Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 


(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006

or

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 001-32275

 


ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   04-3669482

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

15090 Avenue of Science

San Diego, California 92128

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 858-676-2100

 


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $.001 Par Value

 


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    or    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

Large accelerated filer  x                   Accelerated filer  ¨                   Non-accelerated filer    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    or    No  x

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock as of May 5, 2006 was 21,541,832.

 

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

PART I

     
Item 1.    Financial Statements of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co:   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005

   4
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

   5
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

   6
  

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

   7
   Financial statements of Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (the “REIT”):   
  

Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005

   30
  

Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

   31
  

Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

   32
  

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

   33
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    44
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    70
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures    70

PART II

     
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings    71
Item 1A.    Risk Factors    71
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    71
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities    71
Item 4    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    71
Item 5.    Other Information    71
Item 6.    Exhibits    71
   Signatures    72
   Exhibit Index    73
   Certifications   

 

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SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES

Accredited Home Lenders®, Home Funds Direct®, Axiom Financial Services®, FRONTDOOR® and their related logos are registered service marks of Accredited Home Lenders, Inc. (“AHL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the registrant.

InzuraSM and Common Sense for Uncommon LoansTM are service trademarks of AHL, and Informed BrokerTM is a trademark of AHL.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains certain forward-looking statements. When used in this report, statements which are not historical in nature, including the words “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. They also include statements containing a projection of revenues, earnings or losses, capital expenditures, dividends, capital structure or other financial terms.

The forward-looking statements in this report are based upon our management’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future operations and economic performance, taking into account the information currently available to them. These statements are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, some of which are not currently known to us, that may cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to be materially different from the expectations of future results, performance or financial condition we express or imply in any forward-looking statements. Some of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to differ materially from expectations are:

 

    changes in demand for, or value of, mortgage loans due to the attributes and mix of the loans we originate; the characteristics of our borrowers; and fluctuations in the real estate market, interest rates or the market in which we sell or securitize our loans;

 

    the degree and nature of our competition;

 

    a general deterioration in economic or political conditions;

 

    our ability to protect and hedge our mortgage loan portfolio against adverse interest rate movements;

 

    changes in government regulations that affect our ability to originate and service mortgage loans;

 

    changes in the credit markets, which affect our ability to borrow money to originate mortgage loans;

 

    our ability to employ and retain qualified employees;

 

    our ability to adapt to and implement technological changes; and

 

    the other factors referenced in this report, including, without limitation, under the sections entitled “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this report might not occur. We qualify any and all of our forward-looking statements entirely by these cautionary factors.

 

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In this Form 10-Q, unless the context requires otherwise, “Accredited,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” means Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. and its subsidiaries.

PART I

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

 

     March 31,
2006
   December 31,
2005
     (Unaudited)     
ASSETS      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 67,598    $ 44,714

Restricted cash

     52,394      46,207

Accrued interest receivable

     44,996      42,878

Mortgage loans held for sale, net

     1,706,822      2,252,252

Mortgage loans held for investment, net of allowance of $115,704 and $106,017, respectively

     7,615,849      7,195,872

Derivative assets, including margin account

     105,301      89,409

Deferred income tax asset, net

     66,214      68,024

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     88,725      78,043

Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net

     39,366      35,847
             

Total assets

   $ 9,787,265    $ 9,853,246
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

LIABILITIES:

     

Credit facilities

   $ 2,272,657    $ 2,805,119

Securitization financing

     6,707,456      6,240,820

Income taxes payable, current

     26,531      82,479

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     76,927      73,494
             

Total liabilities

     9,083,571      9,201,912
             

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)

     

MINORITY INTEREST IN REIT SUBSIDIARY

     97,922      97,922

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

     

Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding

     —        —  

Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 21,482,529 shares and 21,312,367 shares, respectively

     22      22

Additional paid-in capital

     95,248      90,268

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     30,978      19,421

Retained earnings

     479,524      443,701
             

Total stockholders’ equity

     605,772      553,412
             

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 9,787,265    $ 9,853,246
             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2006     2005  

REVENUES:

    

Interest income

   $ 194,458     $ 124,893  

Interest expense

     (112,136 )     (54,327 )
                

Net interest income

     82,322       70,566  

Provision for losses on loans held for investment

     (16,537 )     (12,848 )
                

Net interest income after provision

     65,785       57,718  

Gain on sale of loans, net

     70,552       61,374  

Loan servicing income

     3,407       2,115  

Other income

     1,950       1,831  
                

Total net revenues

     141,694       123,038  
                

OPERATING EXPENSES:

    

Salaries, wages and benefits

     47,526       42,427  

General and administrative expenses

     15,154       13,093  

Occupancy

     6,398       5,023  

Advertising and promotion

     5,154       4,107  

Depreciation and amortization

     4,427       3,404  
                

Total operating expenses

     78,659       68,054  
                

Income before income taxes and minority interest

     63,035       54,984  

Income tax provision

     24,717       21,202  

Minority interest—dividends on preferred stock of subsidiary

     2,495       2,495  
                

Net income

   $ 35,823     $ 31,287  
                

Earnings per common share:

    

Basic

   $ 1.66     $ 1.50  

Diluted

   $ 1.61     $ 1.43  

Weighted average shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     21,553       20,851  

Diluted

     22,279       21,847  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2006     2005  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 35,823     $ 31,287  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,427       3,404  

Provision for losses on loans held for investment

     16,537       12,848  

Provision for losses on repurchases and premium recapture

     3,154       1,757  

Minority interest—dividends paid on preferred stock of subsidiary

     2,495       2,495  

Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

     (5,298 )     14,829  

Unrealized loss on derivatives

     9,702       10,103  

Adjustment into earnings for gain on derivatives from other comprehensive income

     (7,071 )     (2,297 )

Stock-based compensation expense

     2,141       1,102  

Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements

     (2,355 )     —    

Other

     2,818       (382 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Restricted cash

     (6,200 )     (1,460 )

Mortgage loans held for sale originated, net of fees

     (3,574,352 )     (3,231,355 )

Cost of loans sold, net of fees

     3,102,526       2,088,240  

Principal payments received and other changes in loans held for sale

     39,606       27,678  

Accrued interest receivable

     (2,123 )     (3,111 )

Derivative assets, including margin account

     12,756       (8,047 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (7,945 )     20,392  

Income taxes payable

     (53,297 )     (18,508 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (1,077 )     (482 )
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (427,733 )     (1,051,507 )
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Principal payments received on loans held for investment

     522,647       349,191  

Capital expenditures

     (8,461 )     (2,427 )
                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     514,186       346,764  
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net changes in warehouse credit facilities

     (603,397 )     186,988  

Net proceeds from issuance of asset backed commercial paper

     71,595       —    

Proceeds from issuance of securitization financing, net of fees

     997,727       899,374  

Payments on securitization financing

     (531,230 )     (351,901 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock through employee stock plans

     1,550       525  

Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements

     2,355       —    

Payment by consolidated subsidiary of preferred stock dividends

     (2,495 )     (2,495 )
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (63,895 )     732,491  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     326       (68 )
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     22,884       27,680  

Beginning balance, cash and cash equivalents

     44,714       35,155  
                

Ending balance, cash and cash equivalents

   $ 67,598     $ 62,835  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. (“AHLHC”), a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries Accredited Home Lenders, Inc. (“AHL”), Accredited Home Lenders Canada, Inc. (“AHLC”) and Inzura Insurance Services (“IIS”), AHL’s wholly owned subsidiaries Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (the “REIT”), and Vendor Management Services d/b/a Inzura Settlement Services (“ISS”), (collectively referred to as “Accredited”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Accredited engages in the business of originating, financing, securitizing, selling and servicing non-prime and to a lesser degree Atl-A mortgage loans secured by residential real estate located in the United States and Canada. Accredited focuses on borrowers who may not meet conforming underwriting guidelines because of higher loan-to-value ratios, the nature or absence of income documentation, limited credit histories, high levels of consumer debt, or past credit difficulties. Accredited originates loans primarily based upon the borrower’s willingness and ability to repay the loan and the adequacy of the collateral.

Through its REIT subsidiary, Accredited securitizes non-prime mortgage loans originated by AHL. Generally, the REIT acquires mortgage assets and assumes funding obligations from AHL, which are accounted for at AHL’s carrying value, as contributions from AHL.

In March of 2006 Accredited entered the mortgage settlement services business under the trade name Inzura Settlement Services (Inzura). Inzura’s customers will primarily be borrowers closing loans originated or purchased by Accredited. Inzura is a wholly owned subsidiary of AHLHC and is based in Pittsburg, PA.

AHL also provides operating facilities, administration and loan servicing for the REIT. The REIT is therefore economically and operationally dependent on AHL, and, as such, its results of operations or financial condition would not be indicative of the conditions that would have existed for its results of operations or financial condition if it had operated as an unaffiliated entity.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although we base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, our management exercises significant judgment in the final determination of our estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The following areas require significant judgments by management:

 

    lower of cost or market valuation allowance

 

    provisions for losses and repurchase

 

    interest rate risk, derivatives and hedging strategies

 

    stock-based compensation expense

 

    income taxes

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of financial statement presentation, Accredited considers all liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. All liquid assets with an original maturity of three months or less which are not readily available for use, including cash deposits, are classified as restricted cash.

Mortgage Banking Activities

Accredited originates, finances, securitizes, services and sells mortgage loans secured by residential real estate. Accredited recognizes interest income on loans held for sale and investment from the time that it originates the loan until the time the loans are sold. Interest income is also recognized over the life of the loans that Accredited has securitized in structures that require financing treatment. Gains on sale of loans are recognized upon the sale of loans for a premium to various third-party investors under purchase and sale agreements. Loan servicing income represents fees from interim servicing for whole loan buyers, and ancillary servicing revenue for loans that Accredited securitizes net of external servicing costs, if any. We do not recognize loan servicing income on our mortgage loans held for investment.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. We estimate fair value by evaluating a variety of market indicators including recent trades, outstanding commitments or current investor yield requirements.

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from Accredited, (2) the transferee has the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) Accredited does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through either (a) an agreement that entitles and obligates Accredited to repurchase or redeem them before their maturity or (b) the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets.

Gains or losses resulting from loan sales are recognized at the time of sale, based on the difference between the net sales proceeds and the carrying value of the loans sold.

Certain whole loan sale contracts include provisions requiring Accredited to repurchase a loan if a borrower fails to make one or more of the first loan payments due on the loan. In addition, an investor may request that Accredited refund a portion of the premium paid on the sale of mortgage loans if a loan is prepaid in full within a certain amount of time from the date of sale. Accredited records a provision for estimated repurchases and premium recapture on loans sold, which is charged to gain on sale of loans.

Loans Held for Investment, Securitization Financing and Provision for Losses

Accredited’s securitization program typically calls for the execution of one securitization transaction per calendar quarter. In support of this program, each month the Company identifies loans meeting the applicable investor characteristics and transfers those loans from Loans Held for Sale to Loans Held for Securitization (held for investment).

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

After the loans are designated as held for investment, the Company estimates the losses inherent in the portfolio at the balance sheet date and establishes an allowance for loan losses. The provision for loan losses on loans held for securitization is made in an amount sufficient to maintain credit loss allowances at a level considered appropriate to cover probable losses in the portfolio. Accredited defines a loan as non-accruing at the time the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent under its payment terms. Probable losses are determined based on segmenting loans in the portfolio according to their contractual delinquency status and applying Accredited’s historical loss experience. A number of other analytical tools are used to determine the reasonableness of the allowance for loan losses. Loss estimates are reviewed periodically and adjustments, if any, are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of Accredited’s control, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates, making it reasonably possible that they could change. Loans foreclosed upon or deemed uncollectible are carried at estimated net realizable value.

Each quarter, the Loans Held for Securitization, which are originated by and to this point have been held in AHL, are contributed at the lower of cost or market (“carrying amount”), to the REIT. The carrying amount transferred to the REIT consists of the unpaid principal balance, the net deferred origination fees, the basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting (from funding to contribution date) and the allowance for loan losses and are thereafter designated as Loans Held for Investment. The loans remain in the Loans Held for Securitization for approximately 10 business days prior to the close of the securitization transaction.

Mortgage loans held for investment include loans that Accredited has securitized in structures that are accounted for as financings as well as mortgage loans held for a scheduled securitization. During each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, Accredited completed one securitization of mortgage loans totaling $1.0 billion and $0.9 billion, respectively, that were structured as financings under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilitiesa replacement of FASB Statement No. 125.

These securitizations are structured legally as sales, but for accounting purposes are treated as financings under SFAS No. 140. These securitizations do not meet the qualifying special purpose entity criteria under SFAS No. 140 and related interpretations because after the loans are securitized, the securitization trusts may acquire derivatives relating to beneficial interests retained by Accredited and, Accredited, as servicer, subject to applicable contractual provisions, has discretion, consistent with prudent mortgage servicing practices, to determine whether to sell or work out any loans securitized through the securitization trusts that become troubled. Accordingly, the loans remain on the balance sheet as “loans held for investment”, retained interests are not created, and securitization bond financing replaces the warehouse debt or asset backed commercial paper originally associated with the loans held for investment. Accredited records interest income on loans held for investment and interest expense on the bonds issued in the securitizations over the life of the securitizations. Deferred debt issuance costs and discounts related to the bonds are amortized on a level yield basis over the estimated life of the bonds.

Derivative Financial Instruments

As part of Accredited’s interest rate management process, Accredited uses derivative financial instruments such as futures contracts, options contracts, interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements. It is not Accredited’s policy to use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Fair Value Hedges

Accredited designates certain derivative financial instruments as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133, and, at trade date, these instruments and their hedging relationship are identified, designated and documented. Accredited has implemented fair value hedge accounting on its mortgage loans held for sale, whereby certain derivatives are designated as a hedge of the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale. This process includes linking derivatives to specific assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. Accredited also assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives used in hedge transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values of hedged items. Changes in the fair value of such derivative instruments and changes in the fair value of the hedged assets, which are determined to be effective, are recorded as a component of gain on sale in the period of change. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, Accredited discontinues hedge accounting. If hedge accounting is discontinued because it is determined that the relationship between the derivative and the underlying asset no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative will continue to be recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value. For terminated hedges or hedges no longer qualifying as effective, the formerly hedged asset will no longer be adjusted for changes in fair value and any previously recorded adjustment to the hedged asset will be included in the carrying basis. These amounts will be included in results of operations at the time we sell the loans. Should the hedge prove to be perfectly effective, the current period net impact to earnings would be minimal. Accordingly, the net amount recorded in the statement of operations relating to fair value hedge accounting is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness.

Cash Flow Hedges

Pursuant to SFAS No. 133 hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitization debt attributable to interest rate risk. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, and recognized into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings pursuant to SFAS No. 133. At the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, Accredited assesses whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, Accredited discontinues cash flow hedge accounting prospectively. In the instance cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative will continue to be recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value. Any change in the fair value of a derivative no longer qualifying as an effective hedge is recognized in current period earnings. For terminated hedges or hedges that no longer qualify as effective, the effective portion previously recorded remains in other comprehensive income and continues to be amortized or accreted into earnings with the hedged item. The ineffective portion on the derivative instrument is reported in current earnings as a component of interest expense.

For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the period in which the changes occur and realized gains and losses are recognized in the period when such instruments are settled.

Loan Origination Costs and Fees

Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred as an adjustment to the carrying value of the loans. These fees and costs are recognized upon sale of loans to third-party investors or amortized over the life of the loan on a level yield basis for loans held for investment.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Interest Income

Interest income is recorded when earned. Interest income represents the interest earned on mortgage loans held for sale and on mortgage loans held for investment. For loans that are 90 days or more delinquent, Accredited reverses income previously recognized but not collected, and ceases to accrue income until all past-due amounts are collected. In addition, Accredited calculates an effective yield based on the carrying amount of our residual interest in off-balance sheet securitizations and Accredited’s then-current estimates of future cash flows and recognizes accretion income, which is included as a component of interest income. Interest income also includes revenue related to our mortgage loans held for investment (on-balance sheet securitizations), contractually designated as servicing income but classified as interest income for accounting purposes.

Loan Servicing and Other Fees

Fees for servicing sold loans are credited to income when received. Costs of servicing loans are expensed as incurred. Other loan fees, which represent income from the prepayment of loans, delinquent payment charges and miscellaneous loan services, are recorded as revenue when collected.

Escrow and Fiduciary Funds

Accredited maintains segregated bank accounts in trust for the benefit of investors for payments on securitized loans and mortgage loans serviced for investors. Accredited also maintains bank accounts for the benefit of borrower’s property tax and hazard insurance premium payments that are escrowed by borrowers. These bank accounts totaled $175.0 million and $139.4 million at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, and are excluded from Accredited’s assets and liabilities.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured by applying enacted tax rates and laws to taxable years in which such temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Real Estate Owned

Real estate acquired in settlement of loans generally results when property collateralizing a loan is foreclosed upon or otherwise acquired by Accredited in satisfaction of the loan. Real estate acquired through foreclosure is carried at lower of cost or its fair value less costs to dispose. Fair value is based on the net amount that Accredited could reasonably expect to receive for the asset in a current sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Adjustments to the carrying value of real estate owned are made through valuation allowances and charge-offs which impact current earnings. Legal fees and other direct costs incurred after foreclosure are expensed as incurred. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, real estate owned amounting to $20.6 million and $16.1 million, net of valuation allowances, respectively, was included in prepaid expenses and other assets.

Share-Based Payments

Effective January 1, 2006, Accredited adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2005), Share-Based Payments (SFAS 123R), which establishes

 

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For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

accounting standards for share-based payments issued in exchange for goods and services. SFAS 123R requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is to provide service in exchange for the award.

Accredited adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R, using the modified prospective application method. Under this transition method, financial statements for prior periods are not restated and compensation cost is recognized for all new awards and for the portion of prior awards for which the requisite service period was not complete as of the adoption date. Compensation cost for awards issued prior to the effective date is based on the grant-date fair value as determined under the pro forma provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123). In addition, under the modified prospective method, unearned compensation is not included in Stockholders’ Equity for share-based compensation plans. Rather, the awards are included in Stockholders’ Equity when services required are rendered and expensed. Further information regarding share-based compensation can be found in Note 11.

Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive net income includes unrealized gains and losses that are excluded from the consolidated Statements of Operations and are reported as a separate component in stockholders’ equity. The unrealized gains and losses include unrealized gains and losses on the effective portion of cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Comprehensive income is determined as follows for the three months ended March 31:

 

       2006      2005  
       (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Net income

     $ 35,823      $ 31,287  

Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $9,849 and $9,589 respectively

       15,745        14,377  

Reclassification adjustment into earnings for realized gain on derivatives, net of taxes of $2,741 and $917, respectively

       (4,343 )      (1,379 )

Foreign currency translation adjustments

       155        (7 )
                   

Total comprehensive income

     $ 47,380      $ 44,278  
                   

Segment Reporting

Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. These segments should engage in business activities and have discrete financial information available, such as revenue, expenses, and assets. While Accredited’s management monitors originations and sales gains by wholesale and retail channels, it does not record any of the actual financial results other than direct expenses to these groups. In addition, the retail originations have generally been less than 10% of total originations over the past five years. Accordingly, Accredited operates in one reportable operating segment.

