FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP
10-Q, 1998-11-16
SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                                                           

                                    FORM 10-Q
 
X         QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
          SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended   September 30, 1998       
                                                        OR

          TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
           SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from --------- to ---------------- 

                           Commission File No. 0-6729

                          FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        New Jersey                                        22-1737915     
(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                      Identification Number)

Parkway 109 Office Center, 328 Newman Springs Rd., Red Bank, NJ    07701   
(Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:     (732) 842-4700    
                                                                         
Former name,  former  address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report.

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  Registrant  (l) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                   Yes    X                                  No        
     9,819,477 Common Shares, no par value were outstanding as of November 16,
1998.
                                  Page 1 of 14
<PAGE>
  02

                          FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP.

                                    FORM 10-Q

                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1998



                                      INDEX

 
Page

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

         Item 1.  Financial Statements
           Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition
           as of September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997   ................. 3

           Consolidated Statement of Income for the
            Nine Months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997
            and Three months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 .............. 4

           Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the
            Nine Months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 ..................5-6

            Notes to Financial Statements ..................................7-8

         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                   Condition and Results of Operations .....................9-12


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION:

         Item 5.  Other Information..........................................13 

         Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...........................13 

         Signatures..........................................................14 

<PAGE>
  03
                 FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
<TABLE>
                                         September 30,             December 31,
         ASSETS                             1998                      1997
         ------
<S>                         <C>                              <C>
Cash                                   $     97,806              $    789,883
Due from clearing firm                    1,771,884                 2,707,782
Securities owned, at market               2,368,880                 3,150,772
Securities owned, not readily
 marketable, at estimated market value       38,582                   506,732
Commissions receivable                       64,039                   246,250
Employee and broker receivables           1,064,214                   927,195
Furniture, equipment and leasehold
 improvements-net                         1,895,334                 1,357,854
Notes receivable                          1,357,929                   938,054
Due from officers                           142,540                   146,691
Other assets                              1,403,965                 1,164,753
Deferred tax asset-net                      799,281                    35,968
                                        -----------               -----------
     Total assets                      $ 11,004,454              $ 11,971,934
                                        ===========               ===========

                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                ------------------------------------

Securities sold, but not yet
 purchased, at market                  $     20,428              $    809,523
Notes payable-bank                          268,825                   340,769
Subordinated notes payable                  200,000                   250,000
Commissions payable                       1,097,725                 1,624,316
Accounts payable                            666,196                   501,267
Accrued expenses                            801,894                   812,590
Other liabilities                           498,041                   394,002
                                        -----------               -----------
    Total liabilities                     3,553,109                 4,732,467
                                        -----------               -----------

Common stock issued with guaranteed
 selling price - no par value,
 53,000 and 173,000 shares issued and
 outstanding, respectively                  106,500                   346,500

Commitments and contingencies (See Notes)

Stockholders' equity
- - --------------------

Preferred Stock, 5,000,000 shares
 authorized, $.10 par value, no shares
 issued and outstanding                        -                         -
Common Stock, no par value,
 30,000,000 shares authorized,
 9,804,477 and 9,198,444 shares issued
 and outstanding, respectively            4,920,837                 4,334,173
Additional paid-in capital                2,804,042                 1,173,437
Retained earnings                            16,600                 1,570,376
Less:  Deferred compensation               (396,634)                 (185,019)
                                          ----------               -----------
   Total stockholders' equity             7,344,845                 6,892,967
                                          ----------               -----------

   Total liabilities and stockholders'
     equity                            $ 11,004,454              $ 11,971,934
                                         ===========              ============


                       See notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
04

                 FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)

