-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, ISHDZb4TMUx4SuD8m9i18HY51oSWcsTC4wZNgFP29WtcJxnkAIClgqREvKd4tf0h vSIifDjSCejejn+3VLEpYg== 0000950123-07-011199.txt : 20070809 0000950123-07-011199.hdr.sgml : 20070809 20070809165549 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-07-011199 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20070630 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070809 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070809 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ASTA FUNDING INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001001258 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SHORT-TERM BUSINESS CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6153] IRS NUMBER: 223388607 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-26906 FILM NUMBER: 071041377 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 210 SYLVAN AVE CITY: ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS STATE: NJ ZIP: 07632 BUSINESS PHONE: 2015675648 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 210 SYLVAN AVE CITY: ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS STATE: NJ ZIP: 07632 10-Q 1 y38197e10vq.htm FORM 10-Q 10-Q
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number: 0-26906
ASTA FUNDING, INC.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
     
DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  22-3388607
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
210 SYLVAN AVE., ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NEW JERSEY
(Address of principal executive offices)
  07632
(Zip Code)
ISSUER’S TELEPHONE NUMBER: (201) 567-5648
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: N/A
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer as in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o                    Accelerated filer þ                    Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act) Yes o No þ
As of August 6, 2007, the registrant had 13,913,158 common shares outstanding.
 
 

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
             
  Financial Information        
 
           
 
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
       
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2007 (unaudited) and September 30, 2006
       
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine and three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)
       
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine month period ending June 30, 2007 (unaudited)
       
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)
       
 
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
       
 
           
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
       
 
           
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk        
 
           
  Controls and Procedures        
 
           
  Other Information        
 
           
  Legal Proceedings        
 
           
  Risk Factors        
 
           
  Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds        
 
           
  Defaults Upon Senior Securities        
 
           
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders        
 
           
  Other Information        
 
           
  Exhibits        
 
           
           
 
           
Exhibit 10.1
  — Fifth Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated June 26, 2007        
Exhibit 10.2
  — First Amendment to the Receivables Financing Agreement dated July 1, 2007        
Exhibit 31.1
  — Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer        
Exhibit 31.2
  — Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer        
Exhibit 32.1
  — Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer        
Exhibit 32.2
  — Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer        
 EX-10.1: FIFTH AMENDED TO FOURTH AMEDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT
 EX-10.2: AMENDMENT TO RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT
 EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION
 EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION
 EX-32.1: CERTIFICATION
 EX-32.2: CERTIFICATION


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    June 30,     September 30,  
    2007     2006  
    (Unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
 
Cash
  $ 20,638,000     $ 7,826,000  
Consumer receivables acquired for liquidation, (at net realizable value)
    539,703,000       257,275,000  
Due from third party collection agencies and attorneys
    5,069,000       3,062,000  
Investment in venture
    3,514,000       5,965,000  
Furniture and equipment, net
    1,067,000       1,101,000  
Deferred income taxes
    12,576,000       7,577,000  
Other assets
    4,801,000       5,034,000  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 587,368,000     $ 287,840,000  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Liabilities
               
Debt
  $ 344,688,000     $ 82,811,000  
Other liabilities
    4,706,000       4,338,000  
Dividends payable
    557,000       6,052,000  
Income taxes payable
    12,746,000       10,377,000  
 
           
Total liabilities
    362,697,000       103,578,000  
 
           
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000; issued and outstanding — none
               
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding — 13,913,158 at June 30, 2007 and 13,755,157 at September 30, 2006
    138,000       138,000  
Additional paid-in capital
    64,690,000       61,803,000  
Retained earnings
    159,843,000       122,321,000  
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    224,671,000       184,262,000  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 587,368,000     $ 287,840,000  
 
           
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
                                 
    Three Months     Three Months     Nine Months     Nine Months  
    Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended  
    June 30, 2007     June 30, 2006     June 30, 2007     June 30, 2006  
 
                               
Revenues:
                               
Finance income, net
  $ 38,845,000     $ 26,090,000     $ 96,139,000     $ 71,179,000  
Other income
    43,000       336,000       502,000       336,000  
Equity in earnings in venture
    50,000             1,025,000        
 
                       
 
    38,938,000       26,426,000       97,666,000       71,515,000  
 
                               
Expenses:
                               
General and administrative
    6,510,000       4,692,000       17,388,000       13,492,000  
Interest
    6,651,000       1,249,000       11,949,000       3,214,000  
Impairments
          675,000       2,412,000       675,000  
 
                       
 
                               
 
    13,161,000       6,616,000       31,749,000       17,381,000  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before income taxes
    25,777,000       19,810,000       65,917,000       54,134,000  
 
                               
Income tax expense
    10,469,000       8,030,000       26,731,000       21,939,000  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income
  $ 15,308,000     $ 11,780,000     $ 39,186,000     $ 32,195,000  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income per share:
                               
 
                               
Basic
  $ 1.10     $ 0.86     $ 2.84     $ 2.37  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted
  $ 1.03     $ 0.80     $ 2.67     $ 2.20  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                               
 
                               
Basic
    13,907,554       13,628,776       13,794,877       13,611,915  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted
    14,819,926       14,639,432       14,677,258       14,604,678  
 
                       
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
                                         
                    Additional              
    Common Stock     Paid-In     Retained        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Total  
 
                                       
Balance, September 30, 2006
    13,755,157     $ 138,000     $ 61,803,000     $ 122,321,000     $ 184,262,000  
Exercise of options
    90,001             1,254,000             1,254,000  
Restricted stock granted
    68,000                                  
Stock based compensation expense
                    953,000               953,000  
Excess tax benefit arising from exercise of non-qualified stock options and vesting of restricted stock
                    680,000               680,000  
Dividends declared
                      (1,664,000 )     (1,664,000 )
Net income
                      39,186,000       39,186,000  
 
                             
Balance, June 30, 2007
    13,913,158     $ 138,000     $ 64,690,000     $ 159,843,000     $ 224,671,000  
 
                             
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
                 
    Nine Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    June 30, 2007     June 30, 2006  
 
               
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 39,186,000     $ 32,195,000  
 
               
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    439,000       382,000  
Deferred income taxes
    (4,999,000 )        
Impairments of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    2,412,000       675,000  
Stock based compensation
    953,000       105,000  
Other
    (209,000 )        
 
               
Changes in:
               
Income taxes payable
    2,369,000       (474,000 )
Due from third party collection agencies and attorneys
    (2,007,000 )     (313,000 )
Other assets
    (17,000 )     (133,000 )
Other investments
    (2,471,000 )        
Other liabilities
    (531,000 )     (1,082,000 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    35,125,000       31,355,000  
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (402,316,000 )     (155,361,000 )
Principal collected on receivables acquired for liquidation
    94,921,000       72,569,000  
Principal collected on receivable accounts represented by account sales
    22,555,000       18,805,000  
Cash distribution from venture
    2,450,000        
Purchase of other investments
    (5,777,000 )        
Collections on other investments
    9,357,000          
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
          (1,406,000 )
Capital expenditures
    (155,000 )     (338,000 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (278,965,000 )     (65,731,000 )
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from exercise of options
    1,254,000       590,000  
Excess tax benefit arising from exercise of non-qualified options and Vesting of restricted stock
    680,000        
Dividends paid
    (7,159,000 )     (1,565,000 )
Advances under lines of credit, net
    261,877,000       36,002,000  
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    256,652,000       35,027,000  
 
           
Increase in cash
    12,812,000       651,000  
Cash at the beginning of period
    7,826,000       4,059,000  
 
           
Cash at end of period
  $ 20,638,000     $ 4,710,000  
 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
 
               
Cash paid during the period
               
Interest
  $ 9,121,000     $ 3,132,000  
Income taxes
  $ 28,655,000     $ 22,322,000  
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1: Business and Basis of Presentation
Business
          Asta Funding, Inc., together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of purchasing, managing and servicing non-performing and distressed consumer receivables. Non-performing consumer receivables are the obligations of individuals that have incurred credit impairment either at the time the obligation was originated or subsequent to origination. Distressed consumer receivables are the unpaid debts of individuals to banks, finance companies and other credit providers. A large portion of our distressed consumer receivables are MasterCard®, Visa® , other credit card accounts and telecommunication accounts which were charged-off by the issuers for non-payment. We acquire these portfolios at substantial discounts from their contractual amounts based on certain characteristics (issuer, average account size, debtor location and age of debt) of the underlying accounts of each portfolio.
Basis of Presentation
     The condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2007, and the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2006, (the September 30, 2006 financial information included in this report has been extracted from our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K) the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine and three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity as of and for the nine months ended June 30, 2007 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, have been prepared by us without an audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our financial position at June 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006, the results of operations for the nine and three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and cash flows for the nine month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 have been made. The results of operations for the nine and three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for any other interim period or the full fiscal year.
     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and therefore do not include all information and note disclosures required under generally accepted accounting principles. We suggest that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates including management’s estimates of future cash flows and the allocation of collections between principal and interest resulting therefrom.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
          In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, this Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This Statement is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the Board’s long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. This Statement is effective for the Company’s fiscal year that begins October 1, 2008. The Company believes that the statement, when adopted, will not impact the Company.
     In September 2006, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (SAB 108). SAB 108 was issued in order to eliminate the diversity in practice surrounding how public companies quantify financial statement misstatements. SAB 108 requires that registrants quantify errors using both a balance sheet and income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in a misstated amount that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. SAB 108 became effective for the Company in the current fiscal year. Adoption had no material impact on the Company.

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 1: Business and Basis of Presentation — (Continued)
          In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the Board having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. FASB Statement No. 157 will be effective for our financial statements issued for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of FASB Statement No. 157 to have a material impact on our financial reporting, and we are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of FASB Statement No. 157 will have on our disclosure requirements.
     In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007. We do not expect the adoption of FIN 48 to have a material impact on our financial reporting and disclosure.
Reclassification
     Certain items in prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current period’s presentation.
Note 2: Principles of Consolidation
     The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company’s investment in a venture, representing a 25% interest, is accounted for using the equity method. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Note 3: Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation
          Accounts acquired for liquidation are stated at their net realizable value and consist mainly of defaulted consumer loans to individuals throughout the country.
     Prior to October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for its investment in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of Practice Bulletin 6, “Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans.” Effective October 1, 2005, the Company adopted and began to account for its investment in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of AICPA Statement of Position 03-3, “Accounting for Loans or Certain Securities Acquired in a Transfer” (“SOP 03-3”). Practice Bulletin 6 was amended by SOP 03-3. Under the guidance of SOP 03-3 (and the amended Practice Bulletin 6); static pools of accounts are established. These pools are aggregated based on certain common risk criteria. Each static pool is recorded at cost and is accounted for as a single unit for the recognition of income, principal payments and loss provision. Once a static pool is established for a quarter, individual receivable accounts are not added to the pool (unless replaced by the seller) or removed from the pool (unless sold or returned to the seller). SOP 03-3 (and the amended Practice Bulletin 6) requires that the excess of the contractual cash flows over expected cash flows not be recognized as an adjustment of revenue or expense or on the balance sheet. SOP 03-3 initially freezes the internal rate of return, referred to as IRR, estimated when the accounts receivable are purchased, as the basis for subsequent impairment testing. Significant increases in actual, or expected future cash flows may be recognized prospectively through an upward adjustment of the IRR over a portfolio’s remaining life. Any increase to the IRR then becomes the new benchmark for impairment testing. Effective for fiscal years beginning October 1, 2005 under SOP 03-3 and the amended Practice Bulletin 6, rather than lowering the estimated IRR if the collection estimates are not received or projected to be received, the carrying value of a pool would be written down to maintain the then current IRR. No impairments were recorded in the three month period ended June 30, 2007. Impairments on three portfolios of receivables totaling approximately $2.4 million were recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 2007. For the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2006 the Company recorded an impairment on one portfolio of $675,000. Income on finance receivables is earned based on each static pool’s effective IRR. Under the interest method, income is recognized on the effective yield method based on the actual cash collected during a period and future estimated cash flows and timing of such collections and the portfolio’s cost. Revenue arising from collections in excess of anticipated amounts attributable to timing differences is deferred. The estimated future cash flows are reevaluated quarterly.
     Under the cost recovery method, no income is recognized until the cost of the portfolio has been fully recovered. A pool can become fully amortized (zero carrying balance on the balance sheet) while still generating cash collections. In this case, all cash collections are recognized as revenue when received. Additionally, the Company uses the cost recovery method when collections on a particular pool of accounts cannot be reasonably predicted.

