National (NHLD) 10-Q2021 Q1 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2020

or

Commission File Number: 001-12629

NATIONAL HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

200 Vesey Street, 25th Floor

New York, NY 10281

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 417-8000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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 for 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  ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES☐NO☒

As of January 31, 2021 there were 13,765,304 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are unaudited. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the respective fiscal years. The consolidated statement of financial condition at September 30, 2020 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 for additional disclosures and accounting policies.

Certain items in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the fiscal 2020 period have been reclassified to conform to the presentation in the fiscal 2021 period. Such reclassifications did not have a material impact on the presentation of the overall financial statements.

Non-controlling Interest

The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, National Asset Management, Inc., a Washington corporation (“NAM”) has a majority voting interest in Innovation X Management, LLC (“Innovation X”), which together serve as the investment manager of an investment fund (See Note 19). Because NAM has the majority voting interest in Innovation X, the results of operations of Innovation X are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements, and the amount attributable to the other investor is recorded as a non-controlling interest.

NOTE 2. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

National Holdings Corporation (“National” or the “Company”), a Delaware corporation organized in 1996, operates through its wholly-owned subsidiaries which principally provide financial services. Through its broker-dealer and investment advisory subsidiaries, the Company (1) offers full service retail brokerage and investment advisory services to individual, corporate and institutional clients, (2) provides investment banking, merger, acquisition and advisory services to micro, small and mid-cap high growth companies and (3) engages in trading securities, including making markets in micro and small-cap, NASDAQ and other exchange-listed stocks.

The Company's broker-dealer subsidiaries are National Securities Corporation, a Washington corporation (“NSC”) and Winslow, Evans & Crocker, Inc (“WEC”). NSC conducts a national securities brokerage business through its main offices in New York City, New York and Boca Raton, Florida. NSC is an introducing broker and clears all transactions through clearing organizations, on a fully disclosed basis. WEC is a Boston-based, full-service investment firm established in 1991. NSC and WEC are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (the “SIPC”).

The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, NAM, is a federally-registered investment adviser providing asset management advisory services to retail clients for a fee based upon a percentage of assets managed.

The Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries, National Insurance Corporation, a Washington corporation (“National Insurance”) and Prime Financial Services, a Delaware corporation (“Prime Financial”), provide fixed insurance products to their clients, including life insurance, disability insurance, long term care insurance and fixed annuities.

The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, National Tax and Financial Services, Inc. (“National Tax”), provides tax preparation and accounting services to individuals and small to midsize companies.

The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, GC Capital Corporation (“GC”), provides licensed mortgage brokerage services in New York and Florida.

The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Winslow, Evans & Crocker Insurance Agency, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“WIA”), provides fixed insurance products to its clients, and the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Winslow Financial, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“WF”), is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor.

The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, United Advisors, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company (“UA”), is a New York-based advisor and wealth management firm. United Advisors Services, LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company (“UAS”), is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor, and Financial Services International Corporation, a Washington corporation (“FSIC”), was a FINRA registered broker-dealer. In October 2020, FSIC filed for withdrawal from registration with FINRA and the SEC as a broker-dealer and in December 2020, the withdrawals were completed. In November 2020, UA and UAS were withdrawn from registration with the SEC as investment advisors. 

NOTE 3. RECEIVABLES FROM BROKER-DEALERS AND CLEARING ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

At December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, the receivables of $5,198,000 and $3,367,000, respectively, from broker-dealers and clearing organizations represent net amounts due for fees and commissions associated with the Company’s retail brokerage business as well as asset based fee revenues associated with the Company’s investment advisory business.

Other receivables at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 consist of the following:

NOTE 4. FORGIVABLE LOANS RECEIVABLE

From time to time, the Company’s operating subsidiaries may make loans, evidenced by promissory notes, primarily to newly recruited independent financial advisors as an incentive for their affiliation. The notes receivable balance is comprised of unsecured non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing loans (weighted average interest rate of 4%). These notes have various schedules for repayment or forgiveness based on production or retention requirements being met and mature at various dates through 2029. Forgiveness of loans amounted to $241,000 and $163,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and the related compensation was included in commissions, compensation and fees in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In the event the advisor’s affiliation with the subsidiary terminates, the advisor is required to repay the unamortized balance of any notes payable.

The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts on the notes based on historical collection experience and continually evaluates the receivables for collectability and possible write-offs where a loss is deemed probable. As of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, no allowance for doubtful accounts was required.

Forgivable loan activity for the three months ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

NOTE 5. FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Authoritative accounting guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. Valuation techniques that are consistent with the market or income approach are used to measure fair value.

The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly, and reasonably available. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which reflect the assumptions that the Company develops based on available information about what market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability.