                                 Nine months ended         Three months ended
                                   September 30,              September 30,
<TABLE>
                                1998         1997          1998         1997
Revenus:
<S>                        <C>            <C>           <C>         <C>
Commissions                $ 22,640,973  $ 19,508,612   $ 7,199,162 $ 7,345,703                             
Principal transactions        5,709,850     5,270,309     1,306,933   2,393,556                             
Investment banking              675,011       314,549        73,759      89,403                             
Insurance recovery                -           650,000          -           -                                
Interest and other income     1,159,520       880,263       365,711     325,437
                             -----------  ------------   ----------- ---------- 
                             30,185,354    26,623,733     8,945,565  10,154,099                              
         
Expenses:

Commissions, employee
 compensation and benefits   23,324,169    18,969,519     7,060,239   7,241,558                              
Clearing and floor brokerage  2,591,092     2,143,341       848,849     862,363                              
Communications and occupancy  1,731,415     1,379,534       550,510     497,140                              
Legal matters & related costs 1,494,017       935,448       133,941     268,107                              
Writedown of Note Receivable
 -Global Financial Corp.        875,000          -             -           -                               
Other operating expenses      2,352,749     1,303,776       798,848     396,968                            
Interest                         91,266        72,230        25,213      18,407                            
                             -----------   -----------   -----------  ----------                    
                             32,459,708    24,803,848     9,417,600   9,284,543                          
                             -----------   -----------   -----------  ----------

Income (loss) before income
 taxes                       (2,274,354)    1,819,885      (472,035)    869,556                         

Income taxes (tax benefit)     (720,578)      737,223      (125,000)    352,110                           
                             -----------   -----------   -----------  ----------

Net income (loss)          $ (1,553,776) $  1,082,662      (347,035)    517,446                           
                            ============  ============   ===========  ==========

Per share of Common Stock:

   Basic                   $      (0.16) $       0.12   $     (0.04)   $   0.06 
                            ============  ============   ===========  ==========

   Diluted                 $      (0.16) $       0.11   $     (0.04)   $   0.05
                            ============  ============   ===========  ==========
Number of common shares used
 in basic earnings per share 9,693,806      8,860,543     9,728,693   9,091,749                   
Incremental shares from
 assumed conversion of
 options                        -           1,350,736         -       1,365,019 
                           ------------    ------------  ----------  -----------
Number of common shares
 used in diluted earnings
 per share                   9,693,806     10,211,279     9,728,693  10,456,768 
                           ============   ============  =========== ============




                       See notes to financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
05

                 FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
                                                Nine months ended September 30,
                                                1998                     1997
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
<S>                                        <C>                     <C> 

Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income (loss)                       $ (1,553,776)           $  1,082,662
                                            ------------            ------------
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
 to net cash used in operating activities:
   Common stock issued with guaranteed
    selling price                                -                       28,125
   Tax benefit related to exercise of
    stock options                               150,003                    - 
   Depreciation and amortization                256,329                 236,450
   Amortization of deferred compensation        122,552                    -
    Loan reserves                               875,000                    -
   Other                                         22,000                    -
   Increase (decrease) in cash attributable to
     changes in assets and liabilities
   Due from clearing firm                       935,898                (652,052)
   Securities owned - at market                 781,892                (618,883)
   Securities owned-not readily marketable      468,150                    -
   Commissions receivable                       182,211                 (61,195)
    Income tax refund receivable                   -                   (203,480)
   Other assets                                (355,207)                (52,606)
   Deferred income taxes                       (763,313)                753,580
   Securities sold but not yet purchased       (789,095)                 38,050
   Commissions payable                         (526,591)                324,270
   Accounts payable                             164,929                 (52,489)
   Accrued expenses                             (32,696)             (1,119,576)
   Other liabilities                            104,039                  52,086
                                            -------------           ------------
       Total adjustments                      1,596,101              (1,327,720)
                                            -------------           ------------
       Net cash provided by (used in)
        operating activities                     42,325                (245,058)
                                            -------------           ------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Due from officers                              4,151                  29,236
   Employee and broker receivables             (137,019)                 (9,912)
   Issuance of notes receivable              (1,903,634)               (257,500)
   Repayment of notes receivable                608,759                    -
   Capital expenditures                        (800,612)               (221,708)
                                            -------------           ------------
    Net cash used in investing activities    (2,228,355)               (459,884)
                                            -------------           ------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Other assets                                    -                    (89,404)
   Payment of notes payable-bank                (71,944)                (91,394)
   Payment of subordinated notes payable        (50,000)                   -
   Proceeds from rights offering              1,382,751                    -
   Registration costs                          (113,518)                   -
   Proceeds from exercise of common stock
    options and warrants                        346,664                 727,000
                                            -------------           ------------
    Net cash provided by financing
     activities                               1,493,953                 546,202
                                            -------------           ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                (692,077)               (158,740)
Cash at beginning of year                       789,883               1,069,548
                                            -------------           ------------
Cash at end of period                     $      97,806           $     910,808
                                            =============          =============
</TABLE>

