Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Acquisitions

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Acquisitions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Acquisitions

3. ACQUISITIONS

Cortina:

On April 12, 2019, SAMG LLC and SLP entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Cortina Asset Management, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“Cortina”), and certain interest holders of Cortina (together, the “Principals of Cortina”) to acquire, directly or through a designated affiliate, substantially all of the assets of Cortina relating to Cortina’s business of providing investment management, investment advisory, and related services (the “Cortina Acquisition”).

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, SAMG LLC agreed to pay to Cortina an aggregate maximum amount of $44,937, 80% of which was agreed to be paid in cash at closing by SAMG LLC, and 20% of which was agreed to be paid by SLP in the form of issuance and delivery to certain Principals at closing of Class B Units in SLP, in each case subject to certain adjustments as described in the Purchase Agreement.

On July 1, 2019, the acquisition was completed pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.  At closing, SAMG LLC paid to Cortina an aggregate principal amount of $33,577 in cash, and SLP paid an additional $8,952, in the form of issuance and delivery to certain Principals of 662,713 Class B Units in SLP.  The $33,577 paid in cash represented $35,072 in consideration, partially offset by net closing credits due to SAMG LLC for reimbursable expenses from Cortina.

In addition, the Purchase Agreement provides for up to an additional $26,209 to be paid 80% in cash with certain Principals receiving the remaining 20% in the form of Class B Units of SLP in potential earn-out payments over the next four years.  SAMG LLC determined that the preliminary fair value of contingent consideration pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement whereby the sellers of Cortina are potentially entitled to two retention payments and one growth payment contingent upon the achievement of various revenue targets is $13,800.  The estimated fair value of contingent consideration is recognized at the date of acquisition, and adjusted for changes in facts and circumstances until the ultimate resolution of the contingency.  Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration are reflected as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The income approach was used to determine the fair value of these payments, by estimating a range of likely expected outcomes and payouts given these outcomes.  The potential payouts were estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation and discounted back to their present values using a risk-free discount rate adjusted to account for SAMG LLC’s credit or counterparty risk to arrive at the present value of the contingent consideration payments.  The discount rate for the contingent consideration payments was based on the revenue cost of capital for Cortina’s revenue.  

The first retention payment, due if revenue for the 12-month period from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 is greater than or equal to 95% of the acquired revenue of $13,027 which represents Cortina’s annual revenue run-rate as of closing (“Acquired Revenue”), is equal to $3,370.  If revenue for the period is equal to 75% or less of the Acquired Revenue, there is no first retention payment, and if revenue for the period is between 75% and 95%, the first retention payment will be determined using linear interpolation between $0 and $3,370.  

The second retention payment is based on revenue for the 12-month period from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, with a revenue threshold between 85% and 105% of Acquired Revenue and a maximum retention payment of $5,617.  If revenue for the period is equal to 85% or less of the Acquired Revenue, there is no second retention payment, and if revenue for the period is between 85% and 105%, the second retention payment will be determined using linear interpolation between $0 and $5,617.

The growth payment is based on revenue for the 12-month period from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, with a revenue threshold between 95% and 140% of Acquired Revenue and a maximum payment of $17,222.  If revenue for the period is equal to 95% or less of the Acquired Revenue, there is no growth payment, and if revenue for the period is between 95% and 140%, the growth payment will be determined using linear interpolation between $0 and $17,222.

A fair value adjustment to contingent purchase price consideration of $200 was recorded at December 31, 2019 and is included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year then ended.  SAMG LLC has a liability of $14,000 as of December 31, 2019 related to earnout payments to be made in conjunction with the Cortina Acquisition which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition for contingent consideration.

In connection with their receipt of the equity consideration, the Principals of Cortina became subject to the rights and obligations set forth in the limited partnership agreement of SLP and are entitled to distributions consistent with SLP’s distribution policy.  In addition, the Principals of Cortina became parties to the Exchange Agreement, which governs the exchange of Class B Units for Class A common stock of the Company, the Resale and Registration Rights Agreement, which provides the Principals of Cortina with liquidity with respect to shares of Class A common stock of the Company received in exchange for Class B Units, and the TRA of the Company, which entitles the Principals of Cortina to share in a portion of the tax benefit received by the Company upon the exchange of Class B Units for Class A common stock of the Company.

The Purchase Agreement includes customary representations, warranties and covenants.

The strategic acquisition of Cortina, a long-standing innovative and high-caliber growth equity asset management firm, establishes a growth equity capability for the Company.  Furthermore, the Company gains investment professionals that have significant experience and knowledge of the industry and establishes a presence in the Midwest.

Cortina revenue and income before provision for income taxes for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 that are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations are $6,241and $1,923, respectively.

During 2019, the Company incurred $1,148 in costs related to the Cortina Acquisition, and has included these in general, administrative and other in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

Cash paid on date of acquisition

$

17,072

Term loan with City National Bank drawdown

 

18,000

Units issued

 

8,952

Contingent consideration

 

13,800

Total purchase consideration

$

57,824

The Company accounted for the acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values. The method for determining relative fair value varied depending on the type of asset or liability and involved management making significant estimates related to assumptions such as future growth rates used to produce financial projections for Cortina and the selection of unobservable inputs and other assumptions. The inputs used in establishing the fair value are in most cases unobservable and reflect the Company's own judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.  

