Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 34 )
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 202 1 and 20 20
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Consolidated Income Statements for the three years ended December 31, 202 1 , 20 20 and 20 19
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three years ended December 31, 202 1 , 20 20 and 20 19
63
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three years ended December 31, 202 1 , 20 20 and 20 19
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 202 1 , 20 20 and 201 9
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company's principal executive and principal financial officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company's financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As of December 31, 2021, management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013. Based on this assessment, management has concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 was effective.
The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets and provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.
The Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included herein, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, NY
February 28, 2022
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report, dated February 28, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company earns advisory fees in connection with advisory and asset management services it provides to various types of funds and investment vehicles through its subsidiaries. Advisory fees earned on asset-based programs are generally based on the customer’s account value at the valuation date per the respective asset management agreements. Fees are calculated based on underlying information, such as asset balances and rates, sourced from multiple internal and external systems. For the year ended December 31, 2021, total advisory fee revenue was $341M, of which a significant portion represents fees earned on assets held in the Company’s asset-based programs.
Given the Company's use of multiple systems and databases in recording advisory fees on asset-based programs, auditing the balance was complex and challenging due to the extent of audit effort required to evaluate the completeness and accuracy of underlying information and required the involvement of information technology (IT) professionals with specialized skills and expertise.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the Company’s systems to process advisory revenue earned on asset-based programs included the following, among others:
• With the assistance of our IT specialists, we: identified the significant systems used in the calculation of advisory fees and, using a risk-based approach, tested the relevant general IT controls over each of these systems. Additionally, for
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the relevant service organizations, we obtained the service auditor's reports and evaluated IT-related controls, related exceptions and complementary user entity controls specified in the reports.
• We tested the effectiveness of controls over the Company’s revenue balance, including automated business controls and system interface controls, as well as the controls designed to ensure the accuracy and completeness of advisory fee revenue.
• With the assistance of our data specialists, we created data visualizations to evaluate recorded advisory fee revenue and evaluate trends in the transactional revenue data.
• For a sample of revenue transactions, we performed detail transaction testing by agreeing the amounts recognized to source documents and testing the mathematical accuracy of the recorded advisory fee revenue.
• For a sample of accounts, we tested the accuracy and completeness of assets under management by obtaining independent pricing support and reconciling total positions to third-party statements.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, NY
February 28, 2022
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2013.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
(Expressed in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts) 2021 2020
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 213,759 $ 35,424
Deposits with clearing organizations 66,968 83,343
Restricted cash 127,765 —
Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations 169,902 203,494
Receivable from customers, net of allowance for credit losses of $ 3,326 ($ 410 in 2020)
1,221,450 1,110,835
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 935 —
Securities owned, including amounts pledged of $ 266,428 ($ 440,531 in 2020), at fair value
634,504 610,517
Notes receivable, net 53,983 46,161
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation of $ 92,785 ($ 90,958 in 2020)
28,036 27,762
Right-of-use lease assets, net of accumulated amortization of $ 76,462 ($ 50,336 in 2020)
150,121 153,502
Intangible assets 32,100 32,100
Goodwill 137,889 137,889
Other assets 205,838 272,876
Total assets $ 3,043,250 $ 2,713,903
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Bank call loans 69,500 82,000
Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations 422,057 259,911
Payable to customers 456,958 502,807
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 277,322 342,438
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 71,958 126,171
Accrued compensation 342,125 298,263
Accounts payable and other liabilities 76,655 44,791
Income tax payable 13,536 9,726
Lease liabilities 192,019 193,373
Senior secured notes, net of debt issuance costs of $ 926 ($ 1,154 in 2020)
124,074 123,846
Deferred tax liabilities, net of deferred tax assets of $ 54,957 ($ 44,104 in 2020)
44,016 44,909
Total liabilities 2,090,220 2,028,235
Commitments and contingencies (note 17)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests 127,765 $ —
Stockholders' equity
Share capital
Class A non-voting common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share, 50,000,000 shares
authorized, 12,447,036 and 12,381,778 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively
36,309 39,200
Class B voting common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share, 99,665 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
133 133
36,442 39,333
Contributed capital 41,603 41,481
Retained earnings 740,926 601,406
Accumulated other comprehensive income 4,225 3,448
Total Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. stockholders' equity 823,196 685,668
Non-controlling interest $ 2,069 $ —
Total Stockholders' Equity $ 825,265 $ 685,668
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Stockholders' Equity $ 3,043,250 $ 2,713,903
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Expressed in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts) 2021 2020 2019
REVENUE
Commissions $ 401,607 $ 395,097 $ 320,114
Advisory fees 451,197 455,261 353,671
Investment banking 435,870 222,298 126,211
Bank deposit sweep income 15,557 34,829 117,422
Interest 36,482 33,477 50,723
Principal transactions, net 23,984 27,874 30,094
Other 29,338 29,831 35,144
Total revenue 1,394,035 1,198,667 1,033,379
EXPENSES
Compensation and related expenses 886,840 770,997 657,714
Communications and technology 80,520 82,132 81,588
Occupancy and equipment costs 60,069 62,352 62,198
Clearing and exchange fees 22,306 22,978 21,962
Interest 9,855 15,680 45,687
Other 109,804 75,528 89,318
Total expenses 1,169,394 1,029,667 958,467
Pre-tax income 224,641 169,000 74,912
Income taxes 65,677 46,014 21,959
Net income $ 158,964 $ 122,986 $ 52,953
Earnings per share
Basic $ 12.57 $ 9.73 $ 4.10
Diluted 11.70 $ 9.30 $ 3.82
Weighted average shares
Basic 12,642,306 12,642,576 12,904,397
Diluted 13,582,828 13,217,335 13,851,832
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Expressed in thousands) 2021 2020 2019
Net income $ 158,964 $ 122,986 $ 52,953
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Currency translation adjustment 777 1,687 1,596
Comprehensive income $ 159,741 $ 124,673 $ 54,549
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Expressed in thousands except per share amounts) 2021 2020 2019
Share capital
Balance at beginning of year $ 39,333 $ 46,557 $ 53,392
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock 4,846 7,824 1,565
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation ( 7,737 ) ( 15,048 ) ( 8,400 )
Balance at end of year 36,442 39,333 46,557
Contributed capital
Balance at beginning of year 41,481 47,406 41,776
Share-based expense 10,514 7,683 8,128
Vested employee share plan awards ( 9,739 ) ( 13,608 ) ( 2,498 )
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests ( 653 ) — —
Balance at end of year 41,603 41,481 47,406
Retained earnings
Balance at beginning of year 601,406 496,998 449,989
Net income 158,964 122,986 52,953
Dividends paid ( 19,444 ) ( 18,578 ) ( 5,944 )
Balance at end of year 740,926 601,406 496,998
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at beginning of year 3,448 1,761 165
Currency translation adjustment 777 1,687 1,596
Balance at end of year 4,225 3,448 1,761
Total Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. stockholders' equity 823,196 685,668 592,722
Non-controlling interest
Contributions during the year 11,946 — —
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest ( 11 ) — —
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests ( 9,866 ) — —
Balance at end of year 2,069 — —
Total stockholders' equity $ 825,265 $ 685,668 $ 592,722
Redeemable Non Controlling Interests
Contributions during the year 117,246 — —
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests 10,519 — —
Balance at end of year $ 127,765 $ — $ —
Dividends paid per share $ 1.54 $ 1.48 $ 0.46
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Expressed in thousands) 2021 2020 2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income $ 158,964 $ 122,986 $ 52,953
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities
Non-cash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements 7,994 8,143 7,635
Deferred income taxes ( 792 ) 21,336 9,878
Amortization of notes receivable 13,427 11,763 12,971
Amortization of debt issuance costs 250 206 236
Write-off of debt issuance costs — 341 184
Provision for (reversal of) credit losses 2,896 ( 41 ) ( 435 )
Share-based compensation 31,138 16,220 11,819
Amortization of right-of-use lease assets 26,125 25,150 25,186
Gain on repurchase of senior secured notes — ( 86 ) —
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:
Deposits with clearing organizations 16,375 ( 34,928 ) 19,263
Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations 33,592 ( 40,201 ) 3,200
Receivable from customers ( 113,511 ) ( 313,860 ) ( 75,722 )
Income tax receivable — 5,170 ( 4,156 )
Securities purchased under agreements to resell ( 935 ) — 290
Securities owned ( 23,987 ) 189,202 37,865
Notes receivable ( 21,249 ) ( 14,254 ) ( 12,583 )
Other assets 65,814 ( 105,435 ) ( 53,698 )
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Drafts payable — — ( 16,348 )
Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations 162,146 ( 261,064 ) 231,768
Payable to customers ( 45,849 ) 168,072 ( 1,881 )
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ( 65,116 ) 55,173 ( 196,953 )
Securities sold but not yet purchased ( 54,213 ) 25,600 15,125
Accrued compensation 23,238 82,367 36,319
Income tax payable 3,810 9,726 —
Accounts payable and other liabilities 7,669 ( 25,645 ) ( 23,774 )
Cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 227,786 ( 54,059 ) 79,142
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements ( 8,268 ) ( 4,528 ) ( 10,024 )
Proceeds from the settlement of Company-owned life insurance 2,001 587 1,720
Cash used in investing activities ( 6,267 ) ( 3,941 ) ( 8,304 )
Cash flows from financing activities
Cash dividends paid on Class A non-voting and Class B voting common stock ( 19,444 ) ( 18,578 ) ( 5,944 )
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock 58 56 83
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation ( 7,737 ) ( 15,048 ) ( 8,400 )
Payments for employee taxes withheld related to vested share-based awards ( 4,967 ) ( 5,839 ) ( 1,014 )
Issuance of senior secured notes — 125,000 —
Payment of Company sponsored Initial Public Offering costs ( 454 ) — —
Contributions from noncontrolling interests 3,147 — —
Proceeds from Company sponsored Initial Public Offering 126,500 — —
Redemption of senior secured notes — ( 148,574 ) ( 50,000 )
Repurchase of senior secured notes — ( 1,426 ) —
Debt issuance costs ( 22 ) ( 1,210 ) —
Debt redemption costs — ( 2,507 ) ( 1,688 )
(Decrease)/increase in bank call loans, net ( 12,500 ) 82,000 ( 15,000 )
Cash provided by/(used in) financing activities 84,581 13,874 ( 81,963 )
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 306,100 ( 44,126 ) ( 11,125 )
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year 35,424 79,550 90,675
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year $ 341,524 $ 35,424 $ 79,550
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash within the consolidated balance sheet: 2021 2020 2019
Cash and cash equivalents $ 213,759 $ 35,424 $ 79,550
Restricted cash 127,765 — —
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 341,524 $ 35,424 $ 79,550
Schedule of non-cash financing activities
Employee share plan issuance $ 7,361 $ 12,167 $ 2,192
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for interest $ 10,089 $ 19,013 $ 40,678
Cash paid during the year for income taxes, net $ 62,378 $ 11,191 $ 16,816
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Organization
Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. ("OPY" or the "Parent") is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OPY and its consolidated subsidiaries (together, the "Company"). Oppenheimer Holdings Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading middle market investment bank and full service broker-dealer that is engaged in a broad range of activities in the financial services industry, including retail securities brokerage, institutional sales and trading, investment banking (corporate and public finance), equity and fixed income research, market-making, trust services, and investment advisory and asset management services.
The Company is headquartered in New York and has 92 retail branch offices in the United States and institutional businesses located in London, Tel Aviv, and Hong Kong. The principal subsidiaries of OPY are Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. ("Oppenheimer"), a registered broker-dealer in securities and investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. ("OAM") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Oppenheimer Investment Management LLC, both registered investment advisers under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; Oppenheimer Trust Company of Delaware ("Oppenheimer Trust"), a limited purpose trust company that provides fiduciary services such as trust and estate administration and investment management; OPY Credit Corp., which offers syndication as well as trading of issued corporate loans; Oppenheimer Europe Ltd., based in the United Kingdom, with offices in the Isle of Jersey, Germany and Switzerland, which provides institutional equities and fixed income brokerage and corporate finance and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority; and Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited, based in Hong Kong, China, which provides fixed income and equities brokerage services to institutional investors and is regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies and estimates
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America ("US GAAP"). Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods.
In presenting the consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates regarding valuations of financial instruments, loans and allowances for credit losses, the outcome of legal and regulatory matters, goodwill and other intangible assets, share-based compensation plans and income taxes. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information. Therefore, actual results could be materially different from these estimates. A discussion of certain critical accounting policies in which estimates are a significant component of the amounts reported on the consolidated financial statements follows.