The following tables present the carrying values and estimated fair values at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 of financial assets and liabilities, excluding financial instruments that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis, and information is provided on their classification within the fair value hierarchy. Such instruments are carried at amounts that approximate fair value due to their short-term nature and generally negligible credit risk.

The following tables present the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020:

Changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended December 31, 2020:

See changes in Level 3 liabilities (contingent consideration) measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three months ended December 31, 2020 in Note 7.

The table below presents information on the valuation techniques, significant unobservable inputs and their ranges for the Company's financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis with a significant Level 3 balance.

Certain positions in common stock and warrants were received as compensation for investment banking services. Restricted common stock and warrants may be freely traded only upon the effectiveness of a registration statement covering them or upon the satisfaction of the requirements of SEC Rule 144, including the requisite holding period. The unrealized (gain) loss for the change in fair value of such positions for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 amounted to approximately $20,000 and $(143,000), respectively, which is included in net dealer inventory gains (losses).

Warrants are carried at fair value as determined by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This model takes into account the underlying securities’ current market values, the underlying securities’ market volatility, the terms of the warrants, exercise prices, and the risk-free return rate. A discount is applied for the warrants’ lack of marketability. The discount is based on the value of a protective put.

Debt securities are valued based on recently executed transactions.

NOTE 6. FIXED ASSETS

Fixed assets as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 consist of the following:

Depreciation expense associated with fixed assets for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $251,000 and $242,000, respectively.

NOTE 7. BUSINESS COMBINATION AND CONTINGENT CONSIDERATION

Tax & Accounting Acquisition

In October 2020, National Tax acquired certain assets of a tax preparation and accounting business that per accounting guidance was deemed to be a business combination. The consideration for the transaction consisted of a cash payment at closing totaling $250,000, and a contingent consideration payable in cash having a fair value of $601,000, for which a liability (included in contingent consideration) was recognized based on the estimated acquisition date fair value of the potential earn-outs. The earn-outs are based on revenue, as defined in the acquisition agreement, during various periods following the closing. The fair value of the acquired assets totaling $851,000 was allocated to customer relationships, which is being amortized over seven years.

The contingent consideration liability recognized in the above acquisition was valued using an income-based approach using unobservable inputs (Level 3) and reflects the Company’s own assumptions. The liabilities will be revalued at each balance sheet date with changes therein recorded in earnings. Results of operations of the acquired business is included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition and was not material. In addition, based on materiality, pro forma results are not presented.

Contingent Consideration

Set forth below are changes in the carrying value of the contingent consideration for the three months ended December 31, 2020 related to acquisitions:

NOTE 8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangibles consisted of the following at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020:

Amortization expense associated with intangible assets for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $595,000 and $288,000, respectively.

The estimated future amortization expense of the finite lived intangible assets for the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:

NOTE 9. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 consist of the following:

At December 31, 2020, other primarily consists of $105,000 for investment banking deal expense accruals, $1,447,000 for soft dollar accruals, $252,000 for finance obligation of the implementation costs of the general ledger system and $157,000 for tax return preparation fees. At September 30, 2020, other primarily consists of $151,000 for investment banking deal expense accruals, $1,291,000 for soft dollar accruals, $130,000 for tax return preparation fees, $312,000 for finance obligation of the implementation costs of the general ledger system and $493,000 for commercial rent tax.

NOTE 10. PER SHARE DATA

Basic net income (loss) per share of common stock attributable to the Company is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed on the basis of such weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the dilutive effect of incremental shares of common stock potentially issuable under outstanding options, warrants and unvested restricted stock units utilizing the treasury stock method. A reconciliation of basic and diluted common shares used in the computation of per share data follows:

At December 31, 2020 and 2019, options, warrants and unvested restricted stock units totaling 8,993,737 and 9,843,370 shares, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

NOTE 11. OFF BALANCE SHEET RISK AND CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

The Company is engaged in trading and providing a broad range of securities brokerage and investment services to a diverse group of retail and institutional clientele, as well as corporate finance and investment banking services to corporations and businesses. Counterparties to the Company’s business activities include broker-dealers and clearing organizations, banks and other financial institutions. The Company uses clearing brokers to process transactions and maintain customer accounts for the Company on a fee basis. The Company permits the clearing firms to extend credit to its clientele secured by cash and securities in the client’s account. The Company’s exposure to credit risk associated with the non-performance by its customers and counterparties in fulfilling their contractual obligations can be directly impacted by volatile or illiquid trading markets, which may impair the ability of customers and counterparties to satisfy their obligations to the Company. The Company has agreed to indemnify the clearing brokers for losses they incur while extending credit to the Company’s clients.