 

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For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Reclassifications

Certain items in the prior period consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported net income. We changed the presentation of our consolidated statements of operations to report provision for losses on repurchases and provision for market reserve on loans held for sale, as reductions to gain on sale of loans for the year ended December 31, 2005. Previously these amounts were included in provision for losses. All interim periods for 2005 are being reclassified to conform to this presentation.

The cash flow statement was reclassified to agree to the presentation described above.

2. RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash consisted of the following deposits:

 

     March 31,
2006
   December 31,
2005
     (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)     

Errors and omissions liability insurance

   $ 4,200    $ 4,200

Canada financing collateral for loans securitized

     8,167      8,157

Asset backed commercial paper reserve account

     31,152      30,897

Cash in escrow on Canada loans pending closing

     6,169      779

Other

     2,706      2,174
             

Total restricted cash

   $ 52,394    $ 46,207
             

3. CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK

Significant Customers

During the three months ended March 31, 2006, Accredited sold $1.2 billion, $0.9 billion, and $0.4 billion in loans to three separate investors, which represented 38%, 29%, and 14%, respectively, of total loans sold. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, Accredited sold $634.8 million, $593.9 million and $231.3 million in loans to three separate investors, which represented 30%, 28% and 11%, respectively, of total loans sold. No other sales to individual investors accounted for more than 10% of total loans sold during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.

Credit Repurchase Risk

Accredited’s sales of mortgage loans are subject to standard mortgage industry representations and warranties, material violations of which may require Accredited to repurchase one or more mortgage loans. Additionally, certain whole loan sale contracts include provisions requiring Accredited to repurchase a loan if a borrower fails to make one or more of the first loan payments due on the loan. During the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 loans repurchased totaled $14.6 million and $17.2 million, respectively, pursuant to these provisions. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the reserve for potential future repurchase losses totaled $8.0 million and $7.4 million, respectively.

 

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For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Loan Products

Accredited offers a range of non-prime mortgage and to a lesser degree Alt-A loan programs, including a variety of loan programs for first and second mortgages and several niche programs for 100% combined loan to value (“LTV”) and second mortgages. The key distinguishing features of each program are the documentation required, the LTV, the mortgage and consumer credit payment history, the property type and the credit score necessary to qualify under a particular program. Nevertheless, each program relies upon an analysis of each borrower’s ability to repay, the risk that the borrower will not repay, the fees and rates charged, the value of the collateral, the benefit provided to the borrower, and the loan amounts relative to the risk Accredited is taking.

In general, LTV maximums decrease with credit quality and within each credit classification. Additionally, LTV maximums vary depending on the property type. For example, LTV maximums for loans secured by owner-occupied properties are higher than for loans secured by properties that are not owner-occupied. LTV maximums for Lite Documentation and Stated Income Programs are generally lower than the LTV maximums for corresponding Full Documentation programs. Accredited’s maximum debt service-to-income ratios range from 50% to 55% for Full Documentation Programs and from 45% to 55% for Lite Documentation and Stated Income Programs.

Geographical Concentration

Properties securing the mortgage loans in Accredited’s servicing portfolio (loans held for sale, loans held for investment and off-balance sheet securitizations), including loans serviced for others, are geographically dispersed throughout the United States. At March 31, 2006, 20% and 11% of the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans in Accredited’s servicing portfolio were secured by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. At December 31, 2005, 20% and 10% of the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans in Accredited’s servicing portfolio was secured by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. The remaining properties securing mortgage loans serviced did not exceed 10% in any other state at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005.

Loan originations are geographically dispersed throughout the United States and, to a much lesser extent, in Canada. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, 16% and 12% of loans originated were collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2005, 22% and 10% of loans originated were collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. The remaining originations did not exceed 10% in any other state during either of these periods.

An overall decline in the economy or the residential real estate market, or the occurrence of a natural disaster that is not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies, such as an earthquake, hurricane or wildfire, could decrease the value of mortgaged properties. This decline, in turn, would increase the risk of delinquency, default or foreclosure on mortgage loans in our portfolio and restrict our ability to originate, sell, or securitize mortgage loans, which would significantly harm our business, financial condition and liquidity.

 

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For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

4. MORTGAGE LOANS

Mortgage loans held for sale—Mortgage loans held for sale were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Mortgage loans held for sale—principal balance

   $ 1,724,816     $ 2,267,611  

Basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting

     (3,881 )     5,004  

Net deferred origination fees

     (2,312 )     (2,584 )

Market valuation allowance

     (11,801 )     (17,779 )
                

Mortgage loans held for sale, net

   $ 1,706,822     $ 2,252,252  
                

Mortgage loans held for investment—Mortgage loans held for investment were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2006
    December 31,
2005
 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Mortgage loans securitized—principal balance

   $ 6,895,893     $ 6,421,805  

Mortgage loans held for securitization(1)

     867,310       899,803  

Basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting

     (8,651 )     (4,766 )

Net deferred origination fees

     (22,999 )     (14,953 )

Allowance for loan losses

     (115,704 )     (106,017 )
                

Mortgage loans held for investment, net

   $ 7,615,849     $ 7,195,872  
                

(1) Includes $198.6 million and $139.3 million of Canadian loans at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

Allowance for losses—Activity in the allowance was as follows:

 

    

Balance at

Beginning

of Period

  

Provision

for

Losses

  

Chargeoffs,

net

   

Balance at

End of

Period

     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Three months Ended March 31,:

  

2006:

          

Mortgage loans held for investment

   $ 106,017    $ 9,923    $ (236 )   $ 115,704

Real estate owned

     10,725      6,614      (3,637 )     13,702
                            

Total

   $ 116,742    $ 16,537    $ (3,873 )   $ 129,406
                            

2005:

          

Mortgage loans held for investment

   $ 60,138    $ 9,163    $ (3 )   $ 69,298

Real estate owned

     4,405      3,685      (1,694 )     6,396
                            

Total

   $ 64,543    $ 12,848    $ (1,697 )   $ 75,694
                            

 

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For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

The following table summarizes the delinquency amounts for the serviced portfolio, including mortgage loans and real estate owned before valuation allowance, but excluding loans serviced on an interim basis:

 

       At March 31, 2006     At December 31, 2005  
      

Total

Principal

Amount

    

Delinquent

Principal

Over

90 Days

   

Total

Principal

Amount

    

Delinquent

Principal

Over

90 Days

 
       (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Mortgage loans held for sale(1)

     $ 1,724,816      $ 30,970 (3)   $ 2,267,611      $ 20,861 (3)

Mortgage loans held for investment

       7,763,203        85,476 (3)     7,321,608        71,361 (3)

Real estate owned

       34,255        34,255       26,811        26,811  
                                    

On balance sheet portfolio

       9,522,274        150,701       9,616,030        119,033  

Mortgage loans sold servicing retained(2)

       81,776        9,575       90,181        10,228  
                                    

Total serviced portfolio

     $ 9,604,050      $ 160,276     $ 9,706,211      $ 129,261  
                                    

(1) Includes loans repurchased.
(2) Includes real estate owned, off balance sheet.
(3) For loans 90 days or more delinquent we cease to accrue interest income and reverse all previously accrued but uncollected income.

5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value Hedges

Accredited uses hedge accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 133 for certain derivative financial instruments used to hedge its mortgage loans held for sale and mortgage loans held for investment. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 fair value hedge basis adjustments of ($3.9 million) and $5.0 million, respectively, are included in mortgage loans held for sale. Hedge ineffectiveness associated with these fair value hedges of ($0.5 million) and ($0.2 million) was recorded in earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and is included as adjustments to gain on sale of loans in the consolidated statements of operations.

At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, fair value hedge basis adjustments of ($8.7 million) and ($4.8 million), respectively, are included in loans held for investment.

Cash Flow Hedges

Accredited utilizes cash flow hedge accounting on the variable rate portion of its securitization debt in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 133. Effective unrealized gains, net of effective unrealized losses, associated with cash flow hedges of $25.6 million, reduced by related tax expense of $9.8 million, were recorded in other comprehensive income during the three months ended March 31, 2006. These contracts settle on various dates ranging from June 2006 to June 2015. A total of $29.2 million in net effective gains before taxes, included in other comprehensive income at March 31, 2006, is expected to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months. Hedge ineffectiveness associated with cash flow hedges of $0.4 million and $1.1 million was recorded in earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and are included as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

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For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Futures Contracts, Options Contracts, Interest Rate Swap and Cap Agreements and Margin Accounts

At March 31, 2006 Accredited had outstanding Eurodollar futures contracts, options contracts, interest rate swap agreements and interest rate cap agreements that were designated as hedge instruments. The fair value of the options contracts, interest rate swap and cap agreements, and the fair value of the margin account balances required for these derivatives and the futures contracts were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2006
   December 31,
2005
 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)       

Options contracts

   $ 6,844    $ 4,739  

Interest rate swap agreements

     15,887      14,684  

Interest rate cap agreements

     30      53  
               
     22,761      19,476  

Margin account balances

     82,540      69,933  
               

Derivative assets, including margin account

   $ 105,301    $ 89,409  
               

Futures contracts(1)

   $ —      $ (1,815 )
               

(1) Derivative liabilities are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

A gain of $2 thousand and $1.7 million on derivative instruments not designated for SFAS No. 133 hedge accounting treatment was recorded in interest expense on the statement of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, relating to the gain in value of interest rate cap agreements and interest rate swap agreements. The change in the fair value of derivative financial instruments and the related hedged asset or liability recorded in the statements of operations was as follows:

 

    

Interest

Income

   

Interest

Expense

   

Gain on

Sale

   

Other

Income

   Total  
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Three Months Ended March 31,

           

2006:

  

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ 673     $ (5,946 )   $ (4,429 )   $ —      $ (9,702 )

Net realized gain (loss)

     —         13,461       8,433       —        21,894  
                                       

Total

   $ 673     $ 7,515     $ 4,004     $ —      $ 12,192  
                                       

2005:

  

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ (1,778 )   $ (5,351 )   $ (3,011 )   $ 37    $ (10,103 )

Net realized gain

     —         10,215       9,773       27      20,015  
                                       

Total

   $ (1,778 )   $ 4,864     $ 6,762     $ 64    $ 9,912  
                                       

 

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For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

6. CREDIT FACILITIES

Credit facilities consisted of the following:

 

    

March 31,

2006

  

December 31,

2005

     (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)     

A $660 million warehouse credit facility expiring December 2007

   $ 281,169    $ 281,428

A $650 million warehouse credit facility expiring February 2007

     237,296      472,457

A $500 million warehouse credit facility expiring June 2006

     225,220      385,317

A $171.4 million warehouse credit facility expiring June 2006

     171,360      127,826

A $650 million warehouse credit facility expiring July 2007

     154,329      315,812

A $600 million warehouse credit facility expiring July 2006

     142,487      135,353

A $600 million warehouse credit facility expiring December 2006

     129,903      303,953

A $300 million warehouse credit facility expiring January 2007

     88,238      5,923

A $40 million warehouse credit facility expiring November 2006

     3,523      9,513

$1 billion in asset-backed commercial paper

     839,132      767,537
             

Total credit facilities

   $ 2,272,657    $ 2,805,119
             

Outstanding credit facilities consist of committed warehouse lines and asset-backed commercial paper. The outstanding warehouse facilities bear interest based on one-month LIBOR (one-month bankers’ acceptance rate for Canada) plus a spread. The spread over LIBOR varies depending on the mortgage asset class being financed. The interest rates (One-Month LIBOR plus the spread) ranged from 4.62% to 8.33% as of March 31, 2006.

Starting in the second quarter of 2005, Accredited began issuing commercial paper in the form of short-term secured liquidity notes (“SLNs”) with initial maturities ranging from one to 180 days and also issued $40.0 million of subordinated notes maturing on May 25, 2010. In order to issue the debt, Accredited established a special purpose, bankruptcy remote Delaware statutory trust. The trust entered into agreements with third parties who act as back-up liquidity providers. The SLNs bear interest at customary commercial paper market rates, which vary depending on the prevailing market conditions.

The above facilities are collateralized by substantially all mortgage loans held for sale, certain restricted cash and unsold portions of securitized debt.

At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, Accredited was in compliance with all covenant requirements for each of the facilities. Accredited’s warehouse and other credit facilities contain customary covenants including minimum liquidity, profitability and net worth requirements and limitations on other indebtedness. If Accredited fails to comply with any of these covenants or otherwise defaults under a facility, the lender has the right to terminate the facility and require immediate repayment that may require sale of the collateral at less than optimal terms. In addition, if Accredited defaults under one facility, it would generally trigger a default under Accredited’s other facilities.

Accredited anticipates that its borrowings will be repaid from net proceeds from the sale of loans and other assets, cash flows from operations, or from refinancing the borrowings.

 

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For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

7. SECURITIZATION FINANCING

Securitization financing consisted of the following:

 

     Balance    

Interest Rate Range

   Final Stated
Maturity
     3/31/2006     12/31/2005    

Fixed

  

Variable
(LIBOR+)

  

Bond financing:

            

2002 – two securitizations(a)

   $ 108,027     $ 136,634     4.48% - 4.93%    .32% - .50%    2033

2003 – three securitizations(a)

     357,931       406,650     3.58% - 4.46%    .35% - .38%    2034

2004 – four securitizations(a)

     1,697,489       1,882,537     2.90% - 5.25%    .15% - 2.50%    2035

2005 – four securitizations(a)

     3,490,147       3,747,597     N/A    .08% - 2.50%    2035

2006 – one securitization(a)

     987,697       —       N/A    .06% - 2.10%    2036
                        

Total bond financing

     6,641,291       6,173,418          

Other:

            

2005 – Private placement – Canadian mortgages(b)

     69,474       70,934     N/A    CP rate + .27%    None
                        
     6,710,765       6,244,352          

Unamortized debt discounts

     (3,309 )     (3,532 )        
                        

Total securitization financing, net

   $ 6,707,456     $ 6,240,820          
                        

(a) Collateralized by U.S. loans securitized with an aggregate outstanding balance of $6.9 billion and $6.4 billion at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.
(b) Collateralized by Canadian loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $67.4 million and $70.9 million at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. In addition, $8.2 million of restricted cash at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 is pledged as collateral in connection with this debt.

Amounts collected on the mortgage loans are remitted to the respective trustees, who in turn distribute such amounts each month to the bondholders, together with other amounts received related to the mortgage loans, net of fees payable to Accredited, the trustee and the insurer of the bonds. Any remaining funds after payment of fees and distribution of principal and interest is known as excess interest.

The securitization agreements require that a certain level of overcollateralization be maintained for the bonds. A portion of the excess interest may be initially distributed as principal to the bondholders to increase the level of overcollateralization. Once a certain level of overcollateralization has been reached, excess interest is no longer distributed as principal to the bondholders, but, rather, is passed through to Accredited. Should the level of overcollateralization fall below a required level, excess interest will again be paid as principal to the bondholders until the required level has been reached.

The securitization agreements provide that if delinquencies or losses on the underlying mortgage loans exceed certain maximums, the required levels of credit enhancement would be increased.

Due to the potential for prepayments of mortgage loans, the early distribution of principal to the bondholders and the optional clean-up call, the bonds are not necessarily expected to be outstanding through the stated maturity dates set forth above.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

The following table summarizes the expected repayments relating to the securitization financing at March 31, 2006 and are based on anticipated receipts of principal and interest on underlying mortgage loan collateral using historical prepayment speeds:

 

    

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Nine months ending December 31, 2006

   $ 1,859,241  

Year Ending December 31:

  

2007

     1,946,895  

2008

     1,042,707  

2009

     566,722  

2010

     397,411  

2011

     256,677  

Thereafter

     641,112  

Discount

     (3,309 )
        

Total

   $ 6,707,456  
        

8. INCOME TAXES

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

The tax effects of significant items comprising Accredited’s net deferred tax (liability) asset were as follows:

 

    

March 31,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Deferred tax assets:

    

Loans held for sale

   $ 7,213     $ 6,303  

Market reserve on loans held for sale

     6,227       8,639  

Loan securitizations

     64,049       54,991  

State taxes

     2,265       6,151  

Other reserves and accruals

     13,994       12,289  
                

Total deferred tax assets

     93,748       88,373  
                

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Mortgage-related securities

     (10,877 )     (10,800 )

Cash flow hedging

     (16,657 )     (9,549 )
                

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (27,534 )     (20,349 )
                

Net deferred tax asset

   $ 66,214     $ 68,024  
                

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

The income tax provision consists of the following:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2006      2005
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Current:

     

Federal

   $ 23,886      $ 4,849

State

     6,129        1,524
               

Total current provision

     30,015        6,373
               

Deferred:

     

Federal

     (3,697 )      12,307

State

     (1,601 )      2,522
               

Total deferred provision (benefit)

     (5,298 )      14,829
               

Total provision

   $ 24,717      $ 21,202
               

The deferred income tax (benefit) expense resulted from temporary differences in the recognition of revenues and expenses for tax and financial statement purposes. The primary sources of these differences were the origination and reversal of the following: mortgage securitizations where taxable income has been recognized in excess of book income and various reserves and accruals in which tax deductions exceed book deductions.

The following is a reconciliation of the provision computed using the statutory federal income tax rate to the income tax provision reflected in the statements of operations:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2006     2005  
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Federal income tax at statutory rate

   $ 22,062     $ 19,244  

State income tax, net of federal effects

     2,943       2,630  

REIT dividends on preferred stock

     (873 )     (873 )

Other

     585       201  
                

Total provision

   $ 24,717     $ 21,202  
                

Accredited recorded $2.7 million and $1.7 million during the three months ending March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, as a reduction in income taxes payable for corporate tax deductions arising from the sale by employees of common stock they acquired from employee stock plans prior to the fulfillment of the required tax holding periods for such stock and the issuance of stock that employees were awarded through employee incentive compensation plans. These benefits have been reflected as additional paid in capital in the accompanying consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.

9. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2006
     December 31,
2005
     (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)       

Accrued liabilities—payroll

   $ 26,051      $ 28,116

Accrued liabilities—general

     39,246        34,627

Reserve for repurchases and premium recapture

     11,630        10,751
               

Total

   $ 76,927      $ 73,494
               

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Activity in the reserve for repurchases and premium recapture was as follows:

 

    

Balance at

Beginning

of Period

   Provision (1)   

Chargeoffs,

net

   

Balance at

End of

Period

     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,:

  

2006:

          

Reserve for repurchases

   $ 7,434    $ 1,049    $ (441 )   $ 8,042

Reserve for premium recapture

     3,317      2,105      (1,834 )     3,588
                            

Total

   $ 10,751    $ 3,154    $ (2,275 )   $ 11,630
                            

2005:

          

Reserve for repurchases

   $ 5,126    $ 703    $ (368 )   $ 5,461

Reserve for premium recapture

     2,410      1,054      (1,315 )     2,149
                            

Total

   $ 7,536    $ 1,757    $ (1,683 )   $ 7,610
                            

(1) Reduces gain on sale of loans

10. MINORITY INTEREST IN REIT SUBSIDIARY

The minority interest in the REIT (a wholly owned subsidiary of AHL) represents Series A Preferred Shares issued to outside investors in the aggregate amount of $102.3 million. The Series A Preferred Shares bear a dividend of 9.75% annually. The preferred shares are reported as minority interest in subsidiary in the consolidated balance sheet.