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 3: Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation — (continued)
     We account for our investments in consumer receivable portfolios, using either:
    the interest method; or
 
    the cost recovery method.
     Our extensive liquidating experience is in the field of distressed credit card receivables, telecom receivables, consumer loan receivables, retail installment contracts, mixed consumer receivables, and auto deficiency receivables. We use the interest method for accounting for substantially all asset acquisitions within these classes of receivables when we believe we can reasonably estimate the timing of the cash flows. In those situations where we diversify our acquisitions into other asset classes where we do not possess the same expertise or history, or we cannot reasonably estimate the timing of the cash flows, we utilize the cost recovery method of accounting for those portfolios of receivables.
     Over time, as we continue to purchase asset classes in which we believe we have requisite expertise and experience, we are more likely to utilize the interest method to account for such purchases.
     Prior to October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for its investment in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of Practice Bulletin 6. Each purchase was treated as a separate portfolio of receivables and was considered a separate financial investment, and accordingly we did not aggregate such loans under Practice Bulletin 6 as the underlying collateral had similar characteristics. After SOP 03-3 was adopted by the Company beginning with our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2005, we began to aggregate portfolios of receivables acquired sharing specific common characteristics which were acquired within a given quarter. We currently consider for aggregation portfolios of accounts, purchased within the same fiscal quarter, that generally meet the following characteristics:
    Same issuer/originator;
 
    Same underlying credit quality;
 
    Similar geographic distribution of the accounts;
 
    Similar age of the receivable; and
 
    Same type of asset class (credit cards, telecom etc.)
We use a variety of qualitative and quantitative factors to estimate collections and the timing thereof. Our analysis includes the following variables:
    The number of collection agencies previously attempting to collect the receivables in the portfolio;
 
    the average balance of the receivables, as higher balances might be more difficult to collect while low balances might not be cost effective to collect;
 
    the age of the receivables, as older receivables might be more difficult to collect or might be less cost effective. On the other hand, the passage of time, in certain circumstances, might result in higher collections due to changing life events of some individual debtors;
 
    past history of performance of similar assets;
 
    number of days since charge-off;
 
    payments made since charge-off;
 
    the credit originator and its credit guidelines;
 
    our ability to analyze accounts and resell accounts that meet our criteria for resale;
 
    the locations of the debtors as there are better states to attempt to collect in and ultimately we have better predictability of the liquidations and the expected cash flows. Conversely, there are also states where the liquidation rates are not as favorable and that is factored into our cash flow analysis;

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 3: Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation — (continued)
    Jobs or property of the debtors found within portfolios-with our business model, this is of particular importance. Debtors with jobs or property are more likely to repay their obligation and conversely, debtors without jobs or property are less likely to repay their obligation ; and
 
    the ability to obtain customer statements from the original issuer.
     We obtain and utilize as appropriate input from our third party collection agencies and attorneys, as further evidentiary matter, to assist us in evaluating and developing collection strategies and in evaluating and modeling the expected cash flows for a given portfolio.
     The following tables summarize the changes in the balance sheet of the investment in receivable portfolios during the following periods:
                         
    For The Nine Months Ended June 30, 2007  
        Cost        
    Interest     Recovery        
    Method     Method     Total  
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 256,199,000     $ 1,076,000     $ 257,275,000  
Acquisitions of receivable portfolios, net
    356,884,000       45,432,000       402,316,000  
Net cash collections from collections of consumer receivables acquired for
liquidation (1)
    (164,829,000 )     (8,020,000 )     (172,849,000 )
Net cash collections represented by accounts sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (36,519,000 )     (4,247,000 )     (40,766,000 )
Transfer to cost recovery (2)
    (4,478,000 )     4,478,000        
Impairment
    (2,412,000 )           (2,412,000 )
Finance income recognized (3)
    94,168,000       1,971,000       96,139,000  
 
                 
Balance, end of period
  $ 499,013,000     $ 40,690,000     $ 539,703,000  
 
                 
Revenue as a percentage of collections
    46.8 %     16.1 %     45.0 %
 
(1)   Includes put backs of purchased accounts returned to the seller totaling $5.5 million.
 
(2)   Represents a portfolio acquired during the three months ended December 31, 2006 which the Company has successfully negotiated the return to the seller. The portfolio was returned on July 31, 2007.
 
(3)   Includes $11.1 million derived from fully amortized interest method pools.
                         
    For The Nine Months Ended June 30, 2006  
        Cost        
    Interest     Recovery        
    Method     Method     Total  
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 172,636,000     $ 91,000     $ 172,727,000  
Acquisitions of receivable portfolios, net
    155,361,000             155,361,000  
Net cash collections from collections of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (116,464,000 )     (2,820,000 )     (119,284,000 )
Net cash collections represented by account sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (43,034,000 )     (235,000 )     (43,269,000 )
Transfer to cost recovery
    (529,000 )     529,000        
Impairment
    (675,000 )           (675,000 )
Finance income recognized (4)
    68,415,000       2,764,000       71,179,000  
 
                 
Balance, end of period
  $ 235,710,000     $ 329,000     $ 236,039,000  
 
                 
Revenue as a percentage of collections
    42.9 %     90.5 %     43.8 %
 
(4)   Includes $4.0 million derived from fully amortized interest method pools.

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 3: Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation — (continued)
                         
    For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
        Cost        
    Interest     Recovery        
    Method     Method     Total  
 
                       
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 522,345,000     $ 41,389,000     $ 563,734,000  
Acquisitions of receivable portfolios, net
    11,086,000       4,548,000       15,634,000  
Net cash collections from collections of consumer receivables acquired for
liquidation (5)
    (62,814,000 )     (5,931,000 )     (68,745,000 )
Net cash collections represented by account sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (9,765,000 )           (9,765,000 )
Finance income recognized (6)
    38,161,000       684,000       38,845,000  
 
                 
Balance, end of period
  $ 499,013,000     $ 40,690,000     $ 539,703,000  
 
                 
Revenue as a percentage of collections
    52.6 %     11.5 %     49.5 %
 
(5)   Includes put backs of purchased accounts returned to the seller totaling $5.5 million.
     
(6)   Includes $5.6 million derived from fully amortized interest method pools.
                         
    For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2006  
        Cost        
    Interest     Recovery        
    Method     Method     Total  
 
                       
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 236,821,000     $ 385,000     $ 237,206,000  
Acquisitions of receivable portfolios, net
    34,173,000             34,173,000  
Net cash collections from collections of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (42,994,000 )     (798,000 )     (43,792,000 )
Net cash collections represented by account sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (16,963,000 )           (16,963,000 )
Impairment
    (675,000 )           (675,000 )
Finance income recognized (7)
    25,348,000       742,000       26,090,000  
 
                 
Balance, end of period
  $ 235,710,000     $ 329,000     $ 236,039,000  
 
                 
Revenue as a percentage of collections
    42.3 %     93.0 %     42.9 %
 
(7)   Includes $1.2 million derived from fully amortized interest method pools.
     As of June 30, 2007 the Company had $539,703,000 in consumer receivables acquired for liquidation, of which $499,013,000 are accounted for on the interest method. Based upon current projections, net cash collections, applied to principal for interest method portfolios will be as follows for the twelve months in the periods ending:
         
September 30, 2007 (three months ending)
  $ 10,793,000  
September 30, 2008
    176,700,000  
September 30, 2009
    153,283,000  
September 30, 2010
    121,320,000  
September 30, 2011
    63,513,000  
September 30, 2012
    1,595,000  
 
     
 
    527,204,000  
Cash collections in advance of projected amounts (deferred revenue)
    (28,191,000 )
 
     
Total
  $ 499,013,000  
 
     

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 3: Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation — (continued)
     Accretable yield represents the amount of income the Company can expect to generate over the remaining life of its existing portfolios based on estimated future net cash flows as of June 30, 2007. The Company adjusts the accretable yield upward when it believes, based on available evidence, that portfolio collections will exceed amounts previously estimated. Changes in accretable yield for the nine and three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
                 
    Nine Months     Nine Months  
    Ended     Ended  
    June 30, 2007     June 30, 2006  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 148,900,000*     $ 94,022,000  
 
               
Income recognized on finance receivables, net
    (94,168,000 )     (68,415,000 )
Additions representing expected revenue from purchases
    135,224,000       85,252,000  
Impairment
    (423,000 )     (600,000 )
Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference
    19,177,000       37,734,000*  
 
           
Balance at end of period
  $ 208,710,000     $ 147,993,000*  
 
           
                 
    Three Months     Three Months  
    Ended     Ended  
    June 30, 2007     June 30, 2006  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 231,971,000*     $ 156,659,000*  
 
               
Income recognized on finance receivables, net
    (38,161,000 )     (25,348,000 )
Additions representing expected revenue from purchases
    3,654,000       13,582,000  
Impairment
          (600,000 )
Reclassifications from nonaccretable difference
    11,246,000       3,700,000*  
 
           
Balance at end of period
  $ 208,710,000     $ 147,993,000*  
 
           
*     As revised to reflect zero basis income recognized.
     During the nine months ended June 30, 2007, the Company purchased $10.2 billion of face value charged-off consumer receivables at a cost of $402.3 million. This includes a portfolio with an approximate value of $4.8 million that was recently returned to the seller at our original cost and put backs of purchased accounts returned to the seller totaling $5.5 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2007 the Company purchased $496.8 million of face value charged-off consumer receivables at a cost of $15.6 million. At June 30, 2007, the estimated remaining net collections on the receivables purchased in the nine months ended June 30, 2007 are $443.6 million.
     The following table summarizes collections on a gross basis as received by our third-party collection agencies and attorneys, less commissions and direct costs for the nine and three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
                 
    For The Nine Months Ended June 30,  
    2007     2006  
 
               
Gross collections (1)
  $ 304,692,000     $ 238,054,000  
 
               
Commissions and fees (2)
    91,077,000       75,501,000  
 
           
 
               
Net collections
  $ 213,615,000     $ 162,553,000  
 
           

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 3: Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation — (continued)
                 
    For The Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2007     2006  
 
               
Gross collections (1)
  $ 111,877,000     $ 93,022,000  
 
               
Commissions and fees (2)
    33,367,000       32,267,000  
 
           
 
               
Net collections
  $ 78,510,000     $ 60,755,000  
 
           
 
(1)   Gross collections include: collections from third-party collection agencies and attorneys, collections from our in-house efforts and collections represented by account sales. In addition, includes put backs of purchased accounts returned to the seller totaling $5.5 million in 2007.
     