                       See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
06

                 FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Continued)
<TABLE>

                                               Nine months ended September 30,
                                                1998                     1997
<S>                                          <C>                    <C>  

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
 information:
  Cash paid during the period for:
       Interest                              $  91,266               $   72,230
       Income taxes                          $    -                  $     -

     Shares issued with guaranteed
      selling price                          $    -                  $   28,125
     Transfer of temporary equity to
      permanent capital                      $ 240,000               $     -
     Liabilities subordinated to claims of
      general creditors                      $    -                  $  250,000


</TABLE>

<PAGE>
  07
                 FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1998


NOTE 1 -         MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATION

     The accompanying financial statements are unaudited for the interim period,
but include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) which
management considers necessary for the fair presentation of results at September
30, 1998 and 1997. The  preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with
GAAP  requires the Company to make  estimates  and  assumptions  that affect the
reported  amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting  period.  Actual
results could vary from these estimates.  These financial  statements  should be
read in conjunction  with the Company's Annual Report at, and for the year ended
December 31, 1997, as filed with the Securities and Exchange  Commission on Form
10-K.

     The results  reflected for the  nine-month and  three-months  periods ended
September 30, 1998, are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire
fiscal year to end on December 31, 1998.

NOTE 2 -         EARNINGS PER SHARE

     The Company has adopted Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards No.128
(SFAS 128),  "Earnings per Share," which  supersedes APB Opinion No. 15 (APB No.
15).  Earnings per Share is effective for all periods  ending after December 15,
1997.  SFAS 128 requires  dual  presentation  of basic and diluted  earnings per
share (EPS) for complex  capital  structures  on the face of the  Statements  of
Operations. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average
number of common  shares  outstanding  for the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the
potential  dilution  from the exercise or conversion  of other  securities  into
common stock. Earnings per share data for the 1997 periods have been restated to
conform  with the  provisions  of SFAS 128. EPS as  originally  reported for the
nine-month  period ended September 30, 1997 was $.11 on both a primary and fully
diluted  basis,  as  compared  to $.12 and $.11 on a basis  and  diluted  basis,
respectively,  as  restated.  EPS as  originally  reported  for the three months
period ended  September  30, 1997,  was $.05 on both a primary and fully diluted
basis, as compared to $.06 and $.05 on a basic and diluted basis,  respectively,
as restated. Outstanding common stock options have not been included in the 1998
EPS computations because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

NOTE 3 -         NOTES RECEIVABLE

     During the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Company's  subsidiary,
Montauk  Advisors,  Inc.  (MAI),  provided net advances of  $1,414,633 to Global
Financial Corp.  (Global) to help Global meet its obligations to lease investors
and provide working  capital for operating  costs. As of September 30, 1998, MAI
had an outstanding receivable from Global of $1,997,436. 