On January 30, 2020, the spread of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization ("WHO"). Subsequently, on March 11, 2020, the WHO characterized the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic (the "COVID-19 Pandemic"). The COVID-19 Pandemic coupled with the current market volatility has created an economic environment that may have significant accounting and financial reporting implications. The disruption of businesses around the globe due to COVID-19 may be a "trigger event" for companies to reassess valuation and accounting estimates and assumptions such as, impairment of goodwill, valuation allowances of deferred tax assets, fair value of investments and collectability of receivables. We have reviewed the assumptions on which we value our goodwill, as well as valuation allowances on certain assets and the collectability of our receivables as of December 31, 2021 which did not result in any impairment or write-off.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Instruments and F ai r Value
Financial Instruments
Securities owned, securities sold but not yet purchased, investments and derivative contracts are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period.
Fair Value Measurements
Accounting guidance for the fair value measurement of financial assets defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value measurement hierarchy, and expands fair value measurement disclosures. Fair value, as defined by the accounting guidance, is the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy established by this accounting guidance prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into the following three categories (highest to lowest priority):
Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are significant to the overall fair value measurement.
The Company's financial instruments that are recorded at fair value generally are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy using quoted market prices or quotes from market makers or broker-dealers. Financial instruments classified within Level 1 are valued based on quoted market prices in active markets and consist of U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, corporate equities, and certain money market instruments. Level 2 financial instruments primarily consist of investment grade and high-yield corporate debt, convertible bonds, mortgage and asset-backed securities, and municipal obligations. Financial instruments classified as Level 2 are valued based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active. Some financial instruments are classified within Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as observable pricing inputs are not available due to limited market activity for the asset or liability. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $ 31.8 million of auction rate securities ("ARS") in level 3 assets. See note 7 for further details.
Fair Value Option
The Company has the option to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period. The Company may make a fair value option election on an instrument-by-instrument basis at initial recognition of an asset or liability or upon an event that gives rise to a new basis of accounting for that instrument.
Consolidation
The Company consolidates all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, as well as any variable interest entities ("VIEs") where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, when it has the power to make the decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb significant losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company reviews factors, including the rights of the equity holders at risk and obligations of equity holders to absorb losses or receive expected residual returns, to determine if the entity is a VIE. Under US GAAP, a general partner will not consolidate a partnership or similar entity under the voting interest model. See note 9 for further details.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financing Receivables
The Company's financing receivables include customer margin loans, securities purchased under agreements to resell ("reverse repurchase agreements"), and securities borrowed transactions. The Company uses financing receivables to extend margin loans to customers, meet trade settlement requirements, and facilitate its matched-book arrangements and inventory requirements.
The Company's financing receivables are secured by collateral received from clients and counterparties. In many cases, the Company is permitted to sell or re-pledge securities held as collateral. These securities may be used to collateralize repurchase agreements, to enter into securities lending agreements, to cover short positions or to fulfill the obligation of securities fails to deliver. The Company monitors the market value of the collateral received on a daily basis and may require clients and counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate.
Customer receivables, primarily consisting of customer margin loans collateralized by customer-owned securities, are stated net of allowance for credit losses. The Company reviews large customer accounts that do not comply with the Company's margin requirements on a case-by-case basis to determine the likelihood of collection and records an allowance for credit loss following that process. For small customer accounts that do not comply with the Company's margin requirements, the allowance for credit loss is generally recorded as the amount of unsecured or partially secured receivables.
The Company also makes loans to financial advisors as part of its hiring process. These loans are recorded as notes receivable on its consolidated balance sheet. Allowances are established on these loans if the financial advisor is no longer associated with the Company and the loan has not been promptly repaid.
Legal and Regulatory Reserves
The Company records reserves related to legal and regulatory proceedings in accounts payable and other liabilities. The determination of the amounts of these reserves requires significant judgment on the part of management. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company establishes reserves for litigation and regulatory matters where available information indicates that it is probable a liability had been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss. When loss contingencies are not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company does not establish reserves.
When determining whether to record a reserve, management considers many factors including, but not limited to, the amount of the claim; the stage and forum of the proceeding, the sophistication of the claimant, the amount of the loss, if any, in the client's account and the possibility of wrongdoing, if any, on the part of an employee of the Company; the basis and validity of the claim; previous results in similar cases; and applicable legal precedents and case law. Each legal and regulatory proceeding is reviewed with counsel in each accounting period and the reserve is adjusted as deemed appropriate by management. Any change in the reserve amount is recorded in the results of that period. The assumptions of management in determining the estimates of reserves may be incorrect and the actual disposition of a legal or regulatory proceeding could be greater or less than the reserve amount.
Leases
Right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities are initially recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term, excluding non-base rent components such as fixed common area maintenance costs and other fixed costs such as real estate taxes and insurance. The discount rates used in determining the present value of leases are the Company’s incremental borrowing rates, developed based upon each lease’s term. The lease term includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. For operating leases, the ROU assets also include any prepaid lease payments and initial direct costs incurred and are reduced by lease incentives. For these leases, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term if the ROU asset has not been impaired or abandoned.
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OPPENHEIMER HOLDINGS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Goodwill
The Company defines a reporting unit as an operating segment. The Company's goodwill resides in its Private Client Division ("PCD") reporting unit. Goodwill of a reporting unit is subject to at least an annual test for impairment to determine if the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Goodwill of a reporting unit is required to be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Due to the volatility in the financial services sector and equity markets in general, determining whether an impairment of goodwill has occurred is increasingly difficult and requires management to exercise significant judgment. The Company's annual goodwill impairment analysis performed as of December 31, 2021 applied the same valuation methodologies with consistent inputs as that performed as of December 31, 2020.
In estimating the fair value of the PCD reporting unit, the Company uses traditional standard valuation methods, including the market comparable approach and income approach. The market comparable approach is based on comparisons of the subject company to public companies whose stocks are actively traded ("Price Multiples") or to similar companies engaged in an actual merger or acquisition ("Precedent Transactions"). As part of this process, multiples of value relative to financial variables, such as earnings or stockholders' equity, are developed and applied to the appropriate financial variables of the subject company to indicate its value. The income approach involves estimating the present value of the subject company's future cash flows by using projections of the cash flows that the business is expected to generate, and discounting these cash flows at a given rate of return ("Discounted Cash Flow" or "DCF"). Each of these standard valuation methodologies requires the use of management estimates and assumptions.
In its Price Multiples valuation analysis, the Company uses various operating metrics of comparable companies, including revenues, after-tax earnings, and EBITDA as well as price-to-book value ratios at a point in time. The Company analyzes prices paid in Precedent Transactions that are comparable to the business conducted in the PCD. The DCF analysis includes the Company's assumptions regarding discount rate, growth rates of the PCD's revenues, expenses, EBITDA, and capital expenditures, adjusted for current economic conditions and expectations. The Company weighs each of the three valuation methods equally in its overall valuation. Given the subjectivity involved in selecting which valuation method to use, the corresponding weightings, and the input variables for use in the analyses, it is possible that a different valuation model and the selection of different input variables could produce a materially different estimate of the fair value of the PCD reporting unit.
Intangible Assets
Indefinite intangible assets are comprised of trademarks, trade names and an Internet domain name. These intangible assets carried at $ 32.1 million, which are not amortized, are subject to at least an annual test for impairment to determine if the estimated fair value is less than their carrying amount. The fair value of the trademarks and trade names was substantially in excess of their carrying value as of December 31, 2021.
Share-Based Compensation Plans
As part of the compensation to employees and directors, the Company uses stock-based compensation, consisting of restricted stock, stock options and stock appreciation rights. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, "Compensation - Stock Compensation," the Company classifies the stock options and restricted stock awards as equity awards, which requires the compensation cost to be recognized in the consolidated income statements over the requisite service period of the award at grant date fair value and adjusted for actual forfeitures. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the grant date closing price of the Company's Class A non-voting common stock ("Class A Stock") adjusted for the present value of the dividend to be received upon vesting. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes model. Key assumptions used to estimate the fair value include the expected term and the expected volatility of the Company's Class A Stock over the term of the award, the risk-free interest rate over the expected term, and the Company's expected annual dividend yield. The Company classifies stock appreciation rights ("OARs") as liability awards, which requires the fair value to be remeasured at each reporting period until the award vests. The fair value of OARs is also determined using the Black-Scholes model at the end of each reporting period. The compensation cost is adjusted each reporting period for changes in fair value prorated for the portion of the requisite service period rendered.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Revenue Recognition
Brokerage
Customers' securities and commodities transactions are reported on a settlement date basis, which is generally two business days after trade date for securities transactions and one day for commodities transactions. Related commission income and expense is recorded on a trade date basis.
Principal Transactions
Transactions in proprietary securities and related revenue and expenses are recorded on a trade date basis. Securities owned and securities sold but not yet purchased are reported at fair value generally based upon quoted prices. Realized and unrealized changes in fair value are recognized in principal transactions, net in the period in which the change occurs.
Investment Banking Fees
Advisory fees from mergers, acquisitions and restructuring transactions are recorded when services for the transactions are completed and income is reasonably determinable, generally as set forth under the terms of the engagement. Retainer fees and engagement fees are recognized ratably over the service period.
Underwriting fees are recorded when the transactions are completed. Transaction-related expenses, primarily consisting of legal, travel and other costs directly associated with the transaction, are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related investment banking transaction revenue. Underwriting revenues and the related expenses are presented gross on the consolidated income statements.
Interest
Interest revenue represents interest earned on margin debit balances, securities borrowed transactions, reverse repurchase agreements, fixed income securities, firm investments, and cash and cash equivalents. Interest revenue is recognized in the period earned based upon average or daily asset balances, contractual cash flows, and interest rates.
Asset Management
Asset management fees are generally recognized over the period the related service is provided based on the account value at the valuation date per the respective asset management agreements. In certain circumstances, OAM is entitled to receive performance (or incentive) fees when the return on assets under management ("AUM") exceeds certain benchmark returns or other performance targets. Performance fees are generally based on investment performance over a 12-month period and are not subject to adjustment once the measurement period ends. Such fees are computed as of the fund's year-end when the measurement period ends and generally are recorded as earned in the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year. Asset management fees and performance fees are included in advisory fees in the consolidated income statements. Assets under management are not included as assets of the Company.
Bank Deposit Sweep Income
Bank deposit sweep income consists of revenues earned from the Advantage Bank Deposit Program. Under this program, client funds are swept into deposit accounts at participating banks and are eligible for FDIC deposit insurance up to FDIC standard maximum deposit insurance amounts. The Company earns the fee paid on these deposits after administrative fees are paid to the administrator of the program. The fee earned in the period is recorded in bank deposit sweep income and the portion of interest credited to clients is recorded in interest expense in the consolidated income statements.
Balance Sheet
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company defines cash equivalents as highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than 90 days that are not held for sale in the ordinary course of business.
Receivables from / Payables to Brokers, Dealers and Clearing Organizations
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Securities borrowed and securities loaned are carried at the amounts of cash collateral advanced or received. Securities borrowed transactions require the Company to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. The Company receives cash or collateral in an amount generally in excess of the market value of securities loaned. The Company monitors the market value of securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis and may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged, when appropriate.
Securities failed to deliver and receive represent the contract value of securities which have not been delivered or received, respectively, by settlement date.
Receivables from / Payables to Customers
Receivables from and payables to customers include balances arising from customer securities and margin transactions. Receivables from customers are recorded when margin loans are extended to customers and are recorded on a settlement date basis. Payables to customers are recorded when customers deposit cash into their accounts and are recorded on a settlement date basis. Interest earned from the customer margin loans are recorded in the consolidated income statements in interest income. Interest expenses incurred on customer cash balances are recorded in the consolidated income statements in interest expense.
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Reverse repurchase agreements and securities sold under agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements") are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at their contractual amounts plus accrued interest. The resulting interest income and expense for these arrangements are included in interest income and interest expense in the consolidated income statements. Additionally, the Company elected the fair value option for repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date. The Company can present the reverse repurchase and repurchase transactions on a net-by-counterparty basis when the specific offsetting requirements are satisfied.
Notes Receivable
Notes receivable represent recruiting and retention payments generally in the form of upfront loans to financial advisors and key revenue producers as part of the Company's overall growth strategy. These notes generally amortize over a service period of 3 to 10 years from the initial date of the note or based on productivity levels of employees. All such notes are contingent on the employees' continued employment with the Company. The unforgiven portion of the notes becomes due on demand in the event the employee departs during the service period. Amortization of notes receivable is included in the consolidated income statements in compensation and related expenses.
Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of furniture, fixtures, and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis generally over 3 to 7 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease.
Drafts Payable
Drafts payable represent amounts drawn by the Company against a bank.
Bank Call Loans
Bank call loans are generally payable on demand and bear interest at various rates, and such loans are collateralized by firm and/or customer's margin securities.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Foreign Currency Translations
Foreign currency balances have been translated into U.S. dollars as follows: monetary assets and liabilities at exchange rates prevailing at period end; revenue and expenses at average rates for the period; gains or losses resulting from translating foreign
currency financial statements, net of related tax effects, are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets. The functional currency of the overseas operations is the local currency in each location except for Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. and Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited which have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent it believes these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and the results of recent operations.
