Item 1. Business
Item 1. BUSINESS
Overview
B. Riley Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: RILY) (the “Company”) is a diversified financial services platform that delivers tailored solutions to meet the strategic, operational, and capital needs of its clients and partners. We operate through several consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, “B. Riley”) that provide investment banking, brokerage, wealth management, asset management, direct lending, and business advisory services to a broad client base spanning public and private companies, financial sponsors, investors, financial institutions, legal and professional services firms, and individuals.
The Company also opportunistically invests in and acquires companies or assets with attractive risk-adjusted return, with a focus on making operational improvements within these companies in an effort to maximize free cash flow. However, during 2024 and continuing into 2025, our focus has been on reducing indebtedness, including through the net proceeds from a number of strategic asset dispositions or other monetizations as described in additional detail below under “—Disposition and Monetization Transactions”. The Company has reduced its total outstanding indebtedness from $2.4 billion at December 31, 2023 to $1.8 billion at December 31, 2024. The Company anticipates that reduction of indebtedness, including potentially through additional asset disposition or monetization transactions, will remain a key priority for the foreseeable future.
We refer to B. Riley as a “platform” because of the unique composition of our business and diversification of its operations. Our platform is comprised of more than 2,500 affiliated professionals, including employees and independent contractors. We are headquartered in Los Angeles, California and maintain offices throughout the U.S., including in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Metro Detroit, Houston, Memphis, Miami, San Francisco, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, as well as additional offices located in Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
B. Riley was founded in 1997 by our Co-Chief Executive Officers Bryant Riley and Tom Kelleher, incorporated in Delaware in 2009, and became publicly listed through its strategic combination with Great American Group, Inc. in 2014.
Disposition and Monetization Transactions
During 2024 and through the date of this report, we have completed the following disposition and monetization transactions:
• Brands Transaction : In October 2024, the Company entered into a transfer and contribution agreement pursuant to which, among other things, B. Riley Brand Management transferred and contributed to a subsidiary and securitization financing vehicle the limited liability company interests held by B. Riley Brand Management in the entities that held certain assets related to six consumer brands and equity method investments for Hurley, Justice and Scotch & Soda. In connection with this transaction, that subsidiary and securitization financing vehicle issued
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notes and preferred stock secured by those limited liability company interests to a third party purchaser, the proceeds of which were used to fund an upfront payment to the Company of approximately $189.3 million.
• In addition, in October 2024, bebe stores, inc., a majority owned subsidiary of the Company (“bebe”), sold its limited liability company interests in entities that held certain brand assets to a third party purchaser for approximately $46.6 million in net cash proceeds. Upon closing of the bebe Brands sale, proceeds of $22.2 million was used to pay off the outstanding balance of the bebe Credit Agreement in full and $224 of loan-related pay off expenses. The remaining amount of the proceeds were paid as a dividend to the Company.
• Great American Group : In November 2024, the Company completed a transaction in which (1) it and certain of its subsidiaries contributed all of the interests in the Company’s Appraisal and Valuation Services, Retail, Wholesale & Industrial Solutions and Real Estate businesses to Great American NewCo. and (2) third party investors received all of the outstanding class A preferred limited liability units of Great American NewCo and 52.6% of the class A common limited liability units of Great American NewCo for a purchase price of approximately $203.0 million. After amounts paid to minority stockholders and certain transaction expenses, approximately $167.1 million was distributed to the Company.
• Atlantic Coast Recycling Transaction : In March 2025, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in subsidiaries engaged in a recycling business to a third party purchaser for a purchase price of approximately $102.5 million, subject to certain adjustments resulting in cash proceeds of $68.6 million to the Company after adjustments for amounts allocated to non-controlling interests, repayment of contingent consideration, transaction costs and other items directly attributable to the closing of the transaction.
• Wealth Management: In April 2025, the Company sold a portion of the Company's (W-2) Wealth Management business to Stifel Financial Corp. ("Stifel") for net cash consideration of $26.0 million.
• GlassRatner and Farber : In June 2025, the Company sold all of the membership interests of GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group, LLC and B. Riley Farber Advisory Inc., for cash consideration of approximately $117.8 million.
• Others : The Company also engaged in the sale of certain investments and collection of proceeds from loans receivable to create additional liquidity and facilitate the repayment of debt.
Our Business Segments
We report our activities in six reportable business segments: Capital Markets, Wealth Management, Financial Consulting, Communications, Consumer Products segment, and E-Commerce Segment. The descriptions below illustrate the businesses that comprise our segments.
Capital Markets Segment
We provide investment banking and institutional brokerage services to publicly traded and privately held companies, institutional investors, and financial sponsors; fund and asset management services to institutional and high-net-worth individual investors; and direct lending services to middle market companies.