It is the Company’s policy to review, as necessary, the credit standing of its customers and counterparties. Amounts due from customers that are considered uncollectible by the clearing broker are charged back to the Company by the clearing broker when such amounts become determinable. Upon notification of a charge back, such amounts, in total or in part, are then either (i) collected from the customers, (ii) charged to the broker initiating the transaction and/or (iii) charged to operations, based on the particular facts and circumstances.

The Company maintains cash in bank deposits, which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced and does not expect to experience losses on such accounts.

A short sale involves the sale of a security that is not owned in the expectation of purchasing the same security (or a security exchangeable) at a later date at a lower price. A short sale involves the risk of a theoretically unlimited increase in the market price of the security that would result in a theoretically unlimited loss.

To the extent the Company invests in marketable securities, the Company is subject to various market risks related to the portfolio.

As a result of the spread of COVID-19, economic uncertainties have arisen which have negatively impacted and are likely to continue to negatively impact our businesses, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies and prospects. The extent of the impact of COVID-19 on our operational and financial performance will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and impact on our clients, employees, vendors and the markets in which we operate our businesses, all of which are uncertain at this time and cannot be predicted. The extent to which COVID-19 may impact our financial condition or results of operations cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

NOTE 12. NEW ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which requires entities to use a forward-looking approach based on current expected credit losses ("CECL") to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. This may result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2023, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on its financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for the Fair Value Measurement," which removes or modifies certain current disclosures, and adds additional disclosures. The changes are meant to provide more relevant information regarding valuation techniques and inputs used to arrive at measures of fair value, uncertainty in the fair value measurements, and how changes in fair value measurements impact an entity's performance and cash flows. Certain disclosures in ASU 2018-13 will need to be applied on a retrospective basis and others on a prospective basis. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-13 as of October 1, 2020. The adoption of this update did not materially impact the Company's consolidated statements and related disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes". The amendments in ASU 2019-12 simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning October 1, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The transition requirements are dependent upon each amendment within this update and will be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company is currently assessing the impact that the adoption of ASU 2019-12 will have on its financial statements.

NOTE 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation and Regulatory Matters

The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants or respondents in various pending and threatened arbitrations, administrative proceedings and lawsuits seeking compensatory damages. Several cases have no stated alleged damages. Claim amounts are infrequently indicative of the actual amounts the Company will be liable for, if any. Further, the Company has a history of collecting amounts awarded in these types of matters from its registered representatives that are still affiliated, as well as from those that are no longer affiliated. Many of these claimants also seek, in addition to compensatory damages, punitive or treble damages, and all seek interest, costs and fees. These matters arise in the normal course of business. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in these actions, and the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time.

On July 3, 2019, a lawsuit was filed against National Securities Corporation, National Asset Management, Inc., the Company, the Company’s current board members and certain former board members, certain officers of the Company, John Does 1–10, and the Company as a nominal defendant, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, captioned Kay Johnson v. National Securities Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:19-cv-06197-LTS. The complaint presents three purported derivative causes of action on behalf of the Company, and five causes of action by the plaintiff directly. As part of the derivative claims, the complaint generally alleges that certain of the individual defendants failed to establish and maintain adequate internal controls to ensure that the Board acted in accordance with its fiduciary duties to prevent and uncover alleged legal and regulatory misconduct and wrongdoing on the part of a National officer. As part of its claims brought directly by the plaintiff, the complaint generally alleges that certain individual and corporate defendants wrongfully terminated the employment of the plaintiff in violation of the Dodd-Frank Act and applicable common law, or conspired to do so. The complaint further alleges that certain corporate defendants violated the Equal Pay Act with regards to the plaintiff’s compensation. The complaint seeks monetary damages in favor of the Company, an order directing the Company’s board members to take actions to enhance the Company’s governance, compensatory and punitive damages in favor of the plaintiff, and attorneys’ fees and costs. On February 2, 2020, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint presenting additional causes of action. The Company has notified its insurer of the lawsuit and believes it has valid defenses to the asserted claims of the complaint. On March 18, 2020, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. The plaintiff filed an opposition to the defendants’ motion to dismiss on April 15, 2020, and the defendants filed a reply in further support of the motion to dismiss on May 6, 2020. On August 20, 2020, the parties entered into mediation with a private mediator in an attempt to settle the action and, on January 15, 2021, as a result of the mediation, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the claims in the action, subject to documentation and execution of a final, confidential settlement agreement between the parties.