The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, "Income Taxes", on the basis of a two-step process whereby it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.
The Company records interest and penalties accruing on unrecognized tax benefits in pre-tax income as interest expense and other expense, respectively, in its consolidated income statements.
The Company permanently reinvests eligible earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and, accordingly, does not accrue any U.S. income taxes that would arise if such earnings were repatriated.
Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. I
On October 26, 2021, Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. I (“OHAA”) consummated its $ 126.5 million initial public offering (the “OHAA IPO”). OHAA is a special purpose acquisition company, incorporated in Delaware for the purpose of entering into a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”). Oppenheimer Acquisition LLC I (the “Sponsor”), a Delaware series limited liability company and the Company’s subsidiary, is the sponsor of OHAA. The Company and its employees control OHAA through the Sponsor’s ownership of Class A founder shares of OHAA. As a result, both OHAA and the Sponsor are consolidated in the Company’s financial statements.
Funds totaling $ 127.8 million, including proceeds from the OHAA IPO of $ 126.5 million and $ 1.3 million investment from the Sponsor, are held in a trust account until the earlier of (i) the completion of a Business Combination or (ii) ten business days after April 29, 2023, 18 months from the closing of the OHAA IPO (“Combination Period”). The cash held in the trust account is recorded in “Restricted Cash” on the consolidated balance sheet.
Transaction costs, which consisted of a net underwriting fee of $ 2.5 million and $ 0.5 million of other offering costs, were charged against the gross proceeds of the OHAA IPO consistent with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 5.
“Redeemable noncontrolling interests” of $ 127.8 million associated with the publicly held OHAA Class A ordinary shares are recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 at redemption value and classified as temporary equity in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(“ASC”) Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”. Changes in redemption value are recognized immediately as they occur and will adjust the carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interests to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests shall be affected by charges to additional paid-in-capital and noncontrolling interests attributable to certain members of the Sponsor on a pro rata ownership.
The Public Warrants and Private Warrants exercisable for OHAA Class A ordinary shares that were issued in connection with the OHAA IPO (the “OHAA Warrants”) qualify for equity accounting treatment under FASB ASC Topic 815.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests represents ownership interests in the Sponsor of OHAA which includes OHAA Class A founder and Class A ordinary shares held by management and employees of the Company as well as OHAA Class B shares held by directors and officers of OHAA and an employee of the Company. Noncontrolling interests also includes publicly held warrants to purchase OHAA Class A ordinary shares.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, net loss attributed to noncontrolling interest was $ 8,000 , net of taxes. The amount was deemed immaterial and it had no impact on the Company's earnings per share.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash represents OHAA deposits held in trust as indicated above.
New Accounting Pronouncements
The Company has reviewed and evaluated the impact of the recently issued Accounting Standard Updates by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") which is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and disclosure.
3. Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which replaced the incurred loss methodology with a current expected credit loss ("CECL") methodology. The Company elected the modified retrospective method which did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment at the date of adoption.
The Company can elect to use an approach to measure the allowance for credit losses using the fair value of collateral where the borrower is required to, and reasonably expected to, continually adjust and replenish the amount of collateral securing the instrument to reflect changes in the fair value of such collateral. The Company has elected to use this approach for securities borrowed, margin loans and reverse repurchase agreements. No material historical losses have been reported on these assets. See note 8 for details.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company has $ 54.0 million of notes receivable. Notes receivable represents recruiting and retention payments generally in the form of upfront loans to financial advisors and key revenue producers as part of the Company's overall growth strategy. These notes generally amortize over a service period of 3 to 10 years from the initial date of the note or based on productivity levels of employees. All such notes are contingent on the employees' continued employment with the Company. The unforgiven portion of the notes becomes due on demand in the event the employee departs during the service period. At this point any uncollected portion of the notes gets reclassified into a defaulted notes category.
The allowance for uncollectibles is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the defaulted notes balance to present the net amount expected to be collected. Balances are charged-off against the allowance when management deems the amount to be uncollectible.
The Company reserves 100 % of the uncollected balance of defaulted notes which are five years and older and applies an expected loss rate to the remaining balance. The expected loss rate is based on historical collection rates of defaulted notes. The
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
expected loss rate is adjusted for changes in environmental and market conditions such as changes in unemployment rates, changes in interest rates and other relevant factors. For the year ended December 31, 2021 no adjustments were made to the expected loss rates. The Company will continuously monitor the effect of these factors on the expected loss rate and adjust it as necessary.
The allowance is measured on a pool basis as the Company has determined that the entire defaulted portion of notes receivable has similar risk characteristics.
As of December 31, 2021, the uncollected balance of defaulted notes was $ 7.1 million and the allowance for uncollectibles was $ 4.9 million. The allowance for uncollectibles consisted of $ 3.3 million related to defaulted notes balances (five years and older) and $ 1.6 million (under five years).
The following table presents the disaggregation of defaulted notes by year of origination as of December 31, 2021:
(Expressed in thousands)
As of December 31,
2021
2021 $ 2,355
2020 616
2019 387
2018 144
2017 272
2016 and prior
3,313
Total
$ 7,087
The following table presents activity in the allowance for uncollectibles of defaulted notes for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(Expressed in thousands)
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2021 2020
Beginning balance
$ 4,234 $ 3,673
Additions and other adjustments
689 561
Ending balance
$ 4,923 $ 4,234
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
4. Leases
The Company and its subsidiaries have operating leases for office space and equipment expiring at various dates through 2034. The Company leases its corporate headquarters at 85 Broad Street, New York, New York which houses its executive management team and many administrative functions for the firm as well as its research, trading, investment banking, and asset management divisions and an office in Troy, Michigan, which among other things, houses its payroll and human resources departments. In addition, the Company has 92 retail branch offices in the United States as well as offices in London, England, St. Helier, Isle of Jersey, Geneva, Switzerland, Frankfurt, Germany, Tel Aviv, Israel and Hong Kong, China.
The Company is constantly assessing its needs for office space and, on a rolling basis, has many leases that expire in any given year.
The majority of the leases are held by the Company's subsidiary, Viner Finance Inc., which is a consolidated subsidiary and 100% owned by the Company.
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; the Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Most leases include an option to renew and the exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The Company did not include the renewal options as part of the right of use assets and liabilities.
The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements is limited by the expected lease term. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had ROU operating lease assets of $ 150.1 million (net of accumulated amortization of $ 76.5 million) which are comprised of real estate leases of $ 147.7 million (net of accumulated amortization of $ 70.9 million) and equipment leases of $ 2.4 million (net of accumulated amortization of $ 5.5 million). As of December 31, 2021, the Company had operating lease liabilities of $ 192.0 million which are comprised of real estate lease liabilities of $ 189.6 million and equipment lease liabilities of $ 2.4 million. The Company had no finance leases or embedded leases as of December 31, 2021.
As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company used the incremental borrowing rate on January 1, 2019 for operating leases that commenced prior to that date. The Company used the incremental borrowing rate as of the lease commencement date for the operating leases commenced subsequent to January 1, 2019.
The following table presents the weighted average lease term and weighted average discount rate for our operating leases as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively:
As of
December 31, 2021
December 31, 2020
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) 7.38 7.84
Weighted average discount rate 6.89 % 7.43 %
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table presents operating lease costs recognized for the years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, which are included in occupancy and equipment costs on the consolidated income statements:
(Expressed in thousands)
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2021 For the Year Ended
December 31, 2020
Operating lease costs:
Real estate leases - Right-of-use lease asset amortization $ 24,343 $ 23,271
Real estate leases - Interest expense 14,139 15,142
Equipment leases - Right-of-use lease asset amortization 1,784 1,879
Equipment leases - Interest expense 142 197
The maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 are as follows:
(Expressed in thousands)
As of
December 31, 2021
2022 $ 41,696
2023 38,477
2024 33,573
2025 27,703
2026 26,342
After 2026 78,593
Total lease payments $ 246,384
Less interest ( 54,365 )
Present value of operating lease liabilities $ 192,019
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $ 16.2 million of additional operating leases that have not yet commenced. ($ 19.2 million as of December 31, 2020).
5. Revenues from contracts with customers
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, the Company satisfies its performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to customers. A good or service is transferred to a customer when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring the Company's progress in satisfying the performance obligation in a manner that depicts the transfer of the goods or services to the customer.
Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time that the Company determines the customer obtains control over the promised good or service. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those promised goods or services (i.e., the "transaction price"). In determining the transaction price, the Company considers multiple factors, including the effects of variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainties with respect to the amount are resolved. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, the Company considers the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of its past experiences, the time period during which uncertainties are expected
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of the Company's influence, such as market volatility or the judgment and actions of third parties.
The Company earns revenue from contracts with customers and other sources (principal transactions, interest and other). The following provides detailed information on the recognition of the Company's revenue from contracts with customers:
Commissions
Commissions from Sales and Trading — The Company earns commission revenue by executing, settling and clearing transactions with clients primarily in exchange-traded and over-the-counter corporate equity and debt securities, money market instruments and exchange-traded options and futures contracts. A substantial portion of Company's revenue is derived from commissions from private clients through accounts with transaction-based pricing. Trade execution and clearing services, when provided together, represent a single performance obligation as the services are not separately identifiable in the context of the contract. Commission revenue associated with combined trade execution and clearing services, as well as trade execution services on a standalone basis, is recognized at a point in time on trade date when the performance obligation is satisfied.
Commission revenue is generally paid on settlement date, which is generally two business days after trade date for equity securities and corporate bond transactions and one day for government securities, options and commodities transactions. The Company records a receivable on the trade date and receives a payment on the settlement date.
Mutual Fund Income — The Company earns mutual fund income for sales and distribution of mutual fund shares,which consists of a fixed fee amount and a variable amount.. The Company recognizes mutual fund income at a point in time on trade date when the performance obligation is satisfied which is when the mutual fund interest is sold to the investor. The ongoing distribution fees for distributing investment products from mutual fund companies are generally considered variable consideration because they are based on the value of AUM and are uncertain on trade date. The Company recognizes distribution fees over the investment period as the amounts become known and the portion recognized in the current period may relate to distribution services performed in prior periods. Mutual fund income is generally received within 90 days.
Advisory Fees
The Company earns management and performance (or incentive) fees in connection with the advisory and asset management services it provides to various types of funds, asset-based programs and investment vehicles through its subsidiaries. Management fees are generally based on the account value at the valuation date per the respective asset management agreements and are recognized over time as the customer receives the benefits of the services evenly throughout the term of the contract. Performance fees are recognized when the return on client AUM exceeds a specified benchmark return or other performance targets over a 12-month measurement period are met. Performance fees are considered variable as they are subject to fluctuation and/or are contingent on a future event over the measurement period and are not subject to adjustment once the measurement period ends. Such fees are computed as of the fund's year-end when the measurement period ends and generally are recorded as earned in the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year. Both management and performance fees are generally received within 90 days.
Investment Banking
The Company earns underwriting revenues by providing capital raising solutions for corporate clients through initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, equity-linked offerings, private investments in public entities, and private placements. Underwriting revenues are recognized at a point in time on trade date, as the client obtains the control and benefit of the capital markets offering at that point. These fees are generally received within 90 days after the transactions are completed. Transaction-related expenses, primarily consisting of legal, travel and other costs directly associated with the transaction, are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related investment banking transaction revenue. Underwriting revenues and related expenses are presented gross on the consolidated income statements.
Revenue from financial advisory services includes fees generated in connection with mergers, acquisitions and restructuring transactions and such revenue and fees are primarily recorded at a point in time when services for the transactions are completed and income is reasonably determinable, generally as set forth under the terms of the engagement. Payment for advisory services is generally due upon a completion of the transaction or milestone. Retainer fees and fees earned from certain
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
advisory services are recognized ratably over the service period as the customer receives the benefit of the services throughout the term of the contracts, and such fees are collected based on the terms of the contracts.
Bank Deposit Sweep Income
Bank deposit sweep income consists of revenue earned from the FDIC-insured bank deposit program. Under this program, client funds are swept into deposit accounts at participating banks and are eligible for FDIC deposit insurance up to FDIC standard maximum deposit insurance amounts. Fees are earned over time and are generally received within 30 days.