     During the June 1998 quarter, the Company undertook a full review of Global
loans to evaluate their  collectability,  and determined  that, based on various
events and  circumstances,  it is  probable  that the loans have been  impaired.
Accordingly,  the  Company  recorded  an  impairment  loss  of  $875,000  in its
financial  statements  for the quarter  ended June 30,  1998.  The loan  reserve
reflects  management's  best estimate of the extent of loan impairment  based on
available  current  information.  Eventual  outcomes could differ from estimated
amounts.

     MAI also has  outstanding a total of $85,852 in short-term  working capital
loans to FemCom Business Systems ("FCS"), Global's affiliated equipment vendor.


<PAGE>
08

NOTE 4 -         RIGHTS OFFERING

     In February  1998,  the Company  completed an offering of 3,072,779  Units,
each Unit  consisting of one Class A Redeemable  Common Stock Purchase  Warrant,
one Class B Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrant, and one Class C Redeemable
Common Stock Purchase Warrant.  The Warrants have the following  exercise prices
and terms:

                              Exercise Price                 Exercise Period
      Warrant                   Per Share                from Date of Issuance

     Class A                      $3.00                       Three years
     Class B                       5.00                       Five years
     Class C                       7.00                       Seven years

     Each  shareholder  of record as of December 15, 1997 received  three rights
for each share of Common  Stock held as of the record  date,  with three  rights
required  to  subscribe  for a  single  Unit at a price of $.45  per  Unit.  The
offering raised gross proceeds of $1,382,751  before deducting  related costs of
approximately $236,000.

NOTE 5 -        LEGAL SETTLEMENT

     During the June 1998  quarter,  the Company  settled a federal court action
brought  by  the  City  of   Painesville,   Ohio,   relating   to  the  sale  of
mortgage-backed  securities  by FMSC's  former  Houston  affiliate  office.  The
Company  agreed to make a lump-sum  payment of  $500,000,  which was paid in the
current quarter.

NOTE 6-         RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

     Effective  January 1, 1998, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 130,
"Reporting  Comprehensive Income", which promulgates standards for the reporting
and display of comprehensive  income and its components.  There were no items of
comprehensive income to report during any of the periods presented.

     The Company has also adopted SFAS 131,  "Disclosures  About  Segments of an
Enterprise and Related  Information",  which  requires  disclosure of reportable
operating segments.  The Company will address the segment information  reporting
requirements  of SFAS 131 in its annual  report for the year ended  December 31,
1998.

NOTE 7 -        SUBSEQUENT EVENT

     In October  1998,  the Company  issued a series of  Convertible  Promissory
Notes aggregating $570,000 to a private investor in consideration of $300,000 in
cash and an income  stream from  equipment  lease  investments  with a remaining
balance of approximately  $270,000.  The notes carry interest at the rate of 10%
per annum, payable semi-annually,  and are convertible into up to 380,000 shares
of the Company's  Common Stock at the rate of $1.50 per share.  The notes mature
in five years;  however,  the  Company is  required  to pay 20% of the  original
outstanding  principal  amount  into a  sinking  fund on or before  each  annual
anniversary date of the Notes.  The equipment lease  investments are serviced by
Global and were originally sold to the investor through MAI. The Company expects
to record a write-down of approximately  $83,000 in the fourth quarter to reduce
the lease investment balance to net realizable value.

<PAGE>
  09
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations
- - ---------------------

     Total revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998 increased
by 13% to $30,185,000 from $26,624,000 in 1997. Total revenues for the September
30, 1998 quarter decreased by 12% to $8,950,000  compared to $10,154,000 for the
comparable period in 1997.

     For the  nine-month  period the  Company  reported a net loss after  income
taxes  of  $1,554,000,  or $.16 per  share,  as  compared  with  net  income  of
$1,083,000,  or $.11 per share after taxes in 1997.  For the third quarter ended
September  30,  1998 the  Company  reported a net loss of  $347,000  or $.04 per
share, as compared with net income of $517,000, or $.05 per share after taxes in
1997.