(2)   Commissions and fees are the contractual commission earned by third party collection agencies and attorneys, and direct costs associated with the collection effort- generally court costs.
Note 4: Investment in venture
     In August 2006, the Company acquired a 25% interest in a newly formed venture for $7,810,000. The Company accounts for its investment in the venture using the equity method. This venture is in business to liquidate the assets of a retail business which it acquired through bankruptcy proceedings. It is anticipated the liquidation will be completed over the next 12 to 24 months. From its inception through June 30, 2007, the venture made distributions to the Company of $5,870,000. Subsequent to June 30, 2007 and through August 6, 2007, the venture distributed an additional $475,000 to the Company.
Note 5: Furniture and Equipment
     Furniture and equipment consist of the following as of the dates indicated:
                 
    June 30,     September 30,  
    2007     2006  
Furniture
  $ 307,000     $ 307,000  
Equipment
    2,718,000       2,563,000  
 
           
 
    3,025,000       2,870,000  
Less accumulated depreciation
    1,958,000       1,769,000  
 
           
Balance, end of period
  $ 1,067,000     $ 1,101,000  
 
           
Note 6: Debt
      The Company has an agreement with a consortium of banks (“the Loan Agreement”) with a facility for borrowing $175 million with an expandable feature which allows the Company the ability to increase the line to $225 million with the consent of the banks. The Loan Agreement, as amended, allows the Company a line of credit that bears interest at the lesser of LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or the prime rate minus an applicable margin based on certain leverage ratios. The credit line is collateralized by all portfolios of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation, other than the Portfolio Purchase discussed below, and contains financial and other covenants (relative to tangible net worth, interest coverage, and leverage ratio, as defined) that must be maintained in order to borrow funds. The restated Loan Agreement, as amended, was signed on July 11, 2006 and has a term of three years, ending on July 11, 2009. The balance outstanding on June 30, 2007 and 2006 was $136.9 million and $65.3 million, respectively. The applicable rate at June 30, 2007 and 2006 was 8.25% and 7.75%, respectively.

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 6: Debt — (continued)
     Additionally, in March 2007, Palisades Acquisition XVI, LLC (“Palisades XVI”), an affiliate of the Company, borrowed approximately $227 million under a new Receivables Financing Agreement, as amended in July 2007, with a major financial institution, in order to purchase a portfolio of approximately $6.9 billion in face value receivables for a purchase price of $300 million (plus 20% of net payments after we recover 150% of our purchase price plus cost of funds). The debt is full recourse only to Palisades XVI, and bears an interest rate of approximately 170 basis points over LIBOR. The term of the agreement is three years. All proceeds received as a result of the net collections from this portfolio are applied to interest and principal of the underlying loan. The portfolio is serviced by Palisades Collection LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which has engaged a subservicer for the portfolio. As of June 30, 2007, the outstanding balance on this loan was approximately $207.8 million.
Note 7: Commitments and Contingencies
Employment Agreements
     On January 25, 2007, the Company entered into employment agreements (each as “Employment Agreement”) with the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company’s Executive Vice President and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (each, an “Executive”). Each of Gary Stern’s and Mitchell Cohen’s Employment Agreements expire on December 31, 2009, and Arthur Stern’s Employment Agreement expires on December 31, 2007, provided, however, that the parties are required to provide ninety days’ prior written notice if they do not intend to seek an extension or renewal of the Employment Agreement. If each Employment Agreement is not renewed by the expiration dates each executive will continue in their respective roles as officers of the Company at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Leases
     We are a party to three operating leases with respect to our facilities in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Sugar Land, Texas. Please refer to our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, for additional information.

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 7: Commitments and Contingencies — (continued)
Litigation
     In the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in numerous legal proceedings. We regularly initiate collection lawsuits, using our network of third party law firms, against consumers. Also, consumers occasionally initiate litigation against us, in which they allege that we have violated a federal or state law in the process of collecting their account. We do not believe that these matters are material to our business and financial condition. As of August 7, 2007, we were not involved in any material litigation in which we were a defendant.
     In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006, a subsidiary of the Company received subpoenas from three jurisdictions to produce information in connection with debt collection practices in those jurisdictions. The Company has fully cooperated with the issuing agencies and has provided the requested documentation. One jurisdiction has closed the case with no action taken against the Company. The Company has not made any provision with respect to the remaining matters in the financial statements as the nature of these matters constitute information requests only.
     In the course of conducting its business, the Company is required by certain of the jurisdictions within which it operates to obtain licenses and permits to conduct its collection activities. The Company has been notified by one such jurisdiction that it did not operate for a period of time from February 1, 2005 to April 17, 2006 with the proper license. The Company did not make any provision for such matter in its financial statements as it deemed penalties, if any, to be immaterial.
Note 8: Income Recognition and Impairments
Income Recognition
     Prior to October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for its investment in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of Practice Bulletin 6, “Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans.” Effective October 1, 2005, the Company adopted and began to account for its investment in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of AICPA Statement of Position 03-3, “Accounting for Loans or Certain Securities Acquired in a Transfer” (“SOP 03-3”). Practice Bulletin 6 was amended by SOP 03-3. Under the guidance of SOP 03-3 (and the amended Practice Bulletin 6); static pools of accounts are established. These pools are aggregated based on certain common risk criteria. Each static pool is recorded at cost and is accounted for as a single unit for the recognition of income, principal payments and loss provision.
     Once a static pool is established for a quarter, individual receivable accounts are not added to the pool (unless replaced by the seller) or removed from the pool (unless sold or returned to the seller). SOP 03-3 (and the amended Practice Bulletin 6) requires that the excess of the contractual cash flows over expected cash flows not be recognized as an adjustment of revenue or expense or on the balance sheet. SOP 03-3 initially freezes the internal rate of return, referred to as IRR, estimated when the accounts receivable are purchased, as the basis for subsequent impairment testing. Significant increases in actual, or expected future cash flows may be recognized prospectively through an upward adjustment of the IRR over a portfolio’s remaining life. Any increase to the IRR then becomes the new benchmark for impairment testing. Effective for fiscal years beginning October 1, 2005 under SOP 03-3 and the amended Practice Bulletin 6, rather than lowering the estimated IRR if the collection estimates are not received or projected to be received, the carrying value of a pool would be written down to maintain the then current IRR.
Impairments
     SOP 03-3 requires we account for differences between contractual and expected cash flows from an investor’s initial investment in loans or debt securities acquired in a transfer if those differences are attributable, at least in part, to credit quality. Increases in expected cash flows should be recognized prospectively through an adjustment of the internal rate of return while decreases in expected cash flows should be recognized as impairment. This SOP became effective October 1, 2005. SOP 03-3 will make it more likely that impairment losses and accretable yield adjustments will be recorded, as all downward revisions in collection estimates will result in impairment charges, given the requirement that the IRR of the affected pool be held constant. Impairments of approximately $2.4 million were recorded in the second quarter of fiscal year 2007. No impairments were recorded in the third fiscal quarter of 2007. An impairment of $675,000 on one portfolio was recorded for the three and nine month periods ended June 30, 2006.

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 8: Income Recognition and Impairments — (continued)
Our analysis of the timing and amount of cash flows to be generated by our portfolio purchases are based on the following attributes:
    The type of receivable, the location of the debtor and the number of collection agencies previously attempting to collect the receivables in the portfolio. We have found that there are better states to try collect receivables and we factor in both good and bad states when establishing our initial cash flow expectations.
 
    the average balance of the receivables influence our analysis in that lower average balance portfolios tend to be more collectible in the short-term and higher average balance portfolios are more suitable for our suit strategy and thus yield better results over the longer term. As we have significant experience with both types of balances, we are able to factor these variables into our initial expected cash flows;
 
    the age of the receivables, the number of days since charge-off, the number of days from charge-off, the payments, if any, since charge-off, and the credit guidelines of the credit originator also represent factors taken into consideration in our estimation process since, for example, older receivables might be more difficult to collect in amount and/or require more time to collect;
 
    past history and performance of similar assets acquired. As we purchase portfolios of like assets, we have built significant history on the tendencies of debtor repayments and factor this into our initial expected cash flows; our ability to analyze accounts and resell accounts that meet our criteria;
 
    our ability to analyze accounts and resell accounts that meet our criteria;
 
    Jobs or property of the debtors found within portfolios. With our business model, this is of particular importance. Debtors with jobs or property are more likely to repay their obligation through the suit strategy and conversely, debtors without jobs or property are less likely to repay their obligation. While we believe that debtors with jobs or property are more likely to repay, we also believe that these debtors generally might take longer to repay and that is factored into our initial expected cash flows.
     We acquire accounts that have experienced deterioration of credit quality between origination and the date of our acquisition of the accounts. The amount paid for a portfolio of accounts reflects our determination that it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the portfolio of accounts contractual terms. We consider the expected payments and estimate the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows for each acquired portfolio coupled with expected cash flows from accounts available for sales. The excess of this amount over the cost of the portfolio, representing the excess of the account’s cash flows expected to be collected over the amount paid, is accreted into income recognized on finance receivables over the expected remaining life of the portfolio.
     We believe we have significant experience in acquiring certain distressed consumer receivable portfolios at a significant discount to the amount actually owed by underlying debtors. We acquire these portfolios only after both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the underlying receivables are performed and a calculated purchase price is paid so that we believe our estimated cash flow offers us an adequate return on our acquisition costs after our servicing expenses. Additionally, when considering larger portfolio purchases of accounts, or portfolios from issuers from whom we have little limited experience, we have the added benefit of soliciting our third party servicers for their input on liquidation rates and at times incorporate such input into the estimates we use for our expected cash flows.
     Typically, when purchasing portfolios for which we have the experience detailed above, we have expectations of achieving a 100% return on our invested capital back within an 18-28 month time frame and expectations of generating in the range of 130-150% of our invested capital over 3-5 years. We continue to use this as our basis for establishing the original cash flow estimates for our portfolio purchases. We routinely monitor these results against the actual cash flows and, in the event the cash flows are below our expectations and we believe there are no reasons relating to mere timing differences or explainable delays (such as can occur particularly when the court system is involved) for the reduced collections, an impairment would be recorded as a provision for credit losses. Conversely, in the event the cash flows are in excess of our expectations and the reason is due to timing, we would defer the “excess” collection as deferred revenue.