The New York Department of Financial Services (the “Department”) is conducting an investigation of NSC’s compliance with the Department’s Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies (the “Regulations”). The Regulations establish standards for the cybersecurity programs of entities the Department licenses or otherwise regulates, including NSC. NSC is cooperating with the Department’s investigation. Based on preliminary indications from the Department, the Company believes it is probable that the Department will assess a fine against NSC. However, in light of the uncertainties and variables involved, the Company is unable to estimate either the timing or the amount of the loss associated with this matter. There can be no assurance that this matter will not have a material adverse effect on NSC or the Company.

Winslow, Evans & Crocker, Inc. (“WEC”) reached a settlement with the SEC over a mutual fund share class initiative. The settlement was reached in February 2021. The stock purchase agreement for the sale of WEC to the Company provides for the sellers to indemnify the Company for payments due related to this matter.

Liabilities for potential losses from complaints, legal actions, government investigations and proceedings are established where management believes that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In making these decisions, management bases its judgments on its knowledge of the situations, consultations with legal counsel and its historical experience in resolving similar matters. In many lawsuits, arbitrations and regulatory proceedings, it is not possible to determine whether a liability has been incurred or to estimate the amount of that liability until the matter is close to resolution. However, accruals are reviewed regularly and are adjusted to reflect management’s estimates of the impact of developments, rulings, advice of counsel and any other information pertinent to a particular matter. Because of the inherent difficulty in predicting the ultimate outcome of legal and regulatory actions, management cannot predict with certainty the eventual loss or range of loss related to such matters.

In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Company establishes an accrued liability for contingent litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and can be reasonably estimated. In such cases, there still may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts reasonably estimated and accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability, but continues to monitor, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling a matter, further developments that would make such loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. Once the Company establishes an accrued liability with respect to a loss contingency, the Company continues to monitor the matter for further developments that could affect the amount of the accrued liability that has been previously established, and any appropriate adjustments are made each quarter.

In making these decisions, management bases its judgments on its knowledge of the situations, consultations with legal counsel and its historical experience in resolving similar matters. In many lawsuits, arbitrations and regulatory proceedings, it is not possible to determine whether a liability has been incurred or to estimate the amount of that liability until the matter is close to resolution.

Because of the broad differences in value ascribed to each case by each plaintiff and the Company, management cannot estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, in excess of any amounts reasonably estimated and accrued.

As of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, the Company accrued approximately $1,132,000 and $920,000, respectively in liabilities for contingent litigation and regulatory matters. These amounts are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Amounts charged to operations for settlements and potential losses during the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, were $407,000 and $388,000, respectively. These amounts are included in other administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company has included in professional fees, litigation and arbitration related expenses of $1,432,000 and $441,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

See the additional update in Note 24.

Other Commitments

As of December 31, 2020, the Company and its subsidiaries had one outstanding letter of credit, which has been issued in the maximum amount of $962,000 as security for a property lease, and which is collateralized by the restricted cash as reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

NOTE 14. NET CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

NSC is subject to the SEC's Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1), which, among other things, requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. At December 31, 2020, NSC had net capital of $3,875,125 which was $2,875,125 in excess of its required minimum net capital of $1,000,000. NSC is exempt from the provisions of Rule 15c3-3 since it is an introducing broker-dealer that clears all transactions on a fully disclosed basis and promptly transmits all customer funds and securities to clearing brokers.

WEC is also subject to the Net Capital Rule, which, among other things, requires the maintenance of minimum net capital and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined under the Net Capital Rule, shall not exceed 15 to 1. At December 31, 2020, WEC had net capital of $777,629 which was $618,479 in excess of its required minimum net capital of $159,150. WEC's ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 3.1 to 1. WEC is exempt from the provisions of Rule 15c3-3 since it is an introducing broker-dealer that clears all transactions on a fully disclosed basis and promptly transmits all customer funds and securities to clearing brokers.

NOTE 15. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Stock Options

Information with respect to stock option activity during the three months ended December 31, 2020 follows:

All compensation expense associated with the grants of stock options was recognized in prior years.

Warrants

The following table summarizes information about warrant activity during the three months ended December 31, 2020:

Restricted Stock Units and Awards

A summary of the Company's non-vested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) for the three months ended December 31, 2020 is as follows:

One RSU or RSA gives the right to one share of the Company’s common stock. RSUs and RSAs that vest based on service and performance are measured based on the fair values of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The Company used a Lattice model to determine the fair value of the RSUs with a market condition. Compensation with respect to RSU and RSA awards is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized compensation expense of $781,000 related to RSUs and RSAs. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized compensation expense of $907,000 related to RSUs and RSAs. At December 31, 2020, unrecognized compensation with respect to RSUs and RSAs amounted to $3,324,000, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years, assuming all performance-based compensation will vest.