     The  Company's  loss for the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998 was
attributable  to two  key  factors.  Legal  expenses  and  settlement  costs  of
$1,494,000  include a  one-time  legal  settlement  of  $500,000  to the City of
Painesville,  Ohio  as  well as  related  litigation  costs.  The  Company  also
established  a reserve  for  future  litigation  costs  during  the  period.  In
addition,  the Company  recorded an  impairment  loss of $875,000  against notes
receivable  from Global  Financial  Corp.  (Global) in the second  quarter and a
reserve against broker loans receivable of $232,000 in the current quarter.

     Commission  revenues,  which include commissions  received from the sale of
stocks,  bonds and options on an agency basis, mutual funds,  variable annuities
and management fees, rose to $22,641,000 for the nine-month period in 1998, from
$19,509,000 during the comparable 1997 period. However, commissions were flat on
a comparative quarterly basis. During the 1998-quarter,  world financial markets
experienced sharp declines, directly impacting the Company's transaction volume,
particularly in equity trading. Steady growth in mutual fund and insurance sales
partially  offset  lower  equity  commissions.  Commission  revenue  from  these
products  increased by 33% to $2,227,000  (25% of total  revenues) for the third
quarter of 1998  compared to  $1,679,000  (17% of total  revenues)  for the 1997
third quarter. While this source of revenue produces lower net margins, it tends
to produce residual revenues in future periods.  The Company intends to continue
to focus on this area of its  business  in an effort  to help  insulate  against
the effects to the Company's revenue stream resulting from market volatility.

     For the nine-month period, principal transactions increased from $5,270,000
in 1997 to $5,710,000 in 1998, an increase of 8%. However, on a quarterly basis,
revenues from firm trading and market making operations declined from $2,394,000
in 1997 to $1,307,000 in the 1998 quarter.  The 45% decrease was attributable to
unrealized and realized losses in over-the-counter stock trading, and an overall
slowdown in market-making activity due to declines in equity markets.

     Investment  banking  revenues  increased  for the nine month  period  ended
September  30, 1998 to $675,000  compared to $315,000 in the same period of 1997
as a result of  increased  participation  in offerings as well as the receipt of
$140,000 in investment banking fees.
 
     During  the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998,  the  Company  paid
commissions,  employee compensation and employee benefits of $23,324,000 (77% of
total revenues) as compared to $18,970,000  (71% of total revenues) for the 1997
period. This category includes salaries, commission expense, and fringe benefits
for salaried employees.  Commissions paid to registered  representatives for the
nine-month  period in 1998 were  $19,442,000 (64% of total revenues) as compared
to $15,889,000 (60% of total revenues) in the 1997 nine-month period. Commission
compensation  is directly  related to the level of revenues  generated from firm
trading, agency and investment banking activities.  Commissions have been rising
as a  percentage  of total  revenues as  competitive  pressures  have forced the
Company to raise  broker  payouts in order to attract  quality  affiliates.  The
Company has undertaken a  restructuring  of certain  departments,  including the
elimination of personnel and the consolidation of its insurance  department,  in
an attempt to reduce costs in this category.

     Clearing  and  floor  brokerage  costs  increased  from  $2,143,000  (8% of
revenues)  in the first nine months of 1997 to  $2,591,000  (9% of  revenues) in
1998 due to a higher volume of transactions for which clearing fees are charged.
The  percentage  of clearing  and floor  brokerage  costs to total  revenue will
fluctuate somewhat depending upon the combination of agency business,  insurance
and mutual fund  transactions  and proprietary  trading,  as well as the average
revenue per transaction in a given period.