The following table summarizes the amounts preliminarily allocated to acquired assets and assumed liabilities.  The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was allocated to goodwill and intangible assets.

 

Total fair value of tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed

$

Goodwill

 

36,324

Customer relationships (15 years)

 

21,500

Total purchase consideration

$

57,824

The purchase price allocations have been finalized as of December 31, 2019. 

The Company believes the recorded goodwill is supported by the anticipated revenues and expected synergies of integrating the operations of Cortina into the Company.  Most of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The pro forma information below represents consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition of Cortina occurred on January 1, 2019 and January 1, 2018. The pro forma information has been included for comparative purposes and is not indicative of results of operations of the Company had the acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2019 and 2018, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results.

 

 

 

Pro Forma

Year Ended

December 31,

2019

 

Pro Forma

Year Ended

December 31,

2018

Revenue

$

108,345

$

112,941

Net Income

$

15,990

$

20,422

 

Neosho:

On December 13, 2018, the Company executed an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) by and among the Company, SLP, SAMG LLC (the “Buyer”) and Neosho Capital LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Neosho” or the “Seller”), and Christopher K. Richey, Alphonse I. Chan, Robert K. Choi and Vincent G. Pandes, each such individual a principal of Neosho (together, the “Principals of Neosho”), to acquire certain assets of Neosho.  The transaction contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement closed on January 15, 2019 and is referred to herein as the “Neosho Acquisition”.

Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, SAMG LLC acquired substantially all of the business and assets of the Seller, a provider of investment management and advisory services, including goodwill and the benefit of the amortization of goodwill related to such assets. In consideration of the purchased assets and goodwill, SAMG LLC paid to the Seller and the Principal an aggregate purchase price consisting of (1) a cash payment of $399 (net of cash acquired) and (2) Class B units of SLP issued to the Principals of Neosho with a value equal to $20 and an equal number of shares of Class B common stock of the Company, having voting rights but no economic interest. The Company determined that the acquisition-date fair value of the contingent consideration was $1,686, based on the likelihood that the financial and performance targets described in the Asset Purchase Agreement will be achieved.  SAMG LLC will make a payment of $300 to the Principals of Neosho on the first anniversary of the closing date.  SAMG LLC will make earnout payments to the Principals of Neosho as soon as practicable following December 31, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $100 and (ii) the product obtained by multiplying (x) 50% by (y) the revenue of Neosho as of such payment date less the revenue of Neosho as of the immediately preceding payment date for the prior year.   Earnout payments will be paid 75% in cash and 25% in equity.  The estimated fair value of contingent consideration is recognized at the date of acquisition, and adjusted for changes in facts and circumstances until the ultimate resolution of the contingency. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration are reflected as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the contingent consideration was based on discounted cash flow models using projected revenue for each earnout period. The discount rate applied to the projected revenue was determined based on the weighted average cost of capital for the Company and took into account that the overall risk associated with the payments was similar to the overall risks of the Company as there is no target, floor or cap associated with the contingent payments.  

A fair value adjustment to contingent purchase price consideration of ($283) was recorded at December 31, 2019 and is included in general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year then ended.  The Company has a liability of $1,403 related to earnout payments to be made in conjunction with the Neosho Acquisition which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2019 for contingent consideration.

Cappiccille:

On December 15, 2015, the Company executed an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”) by and among the Company, SLP, SAMG LLC (the “Buyer”) and Cappiccille & Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Cappiccille” or the “Seller”), and Michael Cappiccille (the “Principal”), to acquire certain assets of Cappiccille.  The transaction contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement closed on January 11, 2016 and is referred to herein as the “Cappiccille Acquisition”.

Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, SAMG LLC acquired (i) substantially all of the business and assets of the Seller, a provider of tax services, including goodwill and the benefit of the amortization of goodwill related to such assets, and (ii) the personal goodwill of the Principal. In consideration of the purchased assets and goodwill, SAMG LLC paid to the Seller and the Principal an aggregate purchase price consisting of a cash payment of $148. The Company determined that the acquisition-date fair value of the contingent consideration was $354, based on the likelihood that the financial and performance targets described in the Asset Purchase Agreement will be achieved.  SAMG LLC will make earnout payments to the Principal as soon as practicable following December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and during 2020, in an amount equal to 19% of the revenue attributable to the business and assets of Cappiccille, based on revenue gained or lost post-transaction during the twelve months ended on the applicable determination date, except that the earnout payment for 2016 shall be equal to 19% of the revenue attributable to the Cappiccille for the period between the closing date of the Cappiccille Acquisition and December 31, 2016 and the earnout payment for 2020 shall be equal to 19% of the revenue attributable to the Cappiccille Acquisition for the period between January 1, 2020 and the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the Cappiccille Acquisition.  The estimated fair value of contingent consideration is recognized at the date of acquisition, and adjusted for changes in facts and circumstances until the ultimate resolution of the contingency. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration are reflected as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The fair value of the contingent consideration was based on discounted cash flow models using projected revenue for each earnout period. The discount rate applied to the projected revenue was determined based on the weighted average cost of capital for the Company and took into account that the overall risk associated with the payments was similar to the overall risks of the Company as there is no target, floor or cap associated the contingent payments.