 


Table of Contents

ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS —
Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 9: Income Taxes
     Deferred federal and state taxes principally arise from (i) recognition of finance income collected for tax purposes, but not yet recognized for financial reporting; (ii) provision for impairments/credit losses, and (iii) venture income recognized on the equity method, all resulting in timing differences between financial accounting and tax reporting. The provision for income tax expense for the three and nine month periods ending June 30, 2007 and 2006, reflects income tax expense at an effective rate of 40.5%.
Note 10: Net Income Per Share
     Basic per share data is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted per share data is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding, assuming all dilutive potential common shares were issued. With respect to the assumed proceeds from the exercise of dilutive options, the treasury stock method is calculated using the average market price for the period.
     The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted per share data for the nine and three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006:
                                                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30,  
    2007     2006  
            Weighted                     Weighted        
    Net     Average     Per Share     Net     Average     Per Share  
    Income     Shares     Amount     Income     Shares     Amount  
Basic
  $ 39,186,000       13,794,877     $ 2.84     $ 32,195,000       13,611,915     $ 2.37  
 
                                           
Effect of Dilutive Stock
            882,381                       992,763          
 
                                       
Diluted
  $ 39,186,000       14,677,258     $ 2.67     $ 32,195,000       14,604,678     $ 2.20  
 
                                   
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2007     2006  
            Weighted                     Weighted        
    Net     Average     Per Share     Net     Average     Per Share  
    Income     Shares     Amount     Income     Shares     Amount  
Basic
  $ 15,308,000       13,907,554     $ 1.10     $ 11,780,000       13,628,776     $ 0.86  
 
                                           
Effect of Dilutive Stock
            912,372                       1,010,656          
 
                                       
Diluted
  $ 15,308,000       14,819,926     $ 1.03     $ 11,780,000       14,639,432     $ 0.80  
 
                                   
Note 11: Stock-Based Compensation
     The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2005), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123R”). SFAS 123R, which the Company adopted October 1, 2005, requires that compensation expense associated with stock options and other stock based awards be recognized in the statement of operations, rather than a disclosure in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
     Effective September 30, 2005, the Company accelerated the vesting of all unvested stock options previously awarded to employees, officers and directors under the Company’s stock option plans. In order to prevent unintended personal benefits to employees, officers and directors, the Board imposed restrictions on any shares received through the exercise of accelerated options held by those individuals. These restrictions prevent the sale of any stock obtained through exercise of an accelerated option prior to the earlier of the original vesting date or the individual’s termination of employment. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Financial Interpretation No. 44 requires the Company to recognize compensation expense under certain circumstances, such as the change in the vesting schedule, that would allow an employee to vest in an option that would have otherwise been forfeited based on the award’s original terms. The Company is required to recognize compensation expense over the new expected vesting periods based on estimates of the numbers of options that employees ultimately will retain that otherwise would have been forfeited, absent the modifications. The accelerated options, absent the acceleration, would substantially have vested over the period October 1, 2005 through November 16, 2007. Such estimates are based on such factors such as historical and expected employee turnover rates

 


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ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(Unaudited)
Note 11: Stock-Based Compensation — (continued)
and similar statistics. Of the 587,000 stock options that were affected by the acceleration of the vesting of all stock options as of September 30, 2005, 143,175 shares would not have vested at June 30, 2007, had it not been for the acceleration of the vesting of these shares. Of the 143,174 shares, 136,672, or 95.5%, are attributable to officers and directors of the Company, representing $1.3 million of the $1.4 million intrinsic value of the vested stock options. The Company is unable to estimate the number of stock options issued that employees will ultimately retain that otherwise would have been forfeited, absent the modification.
Based on the current circumstances, market price above the grant price, concentration of options awarded to officers and directors and low historical turnover rates, no compensation expense applicable to current officers and directors resulting from the new measurement date of the stock option issued prior to October 1, 2005 has been recognized through June 30, 2007. In December 2006, 18,000 stock options and 68,000 restricted shares were granted to directors, officers and other employees. The stock options and restricted shares vest over a twenty seven month period beginning December 2006. The first one third of the stock options and restricted shares vested on March 19, 2007 with the remaining vesting on the first and second anniversary dates of March 19, 2007. For the three and nine month period ended June 30, 2007, $185,000 and $953,000 of stock based compensation expense was recorded, respectively. See Note 12 — Stock Option Plans.
     The weighted average assumptions used in the option pricing models were as follows:
         
Risk free interest rate
    4.94 %
Expected term (years)
    10.0  
Expected volatility
    36.3 %
Dividend yield
    0.47 %
Note 12: Stock Option Plans
Equity Compensation Plan
     On December 1, 2005, the Board of Directors adopted the Company’s Equity Compensation Plan (the “Equity Compensation Plan”), which was approved by the stockholders of the Company on March 1, 2006. The Equity Compensation Plan was adopted to supplement the Company’s existing 2002 Stock Option Plan. In addition to permitting the grant of stock options as are permitted under the 2002 Stock Option Plan, the Equity Compensation Plan allows the Company flexibility with respect to equity awards by also providing for grants of stock awards (i.e. restricted or unrestricted), stock purchase rights and stock appreciation rights.
     The general purpose of the Equity Compensation Plan is to provide an incentive to our employees, directors and consultants, including executive officers, employees and consultants of any subsidiaries, by enabling them to share in the future growth of our business. The Board of Directors believes that the granting of stock options and other equity awards promotes continuity of management and increases incentive and personal interest in the welfare of the Company by those who are primarily responsible for shaping and carrying out our long range plans and securing our growth and financial success.
     The Board believes that the Equity Compensation Plan will advance our interests by enhancing our ability to (a) attract and retain employees, directors and consultants who are in a position to make significant contributions to our success; (b) reward employees, directors and consultants for these contributions; and (c) encourage employees, directors and consultants to take into account our long-term interests through ownership of our shares.
2002 Stock Option Plan
     On March 5, 2002, the Board of Directors adopted the Asta Funding, Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”), which plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders on May 1, 2002. The 2002 Plan was adopted in order to attract and retain qualified directors, officers and employees of, and consultants to, the Company. The following description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2002 Plan, which is included as an exhibit to the Company’s reports filed with the SEC.
     The 2002 Plan authorizes the granting of incentive stock options (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) and non-qualified stock options to eligible employees of the Company, including officers and directors of the Company (whether or not employees) and consultants of the Company.
     The Company has 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance under the 2002 Plan and 393,334 were available as of June 30, 2007. As of June 30, 2007, approximately 160 of the Company’s employees were eligible to participate in the 2002 Plan. Future grants under the 2002 Plan have not yet been determined.

 


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ASTA FUNDING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 12: Stock Option Plans — (continued)
1995 Stock Option Plan
     The 1995 Stock Option Plan expired on September 14, 2005. The plan was adopted in order to attract and retain qualified directors, officers and employees of, and consultants, to the Company. The following description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 1995 Stock Option Plan, which is included as an exhibit to the Company’s reports filed with the SEC.
     The 1995 Stock Option Plan authorized the granting of incentive stock options (as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)) and non-qualified stock options to eligible employees of the Company, including officers and directors of the Company (whether or not employees) and consultants of the Company.
     The Company authorized 1,840,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the 1995 Stock Option Plan. All but 96,002 shares were utilized. As of September 14, 2005, no more options could be issued under this plan.
     The following table summarizes stock option transactions under the plans:
                                 
    Nine Months Ended June 30,
    2007   2006
            Weighted           Weighted
            Average           Average
            Exercise           Exercise
    Shares   Price   Shares   Price
 
                               
Outstanding options at the beginning of period
    1,414,439     $ 9.4511       1,580,605     $ 9.1082  
Options granted
    18,000       28.7500              
Options exercised
    (90,001 )     13.9446       (39,166 )     15.0582  
Options cancelled
                (6,667 )     22.3600  
 
                               
 
                               
Outstanding options at the end of period
    1,342,438     $ 9.4086       1,534,772     $ 8.8988  
 
                               
Exercisable options at the end of period
    1,330,438     $ 9.2341       1,534,772     $ 8.8988  
 
                               
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,
    2007   2006
            Weighted           Weighted
            Average           Average
            Exercise           Exercise
    Shares   Price   Shares   Price
 
                               
Outstanding options at the beginning of period
    1,352,438     $ 9.3739       1,554,772     $ 9.0720  
Options granted
                       
Options exercised
    (10,000 )     4.7250       (13,333 )     15.0582  
Options cancelled
                (6,667 )     22.3600  
 
                               
 
                               
Outstanding options at the end of period
    1,342,438     $ 9.4086       1,534,772     $ 8.8988  
 
                               
Exercisable options at the end of period
    1,330,438     $ 9.2341       1,534,772     $ 8.8988  
 
                               
The Company recognized $118,000 and $22,000 of compensation expense related to stock options granted during the nine and three month periods ended June 30, 2007. There was no compensation expense related to stock options during fiscal year 2006. As of June 30, 2007, there was $158,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options.
The aggregate intrinsic value of the outstanding and exercisable options as of June 30, 2007 is $38.8 million.
The following table summarizes the intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during the nine and three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.
                 
    2007     2006  
Nine months ended June 30
  $ 2,034,000     $ 761,000  
Three months ended June 30
  $ 355,000     $ 221,000  

 


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The following table summarizes information about the Plans outstanding options as of June 30, 2007:
                                         
    Options Exercisable   Options Outstanding
            Weighted                
            Average   Weighted           Weighted
            Remaining   Average           Average
    Number   Contractual   Exercise   Number   Exercise
Range Of Exercise Price   Outstanding   Life (In Years)   Price   Exercisable   Price
 
                                       
$0.8125 — $2.8750
    600,000       2.8     $ 2.0208       600,000     $ 2.0208  
$2.8751 — $5.7500
    106,667       5.3       4.7250       106,667       4.7250  
$5.7501 — $8.6250
    12,000       4.4       5.9600       12,000       5.9600  
$14.3751 — $17.2500
    223,611       6.4       15.0318       223,611       15.0318  
$17.2501 — $20.1250
    382,160       7.3       18.2217       382,160       18.2217  
$28.7500 — $28.7500
    18,000       9.5       28.7500       6,000       28.7500  
 
                                       
 
    1,342,438       5.0     $ 9.4085       1,330,438     $ 9.2341  
 
                                       
The following table summarizes information about restricted stock transactions:
                 
            Weighted  
    Nine Months     Average  
    Ended     Grant Date  
    June 30, 2007     Fair Value  
Unvested at beginning of period
    0     $ 0.00  
Awards granted
    68,000     $ 28.75  
Vested
    (22,667 )   $ 28.75  
Forfeited
    0     $ 0.00  
 
             
Unvested at end of period
    45,333     $ 28.75  
 
             
The Company recognized $835,000 and $162,000 of compensation expense related to the restricted stock awarded during the nine and three month periods ended June 30, 2007. There was no compensation expense related to restricted stock awards during fiscal year 2006. As of June 30, 2007 there was $1,120,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock.
Note 13: Stockholders’ Equity
     For the nine months ended June 30, 2007, we declared dividends of $1,664,000. $556,000 was declared and accrued as of June 30, 2007 and paid August 1, 2007.

 


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ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
     We are primarily engaged in the business of acquiring, managing, servicing and recovering on portfolios of consumer receivables. These portfolios generally consist of one or more of the following types of consumer receivables:
  charged-off receivables — accounts that have been written-off by the originators and may have been previously serviced by collection agencies;
 
  semi-performing receivables — accounts where the debtor is currently making partial or irregular monthly payments, but the accounts may have been written-off by the originators; and
 
  performing receivables — accounts where the debtor is making regular monthly payments that may or may not have been delinquent in the past.
     We acquire these consumer receivable portfolios at a significant discount to the amount actually owed by the borrowers. We acquire these portfolios after a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the underlying receivables and calculate the purchase price so that our estimated cash flow offers us an adequate return on our acquisition costs and servicing expenses. After purchasing a portfolio, we actively monitor its performance and review and adjust our collection and servicing strategies accordingly.
     We purchase receivables from credit grantors and others through privately negotiated direct sales and auctions in which sellers of receivables seek bids from several pre-qualified debt purchasers. We pursue new acquisitions of consumer receivable portfolios on an ongoing basis through:
  our relationships with industry participants, collection agencies, investors and our financing sources;
 
  brokers who specialize in the sale of consumer receivable portfolios; and
 
  other sources.
      CAUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
     This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and similar expressions, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. Forward-looking statements represent our management’s judgment regarding future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report regarding our financial position, business strategy, products, markets, budgets, plans, or objectives for future operations are forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the forward-looking statements, and you should be aware that our actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including the statements under “Risk Factors” and “Critical Accounting Policies” detailed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2006, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
     Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all other documents filed by the Company or with respect to its securities with SEC are available free of charge through our website at www.astafunding.com. Information on our website does not constitute a part of this report. The SEC also maintains an internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports and information statements and other information regarding issuers such as ourselves who file electronically with the SEC.