<PAGE>
10


     Communications  and occupancy  costs rose by $54,000 or 11% to $551,000 for
the three months ended  September  30, 1998 and  increased by $351,000 or 25% to
$1,731,000 for the nine month period in 1998. The dollar increase is principally
due to higher rent payments for the expanded  Company  headquarters,  telephone,
voice and data  charges  and market  data  services.  Management  considers  the
expansion  of the  Company's  operating  infrastructure  a  critical  factor  in
attracting  new  affiliates  and  improving  service  to the  entire  registered
representative  network. At the same time, the Company has focused on an overall
cost  containment  program in an attempt to reduce expenses in this category by,
among  other  plans  under  consideration,  outsourcing  certain  communications
services.

     Legal matters and related costs include payments to settle customer claims,
professional   fees  and  other  defense  costs,   and  provisions  for  pending
litigation.  These costs increased  during the nine month period ended September
30, 1998 to  $1,494,000  from  $935,000 in the  comparable  nine months of 1997;
however,  legal costs  decreased by 50% on a quarterly  basis,  from $268,000 in
1997,  to  $134,000  in the 1998  quarter.  There are  several  reasons  for the
significant year-to-date increase. The Company decided to settle a federal court
action with the City of  Painesville  Ohio,  for  $500,000 in order to avoid the
costs of protracted litigation.  Legal costs associated with the defense of this
case were  approximately  $150,000.  The Company has also set aside reserves for
certain legal contingencies that may require the expenditure of additional fees,
costs and expenses.
 
     Other  operating  expenses  increased from $397,000 (4% of revenues) in the
third  quarter  ended  September  30, 1997 to $799,000 (9% of revenues)  for the
comparable  period in 1998. For the nine-month  period ended September 30, 1998,
expenses in this category  increased by  $1,049,000  to $2,353,000  (8% of total
revenues) compared to $1,304,000 (5% of total revenues) for the 1997 period. The
increase  was  due  in  part  to  an  increase  in  marketing,  advertising  and
promotional costs associated with the development of new marketing  materials to
support the Company's affiliate recruitment program.  Additionally,  the Company
incurred   recruitment   fees  for  a  compliance   consultant   and  additional
professional  fees due to the Global situation  described below. The Company has
also increased its reserves against broker loan receivables.

     The  Company  has  recorded  a reserve  against  a portion  of its loans to
Global,  the financing and servicing  company that sold leases  through  Montauk
Advisors,  Inc. (MAI), a subsidiary of the Company, in 1996 and 1997. The amount
of the loan reserve of $875,000 was determined by evaluating  certain collateral
which Global and other  obligors on the loans have  pledged to the  Company,  as
well as by analyzing the financial  condition  and future  earnings  capacity of
Global and the other obligors.

     Based upon a plan of revised and reduced  payments which Global has made to
its leaseholders, MAI will likely continue to provide working capital to Global,
although on a reduced  basis.  MAI has provided an additional  $17,300 to Global
since September 30, 1998.

     Management  believes  that,  based on current  available  information,  the
Company will generate  sufficient  future taxable income to realize the benefits
of net operating loss carry  forwards and other deferred tax assets.  Management
reached this conclusion after  considering such factors as the expected benefits
of a recently implemented cost-cutting program;  anticipated reductions in legal
costs due to the  settlement  of lawsuits  relating to the  activities of FMSC's
former  Houston  affiliate  office,  as well as the potential to recover some of
these  litigation  costs from  insurance  carriers  and other  parties;  and the
extended  carryforward  period (twenty  years) of federal net operating  losses,
subject to statutory limitations. If the Company subsequently determines that it
is unable to generate  sufficient  taxable income to use all of its deferred tax
assets,  it will be required to  establish a valuation  allowance  to reduce the
balance of deferred tax assets to  realizable  value.  The  offsetting  earnings
charge from the  establishment  of a valuation  allowance  could have a material
adverse impact on future operating results.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- - -------------------------------

     During the nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998,  the  Company's  cash
balances  decreased by $692,000 to $98,000.  Operating  activities  provided net
funds of $42,325.  The net loss of $1,554,000  was offset by noncash  charges of
$1,426,000,  such as reserves against loans and  depreciation and  amortization.
The balances in the  Company's  cash,  clearing  firm and  securities  inventory
accounts can and do fluctuate significantly from day to day, depending on market
conditions,  daily trading  activity and investment  opportunities.  The Company
monitors  these  accounts  on a daily basis in order to ensure  compliance  with
regulatory capital requirements and to preserve liquidity.