In addition, we trade equity securities as a principal for our account, including investments in funds managed by our subsidiaries. We maintain an investment portfolio comprised of public and private equities and debt securities. We also opportunistically provide loans to our clients and other borrowers. Our investment approach is value-oriented and represents a core competency of our capital markets strategy. We act as an advisor to our clients, which at times involves complex transactions consistent with our value-oriented investment philosophy. We often provide consulting, capital raising, or investment banking services for companies in which B. Riley may have significant influence through equity ownership, representation on the board of directors (or similar governing body), or both.
Investment Banking
We provide a full suite of capital markets and financial advisory services for small- and mid-cap companies and issuers and middle market financial sponsors, as well as larger companies in industries where we have particular expertise.
Our equity capital markets team provides an array of financing and sector-specific corporate finance solutions focused on the execution of public and private equity offerings. We source, structure, price and allocate underwritten public offerings and private placements spanning initial public offerings (“IPOs”), secondary and follow-on offerings, at-the-
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market offerings (“ATMs”), Rule 144A offerings (pre-public private placements), block trades, and corporate equity repurchase programs.
Our debt capital markets capabilities include the structuring and sourcing of debt financing solutions in public and private capital markets including acting as an underwriter of preferred stock and unsecured notes offerings, convertible and mezzanine debt offerings, and leveraged loans.
Our investment banking advisory professionals blend deep industry and transaction expertise to execute financial transactions for healthy companies pursuing growth, and for stakeholders of financially distressed companies, both in bankruptcy proceedings and out-of-court transactions. We provide financial advisory and execution services in support of M&A, restructuring, and recapitalization.
Equity Research
We are widely recognized for our proprietary and thematic approach to equity research. Our research primarily focuses on small- and mid-cap equities that are under-followed by Wall Street. We maintain research coverage for a variety of companies and industry sectors, focused on in-depth analyses of earnings, cash flow, balance sheet strength, and industry outlook involving extensive discussions with key management, competitors, channel partners, and customers.
Institutional Sales and Trading
Our institutional equity sales and trading team distributes our proprietary equity research products and communicates our investment recommendations to our client base of institutional investors, executes equity trades on behalf of clients, sells the securities of companies for which we act as an underwriter, and makes a market in over 1,500 securities. We maintain active trading relationships with over 1,000 institutional money managers.
Securities Lending
We engage in securities-based lending which involves the borrowing and lending of equity and fixed income securities.
Proprietary Trading
We also engage in proprietary trading for strategic investment purposes and to facilitate the execution of client transactions by utilizing the firm’s capital.
Direct Lending
Certain of our affiliates originate and underwrite senior secured loans, second lien secured loan facilities, and unsecured loans to asset-rich middle market public and private U.S. companies. We periodically participate in loans and financing arrangements for entities in which the Company has an equity ownership and representation on the board of directors (or similar governing body). B. Riley may also provide consulting services or investment banking services to raise capital for these companies.
Loan Origination and Underwriting
From time to time, we provide loans to clients and other borrowers. The loans encompass senior secured loans, second lien secured loan facilities, and unsecured loans primarily to middle market public and private companies. We may also participate in loans and financing arrangements for entities in which the Company has an equity ownership or board representation.
Our underwriting process for originating loans involves a review of the borrower’s business, capital structure, asset base, collateral, and relevant financial information, as appropriate. As part of this process, the underwriting may also include an analysis of liquidity, historical financial performance, and forecasted cash flow to determine the borrower’s ability to meet repayment obligations. For loans that are primarily collateralized by assets, we perform an assessment of the underlying collateral and its potential recovery value relative to the loan amount. These factors are taken into consideration in determining the loan amount, interest rate, maturity date, payment terms and other loan terms.
We regularly monitor the loans, which may include conducting quarterly financial and collateral reviews, discussions with management, and compliance with covenants. We also analyze the borrower’s liquidity projections to evaluate their
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ability to repay. Loan terms may be adjusted to reflect changes in borrower's creditworthiness, which may be the result of these factors, industry dynamics or macroeconomic conditions.
Investing
Part of our overall strategy includes identifying attractive investment opportunities where we may seek to control or influence the operations of the companies in which we invest in order to deliver financial and operational improvements designed to maximize free cash flow and, therefore, returns to our shareholders. Our team concentrates on opportunities presented by distressed companies or divisions that exhibit challenging market dynamics. Representative transactions include acquisitions of receivable portfolios, recapitalizations, direct equity investments, debt investments, active minority investments, and buyouts.