11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Currently, Accredited has three types of equity instruments issued under its share-based compensation programs: stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock awards. Accredited discontinued its Employee Stock Purchase Plan on December 31, 2005. Compensation expense included in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related tax benefit is shown in the following table:

 

     2006      2005
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Stock options

   $ 979      $ 46

Restricted stock units (Deferred Compensation Plan)

     1,043        1,056

Restricted stock awards

     119        0
               

Total share-based compensation expense

     2,141        1,102

Income tax benefit recognized

     726        439
               

Compensation expense, net of tax benefit

   $ 1,415      $ 663
               

As a result of the adoption of SFAS 123R stock-based compensation expense increased $1.0 million ($0.7 million, net of tax) resulting in a decrease in basic and fully-diluted earnings per share of $0.03 for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2006, compensation expense recognized for stock options is based on the fair value provisions of the newly adopted SFAS 123R. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, compensation expense was not recognized for most of Accredited’s options in accordance with APB 25. However, compensation cost was recognized on options granted to non-employees or when the exercise price of the options was not equal to the market value on the date of grant. The details of the share-based compensation programs are described below.

Stock Option Plans—Accredited’s 1995 Executive Stock Option Plan, 1995 Stock Option Plan, 1998 Stock Option Plan, and 2002 Stock Option Plan (collectively the “Stock Option Plans”), provide for the issuance of stock options to eligible directors, employees and consultants. Accredited’s 2002 Stock Option Plan (“2002 Plan”) was adopted by the board of directors and approved by the stockholders in 2002. The share reserve established in the 2002 Plan consists of the number of shares remaining available for option grants and the number of options outstanding under all stock option plans.

All options granted in 2006 were granted at an exercise price equal to the closing market price on the date of grant. The options are scheduled to vest over four years and expire no later than 10 years after the grant date. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes multiple option model. The assumptions used in the option-pricing model for options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2006 are noted in the following table.

 

     (Unaudited)  

Weighted-average risk-free rate

     4.67 %

Weighted-average expected life

     3.9 yrs  

Expected Volatility

     43 %

Dividend Yield

     0 %

Weighted-average grant date fair value

   $ 19.30  

In determining the expected volatility, we reviewed historical and implied volatility. As a result of our analysis, the computation of expected volatility for new grants is based on the historical volatility of Accredited’s common stock, excluding 2003, the year Accredited became a public entity. Prior to the first quarter of 2006, Accredited’s expected volatility was based on the average of its own volatility and the volatility of several of its closest competitors. The weighted-average expected life assumption was also modified in the first quarter to include an estimate for outstanding options that have not yet been exercised and have not yet reached their full contractual term. We applied the change in computation of volatility and weighted-average expected life on a prospective basis beginning with awards granted after December 31, 2005. A summary of the change in options outstanding under Accredited’s Stock Option Plans during the three months ended March 31, 2006 follows:

 

     Number of
Options
    Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price
   Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
     (In thousands)               (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

   1,398     $ 26.29      

Options granted

   333     $ 49.99      

Options exercised

   (102 )   $ 15.23      

Options cancelled

   (87 )   $ 39.54      
              

Outstanding at March 31, 2006

   1,542     $ 31.38    8.05 yrs    $ 30,548
              

Options exercisable at March 31, 2006

   547     $ 14.29    6.27 yrs    $ 20,173

Shares authorized for issuance

   2,540          

Shares available for grant

   998          

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Aggregate intrinsic value disclosed above represents the difference between Accredited’s closing stock price of $51.18 on March 31, 2006, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options. The actual intrinsic value of options exercised during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $3.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively. At March 31, 2006, Accredited had $11.6 million of gross unrecognized compensation expense related to stock option plans that will be recognized over the weighted-average period of 2.3 years. Cash received from stock option exercises was $1.6 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2006.

Deferred Compensation Plan—Accredited’s Deferred Compensation Plan was adopted by the board of directors and approved by the stockholders in 2002, and became effective on January 1, 2003. The plan is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan that benefits directors, certain designated key members of management and key employees. Under the plan, a participant may defer up to 100% of their base salary, director fee, bonus and/or commissions on a pre-tax basis. The Deferred Compensation Plan permits the granting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to eligible participants at fair market value on the date of grant. The RSUs generally vest 50% two years from the date of grant and 25% each year thereafter until fully vested and are payable in the Company’s common stock upon distribution.

A summary of the change in RSUs outstanding under Accredited’s Deferred Compensation Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2006 follows:

 

     Units     Weighted-
Average Fair
Value at Grant
Date
   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
     (in thousands)     (Unaudited)    (in thousands)

Nonvested units at December 31, 2005

   612     $ 33.54   

Granted

   85     $ 52.20   

Vested

   (71 )   $ 35.08   

Forfeited

   (29 )   $ 29.98   
           

Nonvested units at March 31, 2006

   597     $ 36.20   
           

Authorized and outstanding

       

Authorized

   1,896       

Total outstanding

   (736 )      $ 37,653
           

Available for grant

   1,160       
           

Units vested not converted

   139        $ 7,086

The aggregate intrinsic value of restricted stock units is calculated based on the number of units and the quoted market price of $51.18 at March 31, 2006. The total intrinsic value of the 68,000 units converted during the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $3.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. At March 31, 2006, there was approximately $16.7 million in total unrecognized compensation expense related to the nonvested units, which is expected to be recognized over 2.9 years.

Restricted Stock Awards—Accredited issued 41,000 shares of restricted stock shares to two of its officers in 2005 as an inducement to employment. The shares of restricted stock had a value of $1,540,000 on the issue date. The expense for these shares is recognized over the awards’ five-year vesting period. As of March 31, 2006, none of the awards had vested, and unrecognized compensation related to these stock awards totaled $1.1 million.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Pro Forma Information

Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, Accredited accounted for stock-based compensation based on the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25). Under APB 25, recognition of compensation cost was not required for most of the Company’s stock options. However, pro forma disclosures of the effects of recognizing compensation cost under the SFAS 123 fair value method was required. As previously reported for the three months ended March 31, 2005, stock option compensation expense and its effect on income and earnings per share if Accredited had applied SFAS 123 is reflected below.

 

    

(In thousands,

except for per share
amounts) (Unaudited)

 

Net income, as reported

   $ 31,287  

Add: Stock option compensation included in reported net income, net of tax

     28  

Deduct: Stock option compensation expense determined using fair value method, net of tax

     (758 )
        

Pro forma net income

   $ 30,557  
        

Earnings per share:

  

Basic—as reported

   $ 1.50  
        

Basic—pro forma

   $ 1.47  
        

Diluted—as reported

   $ 1.43  
        

Diluted—pro forma

   $ 1.40  
        

The pro forma effects of estimated share-based compensation reflected above were estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes multiple option-pricing model. The underlying assumptions used to estimate the fair value were as follows:

 

     Stock Option Plan   

Employee Stock

Purchase Plan

     (Unaudited)

Weighted-average risk-free rate

     3.31%      2.63%

Weighted-average expected life

     2.6 yrs      0.5 years

Volatility

     45%      45%

Dividend Yield

     0%      0%

Weighted-average grant date fair value

   $ 14.41    $ 13.90

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

12. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the weighted average number of vested, restricted common stock units for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if net income were divided by the weighted average number of common shares and unvested, restricted common stock units, plus potential common shares from outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock units where the effect of those securities is dilutive. The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 

     Net Income
(numerator)
  

Shares

(denominator)

  

Per Share

Amount

     (In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,:

        

2006:

        

Basic earnings per share

   $ 35,823    21,553    $ 1.66
            

Effect of dilutive shares:

        

Stock options

      497   

Restricted stock units

      229   
              

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 35,823    22,279    $ 1.61
                  

Potentially dilutive stock options not included above since they are antidilutive

      367   
          

2005:

        

Basic earnings per share

   $ 31,287    20,851    $ 1.50
            

Effect of dilutive shares:

        

Stock options

      762   

Restricted stock units

      234   
              

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 31,287    21,847    $ 1.43
                  

Potentially dilutive stock options not included above since they are antidilutive

      221   
          

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Accredited is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its borrowers. These financial instruments primarily represent commitments to fund loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate risk and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The credit risk is mitigated by Accredited’s evaluation of the creditworthiness of potential mortgage loan borrowers on a case-by-case basis. Accredited does not guarantee interest rates to potential borrowers when an application is received. Interest rates conditionally approved following the initial underwriting of applications are subject to adjustment if any conditions are not satisfied. Accredited commits to originate loans, in many cases dependent on the borrower’s satisfying various terms and conditions. These commitments totaled $765.4 million as of March 31, 2006.

Commitments to sell loans generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a commitment or a non-delivery fee.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Accredited periodically enters into other loan sale commitments. At March 31, 2006 forward loan sale commitments awaiting settlement amounted to $200 million.

Accredited’s mortgage banking business is subject to the rules and regulations of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) and state regulatory authorities with respect to originating, processing, selling and servicing mortgage loans. Those rules and regulations require, among other things, that Accredited maintain a minimum net worth of $250,000. Accredited is in compliance with these requirements.

From time to time, Accredited enters into certain types of contracts that contingently require Accredited to indemnify parties against third party claims and other obligations customarily indemnified in the ordinary course of Accredited’s business. The terms of such obligations vary and, generally, a maximum obligation is not explicitly stated. Therefore, the overall maximum amount of these obligations cannot be reasonably estimated. Historically, Accredited has not been obligated to make significant payments for these obligations and no liabilities have been recorded for these obligations on its balance sheet as of March 31, 2006.

Accredited irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the holders of each share of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends, (ii) the redemption price and (iii) the liquidation preference. See further discussion under Note 11. Minority Interest in REIT Subsidiary.

Legal Matters—In December 2002, AHL was served with a complaint and motion for class certification in a class action lawsuit, Wratchford et al. v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Madison County, Illinois under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, the consumer protection statutes of the other states in which AHL does business and the common law of unjust enrichment. The complaint alleges that AHL has a practice of misrepresenting and inflating the amount of fees it pays to third parties in connection with the residential mortgage loans that it funds. The plaintiffs claim to represent a nationwide class consisting of others similarly situated, that is, those who paid AHL to pay, or reimburse AHL’s payments of, third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund for the difference between what they paid and what was actually paid to the third party. The plaintiffs are seeking to recover damages on behalf of themselves and the class, in addition to pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest, and any other relief the court may grant. On January 28, 2005, the court issued an order conditionally certifying (1) a class of Illinois residents with respect to the alleged violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act who, since November 19, 1997, paid money to AHL for third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund of the difference between the amount they paid to AHL and the amount AHL paid to the third party and (2) a nationwide class of claimants with respect to an unjust enrichment cause of action included in the original complaint who, since November 19, 1997 paid money to AHL for third-party fees in connection with residential mortgage loans and never received a refund of the difference between the amount they paid AHL and the amount AHL paid the third party. The court conditioned its order limiting the statutory consumer fraud act claims to claimants in the State of Illinois on the outcome of a case pending before the Illinois Supreme Court in which one of the issues is the propriety of certifying a nationwide class based on the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. That case has now been decided in a manner favorable to AHL’s position, and, in light of this ruling, AHL intends to petition the Illinois Supreme Court for a supervisory order reversing the lower court’s class certification decision, the lower court having denied AHL’s motion for reconsideration of (a) the court’s order granting class certification and (b) the court’s denial of AHL’s request for leave to take an interlocutory appeal of such order. There has not yet been a ruling on the merits of either the plaintiffs’ individual claims or the claims of the class, and the ultimate outcome of this matter and the amount of liability, if any, that may result is not presently determinable. AHL intends to continue to vigorously defend this matter and does not believe it will have a material adverse effect on its business.

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

In January 2004, AHL was served with a complaint, Yturralde v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in Sacramento County, California. The named plaintiff is a former commissioned loan officer of AHL, and the complaint alleges that AHL violated California and federal law by misclassifying the plaintiff and other non-exempt employees as exempt employees, failing to pay the plaintiff on an hourly basis and for overtime worked, and failing to properly and accurately record and maintain payroll information. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of himself and all of our other similarly situated current and former employees, lost wages and benefits, general damages, multiple statutory penalties and interest, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit, and also seeks to enjoin further violations of wage and overtime laws and retaliation against employees who complain about such violations. AHL has been served with eleven substantially similar complaints on behalf of certain other former and current employees, which have been consolidated with the Yturralde action. AHL has appealed the court’s denial of its motion to compel arbitration of the consolidated cases, and a resolution of that appeal is not expected before mid 2006. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing between the parties regarding potential settlement or mediation of the claims, and AHL has pursued and effected settlements directly with many current and former employees covered by the allegations of the complaints. A motion to certify a class has not yet been filed, and there has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiffs’ individual claims or the claims of the putative class. AHL does not believe these matters will have a material adverse effect on its business, but, at the present time, the ultimate outcome of the litigation and the total amount of liability is not determinable.

In June 2005, AHL was served with a complaint, Williams et al. v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The two named plaintiffs are former commissioned loan officers of AHL, and the complaint alleges that AHL violated federal law by requiring the plaintiffs to work overtime without compensation. The plaintiffs seek to recover, on behalf of themselves and other similarly situated employees, the allegedly unpaid overtime, liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees and costs of suit. A motion to certify a collective class has been filed, but a hearing date has not yet been set. There has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiffs’ individual claims or the claims of the putative class, and the ultimate outcome of this matter and the amount of liability, if any, which may result is not presently determinable. AHL intends to vigorously defend this matter and does not believe it will have a material adverse effect on its business.

In September 2005, AHL and AHLHC were served with a class action complaint, Phillips v. Accredited Home Lenders Holding Company, et al., brought in the United States District Court, Central District of California. The complaint alleges violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act in connection with prescreened offers of credit made by AHL. The plaintiff seeks to recover, on behalf of herself and similarly situated individuals, damages, pre-judgment interest, declaratory and injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees, and any other relief the court may grant. On January 4, 2006, plaintiff re-filed the action in response to the court’s December 9, 2005, decision granting AHL’s and AHLHC’s motion to (1) dismiss with prejudice plaintiff’s claim that AHL’s offer of credit failed to include the clear and conspicuous disclosures required by FCRA, (2) strike plaintiff’s request for declaratory and injunctive relief, and (3) sever plaintiff’s claims as to AHL and AHLHC from those made against other defendants unaffiliated with AHL or AHLHC. Plaintiff’s remaining claim is that AHL’s offer of credit did not meet FCRA’s “firm offer” requirement. A motion to certify a class has not yet been filed, and there has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiff’s individual claims or the claims of the putative class. AHL and AHLHC intend to vigorously defend this matter. If, however, a class were to be certified and were to prevail on the merits, the potential liability could have a material adverse effect on Accredited. The ultimate outcome of this matter and the amount of liability, if any, which may result is not presently determinable.

In March 2006, AHL was served with a class action complaint, Cabrejas v. Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., brought in the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland. The complaint alleges that AHL’s

 

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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

origination of second lien loans in Maryland violated the Maryland Secondary Mortgage Loan Law and Consumer Protection Act in that fees charged on such loans exceeded 10% of the respective loan amounts. The plaintiffs seek to recover, on behalf of themselves and similarly situated individuals, damages, disgorgement of fees, pre-judgment interest, declaratory and injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees, and any other relief the court may grant. On April 13, 2006, AHL removed the action to the United States District Court, District of Maryland. A motion to certify a class has not yet been filed, and there has been no ruling on the merits of either the plaintiff’s individual claims or the claims of the putative class, and the ultimate outcome of this matter and the amount of liability, if any, which may result is not presently determinable. AHL intends to vigorously defend this matter and does not believe it will have a material adverse effect on its business.

Accredited has accrued for loss contingencies with respect to the foregoing matters to the extent it is probable that a liability has been occurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not deem the amount of such accrual to be material.

In addition, because the nature of our business involves the collection of numerous accounts, the validity of liens and compliance with various state and federal lending laws, we are subject to various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business related to foreclosures, bankruptcies, condemnation and quiet title actions, and alleged statutory and regulatory violations. We are also subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business related to employment matters. We do not believe that the resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

14. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following represents supplemental cash flow information:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2006      2005
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

       

Cash paid during the year for:

       

Interest

   $ 81,945      $ 56,502

Income taxes

   $ 83,312      $ 24,881

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

       

Transfer of mortgage loans held for sale to mortgage loans held for investment

   $ 911,885      $ 951,203

Transfer of mortgage loans held for sale to real estate owned, net of reserve, included in other assets

   $ 6,007      $ 4,485

Transfer of mortgage loans held for investment to real estate owned, net of reserve, included in other assets

   $ 6,725      $ 1,479

Restricted stock units issued, net

   $ 2,911      $ 6,889

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

 

    

March 31,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,708     $ 6,158  

Accrued interest receivable

     36,536       32,604  

Mortgage loans held for investment, net of allowance of $108,375 and $98,399, respectively

     6,700,673       6,240,136  

Derivative assets, including margin account

     86,958       65,347  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     34,822       30,322  

Receivable from parent

     137,097       99,642  
                

Total assets

   $ 6,999,794     $ 6,474,209  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

LIABILITIES:

    

Credit facilities

   $ 16,367     $ 15,640  

Securitization bond financing

     6,637,982       6,169,886  

Accrued interest payable

     9,466       5,115  
                

Total liabilities

     6,663,815       6,190,641  
                

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; 4,093,678 shares designated, issued and outstanding as 9.75% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Shares with an aggregate liquidation preference of $102,342 at March 31 2006 and December 31,2005

     4,094       4,094  

Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 100,000 at March 31, 2006 and December 31,2005

     1       1  

Additional paid-in capital

     311,774       303,180  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     41,850       23,991  

Accumulated deficit

     (21,740 )     (47,698 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     335,979       283,568  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 6,999,794     $ 6,474,209  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2006      2005  

REVENUES:

     

Interest income (including $1,588 and $207 from parent)

   $ 125,719      $ 84,097  

Interest expense

     (71,476 )      (34,526 )
                 

Net interest income

     54,243        49,571  

Provision for losses on loans held for investment

     (6,370 )      (2,802 )
                 

Net interest income after provision

     47,873        46,769  

Other income

     688        92  
                 

Total net revenues

     48,561        46,861  
                 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

     

Management fee assessed by parent

     7,800        5,346  

Direct general and administrative expenses

     9        59  
                 

Total operating expenses

     7,809        5,405  
                 

Net income

     40,752        41,456  

Dividends on preferred stock

     (2,495 )      (2,495 )
                 

Net income available to common stockholders

   $ 38,257      $ 38,961  
                 

Basic and diluted earnings per common share

   $ 382.57      $ 389.61  

Weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted

     100        100  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2006      2005  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

     

Net income

   $ 40,752      $ 41,456  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

     

Amortization of net deferred origination fees on securitized loans

     (967 )      (621 )

Amortization of deferred costs

     3,365        313  

Provision for losses on loans held for investment

     6,370        2,802  

Unrealized loss on derivatives

     5,210        7,129  

Adjustment into earnings for gain on derivatives from other comprehensive income

     (6,887 )      (2,296 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

     

Accrued interest receivable

     (3,932 )      (3,557 )

Derivative assets, including margin account

     (2,748 )      (12,136 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (3,112 )      20,447  

Accrued interest payable

     4,351        335  
                 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     42,402        53,872  
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     

Principal payments received on mortgage loans held for investment

     510,805        349,927  
                 

Net cash provided by investing activities

     510,805        349,927  
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     

Proceeds from issuance of securitization bond financing, net of fees

     995,325        899,374  

Payments on securitization bond financing

     (529,853 )      (351,901 )

Payments on temporary credit facilities

     (977,267 )      (917,632 )

Capital contributions from parent

     8,388        3,000  

Net (increase) decrease in receivable from parent

     (37,455 )      4,598  

Payments of common stock dividends

     (12,300 )      (5,000 )

Payments of preferred stock dividends

     (2,495 )      (2,495 )
                 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (555,657 )      (370,056 )
                 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (2,450 )      33,743  

Beginning balance cash and cash equivalents

     6,158        4,018  
                 

Ending balance cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,708      $ 37,761  
                 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (the “REIT”) was formed on May 4, 2004 as a Maryland real estate investment trust for the purpose of acquiring, holding and managing real estate assets. All of the outstanding common shares of the REIT are held by Accredited Home Lenders, Inc. (“AHL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co., (“Accredited”). The accompanying financial statements of the REIT have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

In August 2004, the REIT completed a public offering of 3,400,000 shares of 9.75% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Stock. In September 2004 the REIT sold an additional 100,000 Series A preferred shares pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In October 2004, the REIT sold an additional 593,678 Series A preferred shares in a public offering.

