Revenues from Contracts with Customers

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]

Revenues from Contracts with Customers

NOTE 17 – Revenues from Contracts with Customers

The following table presents the Company’s total revenues broken out by revenues from contracts with customers and other sources of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020
Revenues from contracts with customers:
Commissions	$	213,614	$	211,098
Investment banking		339,288		179,468
Asset management and service fees		278,147		237,775
Other		16,882		4,767
Total revenue from contracts with customers		847,931		633,108
Other sources of revenue:
Interest		127,540		161,177
Principal transactions		165,006		138,666
Other		8,752		4,440
Total revenues	$	1,149,229	$	937,391

Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when, or as, we satisfy our performance obligations by transferring the promised services to the customers. A service is transferred to a customer when, or as, the customer obtains control of that service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring our progress in satisfying the performance obligation in a manner that depicts the transfer of the services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time that we determine the customer obtains control over the promised service. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those promised services (i.e., the “transaction price”). In determining the transaction price, we consider multiple factors, including the effects of variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainties with respect to the amount are resolved. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, we consider the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of our past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties expect to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of our influence, such as market volatility or the judgment and actions of third parties.

The following provides detailed information on the recognition of our revenues from contracts with customers:

Commissions. We earn commission revenue by executing, settling, and clearing transactions for clients primarily in OTC and listed equity securities, insurance products, and options. Trade execution and clearing and custody services, when provided together, represent a single performance obligation as the services are not separately identifiable in the context of the contract. Commission revenues associated with combined trade execution and clearing and custody services, as well as trade execution services on a standalone basis, are recognized at a point in time on trade-date. Commission revenues are generally paid on settlement date and we record a receivable between trade-date and payment on settlement date.

Investment Banking. We provide our clients with a full range of capital markets and financial advisory services. Capital markets services include underwriting and placement agent services in both the equity and debt capital markets, including private equity placements, initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, underwriting and distributing public and private debt.

Capital raising revenues are recognized at a point in time on trade-date, as the client obtains the control and benefit of the capital markets offering at that point. Costs associated with capital raising transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded, and are recorded on a gross basis within other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations as we are acting as a principal in the arrangement. Any expenses reimbursed by our clients are recognized as investment banking revenues.

Revenues from financial advisory services primarily consist of fees generated in connection with merger, acquisition and restructuring transactions. Advisory fees from mergers and acquisitions engagements are recognized at a point in time when the related transaction is completed, as the performance obligation is to successfully broker a specific transaction. Fees received prior to the completion of the transaction are deferred within accounts payable and accrued expenses on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Advisory fees from restructuring engagements are recognized over time using a time elapsed measure of progress as our clients simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of those services as they are provided. A significant portion of the fees we receive for our advisory services are considered variable as they are contingent upon a future event (e.g., completion of a transaction or third party emergence from bankruptcy) and are excluded from the transaction price until the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved, which is expected to occur upon achievement of the specified milestone. Payment for advisory services are generally due promptly upon completion of a specified milestone or, for retainer fees, periodically over the course of the engagement. We recognize a receivable between the date of completion of the milestone and payment by the customer. Expenses associated with investment banking advisory engagements are deferred only to the extent they are explicitly reimbursable by the client and the related revenue is recognized at the same time as the associated expense. All other investment banking advisory related expenses, including expenses incurred related to restructuring assignments, are expensed as incurred. All investment banking advisory expenses are recognized within other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and any expenses reimbursed by our clients are recognized as investment banking revenues.

Asset Management Fees. We earn management and performance fees in connection with investment advisory services provided to institutional and individual clients. Investment advisory fees are charged based on the value of assets in fee-based accounts and are affected by changes in the balances of client assets due to market fluctuations and levels of net new client assets. Fees are charged either in advance based on fixed rates applied to the value of the customers’ account at the beginning of the period or periodically based on contracted rates and account performance. Contracts can be terminated at any time with no incremental payments due to our company upon termination. If the contract is terminated by the customer fees are prorated for the period and fees charged for the post termination period are refundable to the customer.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables present the Company’s revenues from contracts with customers by reportable segment disaggregated by major business activity and primary geographic regions for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 (1)
	Global Wealth Management		Institutional Group		Other		Total
Major business activity:
Commissions	$	147,505	$	66,109	$	—	$	213,614
Capital raising		13,549		195,257		—		208,806
Advisory fees		—		130,482		—		130,482
Investment banking		13,549		325,739		—		339,288
Asset management		278,109		38		—		278,147
Other		14,924		—		1,958		16,882
Total		454,087		391,886		1,958		847,931
Primary Geographic Region:
United States		454,087		303,848		1,958		759,893
United Kingdom		—		45,391		—		45,391
Canada		—		29,746		—		29,746
Other		—		12,901		—		12,901
	$	454,087	$	391,886	$	1,958	$	847,931

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 (1)
	Global Wealth Management		Institutional Group		Other		Total
Major business activity:
Commissions	$	136,897	$	74,198	$	3	$	211,098
Capital raising		10,314		93,082		—		103,396
Advisory fees		19		76,053		—		76,072
Investment banking		10,333		169,135		—		179,468
Asset management		237,760		15		—		237,775
Other		4,001		—		766		4,767
Total		388,991		243,348		769		633,108
Primary Geographic Region:
United States		388,991		198,043		769		587,803
United Kingdom		—		30,763		—		30,763
Canada		—		5,223		—		5,223
Other		—		9,319		—		9,319
	$	388,991	$	243,348	$	769	$	633,108

⁽¹⁾ Excludes revenues not derived from contracts with customers included in the Other segment.

See Note 21 for further break-out of revenues by geography.

Information on Remaining Performance Obligations and Revenue Recognized from Past Performance

We do not disclose information about remaining performance obligations pertaining to contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less. The transaction price allocated to remaining unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied performance obligations with an original expected duration exceeding one year was not material at March 31, 2021. Investment banking advisory fees that are contingent upon completion of a specific milestone and fees associated with certain distribution services are also excluded as the fees are considered variable and not included in the transaction price at March 31, 2021.

Contract Balances

The timing of our revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by our customers. We record a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to payment and we have an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, we record deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied.

We had receivables related to revenues from contracts with customers of $202.4 million and $148.6 million at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. We had no significant impairments related to these receivables during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Our deferred revenue primarily relates to retainer fees received in investment banking advisory engagements and investment advisory fees where the performance obligation has not yet been satisfied. Deferred revenue at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $20.3 million and $12.1 million, respectively.