Wealth Management Segment
We provide retail brokerage, investment management, and insurance, and tax preparation services to individuals and families, small businesses, non-profits, trusts, foundations, endowments, and qualified retirement plans through a boutique private wealth and investment management firm to meet the individual financial needs and goals of our customers.
Our experienced financial advisors provide investment management, retirement planning, education planning, wealth transfer and trust coordination, and lending and liquidity solutions. Our investment strategists provide strategies and real-time market views and commentary to help our clients make important and informed financial and investment decisions. Assets under management ("AUM") in our wealth management segment totaled approximately $20.7 billion as of December 31, 2024. On April 4, 2025, we completed the sale of a portion of our (W-2) wealth management business representing 36 financial advisors whose managed accounts represented approximately $4.0 billion in AUM as of December 31, 2024. Following the transaction, the Company’s Wealth Management business continues to have approximately 231 financial advisors and $14.4 billion in AUM.
Financial Consulting Segment
We provide a variety of specialized advisory services spanning bankruptcy, restructuring, turnaround management, forensic accounting, crisis and litigation support, and operations management.
Our financial consulting clients include companies, financial institutions, lenders, financial sponsors, boards of directors, shareholders, creditors, government agencies, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and legal and professional services firms.
Bankruptcy Restructuring and Turnaround Management
Professionals in our bankruptcy restructuring and turnaround management group provide restructuring advisory services spanning strategic and operational advisory, turnaround management, Chief Restructuring Officer and interim management, and fiduciary and receivership services. We are often engaged to represent debtors, creditors, committees and lenders in out-of-court restructuring and formal bankruptcy court proceedings. We also act as court-appointed fiduciaries and trustees in chapter 11 and chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings.
Forensic Accounting and Litigation Support
Our services support highly complex, sensitive matters spanning antitrust, competition and class action lawsuits, commercial litigation and construction disputes, valuation disputes, fraud, and internal investigations. We are often called on to assist government agencies such as the Department of Justice, and various state and municipalities to investigate allegations and provide expert analyses related to lost profits and financial damages, data analytics, and to provide expert witness testimony in court proceedings.
On June 27, 2025, the Company signed an equity purchase agreement to sell all of the membership interests of its wholly owned subsidiary, GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GlassRatner”), and B. Riley Farber Advisory Inc., an Ontario corporation (“Farber”). The aggregate cash consideration paid by the Buyers for the interests of GlassRatner and shares of Farber was $117.8 million, which is based on a target closing working capital amount that is subject to adjustment within 180-days following the sale date. In connection with the sale, the Company entered into a transition services agreement with the buyer to provide certain services.
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Communications Segment
Our communications portfolio of companies consists of related businesses that we have acquired for attractive risk-adjusted investment return characteristics. We may pursue future acquisitions to expand this portfolio of businesses which currently includes: Lingo Management, LLC (“Lingo” or “Lingo Management”), a global cloud/unified communications (“UC”) and managed service provider that includes the operations of BullsEye Telecom, Inc. (“BullsEye”), a single source communications and cloud technology provider previously merged into Lingo; Marconi Wireless Holdings, LLC (“Marconi Wireless”), a mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) that provides mobile phone voice, text, and data services and devices; magicJack VoIP Services, LLC, (“magicJack”), a VoIP cloud-based technology and communications provider that offers related devices and subscription services; and United Online, Inc. (“UOL”), an Internet access provider that offers dial-up, mobile broadband and digital subscriber line (“DSL”) services under the NetZero and Juno brands.
Consumer Products Segment
The Consumer Products segment is comprised of Tiger US Holdings, Inc. Group (“Targus”), which is a multinational company that, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells consumer and enterprise productivity products with a large business-to-business (B2B) customer client base and global distribution in over 100 countries. The Targus product line includes laptop and tablet cases, backpacks, universal docking stations, and computer accessories. We acquired Targus on October 18, 2022.
E-Commerce Segment
The E-Commerce segment is comprised of Nogin, Inc.'s ("Nogin's") operations for the period from the acquisition date on May 3, 2024 through December 31, 2024, which is a technology platform operating e-commerce stores that delivers Commerce-as-a-Service (“CaaS”) solutions for apparel brands and other retailers. The Company manages clients’ front-to-back-end operations of the e-commerce stores and also provides marketing services to their clients. The Company’s business model is based on providing a comprehensive e-commerce solution to its customers on a revenue sharing basis.
As discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, we recognized an impairment charge to Nogin goodwill of $57,664 during the year ended December 31, 2024. At December 31, 2024, due to the size of the impairment charge, Nogin met the 10% segment profit test and is required to be reported as a separate reportable segment. On March 31, 2025, we signed a Deed of Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, (i) pursuant to which all of the assets of Nogin were transferred to an assignee for the benefit of Nogin’s creditors, and (ii) which provides the assignee the right to, among other things, sell or dispose of such assets and settle all claims against Nogin. We no longer control or own the assets of Nogin and the results of operations will no longer be reported in our financial statements after March 31, 2025.
Recent Developments
Conn’s and FRG
The Company’s results during the year ended December 31, 2024 were negatively impacted by a significant non-cash markdown of $287.0 million related to its investment in Freedom VCM Holdings, LLC (“Freedom VCM”), the indirect parent entity for Franchise Group (“FRG”). Freedom VCM’s strategy, which included the potential divestiture or monetization of certain assets, was materially negatively impacted by the unexpected announcement in November 2023 concerning FRG’s former CEO and his alleged involvement in fraudulent schemes despite the fact that these allegations are unrelated to FRG and its businesses. In the meantime, the consumer facing portion of the U.S. economy has deteriorated. On November 3, 2024, FRG, its operating businesses, and certain other affiliates, including Freedom VCM, filed voluntary petitions for relief (the “FRG Chapter 11 Cases”) under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"). As a result, on November 4, 2024, we concluded that we were required to record an impairment (in addition to prior impairments) with respect to the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable. The additional non-cash impairments of the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable are $118.0 million in the aggregate as of November 4, 2024. As a result of such additional impairments, we have ascribed no value to the Freedom VCM Investment and the Vintage Loan Receivable was valued at $2.1 million at December 31, 2024, which approximates the fair value of the underlying collateral for this loan which is primarily comprised of other securities. Subsequent to December 31, 2024, the fair value of the underlying collateral for this loan, which is comprised of other public securities, decreased to a fair value of $1.3 million at September 16, 2025.
Additionally, on July 23, 2024, Conn’s, Inc. (“Conn’s”) and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief (the “Chapter 11 Cases”) under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
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Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”). FRG, pursuant to a transaction consummated in January 2024, acquired a substantial equity investment in Conn’s in exchange for the sale of its Badcock Home Furniture & more business to Conn’s. The commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases constitutes an event of default that accelerated the obligations under the Term Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2023 (the “Conn’s Term Loan”), among Conn’s, W.S. Badcock LLC, as borrowers, and an affiliate of the Company, as administrative agent, collateral agent, and lender. As of the date of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, $93.0 million in outstanding borrowings existed under the Conn’s Term Loan. Any efforts to enforce payment obligations under the Conn’s Term Loan are automatically stayed as a result of the Chapter 11 Cases and the Company’s rights of enforcement in respect of the Conn’s Term Loan are subject to the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. The fair value adjustment on the Conn’s loan receivable was $(71.7) million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Wealth Management
On October 31, 2024, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell a portion of the Company’s (W-2) Wealth Management business to Stifel for estimated net consideration based on the number of advisors that join Stifel at closing, among other things. Upon closing the transaction on April 4, 2025, the sale was completed for net cash consideration of $26.0 million, representing 36 financial advisors whose managed accounts represent approximately $4.0 billion, or 19.3%, of AUM as of December 31, 2024.
Debt Financing and Repayment of Nomura Credit Facility
On February 26, 2025, the Company and the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, BR Financial Holdings, LLC (the “BRFH Borrower”), entered into a new credit agreement with a group of funds indirectly or directly controlled by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. with Oaktree Fund Administration, LLC, acting as the administrative agent and collateral agent. The new credit agreement provided for (i) a three-year $125.0 million secured term loan credit facility (the “Initial Term Loan Facility”) and (ii) a four-month $35.0 million secured delayed draw term loan credit facility (the “Delayed Draw Facility” and, together with the Initial Term Loan Facility, the “Credit Facility”). The proceeds from the Initial Term Loan Facility were primarily used (a) to repay the existing indebtedness under the Nomura Credit agreement discussed in Note 13, to the consolidated financial statements (b) for working capital and general corporate purposes and (c) to pay transaction fees and expenses. The proceeds of the Delayed Draw Facility were used (a) to fund obligations relating to the liquidation of substantially all of the assets of JOANN, Inc. and its subsidiaries and (b) for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Borrowings accrue interest at the adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") rate as defined in the Credit Facility with an applicable margin of 8.00%. In addition to paying interest on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, the Company was required to pay (i) a closing fee of 3.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Initial Term Loan Facility and 2.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Delayed Draw Facility, and (ii) an exit fee upon the prepayment or repayment of the Credit Facility of 5.00% of the aggregate principal amount of such loans repaid, provided, that the Initial Term Loan Facility exit fee shall not be payable if the share price for the Company's common stock exceeds a certain threshold. The Credit Facility also contains a provision where the final $62.5 million of repayment of principal on the Initial Term Loan may be subject to an additional prepayment premium, as defined in the Credit Facility, if the prepayment occurs before the second anniversary date of the Credit Facility.
