Item 1.    Financial Statements

  

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

1.          ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Medley Management Inc. is an asset management firm offering yield solutions to retail and institutional investors. The Company's national direct origination franchise provides capital to the middle market in the U.S. Medley Management Inc., through its consolidated subsidiary, Medley LLC, provides investment management services to permanent capital vehicles, long-dated private funds and separately managed accounts and serves as the general partner to the private funds, which are generally organized as pass-through entities. Medley LLC is headquartered in New York City and has an office in San Francisco.

 

The Company’s business is currently comprised of only one reportable segment, the investment management segment, and substantially all of the Company operations are conducted through this segment. The investment management segment provides investment management services to permanent capital vehicles, long-dated private funds and separately managed accounts. The Company conducts its investment management business in the U.S., where substantially all its revenues are generated.

 

Initial Public Offering of Medley Management Inc.

 

Medley Management Inc. was incorporated on June 13, 2014 and commenced operations on September 29, 2014 upon the completion of its initial public offering (“IPO”) of its Class A common stock. Medley Management Inc. raised $100.4 million , net of underwriting discount, through the issuance of 6,000,000 shares of Class A common stock at an offering price to the public of $18.00 per share. Medley Management Inc. used the offering proceeds to purchase 6,000,000 newly issued LLC Units (defined below) from Medley LLC. Prior to the IPO, Medley Management Inc. had not engaged in any business or other activities except in connection with its formation and IPO.

 

In connection with the IPO, Medley Management Inc. issued 100 shares of Class B common stock to Medley Group LLC (“Medley Group”), an entity wholly owned by the pre-IPO members of Medley LLC. For as long as the pre-IPO members and then-current Medley personnel hold at least 10% of the aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock and LLC Units (defined below) (excluding those LLC Units held by Medley Management Inc.) then outstanding, the Class B common stock entitles Medley Group to a number of votes that is equal to 10 times the aggregate number of LLC Units held by all non-managing members of Medley LLC that do not themselves hold shares of Class B common stock and entitle each other holder of Class B common stock, without regard to the number of shares of Class B common stock held by such other holder, to a number of votes that is equal to 10 times the number of membership units held by such holder. The Class B common stock does not participate in dividends and does not have any liquidation rights.

 

Medley LLC Reorganization

 

In connection with the IPO, Medley LLC amended and restated its limited liability agreement to modify its capital structure by reclassifying the 23,333,333 interests held by the pre-IPO members into a single new class of units (“LLC Units”). The pre-IPO members also entered into an exchange agreement under which they (or certain permitted transferees thereof) have the right, subject to the terms of an exchange agreement, to exchange their LLC Units for shares of Medley Management Inc.’s Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis , subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. In addition, pursuant to the amended and restated limited liability agreement, Medley Management Inc. became the sole managing member of Medley LLC. 

 

The pre-IPO owners are, subject to limited exceptions, prohibited from transferring any LLC Units held by them or any shares of Class A common stock received upon exchange of such LLC Units, until the third anniversary of the date of the closing of the IPO without the Company’s consent. Thereafter and prior to the fourth and fifth anniversaries of the closing of the IPO, such holders may not transfer more than 33 1/3% and 66 2/3%, respectively, of the number of LLC Units held by them, together with the number of any shares of Class A common stock received by them upon exchange therefor, without the Company’s consent.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Medley Management Inc., Medley LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “Medley” or the “Company”). Additionally, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company and related financial information have been prepared pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain disclosures accompanying annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP may be omitted. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial results included herein contain all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals,

considered necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements for the interim periods included herein. Therefore, this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016. The current period's results of operations will not necessarily be indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for the full year ending December 31, 2017.

2.          SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation , the Company consolidates those entities where it has a direct and indirect controlling financial interest based on either a variable interest model or voting interest model. As such, the Company consolidates entities that the Company concludes are variable interest entities (“VIEs”), for which the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary and entities in which it holds a majority voting interest or has majority ownership and control over the operational, financial and investing decisions of that entity.

 

For legal entities evaluated for consolidation, the Company must determine whether the interests that it holds and fees paid to it qualify as a variable interest in an entity. This includes an evaluation of the management fees and performance fees paid to the Company when acting as a decision maker or service provider to the entity being evaluated. If fees received by the Company are customary and commensurate with the level of services provided, and the Company does not hold other economic interests in the entity that would absorb more than an insignificant amount of the expected losses or returns of the entity, the interest that the Company holds would not be considered a variable interest. The Company factors in all economic interests including proportionate interests through related parties, to determine if fees are considered a variable interest.