NOTE 16. INCOME TAXES

The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return and certain combined state and local income tax returns with its subsidiaries. Income taxes for the three-month period ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are based on the estimated annual effective tax rate. Each quarter the Company updates its estimate of the annual effective tax rate and records cumulative adjustments as necessary.

The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended December 31, 2020 differs from the federal statutory income tax rate principally due to non-deductible expenses and state and local income taxes.

At December 31, 2020, the Company's net deferred tax asset is principally comprised of net operating loss carryforwards. Management believes that is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be realized and, accordingly, has not provided a valuation allowance against such amount.

NOTE 17. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has two reportable segments. The brokerage and advisory services segment includes broker-dealer and investment advisory services, the sale of insurance products and licensed mortgage brokerage services provided by NSC, WEC, NAM, National Insurance, Prime Financial, GC, WIA, WF, UA, UAS and FSIC. The tax and accounting services segment includes tax preparation and accounting services provided by National Tax.

The Corporate pre-tax income (loss) consists of certain items that have not been allocated to reportable segments.

Segment information for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:

NOTE 18. ACQUISITION OF CONTROLLING INTEREST IN THE COMPANY

On November 14, 2018, B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”) and FBIO Acquisition, Inc. (“FBIO Acquisition”), a subsidiary of Fortress Biotech, Inc. (“Fortress”), entered into a stock purchase agreement whereby FBIO Acquisition agreed to sell FBIO Acquisition’s majority stake in the Company to a wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley (the “FBIO Sale”). In connection with the FBIO Sale, the Company entered into an agreement with B. Riley (the “Standstill Agreement”), pursuant to which B. Riley agreed to certain customary standstill provisions, effective as of the date of the Standstill Agreement through December 31, 2021. See the additional update in Note 24.

B. Riley Proposal

On April 30, 2020, B. Riley and the Company entered into a waiver of certain provisions of the Standstill Agreement and in connection therewith, B. Riley amended its Schedule 13D filing relating to the Company and sent the Board a letter containing a proposal regarding the Company. The Company's Board formed a Special Committee of non-executive, independent directors to review the B. Riley proposal. See the additional update in Note 24.

NOTE 19. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

The Company has entered into agreements to provide investment banking and advisory services to numerous investment funds (the “Funds”) that are considered variable interest entities (“VIEs”) under the accounting guidance. These Funds are established primarily to make and manage investments in equity or convertible debt securities of privately held companies that the Company, as investment advisor to the Funds, believes possess innovative or disruptive technologies and present opportunities for an initial public offering (“IPO”) or other similar liquidity event within approximately one to five years from the date of investment. The Funds intend to hold the investments until an IPO or other similar liquidity event and then to make distributions to its investors when contractually permitted, estimated approximately six months following such IPO or liquidity event.

The Company earns fees from the Funds in the form of placement agent fees and carried interest. For placement agent fees, the Company receives a cash fee of generally 7% to 10% of the amount of raised capital for the Funds and the fee is recognized at the time the placement services occurred. The Company receives carried interest as a percentage allocation (8% to 15%) of the profits of the Funds as compensation for asset management services provided to the Funds and it is recognized at the time of distribution. Once fund investors have received distributions in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of their total capital contributions, the Company as the manager of the Funds will be entitled to share in any profits of the Funds to the extent of the carried interest. As the fee arrangements under such agreements are arm's-length and contain customary terms and conditions and represent compensation that is considered fair value for the services provided, the fee arrangements are not considered variable interests and accordingly, the Company does not consolidate such VIEs.

Placement agent fees attributable to such arrangements for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $5,174,000 and $8,409,000, respectively, and are included in investment banking in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Unrecognized Carried Interest

Based on the investment performance of the Funds as of December 31, 2020, unrecognized carried interest under a hypothetical distribution was $41,260,000 and the related compensation expense associated was $28,586,000. Carried interest is dependent on the market and will fluctuate until a distribution event occurs.

NOTE 20. REVENUES FROM CONTRACTS AND SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

Performance Obligations

The Company recognizes revenue from contracts with customers when, or as, the Company satisfies its performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services to the customers. A good or service is transferred to a customer when, or as, the customer obtains control of that good or service. A performance obligation may be satisfied over time or at a point in time. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied over time is recognized by measuring progress in satisfying the performance obligation in a manner that depicts the transfer of the goods or services to the customer. Revenue from a performance obligation satisfied at a point in time is recognized at the point in time that the Company determines the customer obtains control over the promised good or service.

Transaction Price and Variable Consideration

The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration (“transaction price”) the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the transfer of the goods or services to the customer services. In determining the transaction price, the Company considers multiple factors, including the effects of variable consideration. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainties with respect to the amount are resolved. In determining when to include variable consideration in the transaction price, the Company considers the range of possible outcomes, the predictive value of past experiences, the time period of when uncertainties expect to be resolved and the amount of consideration that is susceptible to factors outside of influence, such as market volatility or the judgment and actions of third parties.