The Company issued warrants to certain affiliates of Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. in connection with the Credit Facility to purchase approximately 1,832,290 shares (or 6% on a fully diluted basis) of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.14 per share. The warrants contain certain anti-dilution provisions pursuant to which, under certain circumstances, the warrant holders would be entitled to exercise the warrants for up to 19.9% of the then-outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.
Subject to certain eligibility requirements, certain assets of the BRFH Borrower are placed into a borrowing base (the “Borrowing Base”), which serves to limit the borrowings under the Credit Facility. The sale of an asset in the Borrowing Base requires the BRFH Borrower to make a prepayment in an amount equal to the proceeds of such disposition multiplied by the percentage “credit” that is assigned to such asset in the Borrowing Base. The BRFH Borrower may be obligated to prepay the loans or post cash in a controlled account in the event the Borrowing Base falls below a certain level as defined in the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s, the BRFH Borrower’s and the BRFH Borrower’s subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens, to dispose of assets, to make certain fundamental changes, to enter into restrictive agreements, to make certain investments, loans, advances,
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guarantees and acquisitions, to prepay certain indebtedness and to pay dividends or to make other distributions or redemptions/repurchases in respect of their respective equity interests.
Redemption of Senior Notes
On February 28, 2025, we redeemed all the issued and outstanding 6.375% Senior Notes due February 28, 2025 (the "6.375% 2025 Notes"). The redemption price was equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount, plus any accrued interest and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the redemption date The total redemption payment included approximately $0.7 million accrued interest. In connection with the full redemption, the 6.375% 2025 Notes, which were listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “RILYM,” were delisted from NASDAQ and ceased trading on the redemption date.
Sale of Atlantic Coast Recycling
On March 3, 2025, the Company and BR Financial Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“BR Financial”), B. Riley Environmental Holdings, LLC and other indirect subsidiaries of the Company which included Atlantic Coast Recycling, LLC (“Atlantic Coast Recycling”), Atlantic Coast Recycling of Ocean County, LLC, (“Atlantic Coast Recycling of Ocean County” and, together with Atlantic Coast Recycling, the “Atlantic Companies”), entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2025 (the “MIPA”). Pursuant to the MIPA, on March 3, 2025, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in each of the Atlantic Companies (the “Interests”) owned by BR Financial and the minority holders were sold to a third party. The Interests were sold to the third party on March 3, 2025 for a purchase price of $102.5 million, subject to certain adjustments and a holdback amount pending receipt of a certain third party consent, resulting in cash proceeds of $68.6 million to the Company after adjustments for amounts allocated to non-controlling interests, repayment of contingent consideration, transaction costs and other items directly attributable to the closing of the transaction. Of the $68.6 million of cash proceeds received by the Company, approximately $22.6 million was used to pay interest, fees, and principal on the Credit Facility discussed above. A gain of $52.7 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2025 from this sale.
B. Riley Securities Holdings, Inc. Equity Issuance
On March 10, 2025, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary B. Riley Securities Holdings, Inc. (“BRSH”) which is comprised of the broker dealer operations within the Capital Markets segment merged with a shell corporation and issued 0.6% of the equity in BRSH to certain investors in the shell corporation and upon completion of the transaction became minority stockholders of BRSH. Simultaneously with the merger with the shell corporation, BRSH approved the BRSH Stock Incentive Plan (the “BRSH Stock Plan”) and issued restricted stock awards to employees and officers of BRSH which represented 10.0% of the equity of BRSH that vest over a period of four to five years. Assuming the full issuance of the restricted stock awards, the Company continues to own 89.4% of BRSH.
Exchange of Senior Notes
On March 26, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with an institutional investor pursuant to which the investor exchanged $86.3 million of aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026 Notes and $36.7 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026 owned by it for approximately $87.8 million aggregate principal amount of newly-issued 8.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2028 (the “New Notes”), whereupon the exchanged notes were cancelled.
On April 7, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $22.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for approximately $10.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
On May 21, 2025, the Company completed a private exchange transaction with certain institutional investors pursuant to which such investors exchanged approximately $139.1 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2026, 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026 and 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 for approximately $93.1 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
On June 30, 2025, the Company entered into a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $28.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s
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5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for $13.0 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
On July 11, 2025, the Company entered into a private exchange transaction with a certain institutional investor pursuant to which such investor exchanged approximately $42.8 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.50% Senior Notes due September 2026, 5.00% Senior Notes due December 2026, 6.00% Senior Notes due January 2028 and 5.25% Senior Notes due August 2028 for $24.6 million aggregate principal amount of the New Notes.