 


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Critical Accounting Policies
     We acquire accounts that have experienced deterioration of credit quality between origination and the date of our acquisition of the accounts. The amount paid for a portfolio of accounts reflects our determination that it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the portfolio of accounts contractual terms. We consider the expected payments and estimate the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows for each acquired portfolio coupled with expected cash flows from accounts available for sales. The excess of this amount over the cost of the portfolio, representing the excess of the account’s cash flows expected to be collected over the amount paid, is accreted into income recognized on finance receivables over the expected remaining life of the portfolio.
     We believe we have significant experience in acquiring certain distressed consumer receivable portfolios at a significant discount to the amount actually owed by underlying debtors. We acquire these portfolios only after both qualitative and quantitative analyses of the underlying receivables are performed and a calculated purchase price is paid so that we believe our estimated cash flow offers us an adequate return on our acquisition costs after our servicing expenses. Additionally, when considering larger portfolio purchases of accounts, or portfolios from issuers from whom we have little limited experience, we have the added benefit of soliciting our third party servicers for their input on liquidation rates and at times incorporate such input into the price we offer for a given portfolio and the estimates we use for our expected cash flows.
     Typically, when purchasing portfolios for which we have the experience detailed above, we have expectations of achieving a 100% return on our invested capital back within an 18-28 month time frame and expectations of generating in the range of 130-150% of our invested capital over 3-5 years. Historically, we have generally been able to achieve these results and we continue to use this as our basis for establishing the original cash flow estimates for our portfolio purchases. We routinely monitor these results against the actual cash flows and, in the event the cash flows are below our expectations and we believe there are no reasons relating to mere timing differences or explainable delays (such as can occur particularly when the court system is involved) for the reduced collections, an impairment would be recorded as a provision for credit losses. Conversely, in the event the cash flows are in excess of our expectations and the reason is due to timing, we would defer the “excess” collection as deferred revenue.
     We account for our investments in consumer receivable portfolios, using either:
  the interest method; or
 
  the cost recovery method.
     As we believe our extensive liquidating experience in certain asset classes such as distressed credit card receivables, telecom receivables, consumer loan receivables, retail installment contracts, mixed consumer receivables, and auto deficiency receivables has matured, we use the interest method for accounting for substantially all asset acquisitions within these classes of receivables when we believe we can reasonably estimate the timing of the cash flows. In those situations where we diversify our acquisitions into other asset classes where we do not possess the same expertise or history, or we cannot reasonably estimate the timing of the cash flows, we utilize the cost recovery method of accounting for those portfolios of receivables.
     Over time, we continue to purchase asset classes which we believe we have requisite expertise and experience, we are more likely to utilize the interest method to account for such purchases.
     Prior to October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for its investment in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of Practice Bulletin 6. Each purchase was treated as a separate portfolio of receivables and was considered a separate financial investment, and accordingly we did not aggregate such loans under Practice Bulletin 6 as the underlying collateral had similar characteristics. As SOP 03-3 was adopted by the Company for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2005, we began aggregating portfolios of receivables acquired sharing specific common characteristics which were acquired within a given quarter. We currently consider for aggregation portfolios of accounts, purchased within the same fiscal quarter, that generally meet the following characteristics:
  Same issuer/originator
 
  Same underlying credit quality
 
  Similar geographic distribution of the accounts
 
  Similar age of the receivable and
 
  Same type of asset class (credit cards, telecom etc.)

 


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After determining that an investment will yield an adequate return on our acquisition cost after servicing fees, we use a variety of qualitative and quantitative factors to determine the estimated cash flows. As previously mentioned, included in our analysis for purchasing a portfolio of receivables and determining a reasonable estimate of collections and the timing thereof, the following variables are analyzed and factored into our original estimates:
    The number of collection agencies previously attempting to collect the receivables in the portfolio;
 
    the average balance of the receivables;
 
    the age of the receivables (as older receivables might be more difficult to collect or might be less cost effective);
 
    past history of performance of similar assets — as we purchase portfolios of similar assets, we believe we have built significant history on how these receivables will liquidate and cash flow;
 
    number of days since charge-off;
 
    payments made since charge-off;
 
    the credit originator and their credit guidelines;
 
    the locations of the debtors as there are better states to attempt to collect in and ultimately we have better predictability of the liquidations and the expected cash flows. Conversely, there are also states where the liquidation rates are not as good and that is factored into our cash flow analysis;
 
    Jobs or property of the debtors found within portfolios-with our business model, this is of particular importance. Debtors with jobs or property are more likely to repay their obligation and conversely, debtors without jobs or property are less likely to repay their obligation ; and
 
    the ability to obtain customer statements from the original issuer.
     We will obtain and utilize as appropriate input from our third party collection agencies and attorneys, as further evidentiary matter, to assist us in developing collection strategies and in modeling the expected cash flows for a given portfolio.
     In the following discussions, most percentages and dollar amounts have been rounded to aid presentation. As a result, all figures are approximations.
Results of Operations
The nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, compared to the nine-month period ended June 30, 2006
     Finance income. During the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, finance income increased $24.9 million or 35.0% to $96.1 million from $71.2 million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2006. The increase in finance income primarily resulted from an increase in the average outstanding level of consumer receivable accounts acquired for liquidation during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, as compared to the same prior year period, coupled with the effect of adjustments to accretable yields on certain portfolios. The average level of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation increased from $204.4 million for the nine month period ended June 30, 2006 to $398.5 for the same period in 2007. During the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, we acquired consumer receivable portfolios at a cost of $402.3 million as compared to $155.4 million during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2006.The acquired portfolios in 2007 include a portfolio with a cost of approximately $4.7 million that has been returned to the seller for the same purchase value. The return was completed on July 31, 2007. During the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, commissions and fees associated with gross collections from our third party collection agencies and attorneys increased $15.6 million, or 20.6% to $91.1 million from $75.5 million for the nine month period ended June 30, 2006. The increase is indicative of a shift to the suit strategy implemented by the Company and includes advances of court costs by our legal network. As we continue to purchase portfolios and utilize our third party collection agencies and attorney networks, we anticipate these costs will rise; however the contingency fees should stabilize in the range of 30% to 32% of gross collections based upon the current mix of portfolios.
     Adjustments to accretable yields on certain portfolios were made based on available information, and based on improved liquidation rates from our third party collection agencies and attorneys. Management believes the anticipated collections on these portfolios to be in excess of our original projections. As we believe these improved liquidation rates will continue, we adjusted our accretable yields by $8.0 million and $33.7 million for the nine month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively . Finance income related to the accretable yield reclassifications during the nine month period ended June 30, 2007 was approximately $6.7

 


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million. While our expectations on our third quarter purchases are lower than in the prior period, they still fit our investment criteria. Income recognized from fully amortized portfolios (zero based revenue) was $11.1 million and $4.0 million for the nine month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Collections with regard to the $6.9 billion face value portfolio purchased in the second quarter of fiscal year 2007, (the “Portfolio Purchase”) were $34.4 million through June 30, 2007, which includes approximately $5.5 million of accounts returned to the seller, and finance income earned was $11.4 million.
     Other income. Other income of $502,000 for the nine month period ended June 30, 2007 includes interest income from banks and other loan instruments.
     Equity in earnings of venture. In August 2006, the Company invested approximately $7.8 million for a 25% interest in a newly formed venture. The venture invested in a bankruptcy liquidation that will collect on existing rental contracts and the liquidation of inventory. The investment is expected to return to the Company its normal expected investment results over a two to three year period. The Company’s share of the income was $1,025,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2007. The Company has received approximately $5.9 million in cash distributions from the inception of the venture through June 30, 2007. Subsequent to June 30, 2007, and through August 6, 2007 an additional $475,000 has been received by the Company.
     General and Administrative Expenses. During the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, general and administrative expenses increased $3.9 million or 28.9% to $17.4 million from $13.5 million for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2006, and represented 54.8% of total expenses (excluding income taxes) for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in receivable servicing expenses during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, as compared to the same prior year period. The increase in receivable servicing expenses resulted from the substantial increase in our average number of accounts acquired for liquidation, primarily due to the Portfolio Purchase in the second quarter of 2007. A majority of the increased costs were from collection expenses including court costs, salaries, payroll taxes and benefits, professional fees, telephone charges and travel costs as we are visiting our third party collection agencies and attorneys on a more frequent basis for financial and operational audits. In addition, due to the Portfolio Purchase in the second quarter of 2007, postage costs increased by approximately 11% due to the mailing program to notify debtors of the new ownership of their accounts.
     Interest Expense. During the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, interest expense increased to $11.9 million from $3.2 million in the same prior year period and represented 37.6% of total expenses (excluding income taxes) for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007. The increase was due to an increase in average outstanding borrowings under our line of credit during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, as compared to the same period in the prior year coupled with higher interest rates during the nine month period ended June 30, 2007. The average rate for the nine month period ended June 30, 2007 was 7.23% as compared to 6.86% for the same period of the prior year. The average outstanding borrowings increased from $47.3 million to $213.7 million for the nine month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The increase in borrowings was due to the increase in acquisitions of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation during the nine months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to the same period last year, including the Portfolio Purchase.
     Impairment. Net impairments of $2,412,000 were recorded by the Company during the second quarter of fiscal year 2007 and represented 7.6% of total expenses (excluding income taxes) for the nine month period ended June 30, 2007. Based on lower than expected cash collections on certain portfolios, and reduced forward expectations, we concluded that an impairment charge should be recorded. An impairment charge of $675,000 was recorded in the third fiscal quarter of the prior year.
The three-month period ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the three month period ended June 30, 2006
     Finance income. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, finance income increased $12.8 million or 48.9% to $38.9 million from $26.1 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2006. The increase in finance income primarily resulted from an increase in the average outstanding level of consumer receivable accounts acquired for liquidation during the three month period ended June 30, 2007, as compared to the same prior year period, coupled with the effect of adjustments to accretable yields on certain portfolios. Income recognized from fully amortized portfolios (zero based revenue) was $5.6 million and $1.2 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
     Adjustments to accretable yields on certain portfolios were made based on available information, and based on improved liquidation rates from our third party collection agencies and attorneys. Management believes the anticipated collections on these portfolios to be in excess of our original projection. As we believe these improved liquidation rates will continue, we adjusted our accretable yields by $5.7 million and $2.5 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively . Finance income related to the accretable yield reclassifications during the three month period ended June 30, 2007 was approximately $2.3 million. Collections with regard to the Portfolio Purchase in the second quarter of fiscal year 2007, were $22.2 million, which includes approximately $5.5 million of accounts returned to the seller in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, and finance income earned was $8.8 million.
     The average level of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation increased from $236.6 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2006 to $551.7 million for the same period in 2007. During the three month period ended June 30, 2007, we acquired consumer receivable portfolios at a cost of $15.6 million as compared to $34.2 million during the three month period ended June 30,