Contract Assets

Contract assets represent the Company’s right to consideration in exchange for goods or services that the Company has transferred to a customer, excluding unconditional rights to consideration that are presented as receivables.

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to deliver products or provide data to customers in the future for which cash has already been received.

The following provides detailed information on the recognition of the Company’s revenues from contracts with customers:

Commissions and Transaction Fees and Clearing Services. The Company earns commission and transaction fee and clearing services revenue based on the execution of transactions for clients in stocks, mutual funds, variable annuities and other financial products and services as well as from trailing commissions. Trade execution and settlement, when provided together, represent a single performance obligation as the services are not separately identifiable in the context of the contract. Commission and transaction fee and clearing services revenues are recognized at a point in time on trade-date. Commission and transaction fee and clearing services revenues are generally paid on settlement date and the Company records a receivable between trade-date and payment on settlement date. For trailing commissions, the performance obligation is satisfied at the time of the execution of the transactions but the amount to be received for trailing commissions is uncertain, as it is dependent on the value of the investments at future points in time as well as the length of time the investor holds the investments, both of which are highly susceptible to variable factors outside the Company’s influence. The Company does not believe that it can overcome this constraint until the market value of the investment and the investor activities are known, which are usually monthly or quarterly. The Company’s consolidated statement of operations reflects trailing commissions for services performed and performance obligations satisfied in previous periods and are recognized in the period that the constraint is overcome.

Investment Banking. The Company provides clients with a full range of investment banking services. Investment banking services include underwriting and placement agent services in both equity and debt, including private equity placements, initial public offerings, follow-on offerings and equity-linked convertible securities transactions and private debt. Underwriting and placement agent revenues are recognized at a point in time on trade-date, as the client obtains the control and benefit of the investment banking offering at that point. Costs associated with investment banking transactions are deferred until the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded and are recorded on a gross basis as the Company is acting as a principal in the arrangement. Any expenses reimbursed by the Company’s clients are recognized as investment banking revenues. Where the Company is the lead underwriter, revenue and expenses will be first allocated to other members of a syndicate because the Company is acting as an agent for the syndicate. Accordingly, the Company records revenue on a net basis. When the Company is not the lead underwriter, the Company will recognize its share of revenue and expenses on a gross basis, because the Company is acting as the principal. Under accounting standards in effect for prior periods, the Company recognized all underwriting revenue on a net basis.

The Company’s revenues from advisory services primarily consist of fees generated in connection with mergers and acquisition and advisory 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 execute a specific transaction. Fees received prior to the completion of the transaction are deferred within other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition. A significant portion of the fees the Company receives for advisory services are considered variable as they are contingent upon a future event 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 is generally due promptly upon completion of a specified milestone or, for retainer fees, periodically over the course of the engagement. The Company recognizes 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 a point in time. All other investment banking advisory related costs are expensed as incurred. All investment banking advisory expenses are recognized within their respective expense category on the consolidated statements of operations and any expenses reimbursed by the clients are recognized as investment banking revenues. The Company controls the service as it is transferred to the customer, and is therefore acting as a principal. Accordingly, the Company records revenues and out-of-pocket reimbursements on a gross basis. Under accounting standards in effect for prior periods, the Company recorded expenses net of client reimbursements and/or netted against revenues.

Investment Advisory/Asset Management Fees. The Company receives management and performance fees in connection with investment advisory services provided to various funds and accounts, which are satisfied over time as the customer receives the benefits of the services evenly throughout the term of the contract. Management and performance fees are considered variable as they are subject to fluctuation (e.g., changes in assets under management, market performance) and/or are contingent on a future event during the measurement period (e.g., meeting a specified benchmark) and are recognized only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved. Management fees are generally based on month-end assets under management or an agreed upon notional amount and are included in the transaction price at the end of each month when the assets under management or notional amount is known. Performance fees are received when the return on assets under management for a specified performance period exceed certain benchmark returns, “high-water marks” or other performance targets. The performance period related to performance fees is annual, semiannual or at the recognition of a liquidation event. Accordingly, performance fee revenue will generally be recognized only at the end of the performance period to the extent that the benchmark return has been met.

Tax Preparation and Accounting. The Company charges fees in connection with tax preparation and accounting services. Revenues are recorded upon completion of the services.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following presents the Company’s revenues from contracts with customers disaggregated by major business activity and segment for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:

Information on Remaining Performance Obligations and Revenue Recognized from Past Performance

The Company does 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 December 31, 2020. Investment banking advisory fees that are contingent upon completion of a specific milestone are also excluded as the fees are considered variable and not included in the transaction price at December 31, 2020.