 

An entity in which the Company holds a variable interest is a VIE if any one of the following conditions exist: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, (b) the holders of equity investment at risk have the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the legal entity’s economic performance, (c) the voting rights of some investors are disproportionate to their obligation to absorb losses or rights to receive returns from a legal entity. For limited partnerships and other similar entities, non-controlling investors must have substantive rights to either dissolve the fund or remove the general partner (“kick-out rights”) in order to not qualify as a VIE.

 

For those entities that qualify as a VIE, the primary beneficiary is generally defined as the party who has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. The Company is generally deemed to have a controlling financial interest if it has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes initially involved with the VIE and reconsiders that conclusion continuously. The primary beneficiary evaluation is generally performed qualitatively on the basis of all facts and circumstances. However, quantitative information may also be considered in the analysis, as appropriate. These assessments require judgments. Each entity is assessed for consolidation on a case-by-case basis. 

 

For those entities evaluated under the voting interest model, the Company consolidates the entity if it has a controlling financial interest. The Company has a controlling financial interest in a voting interest entity (“VOE”) if it owns a majority voting interest in the entity.

 

Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

 

Medley Management Inc. is the sole managing member of Medley LLC and, as such, it operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Medley LLC and, through Medley LLC, conducts its business. Under ASC 810, Medley LLC meets the definition of a VIE because the equity of Medley LLC is not sufficient to permit activities without additional subordinated financial support. Medley Management Inc. has the obligation to absorb expected losses that could be significant to Medley LLC and holds 100% of the voting power, therefore Medley Management Inc. is considered to be the primary beneficiary of Medley LLC.

 

As a result, Medley Management Inc. consolidates the financial results of Medley LLC and its subsidiaries and records a non-controlling interest for the economic interest in Medley LLC held by the non-managing members. Medley Management Inc.’s and the non-managing members’ economic interests in Medley LLC are 19.5% and 80.5% , respectively, as of March 31, 2017 and 19.9% and 80.1% , respectively, as of December 31, 2016 . Net income attributable to the non-controlling interests in Medley LLC on the consolidated statements of operations represents the portion of earnings attributable to the economic interest

in Medley LLC held by its non-managing members. Non-controlling interests in Medley LLC on the consolidated balance sheets represents the portion of net assets of Medley LLC attributable to the non-managing members based on total LLC Units of Medley LLC owned by such non-managing members.

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , Medley LLC has three majority owned subsidiaries, SIC Advisors LLC, Medley Seed Funding I LLC and STRF Advisors LLC, which are consolidated VIEs. Each of these entities were organized as a limited liability company and was legally formed to either manage a designated fund or strategically invest capital as well as isolate business risk. As of March 31, 2017 , total assets and total liabilities, after eliminating entries, of these VIEs reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $54.7 million and $20.1 million , respectively. As of December 31, 2016 , total assets and total liabilities, after eliminating entries, of these VIEs reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $51.7 million and $22.8 million , respectively. Except to the extent of the assets of these VIEs that are consolidated, the holders of the consolidated VIEs’ liabilities generally do not have recourse to the Company.

 

Seed Investments

 

The Company accounts for seed investments through the application of the voting interest model under ASC 810-10-25-1 through 25-14 and consolidates a seed investment when the investment advisor holds a controlling interest, which is, in general, 50% or more of the equity in such investment. For seed investments in which the Company does not hold a controlling interest, the Company accounts for such seed investment under the equity method of accounting, at its ownership percentage of such seed investment’s net asset value.

 

Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities

 

The Company holds interests in certain VIEs that are not consolidated because the Company is not deemed the primary beneficiary. The Company's interest in these entities is in the form of insignificant equity interests and fee arrangements. The maximum exposure to loss represents the potential loss of assets by the Company relating to these non-consolidated entities.

 

As of March 31, 2017 , the Company recorded investments, at fair value, attributed to these non-consolidated VIEs of $5.4 million , receivables of $2.0 million included as a component of other assets and a clawback obligation of $7.1 million included as a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The clawback obligation assumes a hypothetical liquidation of a fund’s investments, at their then current fair values and a portion of tax distributions relating to performance fees which would need to be returned. As of December 31, 2016 , the Company recorded investments, at fair value of $5.1 million , receivables of $1.9 million included as a component of other assets and a clawback obligation of $7.1 million included as a component of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company’s maximum exposure to losses from these entities is $7.4 million .