     Expenses for legal matters and related  costs of  $1,494,000  were incurred
during 1998, of which $909,000 were incurred during the second quarter,  and are
primarily  attributable  to the  settlement of a lawsuit  brought by the City of
Painesville,  Ohio and the costs  related  with the  defense of that  case.  The
Company  has  also  increased  its  reserves  for  future  legal  contingencies.
Management  has seen a reduction in legal costs in the third quarter of 1998 and
anticipates  that this will continue  through the fourth  quarter,  based upon a
review of pending matters.
<PAGE>
11



     Investing  activities used cash of $2,228,000 during the nine-month period.
The Company  purchased  approximately  $800,000 of fixed assets  during the 1998
period.  These  include  computers  and  furniture for the Company's new trading
facility and expansion of facilities  for in-house  registered  representatives.
Amounts  advanced to brokers and  affiliates  increased  by $137,000 in the 1998
period.  During the nine months  ended  September  30,  1998,  MAI  provided net
advances of  $1,415,000 to Global to help Global meet its  obligations  to lease
investors and provide working  capital for operating  costs. As of September 30,
1998,  MAI  had a net  receivable  from  Global  of  $1,122,000.  Subsequent  to
September 30, 1998, MAI made additional loans to Global totaling $17,300.

     MAI has  provided  short-term  working  capital  loans to  FemCom  Business
Systems ("FBS"), Global's affiliated equipment vendor, to purchase equipment for
resale to FBS  customers.  FBS owed MAI $86,000 at September  30, 1998.  MAI has
received two payments of $40,000 each since September 30, 1998 towards repayment
of this obligation.

     In October  1998,  the Company  issued a series of  Convertible  Promissory
Notes aggregating $570,000 to a private investor in consideration of $300,000 in
cash and an income  stream from  equipment  lease  investments  with a remaining
balance of approximately  $270,000.  The notes carry interest at the rate of 10%
per annum, payable semi-annually,  and are convertible into up to 380,000 shares
of the Company's  Common Stock at the rate of $1.50 per share.  The notes mature
in five years;  however,  the  Company is  required  to pay 20% of the  original
outstanding  principle  amount  into a  sinking  fund on or before  each  annual
anniversary date of the Notes.  The equipment lease  investments are serviced by
Global and were originally sold to investors through MAI. The Company expects to
record a write-down of approximately $83,000 in the fourth quarter to reduce the
lease investment balance to net realizable value.

     Financing  activities  provided cash of  $1,494,000  in the 1998 period.  A
total of $1,383,000 was received from proceeds of a rights  offering  during the
first  quarter,  and  $347,000  from the  exercise  of stock  options by various
individuals  during  the first  nine  months of the  year.  Cash from  financing
activities was reduced by $72,000 in scheduled bank loan repayments.  During the
second quarter a $50,000 principal  payment was made on a $250,000  subordinated
loan agreement between FMSC and a creditor.  The five-year loan carries a 8% per
annum interest rate.  $50,000 of principal plus interest is payable  annually on
April 1 of each of the next four years.

     Management  believes the Company's  liquidity  needs,  at least through the
next  fiscal  year,  will be  provided  by  operating  cash  flow and  equipment
financing.

Year 2000 Issue
- - ---------------

     The Company has commenced reviewing its compliance with what has come to be
known as the Year 2000 issue  ("Y2K").  The  Company  does not create or develop
computer  programs  on its own.  Rather,  it is reliant on outside  vendors  for
verification  of the compliance of their  applications  that are utilized by the
Company.  The Company has currently  identified 17 programs that are utilized by
the  Company  in  various  departments,   which  require  compliance  with  Y2K.
Management has requested the appropriate vendors to supply verification that the
version of the software that is utilized by the firm is or will be Y2K compliant
by the Year 2000.  The most  significant of these third parties is the Company's
clearing firm, Schroder & Co., Inc., as well as various securities exchanges and
technology equipment suppliers.