In connection with these exchange transactions, the Company issued to such investors warrants to purchase a total of approximately 914,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. In connection with the issuance of such warrants, the Company entered into registration rights agreements with such investors, pursuant to which the Company has granted such investors (i) certain shelf registration rights whereby the Company will register resales of the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the warrants and (ii) certain piggyback registration rights, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the registration rights agreement.
The New Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2025 (the “Indenture”), between the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, and GLAS Trust Company LLC, a New Hampshire limited liability company, as trustee and collateral agent (in such capacities, the “Trustee”), and the New Notes are unconditionally guaranteed jointly and severally by all direct and indirect wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company, subject to certain excluded subsidiaries (collectively, the “Guarantors”). The New Notes are secured on a second lien basis, junior to the obligations under the Company’s Credit Facility, by substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors. The New Notes are subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the obligations under the Company’s Credit Facility.
The New Notes accrue interest at a rate of 8.00% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 30 and October 31, starting October 31, 2025. The New Notes mature on January 1, 2028. The Company may redeem the New Notes (i) at any time, in whole or in part, before March 26, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount being redeemed, plus a customary make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date; and (ii) at any time, in whole or in part, after March 26, 2026, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
The New Notes contain change of control provisions, whereby the holders of the New Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the New Notes at a purchase price, in cash, equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, if the Company or its restricted subsidiaries engage in certain asset sales and do not invest such proceeds or permanently reduce certain debt within a specified period of time, the Company will be required to use a portion of the proceeds of such asset sales above a specified threshold to make an offer to purchase the New Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes being purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Indenture contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness or liens, to dispose of assets, to make certain fundamental changes, to enter into restrictive agreements, to make certain investments, loans, advances, guarantees and acquisitions, to prepay certain indebtedness and to pay dividends or to make other distributions or redemptions/repurchases in respect of their respective equity interests.
Nogin
On March 31, 2025, the Company signed a Deed of Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, (i) pursuant to which all of the assets of Nogin were transferred to an assignee for the benefit of Nogin’s creditors, and (ii) which provides the assignee the right to, among other things, sell or dispose of such assets and settle all claims against Nogin. The Company no longer controls or owns the assets of Nogin and the results of operations will no longer be reported in the Company’s financial statements after March 31, 2025.
Sale of GlassRatner and Farber
On June 27, 2025, the Company signed an equity purchase agreement to sell all of the membership interests of GlassRatner and Farber. The aggregate cash consideration paid by the Buyers for the interests of GlassRatner and shares of Farber was $117.8 million, which is based on a target closing working capital amount that is subject to adjustment within
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180-days following the sale date. In connection with the sale, the Company entered into a transition services agreement with the buyer to provide certain services.
Targus/FGI Credit Agreement
On August 20, 2025, Targus (the "Targus Borrower") and certain of the Targus Borrowers' direct and indirect subsidiaries (the “FGI Loan Parties”) entered into a Revolving Credit, Receivables Purchase, Security and Guaranty Agreement (the “Targus/FGI Credit Agreement”) with FGI Worldwide LLC (“FGI”), as agent and for a three-year $30.0 million revolving loan facility, the proceeds of which were used to refinance and repay all obligations under the existing Targus Credit Agreement with PNC. The final maturity date of the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is August 20, 2028.
The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is a revolving line of credit facility with a receivables purchase feature under which the purchase of eligible receivables is on a full recourse basis with each borrower retaining the risk of non-payment. The revolving loans bear interest at the greater of (a) 5.25% per annum or (b) 3.00% above the term SOFR for a period of 1 month plus 10 basis points, plus (c) 0.30% per month collateral management fee.
The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement is secured by (i) a first priority perfected security interest in and a lien upon all of the assets of the FGI Loan Parties, and (ii) a pledge of all of the equity interests of the Targus Borrower and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement contains certain covenants, including those limiting the FGI Loan Parties' ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the nature of their businesses, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments or pay dividends. The Targus/FGI Credit Agreement also contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, and events of default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, covenant defaults and cross defaults. If an uncured event of default occurs, FGI would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts outstanding under the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement.
As required under the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement, B. Riley Commercial Capital, LLC ("BRCC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an amendment to an existing intercompany loan and security agreement to extend an additional subordinated loan to the Targus Borrower at the closing of the Targus/FGI Credit Agreement in the amount of $5.0 million increasing the aggregate principal amount of such loan from $5.0 million to $10.0 million.