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following presents the Company's revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by major business activity and other sources of revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(Expressed in thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Reportable Segments
Private Client Asset Management Capital Markets Corporate/Other Total
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Commissions from sales and trading $ 181,073 $ — $ 183,778 $ 9 $ 364,860
Mutual fund income 36,651 — 8 88 36,747
Advisory fees 346,559 104,584 3 51 451,197
Investment banking - capital markets 24,965 — 215,902 — 240,867
Investment banking - advisory 250 — 194,753 — 195,003
Bank deposit sweep income 15,557 — — — 15,557
Other 13,382 — 1,198 58 14,638
Total revenues from contracts with customers 618,437 104,584 595,642 206 1,318,869
Other sources of revenue:
Interest 29,290 — 6,990 202 36,482
Principal transactions, net 3,195 — 22,598 ( 1,809 ) 23,984
Other 14,138 14 474 74 14,700
Total other sources of revenue 46,623 14 30,062 ( 1,533 ) 75,166
Total revenue $ 665,060 $ 104,598 $ 625,704 $ ( 1,327 ) $ 1,394,035
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in thousands) For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Reportable Segments
Private Client Asset Management Capital Markets Corporate/Other Total
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Commissions from sales and trading $ 174,346 $ — $ 185,542 $ 29 $ 359,917
Mutual fund income 35,101 3 9 67 35,180
Advisory fees 326,858 128,258 2 143 455,261
Investment banking - capital markets 16,093 — 123,670 — 139,763
Investment banking - advisory — 2,000 80,535 — 82,535
Bank deposit sweep income 34,829 — — — 34,829
Other 14,316 — 2,485 127 16,928
Total revenues from contracts with customers 601,543 130,261 392,243 366 1,124,413
Other sources of revenue:
Interest 25,148 — 7,749 580 33,477
Principal transactions, net 3,300 — 26,306 ( 1,732 ) 27,874
Other 12,092 13 454 344 12,903
Total other sources of revenue 40,540 13 34,509 ( 808 ) 74,254
Total revenue $ 642,083 $ 130,274 $ 426,752 $ ( 442 ) $ 1,198,667
Contract Balances
The timing of the Company's revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by its customers. The Company records receivables when revenue is recognized prior to payment and it has an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, the Company records deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied.
The Company had receivables related to revenue from contracts with customers of $ 37.2 million and $ 30.8 million at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company had no significant impairments related to these receivables during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Deferred revenue relates to IRA fees received annually in advance on customers' IRA accounts managed by the Company and retainer fees and other fees earned from certain advisory transactions where the performance obligations have not yet been satisfied. Total deferred revenue was $ 235,000 and $ 613,000 for years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following presents the Company's contract assets and deferred revenue balances from contracts with customers, which are included in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheet:
(Expressed in thousands) As of
December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
Contract assets (receivables):
Commission (1)
$ 2,886 $ 3,107
Mutual fund income (2)
6,205 5,989
Advisory fees (3)
4,546 1,590
Bank deposit sweep income (4)
595 687
Investment banking fees (5)
17,765 16,119
Other 5,195 3,324
Total contract assets $ 37,192 $ 30,816
Deferred revenue (payables):
Investment banking fees (6)
$ 235 $ 613
Total deferred revenue $ 235 $ 613
(1) Commission recorded on trade date but not yet settled.
(2) Mutual fund income earned but not yet received.
(3) Management and performance fees earned but not yet received.
(4) Fees earned from FDIC-insured bank deposit program but not yet received.
(5) Underwriting revenue and advisory fees earned but not yet received.
(6) Retainer fees and fees earned from certain advisory transactions where the performance
obligations have not yet been satisfied.
Contract Costs
The Company incurs incremental transaction-related costs to obtain and/or fulfill contracts associated with investment banking
and advisory engagements where the revenue is recognized at a point in time and the costs are determined to be recoverable. As
of December 31, 2021, these contract costs were $ 1.5 million ($ 1.6 million as of December 31, 2020). There were no significant charges recognized in relation to these costs for year ended December 31, 2021.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6. Receivable from and payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
(Expressed in thousands)
As of December 31,
2021 2020
Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations consists of:
Securities borrowed $ 99,752 $ 110,932
Receivable from brokers 39,716 30,133
Securities failed to deliver 9,212 17,840
Clearing organizations 19,518 28,955
Other 1,704 15,634
Total $ 169,902 $ 203,494
Payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations consists of:
Securities loaned $ 244,223 $ 249,499
Payable to brokers 2,077 4,102
Securities failed to receive 6,457 6,218
Clearing organizations and other (1)
169,300 92
Total $ 422,057 $ 259,911
(1) The balance as of December 31, 2021 primarily related to a trade/settlement date adjustment for U.S.Government Securities.
7. Fair value measurements
Securities owned, securities sold but not yet purchased, investments and derivative contracts are carried at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings each period.
Valuation Techniques
A description of the valuation techniques applied and inputs used in measuring the fair value of the Company's financial instruments is as follows:
U.S. Government Obligations
U.S. Treasury securities are valued using quoted market prices obtained from active market makers and inter-dealer brokers.
U.S. Agency Obligations
U.S. agency securities consist of agency issued debt securities and mortgage pass-through securities. Non-callable agency issued debt securities are generally valued using quoted market prices. Callable agency issued debt securities are valued by benchmarking model-derived prices to quoted market prices and trade data for identical or comparable securities. The fair value of mortgage pass-through securities are model driven with respect to spreads of the comparable to-be-announced ("TBA") security.
Sovereign Obligations
The fair value of sovereign obligations is determined based on quoted market prices when available or a valuation model that generally utilizes interest rate yield curves and credit spreads as inputs.
Corporate Debt and Other Obligations
The fair value of corporate bonds is estimated using recent transactions, broker quotations and bond spread information.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Mortgage and Other Asset-Backed Securities
The Company values non-agency securities collateralized by home equity and various other types of collateral based on external pricing and spread data provided by independent pricing services. When specific external pricing is not observable, the valuation is based on yields and spreads for comparable bonds.
Municipal Obligations
The fair value of municipal obligations is estimated using recently executed transactions, broker quotations, and bond spread information.
Convertible Bonds
The fair value of convertible bonds is estimated using recently executed transactions and dollar-neutral price quotations, where observable. When observable price quotations are not available, fair value is determined based on cash flow models using yield curves and bond spreads as key inputs.
Corporate Equities
Equity securities and options are generally valued based on quoted prices from the exchange or market where traded. To the extent quoted prices are not available, fair values are generally derived using bid/ask spreads.
Auction Rate Securities ("ARS")
Background
In February 2010, Oppenheimer finalized settlements with each of the New York Attorney General's office ("NYAG") and the Massachusetts Securities Division ("MSD" and together with the NYAG, the "Regulators") concluding proceedings by the Regulators concerning Oppenheimer's marketing and sale of ARS. Pursuant to the settlements with the Regulators, Oppenheimer agreed to extend offers to repurchase ARS from certain of its clients. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had completed its ARS purchase obligations related to the settlements with the Regulators. In addition to the settlements with the Regulators, Oppenheimer had also reached settlements of and received adverse awards in legal proceedings with various clients where the Company was obligated to purchase ARS. As of December 31, 2021, the Company no longer had any obligations to purchase ARS from such legal settlements or adverse awards.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned $ 31.8 million of ARS. This amount represents the unredeemed or unsold amount that the Company holds as a result of ARS buybacks pursuant to the settlements with the Regulators and legal
settlements and awards referred to above.
Valuation
The Company’s ARS owned referred to above have, for the most part, been subject to issuer tender offers. The Company has valued the ARS securities owned at the tender offer price and categorized them in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy due to the illiquid nature of the securities and the period of time since the last tender offer. The fair value of ARS is particularly sensitive to movements in interest rates. However, an increase or decrease in short-term interest rates may or may not result in a higher or lower tender offer in the future or the tender offer price may not provide a reasonable estimate of the fair value of the securities. In such cases, other valuation techniques might be necessary.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a valuation adjustment totaling $ 5.2 million relating to ARS owned (which is included as a reduction to securities owned on the consolidated balance sheet).
Investments
In its role as general partner in certain hedge funds and private equity funds, the Company, through its subsidiaries, holds direct investments in such funds. The Company uses the net asset value of the underlying fund as a basis for estimating the fair value of its investment.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table provides information about the Company's investments in Company-sponsored funds as of December 31, 2021:
(Expressed in thousands)
Fair Value Unfunded
Commitments Redemption
Frequency Redemption
Notice Period
Hedge funds (1)
$ 900 $ — Quarterly - Annually 30 - 120 Days
Private equity funds (2)
4,621 4,035 N/A N/A
$ 5,521 $ 4,035
(1) Includes investments in hedge funds and hedge fund of funds that pursue long/short, event-driven,
and activist strategies.
(2) Includes private equity funds and private equity fund of funds with diversified portfolios focusing on but not
limited to technology companies, venture capital and global natural resources.
The following table provides information about the Company's investments in Company-sponsored funds as of December 31, 2020:
(Expressed in thousands)
Fair Value Unfunded
Commitments Redemption
Frequency Redemption
Notice Period
Hedge funds (1)
$ 1,126 $ — Quarterly - Annually 30 - 120 Days
Private equity funds (2)
3,710 1,238 N/A N/A
$ 4,836 $ 1,238
(1) Includes investments in hedge funds and hedge fund of funds that pursue long/short, event-driven,
and activist strategies.
(2) Includes private equity funds and private equity fund of funds with a focus on diversified portfolios,
real estate and global natural resources.
During 2020, the Company made an investment in a financial technologies firm. The Company elected the fair value option for this investment and it is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company determined the fair value of the investment based on an implied market-multiple approach and observable market data, including comparable company transactions. As of December 31, 2021, the fair value of the investment was $ 4.9 million and was categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
The Company's assets and liabilities, recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, have been categorized based upon the above fair value hierarchy as follows:
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2021
(Expressed in thousands)
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2021
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets
Deposits with clearing organizations $ 29,083 $ — $ — $ 29,083
Securities owned:
U.S. Treasury securities 505,875 — — 505,875
U.S. Agency securities — 5,622 — 5,622
Sovereign obligations — 1,494 — 1,494
Corporate debt and other obligations — 8,111 — 8,111
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities — 3,889 — 3,889
Municipal obligations — 18,520 — 18,520
Convertible bonds — 13,778 — 13,778
Corporate equities 45,380 — — 45,380
Money markets 31 — — 31
Auction rate securities — — 31,804 31,804
Securities owned, at fair value 551,286 51,414 31,804 634,504
Investments (1)
— 12,970 — 12,970
Derivative contracts:
TBAs — 92 — 92
Total $ 580,369 $ 64,476 $ 31,804 $ 676,649
Liabilities
Securities sold but not yet purchased:
U.S. Treasury securities $ 42,298 $ — $ — $ 42,298
U.S. Agency securities — 4 — 4
Corporate debt and other obligations — 2,515 — 2,515
Convertible bonds — 8,462 — 8,462
Corporate equities 18,679 — — 18,679
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 60,977 10,981 — 71,958
Derivative contracts:
Futures 287 — — 287
TBAs — 81 — 81
Derivative contracts, total 287 81 — 368
Total $ 61,264 $ 11,062 $ — $ 72,326
(1) Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2020
(Expressed in thousands)
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2020
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets
Deposits with clearing organizations $ 23,991 $ — $ — $ 23,991
Securities owned:
U.S. Treasury securities 448,312 — — 448,312
U.S. Agency securities — 24,616 — 24,616
Sovereign obligations — 367 — 367
Corporate debt and other obligations — 23,977 — 23,977
Mortgage and other asset-backed securities — 3,103 — 3,103
Municipal obligations — 25,190 — 25,190
Convertible bonds — 17,497 — 17,497
Corporate equities 36,554 — — 36,554
Money markets 200 — — 200
Auction rate securities — — 30,701 30,701
Securities owned, at fair value 485,066 94,750 30,701 610,517
Investments (1)
— 4,181 — 4,181
Derivative contracts:
TBAs — 15 — 15
Derivative contracts, total — 15 — 15
Total $ 509,057 $ 98,946 $ 30,701 $ 638,704
Liabilities
Securities sold but not yet purchased:
U.S. Treasury securities $ 93,261 $ — $ — $ 93,261
U.S. Agency securities — 9 — 9
Sovereign obligations — 623 — 623
Corporate debt and other obligations — 5,283 — 5,283
Convertible bonds — 9,103 — 9,103
Corporate equities 17,892 — — 17,892
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value 111,153 15,018 — 126,171
Derivative contracts:
Futures 22 — — 22
TBAs — 3 — 3
ARS purchase commitments — — 195 195
Derivative contracts, total 22 3 195 220
Total $ 111,175 $ 15,021 $ 195 $ 126,391
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following tables present changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(Expressed in thousands)
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Beginning
Balance Total Realized
and Unrealized
Losses (3)(4)
Purchases
and Issuances Sales and Settlements Transfers
In / (Out) Ending
Balance
Assets
Auction rate securities (1)
$ 30,701 $ ( 197 ) $ 1,350 $ ( 50 ) $ — $ 31,804
Liabilities
ARS purchase commitments (2)
195 ( 1 ) — ( 196 ) — —
(1) Represents auction rate securities that failed in the auction rate market.
(2) Represents the difference in principal and fair value for auction rate securities purchase commitments
outstanding at the end of the period.
(3) Included in principal transactions in the consolidated income statement.
(4) Unrealized lossess are attributable to assets or liabilities that are still held at the reporting date.