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. These assumptions and estimates also require management to exercise judgment in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies. Significant estimates and assumptions by management affect the carrying value of investments, performance compensation payable and certain accrued liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and such differences could be material.  

 

Indemnification

 

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual agreements that provide general indemnifications against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of individual obligations under such agreements. The Company has not experienced any prior claims or payments pursuant to such agreements. The Company’s individual maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. However, based on management’s experience, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

Non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries represent the component of equity in such consolidated entities held by third-parties. These interests are adjusted for contributions to and distributions from Medley entities and are allocated income from Medley entities based on their ownership percentages.

 

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests

Redeemable non-controlling interests represents interests of certain third parties that are not mandatorily redeemable but redeemable for cash or other assets at a fixed or determinable price or a fixed or determinable date, at the option of the holder or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. These interests are classified in temporary equity.

Class A Earnings per Share

    

The Company computes and presents earnings per share using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, the Company allocates earnings between common stock and participating securities. The two-class method includes an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared and undistributed earnings for the period. For purposes of calculating earnings per share, the Company reduces its reported net earnings by the amount allocated to participating securities to arrive at the earnings allocated to Class A common stockholders. Earnings are then divided by the weighted average number of Class A common stock outstanding to arrive at basic earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution beyond shares for basic earnings per share that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, converted into common stock, or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would have shared in our earnings. Participating securities consist of the Company's unvested restricted stock units that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, in the number of shares outstanding in its basic and diluted calculations.

Investments

 

Investments include equity method investments that are not consolidated but over which the Company exerts significant influence. The Company measures the carrying value of its public non-traded equity method investment at NAV per share. The Company measures the carrying value of its privately-held equity method investments by recording its share of the underlying income or loss of these entities.

 

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in fair value of the equity method investments is reflected as a component of other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable.

 

The carrying amounts of equity method investments are reflected in investments in the consolidated statements of financial condition. As the underlying entities that the Company manages and invests in are, for U.S. GAAP purposes, primarily investment companies which reflect their investments at estimated fair value, the carrying value of the Company’s equity method investments in such entities approximates fair value. The Company evaluates its equity-method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable.

 

Investments also include available-for-sale securities which consist of an investment in publicly traded common stock. The Company measures the carrying value of its publicly traded investment in available-for-sale securities at the quoted market price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in fair value of available-for-sale securities is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, redeemable non-controlling interests and non-controlling interests in Medley LLC. Realized gains (losses) and declines in value determined to be other than temporary, if any, are reported in other income (expenses), net. The Company evaluates its investment in available-for-sale securities for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investment may not be recoverable.

Debt Issuance Costs

 

Debt issuance costs represent direct costs incurred in obtaining financing and are amortized over the term of the underlying debt using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs, and the related amortization expense, are adjusted when any prepayments of principal are made to the related outstanding debt. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included as a component of interest expense in the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

 

Revenues

 

Management Fees

 

Medley provides investment management services to both public and private investment vehicles. Management fees include base management fees, other management fees, and Part I incentive fees, as described below.

 

Base management fees are calculated based on either (i) the average or ending gross assets balance for the relevant period, (ii) limited partners’ capital commitments to the funds, (iii) invested capital, (iv) NAV or (v) lower of cost or market value of a fund’s portfolio investments. Depending upon the contracted terms of the investment management agreement, management fees are paid either quarterly in advance or quarterly in arrears, and are recognized as earned over the period the services are provided. 

 

Certain management agreements provide for Medley to receive other management fee revenue derived from up front origination fees paid by the funds' and/or separately managed accounts' underlying portfolio companies. These fees are recognized when Medley becomes entitled to such fees.

 

Certain management agreements also provide for Medley to receive Part I incentive fee revenue derived from net interest income (excluding gains and losses) above a hurdle rate. As it relates to Medley Capital Corporation (“MCC”), these fees are subject to netting against realized and unrealized losses. Part I incentive fees are paid quarterly and are recognized as earned over the period the services are provided.