The REIT engages in the business of acquiring, holding, financing, and securitizing non-prime mortgage loans secured by residential real estate. Generally, the REIT acquires mortgage assets and assumes related funding obligations from AHL, which are accounted for at AHL’s carrying value, as contributions of capital from AHL. These mortgage assets consist primarily of residential mortgage loans, or interests in these mortgage loans, that have been originated or acquired by AHL. AHL focuses on borrowers who may not meet conforming underwriting guidelines because of higher loan-to-value ratios, the nature or absence of income documentation, limited credit histories, high levels of consumer debt, or past credit difficulties. AHL originates loans primarily based upon the borrower’s willingness and ability to repay the loan and the adequacy of the collateral.

AHL also provides operating facilities, administration and loan servicing for the REIT. The REIT is, therefore, economically and operationally dependent on AHL, and, as such, the REIT’s results of operation or financial condition may not be indicative of the conditions that would have existed for its results of operations or financial condition if it had operated as an unaffiliated entity.

The REIT has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto. Accordingly, the REIT will generally not be subject to federal or state income tax to the extent that its distributions to shareholders satisfy the real estate investment trust requirements and certain asset, income and share ownership tests are met.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions included in our consolidated financial statements relate to the provision for loan losses, hedging policies and income taxes.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of financial statement presentation, the REIT considers all liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. All liquid assets with an original maturity of three months or less which are not readily available for use, including cash deposits, are classified as restricted cash.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Loans Held for Investment, Securitization Bond Financing and Provision for Losses

Typically each quarter, the Loans Held for Securitization, which are originated by and to this point have been held in AHL, are contributed at the current carrying amount to the REIT. The carrying amount transferred to the REIT consists of the unpaid principal balance, the net deferred origination fees, the basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting (from funding to contribution date) and the allowance for loan losses. The loans remain in the Loans Held for Securitization for approximately 10 business days prior to the close of the securitization transaction and are thereafter designated as Loans Held for Investment.

Mortgage loans held for investment represent loans that the REIT has securitized in structures that require financing treatment. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, the REIT completed one securitization of mortgage loans totaling $1.0 billion structured as financings under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilitiesa replacement of FASB Statement No. 125.

The securitization is structured legally as a sale, but for accounting purposes is treated as a financing under SFAS No. 140. The securitization does not meet the qualifying special purpose entity criteria under SFAS No. 140 and related interpretations because after the loans are securitized, the securitization trust may acquire derivatives relating to beneficial interests retained by the REIT and, AHL, as servicer, subject to applicable contractual provisions, has discretion, consistent with prudent mortgage servicing practices, to determine whether to sell or work out any loans securitized through the securitization trusts that become troubled. Accordingly, the loans remain on the balance sheet as “loans held for investment”, retained interests are not created for accounting purposes, and securitization bond financing replaces the warehouse debt originally associated with the loans held for investment. The REIT records interest income on loans held for investment and interest expense on the bonds issued in the securitization over the life of the securitization. Deferred debt issuance costs and discounts related to the bonds are amortized on a level yield basis over the estimated life of the bonds.

The REIT periodically evaluates the need for or the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on its mortgage loans held for investment. Provision for loan losses on mortgage loans held for investment is made in an amount sufficient to maintain credit loss allowances at a level considered appropriate to cover probable losses in the portfolio. The REIT defines a loan as non-accruing at the time the loan becomes 90 days or more delinquent under its payment terms. Probable losses are determined based on segmenting the portfolio relating to their contractual delinquency status and applying the REIT’s and AHL’s historical loss experience. The REIT also uses other analytical tools to determine the reasonableness of the allowance for loan losses. Loss estimates are reviewed periodically and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of the REIT’s control, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates, making it reasonably possible that they could change. Loans foreclosed upon or deemed uncollectible are carried at estimated net realizable value.

Derivative Financial Instruments

As part of the REIT’s interest rate management process, the REIT uses derivative financial instruments such as Eurodollar futures and options. In connection with some of the securitizations structured as financings, the REIT entered into interest rate cap agreements. In connection with five of the securitizations structured as financings, the REIT entered into interest rate swap agreements. It is not the REIT’s policy to use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the balance sheet at fair value.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Fair Value Hedges

As part of the contribution by AHL of loans held for securitization, the REIT acquires certain fair value hedge derivative financial instruments. The REIT continues fair value hedge accounting on these mortgage loans up to several days prior to the close of the securitization. At this time the fair value hedge instruments are lifted and the hedge positions are capitalized. These capitalized hedge marks are then amortized to interest income, utilizing an effective yield method, over the life of the securitization transaction.

Cash Flow Hedges

Pursuant to SFAS No. 133 hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitization debt attributable to interest rate risk. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, and recognized into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings pursuant to SFAS No. 133. At the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the REIT assesses whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, the REIT discontinues cash flow hedge accounting prospectively. In the instance cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative will continue to be recorded on the balance sheet at its fair value. Any change in the fair value of a derivative no longer qualifying as an effective hedge is recognized in current period earnings. For terminated hedges or hedges that no longer qualify as effective, the effective portion previously recorded remains in other comprehensive income and continues to be amortized or accreted into earnings with the hedged item. The ineffective portion on the derivative instrument is reported in current earnings as a component of interest expense.

For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the period in which the changes occur and realized gains and losses are recognized in the period when such instruments are settled.

Loan Origination Costs and Fees

Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred as an adjustment to the carrying value of the loans. These fees and costs are amortized over the life of the loan on a level yield basis for mortgage loans held for investment or recognized when prepayments occur.

Interest Income

Interest income is recorded when earned. Interest income represents the interest earned on loans held for investment. The REIT does not accrue interest on loans that are 90 days or more delinquent.

Income Taxes

The REIT has elected to be subject to taxation as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. As a result, the REIT will generally not be subject to federal or state income tax to the extent that the REIT distributes its earnings to its shareholders and maintains its qualification as a real estate investment trust.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

Real Estate Owned

Real estate acquired in settlement of loans generally results when property collateralizing a loan is foreclosed upon or otherwise acquired by AHL, as our servicer, in satisfaction of the loan. Real estate acquired through foreclosure is carried at fair value less estimated costs to dispose. Fair value is based on the net amount that the REIT could reasonably expect to receive for the asset in a current sale between a willing buyer and a willing seller, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Adjustments to the carrying value of real estate owned are made through valuation allowances and charge-offs recognized through a charge to earnings. Legal fees and other direct costs incurred after foreclosure are expensed as incurred. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, real estate owned amounting to $14.5 million and $10.5 million, respectively, net of valuation allowances, is included in other assets.

Other Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses that are excluded from the statement of operations and are reported as a separate component in stockholders’ equity. The unrealized gains and losses include unrealized gains and losses on the effective portion of cash flow hedges.

Comprehensive income is determined as follows for the three months ended March 31:

 

     2006     2005  
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Net income

   $ 40,752     $ 41,456  

Net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges

     24,746       23,966  

Reclassification adjustment into earnings for realized gain on derivatives

     (6,887 )     (2,296 )
                

Total comprehensive income

   $ 58,611     $ 63,126  
                

2. CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK

Geographical Concentration

Properties securing mortgage loans held for investment are geographically dispersed throughout the United States. At March 31, 2006, 22% and 11% of the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans held for investment were secured by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. At December 31, 2005, 23% and 11% of the unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans held for investment were secured by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. The remaining properties securing mortgage loans did not exceed 10% in any other state at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005.

An overall decline in the economy or the residential real estate market, or the occurrence of a natural disaster that is not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies, such as an earthquake, hurricane or wildfire, could decrease the value of mortgaged properties. This, in turn, would increase the risk of delinquency, default or foreclosure on mortgage loans in our portfolio. This could restrict our and AHL’s ability to originate, sell, or securitize mortgage loans, and significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

3. MORTGAGE LOANS HELD FOR INVESTMENT

Mortgage loans held for investment were as follows:

 

    

March 31,

2006

   

December 31,

2005

 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)        

Principal balance

   $ 6,828,473     $ 6,350,870  

Basis adjustment for fair value hedge accounting

     (6,780 )     (4,766 )

Net deferred origination fees

     (12,645 )     (7,569 )

Allowance for loan losses

     (108,375 )     (98,399 )
                

Loans held for investment, net

   $ 6,700,673     $ 6,240,136  
                

Allowance for losses—Activity in the allowance was as follows:

 

    

Balance at

Beginning

of Period

  

Contributions

from Parent

  

Provision

for Losses

  

Chargeoffs,

net

   

Balance at

End of

Period

     (In thousands) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31,:

             

2006:

             

Mortgage loans held for investment

   $ 98,399    $ 8,431    $ 1,774    $ (229 )   $ 108,375

Real estate owned

     6,996      —        4,596      (1,906 )     9,686
                                   

Total

   $ 105,395    $ 8,431    $ 6,370    $ (2,135 )   $ 118,061
                                   

2005:

             

Mortgage loans held for investment

   $ 54,960    $ 7,622    $ 1,244    $ (3 )   $ 63,823

Real estate owned

     2,028      —        1,558      (922 )     2,664
                                   

Total

   $ 56,988    $ 7,622    $ 2,802    $ (925 )   $ 66,487
                                   

The following table summarizes delinquency amounts for mortgage loans and real estate owned before valuation allowance:

 

     At March 31, 2006     At December 31, 2005  
    

Total

Principal

Amount

  

Delinquent

Principal Over

90 Days

   

Total

Principal

Amount

  

Delinquent

Principal Over

90 Days

 
     (In thousands)  
     (Unaudited)             

Mortgage loans held for investment

   $ 6,828,473    $ 83,510 (1)   $ 6,350,870    $ 70,990 (1)

Real estate owned

     24,215      24,215       17,490      17,490  
                              

Total

   $ 6,852,688    $ 107,725     $ 6,368,360    $ 88,480  
                              

(1) For loans 90 days or more delinquent we cease to accrue interest income and reverse all previously accrued but uncollected income.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

4. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value Hedges

The REIT uses hedge accounting as defined by SFAS No. 133 for certain derivative financial instruments used to hedge its loans held for investment. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, fair value hedge basis adjustments of ($6.8 million) and ($4.8 million) are included as additions to loans held for investment. No hedge ineffectiveness associated with fair value hedges was recorded in earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2006 or 2005, as the REIT has discontinued fair value hedge accounting on loans held for investment.

Cash Flow Hedges

The REIT utilizes cash flow hedging and cash flow hedge accounting on its securitization debt under SFAS No. 133. Effective unrealized gains, net of effective unrealized losses, associated with cash flow hedges of $24.7 million were recorded in other comprehensive income during the three months ended March 31, 2006, which is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity. These contracts settle on various dates ranging from June 2006 to June 2015. A total of $27.9 million in net effective gains, included in other comprehensive income at March 31, 2006, is expected to be recognized in earnings during the next twelve months. Hedge ineffectiveness associated with cash flow hedges of $0.5 million and $1.1 million was recorded in earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and are included as a component of interest expense in the statements of operations.

Futures Contracts, Options Contracts, Interest Rate Swap and Cap Agreements and Margin Accounts

At March 31, 2006 the REIT had outstanding Eurodollar futures contracts, options contracts and interest rate swap agreements that were designated as hedge instruments, as well as interest rate cap agreements. The fair value of the options contracts, interest rate swap and cap agreements, and the fair value of the margin account balances required for these derivatives and the futures contracts were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2006
   December 31,
2005
     (In thousands)
     (Unaudited)     

Options contracts

   $ 6,844    $ 4,739

Interest rate swap agreements

     12,543      12,113

Interest rate cap agreements

     30      53
             
     19,417      16,905

Margin account balances

     67,541      48,442
             

Derivative assets, including margin account

   $ 86,958    $ 65,347
             

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

A gain of $2 thousand and $1.7 million on derivative instruments not designated for SFAS No. 133 hedge accounting treatment was recorded in interest expense on the statement of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively, relating to the gain in value of interest rate cap agreements and interest rate swap agreements. The change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, and the related hedged liability recorded in the statement of operations was as follows:

 

    

Interest

Income

   

Interest

Expense

    Total  
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  
Three Months Ended March 31,:   

2006:

      

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ 673     $ (5,883 )   $ (5,210 )

Net realized gain (loss)

     —         13,278       13,278  
                        

Total

   $ 673     $ 7,395     $ 8,068  
                        

2005:

      

Net unrealized gain (loss)

   $ (1,778 )   $ (5,351 )   $ (7,129 )

Net realized gain (loss)

     —         10,215       10,215  
                        

Total

   $ (1,778 )   $ 4,864     $ 3,086  
                        

5. CREDIT FACILITIES

In connection with the REIT’s execution of securitization transactions through the first quarter of 2005, AHL and the REIT, as several borrowers or sellers, entered into warehouse transactions with lenders to finance the related mortgage loans that were contributed by AHL to the REIT and then subsequently securitized with permanent bond financing. The net proceeds of the securitizations are to be used by AHL or the REIT to repay the warehouse debt and pay other expenses of the securitization.

AHL and the REIT, as several sellers, have entered into temporary aggregate warehouse facilities to permit the securitization of mortgage loans. The duration of any one of these facilities is approximately 30 days. Each of the agreements has cross-default and cross-collateralization provisions and AHL provides a guarantee of the REIT’s obligations under the facilities; in addition, the facilities are structured so that the REIT only has monetary responsibilities for a limited period of time prior to a securitization and otherwise does not have any monetary obligations under the facilities (“REIT Transaction”).

Beginning in the second quarter of 2005, AHL and the REIT secured modifications to the existing AHL warehouse credit facilities agreements providing for the financing of assets held for securitization. These modified agreements allow for the financing of loans for an approximate 30 day period prior to the close of the securitization transaction.

Prior to the date of contribution of the mortgage loan assets scheduled for securitization, AHL is the primary obligor. Subsequent to the contribution date the REIT becomes the primary obligor. AHL provides a guarantee of the REIT’s obligations under the modified warehouse credit facilities.

The facilities are collateralized by performing, aged and delinquent loans, and mortgage backed securities that bear interest at One-Month LIBOR plus a spread. Amounts outstanding on these warehouse facilities were $16.4 million and $15.6 million at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

6. SECURITIZATION BOND FINANCING

Securitization bond financing consisted of the following:

 

    Balance     Interest Rate Range   Final Stated
Maturity
    3/31/2006     12/31/2005     Fixed   Variable (LIBOR+)  
    (Unaudited)                    

2002—two securitizations

  $ 108,027     $ 136,634     4.48% - 4.93%   .32% - .50%   2033

2003—three securitizations

    357,931       406,650     3.58% - 4.46%   .35% - .38%   2034

2004—four securitizations

    1,697,489       1,882,537     2.90% - 5.25%   .15% - 2.50%   2035

2005—four securitizations

    3,490,147       3,747,597     N/A   .08% - 2.50%   2035

2006—one securitization

    987,697       —       N/A   .06% - 2.10%   2036
                     
    6,641,291       6,173,418        

Unamortized bond discounts

    (3,309 )     (3,532 )      
                     

Total securitization bond financing, net

  $ 6,637,982     $ 6,169,886        
                     

The bonds are collateralized by loans held for investment with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $6.8 billion and $6.4 billion as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs, included in prepaid expenses and other assets, are $20.3 million and $19.7 million at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.

Amounts collected on the mortgage loans are remitted to the respective trustees, who in turn distribute such amounts each month to the bondholders, together with other amounts received related to the mortgage loans, net of fees payable to the REIT, the trustee and the insurer of the bonds. Any remaining funds after payment of fees and distribution of principal and interest is known as excess interest.

The securitization agreements require that a certain level of overcollateralization be maintained for the bonds. A portion of the excess interest may be initially distributed as principal to the bondholders to increase the level of overcollateralization. Once a certain level of overcollateralization has been reached, excess interest is no longer distributed as principal to the bondholders, but, rather, is passed through to the REIT. Should the level of overcollateralization fall below a required level, excess interest will again be paid as principal to the bondholders until the required level has been reached.

The securitization agreements provide that if delinquencies or losses on the underlying mortgage loans exceed certain maximums, the required levels of credit enhancement would be increased.

Due to the potential for prepayment of mortgage loans, the early distribution of principal to the bondholders and the optional clean-up call, the bonds are not necessarily expected to be outstanding through the stated maturity date set forth above.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

The following table summarizes the expected repayments relating to the securitization bond financing at March 31, 2006. Amounts listed as bond payments are based on anticipated receipts of principal and interest on underlying mortgage loan collateral using historical prepayment spreads:

 

    

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

Nine months ending December 31, 2006

   $ 1,862,987  

Year Ending December 31:

  

2007

     1,934,974  

2008

     998,269  

2009

     561,293  

2010

     385,980  

2011

     256,677  

Thereafter

     641,111  

Discount

     (3,309 )
        

Total

   $ 6,637,982  
        

7. INCOME TAXES AND DISTRIBUTION OF EARNINGS

With the filing of its first Federal income tax return on September 9, 2005, the REIT elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust for income tax purposes in accordance with certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. As a result of this election, the REIT will generally not be subject to federal or state income tax to the extent that it distributes its earnings to its shareholders and maintains its qualification as a real estate investment trust. Currently the REIT plans to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to common and preferred shareholders.