Our Customers
We serve retail, corporate, capital providers and individual customers across our services lines. We are primarily engaged for our financial services by corporate customers, including publicly held and privately owned companies, financial institutions, institutional investors, lenders and other capital providers, and legal and other professional services firms.
We maintain client relationships with companies and service providers to the consumer goods, industrials, energy, financial services, healthcare, real estate, and technology industries. We provide fund and asset management services and products to institutional, high-net-worth and individual investors.
Our communications and consumer products businesses primarily provide services and related consumer products to individual customers.
Competition
We face intense competition across all our business lines. While some competitors are unique to specific service offerings, some competitors cross multiple service offerings.
The industry trend toward continued consolidation among financial services companies has significantly increased the capital base and geographic reach of many of our competitors. We compete with other investment banks, bank holding companies, brokerage firms, merchant banks, and financial advisory firms. Our focus on our target industries also subjects us to direct competition from several specialty firms and smaller investment banking boutiques that specialize in providing services to these industries.
Larger, more diversified and better-capitalized competitors may be better positioned to respond to industry changes, to recruit and retain skilled professionals, to finance acquisitions, to fund internal growth and to compete for market share
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generally. Many of these firms may offer a wider range of services and products, which may enhance their competitive position relative to us. These firms can also support services and products with other financial services revenues to gain market share, which could result in downward pricing pressure in our businesses.
As it relates to our communications businesses, the U.S. market for Internet and broadband services is highly competitive. We compete with numerous providers of broadband services, as well as other dial-up Internet access providers, wireless and satellite service providers, cable service providers, and broadband resellers. We face competition from other manufacturers of smart phones, tablets and other handheld wireless devices. Also, we compete against established alternative voice communication providers, and may face competition from other large, well-capitalized Internet companies.
Our Targus business competes with companies that own other brands and trademarks, and other consumer brands as these companies could enter into similar licensing arrangements with domestic and international retailers and wholesalers.
Existing and potential clients across our businesses can choose from a variety of qualified service providers and products. In a cost-sensitive environment, such competitive arrangements may prevent us from acquiring new clients or new engagements with existing clients. Some of our competitors may be able to negotiate secure alliances with clients and affiliates on more favorable terms and devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns or to the development of technology systems than us. In addition, new technologies and the expansion of existing technologies with respect to the online auction business may increase competitive pressures, including for the services of skilled professionals. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors, and these competitive pressures could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Regulation
As a financial services provider, we are subject to complex and extensive regulation of most aspects of our business by U.S. federal and state regulatory agencies, self-regulatory organizations and securities exchanges. The laws, rules, and regulations comprising the regulatory framework are constantly changing, as are the interpretation and enforcement of existing laws, rules, and regulations. The effect of any such changes cannot be predicted and may direct the manner of our operations and affect our profitability.
Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to regulations governing every aspect of the securities business, including the execution of securities transactions; capital requirements; record-keeping and reporting procedures; relationships with customers, including the handling of cash and margin accounts; the experience of and training requirements for certain employees; and business interactions with firms that are not members of regulatory bodies.
Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are registered with the SEC and are members of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). FINRA is a self-regulatory body composed of members such as our broker-dealer subsidiaries that have agreed to abide by the rules and regulations of FINRA. FINRA may expel, fine, and otherwise discipline member firms and their employees. Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are licensed as broker-dealers in all 50 states in the U.S., requiring us to comply with the laws, rules and regulations of each such state. Each state may revoke the license to conduct securities business, fine, and otherwise discipline broker-dealers and their employees. We are also registered with NASDAQ and must comply with its applicable rules.
Our broker-dealer subsidiaries are also subject to the SEC’s Uniform Net Capital Rule, Rule 15c3-1, which may limit our ability to make withdrawals of capital from our broker-dealer subsidiaries. The Uniform Net Capital Rule sets the minimum level of net capital a broker-dealer must maintain and also requires that a portion of its assets be relatively liquid. In addition, our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to certain notification requirements related to withdrawals of excess net capital.
The SEC requires broker-dealers to act in the best interest of their customers, and in December 2022, the SEC issued a proposed rule that would establish a best execution standard for broker-dealers and require broker-dealers to, among other things, establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the best execution standard.
We are also subject to the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the Patriot Act), which imposes obligations regarding the prevention and detection of money-laundering activities, including the establishment of customer due diligence and customer verification, and other compliance policies and procedures. The conduct of research analysts is also the subject of
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rulemaking by the SEC, FINRA and the federal government through the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These regulations require certain disclosures by, and restrict the activities of, research analysts and broker-dealers, among others. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in monetary, regulatory and, in the case of the USA Patriot Act, criminal penalties.