  

Performance Fees

 

Performance fees consist principally of the allocation of profits from certain funds and separately managed accounts, to which Medley provides management services. Medley is generally entitled to an allocation of income as a performance fee after returning the invested capital plus a specified preferred return as set forth in each respective agreement. Medley recognizes revenues attributable to performance fees based upon the amount that would be due pursuant to the respective agreement at each period end as if the funds were terminated at that date. Accordingly, the amount recognized in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements reflects Medley’s share of the gains and losses of the associated funds’ underlying investments measured at their current fair values. Performance fee revenue may include reversals of previously recognized performance fees due to a decrease in the net income of a particular fund that results in a decrease of cumulative performance fees earned to date. Since fund return hurdles are cumulative, previously recognized performance fees also may be reversed in a period of appreciation that is lower than the particular fund’s hurdle rate. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company reversed $2.6 million and $0.7 million , respectively, of previously recognized performance fees. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company recognized cumulative performance fees of $4.8 million .

 

Performance fees received in prior periods may be required to be returned by Medley in future periods if the funds’ investment performance declines below certain levels. Each fund is considered separately in this regard and, for a given fund, performance fees can never be negative over the life of a fund. If upon a hypothetical liquidation of a fund’s investments, at their then current fair values, previously recognized and distributed performance fees would be required to be returned, a liability is established for the potential clawback obligation. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company had not received any performance fee distributions, except for tax distributions related to the Company’s allocation of net income, which included an allocation of performance fees. Pursuant to the organizational documents of each respective fund, a portion of these tax distributions may be subject to clawback. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company had accrued $7.1 million for clawback obligations that would need to be paid if the funds were liquidated at fair value as of the end of the reporting period. The Company’s actual obligation, however, would not become payable or realized until the end of a fund’s life.

 

Other Revenues and Fees

 

Medley provides administrative services to certain affiliated funds and is reimbursed for direct and allocated expenses incurred in providing such administrative services, as set forth in the respective underlying agreements. These fees are recognized as revenue in the period administrative services are rendered.

 

Performance Fee Compensation

 

Medley has issued profit interests in certain subsidiaries to select employees. These profit-sharing arrangements are accounted for under ASC 710, Compensation — General, which requires compensation expense to be measured at fair value at the grant date and expensed over the vesting period, which is usually the period over which the service is provided. The fair value of the profit interests are re-measured at each balance sheet date and adjusted for changes in estimates of cash flows and vesting percentages. The impact of such changes is recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as an increase or decrease to performance fee compensation. 

 

Stock-based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation . Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period.

Prior to January 1, 2017, the fair value of the awards were amortized on a straight line basis over the requisite service period as stock based compensation expenses and was reduced for the impact of estimated forfeitures. The Company estimated forfeitures based on its historical experience and revised its estimate if actual forfeitures differed from its initial estimates. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted a change in accounting policy as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to account for forfeitures as they occur. As such, stock based compensation expense relating to equity based awards are measured at fair value as of the grant date, reduced for actual forfeitures in the period they occur, and expensed over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis as a component of compensation and benefits on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.

        

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of tax benefits or expenses for temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The Company also recognizes a tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based on its technical merits. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions and other tax matters as a component of income tax expense. For interim periods, the Company accounts for income taxes based on its estimate of the effective tax rate for the year. Discrete items and changes in its estimate of the annual effective tax rate are recorded in the period they occur.

  

Medley Management Inc. is subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes on its allocable portion of the income of Medley LLC at prevailing corporate tax rates.  Medley LLC and its subsidiaries are not subject to federal, state and local corporate income taxes since all income, gains and losses are passed through to its members. However, a portion of taxable income from Medley LLC and its subsidiaries are subject to New York City’s unincorporated business tax, which is included in the Company’s provision for income taxes.

 

The Company analyzes its tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state and local tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. If, based on this analysis, the Company determines that uncertainties in tax positions exist, a liability is established.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted as of January 1, 2017

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies and improves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017.