The following is a reconciliation of the income tax provision computed using the statutory federal income tax rate to the income tax provision reflected in the statement of operations:

 

    

Three Months

Ended

March 31,2006

   

Three Months

Ended

March 31, 2005

 
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

Federal income tax at statutory rate

   $ 14,263     $ 14,509  

Preferred stock dividends at statutory rate

     (873 )     (873 )

Common stock dividends paid deduction and other

     (13,390 )     (13,636 )
                

Total provision

   $ —       $ —    
                

8. PREFERRED STOCK

The Board of Trustees, or a duly authorized committee thereof, may issue up to 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series. In addition, the Board of Trustees, or duly authorized committee thereof, may fix the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, and limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

9.75% Series A Perpetual Cumulative Preferred Shares

The Board of Trustees and a duly authorized committee thereof has classified and designated 4,093,678 preferred shares as Series A Preferred Shares. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, there were 4,093,678 preferred shares issued and outstanding.

On March 1, 2006, the REIT’s board of trustees declared a quarterly cash dividend on the Preferred Shares at the rate of $0.609375 per share to shareholders of record on March 15, which aggregated $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

The Series A Preferred Shares contain covenants requiring the REIT to maintain a total shareholders’ equity balance and total loans held for investment of at least $50.0 million and $2.0 billion, respectively, commencing on December 31, 2004 and at the end of each quarter thereafter. In addition, commencing with each of the four quarters ending December 31, 2005, the REIT is also required to maintain cumulative unencumbered cash flow (as defined in the agreement) greater than or equal to six times the cumulative preferred dividends required in those four quarters. If the REIT is not in compliance with any of these covenants, no dividends can be declared on the REIT’s common shares until it is in compliance with all covenants as of the end of two successive quarters. As of March 31, 2006, the REIT was in compliance with the covenants applicable to date in 2006.

Accredited irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the holders of each share of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the REIT or Accredited may have or assert: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) payable on the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares; (ii) the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid dividends) payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares redeemed by the REIT and (iii) the liquidation preference, if any, payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares. Accredited’s guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to Accredited’s indebtedness, on parity with the most senior class of Accredited’s preferred stock and senior to Accredited’s common stock.

9. RECEIVABLE FROM PARENT AND ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICING AGREEMENT WITH PARENT

The REIT has an administration and servicing agreement with its parent company, AHL, whereby AHL provides loan servicing, treasury, accounting, tax and other administrative services for the REIT in exchange for a management fee equal to 0.5% per year on the outstanding principal balance of the loans serviced, plus miscellaneous fee income collected from mortgagors including late payment charges, assumption fees and similar items. Under this agreement, either party agrees to pay interest on the net average balance payable to the other party at an annual rate equal to the Six-Month LIBOR plus 1.0%. Management fee expense under this agreement totaled $7.8 million and $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Interest income under this agreement totaled $1.6 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. At March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the net receivable from parent was $137.1 million and $99.6 million, respectively. It is Accredited’s practice to periodically paydown intercompany balances.

 

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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

10. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

The following represents supplemental cash flow information:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2006     2005  
     (In thousands) (Unaudited)  

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

Cash paid during the year for interest

   $ 61,147     $ 38,970  
                

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Transfer of loans held for investment to real estate owned, net of reserves, included in other assets

   $ 6,725     $ 1,479  
                

Detail of assets and liabilities contributed from parent:

    

Cash contributions

   $ 8,388     $ 3,000  

Mortgage loans, net of reserves

     986,931       909,607  

Other net assets (liabilities)

     (8,730 )     (5,313 )

Outstanding balances on warehouse credit facilities

     (977,995 )     (917,632 )
                

Net capital contributions from parent

   $ 8,594     $ (10,338 )
                

 

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ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be reviewed in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this document contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 3 of this Form 10-Q. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to factors discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report.

General

Accredited is a mortgage banking company that originates, finances, securitizes, services and sells non-prime mortgage loans secured by residential real estate throughout the United States, and, to a lesser extent, in Canada. We focus on borrowers who may not meet conforming underwriting guidelines because of higher loan-to-value ratios, the nature or absence of income documentation, limited credit histories, high levels of consumer debt, or past credit difficulties. We originate our loans primarily through independent mortgage brokers and, to a lesser extent, through our direct sales force in our retail offices. We primarily sell our loans in whole loan sales or hold loans for investment utilizing securitization financing transactions.

Revenue Model

Our operations generate revenues in three ways:

 

    Interest income. We have two primary components to our interest income. We generate interest income over the life of the loan on the loans we have securitized in structures that require financing treatment. This interest is partially offset by the interest we pay on the bonds that we issue to fund these loans. We also generate interest income on loans held for sale and for securitization from the time we originate the loan until the time we sell or securitize the loan. This interest income is partially offset by our borrowing costs under our warehouse credit facilities used to finance these loans.

 

    Gain on sale of loans. We generate gain on sale of loans by selling the loans we originate for a premium.

 

    Loan servicing income. Our loan servicing income represents all contractual and ancillary servicing revenue for loans that Accredited services for others, net of servicing costs and amortization of mortgage servicing rights.

Our revenues also include net gain or loss on mortgage-related securities and derivatives, on our loans held for sale, and some of our loans held for investment, which reflect changes in the value of these instruments based on market conditions.

While we continue to generate the majority of our earnings and cash flows from whole loan sales, securitizations will continue to contribute significantly to earnings and cash flows. Our securitization transactions will continue to be legally structured as sales, but for accounting purposes will be structured as a financing. Accordingly, the loans remain on our balance sheet, retained interests are not created, and debt securities issued in the securitization replace the warehouse debt originally associated with the securitized mortgage loans. We record interest income on the mortgage loans and interest expense on the debt securities, as well as ancillary fees, over the life of the securitization, instead of recognizing a gain or loss upon closing of the securitization. This “portfolio-based” accounting closely matches the recognition of income with the actual receipt of cash payments.

We anticipate that our results of operations may fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis. The timing and degree of fluctuation will depend upon several factors, including competition, economic slowdowns and increased interest rates in addition to those discussed under “Risk Factors.” Although we have experienced growth in recent years, we cannot assure you that we will be able to sustain revenue growth or maintain profitability on a quarterly or annual basis or that our growth will be consistent with predictions or forecasts.

 

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Results Of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005

Executive Summary

 

    Net income was $35.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, or $1.61 per diluted share, an increase of 14.5% from $31.3 million, or $1.43 per diluted share in 2005.

 

    The increase in net income was primarily driven by a 14.0% increase in net interest income after provision and a 15.0% increase in gain on whole loan sales. Whole loan sales of $3.0 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2006, resulted in net gains on sale recorded of $70.6 million.

 

    Mortgage loan origination volume increased 11.1% from $3.2 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2005 to $3.6 billion in 2006, and our serviced loans increased 28.5% from $7.5 billion at March 31, 2005 to $9.6 billion at March 31, 2006. The growth in loan originations was achieved by penetrating new markets and further developing existing markets over the 12 month period ended March 31, 2006. The serviced loan portfolio growth was due to the increase in loans securitized during the period.

 

    Origination costs net of points and fees declined to 1.60% of loans originated during the three months ended March 31, 2006 from 1.96% during the same period in 2005.

Net Revenues

Net revenues and key indicators that affect our net revenues are as follows for the three months ended March 31:

 

     2006     2005    

Increase

(Decrease)

    % Change  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Interest income(1)

   $ 194,458     $ 124,893     $ 69,565     55.7 %

Interest expense(2)

     (112,136 )     (54,327 )     (57,809 )   106.4 %
                          

Net interest income

     82,322       70,566       11,756     16.7 %

Provision for losses(3)

     (16,537 )     (12,848 )     (3,689 )   28.7 %
                          

Net interest income after provision(3)

     65,785       57,718       8,067     14.0 %

Gain on sale of loans(3)

     70,552       61,374       9,178     15.0 %

Loan servicing income

     3,407       2,115       1,292     61.1 %

Other income

     1,950       1,831       119     6.5 %
                          

Total net revenues

   $ 141,694     $ 123,038     $ 18,656     15.2 %
                          

Net interest income after provision as percentage of net revenues

     46.4 %     46.9 %    

Gain on sale of loans as a percentage of net revenues

     49.8 %     49.9 %    

Mortgage loan originations

   $ 3,587,541     $ 3,229,873     $ 357,668     11.1 %

Whole loan sales

   $ 3,040,534     $ 2,104,967     $ 935,567     44.5 %

Mortgage loans securitized

   $ 1,003,751     $ 917,229     $ 86,522     9.4 %

Average inventory of mortgage loans

   $ 9,887,015     $ 6,651,229     $ 3,235,786     48.7 %

Annualized interest income as a percentage of average inventory of mortgage loans

     7.87 %     7.51 %    

Average outstanding borrowings

   $ 9,485,568     $ 6,261,439     $ 3,224,129     51.5 %

(1) Interest income includes prepayment penalty income and gains and losses from hedging activities.
(2) Interest expense includes gains and losses from hedging activities and amortization of debt issuance costs.
(3) We changed the presentation of our consolidated statements of operations to report provision for losses on repurchases and provision for market reserve on loans held for sale, as reductions to gain on sale of loans for the year ended December 31, 2005. Previously these amounts were included in provision for losses. All interim periods for 2005 are being reclassified to conform to this presentation.

 

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Interest Income. Interest income increased 55.7% during the three months ended March 31, 2006 from the comparable period in 2005 reflecting the 48.7% increase in our average inventory of mortgage loans during the period and an increase in the weighted average interest rates earned on mortgage loans during the three months ended March 31, 2006 when compared to the same period in 2005. The increase in our average inventory of mortgage loans is due to higher loan origination volume during the three months ended March 31, 2006 with an increase in loans retained on our balance sheet through four quarterly securitizations.

We currently expect interest income to continue to increase in 2006 primarily as a result of growth in our securitization portfolio.

Interest Expense. The increase in interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2006 of 106.4% reflects an increase in our average outstanding borrowings, which increased from $6.3 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2005 to $9.5 billion during the same period in 2006, or 51.5% and an increase in our average borrowing rates. The average rate on our warehouse lines increased from 4.01% during the three months ended March 31, 2005 to 5.34% during the same period in 2006. In addition, the average rates on our securitizations increased from 3.20% during the three months ended March 31, 2005 to 4.40% during the same period in 2006.

We currently expect interest expense to increase in 2006 as our borrowings increase to support our forecasted growth in our loan portfolio.

The components of our net interest margin are as follows for the three months ended March 31:

 

     2006     2005  
    

Interest

Income

(Expense)

   

Average

Balance

Outstanding

  

Average

Rate

   

Interest

Income

(Expense)

   

Average

Balance

Outstanding

  

Average

Rate

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Warehouse:

              

Interest income

   $ 74,305     $ 3,644,869    8.15 %   $ 43,401     $ 2,338,068    7.43 %

Other interest income

     —          (0.00 )     128        0.02  

Interest expense

     (42,152 )     3,282,474    (5.18 )     (18,656 )     2,110,411    (3.58 )

Other interest expense

     (1,682 )      (0.20 )     (2,497 )      (0.47 )
                                  

Spread

     30,471        2.77 %     22,376        3.40 %
                                  

Securitizations:

              

Interest income

     108,389       6,242,146    6.95       73,806       4,313,161    6.84 %

Other interest income

     11,764        0.75       7,558        0.70  

Interest expense

     (72,675 )     6,203,094    (4.70 )     (35,324 )     4,151,028    (3.40 )

Other interest expense

     4,373        0.28       2,150        0.21  
                                  

Spread

     51,851        3.28 %     48,190        4.35 %
                                  

Net interest margin

   $ 82,322     $ 9,887,015    3.31 %   $ 70,566     $ 6,651,229    4.23 %
                                  

The net interest spread for our warehouse loans (loans held for sale and loans held for securitization) declined from 3.40% during the three months ended March 31, 2005 to 2.77% for the comparable period in 2006. This is due to a higher borrowing cost, which is indexed to either One-Month, or overnight LIBOR, which outpaced an increase in the average customer loan rate. This decline in margin earned was the result of a flattening yield curve and increased competition from other lenders.

The net interest spread for our securitized loans declined from 4.35% during the three months ended March 31, 2005 to 3.28% for the comparable period in 2006. The decline reflects higher cost of borrowings due to market interest rates increasing, partially offset by increases in coupon rate. Other interest income consists primarily of prepayment penalties and other interest expense is primarily gains from hedging.

 

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Provision for Losses. The provision for losses is comprised of the following for the three months ended March 31:

 

     2006     2005    

Increase

(Decrease)

    % Change  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Current period provision for:

  

Loans held for investment

   $ 9,923     $ 10,085     $ (162 )   (1.6 %)

Real estate owned

     6,614       2,763       3,851     139.4 %
                          

Total provision for losses

   $ 16,537     $ 12,848     $ 3,689     28.7 %
                          

Reserve balance at period end:

        

Loans held for investment

   $ 115,704     $ 69,298     $ 46,406     67.0 %
                          

Principal balance at period end:

        

Loans held for investment

   $ 7,763,203     $ 5,344,331     $ 2,418,872     45.3 %
                          

Reserve balance on loans as a percentage of the principal balance at period end

     1.5 %     1.2 %    

The provision for losses related to REO assets increased 139.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005. This increase is directly related to a corresponding increase in the level of REO assets held at the end of the reporting periods.

The ratio of loss reserve to principle outstanding at March 31, 2006, increased to 1.5% from 1.2% for the same period in 2005. The increase is due primarily to expected losses resulting from an increase in the aging of the portfolio.

We currently expect our provision for losses to increase in 2006 at a rate similar to the growth rate of our average on-balance sheet loan portfolio.

Gain on Sale of Loans. The components of the gain on sale of loans and the calculation of our average whole loan premium are as follows for the three months ended March 31:

 

     2006     2005  
     Amount     Percentage     Amount     Percentage  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Gross gain on whole loan sales(1)

   $ 63,858     2.10 %   $ 63,473     3.02 %

Loss on discount sales

     (3,964 )   (0.13 )     (1,436 )   (0.07 )

Net gain (loss) on derivatives

     4,004     0.13       6,762     0.32  
                            

Net premium received on sales

     63,898     2.10       68,799     3.27  

Provision for:

        

Repurchase and premium recapture(2)

     (3,153 )       (1,756 )  

Lower of cost or market valuation allowance(2)

     4,660         (4,386 )  

Direct loan origination fees (expenses)

     5,147         (1,283 )  
                    

Total net gain on sale of loans

   $ 70,552       $ 61,374    
                    

Less: Net cost to originate(3)

     (1.60 )     (1.96 )
                

Net profit margin on whole loan sales

     0.50 %     1.31 %
                

Whole loan sales

   $ 3,040,534       $ 2,104,967    
                    

(1) Reflects the cash premium that we receive on our whole loan sales. The percentage is determined by dividing the gain by whole loan sales.

 

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(2) We changed the presentation of our consolidated statements of operations to report provision for losses on repurchases and provision for market reserve on loans held for sale, as reductions to gain on sale of loans for the year ended December 31, 2005. Previously these amounts were included in provision for losses. All interim periods for 2005 are being reclassified to conform to this presentation.
(3) Net cost to originate loans is defined as total operating expenses, less loan servicing related costs, plus yield spread premiums, less points and fees collected, all prior to any deferrals of origination costs for accounting purposes. Refer to our discussion of expenses below for the calculation of this percentage.

Gain on sale of loans increased 15% during the three months ended March 31, 2006 from the comparable period in 2005 due to an increase in loan origination fees earned and a favorable market valuation adjustment offset in part by a reduction in the net premium received on sales and an increase in the repurchase and premium recapture reserves.

Loan Servicing Income. Loan servicing income increased 61.1% during the three months ended March 31, 2006 from the comparable period in 2005 due primarily to the increase in assets serviced on an interim basis on behalf of our whole loan sales customers and an increase in ancillary fees earned.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses are as follows for the three months ended March 31:

 

     2006    2005    Increase    % Change  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Salaries, wages and benefits

   $ 47,526    $ 42,427    $ 5,099    12.0 %

General and administrative

     15,154      13,093      2,061    15.7 %

Occupancy

     6,398      5,023      1,375    27.4 %

Advertising and promotion

     5,154      4,107      1,047    25.5 %

Depreciation and amortization

     4,427      3,404      1,023    30.1 %
                       

Total operating expenses

   $ 78,659    $ 68,054    $ 10,605    15.6 %
                       

Total serviced loans at period end

   $ 9,604,050    $ 7,476,101    $ 2,127,949    28.5 %

Total number of employees at period end

     2,626      2,536      90    3.5 %

Salaries, Wages and Benefits. Salaries, wages and benefits increased 12.0% during the three months ended March 31, 2006 due to the recognition of approximately $1 million in stock option expense as a result of SFAS 123R, increases in salaries as a result of the growth in the number of employees and increases in bonuses and commissions due to the growth in mortgage loan originations.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased 15.7% during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and reflect the 11.1% increase in loan origination volume and the 28.5% increase in our servicing portfolio.

Occupancy. Occupancy expenses increased 27.4% due to increased leasing costs associated with the expansion of five of our wholesale origination centers and the consolidation of our San Diego offices in a new office complex.

Advertising and Promotion. Advertising and promotion expenses increased 25.5% during the three months ended March 31, 2006 due primarily to increased spending on referrals and leads to support our growth in retail loan originations.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased 30.1% during the three months ended March 31, 2006 due to additional investments in technology and additional costs associated with leasehold improvements related to the expansion of five of our wholesale origination centers and the consolidation of our San Diego offices in a new office complex.

 

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Net Cost to Originate. We monitor our net cost to originate mortgage loans, as we believe that it provides a measurement of efficiency in our mortgage loan origination process. The calculation of this net cost to originate is as follows for the three months ended March 31:

 

     2006     2005     % Change  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Total operating expenses

   $ 78,659     $ 68,054    

Add: deferred direct loan origination expenses(1)

     12,798       13,390    

Less: servicing cost(2)

     (6,947 )     (5,724 )  
                  

Loan origination expenses

     84,510       75,720    

Less: deferred net origination points and fees(3)

     (27,206 )     (12,574 )  
                  

Net cost to originate

   $ 57,304     $ 63,146     (9.25 %)
                  

Total mortgage loan originations

   $ 3,587,541     $ 3,229,873     11.07 %

Net cost to originate as percentage of volume

     1.60 %     1.96 %  

(1) Represents the amount of direct expenses incurred and deferred in the period in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard No. 91. These items are included in origination expenses to reflect the complete economic operating expenses for the period.
(2) Consists of direct expenses and corporate overhead allocated to servicing activities.
(3) Deferred net origination points and fees represent amounts received from borrowers during the period less amounts paid to brokers on all loans originated during the period.

The reduction in our net cost to originate mortgage loans as a percentage of total mortgage loan origination volume from 1.96% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 to 1.60% for the same period in 2006 is a result of increased points and fees collected.

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes as a percentage of pre-tax income was 39.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2006, as compared with 38.6% for the same period in 2005. The slight increase in the effective tax rate is due primarily to changes in the mix and timing (during the year) of projected permanent book and tax differences partially offset by a decline in our projected state tax burden. The two major components of our effective tax rate are the Federal corporate tax rate of 35.0% and the effective state income tax rate. We operate and pay tax in nearly every state. Changes in our effective state tax rate occur due to changes in the relative level of our business activities amongst the various states and the differing tax burden imposed by the states we do business in. These two factors combined to cause a slight benefit in our effective 2006 state tax rate as compared to 2005.