 


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2006. While our expectations on our third quarter purchases are lower than in the prior period, they still fit our investment criteria. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, commissions and fees associated with gross collections from our third party collection agencies and attorneys increased $1.1 million, or 3.4% to $33.4 million from $32.3 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2005.
     Other income. Other income of $43,000 for the three month period ended June 30, 2007 includes interest income from banks and other loan instruments.
     Equity in earnings of venture. In August 2006, the Company invested approximately $7.8 million for a 25% interest in a newly formed venture. The venture invested in a bankruptcy liquidation that will collect on existing rental contracts and the liquidation of inventory. The investment is expected to return to the Company its normal expected investment results over a two to three year period. The Company’s share of the income was $50,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2007. The Company has received approximately $5.9 million in cash distributions from the inception of the venture through June 30, 2007. Subsequent to June 30, 2007, and through August 6, 2007 an additional $475,000 has been received by the Company.
     General and Administrative Expenses. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, general and administrative expenses increased $1.8 million or 38.8% to $6.5 million from $4.7 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2006, and represented 49.5% of total expenses (excluding income taxes) for the current three-month period. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in receivable servicing expenses during the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, as compared to the same prior year period. The increase in receivable servicing expenses resulted from the substantial increase in the average number of accounts acquired for liquidation during the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, as compared to the same prior year period. A majority of the increased costs were from collection expenses including salaries, payroll taxes and benefits, professional fees and telephone charges. In addition, postage costs associated with the Portfolio Purchase increased significantly due to the mailing program to notify the debtor of the new ownership of the account.
     Interest Expense. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, interest expense increased $5.4 million to $6.7 million from $1.3 million in the same prior year period and represented 50.5% of total expenses (excluding income taxes) for the three-month period ended June 30, 2007. The increase was due to an increase in average outstanding borrowings under our line of credit during the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, coupled with a slightly higher interest rate, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The average outstanding borrowing increased to $360.1 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2006, from $68.6 million for the three month period ended June 30, 2006. The average interest rate for the three month period ended June 30, 2007 was 7.3% as compared to 7.2% in the same period of the prior year. The increase in borrowings was due to the increase in acquisitions of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation during fiscal 2007 including the Portfolio Purchase of face value $6.9 billion in the second fiscal quarter of 2007.
     Impairment. No impairments were recorded in the three month period ended June 30, 2007. A net impairment of $675,000 was recorded by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal year 2006 and represented 10.2% of total expenses (excluding income taxes) for the three month period ended June 30, 2006. Based on lower than expected cash collections on a certain portfolio, and reduced forward expectations, we concluded that an impairment charge should be recorded.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
     Our primary sources of cash from operations include payments on the receivable portfolios that we have acquired. Our primary uses of cash include our purchases of consumer receivable portfolios. We rely significantly upon our lenders to provide the funds necessary for the purchase of consumer and commercial accounts receivable portfolios. We maintain a $175 million line of credit for portfolio purchases, with an expandable feature which allows the Company the ability to increase the line to $225 million with consent of the banks. As of June 30, 2007, there was a $136.9 million outstanding balance under this facility. Although we are within the borrowing limits of the this facility, there are certain restrictions in place with regard to collateralization whereby the Company may be limited in its ability to borrow funds to purchase additional portfolios. On March 30. 2007 the Company signed the Third Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a consortium of banks that amended certain terms of the Credit Agreement, whereby the parties agreed to a Temporary Overadvance of $16 million to be reduced to zero on or before May 17, 2007. In addition, the parties agreed to an increase in interest rate, to LIBOR plus 275 basis points for LIBOR loans, an increase from 175 basis points. The rate is subject to adjustment each quarter upon delivery of results that evidence a need for an adjustment. As of May 7, 2007, the Temporary Overadvance was approximately $12 million. On May 10, 2007, the Company signed the Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement whereby the parties agreed to revise certain terms of the agreement which eliminated the Temporary Overadvance provision. On June 26, 2007 the Company signed the Fifth Amendment to the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a consortium of banks that amends certain terms of the Credit Agreement whereby the parties agreed to further amend the definition of the Borrowing Base and increase the advance rates on portfolio purchases allowing the Company more borrowing availability.
     In March 2007, Palisades Acquisition XVI, LLC (“Palisades XVI”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company purchased a portfolio of approximately $6.9 billion in face value receivables for a purchase price

 


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of $300 million plus 20% of net payments after we recover 150% of the purchase price plus our cost of funds. The portfolio is made up of predominantly credit card accounts and includes accounts in collection litigation and accounts as to which the sellers have been awarded judgments and other traditional charge-offs. The Company paid a deposit of $75 million, fully using its existing credit facility, as modified in February 2007.
     The remaining $225 million was paid on March 5, 2007, by borrowing approximately $227 million (inclusive of transaction costs) under a new Receivables Financing Agreement entered into by Palisades XVI with a major financial institution as the funding source, and consists of debt with full recourse only to Palisades XVI, bearing an interest rate of approximately 170 basis points over LIBOR. The term of the agreement is three years. All proceeds received as a result of the net collections from this portfolio are applied to interest and principal of the underlying loan. The Company made certain representations and warranties to the lender to support the transaction. The portfolio is serviced by Palisades Collection LLC, a wholly own subsidiary of the company, which has engaged a subservicer for the portfolio. As of June 30, 2007, there was a $207.8 million outstanding balance under this facility.
     As of June 30, 2007, our cash and cash equivalents increased $12.8 million to $20.6 million from $7.8 million at September 30, 2006. The increase in cash and cash equivalents during the nine month period ended June 30, 2007, was due to an increase in net income for the period , an increase in cash flows from financing activities slightly offset by consumer receivable purchases, higher dividend and interest payments offset by cash distributions from the venture and collections on other investments during the nine months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to the same period in the prior year.
     Net cash provided by operating activities was $35.1 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2007, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $31.4 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2006. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the increase in net income, a decrease in the investment in venture, an increase in income taxes payable offset by an increase in amounts due from third party collection agencies and attorneys, and an increase in deferred income taxes. Net cash used in investing activities was $279.0 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2007, compared to net cash used by investing activities of $65.7 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2006. The increase in net cash used by investing activities was primarily due to an increase in the purchase of accounts acquired for liquidation during the nine months ended June 30, 2007, including the Portfolio Purchase of $6.9 billion of face value consumer receivables at a cost of approximately $300 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was $256.7 million during the nine month period ended June 30, 2007, as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $35.0 million in the prior period. The increase in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to an increase in borrowings under our line of credit and our new Receivable Financing Agreement to finance the Portfolio Purchase.
     On July 11, 2006, the Company entered into the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement with a consortium of banks, and as a result the credit facility is now $175 million, up from $125 million with an expandable feature which allows the Company the ability to increase the line to $225 million with the consent of the banks. The line of credit bears interest at the lesser of LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or the prime rate minus an applicable margin based on certain leverage ratios. The credit line is collateralized by all portfolios of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation and contains customary financial and other covenants (relative to tangible net worth, interest coverage, and leverage ratio, as defined) that must be maintained in order to borrow funds.
     Our cash requirements have been and will continue to be significant. We depend on external financing to acquire consumer receivables. During the nine-month period ended June 30, 2007, we acquired consumer receivable portfolios at a cost of approximately $402.3 million. These acquisitions were financed with our cash flows from operating activities and primarily with our existing and new credit facilities.
     We anticipate the funds available under our current credit facility and cash from operations will be sufficient to satisfy our estimated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. If for any reason our available cash otherwise proves to be insufficient to fund operations (because of future changes in the industry, general economic conditions, unanticipated increases in expenses, or other factors), we may be required to seek additional funding.
     From time to time, we evaluate potential acquisitions of related businesses but we may not be able to complete any acquisitions on favorable terms or at all.

 


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     The following tables summarize the changes in the balance sheet of the investment in receivable portfolios during the following periods:
                         
    For The Nine Months Ended June 30, 2007  
          Cost        
    Interest     Recovery        
    Method     Method     Total  
 
                       
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 256,199,000     $ 1,076,000     $ 257,275,000  
Acquisitions of receivable portfolios, net
    356,884,000       45,432,000       402,316,000  
Net cash collections from collections of consumer receivables acquired for
liquidation (1)
    (164,829,000 )     (8,020,000 )     (172,849,000 )
Net cash collections represented by accounts sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (36,519,000 )     (4,247,000 )     (40,766,000 )
Transfer to cost recovery (2)
    (4,478,000 )     4,478,000        
Impairment
    (2,412,000 )           (2,412,000 )
Finance income recognized (3)
    94,168,000       1,971,000       96,139,000  
 
                 
Balance, end of period
  $ 499,013,000     $ 40,690,000     $ 539,703,000  
 
                 
Revenue as a percentage of collections
    46.8 %     16.1 %     45.0 %
 
(1)   Includes put backs of purchased accounts returned to the seller totaling $5.5 million.
 
(2)   Represents a portfolio acquired during the three months ended December 31, 2006 which the Company has successfully negotiated the return to the seller. The portfolio was returned on July 31, 2007.
 
(3)   Includes $11.1 million derived from fully amortized interest method pools.
                         
    For The Nine Months Ended June 30, 2006  
          Cost        
    Interest     Recovery        
    Method     Method     Total  
 
                       
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 172,636,000     $ 91,000     $ 172,727,000  
Acquisitions of receivable portfolios, net
    155,361,000             155,361,000  
Net cash collections from collections of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (116,464,000 )     (2,820,000 )     (119,284,000 )
Net cash collections represented by account sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (43,034,000 )     (235,000 )     (43,269,000 )
Transfer to cost recovery
    (529,000 )     529,000        
Impairment
    (675,000 )           (675,000 )
Finance income recognized (4)
    68,415,000       2,764,000       71,179,000  
 
                 
Balance, end of period
  $ 235,710,000     $ 329,000     $ 236,039,000  
 
                 
Revenue as a percentage of collections
    42.9 %     90.5 %     43.8 %
 
(4)   Includes $4.0 million derived from fully amortized interest method pools.
                         
    For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
          Cost        
    Interest     Recovery        
    Method     Method     Total  
 
                       
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 522,345,000     $ 41,389,000     $ 563,734,000  
Acquisitions of receivable portfolios, net
    11,086,000       4,548,000       15,634,000  
Net cash collections from collections of consumer receivables acquired for
liquidation (5)
    (62,814,000 )     (5,931,000 )     (68,745,000 )
Net cash collections represented by account sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (9,765,000 )           (9,765,000 )
Finance income recognized (6)
    38,161,000       684,000       38,845,000  
 
                 
Balance, end of period
  $ 499,013,000     $ 40,690,000     $ 539,703,000  
 
                 
Revenue as a percentage of collections
    52.6 %     11.5 %     49.5 %
 
(5)   Includes put backs of purchased accounts returned to the seller totaling $5.5 million.
 
(6)   Includes $5.6 million derived from fully amortized interest method pools.