Under the new guidance, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee stock compensation will be recognized within income tax expense. Under prior guidance, excess tax benefits were recognized to additional paid-in capital and tax deficiencies were only recognized to the extent they exceeded the pool of excess tax benefits. In addition, excess tax benefits will be classified as cash flows from operating activities, and cash withheld by the Company for employees' withholding taxes will be classified as cash flows from financing activities on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows. In connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, instead of utilizing an estimated forfeiture rate assumption. The change in accounting for forfeitures was applied on a modified retrospective basis by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity. As of January 1, 2017, retained earnings and non-controlling interests in Medley LLC decreased by $0.1 million and $0.8 million , respectively, additional paid in capital increased by $1.0 million and a deferred tax asset was recorded in the amount of $0.1 million to reflect the change in accounting principle.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , which provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services. To achieve this core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contracts, (3) determine the transaction prices, (4) allocate the transaction prices to the performance obligations in the contracts, and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The guidance also requires advanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) , which clarified the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing , which clarified the implementation guidance regarding performance obligations and licensing arrangements. The new standard will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, the adoption of this guidance is expected to impact the timing of performance fee revenue recognition. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities , which requires that all equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This guidance eliminates the available-for-sale classification for equity securities with readily determinable fair values. However, companies may elect to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. This new guidance will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. Under this new guidance, changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities will no longer be classified in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income but rather as a component of other income in its condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . This guidance requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities arising from a lease for both financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. This new guidance will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements. However, the adoption of this guidance is expected to result in a significant increase in total assets and total liabilities, but is not expected to have a significant impact on the consolidated statement of operations.

 

The Company does not believe any other recently issued, but not yet effective, revisions to authoritative guidance will have a material effect on its consolidated balance sheets, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

Equity Method Investments

 

Medley measures the carrying value of its public non-traded equity method investments at NAV per share. Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in NAV per share is reflected as a component of other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The carrying value of the Company’s privately-held equity method investments is determined based on the amounts invested by the Company plus the equity in earnings or losses of the investee allocated based on the respective underlying agreements, less distributions received.

 

The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. There were no impairment losses recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s carrying value of its equity method investments was $15.1 million and $14.9 million , respectively. Included in this balance was $9.0 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 from the Company’s investment in publicly-held Sierra Income Corporation (“SIC”). The remaining balance as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 relates primarily to the Company’s investments in Medley Opportunity Fund II, LP ("MOF II"), Medley Opportunity Fund III LP (“MOF III”) and CK Pearl Fund, LP.

 

Available-For-Sale Securities

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company’s carrying value of its available-for-sale securities was $21.2 million and $ 17.0 million , respectively, and consisted of 2,759,748 and 2,264,892 shares of MCC, respectively. The Company measures the carrying value of its investment in MCC at fair value based on the quoted market price on the exchange on which its shares trade. As of March 31, 2017 , cumulative unrealized gains in redeemable non-controlling interests, non-controlling interests in Medley LLC and accumulated other comprehensive income on the Company's consolidated balance sheets was $0.3 million , $ 0.3 million , and $ 0.1 million respectively. There were no impairment charges recorded related to the Company’s investments in available-for-sale securities during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

4.           FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company follows the guidance set forth in ASC 820 for measuring the fair value of investments in available-for-sale securities. Fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters, or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation models involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity. Financial instruments recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements are categorized for disclosure purposes based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs to the valuation of the investment as of the measurement date.

The three levels are defined as follows:

 

When determining the fair value of publicly traded equity securities, the Company uses the quoted market price as of the valuation date on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. The Company’s investments in available-for-sale securities are categorized as Level I. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no financial instruments classified as Level II or Level III.

 

Our equity method investments for which fair value is measured at NAV per share, or its equivalent, using the practical expedient, are not categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

A review of the fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting all levels of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in or out of Level I, II or III category as of the beginning of the quarter during which the reclassifications occur. There were no transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

   

 

Credit Suisse Term Loan Facility

 

On August 14, 2014 , the Company entered into a $110.0 million senior secured term loan credit facility (as amended, “Term Loan Facility”) with Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent thereunder, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, as bookrunner and lead arranger, and the lenders from time-to-time party thereto, which had an original maturity date of June 15, 2019 . In February 2017, borrowings under this facility were paid off using the proceeds from the issuance of senior unsecured debt and the Term Loan Facility was terminated.