REIT Operating Results. Net revenues for the REIT were $48.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, resulting primarily from net interest income after provision for losses from securitizations. The REIT incurred expenses of $7.8 million for the same period related to servicing and management fees charged by AHL in accordance with an administration and servicing agreement between the two parties. Resulting net income for the same period was $40.8 million.

Liquidity And Capital Resources

As a mortgage banking company, our cash requirements include the funding of mortgage loan originations, interest expense on and repayment of principal on credit facilities and securitization bond financing, operational expenses, servicing advances, hedging margin requirements, and tax payments. Our cash requirements also included the funding of quarterly dividends on preferred shares issued by our REIT subsidiary. We fund these cash requirements with cash received from loan sales, borrowings under warehouse credit facilities and asset backed commercial paper and securitization bond financing secured by mortgage loans, cash, interest collections on loans held for sale and loans held for investment, servicing fees and other servicing income, and points and fees collected from the origination of loans.

 

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Our liquidity strategy is to maintain sufficient and diversified warehouse credit facilities to finance our mortgage loan originations, to maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of whole loan purchasers, and to maintain the ability to execute our own securitizations. This provides us with the ability to finance our growing origination operations and to maximize our realization of the value of loans we originate. Net cash used in operating activities totaled $0.4 billion and $1.1 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The negative cash flow for these periods reflects primarily our funding of loans held for sale and investment that are either not entirely sold in the same period or financed with proceeds reported in our cash flows from financing activities.

Warehouse Facilities

We use our various warehouse credit facilities to finance the funding of our loan originations. We sell or securitize our mortgage loans generally within one to four months from origination and use the proceeds primarily to pay down the warehouse credit facilities. At March 31, 2006, we had voluntary and recoverable warehouse line paydowns of $233.4 million that increased our warehouse line availability by a corresponding amount. These voluntary and recoverable warehouse line paydowns plus cash of $67.6 million brought our total liquidity to $301.0 million at March 31, 2006. All of our current warehouse credit facilities are committed lines. The majority of our current warehouse credit facilities also contain a sub-limit for “wet” funding, which is the funding of loans for which the collateral custodian has not yet received the related loan documents.

Except as otherwise noted below, all of our warehouse credit facilities accrue interest at a rate based upon One-Month LIBOR plus a specified spread and as of May 5, 2006 have other material terms and features as follows:

 

Warehouse Lender

  

Total

Facility

Amount

  

Maximum

Portion

Available

for Wet

Funding

  

Expiration

Date

     (in millions)

Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB

   $ 500    $ 110    June 9, 2006

Residential Funding Corporation

     300      150    Jan 31, 2007

Morgan Stanley Bank and Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc

     650      163    Jul 31, 2007

HSBC Mortgage Services Warehouse Lending Inc.

     40      40    Nov 30, 2006

IXIS Real Estate Capital Inc. (CDC)

     600      240    Jul 31, 2006

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Capital LLC(1)

     600      240    Dec 29, 2006

Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company

     660      120    Dec 15, 2007

Merrill Lynch Canada Capital Inc

     171      —      Jun 29, 2006

Merrill Lynch Bank USA

     650      260    Feb 14, 2007
                

Total

   $ 4,171    $ 1,323   
                

(1) Bears interest at overnight LIBOR plus a specified spread.

One or more of our credit facilities include sublimits for aged and delinquent loans, as well as for real estate owned (properties acquired through foreclosure of defaulted mortgage loans or through deeds in lieu of foreclosure) and subordinated asset-backed bonds.

Our warehouse and other credit facilities contain customary covenants including maximum leverage, minimum liquidity, profitability and net worth requirements, and limitations on other indebtedness. If we fail to comply with any of these covenants or otherwise default under a facility, the lender has the right to terminate the facility and require immediate repayment that may require sale of the collateral at less than optimal terms. In addition, if we default under one facility, it would generally trigger a default under our other facilities. As of March 31, 2006, we were in compliance with all covenant requirements for each of the facilities.

 

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Asset Backed Commercial Paper Facility

Starting in the second quarter of 2005, Accredited began issuing commercial paper in the form of short-term secured liquidity notes (“SLNs”) with initial maturities ranging from one to 180 days and also issued $40.0 million of subordinated notes maturing on May 25, 2010. In order to issue the debt, Accredited established a special purpose, bankruptcy remote Delaware statutory trust. The trust entered into agreements with third parties who act as back-up liquidity providers. The SLNs bear interest at customary commercial paper market rates, which vary depending on the prevailing market conditions. The capacity of this facility at March 31, 2006, was $1.0 billion of which $839.1 million was outstanding. The facility is collateralized by mortgage loans held for sale or securitization and certain restricted cash balances.

REIT Activity

At March 31, 2006 the REIT had cash of $3.7 million, a decrease of $2.5 million from December 31, 2005. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $42.4 million, net cash provided by investing activities totaled $510.8 million and net cash used in financing activities totaled $555.7 million.

In March 2006, we completed a securitization containing $1.0 billion of first and second priority residential mortgage loans through the REIT. The securitization utilized a senior/subordinated structure consisting of senior and subordinated notes with a final stated maturity date in approximately thirty years. The securitization is structured as a financing; therefore, both the mortgage loans and the debt represented by the notes will remain on our consolidated balance sheet. We used the proceeds from this securitization primarily to repay warehouse financing for the mortgage loans.

On March 1, 2006, the REIT’s board of trustees declared a quarterly cash dividend on the preferred shares at the rate of $0.609375 per share to shareholders of record on March 15, which aggregated $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

Accredited irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the holders of each share of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the REIT or Accredited may have or assert: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) payable on the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid dividends) payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares redeemed by the REIT and (iii) the liquidation preference, if any, payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares. Accredited’s guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to Accredited’s indebtedness, on parity with the most senior class of Accredited’s preferred stock and senior to Accredited’s common stock. At March 31, 2006, the aggregate redemption value of the total preferred shares outstanding was $102.3 million. Based on total preferred shares outstanding at March 31, 2006, the REIT’s current annual dividend obligation totals $10.0 million.

Subject to the various uncertainties described above, and assuming that we will be able to successfully execute our liquidity strategy, we anticipate that our liquidity, credit facilities and capital resources will be sufficient to fund our operations for the foreseeable future.

Market Risk

Market risks generally represent the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in the value of a financial instrument due to fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates and in equity and commodity prices. Our market risk relates primarily to interest rate fluctuations. We may be directly affected by the level of and fluctuations in interest rates, which affect the spread between the rate of interest received on our mortgage loans and the related financing rate. Our profitability could be adversely affected during any period of unexpected or rapid changes in interest rates, by impacting the value of loans held for sale, loans held for investment and loans sold with retained interests. A significant change in interest rates could also change the level of loan prepayments, thereby adversely affecting our long-term net interest income and servicing income.

 

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The objective of interest rate risk management is to control the effects that interest rate fluctuations have on the value of our assets and liabilities. Our management of interest rate risk is intended to mitigate the volatility of earnings associated with fluctuations in the unrealized gain (loss) on mortgage-related securities, the market value of loans held for sale and the net interest on loans held for investment due to changes in the current market rate of interest.

We use several internal reports and risk management strategies to monitor, evaluate, and manage the risk profile of our loan portfolio in response to changes in the market risk. We cannot assure you, however, that we will adequately offset all risks associated with interest rate fluctuations impacting our loan portfolio.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

As part of our interest rate management process, we use derivative financial instruments such as Eurodollar futures and options on Eurodollar futures. In connection with our securitizations structured as financings, we entered into interest rate cap and interest rate swap agreements. It is not our policy to use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value.

Fair Value Hedges

We designate certain derivative financial instruments as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133, and, at trade date, these instruments and their hedging relationship are identified, designated and documented. For derivative financial instruments designated as hedge instruments, we evaluate the effectiveness of these hedges against the mortgage loans being hedged to ensure that there remains adequate correlation in the hedge relationship. To hedge the adverse effect of interest rate changes on the fair market value of mortgage loans held for sale or securitization, we use derivatives as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. Once the hedge relationship is established, the realized and unrealized changes in fair value of both the hedge instruments and mortgage loans are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the changes occur. Any change in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale recognized as a result of hedge accounting is reversed at the time the mortgage loans are sold. The net amount recorded in the consolidated statement of operations is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness.

Cash Flow Hedges

During the third quarter of 2004, we implemented the use of cash flow hedging on our securitization debt under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitization debt attributable to interest rate risk. During the third quarter 2005, Accredited implemented the use of cash flow hedging on its variable rate debt in Canada under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our variable rate debt in Canada attributable to interest rates. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported as a component of other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, and recorded into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings pursuant to SFAS No. 133. The ineffective portion on the derivative instrument is reported in current earnings as a component of interest expense.

For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the period in which the changes occur and realized gains and losses are recognized in the period when such instruments are settled.

 

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Interest Rate Simulation Sensitivity Analysis

Changes in market interest rates affect our estimations of the fair value of our mortgage loans held for sale, loans held for investment and the related derivatives. Changes in fair value that are stated below are derived based upon immediate and equal changes to market interest rates of various maturities. All derivative financial instruments and interest rate sensitive financial assets and liabilities have been included within the sensitivity analysis presented. We model the change in value of our derivative financial instruments using outside valuation models generally recognized within the industry. Projected changes in the value of our loans as stated below are determined based on the change in net present value arising from the selected hypothetical changes in market interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate risk from the time the loans are funded to the time the loans are settled because the interest paid on the various warehouse facilities is based on the spot One-Month LIBOR rate. The interest rate risk associated with the interest expense paid on the various warehouse facilities has been included based on the average holding period from the time of funding to settlement. Changes in the fair value of our derivative positions with optionality have been included based on an immediate and equal change in market interest rates. The base or current interest rate curve is adjusted by the levels shown below as of March 31, 2006:

 

     +50 bp     +100 bp     -50 bp     -100 bp  
     (In thousands)  

Change in fair value of:

        

Mortgage loans committed and held for sale

   $ (29,137 )   $ (57,730 )   $ 29,688     $ 59,956  

Derivatives related to mortgage loans committed and held for sale

     24,529       49,058       (24,529 )     (49,058 )

Warehouse debt and asset backed commercial paper

     (1,195 )     (2,389 )     1,195       2,389  

Securitized debt subject to portfolio-based accounting and mortgage-related securities

     (45,678 )     (90,857 )     46,229       93,034  

Derivatives related to securitized debt subject to portfolio-based accounting and mortgage-related securities

     43,323       86,948       (42,909 )     (85,180 )
                                

Total

   $ (8,158 )   $ (14,970 )   $ 9,674     $ 21,141  
                                

The simulation analysis reflects our efforts to balance the repricing characteristics of our interest-bearing assets and liabilities.

Contractual Obligations

Our March 2006 securitization significantly increased our securitization bond financing balance from the balance at December 31, 2005. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations, excluding future interest, at March 31, 2006, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods:

 

     Payments Due by Period
     Total   

Less than

1 year

   1-3 Years    3-5 Years   

More than

5 Years

     (In thousands)

Credit facilities

   $ 2,272,657    $ 2,232,657    $ —      $ 40,000    $ —  

Securitization bond financing(1)

     6,707,456      1,859,241      2,989,602      964,133      897,789

Operating lease obligations

     87,082      10,680      28,421      19,255      28,726
                                  

Total

   $ 9,067,195    $ 4,102,578    $ 3,018,023    $ 1,023,388    $ 926,515
                                  

(1) Amounts represent the expected repayment requirements based on anticipated receipts of principal and interest on underlying mortgage loan collateral using historical prepayment speeds. The securitization bond financing represents obligations of the respective trusts that issue the notes and the assets sold to these issuers are not available to satisfy claims of Accredited’s creditors. The noteholders’ recourse is limited to the pledged collateral.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

In the normal course of business, in order to meet the financing needs of our borrowers, we are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments primarily represent commitments to individual borrowers to fund their loans. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate risk and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. We seek to mitigate the credit risk by evaluating the creditworthiness of potential mortgage loan borrowers on a case-by-case basis. We do not guarantee interest rates to potential borrowers when an application is received. We quote interest rates to borrowers which are generally subject to change by us. Although we make every effort to honor such quotes, the quotes do not constitute interest rate lock commitments. Interest rates conditionally approved following the initial underwriting of applications are subject to adjustment if any conditions are not satisfied. We commit to originating loans, in many cases dependent upon the borrower’s satisfying various conditions. These commitments to fund individual borrower loans totaled $765.4 million as of March 31, 2006.

Accredited irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the holders of each share of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which the REIT or Accredited may have or assert: (i) all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) payable on the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid dividends) payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares redeemed by the REIT and (iii) the liquidation preference, if any, payable with respect to any of the REIT’s Series A Preferred Shares. Accredited’s guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to Accredited’s indebtedness, on parity with the most senior class of Accredited’s preferred stock and senior to Accredited’s common stock. At March 31, 2006, the aggregate redemption value of the total preferred shares outstanding was $102.3 million. Based on total preferred shares outstanding at March 31, 2006, the REIT’s current annual dividend obligation totals $10.0 million.

Critical Accounting Policies

Accounting for Our Loan Sales

We generally sell our loans in transactions that are accounted for in our financial statements as securitizations structured as a financing or whole loan sales.

We completed one securitization during each of the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, which were structured as financings. The transactions were legally structured as sales of mortgage loans, but for accounting purposes were treated as financings under SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities—a replacement of FASB Statement No. 125. When we enter into a securitization structured as a financing, the loans remain on our balance sheet, retained interests are not created, and debt securities issued in the securitization replace the warehouse debt originally associated with the securitized mortgage loans. We record interest income on the mortgage loans and interest expense on the debt securities, as well as ancillary fees, over the life of the securitization, instead of recognizing a gain or loss upon closing of the transaction.

When we sell our mortgage loans in whole loan sale transactions, the transaction is structured as a sale of mortgage loans for legal and accounting purposes and we dispose of our entire interest in the loans. Gain on sale revenue is recorded at the time we sell loans, but not when we securitize loans in transactions structured as financings. Accordingly, our financial results are significantly impacted by the timing of our loan sales and the securitization structure we may elect to implement. If we hold a significant pool of loans at the end of a reporting period, those loans will remain on our balance sheet, along with the related debt used to fund the loans. The revenue that we generate from those loans will not be recorded until the subsequent reporting period when we sell the loans. If we elect to complete a securitization structured as a financing rather than a transaction that would generate gain on sale revenue, our gain on sale revenue will be lower and our interest income will be higher than it would have been otherwise. A number of factors influence the timing of our loan sales, our targeted

 

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disposition strategy and the whole loan sale premiums we receive, including the current market demand for our loans, the quality of the loans we originate, the sufficiency of our loan documentation, liquidity needs, and our strategic objectives. From time to time, management has delayed the sale of loans to a later period, and may do so again in the future.

Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although we base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, our management exercises significant judgment in the final determination of our estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The following areas require significant judgments by management:

 

    lower of cost or market valuation allowance

 

    provision for losses

 

    interest rate risk, derivatives and hedging strategies

 

    income taxes

 

    stock-based compensation expense

Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. We estimate fair value by evaluating a variety of market indicators including recent trades, outstanding commitments or current investor yield requirements. We also accrue for liabilities associated with loans sold, which we may be requested to repurchase due to breaches of representations and warranties and early payment defaults. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of our control and as uncertainty is inherent in these estimates, it is reasonably possible that they could change.

Provisions for Losses

We provide market valuation adjustments on certain nonperforming loans and real estate owned. These adjustments are based upon our estimate of expected losses, calculated using loss severity and loss frequency rate assumptions, and are based upon the value that we could reasonably expect to obtain from a sale, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. An allowance for losses on mortgage loans held for investment is recorded in an amount sufficient to maintain appropriate coverage for probable losses on such loans. The provision for losses also includes net losses on real estate owned. We periodically evaluate the estimates used in calculating expected losses, and adjustments are reported in earnings. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside of our control and as uncertainty is inherent in these estimates, it is reasonably possible that they could change.

Our estimate of expected losses could increase if our actual loss experience is different than originally estimated, or if economic factors change the value we could reasonably expect to obtain from a sale. In particular, if actual losses increase or if values reasonably expected to be obtained from a sale decrease, the provision for losses would increase. Any increase in the provision for losses would adversely affect our results of operations.

Interest Rate Risk, Derivatives and Hedging

We regularly originate, securitize and sell fixed and variable rate loans. We face three primary periods of interest rate risk: during the period from approval of a loan application through loan funding; on our loans held for sale from the time of funding to the date of sale; and on the loans underlying our mortgage-related securities and on our loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting.

 

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Interest rate risk exists during the period from approval of a loan application through loan funding and from the time of funding to the date of sale because the premium earned on the sale of these loans is partially contingent upon the then-current market rate of interest for loans as compared to the contractual interest rate of the loans. Our use of derivatives is intended to mitigate the volatility of earnings associated with fluctuations in the gain on sale of loans due to changes in the current market rate of interest.

The interest rate risk on the loans underlying our mortgage-related securities and on our loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting exists because some of these loans have fixed interest rates for a period of two, three or five years while the rate passed through to the investors in the mortgage-related securities and the holders of the securitization bonds is based upon an adjustable rate. We also have interest rate risk for six month adjustable loans and when the loans become adjustable after their two, three or five year fixed rate period. This is due to the loan rates resetting every six months, subject to various caps and floors, versus the monthly reset on the rate passed through to the investors in the mortgage-related securities and holders of the securitization bonds. Our use of derivatives is intended to mitigate the volatility of earnings associated with fluctuations in the unrealized gain (loss) on the mortgage-related securities and changes in the cash flows of our loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting due to changes in LIBOR rates.

As part of our interest rate management process, we use derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps and caps, Eurodollar futures and options on Eurodollar futures. In connection with the securitizations structured as financings, we have entered into interest rate cap agreements and interest rate swap agreements. We do not use derivatives to speculate on interest rates. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, derivative financial instruments are reported on the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value.

Fair Value Hedges

We designate certain derivative financial instruments as hedge instruments under SFAS No. 133, and at trade date, these instruments and their hedging relationship are identified, designated and documented. For derivative financial instruments designated as hedge instruments, we evaluate the effectiveness of these hedges against the mortgage loans being hedged to ensure there remains a highly effective correlation in the hedge relationship. To hedge the effect of interest rate changes on the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale, we are using derivatives as fair value hedges under SFAS No. 133. Once the hedge relationship is established, the realized and unrealized changes in fair value of both the hedge instrument and mortgage loans are recognized in the period in which the changes occur. Any change in the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale recognized as a result of hedge accounting is reversed at the time we sell the mortgage loans. This results in a correspondingly higher or lower gain on sale revenue at such time. The net amount recorded in the consolidated statements of operations is referred to as hedge ineffectiveness.

Cash Flow Hedges

During the third quarter 2004, we implemented the use of cash flow hedge accounting on our securitization debt under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our securitization debt attributable to interest rate risk. During the third quarter 2005, Accredited implemented the use of cash flow hedging on its variable rate debt in Canada under SFAS No. 133. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133, hedge instruments have been designated as hedging the exposure to variability of cash flows from our variable rate debt in Canada attributable to interest rates. Cash flow hedge accounting requires that the effective portion of the gain or loss in the fair value of a derivative instrument designated as a hedge be reported in other comprehensive income, and that the ineffective portion be reported in current earnings.