 


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    For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2006  
          Cost        
    Interest     Recovery        
    Method     Method     Total  
 
                       
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 236,821,000     $ 385,000     $ 237,206,000  
Acquisitions of receivable portfolios, net
    34,173,000             34,173,000  
Net cash collections from collections of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (42,994,000 )     (798,000 )     (43,792,000 )
Net cash collections represented by account sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation
    (16,963,000 )           (16,963,000 )
Impairment
    (675,000 )           (675,000 )
Finance income recognized (7)
    25,348,000       742,000       26,090,000  
 
                 
Balance, end of period
  $ 235,710,000     $ 329,000     $ 236,039,000  
 
                 
Revenue as a percentage of collections
    42.3 %     93.0 %     42.9 %
 
(7)   Includes $1.2 million derived from fully amortized interest method pools.
Additional Supplementary Information:
     We do not anticipate collecting the majority of the purchased principal amounts. Accordingly, the difference between the carrying value of the portfolios and the gross receivables is not indicative of future revenues from these accounts acquired for liquidation. Since we purchased these accounts at significant discounts, we anticipate collecting only a portion of the face amounts. During the nine months ended June 30, 2007, we purchased portfolios with an aggregate purchase price of $402.3 million with a face value of $10.2 billion.
     Prior to October 1, 2005, we accounted for our investment in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of Practice Bulletin 6, “Amortization of Discounts on Certain Acquired Loans.” Effective October 1, 2005, we adopted and began to account for its investment in finance receivables using the interest method under the guidance of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) Statement of Position (“SOP”) 03-3, “Accounting for Loans or Certain Securities Acquired in a Transfer.” Practice Bulletin 6 was amended by SOP 03-3 as described further. Under the guidance of SOP 03-3 (and the amended Practice Bulletin 6), static pools of accounts are established. These pools are aggregated based on certain common risk criteria. Each static pool is recorded at cost and is accounted for as a single unit for the recognition of income, principal payments and loss provision. Once a static pool is established for a quarter, individual receivable accounts are not added to the pool (unless replaced by the seller) or removed from the pool (unless sold or returned to the seller). SOP 03-3 (and the amended Practice Bulletin 6) requires that the excess of the contractual cash flows over expected cash flows not be recognized as an adjustment of revenue or expense or on the balance sheet. The SOP initially freezes the internal rate of return, referred to as IRR, estimated when the accounts receivable are purchased as the basis for subsequent impairment testing. Significant increases in actual, or expected future cash flows may be recognized prospectively through an upward adjustment of the IRR over a portfolio’s remaining life. Any increase to the IRR then becomes the new benchmark for impairment testing. Effective for fiscal years beginning October 1, 2005 under SOP 03-3 and the amended Practice Bulletin 6, rather than lowering the estimated IRR if the collection estimates are not received or projected to be received, the carrying value of a pool would be written down to maintain the then current IRR. Income on finance receivables is earned based on each static pool’s effective IRR. Under the interest method, income is recognized on the effective yield method based on the actual cash collected during a period and future estimated cash flows and timing of such collections and the portfolio’s cost. Revenue arising from collections in excess of anticipated amounts attributable to timing differences is deferred. The estimated future cash flows are reevaluated quarterly.

 


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COLLECTIONS REPRESENTED BY ACCOUNT SALES
                 
    Collections    
    Represented   Finance
    By Account   Income
Period   Sales   Earned
 
               
Nine months ended June 30, 2007
  $ 40,766,000     $ 18,211,000  
Three months ended June 30, 2007
  $ 9,765,000     $ 3,697,000  
 
               
Nine months ended June 30, 2006
  $ 43,269,000     $ 24,464,000  
Three months ended June 30, 2006
  $ 16,963,000     $ 10,218,000  
PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE (1)
                                         
            Net                    
            Cash                   Total estimated
            Collections   Estimated   Total   Collections as a
    Purchase   Including Cash   Remaining   Estimated   Percentage of
Purchase Period   Price (2)   Sales (3)   Collections (4)   Collections (5)   Purchase Price
 
                                       
2001
  $ 65,120,000     $ 95,243,000     $ 0     $ 95,243,000       146 %
2002
    36,557,000       52,266,000       0       52,266,000       143 %
2003
    115,626,000       190,895,000       9,476,000       200,371,000       173 %
2004
    103,743,000       156,118,000       8,168,000       164,286,000       158 %
2005
    126,023,000       146,163,000       70,858,000       217,021,000       172 %
2006
    200,237,000       133,271,000       175,642,000       308,913,000       154 %
2007
    356,884,000       45,230,000       443,579,000       488,809,000       137 %
 
(1)   Total collections do not represent full collections of the Company with respect to this or any other year.
 
(2)   Purchase price refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire a portfolio less the purchase price refunded by a seller due to the return of non-compliant accounts (also defined as put-backs).
 
(3)   Net cash collections include: net collections from our third-party collection agencies and attorneys, net collections from our in-house efforts and collections represented by account sales.
 
(4)   Does not include estimated collections from portfolios that are zero basis.
 
(5)   Total estimated collections refers to the actual net cash collections, including cash sales, plus estimated remaining net collections.

 


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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
          In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115, this Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This Statement is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the Board’s long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. This Statement is effective for the Company’s fiscal year that begins October 1, 2008. The Company believes that the statement, when adopted, will not impact the Company.
          In September 2006, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (SAB 108). SAB 108 was issued in order to eliminate the diversity in practice surrounding how public companies quantify financial statement misstatements. SAB 108 requires that registrants quantify errors using both a balance sheet and income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in a misstated amount that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. SAB 108 became effective for the Company in the current fiscal year. Adoption had no material impact on the Company.
          In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the Board having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. FASB Statement No. 157 will be effective for our financial statements issued for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of FASB Statement No. 157 to have a material impact on our financial reporting, and we are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of FASB Statement No. 157 will have on our disclosure requirements.
          In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007. We do not expect the adoption of FIN 48 to have a material impact on our financial reporting and disclosure.

 


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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
     We are exposed to various types of market risk in the normal course of business, including the impact of interest rate changes and changes in corporate tax rates. A material change in these rates could adversely affect our operating results and cash flows. A 25 basis-point increase in interest rates could increase our annual interest expense by $25,000 for each $10 million of variable debt outstanding for the entire fiscal year. We do not invest in derivative financial or commodity instruments.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
     a. Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
     During the three month period ended June 30, 2007, our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) related to the recording, processing, summarization and reporting of information in our reports that we file with the SEC. These disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our subsidiaries, is made known to our management, including these officers, by other of our employees, and that this information is recorded, processed, summarized, evaluated and reported, as applicable, within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms. Due to the inherent limitations of control systems, not all misstatements may be detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons; by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. Our controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the above objectives have been met.
     Based on their evaluation as of June 30, 2007, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective to reasonably ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.
     b. Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting.
     There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter to which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
     In the ordinary course of our business, we are involved in numerous legal proceedings. We regularly initiate collection lawsuits, using our network of third party law firms, against consumers. Also, consumers occasionally initiate litigation against us, in which they allege that we have violated a federal or state law in the process of collecting their account. We do not believe that these ordinary course matters are material to our business and financial condition. As of the date of this Form 10-Q, we were not involved in any material litigation in which we were a defendant.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
     There were no material changes in any risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
     None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
     None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
     None.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
     None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
     (a) Exhibits
  10.1   Fifth Amended to the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated June 26, 2006
 
  10.2   Amendment to Receivables Financing Agreement Dated July 2, 2007
 
  31.1   Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer, Gary Stern, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  31.2   Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer, Mitchell Cohen, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  32.1   Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer, Gary Stern, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  32.2   Certification of the Registrant’s Chief Financial Officer, Mitchell Cohen, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  ASTA FUNDING, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: August 9, 2007  By:   /s/ Gary Stern    
    Gary Stern, President, Chief Executive Officer   
    (Principal Executive Officer)   
 
     
Date: August 9, 2007  By:   /s/ Mitchell Cohen    
    Mitchell Cohen, Chief Financial Officer   
    (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)   
 

 

EX-10.1 2 y38197exv10w1.htm EX-10.1: FIFTH AMENDED TO FOURTH AMEDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT EX-10.1
 

EXHIBIT 10.1
FIFTH AMENDMENT TO
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT
     THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT TO FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is executed and entered into as of June 27, 2007, by and among ASTA FUNDING ACQUISITION I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ASTA FUNDING ACQUISITION II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES COLLECTION, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES ACQUISITION I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES ACQUISITION II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES ACQUISITION IV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES ACQUISITION V, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES ACQUISITION VI, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES ACQUISITION VII, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES ACQUISITION VIII, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES ACQUISITION IX, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PALISADES ACQUISITION X, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, CLIFFS PORTFOLIO ACQUISITION I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, SYLVAN ACQUISITION I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and OPTION CARD, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company (sometimes collectively referred to herein as “Borrowers” and individually as a “Borrower”); ASTA FUNDING, INC., a Delaware corporation, COMPUTER FINANCE, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ASTAFUNDING.COM, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ASTA COMMERCIAL, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and VATIV RECOVERY SOLUTIONS, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (collectively, “Guarantors”); ISRAEL DISCOUNT BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation (“IDB”), as collateral agent for itself and the lenders signatory hereto from time to time (together with any successor collateral agent appointed pursuant to Section 9.7, the “Collateral Agent”), as administrative agent (together with any successor administrative agent appointed pursuant to Section 9.7, the “Administrative Agent”, and together with the Collateral Agent, the “Agents”), and as co-lead arranger; MIDDLE MARKET FINANCE, a division of Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”), as co-lead arranger and as co-administrative agent; and the Lenders (as defined below).
RECITALS:
     A. Borrowers and Guarantors (collectively, the “Credit Parties”), along with Administrative Agent and Lenders entered into a certain Fourth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of July 11, 2006 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). All capitalized terms used in this Amendment, unless specifically defined herein, shall have the meanings attributed to them in the Credit Agreement.
     B. The Credit Parties have requested that the Lenders amend certain terms of the Credit Agreement, pursuant to the terms of this Amendment.

 


 

AGREEMENT:
     For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Credit Parties, Administrative Agent and Lenders agree as follows:
SECTION 1. ACCURACY OF RECITALS.
     The Credit Parties acknowledge, represent, warrant and agree that the Recitals stated above are true and complete in all respects.
SECTION 2. MODIFICATION.
     2.1 Definitions. As of the date hereof, the definition of “Applicable Advance Rate”, “Borrowing Base”, “Collections Value Multiple”, “Existing Portfolio” and “New Portfolio” as set forth on Annex A to the Credit Agreement, are amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:
     “Applicable Advance Rate” means, as of any date of determination by Agent from time to time, as to each Eligible New Portfolio acquired by a Borrower:
     (a) during the first six months such Eligible New Portfolio is owned by that Borrower, 80%; and
     (b) during the seventh through thirty-third months such Eligible New Portfolio is owned by that Borrower, 80% less (i) 2.962963% per month, for each of months seven through thirty-two and (ii) 2.962962% for month thirty-three.
     “Borrowing Base” means, as of any date of determination by Agent from time to time, an amount equal to the sum at such time of:
     (a) the sum of the Loan Value of Eligible New Portfolios times their Applicable Advance Rate, plus
     (b) the lesser of:
     (i) the sum of the Loan Value of Eligible Existing Portfolios, or
     (ii) $15,000,000;
in each case, less any Reserves established by Administrative Agent at such time; and provided, that, at no time shall Advances against (1) Telecom Receivables exceed thirty-five percent (35%) of the sum of (a) and (b) of this definition at the date of determination, (2) any receivables or receivable classes relating to payments by consumers for computers and furniture exceed twenty percent (20%) of the sum of (a) and (b) of this definition, or (3) any other receivables or receivables class not specifically permitted under this Agreement exceed twenty percent (20%) of the sum of (a) and (b) of this definition.