 

Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, bore interest, at the borrower’s option, at a rate equal to either a Eurodollar margin over an adjusted LIBOR (with a “floor” of 1.0% ) or a base rate margin over an adjusted base rate determined by reference to the highest of (i) the term loan administrative agent’s prime rate; (ii) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day plus 0.5% ; and (iii) an adjusted LIBOR plus 1.0% . The applicable margins for the Term Loan Facility was 5.5% , in the case of Eurodollar loans and 4.5% , in the case of adjusted base rate loans. Outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bore interest at a rate of 6.5% as of December 31, 2016. Borrowings were collateralized by substantially all of the equity interests in Medley LLC’s wholly owned subsidiaries. Total interest expense under the Term Loan Facility, including accretion of the note discount and amortization of debt issuance costs, was $1.5 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

CNB Credit Agreement

 

On August 19, 2014 , the Company entered into a $15.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility with City National Bank (as amended, the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The Company intends to use any proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility for general corporate purposes, including funding of its working capital needs. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at the option of the Company, either (i) at an Alternate Base Rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin not to exceed 3.25% or (ii) at an Adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin not to exceed 4.0% . As of and during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

The Revolving Credit Facility also contains a financial covenant that requires the Company to maintain a Maximum Net Leverage Ratio of not greater than 3.5 to 1.0, with which the Company is compliant. This ratio is calculated on a trailing twelve months basis and is the ratio of Total Net Debt, as defined, to Core EBITDA, as defined, and is calculated using the Company’s financial results and includes adjustments made to calculate Core EBITDA. Non-compliance with any of the financial or non-financial covenants without cure or waiver would constitute an event of default under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility also contains other customary events of default, including defaults based on events of bankruptcy and insolvency, dissolution, nonpayment of principal, interest or fees when due, breach of specified covenants, change in control and material inaccuracy of representations and warranties. There were no events of default under the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017 . 

 

Non-Recourse Promissory Notes 

 

In April 2012, the Company borrowed $10.0 million under two non-recourse promissory notes. Proceeds from the borrowings were used to purchase 1,108,033 shares of common stock of SIC, which were pledged as collateral for the obligations. Interest on the notes is paid monthly and is equal to the dividends received by the Company related to the pledged shares. The Company may prepay the notes in whole or in part at any time without penalty and the lenders may call the notes if certain conditions are met. The notes are scheduled to mature in March 2019 . The proceeds from the notes were recorded net of issuance costs of $3.8 million and are being accreted, using the effective interest method, over the term of the non-recourse promissory notes. Total interest expense under these non-recourse promissory notes, including accretion of the note discount, was $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The fair value of the outstanding balance of the notes was $10.2 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

  

Contractual Maturities of Loans Payable

 

As of March 31, 2017 , $10.0 million of future principal payments will be due, relating to loans payable, during the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

2026 Notes 

On August 9, 2016 and October 18, 2016, the Company issued debt consisting of $53.6 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2026 at a stated coupon rate of 6.875% (the "2026 Notes"). The net proceeds from these offerings were used to pay down a portion of the Company's outstanding indebtedness under its Term Loan Facility. Interest is payable quarterly commencing on November 15, 2016. The 2026 Notes are subject to redemption in whole or in part at any time or from time to time, at the option of the Company, on or after August 15, 2019 at a redemption price per security equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest payments. The 2026 notes were recorded net of discount and direct issuance costs of $3.8 million which are being amortized over the term of notes using the effective interest rate method. The 2026 Notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades thereon under the trading symbol “MDLX.” The fair value of the 2026 Notes based on there underlying quoted market price was $53.0 million as of March 31, 2017.

Interest expense on the 2026 Notes, including amortization of discount and debt issuance costs, was $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

2024 Notes

On January 18, 2017 and February 22, 2017, the Company issued $69.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2024 at a stated coupon rate of 7.25% (the "2024 Notes"). The net proceeds from these offerings were used to pay down the remaining portion of the Company's outstanding indebtedness under its Term Loan Facility with the remaining to be used for general corporate purposes. Interest is payable quarterly commencing on April 30, 2017. The 2024 Notes are subject to redemption in whole or in part at any time or from time to time, at the option of the Company, on or after January 30, 2020 at a redemption price per security equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest payments. The 2024 notes were recorded net of discount and direct issuance costs of $2.6 million which are being amortized over

the term of notes using the effective interest rate method. The 2024 Notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades thereon under the trading symbol “MDLQ.” The fair value of the 2024 Notes based on there underlying quoted market price was $70.4 million as of March 31, 2017.

Interest expense on the 2024 Notes, including amortization of debt premium and debt issuance costs, was $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.