For derivative financial instruments not designated as hedge instruments, unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in the period in which the changes occur and realized gains and losses are recognized in the period when such instruments are settled.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

As of January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS 123(R), which requires us to measure compensation cost for stock awards at fair value and recognize compensation over the service period the awards expected to vest. The determination of compensation cost requires us to make highly judgmental assumptions regarding volatility, expected option life, and forfeiture rates. In addition, changes in our stock price or prevailing interest rates will also impact the determination of fair value and compensation cost. If any of our assumptions used to determine fair value change significantly, future share-based compensation may differ materially from that recorded in the current period.

Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the following risks, together with other matters described in this Form 10-Q in evaluating our business and prospects. If any of the events referred to below actually occur, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline. The risks described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Certain statements in this Form 10-Q (including certain of the following risk factors) constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 3 of this Form 10-Q.

Risks Related to Our Business

We face intense competition that could adversely impact our market share and our revenues.

We face intense competition from finance and mortgage banking companies, Internet-based lending companies where entry barriers are relatively low, and from traditional bank and thrift lenders that have entered the non-prime mortgage industry. As we seek to expand our business further, we will face a significant number of additional competitors, many of whom will be well established in the markets we seek to penetrate. Some of our competitors are much larger, have better name recognition, and have far greater financial and other resources than us.

The government-sponsored entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are also expanding their participation in the non-prime mortgage industry. These government-sponsored entities have a size and cost-of-funds advantage that allows them to purchase loans with lower rates or fees than we are willing to offer. While the government- sponsored entities presently do not have the legal authority to originate mortgage loans, including non-prime loans, they do have the authority to buy loans. A material expansion of their involvement in the market to purchase non-prime loans could change the dynamics of the industry by virtue of their sheer size, pricing power and the inherent advantages of a government charter. In addition, if as a result of their purchasing practices, these government-sponsored entities experience significantly higher-than-expected losses, such experience could adversely affect the overall investor perception of the non-prime mortgage industry.

The intense competition in the non-prime mortgage industry has also led to rapid technological developments, evolving industry standards and frequent releases of new products and enhancements. As mortgage products are offered more widely through alternative distribution channels, such as the Internet, we may be required to make significant changes to our current retail and wholesale structure and information and technology systems to compete effectively. Our inability to continue enhancing our current Internet capabilities, or to adapt to other technological changes in the industry, could significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. In addition, we rely on software and other technology-based programs to gather and analyze competitive and other data from the marketplace. Problems with our technology or inability to implement technological changes may, therefore, result in delayed detection of market trends and conditions.

 

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Competition in the industry can take many forms, including interest rates and costs of a loan, less stringent underwriting standards, offering of loan products which we do not offer, convenience in obtaining a loan, customer service, amount and term of a loan and marketing and distribution channels. The need to maintain mortgage loan volume in this competitive environment creates a risk of price competition in the non-prime mortgage industry. Price competition could prevent us from raising rates in response to a rising cost of funds or cause us to lower the interest rates that we charge borrowers, which could adversely impact our profitability and lower the value of our loans. If our competitors adopt less stringent underwriting standards, we will be pressured to do so as well, which would result in greater loan risk without compensating pricing. If we do not relax underwriting standards in response to our competitors, we may lose market share. Any increase in these pricing and underwriting pressures could reduce the volume of our loan originations and sales and significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Any substantial economic slowdown could increase delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures and reduce our ability to originate loans.

Periods of economic slowdown or recession may be accompanied by decreased demand for consumer credit, decreased real estate values, and increased rates of delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures. Any material decline in real estate values would increase the loan-to-value ratios (“LTVs”) on loans that we hold pending sale and loans in which we have a residual or retained interest, weaken our collateral coverage and increase the possibility and severity of a loss if a borrower defaults. We originate loans to borrowers who make little or no down payment, resulting in higher LTVs. A lack of equity in the home may reduce the incentive a borrower has to meet his payment obligations during periods of financial hardship, which might result in higher delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures. These factors would reduce our ability to originate loans and increase our losses on loans in which we have a residual or retained interest. In addition, loans we originate during an economic slowdown may not be as valuable to us because potential purchasers of our loans might reduce the premiums they pay for the loans to compensate for any increased risks arising during such periods. Any sustained increase in delinquencies, defaults or foreclosures is likely to significantly harm the pricing of our future loan sales and securitizations and also our ability to finance our loan originations.

We finance borrowers with lower credit ratings. The non-prime loans we originate generally have higher delinquency and default rates than prime mortgage loans, which could result in losses on loans that we hold or that we are required to repurchase, the loss of our servicing rights and damage to our reputation as a loan servicer.

We are in the business of originating, selling, securitizing and servicing non-prime mortgage loans. Non-prime mortgage loans generally have higher delinquency and default rates than prime mortgage loans. Delinquency interrupts the flow of projected interest income from a mortgage loan and default can ultimately lead to a loss if the net realizable value of the real property securing the mortgage loan is insufficient to cover the principal and interest due on the loan. Also, our cost of financing and servicing a delinquent or defaulted loan is generally higher than for a performing loan. We bear the risk of delinquency and default on loans beginning when we originate them until we sell them and we continue to bear the risk of delinquency and default after we securitize loans or sell loans with a retained interest. Loans that become delinquent prior to sale or securitization may become unsaleable or saleable only at a discount, and the longer we hold loans prior to sale or securitization, the greater the chance we will bear the costs associated with the loans’ delinquency. Factors that may increase the time held prior to sale or securitization include the time required to accumulate loans for securitizations or sales of large pools of loans, the amount and timing of third-party due diligence in connection with sales or securitizations, and defects in the loans.

We also reacquire the risks of delinquency and default for loans that we are obligated to repurchase. Repurchase obligations are typically triggered in loan sale transactions if an early payment default occurs on the loan after sale or in any sale or securitization if the loan materially violates our representations or warranties. During the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 loans repurchased totaled $14.6 million and $17.2 million, respectively, pursuant to these obligations. If we experience higher-than-expected levels of delinquency or default in pools of loans that we service, we may lose our servicing rights, which would result in a loss of future servicing income and may damage our reputation as a loan servicer.

 

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We attempt to manage these risks with risk-based mortgage loan pricing and appropriate underwriting policies and loan collection methods. However, if such policies and methods are insufficient to control our delinquency and default risks and do not result in appropriate loan pricing, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations could be significantly harmed. Our total delinquency rate (30 or more days past due, including loans in foreclosure and converted into real estate owned) for our servicing portfolio was 2.85% at March 31, 2006. Historically, our delinquency rate has increased, and may increase in the future, as the mortgage loans in our portfolio age.

An increase in interest rates could result in a reduction in our loan origination volumes, an increase in delinquency, default and foreclosure rates and a reduction in the value of, and income from, our loans.

The following are some of the risks we face related to an increase in interest rates:

 

    A substantial and sustained increase in interest rates could harm our ability to originate loans because refinancing an existing loan would be less attractive and qualifying for a purchase loan may be more difficult.

 

    Existing borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages or higher risk loan products may incur higher monthly payments as the interest rate increases, or experience higher delinquency and default rates.

 

    If prevailing interest rates increase after we fund a loan, the value that we receive upon the sale or securitization of the loan decreases.

 

    The cost of financing our mortgage loans prior to sale or securitization is based primarily upon the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The interest rates we charge on our mortgage loans are based, in part, upon prevailing interest rates at the time of origination, and the interest rates on all of our mortgage loans are fixed for at least the first six months, or two, three or five years. If LIBOR increases after the time of loan origination, our net interest income—which represents the difference between the interest rates we receive on our mortgage loans pending sale or securitization and our LIBOR-based cost of financing such loans—will be reduced. The weighted average cost of financing our mortgage loans, prior to sale or securitization, was 5.34% during the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

    When we securitize loans or sell loans with retained interests, the value of and the income we receive from the loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting and the mortgage-related securities we retain are also based on LIBOR to the extent the underlying loans have an adjustable interest rate. This is because the income we receive from these mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities is based on the difference between the fixed rates payable on the loans for the first two or three years, and an adjustable LIBOR-based yield payable to the senior security holders or loan purchasers. We also have interest rate risk when the loans become adjustable after their two or three year fixed rate period. This is due to the loan rates resetting every six months, subject to various caps and floors, versus the monthly reset on the rate passed through to the investors in the mortgage-related securities and holders of the securitization bonds.

Accordingly, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may be significantly harmed as a result of increased interest rates.

Our business may be significantly harmed by a slowdown in the economy or a natural disaster in the states of California or Florida, where we conduct a significant amount of business.

A significant portion of the mortgage loans we have originated, purchased or serviced has been secured by properties in California and Florida. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, 16% and 12% of the principal balance of the loans we originated were collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. At March 31, 2006, 20% and 11% of the unpaid principal balance of loans we serviced were collateralized by properties located in California and Florida, respectively. An overall decline in the economy or

 

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the residential real estate market, or the occurrence of a natural disaster that is not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies, such as an earthquake, hurricane or wildfire, could decrease the value of mortgaged properties in these states. This, in turn, would increase the risk of delinquency, default or foreclosure on mortgage loans in our portfolio or that we have sold to others. This could restrict our ability to originate, sell, or securitize mortgage loans, and significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Our hedging strategies may not be successful in mitigating our risks associated with interest rates.

We use various derivative financial instruments to provide a level of protection against interest rate risks, but no hedging strategy can protect us completely. When rates change, we expect to record a gain or loss on derivatives which would be offset by an inverse change in the value of loans held for sale and mortgage-related securities, as reflected in the Interest Rate Simulation Sensitivity Analysis in the section entitled Market Risk in “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We cannot assure you, however, that our use of derivatives will offset the risks related to changes in interest rates. There have been periods, and it is likely that there will be periods in the future, during which we will not have offsetting gains or losses in loan values after accounting for our derivative financial instruments. The derivative financial instruments we select may not have the effect of reducing our interest rate risk. In addition, the nature and timing of hedging transactions may influence the effectiveness of these strategies. Poorly designed strategies, improperly executed and recorded transactions or inaccurate assumptions could actually increase our risk and losses. In addition, hedging strategies involve transaction and other costs. We cannot assure you that our hedging strategy and the derivatives that we use will adequately offset the risk of interest rate volatility or that our hedging transactions will not result in losses. See discussion under Market Risk in “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Our business requires a significant amount of cash and if it is not available our business will be significantly harmed.

Our primary sources of cash are our warehouse credit facilities, our commercial paper program and the proceeds from the sales and securitizations of our loans. We require substantial cash to fund our loan originations, to pay our loan origination expenses and to hold our loans pending sale or securitization. Also, as a servicer of loans, we are required to advance delinquent principal and interest payments, unpaid property taxes, hazard insurance premiums, and foreclosure and foreclosure-related costs. Our warehouse and commercial paper program credit facilities also require us to observe certain financial covenants, including the maintenance of certain levels of cash and general liquidity in our company.

As of March 31, 2006, we financed substantially all of our loans through nine separate warehouse lenders and our commercial paper program. Each of these facilities is cancelable by the lender for cause at any time and at least one is cancelable at any time without cause. These facilities generally have a renewable, one-year term. Because these are short-term commitments of capital, the lenders may respond to market conditions, which may favor an alternative investment strategy for them, making it more difficult for us to secure continued financing. If we are not able to renew any of these warehouse credit facilities or arrange for new financing on terms acceptable to us, or if we default on our covenants or are otherwise unable to access funds under any of these facilities, or if the lenders do not honor their commitments for any reason, we will have to curtail our loan origination activities. This would result in decreased revenues and profits from loan sales.

The timing of our loan dispositions (which are periodic) is not always matched to the timing of our expenses (which are continuous). This requires us to maintain significant levels of cash to maintain acceptable levels of liquidity. When we securitize our loans or sell our loans with a retained interest, we may not receive any amounts in excess of the principal amount of the loan for up to 12 months or longer. Further, any decrease in demand in the whole loan market such that we are unable to timely and profitably sell our loans could inhibit our ability to meet our liquidity demands.

 

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Our credit facilities contain covenants that restrict our operations and may inhibit our ability to grow our business and increase revenues.

Our credit facilities contain extensive restrictions and covenants that, among other things, require us to satisfy specified financial, asset quality and loan performance tests and may prohibit inter-company dividends in certain circumstances. If we fail to meet or satisfy any of these covenants, we would be in default under these agreements and our lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under the agreements to be immediately due and payable, enforce their interests against collateral pledged under such agreements and restrict our ability to make additional borrowings. These agreements also contain cross-default provisions, so that if a default occurs under any one agreement, the lenders under our other agreements could also declare a default.

The covenants and restrictions in our credit facilities may restrict our ability to, among other things:

 

    incur additional debt;

 

    make certain investments or acquisitions;

 

    repurchase or redeem capital stock;

 

    engage in mergers or consolidations;

 

    finance loans with certain attributes;

 

    reduce liquidity below certain levels; and

 

    finance loans for longer than established time periods.

These restrictions may interfere with our ability to obtain financing or to engage in other business activities, which may significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Our rights to cash flow from our loans held for investment subject to portfolio-based accounting are subordinate to senior interests and may fail to generate any cash flow for us if the mortgage loan payment stream only generates enough cash flow to pay the senior interest holders.

As part of the credit enhancement for our securitizations, the net cash flow that we receive from the loans held for investment generally represents the excess of amounts, if any, generated by the underlying mortgage loans over the amounts required to be paid to the senior security holders or loan purchasers. This excess amount is also calculated after deduction of servicing fees and any other specified expenses related to the sale or securitization. These excess amounts are derived from, and are affected by, the interplay of several factors, including:

 

    the extent to which the interest rates of the mortgage loans exceed the interest rates payable to the senior security holders or loan purchasers;

 

    the level of losses and delinquencies experienced on the underlying loans; and

 

    the extent to which the underlying loans are prepaid by borrowers in advance of scheduled maturities.

Any combination of the factors listed above may reduce the income we receive from and the value of our loans held for investment.

If we do not manage our growth effectively, our financial performance could be harmed.

In recent years, we have experienced rapid growth that has placed, and will continue to place, certain pressures on our management, administrative, operational and financial infrastructure. As of December 31, 2002, we had 1,294 employees and by March 31, 2006, we had 2,626 employees. Many of these employees have very limited experience with us and a limited understanding of our systems and controls. The increase in the size of

 

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our operations may make it more difficult for us to ensure that we originate quality loans and that we service them effectively. We will need to attract and hire additional sales, servicing and management personnel in an intensely competitive hiring environment in order to preserve and increase our market share. At the same time, we will need to continue to upgrade and expand our financial, operational and managerial systems and controls. We also intend to continue to grow our business in the future, which could require capital, systems development and human resources beyond what we currently have. We cannot assure you that we will be able to:

 

    meet our capital needs;

 

    expand our systems effectively;

 

    allocate our human resources optimally;

 

    identify and hire qualified employees;

 

    satisfactorily perform our servicing obligations; or

 

    effectively integrate the components of any businesses that we may acquire in our effort to achieve growth.

The failure to manage growth effectively would significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Our inability to attract and retain qualified employees could significantly harm our business.

We depend upon our wholesale account executives and retail loan officers to attract borrowers by, among other things, developing relationships with financial institutions, other mortgage companies and brokers, real estate agents, borrowers and others. We believe that these relationships lead to repeat and referral business. The market for skilled executive officers, account executives and loan officers is highly competitive and historically has experienced a high rate of turnover. Because of the difficulty in retaining qualified management personnel, we currently recruit college graduates to participate in our management trainee program. If we are unable to retain those trainees for a sufficient period following their training, we may be unable to recapture our costs of training and recruitment. In addition, if a manager leaves our company there is an increased likelihood that other members of his or her team will follow. Competition for qualified account executives and loan officers may lead to increased hiring and retention costs. If we are unable to attract or retain a sufficient number of skilled account executives at manageable costs, we will be unable to continue to originate quality mortgage loans that we are able to sell for a profit, which will reduce our revenues.

We may not be able to continue to sell and securitize our mortgage loans on terms and conditions that are profitable to us.

A substantial portion of our revenues comes from the gains on sale generated by sales of pools of our mortgage loans as whole loans. We make whole loan sales to a limited number of institutional purchasers, some of which may be frequent, repeat purchasers, and others of which may make only one or a few purchases from us. We cannot assure you that we will continue to have purchasers for our loans on terms and conditions that will be profitable to us. Also, even though our mortgage loans are generally marketable to multiple purchasers, certain loans may be marketable to only one or a few purchasers, thereby increasing the risk that we may be unable to sell such loans at a profit.

We also rely on our ability to securitize our mortgage loans to realize a greater percentage of the full economic value of the loans. We cannot assure you, however, that we will continue to be successful in securitizing mortgage loans. Our ability to complete securitizations of our loans will depend upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including conditions in the credit and securities markets generally, conditions in the asset-backed securities market specifically, the availability of credit enhancements such as financial guarantee insurance, a senior subordinated structure or other means, and the performance of our loans previously held for investment.

 

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An interruption in, or breach of, our information systems may result in lost business.

We rely heavily upon communications and information systems to conduct our business. As we implement our growth strategy and increase our volume of loan production, that reliance will increase. Any failure, interruption or breach in the security of our information systems or the third-party information systems on which we rely could cause underwriting or other delays and could result in fewer loan applications being received, slower processing of applications and reduced efficiency in loan servicing. We cannot assure you that such failures or interruptions will not occur, or if they do occur that they will be adequately addressed by us or the third parties on which we rely. The occurrence of any failures or interruptions could significantly harm our business.

The success and growth of our business will depend upon our ability to adapt to and implement technological changes.

Our mortgage loan origination business is currently dependent upon our ability to effectively interface with our brokers, borrowers and other third parties and to efficiently process loan applications and closings. The origination process is becoming more dependent upon technological advancement, such as the ability to process applications over the Internet, accept electronic signatures, provide status updates instantly and other customer-expected conveniences that are cost-efficient to our business. In addition, competition and increasing regulation may increase our reliance on technology as a means to improve efficiency. Implementing this new technology and becoming proficient with it may also require significant capital expenditures. As these requirements increase in the future, we will have to fully develop these technological capabilities to remain competitive or our business will be significantly harmed.

If we are unable to maintain and expand our network of independent brokers, our loan origination business will decrease.

A significant majority of our originations of mortgage loans comes from independent brokers. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, 87% of our loan originations were originated through our broker network. Our brokers are not contractually obligated to do business with us. Further, our competitors also have relationships with our brokers and actively compete with us in our efforts to expand our broker networks. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in maintaining our existing relationships or expanding our broker networks, the failure of which could significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Our financial results fluctuate as a result of seasonality and other timing factors, which makes it difficult to predict our future performance and may affect the price of our common stock.

Our business is generally subject to seasonal trends. These trends reflect the general pattern of housing sales, which typically peak during the spring and summer seasons. Our quarterly operating results have fluctuated in the past and are expected to fluctuate in the future, reflecting the seasonality of the industry. Further, if the closing of a sale of loans is postponed, the recognition of gain from the sale is also postponed. If such a delay causes us to recognize income in the next quarter, our results of operations for the previous quarter could be significantly depressed.