Contract Balances

The timing of the Company’s revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by customers. The Company records a receivable when revenue is recognized prior to payment and the Company has an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, the Company records deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied.

Contract Costs

Incremental contract costs are expensed when incurred when the amortization period of the asset that would have been recognized is one year or less. Otherwise, incremental contract costs are recognized as an asset and amortized over time as services are provided to a customer.

NOTE 21. LEASES

The Company’s lease agreements primarily cover office space in various states expiring at various dates. The Company’s leases are predominantly operating leases, which are included in right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company’s current lease arrangements expire from 2021 through 2032, some of which include options to extend or terminate the lease. However, the Company in general is not reasonably certain to exercise options to renew or terminate, and therefore renewal and termination options are not considered in the lease term or the right-of-use asset and lease liability balances.

The Company’s lease population does not include any residual value guarantees, and therefore none were considered in the calculation of the lease balances. The Company has leases with variable payments, most commonly in the form of common area maintenance charges which are based on actual costs incurred. These variable payments were excluded from the right-of-use asset and lease liability balances since they are not fixed or in-substance fixed payments. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. The Company has elected the practical expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.

For leases with terms greater than 12 months, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term. The discount rate used to determine the commencement date present value of lease payments is the interest rate implicit in the lease, or when that is not readily determinable, the Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rate. The Company's lease agreements generally do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate nor is it available to the Company from its lessors. Instead, the Company estimates the Company’s incremental borrowing rate based on information available at either the implementation date of Topic 842 or at lease commencement for leases entered into thereafter in determining the present value of future payments. Lease expense for net present value of payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less with purchase options or extension options that are not reasonably certain to be exercised are not recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

The components of lease expense were as follows:

The table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under operating leases, recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 2020:

As of December 31, 2020, the Company has an additional operating lease, primarily for additional office space in Red Bank, New Jersey, that has not yet commenced.

The following table presents the balances for operating and finance right-of-use assets and lease liabilities:

The table below presents additional information related to the Company's leases as of December 31, 2020:

NOTE 22. PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

On April 10, 2020, NSC entered into a Promissory Note (the “NSC Note”) with Axos Bank as the lender (the “Lender”), pursuant to which the Lender agreed to make a loan to NSC under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “NSC Loan”) offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act to qualified small businesses (the “PPP”) in a principal amount of $5,523,738. On April 15, 2020, WEC also entered into a Promissory Note (the “WEC Note” and together with the NSC Note, the “PPP Notes”) with the Lender, pursuant to which the Lender agreed to make a loan to WEC under the PPP (the “WEC Loan” and together with the NSC Loan, the “PPP Loans”) in a principal amount of $973,062.

The interest rate on each PPP Note is a fixed rate of 1% per annum. Interest is calculated by applying the ratio of the interest rate over a year of 360 days, multiplied by the outstanding principal balance, multiplied by the actual number of days the principal balance is outstanding. The applicable borrower is required to make monthly payments commencing on the first day of the first full calendar month following the end of a statutorily defined deferral period (the “Deferral Period”), and such payments shall continue to be due and payable on the first day of each calendar month thereafter until the date that is two (2) years following the funding date (the “Maturity Date”), or April 13, 2022 in the case of the NSC Note and April 16, 2022 in the case of the WEC Note. Monthly payment amounts are based on repayment of interest accrued during the Deferral Period, interest accruing until and including the Maturity Date, and full amortization of the outstanding principal balance. The PPP loans are recorded as debt.

According to the terms of the PPP, all or a portion of loans under the PPP may be forgiven if certain conditions set forth in the CARES Act and the rules of the SBA are met. In order to be forgiven, the proceeds of each PPP Loan are to be used to pay for payroll costs, continuation of group health care benefits during periods of paid sick, medical, or family leave, or insurance premiums; salaries or commissions or similar compensation; rent; utilities; and interest on certain other outstanding debt; however, 60% of the proceeds of each PPP Loan must be used for payroll purposes.

At its option, each of NSC and WEC may prepay all or a portion of its PPP Loan without penalty.

Each PPP Note includes events of default, the occurrence and continuation of which would provide the Lender with the right to exercise remedies against NSC or WEC, as applicable, including the right to declare the entire unpaid principal balance under the applicable PPP Note and all accrued unpaid interest immediately due.

The Company has applied for forgiveness of the loans, but no assurance can be given that the Company will be granted forgiveness of the loans.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, investment banking revenues include approximately $620,000 of fees related to placement of securities for B. Riley and subsidiaries of B. Riley.