     The Company has already received some verbal notices of compliance,  but is
awaiting a final  written  confirmation  from these  vendors.  The  Company  has
designated  an  individual   within  the  organization  to  coordinate  the  Y2K
compliance  issue, to communicate with each of the software and service vendors,
to ensure Y2K compliance  before the turn of the century.  While  management has
not finalized an estimate of the cost of internal system modifications,  it does
not  believe  that  these  costs will have a  material  impact on the  Company's
operations in fiscal 1998.


<PAGE>
12



Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
- - -----------------------------------------

     Effective  January 1, 1998, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 130,
"Reporting  Comprehensive Income", which promulgates standards for the reporting
and display of comprehensive  income and its components.  There were no items of
comprehensive income to report during any of the periods presented.

     The Company has also adopted SFAS 131,  "Disclosures  About  Segments of an
Enterprise and Related  Information",  which  requires  disclosure of reportable
operating segments.  The Company will address the segment information  reporting
requirements  of SFAS 131 in its annual  report for the year ended  December 31,
1998.

<PAGE>
  13
                                     PART II

                                OTHER INFORMATION

Item 5.  Other Information.


          None.





Item 6.           Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

                           (a)  Exhibits

                              None

                           (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

                           There were no reports on Form 8-K filed.



<PAGE>
  14

                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                                  FIRST MONTAUK FINANCIAL CORP.
                                                          (Registrant)



Dated: November 16, 1998                         /s/ William J. Kurinsky 
                                                  ------------------------
                                                  William J. Kurinsky
                                                  Secretary/Treasurer
                                                   Chief Financial Officer and
                                                   Principal Accounting Officer


                                                  /s/ Herbert Kurinsky   
                                                  -----------------------
                                                  Herbert Kurinsky
                                                   President
<PAGE>
  15

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                 -------------

               
  
               Exhibit 27 -   Financial Data Schedule

 


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                           BD
<LEGEND>
     This  Schedule  contains  summary  financial   information  extracted  from
Consolidated  Statements  of  Financial  Condition  at  September  30,  1998 and
Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) -- Nine Months ended September 30, 1998
and is  qualified in its  entirety by  reference  to such  financial  statements
included in Form 10-Q for September 30, 1998.

</LEGEND>
<CIK>          0000083125                      
<NAME>         First Montauk Financial Corp.                      
<MULTIPLIER>                   1,000
       
<S>                           <C>                      
<PERIOD-TYPE>                  3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              Dec-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                 Jul-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                   Sep-30-1998
<CASH>                         98                                    
<RECEIVABLES>                  1836                
<SECURITIES-RESALE>            0                 
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>          0                 
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>            2407                
<PP&E>                         1895                
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                 11004                
<SHORT-TERM>                   0                 
<PAYABLES>                     3532                
<REPOS-SOLD>                   0                 
<SECURITIES-LOANED>            0                 
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD>             20                
<LONG-TERM>                    107                
          0                 
                    0                 
<COMMON>                       4921                
<OTHER-SE>                     2424                
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>   11004                
<TRADING-REVENUE>              1307                
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>           366                
<COMMISSIONS>                  7199                
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>  74                
<FEE-REVENUE>                  0                 
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>             25                
<COMPENSATION>                 7060                
<INCOME-PRETAX>                (472)                
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>     (472)                
<EXTRAORDINARY>                0                 
<CHANGES>                      0                 
<NET-INCOME>                   (347)                
<EPS-PRIMARY>                  (.04)                
<EPS-DILUTED>                  (.04)                
        


</TABLE>


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