(Expressed in thousands)
Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Beginning
Balance Total Realized
and Unrealized Losses (3)(4)
Purchases
and Issuances Sales and Settlements Transfers
In / (Out) (1)
Ending
Balance
Assets
Auction rate securities $ — $ ( 165 ) $ 1,300 $ — $ 29,566 $ 30,701
Liabilities
ARS purchase commitments (2)
— ( 137 ) — — 332 195
(1) Transferred to Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy due to the illiquid nature of the securities as result of
the length of time since the last tender offer.
(2) Represents the difference in principal and fair value for auction rate securities purchase commitments
outstanding at the end of the period.
(3) Included in principal transactions in the consolidated income statement.
(4) Unrealized losses are attributable to assets or liabilities that are still held at the reporting date.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
The table below presents the carrying value, fair value and fair value hierarchy category of certain financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The table below excludes non-financial assets and liabilities (e.g., furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements and accrued compensation).
The carrying value of financial instruments not measured at fair value categorized in the fair value hierarchy as Level 1 or Level 2 (e.g., cash and receivables from customers) approximates fair value because of the relatively short-term nature of the underlying assets. The fair value of the Company's senior secured notes, categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, is based on quoted prices from the market in which the notes trade.
Assets and liabilities not measured at fair value as of December 31, 2021
(Expressed in thousands) Fair Value Measurement: Assets
Carrying Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Cash $ 213,759 $ 213,759 $ — $ — $ 213,759
Restricted cash 127,765 127,765 — — 127,765
Deposits with clearing organization 37,885 37,885 — — 37,885
Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:
Securities borrowed 99,752 — 99,752 — 99,752
Receivables from brokers 39,716 — 39,716 — 39,716
Securities failed to deliver 9,212 — 9,212 — 9,212
Clearing organizations 19,518 — 19,518 — 19,518
Other 1,693 — 1,693 — 1,693
169,891 — 169,891 — 169,891
Receivable from customers 1,221,450 — 1,221,450 — 1,221,450
Securities purchased under agreements to resell 935 — 935 — 935
Notes receivable, net 53,983 — 53,983 — 53,983
Investments (1)
99,169 — 99,169 — 99,169
(1) Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(Expressed in thousands) Fair Value Measurement: Liabilities
Carrying Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Bank call loans $ 69,500 $ — $ 69,500 $ — $ 69,500
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:
Securities loaned 244,223 — 244,223 — 244,223
Payable to brokers 2,077 — 2,077 — 2,077
Securities failed to receive 6,457 — 6,457 — 6,457
Other 169,013 — 169,013 — 169,013
421,770 — 421,770 — 421,770
Payables to customers 456,958 — 456,958 — 456,958
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 277,322 — 277,322 — 277,322
Senior secured notes 125,000 — 131,094 — 131,094
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Assets and liabilities not measured at fair value as of December 31, 2020
(Expressed in thousands) Fair Value Measurement: Assets
Carrying Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Cash $ 35,424 $ 35,424 $ — $ — $ 35,424
Deposits with clearing organization 59,352 59,352 — — 59,352
Receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:
Securities borrowed 110,932 — 110,932 — 110,932
Receivables from brokers 30,133 — 30,133 — 30,133
Securities failed to deliver 17,840 — 17,840 — 17,840
Clearing organizations 28,955 — 28,955 — 28,955
Other 15,622 — 15,622 — 15,622
203,482 — 203,482 — 203,482
Receivable from customers 1,110,835 — 1,110,835 — 1,110,835
Notes receivable, net 46,161 — 46,161 — 46,161
Investments (1)
85,552 — 85,552 — 85,552
(1) Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(Expressed in thousands) Fair Value Measurement: Liabilities
Carrying Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Bank call loans 82,000 — 82,000 — 82,000
Payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations:
Securities loaned $ 249,499 $ — $ 249,499 $ — $ 249,499
Payable to brokers 4,102 — 4,102 — 4,102
Securities failed to receive 6,218 — 6,218 — 6,218
Other 70 — 70 — 70
259,889 — 259,889 — 259,889
Payables to customers 502,807 — 502,807 — 502,807
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 342,438 — 342,438 — 342,438
Senior secured notes 125,000 — 127,033 — 127,033
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company transacts, on a limited basis, in exchange traded and over-the-counter derivatives for both asset and liability management as well as for trading and investment purposes. Risks managed using derivative instruments include interest rate risk and, to a lesser extent, foreign exchange risk. All derivative instruments are measured at fair value and are recognized as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
Foreign exchange hedges
From time to time, the Company also utilizes forward and options contracts to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with compensation obligations to Oppenheimer Israel (OPCO) Ltd. employees denominated in New Israeli Shekel ("NIS"). Such hedges have not been designated as accounting hedges. Unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and other income in the consolidated income statements.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Derivatives used for trading and investment purposes
Futures contracts represent commitments to purchase or sell securities or other commodities at a future date and at a specified price. Market risk exists with respect to these instruments. Notional or contractual amounts are used to express the volume of these transactions and do not represent the amounts potentially subject to market risk. The Company uses futures contracts, including U.S. Treasury notes, Federal Funds, General Collateral futures and Eurodollar contracts primarily as an economic hedge of interest rate risk associated with government trading activities. Unrealized gains and losses on futures contracts are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and in the consolidated income statements as principal transactions revenue, net.
To-be-announced securities
The Company also transacts in pass-through mortgage-backed securities eligible to be sold in the TBA market as economic hedges against mortgage-backed securities that it owns or has sold but not yet purchased. TBAs provide for the forward or delayed delivery of the underlying instrument with settlement up to 180 days. The contractual or notional amounts related to these financial instruments reflect the volume of activity and do not reflect the amounts at risk. Net unrealized gains and losses on TBAs are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations or payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and in the consolidated income statements as principal transactions revenue, net.
The notional amounts and fair values of the Company's derivatives as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 by product were as follows:
(Expressed in thousands)
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2021
Description Notional Fair Value
Assets:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (1)
Other contracts TBAs $ 14,300 $ 92
$ 14,300 $ 92
Liabilities:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (1)
Commodity contracts
Futures $ 3,520,000 $ 287
Other contracts TBAs 14,300 81
$ 3,534,300 $ 368
(1) See "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" above for a description of derivative financial
instruments. Such derivative instruments are not subject to master netting agreements, thus the related
amounts are not offset.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in thousands)
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2020
Description Notional Fair Value
Assets:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (1)
Other contracts TBAs $ 7,970 $ 15
$ 7,970 $ 15
Liabilities:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments (1)
Commodity contracts
Futures $ 3,440,000 $ 22
Other contracts TBAs 7,936 3
ARS purchase commitments 1,313 195
$ 3,449,249 $ 220
(1) See "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" above for a description of derivative financial
instruments. Such derivative instruments are not subject to master netting agreements, thus the related
amounts are not offset.
The following table presents the location and fair value amounts of the Company's derivative instruments and their effect in the consolidated income statements for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
(Expressed in thousands)
The Effect of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Income Statement
For the Year Ended December 31, 2021
Recognized in Income on Derivatives
(pre-tax)
Types Description Location Net Gain (Loss)
Commodity contracts Futures Principal transactions revenue $ 812
Other contracts Foreign exchange forward contracts Other revenue ( 22 )
TBAs Principal transactions revenue 157
Purchase commitments Principal transactions revenue ( 987 )
ARS purchase commitments Principal transactions revenue ( 1 )
$ ( 41 )
(Expressed in thousands)
The Effect of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Income Statement
For the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Recognized in Income on Derivatives
(pre-tax)
Types Description Location Net Gain (Loss)
Commodity contracts Futures Principal transactions revenue $ ( 8,107 )
Other contracts Foreign exchange forward contracts Other revenue 72
TBAs Principal transactions revenue 31
ARS purchase commitments Principal transactions revenue 828
$ ( 7,176 )
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8. Collateralized transactions
The Company enters into collateralized borrowing and lending transactions in order to meet customers' needs and earn interest rate spreads, obtain securities for settlement and finance trading inventory positions. Under these transactions, the Company either receives or provides collateral, including U.S. Government and Agency, asset-backed, corporate debt, equity, and non-U.S. Government and Agency securities.
The Company obtains short-term borrowings primarily through bank call loans. Bank call loans are generally payable on demand and bear interest at various rates. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding balance of bank call loans was $ 69.5 million ($ 82 million as of December 31, 2020). Such loans were collateralized by the Firm's securities and customer securities with market values of approximately $ 38.5 million and $ 44.4 million, respectively, with commercial banks.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $ 1.8 billion of customer securities under customer margin loans that are available to be pledged, of which the Company has re-pledged approximate ly $ 205.2 milli on under securities loan agreements.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had pledg ed $ 358.1 milli on of customer securities directly with the Options Clearing Corporation to secure obligations and margin requirements under option contracts written by customers.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no outstanding letters of credit.
The Company enters into reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, securities borrowed and securities loaned transactions to, among other things, acquire securities to cover short positions and settle other securities obligations, to accommodate customers' needs and to finance the Company's inventory positions. Except as described below, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, principally involving U.S. Government and Agency securities, are carried at amounts at which the securities subsequently will be resold or reacquired as specified in the respective agreements and include accrued interest.
Repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements are presented on a net-by-counterparty basis, when the repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements are executed with the same counterparty, have the same explicit settlement date, are executed in accordance with a master netting arrangement, the securities underlying the repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements exist in "book entry" form and certain other requirements are met.
The following table presents a disaggregation of the gross obligation by the class of collateral pledged and the remaining contractual maturity of the repurchase agreements and securities loaned transactions as of December 31, 2021:
(Expressed in thousands)
Overnight and Open
Repurchase agreements:
U.S. Government and Agency securities $ 306,793
Securities loaned:
Equity securities 244,223
Gross amount of recognized liabilities for repurchase agreements and securities loaned $ 551,016
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following tables present the gross amounts and the offsetting amounts of reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements, securities borrowed and securities loaned transactions as of December 31, 2021 and 2020:
As of December 31, 2021
(Expressed in thousands)
Gross Amounts Not Offset
on the Balance Sheet
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets Gross
Amounts
Offset on the
Balance Sheet Net Amounts
of Assets
Presented on
the Balance Sheet Financial
Instruments Cash
Collateral
Received Net Amount
Reverse repurchase agreements $ 30,406 $ ( 29,471 ) $ 935 $ — $ — $ 935
Securities borrowed (1)
99,752 — 99,752 ( 96,929 ) — 2,823
Total $ 130,158 $ ( 29,471 ) $ 100,687 $ ( 96,929 ) $ — $ 3,758
(1) Included in receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the consolidated balance sheet.
Gross Amounts Not Offset
on the Balance Sheet
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities Gross
Amounts
Offset on the Balance Sheet Net Amounts
of Liabilities
Presented on
the Balance Sheet Financial
Instruments Cash
Collateral
Pledged Net Amount
Repurchase agreements $ 306,793 $ ( 29,471 ) $ 277,322 $ ( 276,992 ) $ — $ 330
Securities loaned (2)
244,223 — 244,223 ( 236,597 ) — 7,626
Total $ 551,016 $ ( 29,471 ) $ 521,545 $ ( 513,589 ) $ — $ 7,956
(2) Included in payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the consolidated balance sheet.
As of December 31, 2020
(Expressed in thousands)
Gross Amounts Not Offset
on the Balance Sheet
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets Gross
Amounts
Offset on the Balance Sheet Net Amounts
of Assets
Presented on
the Balance Sheet Financial
Instruments Cash
Collateral
Received Net Amount
Reverse repurchase agreements $ 88,349 $ ( 88,349 ) $ — $ — $ — $ —
Securities borrowed (1)
110,932 — 110,932 ( 109,922 ) — 1,010
Total $ 199,281 $ ( 88,349 ) $ 110,932 $ ( 109,922 ) $ — $ 1,010
(1) Included in receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the consolidated balance sheet.
Gross Amounts Not Offset
on the Balance Sheet
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities Gross
Amounts
Offset on the Balance Sheet Net Amounts
of Liabilities
Presented on
the Balance Sheet Financial
Instruments Cash
Collateral
Pledged Net Amount
Repurchase agreements $ 430,787 $ ( 88,349 ) $ 342,438 $ ( 340,632 ) $ — $ 1,806
Securities loaned (2)
249,499 — 249,499 ( 242,318 ) — 7,181
Total $ 680,286 $ ( 88,349 ) $ 591,937 $ ( 582,950 ) $ — $ 8,987
(2) Included in payable to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations on the consolidated balance sheet.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company elected the fair value option for those repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date. As of December 31, 2021, the Company did not have any repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements that do not settle overnight or have an open settlement date.
The Company receives collateral in connection with securities borrowed and reverse repurchase agreement transactions and customer margin loans. Under many agreements, the Company is permitted to sell or re-pledge the securities received (e.g., use the securities to enter into securities lending transactions, or deliver to counterparties to cover short positions). As of December 31, 2021, the fair value of securities received as collateral under securities borrowed transactions and reverse repurchase agreements was $ 96.4 million ($ 108.0 million as of December 31, 2020) and $ 307.3 million ($ 88.3 million as of December 31, 2020), respectively, of which the Company has sold and re-pledged approximately $ 29.4 million ($ 36.2 million as of December 31, 2020) under securities loaned transactions and $ 307.3 million under repurchase agreements ($ 88.3 million as of December 31, 2020).