We are subject to losses due to fraudulent and negligent acts on the part of loan applicants, mortgage brokers, other vendors and our employees.

When we originate mortgage loans, we rely heavily upon information supplied by third parties including the information contained in the loan application, property appraisal, title information and employment and income documentation. If any of this information is intentionally or negligently misrepresented and such misrepresentation is not detected prior to loan funding, the value of the loan may be significantly lower than

 

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expected. Whether a misrepresentation is made by the loan applicant, the mortgage broker, another third party or one of our own employees, we generally bear the risk of loss associated with the misrepresentation. A loan subject to a material misrepresentation is typically unsaleable or subject to repurchase if it is sold prior to detection of the misrepresentation. Even though we may have rights against persons and entities who made or knew about the misrepresentation, such persons and entities are often difficult to locate and it is often difficult to collect any monetary losses that we have suffered as a result of their actions.

We have controls and processes designed to help us identify misrepresented information in our loan origination operations. We cannot assure you, however, that we have detected or will detect all misrepresented information in our loan originations.

We are subject to losses due to fraudulent and negligent acts in other parts of our operations. If we experience a significant number of such fraudulent or negligent acts, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would be significantly harmed.

Defective loans may harm our business.

In connection with the sale and securitization of our loans, we are required to make a variety of customary representations and warranties regarding our company and the loans. We are subject to these representations and warranties for the life of the loan and they relate to, among other things:

 

    compliance with laws;

 

    regulations and underwriting standards;

 

    the accuracy of information in the loan documents and loan file; and

 

    the characteristics and enforceability of the loan.

A loan that does not comply with these representations and warranties may take longer to sell, impact our ability to obtain third party financing, and be unsaleable or saleable only at a discount. If such a loan is sold before we detect a non-compliance, we may be obligated to repurchase the loan and bear any associated loss directly, or we may be obligated to indemnify the purchaser against any such losses, either of which could reduce our cash available for operations and liquidity. We believe that we have qualified personnel at all levels and have established controls to ensure that all loans are originated to the market’s requirements, but we cannot assure you that we will not make mistakes, or that certain employees will not deliberately violate our lending policies. We seek to minimize losses from defective loans by correcting flaws if possible and selling or re-selling such loans. We also create allowances to provide for defective loans in our financial statements. We cannot assure you; however, that losses associated with defective loans will not harm our results of operations or financial condition.

If the prepayment rates for our mortgage loans are different than expected, our results of operations may be significantly harmed.

When a borrower pays off a mortgage loan prior to the loan’s scheduled maturity, the impact on us depends upon when such payoff or “prepayment” occurs. Our prepayment losses generally occur after we sell or securitize our loans and the extent of our losses depends on when the prepayment occurs. If the prepayment occurs:

 

    within 12 to 18 months following a whole loan sale, we may have to reimburse the purchaser for all or a portion of the premium paid by the purchaser for the loan, again resulting in a loss of our profit on the loan; or

 

    after we have securitized the loan or sold the loan in a sale, we lose the future income from that loan.

 

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Prepayment rates on mortgage loans vary from time to time and tend to increase during periods of declining interest rates. Of the securitized loans we serviced during the three months ended March 31, 2006, 26.8% were prepaid. We seek to minimize our prepayment risk through a variety of means, including originating a significant portion of loans with prepayment penalties with terms of two to five years. No strategy, however, can completely insulate us from prepayment risks, whether arising from the effects of interest rate changes or otherwise. See “Statutory and Regulatory Risks” below for a discussion of statutes related to prepayment penalties.

We are exposed to environmental liabilities, with respect to properties that we take title to upon foreclosure, that could increase our costs of doing business and harm our results of operations.

In the course of our servicing activities, we may foreclose and take title to residential properties and become subject to environmental liabilities with respect to those properties. We may be held liable to a governmental entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. Moreover, as the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based upon damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. If we ever become subject to significant environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations would be significantly harmed.

Statutory and Regulatory Risks

The scope of our operations exposes us to risks of noncompliance with an increasing and inconsistent body of complex laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels.

Because we originate mortgage loans in all 50 states, in the District of Columbia and Canada, we must comply with the laws and regulations, as well as judicial and administrative decisions, of all of these jurisdictions, as well as an extensive body of federal and international laws and regulations. The volume of new or modified laws and regulations has increased in recent years, and, in addition, individual cities and counties have begun to enact laws that restrict non-prime loan origination activities in those cities and counties. The laws and regulations of each of these jurisdictions are different, complex and, in some cases, in direct conflict with each other. As our operations continue to grow, it may be more difficult to comprehensively identify, to accurately interpret and to properly program our technology systems and effectively train our personnel with respect to all of these laws and regulations, thereby potentially increasing our exposure to the risks of noncompliance with these laws and regulations.

For example, certain provisions of Illinois law, known as the Illinois Interest Act, limit the charging of certain fees on mortgage loans with interest rates that exceed a specified threshold. On March 31, 2004, an Illinois appellate court held, in U.S. Bank, National Association, et al., v. Clark, et al., that the Illinois Interest Act was not preempted by federal law. Before this decision, prior case law and published positions of the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois Office of Banks and Real Estate supported federal preemption of the Illinois Interest Act with respect to first priority mortgage loans. In reliance on that prior authority, some of the first priority mortgage loans we made in Illinois prior to the Clark decision had fees which may have exceeded the limit of the Illinois Interest Act. Damages for violation of the Illinois Interest Act include actual economic damage and an amount equal to twice the total of all interest, discount and charges determined by the loan contract or paid by the obligor, whichever is greater. The Clark decision is currently on appeal to the Supreme Court of Illinois. If the Clark decision is not reversed on appeal, or if legislation overriding the holding of the Clark decision is not enacted, we could be materially and adversely affected by the potential liability from mortgage loans we made prior to the Clark decision which may be found to have been in violation of the Illinois Interest Act.

 

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In addition, recently enacted and changed laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, new Securities and Exchange Commission regulations and stock exchange rules, are creating uncertainties for companies like ours. These new or changed laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations due, in many cases, to their lack of specificity. As their applications evolve over time and new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies, we may incur higher costs of compliance resulting from ongoing revisions to our disclosure and governance practices.

Our failure to comply with these laws can lead to:

 

    civil and criminal liability;

 

    loss of approved status;

 

    demands for indemnification or loan repurchases from purchasers of our loans;

 

    class action lawsuits; and administrative enforcement actions.

Stockholder refusal to comply with regulatory requirements may interfere with our ability to do business in certain states.

Some states in which we operate may impose regulatory requirements on our officers and directors and persons holding certain amounts, usually 10% or more, of our common stock. If any person holding such an amount of our stock fails to meet or refuses to comply with a state’s applicable regulatory requirements for mortgage lending, we could lose our authority to conduct business in that state.

We may be subject to fines or other penalties based upon the conduct of our independent brokers.

The mortgage brokers from whom we obtain loans are subject to legal obligations which are parallel to, but separate from, the legal obligations that we are subject to as a lender. While these laws may not explicitly hold the originating lenders responsible for the legal violations of mortgage brokers, federal and state agencies have increasingly sought to impose such assignee liability.

For example, the United States Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) entered into a settlement agreement with a mortgage lender in which the FTC characterized a broker that had placed all of its loan production with a single lender as the “agent” of the lender. The FTC imposed a fine on the lender in part because, as “principal,” the lender was legally responsible for the mortgage broker’s unfair and deceptive acts and practices. Also, the United States Justice Department in the past has sought to hold a non-prime mortgage lender responsible for the pricing practices of its mortgage brokers, alleging that the mortgage lender was directly responsible for the total fees and charges paid by the borrower under the Fair Housing Act even if the lender neither dictated what the mortgage broker could charge nor kept the money for its own account. Accordingly, we may be subject to fines or other penalties based upon the conduct of our independent mortgage brokers.

We are no longer able to rely on the Alternative Mortgage Transactions Parity Act to preempt certain state law restrictions on prepayment penalties, and we may be unable to compete effectively with financial institutions that are exempt from such restrictions.

The value of a mortgage loan depends, in part, upon the expected period of time that the mortgage loan will be outstanding. If a borrower pays off a mortgage loan in advance of this expected period, the holder of the mortgage loan does not realize the full value expected to be received from the loan. However, a prepayment penalty payable by a borrower who repays a loan earlier than expected helps offset the reduction in value resulting from the early payoff. Consequently, the value of a mortgage loan is enhanced to the extent the loan includes a prepayment penalty, and a mortgage lender can offer a lower interest rate and/or lower loan fees on a loan which has a prepayment penalty. Prepayment penalties are an important feature to obtain value on the loans we originate.

 

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Certain state laws restrict or prohibit prepayment penalties on mortgage loans, and we have relied on the federal Alternative Mortgage Transactions Parity Act (the “Parity Act”) and related rules issued in the past by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the “OTS”) to preempt state limitations on prepayment penalties. The Parity Act was enacted to extend to financial institutions, other than federally chartered depository institutions, the federal preemption which federally chartered depository institutions enjoy. However, on September 25, 2002, the OTS released a new rule that reduced the scope of the Parity Act preemption as of July 1, 2003, preventing us from relying on the Parity Act to preempt state restrictions on prepayment penalties. The elimination of this federal preemption requires us to comply with state restrictions on prepayment penalties. This may place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to financial institutions that will continue to enjoy federal preemption of such state restrictions because such institutions will be able to charge prepayment penalties without regard to state restrictions and thereby may be able to offer loans with interest rate and loan fee structures that are more attractive than we are able to offer.

The increasing number of federal, state and local “anti-predatory lending” laws may restrict our ability to originate, or increase our risk of liability with respect to, certain mortgage loans and could increase our cost of doing business.

In recent years, several federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations have been adopted, or are under consideration, that are intended to eliminate so-called “predatory” lending practices. These laws, rules and regulations impose certain restrictions on loans on which certain points and fees or the annual percentage rate (“APR”) exceeds specified thresholds, commonly referred to as “high cost” loans. Some of these restrictions expose a lender to risks of litigation and regulatory sanction no matter how carefully a loan is underwritten. In addition, an increasing number of these laws, rules and regulations seek to impose liability for violations on purchasers of loans, regardless of whether a purchaser knew of or participated in the violation.

We have generally avoided and will continue to avoid originating “high cost” loans because the rating agencies generally will not rate securities backed by such loans, and the companies that buy our loans and/or provide financing for our loan origination operations generally do not want to buy or finance such loans. The continued enactment or adoption of these laws, rules and regulations may prevent us from making certain loans that we would otherwise make, may cause us to cease operations in certain jurisdictions altogether and may cause us to reduce the APR or the points and fees on loans that we do make. In addition, the difficulty of managing the risks presented by these laws, rules and regulations may decrease the availability of warehouse financing and the overall demand for non-prime loans, making it difficult to fund, sell or securitize any of our loans. If we decide to relax our restrictions on loans subject to these laws, rules and regulations, we will be subject to greater risks for actual or perceived non-compliance with such laws, rules and regulations, including demands for indemnification or loan repurchases from our lenders and loan purchasers, class action lawsuits, increased defenses to foreclosure of individual loans in default, individual claims for significant monetary damages, and administrative enforcement actions. If nothing else, the growing number of these laws, rules and regulations will increase our cost of doing business, as we are required to develop systems and procedures to ensure that we do not violate any aspect of these new requirements. Any of the foregoing could significantly harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Capital Structure

Our guarantee of the Series A preferred shares of the REIT is senior to claims of our common stockholders.

Our guarantee of dividend and principal payments on the Series A preferred shares of the REIT is subordinate to all of our existing and future indebtedness but is senior to our common stock. As a result, upon any distribution to our creditors in a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or similar proceeding, the holders of the Series A preferred shares will be entitled to be paid in full under the guarantee before any payment may be made to holders of our common stock.

 

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We are a holding company and our assets consist primarily of investments in our subsidiaries. Substantially all of our consolidated liabilities have been incurred by our subsidiaries. Therefore, our right to participate in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the latter’s liquidation or reorganization will be subject to prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that we may be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary, in which case our claims would still be subject to the prior claims of any secured creditor of such subsidiary and of any holder of indebtedness of such subsidiary that is senior to that held by us.

If the REIT fails to maintain its status as a real estate investment trust, the REIT will be subject to federal and state income tax on taxable income at regular corporate rates, and the value of our common stock may be adversely impacted as a result.

The REIT was organized to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The REIT has conducted, and intends to continue to conduct, its operations so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust. Qualification as a real estate investment trust involves the satisfaction of numerous requirements, some on an annual and some on a quarterly basis, established under highly technical and complex provisions of the Code for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within the REIT’s control. For instance, in order to qualify as a real estate investment trust, no more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the REIT may be beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals at any time during the last half of its taxable year (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) (the “Ownership Test”). Furthermore, each year the REIT must distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of the REIT’s taxable income (the “Annual Distribution Requirements”). We cannot assure you that the REIT will at all times satisfy these rules and tests.

If the REIT were to fail to timely meet the Annual Distribution Requirements, satisfy the Ownership Test or otherwise qualify as a real estate investment trust in any taxable year, the REIT would be subject to federal and state income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on its taxable income at regular corporate rates. Moreover, unless entitled to relief under certain statutory provisions, the REIT would also be disqualified from treatment as a real estate investment trust for the four taxable years following the year during which the qualification is lost. This treatment would reduce the REIT’s net earnings and cash flow available for distribution to shareholders, including to us as holder of the REIT’s common shares, because of its additional tax liability for the years involved. Additionally, distributions to shareholders would no longer be required to be made by the REIT. Accordingly, the REIT’s failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust could have a material adverse impact on our financial results and the value of the common stock held by our stockholders.

Moreover, in order to satisfy the Ownership Test, the REIT’s Declaration of Trust establishes certain ownership restrictions on its shares of beneficial interest. For example, no individual (as described above) may beneficially own more than 9.8% of the value of the REIT. Even with this restriction, depending on the concentration of ownership of our stock and the relative value in the REIT’s common and preferred shares, it is possible that our ownership of the REIT’s common shares would cause the REIT to fail to satisfy the Ownership Test. In such a situation, the Declaration of Trust would require that the number of the REIT common shares held by us which causes the REIT to fail to satisfy the Ownership Test be transferred to a charitable trust at a price no greater than the fair market value of the REIT common shares as of such date, and we would have no future beneficial interest in such REIT common shares (including the right to vote or receive dividends on such REIT common shares).

The market price of our common stock could be volatile.

The market price for our common stock may fluctuate substantially due to a number of factors, including:

 

    the issuance of new equity securities pursuant to a future offering;

 

    changes in interest rates;

 

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    competitive developments, including announcements by us or our competitors of new products or services or significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

    variations in quarterly operating results;

 

    changes in financial estimates and forecasts published by securities analysts;

 

    the depth and liquidity of the market for our common stock;

 

    investor perceptions of our company and the mortgage industry generally (including the non-prime and nonconforming mortgage industry); and

 

    general economic and other national conditions.

Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may deter takeover attempts, which may limit the opportunity of our stockholders to sell their shares at a favorable price.

Some of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our stockholders by providing them with the opportunity to sell their shares possibly at a premium over the then market price.

For example, our board of directors is divided into three classes. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the terms of approximately one-third of the directors will expire, and new directors will be elected to serve for three years. The term of the first class expires at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of the second class expires in 2008, and the term of the third class expires in 2006. Thus, it will take at least two annual meetings to effect a change in control of our board of directors because a majority of the directors cannot be elected at a single meeting, which may delay, discourage, prevent or make it more difficult or costly to acquire or effect a change in control, even if such a change in control would be favorable to our stockholders.

In addition, our certificate of incorporation authorizes the board of directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by our board of directors without further action by the stockholders. These terms may include voting rights including the right to vote as a series on particular matters, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion rights, redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. No shares of preferred stock are presently outstanding. The issuance of any preferred stock in the future could diminish the rights of holders of our common stock, and therefore could reduce the value of our common stock. In addition, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict our ability to merge with, or sell assets to, a third party. The ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock could delay, discourage, prevent or make it more difficult or costly to acquire or effect a change in control, even if such a change in control would be favorable to our stockholders.

Our bylaws contain provisions that require stockholders to act only at a duly-called meeting and make it difficult for any person other than management to introduce business at a duly-called meeting by requiring such other person to follow certain notice procedures.

Finally, we are also subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder. The preceding provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, could discourage potential acquisition proposals, or delay or prevent a change of control and prevent changes in our management, even if such things would be in the best interests of our stockholders.

 

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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

See discussion under Market Risk in “ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Accredited maintains controls and procedures designed to ensure that it is able to collect the information it is required to disclose in the reports it files with the SEC, and to process, summarize and disclose this information within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations of the SEC. Based on an evaluation of Accredited’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report conducted by Accredited’s management, Accredited’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe that Accredited’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that Accredited is able to collect, process and disclose the information it is required to disclose in the reports it files with the SEC within the required time periods.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

ITEM 1.    Legal Proceedings

See Note 13 to the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 1A.    Risk Factors

We have provided updated risk factors in the section labeled “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. While the “Risk Factors” section provides updated information in specific areas (such as delinquency rate and loan repurchases, financing rates, geographic concentration of loans, and prepayment rates), we do not believe that these updates materially change the type or magnitude of the risks we face in comparison to the disclosure provided in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

ITEM 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

For a list of exhibits filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, refer to the Exhibit Index beginning on page 73.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

Dated: May 9, 2006

 

ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO.

BY:  

/S/    JAMES A. KONRATH

  James A. Konrath
  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
BY:  

/S/    JOHN S. BUCHANAN

  John S. Buchanan
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

2.1(1)   

Agreement and Plan of Merger.

3.1(2)   

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.

3.2(2)   

Bylaws of the Registrant.

4.1(2)   

Specimen Common Stock Certificate.

4.2(3)   

Second Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement.

4.3(4)   

Articles Supplementary to Declaration of Trust of Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust Dated August 11, 2004.

4.4(5)   

Articles Supplementary to Declaration of Trust of Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust Dated October 4, 2004.

4.5(4)   

Guarantee Agreement of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co., dated as of August 12, 2004.

4.6(5)   

Guarantee Agreement of Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co., dated as of October 6, 2004.

4.7(6)   

Indenture, dated as of March 1, 2006, between Accredited Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-1, a Delaware statutory trust acting through its owner trustee and Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Indenture Trustee.

4.8(6)   

Amended and Restated Trust Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2006, among the Sponsor, Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., Accredited Mortgage Loan REIT Trust, and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Owner Trustee.

4.9(6)   

Sale and Servicing Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2006, among Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., as Sponsor and Servicer, and Accredited Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-1, as Issuer and the Indenture Trustee.

4.10(6)   

Master Agreement, dated March 28, 2006, between Accredited Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-1 and Swiss Re Financial Products Corporation.

31.1   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1(7)   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).

32.2(7)   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350).


(1) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
(2) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91644) dated November 12, 2002.
(3) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-91644) dated August 20, 2002.
(4) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 000-50179) dated August 9, 2004.
(5) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-32275) dated October 1, 2004.
(6) Incorporated by Reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 333-07219-04) dated April 10, 2006.
(7) The information contained in these certifications is furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission made by the Company whether before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

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