Our asset management subsidiaries are SEC-registered investment advisers, and accordingly subject to regulation by the SEC. Requirements under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 include record-keeping, advertising and operating requirements, and prohibitions on fraudulent activities.
We are subject to federal and state consumer protection laws, including regulations prohibiting unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Our communications businesses are subject to a number of international, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including, without limitation, those relating to taxation, bulk email or “spam” advertising, user privacy and data protection, consumer protection, antitrust, export, and unclaimed property. In addition, proposed laws and regulations relating to some or all of the foregoing, as well as to other areas affecting our businesses, are continuously debated and considered for adoption in the U.S. and other countries, and such laws and regulations could be adopted in the future. For additional information, see “Risk Factors,” which appears in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our communications companies provide numerous communication services, including broadband telephone services, mobile phone and data services, global cloud technology/unified communications, mobile broadband and digital subscriber lines. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) has asserted limited statutory jurisdiction and regulatory authority over the operations and offerings of providers of such services. The scope of the FCC regulations applicable to magicJack’s, Lingo Management's, Marconi Wireless' and UOL's services may change. Some of these operations are also subject to regulation by state public utility commissions.
Our Targus business conducts operations in a number of countries and is subject to a variety of laws and regulations which vary from country to country. Such laws and regulations include, in addition to environmental regulations described below, tax, import/export and anti-corruption laws, varying accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, import or export restrictions or licensing requirements, trade protection measures, custom duties, tariffs, import or export duties, and other trade barriers, restrictions and regulations.
Our Targus business and its respective contract manufacturers are subject to regulation under various federal, state, local, and foreign laws concerning the environment, including laws addressing governing the manufacturing use and distribution of materials and chemical substances in products, their safe use, and laws restricting the presence of certain substances in electronics products. We could incur costs, including fines and civil or criminal sanctions, and third-party damage or personal injury claims, if we or our contract manufacturers were to violate or become liable under environmental laws.
We have established systems that facilitate our products’ compliance with applicable laws and regulations relating to testing, sourcing, traceability, and reporting obligations on a product basis. We require all contract manufacturers to attest to the compliance of the products they manufacture for such laws and regulations, and that the materials they utilize are as specified and tested. By signing a Supplier Hazardous Substance Free Declaration of Conformity to Targus, or other relevant Declaration of Conformity by product type, contract manufacturers confirm that they, and all components utilized in the products they manufacture for us, are in compliance with applicable regulations.
Human Capital
As of December 31, 2024, we had 2,056 full time employees, with over 500 additional affiliated associates active across our business and industry verticals.
We have a world-class team of colleagues across B. Riley. We recognize that our people are our most valuable asset and remain committed to providing the direction, support and resources necessary for our teams to succeed both professionally and personally. We operate in a highly collaborative, competitive, and fast-paced environment with an entrepreneurial culture that empowers our professionals to grow their own way and to succeed through mentorship opportunities. We strive to attract quality talent with the expertise to lead in their respective fields, innovative and independent thinkers who can collaborate on creative ways to better serve our clients and customers, and individuals with the agility to thrive in a fast-paced environment. We believe access to leadership is a critical part of mentoring our associates and the future leaders of our profession across all practices and sectors.
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We offer competitive compensation and benefits to support our employees’ wellbeing and reward strong performance. Our pay-for-performance compensation philosophy is designed to reward employees for achievement and to align employee interests with the firm’s long-term growth. Our benefits program includes healthcare, wellness initiatives, retirement offerings, paid time off, and flexible leave arrangements. We also offer all employees access to our employee assistance program, physical health and mental wellness programs and whenever possible, support flexible employment arrangements, such as remote work, that provide personal flexibility without sacrificing productivity and client service.
Workplace health and safety is vital to the successful operation of our business. The safety and protection of our employees, visitors, and event attendees is our utmost priority and an integral part of any function or service we provide. We continue to enhance our business continuity program to address how we respond to threats, while ensuring that we can continue to provide quality service to our clients and shareholders at all times.
Available Information
We maintain a website at www.brileyfin.com. The information on our website is not a part of, or incorporated in, this Annual Report. We file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy and information statements, among other reports and filings, with the SEC, and make available, free of charge, on or through our website, such reports and filings and amendments thereto filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The public may obtain copies of these reports and filings and any amendments thereto at www.sec.gov.
Our Board of Directors (“Board” or “Board of Directors”) has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available for review on our website at https://ir.brileyfin.com/governance. Each of our directors, employees and officers, including our Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and all of our other principal executive officers, are required to comply with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Any changes to or waiver of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for senior financial officers, executive officers or Directors will be made available on our investor relations website.