The Company pledges certain of its securities owned for securities lending and repurchase agreements and to collateralize bank call l oan transactions. The carrying value of pledged securities owned that can be sold or re-pledged by the counterparty was $ 266.4 million, a s presented on the face of the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 ($ 440.5 million as of December 31, 2020).
The Company manages credit exposure arising from repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements by, in appropriate circumstances, entering into master netting agreements and collateral arrangements with counterparties that provide the Company, in the event of a customer default, the right to liquidate securities and the right to offset a counterparty's rights and obligations. The Company manages market risk of repurchase agreements and securities loaned by monitoring the market value of collateral held and the market value of securities receivable from others. It is the Company's policy to request and obtain additional collateral when exposure to loss exists. In the event the counterparty is unable to meet its contractual obligation to return the securities, the Company may be exposed to off-balance sheet risk of acquiring securities at prevailing market prices.
Credit Concentrations
Credit concentrations may arise from trading, investing, underwriting and financing activities and may be impacted by changes in economic, industry or political factors. In the normal course of business, the Company may be exposed to credit risk in the event customers, counterparties including other brokers and dealers, issuers, banks, depositories or clearing organizations are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations. The Company seeks to mitigate these risks by actively monitoring exposures and obtaining collateral as deemed appropriate. Included in receivable from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations as of December 31, 2021 are receivables f rom four major U.S. broker-dealers totaling approximately $ 72.9 million.
The Company is obligated to settle transactions with brokers and other financial institutions even if its clients fail to meet their obligations to the Company. Clients are required to complete their transactions on the settlement date, generally one to two business days after the trade date. If clients do not fulfill their contractual obligations, the Company may incur losses. The Company has clearing/participating arrangements with the National Securities Clearing Corporation, the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation ("FICC"), R.J. O'Brien & Associates (commodities transactions), Mortgage-Backed Securities Division (a division of FICC) and others. With respect to its business in reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements, substantially all open contracts as of December 31, 2021 are with the FICC . In addition, the Company clears its non-U.S. international equities business carried on by Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. through Global Prime Partners, Ltd. The clearing organizations have the right to charge the Company for losses that result from a client's failure to fulfill its contractual obligations. Accordingly, the Company has credit exposures with these clearing brokers. The clearing brokers can re-hypothecate the securities held on behalf of the Company. As the right to charge the Company has no maximum amount and applies to all trades executed through the clearing brokers, the Company believes there is no maximum amount assignable to this right. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had recorded no liabilities with regard to this right. The Company's policy is to monitor the credit standing of the clearing brokers and banks with which it conducts business.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
9. Variable interest entities ("VIEs")
The Company's policy is to consolidate all subsidiaries in which it has a controlling financial interest, as well as any VIEs where the Company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary, when it has the power to make the decisions that most significantly affect the economic performance of the VIE and has the obligation to absorb significant losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
The Company serves as general partner of hedge funds and private equity funds that were established for the purpose of providing alternative investments to both its institutional and qualified retail clients. The Company's investment in and additional capital commitments to these hedge funds and private equity funds are considered variable interests. The Company's additional capital commitments are subject to call at a later date and are limited to the amount committed.
The Company assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary of the hedge funds and private equity funds in which it holds a variable interest in the form of general and limited partner interests. In each instance, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary and therefore need not consolidate the hedge funds or private equity funds. The subsidiaries' general and limited partnership interests and additional capital commitments represent its maximum exposure to loss. The subsidiaries' general partnership and limited partnership interests is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
In addition, the Company serves as general partner of Oppenheimer Acquisition LLC I and Oppenheimer Acquisition LLC II (the "Sponsors"). They are sponsors of two Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, OHAA and Oppenheimer Acquisition Corp. II (the "SPACs”), that are seeking to effect a transaction which could be in the form of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The sponsors and the SPACs are consolidated VIE's as the Company is the primary beneficiary.
On October 26, 2021, OHAA consummated its $ 126.5 million IPO. The Company and its employees control OHAA through the Sponsor’s ownership of Class A founder shares of OHAA. As a result, both OHAA and the Sponsor are consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. See note 2 for further details.
The following table sets forth the total assets and liabilities of VIE's consolidated on our consolidated balance sheet:
(Expressed in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Asset
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,798 $ 551
Restricted Cash 127,765 —
Other Assets 722 —
Total Assets $ 130,285 $ 551
Liabilities
Other Liabilities 24 1
Total Liabilities $ 24 $ 1
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10. Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements
(Expressed in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Furniture, fixtures and equipment $ 63,334 $ 62,860
Leasehold improvements 57,487 55,860
Total 120,821 118,720
Less accumulated depreciation ( 92,785 ) ( 90,958 )
Total $ 28,036 $ 27,762
Depreciation and amortization expense, included in occupancy and equipment costs in the consolidated income statements was $ 8.0 million, $ 8.1 million and $ 7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
11. Bank call loans
Bank call loans, primarily payable on demand, bear interest at various rates. Details of the bank call loans are as follows:
(Expressed in thousands, except percentages)
2021 2020
Year-end balance $ 69,500 $ 82,000
Weighted interest rate (at end of year) 0.96 % 1.09 %
Maximum balance (at any month-end) 117,800 203,100
Average amount outstanding (during the year) 76,412 82,760
Average interest rate (during the year) 0.95 % 0.93 %
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 on bank call loans was $ 0.7 million ($ 0.8 million in 2020 and $ 0.4 million in 2019).
12. Long-term debt
(Expressed in thousands)
Issued Maturity Date December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
5.50% Senior Secured Notes 10/1/2025 $ 125,000 $ 125,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Cost ( 926 ) ( 1,154 )
$ 124,074 $ 123,846
5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "Notes")
On September 22, 2020, in a private offering, the Company issued $ 125.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50 % Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "Unregistered Notes") under an Indenture at an issue price of 100 % of the principal amount. Interest on the Unregistered Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1st and October 1st. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of the Unregistered Notes, along with cash on hand, to redeem in full our 6.75 % Senior Secured Notes due July 1, 2022 (the "Old Notes") in the principal amount of $ 150.0 million (the Company held $ 1.4 million in treasury for a net outstanding amount of $ 148.6 million), and pay all related fees and expenses in relation thereto.
On November 23, 2020, we completed an exchange offer in which we exchanged 99.8 % of the Unregistered Notes for a like principal amount of Notes with identical terms, except that such new notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). We did not receive any proceeds in the exchange offer. The Notes will mature on
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October 1, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 5.50 % per annum, payable semiannually on April 1st and October 1st, respectively, of each year.
The Parent used the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes, along with cash on hand, to redeem in full its Old Notes, in the principal amount of $ 150.0 million (the Parent held $ 1.4 million in treasury for a net outstanding amount of $ 148.6 million), and pay all related fees and expenses in relation thereto. The cost to issue the Notes was $ 3.1 million, of which $ 1.9 million was paid to its subsidiary, (Oppenheimer & Co Inc., who served as the initial purchaser of the offering), and was eliminated in consolidation. The remaining $ 1.2 million was capitalized and is amortized over the term of the Notes.
The Indenture governing the Notes contains covenants which place restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness, the payment of dividends, the repurchase of equity, the sale of assets, the issuance of guarantees, mergers and acquisitions and the granting of liens. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. These exceptions and qualifications include, among other things, a variety of provisions that are intended to allow the Company to continue to conduct its brokerage operations in the ordinary course of business. In addition, certain of the covenants will be suspended upon the Parent attaining an investment grade debt rating for the Notes from both S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Pursuant to the Indenture, the following covenants apply to the Parent and its restricted subsidiaries, but generally do not apply, or apply only in part, to its Regulated Subsidiaries (as defined):
• limitation on indebtedness and issuances of preferred stock, which restricts the Parent’s ability to
incur additional indebtedness or to issue preferred stock;
• limitation on restricted payments, which generally restricts the Parent’s ability to declare certain
dividends or distributions, repurchase its capital stock or to make certain investments;
• limitation on dividends and other payment restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries or Regulated
Subsidiaries, which generally limits the ability of certain of the Parent’s subsidiaries to pay dividends
or make other transfers;
• limitation on future Subsidiary Guarantors, which prohibits certain of the Parent’s subsidiaries from
guaranteeing its indebtedness or indebtedness of any restricted subsidiary unless the Notes are comparably
guaranteed;
• limitation on transactions with shareholders and affiliates, which generally requires transactions among
the Parent’s affiliated entities to be conducted on an arm’s-length basis;
• limitation on liens, which generally prohibits the Parent and its restricted subsidiaries from granting
liens unless the Notes are comparably secured; and
• limitation on asset sales, which generally prohibits the Parent and certain of its subsidiaries from selling
assets or certain securities or property of significant subsidiaries.
The Indenture also provides for events of default which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal of and accrued interest on the Notes to become or to be declared due and payable. As of December 31, 2021, the Parent was in compliance with all of its covenants.
The Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Subsidiary Guarantors and future subsidiaries are required to guarantee the Notes pursuant to the Indenture. The Notes are secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of the Parent’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ existing and future tangible and intangible assets, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens.
Interest expense on the Notes for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $ 6.9 million ($ 1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020). Interest paid on the Notes for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $ 7.0 million ($ 0 for 2020).
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6.75% Senior Secured Notes (the "Old Notes")
On June 23, 2017, the Parent issued in a private offering $ 200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.75 % Senior Secured Notes due 2022 under an indenture at an issue price of 100 % of the principal amount. Interest on the Old Notes was payable semi-annually on January 1st and July 1st, beginning January 1, 2018.
The Company redeemed $ 50.0 million ( 25 %) of the Old Notes on August 25, 2019 plus accrued and unpaid interest and incurred $ 1.9 million in costs associated with paying the associated call premium ($ 1.7 million) and the write-off of debt issuance costs ($ 0.2 million) during the third quarter of 2019.
During the first quarter of 2020, the Company repurchased $ 1.4 million of the Old Notes. The Company recorded a gain of $ 85,560 on the repurchase during the first quarter of 2020. The Old Notes were scheduled to mature on July 1, 2022.
On August 28, 2020, the Parent issued a conditional notice of redemption to redeem the entire $ 150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Old Notes on September 28, 2020 (the “Redemption Date”). The Company held $ 1.4 million in treasury for a net outstanding amount of $ 148.6 million. The redemption was conditioned upon the consummation of a financing sufficient to provide funds to deposit with the Trustee to redeem the Old Notes. On September 22, 2020, the Parent issued a notice to satisfy and discharge all of its obligations under the indenture governing the Old Notes (the "Old Notes Indenture"). In connection therewith, on September 22, 2020, the Parent deposited with the Trustee for the Old Notes funds sufficient to redeem all outstanding Old Notes on the Redemption Date and instructed the Trustee to apply such funds to redeem the Old Notes on the Redemption Date. The redemption payment deposit was an amount equal to the redemption price of 101.6875 % of the aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes, which includes a call premium of $ 2.5 million plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the Redemption Date. In addition, the Parent wrote off unamortized debt issuance costs of $ 341,200 .
On September 28, 2020, the Old Notes were fully redeemed. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of the Old Notes Indenture, all of the obligations of the Parent and the Subsidiary Guarantors (other than certain customary provisions of the Old Notes Indenture, including those relating to the compensation and indemnification of the Trustee, that expressly survive pursuant to the terms of the Old Notes Indenture) were discharged and the guarantees of the Subsidiary Guarantors and the liens on the collateral securing the Old Notes were released.
Interest expense on the Old Notes for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $ 7.4 million ($ 12.3 million in 2019). Interest paid on the Old Notes for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $ 7.4 million.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
13. Share capital
The Company's authorized share capital consists of (a) 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $ 0.001 per share; (b) 50,000,000 shares of Class A Stock, par value $ 0.001 per share; and (c) 99,665 shares of Class B Stock, par value $ 0.001 per share. No Preferred Stock has been issued. 99,665 shares of Class B Stock have been issued and are outstanding.
The Class A Stock and the Class B Stock are equal in all respects except that the Class A Stock is non-voting.
The following table reflects changes in the number of shares of Class A Stock outstanding for the years indicated:
2021 2020
Class A Stock outstanding, beginning of year 12,381,778 12,698,703
Issued pursuant to share-based compensation plans (note 16) 242,450 401,597
Repurchased and canceled pursuant to the stock buy-back ( 177,192 ) ( 718,522 )
Class A Stock outstanding, end of year 12,447,036 12,381,778
Stock buy-back
On May 15, 2020, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorizes the Company to purchase up to 530,000 shares of the Company's Class A Stock, representing approximately 4.2 % of its 12,636,523 then issued and outstanding shares of Class A Stock. This authorization supplemented the 98,625 shares that remained authorized and available under the Company's previous share repurchase program for a total of 628,625 shares authorized and available for repurchase at May 15, 2020.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company purchased and canceled an aggregate of 177,192 shares of Class A Stock for a total consideration of $ 7.7 million ($ 43.67 per share). As of December 31, 2021, 223,821 shares remained available to be purchased under this program. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company purchased and canceled an aggregate of 718,522 shares of Class A Stock for a total consideration of $ 15.0 million ($ 20.94 per share). As of December 31, 2020, 401,013 shares remained available to be purchased under the share repurchase program.
