Company made a
capital distribution to its parent company of $3,866.000 and received a capital
contribution for the twelve months ended December 31, 1999 of $8,143,000. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2000, the Company made a capital
distribution to its parent company of $5,266,000. The capital transactions for
the periods presented reflects
F-16
<PAGE> 59
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
contributions and distributions arising from the changing levels of the
Company's receivables portfolios.
7. STOCK OPTION PLAN
In connection with the Plan, the Company adopted the 2000 Stock Option
Plan (the "2000 Plan"). Subject to the terms of the 2000 Plan, a total of
1,100,000 shares of authorized Common Stock have been reserved for issuance
pursuant to terms and conditions as determined by the Board of Directors. During
the duration of the 2000 Plan, no individual may be granted options of more than
550,000 shares. Options to purchase 421,000 shares of Common Stock will be
granted to eligible participants under the 2000 Plan effective upon the
consummation of the Plan. Executive officers and employees receiving options
will be vested in such options in an amount that they would have been vested
under the Central Financial Stock Option Plan at the time of consummation of the
Plan, except for those officers and employees which had been with Central
Financial or its predecessor for a period in excess of five years, which shall
be 60% vested in total options granted to them. Upon the effectiveness of these
grants, 679,000 shares of Common Stock will remain available for future grants
of options under the 2000 Plan. The options have a maximum duration of five
years and are subject to certain vesting and cancellation provisions, and may
not be granted at less than the market value of the Company's Common Stock on
the date of grant of the option.
None of the Options which will be granted have been included in the
computation of diluted earnings per share reflected in the Consolidated
Statement of Income. Upon issuance of the Options in future periods, the
earnings per share may be diluted to the extent that the average market value of
the Company's stock exceeds the Option exercise price.
8. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company's reportable segments are consumer receivables, mortgage
loans, other and corporate overhead. Other includes primarily the automobile
insurance and insurance premium financing operations. Information about these
segments as of, or for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999, and
for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 is as follows:
F-17
<PAGE> 60
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSUMER CORPORATE
RECEIVABLES MORTGAGE OTHER OVERHEAD TOTAL
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2000 (unaudited)
Interest income $ 4,483,000 $ 715,000 $ 34,000 $ -- $ 5,232,000
Other income 936,000 155,000 572,000 -- 1,663,000
----------- ----------- ----------- --------- -----------
Total revenue $ 5,419,000 $ 870,000 $ 606,000 $ -- $ 6,895,000
=========== =========== =========== ========= ===========
Pre-tax segment earnings
(loss) $ 716,000 $ 266,000 $ (32,000) $(175,000) $ 775,000
Segment assets $24,323,000 $ 5,611,000 $ 1,061,000 $ -- $30,995,000
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 1999 (unaudited)
Interest income $ 5,530,000 $ 184,000 $ 292,000 $ -- $ 6,006,000
Other income 1,602,000 55,000 1,107,000 -- 2,764,000
----------- ----------- ----------- --------- -----------
Total revenue $ 7,132,000 $ 239,000 $ 1,399,000 $ -- $ 8,770,000
=========== =========== =========== ========= ===========
Pre-tax segment earnings
(loss) $ 2,078,000 $ 52,000 $ (69,000) $(138,000) $ 1,923,000
Segment assets $28,609,000 $ 3,555,000 $ 1,902,000 $ -- $34,066,000
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1999
Interest income $ 7,131,000 $ 355,000 $ 335,000 $ -- $ 7,821,000
Other income 2,119,000 98,000 1,386,000 -- 3,603,000
----------- ----------- ----------- --------- -----------
Total revenue $ 9,250,000 $ 453,000 $ 1,721,000 $ -- $11,424,000
=========== =========== =========== ========= ===========
Pre-tax segment earnings
(loss) $ 2,106,000 $ 163,000 $ (135,000) $(279,000) $ 1,992,000
Segment assets $30,659,000 $ 4,470,000 $ 1,654,000 $ -- $36,783,000
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1998
Interest income $ 9,075,000 $ 18,000 $ 867,000 $ -- $ 9,960,000
Other income 3,230,000 3,000 1,770,000 -- 5,003,000
----------- ----------- ----------- --------- -----------
Total revenue $12,305,000 $ 21,000 $ 2,637,000 $ -- $14,963,000
=========== =========== =========== ========= ===========
Pre-tax segment earnings
(loss) $ 3,082,000 $ (67,000) $ 133,000 $(344,000) $ 3,462,000
Segment assets $33,781,000 $ 304,000 $ 3,563,000 $ -- $37,648,000
</TABLE>
9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company leases office space under operating leases which have
expired and are currently on a month-to-month basis. Aggregate rental expense
for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and 1999 were $51,000 and $54,000,
F-18
<PAGE> 61
BANNER CENTRAL FINANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
respectively, and for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 were $72,000
and $73,000, respectively.
In August 2000, the Company entered into an agreement which provides for
the early termination of a lease with a third party where it was conducting a
significant portion of its business. In connection therewith, the Company has
recorded a charge of $997,000, which is included in operating expenses. The
Company presently conducts these operations in a newly constructed facility and
is provided space by Central in connection with the Financing Agreement.
The Company has entered into an Guaranty Agreement with Hispanic Express
pursuant to which it has agreed to assume all liabilities and responsibilities
under the Central Financial Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, or SERP,
solely and exclusively for Mr. Cypres, should Hispanic Express default on its
obligations to pay the benefits due Mr. Cypres under the SERP.
The Company is from time to time involved in routine litigation
incidental to the conduct of its business. Management of the Company believes
that litigation currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position or results of its operations.
* * * * *
F-19