A fair value adjustment to contingent purchase price consideration of ($25), $54 and $41 was recorded at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included in general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year then ended. The Company has a liability of $101 and $231 related to Cappiccille included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for contingent consideration.  During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company made contingent purchase price payments to Cappiccille of $105 and $102, respectively.  

Jamison:

On March 30, 2015, the Company executed an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company, SLP, SAMG LLC (the “Buyer”) and Jamison Eaton & Wood, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (“Jamison” or the “Seller”), and Keith Wood, Ernest Cruikshank, III, William F. Gadsden and Frederick E. Thalmann, Jr., each such individual a principal of Jamison (together, the “Principals of Jamison”), to acquire certain assets of Jamison.  The transaction contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement closed on June 30, 2015 and is referred to herein as the “Jamison Acquisition”.

Pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, SAMG LLC acquired (i) substantially all of the business and assets of the Seller, an investment adviser, including goodwill and the benefit of the amortization of goodwill related to such assets and (ii) the personal goodwill of the Principals of Jamison. In consideration of the purchased assets and goodwill, SAMG LLC paid to the Seller and the Principals of Jamison an aggregate purchase price consisting of (1) cash payments in the aggregate amount of $3,550 (the “Closing Cash Payment”), (2) a promissory note issued to the Seller in the principal amount of $394, with an interest rate of 5% per annum (the “Seller Note”), (3) promissory notes in varying amounts issued to each of the Principals of Jamison for an aggregated total amount of $1,771, each with an interest rate of 5% per annum (together, the “Principals of Jamison Notes”) and (4) Class B units of SLP (the “Class B Units”) issued to the Principals of Jamison with a value equal to $3,562 and an equal number of shares of Class B common stock of the Company, having voting rights but no economic interest (together, the “Equity Consideration”). The Company determined that the acquisition-date fair value of the contingent consideration was $1,429, based on the likelihood that the financial and performance targets described in the Asset Purchase Agreement will be achieved.  SAMG LLC will make earnout payments to the Principals of Jamison as soon as practicable following December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and during 2020, in an amount equal to 20% of the EBITDA attributable to the business and assets of Jamison (the “Jamison Business”), based on revenue gained or lost post-transaction during the twelve months ended on the applicable determination date, except that the earnout payment for 2015 shall be equal to 20% of the EBITDA attributable to the Jamison Business for the period between the closing date of the Jamison Acquisition and December 31, 2015 and the earnout payment for 2020 shall be equal to 20% of the EBITDA attributable to the Jamison Business for the period between January 1, 2020 and the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the Jamison Acquisition.  The estimated fair value of contingent consideration is recognized at the date of acquisition, and adjusted for changes in facts and circumstances until the ultimate resolution of the contingency. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration are reflected as a component of general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The fair value of the contingent consideration was based on discounted cash flow models using projected EBITDA for each earnout period. The discount rate applied to the to the projected EBITDA was determined based on the weighted average cost of capital for the Company and took into account that the overall risk associated with the payments was similar to the overall risks of the Company as there is no target, floor or cap associated the contingent payments.  The Company has a liability of $418 and $524 related to earnout payments to be made in conjunction with the Jamison Acquisition which is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for contingent consideration.

In connection with their receipt of the Equity Consideration, the Principals of Jamison became subject to the rights and obligations set forth in the limited partnership agreement of SLP and are entitled to distributions consistent with SLP’s distribution policy.  In addition, the Principals of Jamison became parties to the Exchange Agreement, which governs the exchange of Class B Units for Class A common stock of the Company, the Resale and Registration Rights Agreement, which provides the Principals of Jamison with liquidity with respect to shares of Class A common stock of the Company received in exchange for Class B Units, and the TRA of the Company, which entitles the Principals of Jamison to share in a portion of the tax benefit received by the Company upon the exchange of Class B Units for Class A common stock of the Company.

The Asset Purchase Agreement includes customary representations, warranties and covenants.

The strategic acquisition of Jamison, a long-standing and highly regarded investment boutique, strengthens the Company’s presence in the greater New York market and the Company obtains investment managers that have significant experience and knowledge of the industry.  Jamison’s clients will gain access to the Company’s complete investment management, wealth planning and reporting capabilities, including proprietary value equity and fixed income disciplines and alternative investment advisory services.

The Company believes the recorded goodwill is supported by the anticipated revenues and expected synergies of integrating the operations of Jamison into the Company.  The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

A fair value adjustment to contingent purchase price consideration of $214, $52 and ($79) was recorded at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included in general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for each of the years then ended. The Company has a liability of $418 and $524 related to Jamison included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, for contingent consideration.  During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company made contingent purchase price payments to Jamison of $320 and $345, respectively.