Any such share purchases will be made by the Company from time to time in the open market at the prevailing open market price using cash on hand, in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange and federal and state securities laws and the terms of the Company's Notes. All shares purchased will be canceled. The share repurchase program is expected to continue indefinitely. The timing and amounts of any purchases will be based on market conditions and other factors including price, regulatory requirements and capital availability. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares of Class A Stock. Depending on market conditions and other factors, these repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time without prior notice.
Dividends
The Company paid cash dividends of $ 1.54 per share in 2021 to holders of Class A and Class B Stock which includes a special cash dividend of $ 1.00 per share paid on December 31, 2021 in the aggregate amount of $ 12.6 million. In 2020, the Company paid cash dividends of $ 1.48 per share which includes a special cash dividend of $ 1.00 per share paid on December 30, 2020 in the aggregate amount of $ 12.5 million. The Company paid cash dividends of $ 0.46 per share in 2019.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
14. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income over the weighted average number of shares of Class A non-voting common stock ("Class A Stock") and Class B voting common stock ("Class B Stock") outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes the weighted average number of shares of Class A Stock and Class B Stock outstanding and options to purchase Class A Stock and unvested restricted stock awards of Class A Stock using the treasury stock method.
Earnings per share have been calculated as follows:
(Expressed in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding 12,642,306 12,642,576 12,904,397
Net dilutive effect of share-based awards, treasury method (1)
940,522 574,759 947,435
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding 13,582,828 13,217,335 13,851,832
Net income $ 158,964 $ 122,986 $ 52,953
Earnings per share
Basic $ 12.57 $ 9.73 $ 4.10
Diluted $ 11.70 $ 9.30 $ 3.82
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2021, there was no Class A Stock granted under share-based compensation arrangements that were anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the diluted net income per share computation did not include the anti-dilutive effect of 10,770 and 7,628 shares of Class A Stock granted under share-based compensation arrangements, respectively.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
15. Income taxes
Income tax expenses (benefits) shown in the consolidated income statements are reconciled to amounts of tax that would have been payable (recoverable) from the application of the federal tax rate to pre-tax profit, as follows:
(Expressed in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage
U.S. federal statutory income tax $ 47,176 21.0 % $ 35,491 21.0 % $ 15,732 21.0 %
U.S. state and local income taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefits 13,585 6.0 % 8,770 5.2 % 4,258 5.7 %
Unrecognized tax benefit 59 — % ( 853 ) - 0.5 % — — %
Valuation allowance 1,121 0.5 % 517 0.3 % 1,663 2.2 %
Non-taxable income ( 430 ) ( 0.2 ) % ( 580 ) ( 0.3 ) % ( 738 ) ( 1.0 ) %
Provision to return adjustments 281 0.1 % 239 0.1 % ( 723 ) ( 1.0 ) %
Change in state and foreign tax rates 1,384 0.6 % 238 0.1 % ( 135 ) ( 0.2 ) %
Foreign tax rate differentials ( 223 ) ( 0.1 ) % ( 469 ) ( 0.3 ) % ( 59 ) ( 0.1 ) %
Excess tax benefits from share-based awards ( 1,542 ) ( 0.7 ) % ( 1,008 ) ( 0.6 ) % ( 234 ) ( 0.3 ) %
Non-Deductible Executive Compensation 3,956 1.8 % 2,831 1.7 % 1,072 1.4 %
Other non-deductible expenses 310 0.2 % 838 0.5 % 1,123 1.6 %
Total income taxes $ 65,677 29.2 % $ 46,014 27.2 % $ 21,959 29.3 %
Income tax expenses (benefits) included in the consolidated income statements represent the following:
(Expressed in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Current:
U.S. federal tax $ 47,880 $ 17,794 $ 9,502
State and local tax 18,331 6,498 2,289
Non-U.S. operations 258 386 290
Total Current 66,469 24,678 12,081
Deferred:
U.S. federal tax ( 1,745 ) 17,182 7,177
State and local tax 790 4,310 2,924
Non-U.S. operations 163 ( 156 ) ( 223 )
Total Deferred ( 792 ) 21,336 9,878
Total $ 65,677 $ 46,014 $ 21,959
Pre-tax loss with respect to non-U.S. operations was $ 1.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2021. (Pre-tax income with respect to non-U.S. operation was $ 1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020). Pre-tax loss with respect to non-U.S. operations was $ 4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 29.2 % compared with 27.2 % for the year ended December 31, 2020. The higher tax rate in the current year was primarily due to an increase in apportionment factors in state and local jurisdictions with higher statutory tax rates.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
(Expressed in thousands)
As of December 31,
2021 2020
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred compensation $ 31,083 $ 24,782
Deferred rent and lease incentives 10,828 9,951
Net operating losses and credits 9,304 8,664
Receivable reserves 2,257 1,290
Accrued expenses 3,516 407
Auction rate securities reserves 1,387 1,366
Involuntary conversion 1,749 1,693
Other 986 1,010
Total deferred tax assets 61,110 49,163
Valuation allowance ( 6,153 ) ( 5,059 )
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance 54,957 44,104
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill 42,455 41,128
Partnership investments 37,196 32,978
Company-owned life insurance 16,854 13,037
Depreciation 2,139 1,552
Other 329 318
Total deferred tax liabilities 98,973 89,013
Deferred tax liabilities, net $ ( 44,016 ) $ ( 44,909 )
The Company had deferred tax assets at December 31, 2021 of $ 3.2 million arising from net operating losses incurred by Oppenheimer Israel (OPCO) Ltd. The Company believes that realization of the deferred tax assets is more likely than not based on expectations of future taxable income in Israel. These net operating losses carry forward indefinitely and are not subject to expiration, provided that these subsidiaries and their underlying businesses continue operating normally (as is anticipated). As of December 31, 2021, the Company had deferred tax assets of $ 3.5 million arising from net operating losses incurred by Oppenheimer Europe Ltd and had recorded full valuation allowances as the Company believes it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future.
Goodwill arising from the acquisitions of Josephthal Group Inc. and the Oppenheimer Divisions was amortized for tax purposes on a straight-line basis over 15 years. The difference between book and tax is recorded as a deferred tax liability.
The Company or one or more of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has closed tax years through 2017 in the U.S. federal jurisdiction.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company has unrecognized tax benefits of $ 0.3 million, $ 0.2 million and $ 1.1 million as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively (as shown on the table below). Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $ 271,000 and $ 167,000 , respectively, of tax benefits for either year that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company released $ 0.2 million in unrecognized tax benefits and added $ 0.3 million related to state and local tax matters. The Company does not believe any unrecognized tax benefit will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefit follows:
(Expressed in thousands)
2021 2020 2019
Balance at beginning of year $ 212 $ 1,079 $ 1,079
Additions for tax positions of prior years 343 212 —
Lapse in statute of limitations — — —
Settlements with taxing authorities ( 212 ) ( 1,079 ) —
Balance at end of year $ 343 $ 212 $ 1,079
In its consolidated income statements, the Company records interest and penalties accruing on unrecognized tax benefits in pre-tax income as interest expense and other expense, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 , the Company released tax-related interest expense of $ 164,000 , $ 227,000 and $ 87,000 , respectively, in its consolidat ed income statement. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had an income tax-related interest payable o f $ 41,000 and $ 205,000 , respectively, on its consolidated balance sheets.
16. Employee compensation plans
The Company maintains various employee compensation plans for the benefit of its employees. Two types of employee compensation are granted under share-based compensation and cash-based compensation plans.
Share-based Compensation Plans
Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan
On February 26, 2014, the Company adopted the Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan (the "OIP"). Pursuant to the OIP, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Committee") is permitted to grant options to purchase Class A Stock ("stock options"), Class A Stock awards and restricted Class A Stock (collectively "restricted stock awards") to or for the benefit of employees and non-employee directors of the Company and its subsidiaries as part of their compensation. Stock o ptions are generally granted for a five -year term and generally vest at the rate of 25 % of the amount granted on the second anniversary of the grant, 25 % on the third anniversary of the grant, 25 % on the fourth anniversary of the grant and 25 % six months before expiration. Restricted stock awards are generally awarded for a three or five year term and fully vest at the end of the term.
Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. Stock Appreciation Right Plan
Under the Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. Stock Appreciation Right Plan, the Company awards stock appreciation rights ("OARs") to certain employees as part of their compensation package based on a formula reflecting gross production and length of service. These awards are granted once per year in January with respect to the prior year's production. The OARs vest five years from grant date and settle in cash at vesting.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Restricted stock - The Company has granted restricted stock awards pursuant to the OIP. The following table summarizes the status of the Company's non-vested restricted Class A Stock awards under the OIP for the year ended December 31, 2021:
Number of Class
A Shares
Subject to
Restricted Stock Awards Weighted
Average Fair
Value Weighted Average Remaining
Contractual
Life
Nonvested at beginning of year 1,328,877 $ 22.63 1.9 years
Granted 631,390 29.66 2.9 years
Vested ( 376,139 ) 17.79 —
Forfeited ( 41,412 ) 25.95 —
Nonvested at end of year 1,542,716 $ 26.59 2.2 years
As of December 31, 2021, all outstanding restricted Class A Stock awards were non-vested. The aggregate intrinsic value of restricted Class A Stock awards outstanding as of December 31, 2021 was $ 71.5 million. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company included $ 10.5 million ($ 7.7 million in 2020 and $ 8.1 million in 2019) of compensation expense in its consolidated income statements relating to restricted Class A Stock awards.
As of December 31, 2021, there was $ 21.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted Class A Stock awards. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.
As of December 31, 2021, the number of shares of Class A Stock available under the share-based compensation plans, but not yet awarded, was 689,140 .
On January 26, 2022, the Company awarded a total of 362,823 restricted shares of Class A Stock to current employees pursuant to the OIP. Of these restricted shares, 129,548 shares will cliff vest in three years and 233,275 shares will cliff vest in five years. These awards will be expensed over the applicable three or five year vesting period.
Stock options - The Company has granted stock options pursuant to the OIP. There were 10,770 and 14,209 options outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
In the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company included $ 21,669 ($ 25,300 in 2020 and $ 26,200 in 2019) of compensation expense in its consolidated income statements relating to the expensing of stock options.
OARs - The Company has awarded OARs pursuant to the Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. Stock Appreciation Right Plan. The following table summarizes the status of the Company's outstanding OARs awards as of December 31, 2021:
Grant Date Number of
OARs
Outstanding Strike Price Remaining
Contractual
Life Fair Value as of December 31, 2021
January 6, 2017 367,320 $ 18.90 5 days $ 27.47
January 5, 2018 436,010 27.05 1 year 19.22
January 11, 2019 509,216 26.45 2 years 21.49
January 10, 2020 522,720 27.54 3 years 20.90
January 11, 2021 623,380 32.16 4 years 18.59
Total OARs Outstanding 2,458,646
Total weighted average values $ 27.11 3.1 years $ 21.12
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The fair value as of December 31, 2021 for each of the OARs was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions:
Grant Date
January 6, 2017 January 5, 2018 January 11, 2019 January 10, 2020 January 11, 2021
Expected term (1)
5 days 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years
Expected volatility factor (2)
20.602 % 35.942 % 45.514 % 39.569 % 36.701 %
Risk-free interest rate (3)
0.002 % 0.380 % 0.738 % 0.964 % 1.164 %
Quarterly dividends (4)
$ 0.54 $ 0.54 $ 0.54 $ 0.54 $ 0.54
(1) The expected term was determined based on the remaining life of the actual awards.
(2) The volatility factor was measured using the weighted average of historical daily price changes of the
Company's Class A Stock over a historical period commensurate to the expected term of the awards.
(3) The risk-free interest rate was based on periods equal to the expected term of the awards based on the
U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at December 31, 2021.
(4) Quarterly dividends were used to compute the expected annual dividend yield.
As of December 31, 2021, 2,458,646 of outstanding OARs were unvested and none were vested. As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate intrinsic value of OARs outstanding was $ 47.4 million. In the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company included $ 20.6 million ($ 8.5 million in 2020 and $ 3.7 million in 2019) in compensation expense in its consolidated income statements relating to OARs awards. The liability related to the OARs was $ 29.8 million as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, there was $ 22.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested OARs. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.1 years.
On January 7, 2022, 647,460 OARs were awarded to Oppenheimer employees related to fiscal 2021 performance. These OARs will be expensed over 5 years (the vesting period).