2


 

     “Collections Multiple Value” means the Average Collections for an Eligible Existing Portfolio, multiplied by three (3).
     “Existing Portfolio” shall mean a Portfolio that a Borrower has owned for more than thirty-three (33) months as to which such Borrower has all right, title and interest in the Accounts comprising the Portfolio.
     “New Portfolio” shall mean a Portfolio that any Borrower has owned for thirty-three (33) months or less as to which such Borrower has all right, title and interest in the Accounts comprising the Portfolio.
     2.2 No Other Modifications. Except as otherwise specifically modified by this Amendment, all terms, conditions, covenants, rights, duties, obligations and liabilities of the Credit Parties under the Credit Agreement remain in full force and effect and unmodified.
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
     The execution and delivery of this Amendment and the documents and instruments contemplated by this Amendment have been duly authorized by all requisite action by or on behalf of the members of the Credit Parties.
SECTION 4. COVENANTS.
     4.1 This Amendment shall be governed by the terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement.
     4.2 In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Amendment and the terms of the Credit Agreement, the terms of this Amendment shall govern and control.
     4.3 The Credit Parties hereby confirm and agree that the terms, conditions, covenants, guaranties, assurances, promises and provisions contained in the Loan Documents to which each is a party remain in full force and effect without amendment or modification as a result of this Amendment and that the obligations, liabilities and duties of the Credit Parties remain unimpaired as a result of this Amendment and are in full force and effect.
SECTION 5. BINDING EFFECT.
     The Credit Agreement as modified herein shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the members of the Credit Parties and their successors and assigns.
SECTION 6. COUNTERPART EXECUTION; FACSIMILES.
     This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same document. Signature pages may be detached from the counterparts and attached to a single copy of this Amendment to physically form one document. Signatures may be exchanged by facsimile, with the original signature to follow. Each party to this Amendment agrees to be bound by its own faxed signature and to accept the faxed signature of the other parties to this Amendment.

3


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.
         
BORROWERS:  ASTA FUNDING ACQUISITION I, LLC
ASTA FUNDING ACQUISITION II, LLC
PALISADES COLLECTION, L.L.C.
CLIFFS PORTFOLIO ACQUISITION I, LLC
PALISADES ACQUISITION I, LLC
PALISADES ACQUISITION II, LLC
PALISADES ACQUISITION IV, LLC
PALISADES ACQUISITION V, LLC
PALISADES ACQUISITION VI, LLC
PALISADES ACQUISITION VII, LLC
PALISADES ACQUISITION VIII, LLC
PALISADES ACQUISITION IX, LLC
PALISADES ACQUISITION X, LLC
SYLVAN ACQUISITION I, LLC
OPTION CARD, LLC

 
 
  By:   /s/ Mitchell Cohen    
    Name:   Mitchell Cohen   
    Title:   Manager   
 
GUARANTORS:  ASTA FUNDING, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Mitchell Cohen    
    Name:   Mitchell Cohen   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer   
 
  COMPUTER FINANCE, LLC
ASTAFUNDING.COM, LLC
ASTA COMMERCIAL, LLC
VATIV RECOVERY SOLUTIONS, LLC

 
 
  By:   /s/ Mitchell Cohen    
    Name:   Mitchell Cohen   
    Title:   Manager   

 


 

         
         
AGENT:  ISRAEL DISCOUNT BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and
Co-Lead Arranger

 
 
  By:   /s/ Robert Fainelli    
    Name:   Robert Fainelli   
    Title:   First Vice President   
 
     
  By:   /s/ Jeffrey S. Ackerman    
    Name:   Jeffrey Ackerman   
    Title:   Senior Vice President   

 


 

         
         
  MIDDLE MARKET FINANCE, a division of MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL
SERVICES INC., as Co-Administrative Agent and
Co-Lead Arranger

 
 
  By:   /s/ Kenneth R. Geiger    
    Name:   Kenneth R. Geiger   
    Title:   Vice President   

 


 

         
         
LENDERS:  ISRAEL DISCOUNT BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Lender

 
 
  By:   /s/ Robert J. Fainelli    
    Name:   Robert J. Fainelli   
    Title:   First Vice President   
 
     
  By:   /s/ Jeffrey S. Ackerman    
    Name:   Jeffrey S. Ackerman   
    Title:   Senior Vice President   

 


 

         
         
  MIDDLE MARKET FINANCE, a division of
MERRILL LYNCH BUSINESS FINANCIAL
SERVICES INC
., as Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Kenneth R. Geiger    
    Print Name:  Kenneth R. Geiger   
    Print Title: Vice President   

 


 

         
         
  BMO CAPITAL MARKETS FINANCING, INC.,
as Lender

 
 
  By:   /s/ Robert Bomben    
    Print Name:  Robert Bomben   
    Print Title: Director   

 


 

         
         
  BANK LEUMI USA, as Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Mary Ellen Bronco    
    Print Name:  Mary Ellen Bronco   
    Print Title:   Vice President   

 


 

         
         
  THE BERKSHIRE BANK, as Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Ira A. Mermelstein    
    Print Name:   Ira Mermelstein   
    Print Title:   Vice President   

 


 

         
         
  SIGNATURE BANK, as Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Thomas J. D’Antona    
    Print Name:  Thomas J. D’Antona   
    Print Title:   Senior Vice President & Senior Lender   
 

 

EX-10.2 3 y38197exv10w2.htm EX-10.2: AMENDMENT TO RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT EX-10.2
 

Exhibit 10.2
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT
     THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE RECEIVABLES FINANCING AGREEMENT, dated as of July 1, 2007 (this “Amendment”), is entered into by and among PALISADES ACQUISITION XVI, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), PALISADES COLLECTION, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Servicer”), FAIRWAY FINANCE COMPANY, LLC ( the “Lender”), BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP. (“BMO CM”), as Administrator for the Lender (in such capacity, the “Administrator”) and as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”), and BANK OF MONTREAL (“BMO”), as liquidity agent for the Liquidity Providers (in such capacity, the “Liquidity Agent”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the Receivables Financing Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2007 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Receivables Financing Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Servicer, the Lender, the Administrator, the Collateral Agent and the Liquidity Agent.
     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Receivables Financing Agreement in certain respects as provided herein;
     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other material covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
     SECTION 1. Amendments. The Receivables Financing Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
     1.1 The definition of “Applicable Percentage” as set forth in Section 1.1 of the Receivables Financing Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follow:
     “‘Applicable Percentage’ means, for any Pool, the lesser of (i) 72% and (ii) the Collection Rate for such Pool minus (x) 16.6% for the Collection Period in June 2007 and (y) 18% for any other period.”
     SECTION 2. Receivables Financing Agreement in Full Force and Effect as Amended.
     Except as specifically amended hereby, the Receivables Financing Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. All references to the Receivables Financing Agreement shall be deemed to mean the Receivables Financing Agreement as modified hereby. This Amendment shall not constitute a novation of the Receivables Financing Agreement, but shall constitute an amendment thereof. The parties hereto agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Receivables Financing Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, as though such terms and conditions were set forth herein.

1


 

     SECTION 3. Miscellaneous.
          A. On and as of the date hereof, the Borrower hereby confirms, reaffirms and restates the representations and warranties set forth in Section 8.1 of the Receivables Financing Agreement mutatis mutandis, except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate to a specific earlier date in which case the Borrower hereby confirms, reaffirms and restates such representations and warranties as of such earlier date.
          B. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by the different parties hereto on the same or separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original instrument but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the condition precedent that the Administrator shall have received counterparts of this Amendment, duly executed by all parties hereto.
          C. The descriptive headings of the various sections of this Amendment are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
          D. This Amendment may not be amended or otherwise modified except as provided in the Receivables Financing Agreement.
          E. Each of the Administrator and the Lender do not waive and have not waived, and hereby expressly reserve, its right at any time to take any and all actions, and to exercise any and all remedies, authorized or permitted under the Receivables Financing Agreement, as amended, or any of the other Transaction Documents, or available at law or equity or otherwise.
          F. The Borrower agrees to pay and reimburse the Administrator for all its reasonable costs and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and delivery of this Amendment, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrator.
          G. Any provision in this Amendment which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
          H. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OTHERWISE APPLICABLE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES (OTHER THAN THOSE SET FORTH IN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK).
[Signature Pages Follow]

2


 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the 26th of July, 2007.
         
  PALISADES ACQUISITION XVI, LLC,
as Borrower
 
 
  By:   /s/ Mitchell Cohen    
    Name:   Mitchell Cohen   
    Title:   Manager   
 
  BMO CAPITAL MARKET CORP.,
as Administrator and as Collateral Agent
 
 
  By:   /s/ John Pappano    
    Name:   John Pappano   
    Title:   Managing Director   

S-1


 

         
         
  FAIRWAY FINANCE COMPANY, LLC, as Lender
 
 
  By:   /s/ Philip A. Martone    
    Name:   Philip A. Martone   
    Title:   Vice President   

S-2


 

         
         
  PALISADES COLLECTION, L.L.C,
as Servicer
 
 
  By:   /s/ Mitchell Cohen    
    Name:   Mitchell Cohen   
    Title:   Manager   

S-3


 

         
         
  BANK OF MONTREAL, as Liquidity Agent
 
 
  By:   /s/ Gary Herron    
    Name:   Gary Herron   
    Title:   Vice President   
 

S-4

EX-31.1 4 y38197exv31w1.htm EX-31.1: CERTIFICATION EX-31.1
 

EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Gary Stern, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Asta Funding, Inc.;
 
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d - 15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  (b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
  (c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  (d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  (b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
August 9, 2007
         
     
  /s/ Gary Stern    
  President and Chief Executive Officer   
     
 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 302 has been provided to Asta Funding, Inc. and will be retained by Asta Funding, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

EX-31.2 5 y38197exv31w2.htm EX-31.2: CERTIFICATION EX-31.2
 

EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Mitchell Cohen, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Asta Funding, Inc.;
 
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d - 15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  (b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
  (c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  (d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  (b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
August 9, 2007
         
     
  /s/ Mitchell Cohen    
  Mitchell Cohen, Chief Financial Officer   
     
 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 302 has been provided to Asta Funding, Inc. and will be retained by Asta Funding, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

EX-32.1 6 y38197exv32w1.htm EX-32.1: CERTIFICATION EX-32.1
 

EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Asta Funding, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Gary Stern, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
  (1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
  (2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the dates presented and the consolidated results of operations of the Company for the periods presented.
Dated: August 9, 2007
         
     
  /s/ Gary Stern    
  Gary Stern   
  Chief Executive Officer   
 
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Form 10-Q or as a separate disclosure document.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Asta Funding, Inc. and will be retained by Asta Funding, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

31

EX-32.2 7 y38197exv32w2.htm EX-32.2: CERTIFICATION EX-32.2
 

EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Asta Funding, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Mitchell Cohen, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
  (1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
  (2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the dates presented and the consolidated results of operations of the Company for the periods presented.
Dated: August 9, 2007
         
     
  /s/ Mitchell Cohen    
  Mitchell Cohen   
  Chief Financial Officer   
 
The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Form 10-Q or as a separate disclosure document.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Asta Funding, Inc. and will be retained by Asta Funding, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

32

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