Michael E. Singer, Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company and Chief Strategy Officer, is the managing member and sole equity owner of Alternative Insight LLC (“Alternative Insight”). Alternative Insight is the general partner of Insight Wellness Fund, LLC (the “Wellness Fund”) and Insight Dharma, LLC (the “Dharma Fund” and, together with the Wellness Fund, the “Funds”). The Company performs certain solicitation and placement agent services on behalf of the Funds. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Funds collectively paid total placement fees to the Company of $232,000.

On January 10, 2021, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with B. Riley, and B. Riley Principal Merger Corp. III, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley (“Merger Sub”). The Merger Agreement provides for the acquisition of the Company by B. Riley through a cash tender offer (the “Offer”) by Merger Sub for all of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock (“Common Stock”), other than the shares of Common Stock owned by B. Riley and its subsidiaries, for $3.25 per share of Common Stock (the “Offer Price”) in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding taxes. Following the consummation of the Offer, subject to the absence of injunctions or other legal restraints preventing the consummation of the Merger and the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley (the “Merger”), pursuant to the procedure provided for under Section 251(h) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), without any additional stockholder approvals. The Merger will be effected as soon as practicable following the time of purchase by Merger Sub of shares of Common Stock validly tendered and not withdrawn in the Offer. B. Riley and its subsidiaries currently own approximately 45% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock.

The board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) delegated to a special committee (the “Special Committee”) the responsibility and authority to review, evaluate, negotiate and recommend or not recommend to the Board a potential strategic transaction involving the Company. The Special Committee recommended to the Board the approval, execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement. The Board, acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee, approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement, approved the acquisition of the Company by B. Riley on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement and resolved to recommend that the stockholders of the Company (other than B. Riley and its subsidiaries) tender their shares of Common Stock to Merger Sub pursuant to the Offer. Under the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub is required to commence the Offer as promptly as reasonably practicable. The Offer commenced on January 27, 2021 and will initially expire at one minute following 11:59 P.M. (12:00 midnight), New York City time, on the twentieth (20th) business day following (and including the date of) the commencement of the Offer.  The Offer may be extended subject to and in accordance with the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), (i) each share of Common Stock not tendered pursuant to the Offer (other than any shares of Common Stock (a) owned by the Company or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time, (b) owned by B. Riley, Merger Sub or any other direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of B. Riley immediately prior to the Effective Time or (c) held by stockholders who have properly exercised and perfected their demands for appraisal of such shares of Common Stock in accordance with the DGCL and have neither withdrawn nor lost such rights prior to the Effective Time) will each be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the Offer Price, (ii) each outstanding time-based restricted stock unit, whether vested or unvested, with respect to shares of Common Stock (each, a “Company RSU”) and each outstanding performance-based restricted stock unit, whether vested or unvested, with respect to shares of Common Stock (each, a “Company PSU”) shall be converted into the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the full number of shares of Common Stock underlying such Company RSU or Company PSU multiplied by the Offer Price, and (iii) each outstanding stock option, whether vested or unvested, with respect to shares of Common Stock (each, a “Company Option”) shall be converted into the right to receive an amount of cash equal to the number of shares of Common Stock underlying such Company Option multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Offer Price over the Company Option’s exercise price. For the avoidance of doubt, any Company Option with an exercise price greater than or equal to the Offer Price shall be cancelled for no consideration.

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, B. Riley and the Company entered into an agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) pursuant to which (i) the Company waived the standstill obligations of B. Riley pursuant to the Standstill Agreement and (ii) the Standstill Agreement will terminate, effective upon the consummation of the Merger.

Two lawsuits have been filed relating to the Offer and the Merger in federal courts by purported individual shareholders against the Company, certain of its directors and, in one case, B. Riley and Merger Sub. The cases are, in the order by which they were filed:  Raul v. National Holdings Corporation et al., 1:21-cv-01103 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 8, 2021); and Johnson v. National Holdings Corporation et al., 1:21-cv-00176-UNA (D. Del. Feb. 9, 2021). The complaints generally allege that the Schedule 14D-9 misrepresented and/or omitted certain purportedly material information and assert violations of Sections 14(e), 14(d) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, rules thereunder or common law fraud and/or negligent misrepresentation or concealment. The alleged material misstatements and omissions relate to, among other topics, the Company’s forecasts, the financial analysis of the Company’s financial advisor, the interests of directors and officers in the Offer and the Merger and events giving rise to the Offer and the Merger. The plaintiffs in each of the foregoing actions seek, among other things, an injunction against the consummation of the Offer and the Merger or, in the alternative, rescission damages, as well as an award of costs and expenses (including attorneys’ and experts’ fees). The Company disputes the allegations made in both lawsuit complaints.