Cash-based Compensation Plans
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company, through its subsidiaries, maintains a defined contribution plan covering substantially all full-time U.S. employees. The Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. 401(k) Plan provides that Oppenheimer may make discretionary contributions. Eligible Oppenheimer employees could make voluntary contributions which could not exceed $ 19,500 , $ 19,500 and $ 19,000 per annum in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company made contributions to the 401(k) Plan of $ 4.3 million, $ 3.5 million and $ 2.4 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Deferred Compensation Plans
The Company maintains an Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ("EDCP") and a Deferred Incentive Plan ("DIP") in order to offer certain qualified high-performing financial advisors a bonus based upon a formula reflecting years of service, production, net commissions and a valuation of their clients' assets. The bonus amounts resulted in deferrals for fiscal 2021 of $ 12.8 million ($ 10.0 million in 2020 and $ 9.3 million in 2019). These deferrals normally vest after five years. The liability is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The EDCP also includes voluntary deferrals by senior executives that are not subject to vesting. The Company maintains a Company-owned life insurance policy, which is designed to hedge a portion of the EDCP obligation. The EDCP liability is being tracked against the value of a benchmark investment portfolio held for this purpose. As of December 31, 2021, the Company's liability with respect to the EDCP and DIP totaled $ 56.1 million and is included in accrued compensation on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021.
In addition, the Company is maintaining a deferred compensation plan on behalf of certain employees who were formerly employed by CIBC World Markets. The Company hedges this deferred compensation obligation with a portfolio of mutual fund investments. As of December 31, 2021, the Company's liability with respect to this plan totaled $ 24.3 million.
The total amount expensed in 2021 for the Company's deferred compensation plans was $ 18.4 million ($ 18.1 million in 2020 and $ 19.4 million in 2019)
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
On December 15, 2021, the Company adopted the Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Investment Banking and Capital Markets Deferred Compensation Plan ("CMDP") for eligible employees in the Capital Markets business segment. An employee is eligible to participate in the Plan if the employee (i) is an Investment Banking Division employee of Oppenheimer with a title of Associate or above whose previous year’s salary and bonus exceeded $ 200,000 , or (ii) is a professional working in the Oppenheimer Capital Markets Division (but not the Investment Banking Division) who is designated by the Plan Administrator (in its sole discretion) as eligible to participate in the Plan. The CMDP has both mandatory and elective contributions. The amount of compensation subject to mandatory deferral (“Bonus Deferral Credit”) is based on a schedule maintained by the Plan Administrator from time to time. The Bonus Deferral Credit vests ratably over a period of three years and is distributed upon vesting. For the elective portion, a participant is eligible if his or her base salary and bonus exceed $ 500,000 and he or she may elect to defer up to 50 % of the total of his or her base salary and bonus amounts (“Elective Deferral Credit”) for a 5 -year or 10 -year period. The Elective Deferral Credit is 100 % vested at all times. The Company provides a Matching Credit of 10 % of the Elective Deferral Credit which vests on last day of the Performance Year (as defined in the CMDP) attributable to the Matching Credit. The Elective Deferral Credit and the Matching Credit are distributed in lump sums in the year following the fifth or tenth anniversary of the last day of the Performance Year (as defined in the CMDP), depending on the participant’s election. At December 31, 2021, the Company’s deferral related to the CMDP totaled $ 26.4 million which is comprised of Bonus Deferral Credits. Eligibility for Elective Deferral Credits begins in 2023 for elections made by December 31, 2021.
17. Commitments and contingencies
Commitments
The Company had capital commitments of $ 4.3 million with respect to unfunded obligation in private equity funds sponsored by the Company and $ 16.2 million of commitments related to additional operating leases that have not yet commenced.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no collateralized or uncollateralized letters of credit outstanding.
Contingencies
Many aspects of the Company's business involve substantial risks of liability. In the normal course of business, the Company has been named as defendant or co-defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions and other litigation, creating substantial exposure and periodic expenses. Certain of the actual or threatened legal matters include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. These proceedings arise primarily from securities brokerage, asset management and investment banking activities. The Company is also involved, from time to time, in other reviews, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental and self-regulatory agencies regarding the Company's business, which may result in expenses, adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. The investigations include inquiries from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") and various state regulators.
The Company accrues for estimated loss contingencies related to legal and regulatory matters when available information indicates that it is probable a liability had been incurred and the Company can reasonably estimate the amount of that loss. In many proceedings, however, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount of any loss. In addition, even where a loss is possible or an exposure to loss exists in excess of the liability already accrued with respect to a previously recognized loss contingency, it is often not possible to reasonably estimate the size of the possible loss or range of loss or possible additional losses or range of additional losses.
For certain legal and regulatory proceedings, the Company cannot reasonably estimate such losses, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek substantial, indeterminate or special damages. Counsel may be required to review, analyze and resolve numerous issues, including through potentially lengthy discovery and determination of important factual matters, and by addressing novel or unsettled legal questions relevant to the proceedings in question, before the Company can reasonably estimate a loss or range of loss or additional loss for the proceeding. Even after lengthy review and analysis, the Company, in many legal and regulatory proceedings, may not be able to reasonably estimate possible losses or range of loss.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For certain other legal and regulatory proceedings, the Company can estimate possible losses, or range of loss in excess of amounts accrued, but does not believe, based on current knowledge and after consultation with counsel, that such losses individually, or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements as a whole.
For legal and regulatory proceedings where there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss or an additional loss may be incurred, the Company estimates a range of aggregate loss in excess of amounts accrued of $ 0 to $ 30.0 million. This estimated aggregate range is based upon currently available information for those legal proceedings in which the Company is involved, where the Company can make an estimate for such losses. For certain cases, the Company does not believe that it can make an estimate. The foregoing aggregate estimate is based on various factors, including the varying stages of the proceedings (including the fact that some are currently in preliminary stages), the numerous yet-unresolved issues in many of the proceedings and the attendant uncertainty of the various potential outcomes of such proceedings. Accordingly, the Company's estimate will change from time to time, and actual losses may be more than the current estimate.
On August 31, 2021, a complaint in a class action entitled 6694 Dawson Blvd, LLC, Individually and on Behalf of a Class of Similarly Situated Persons v. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., James Wallace Woods, Michael J. Mooney, Britt Wright, William V. Conn, Jr., Conn & Co. Tax Practice, LLC, Conn & Company Consulting, LLC and Kathleen Lloyd, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Plaintiff purports to represent a class of investors in Horizon Private Equity, III, LLC (“Horizon”). Horizon is alleged to be a fraudulent scheme and plaintiff is seeking unspecified damages sounding in violations of the Georgia RICO statute, breach of fiduciary duty, procurement of breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation, aiding and abetting fraud, unjust enrichment, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. Plaintiff does not allege Oppenheimer received any of the funds invested in Horizon, rather that Oppenheimer’s failure to properly supervise its employees allowed the alleged scheme to occur and continue. Oppenheimer believes the claims to be without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against the claims made in this action.
In addition to the class action described in the preceding paragraph Oppenheimer has also been named as a respondent in thirteen arbitrations, many containing multiple claimants, each filed before FINRA, relating to investments made by former Oppenheimer clients who invested in Horizon. Claimants allege many of the causes of action alleged in the class action described in the preceding paragraph. The arbitrations claiming specific monetary damages allege damages of approximately $ 25.0 million in the aggregate while others claim unspecified damages. Oppenheimer believes these claims to be without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously against these claims.
18. Regulatory requirements
The Company's U.S. broker dealer subsidiaries, Oppenheimer and Freedom, are subject to the uniform net capital requirements of the SEC under Rule 15c3-1 (the "Rule") promulgated under the Exchange Act. Oppenheimer computes its net capital requirements under the alternative method provided for in the Rule which requires that Oppenheimer maintain net capital equal to two percent of aggregate customer-related debit items, as defined in SEC Rule 15c3-3. As of December 31, 2021, the net capital of Oppenheimer as calculated under the Rule was $ 423.3 million or 32.16 % of Oppenheimer's aggregate debit items. This was $ 397.0 million in excess of the minimum required net capital at that date. Freedom computes its net capital requirement under the basic method provided for in the Rule, which requires that Freedom maintain net capital equal to the greater of $ 100,000 or 6-2/3% of aggregate indebtedness, as defined. As of December 31, 2021, Freedom had net capital of $ 4.6 million, which was $ 4.5 million in excess of the $ 100,000 required to be maintained at that date.
As of December 31, 2021, the capital required and held under the Capital Requirements Directive ("CRD IV") for Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. was as follows:
• Common Equity Tier 1 ratio 14.4 % (required 4.5 %);
• Tier 1 Capital ratio 14.4 % (required 6.0 %); and
• Total Capital ratio 19.2 % (required 8.0 %).
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In December 2017, Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. received approval from the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") for a variation of permission to remove the limitation of "matched principal business" from the firm's scope of permitted businesses and become a "Full-Scope Prudential Sourcebook for Investment Firms (IFPRU) €730K" firm which was effective January 2018. In addition to the capital requirement under CRV IV above, Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. is required to maintain a minimum capital of EUR 730,000 . As of December 31, 2021, Oppenheimer Europe Ltd. is in compliance with its regulatory requirements.
As of December 31, 2021, the regulatory capital of Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited was $ 3.9 million, which was $ 3.5 million in excess of the $ 385,000 required to be maintained on that date. Oppenheimer Investments Asia Limited computes its regulatory capital pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. As of December 31, 2021, Oppenheimer Investment Asia Limited was in compliance with its regulatory requirements.
19. Goodwill and intangibles
Goodwill
The Company's goodwill of $ 137.9 million resides in its PCD reporting unit. The Company performed its annual test for goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, which did not result in any impairment charges for either period. At each annual goodwill impairment testing date, the PCD reporting unit had a fair value that was substantially in excess of its carrying value.
Intangible Assets
Indefinite intangible assets are comprised of trademarks, trade names and an Internet domain name. These intangible assets are carried at $ 32.1 million, are not amortized, and are subject to at least an annual test for impairment to determine if the estimated fair value is less than their carrying amount. Trademarks and trade names recorded as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 have been tested for impairment and it has been determined that no impairment has occurred. At each annual intangible assets impairment testing date, the trademarks and trade names had a fair value that was substantially in excess of their carrying value.
20. Segment information
The Company has determined its reportable segments based on the Company's method of internal reporting, which disaggregates its retail business by branch and its proprietary and investment banking businesses by product. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based upon profitability.
The Company's reportable segments are:
Private Client — includes commissions and a proportionate amount of fee income earned on assets under management ("AUM"), net interest earnings on client margin loans and cash balances, fees from money market funds, custodian fees, net contributions from stock loan activities and financing activities, and direct expenses associated with this segment;
Asset Management — includes a proportionate amount of fee income earned on AUM from investment management services of Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. Oppenheimer's asset management divisions employ various programs to manage client assets either in individual accounts or in funds, and includes direct expenses associated with this segment; and
Capital Markets — includes investment banking, institutional equities sales, trading, and research, taxable fixed income sales, trading, and research, public finance and municipal trading, as well as the Company's operations in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Israel, and direct expenses associated with this segment.
The Company does not allocate costs associated with certain infrastructure support groups that are centrally managed for its reportable segments. These areas include, but are not limited to, legal, compliance, operations, accounting, and internal audit. Costs associated with these groups are separately reported in a Corporate/Other category and primarily include compensation and benefits.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The table below presents information about the reported revenue and pre-tax income (loss) of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Asset information by reportable segment is not reported, since the Company does not produce such information for internal use by the chief operating decision maker.
(Expressed in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Revenue
Private client (1)
$ 665,060 $ 642,083 $ 653,409
Asset management (1)
104,598 130,274 88,755
Capital markets 625,704 426,752 290,830
Corporate/Other ( 1,327 ) ( 442 ) 385
Total $ 1,394,035 $ 1,198,667 $ 1,033,379
Pre-Tax Income (Loss)
Private client (1)
$ 101,146 $ 122,844 $ 163,917
Asset management (1)
35,874 71,625 31,606
Capital markets 204,090 83,442 ( 13,724 )
Corporate/Other ( 116,469 ) ( 108,911 ) ( 106,887 )
Total $ 224,641 $ 169,000 $ 74,912
(1) Clients investing in the OAM advisory program are charged fees based on the value of AUM. Advisory fees
were allocated 10.0 % to the Asset Management and 90.0 % to the Private Client segments.
Revenue, classified by the major geographic areas in which it was earned for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
(Expressed in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Americas $ 1,336,628 $ 1,146,759 $ 998,344
Europe/Middle East 51,698 45,767 31,599
Asia 5,709 6,141 3,436
Total $ 1,394,035 $ 1,198,667 $ 1,033,379
21. Subsequent events
On January 28, 2022, the Company announced a quarterly dividend in the amount of $ 0.15 per share, payable on February 25, 2022 to holders of Class A Stock and Class B Stock of record on February 11, 2022.
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Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.