# FIRST TRYON SECURITIES, LLC X-17A-5 (2021-03-01) — Broker-dealer annual report - Company: FIRST TRYON SECURITIES, LLC - Form: X-17A-5 - Filed: 2021-03-01 - Period: 2020-12-31 - Accession: 0000201843-21-000006 - CIK: 201843 - File #: 8-21426 - Material weakness: No - Auditor: GreerWalker LLP - Auditor location: Charlotte, NC - Contact: Margaret Carpenter - Phone: 704.926.2980 - Signed by: H. Keith Brunnemer, III (Manager) Original filing: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/201843/000020184321000006/publicdoc1.pdf --- {0}------------------------------------------------ UNITEDSTATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 # ANNUAL AUDITED REPORT FORM X-17A-5 PART III | OMB APPROVAL | | | | |---------------------------|-----------------|--|--| | OMB Number: | 3235-0123 | | | | Expires: | Auqust 31, 2020 | | | | Estimated average burden | | | | | hours per response 12.00 | | | | | SEC FILE NUMBER | | |-----------------|--| | 8-21426 | | FACING PAGE Information Required of Brokers and Dealers Pursuant to Section 17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 17a-5 Thereunder | REPORT FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING 01/01/2020
AND ENDING 12/31/2020 | | | | | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------|--------------------------------|--| | | MM/DD/YY | | MM/DD/YY | | | | A. REGISTRANT IDENTIFICATION | | | | | | NAME OF BROKER-DEALER: First Tryon Securities, LLC | | OFFICIAL USE ONLY | | | ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: (Do not use P.O. Box No.) | | | FIRM I.D. NO. | | | 1355 Greenwood Cliff, Ste 401 | | | | | | | (No. and Street) | | | | | Charlotte | NC | | 28204 | | | (City) | (State) | | (Zip Code) | | | Margaret Carpenter 704-926-2980 | NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON TO CONTACT IN REGARD TO THIS REPORT | | | | | | | | (Area Code - Telephone Number) | | | | B. ACCOUNTANT IDENTIFICATION | | | | | | INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT whose opinion is contained in this Report* | | | | | GreerWalker II P | | | | | | | (Name - if individual, state last, first, middle name) | | | | | | 227 W. Trade Street, Suite 1100 Charlotte | NC | 28202 | | | (Address) | (City) | (State) | (Zip Code) | | | CHECK ONE: | | | | | | Certified Public Accountant | | | | | | Public Accountant | | | | | | | Accountant not resident in United States or any of its possessions. | | | | | | FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | \*Claims for exemption from the requirement that the annual report be covered by the opinion of an independent public accountant must be supported by a statement of facts and circumstances relied on as the basis for the exemption. See Section 240.17a-5(e)(2) > Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of unload on contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. {1}------------------------------------------------ ### OATH OR AFFIRMATION r H. Keith Brunnemer, III -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------my knowledge and belief the accompanying financial statement and supporting schedules pertaining to the firm of First Tryon Securities, LLC as of December 31 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ neither the company nor any partner, principal officer or director has any proprietary interest in any account classified solely as that of a customer, except as follows: Signature Manager Title my 15 1 Notary Public This report \*\* contains (check all applicable boxes): - (a) Facing Page. - (b) Statement of Financial Condition. - (c) Statement of Income (Loss) or, if there is other comprehensive income in the period(s) presented, a Statement of Comprehensive Income (as defined in §210.1-02 of Regulation S-X). - (d) Statement of Changes in Financial Condition. - (e) Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity or Partners' or Sole Proprietors' Capital. - (f) Statement of Changes in Liabilities Subordinated to Claims of Creditors. - (g) Computation of Net Capital. - (h) Computation for Determination of Reserve Requirements Pursuant to Rule 15c3-3. - (i) Information Relating to the Possession or Control Requirements Under Rule 15c3-3. - (i) A Reconciliation, including appropriate explanation of Net Capital Under Rule 15c3-1 and the Computation for Determination of the Reserve Requirements Under Exhibit A of Rule 15c3-3. - (k) A Reconciliation between the audited and unaudited Statements of Financial Condition with respect to methods of consolidation. - (1) An Oath or Affirmation. - (m) A copy of the SIPC Supplemental Report. - (n) A report describing any material inadequacies found to exist or found to have existed since the date of the previous audit. \*\* For conditions of confidential treatment of certain portions of this filing, see section 240.17a-5(e)(3). {2}------------------------------------------------ # **First Tryon Securities, LLC** **Financial Statements and Supplemental Information** **For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019** **(Pursuant to paragraph (d) of Rule 17a-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)** {3}------------------------------------------------ # **Table of Contents** **Page** | Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 1 | | | | | |-----------------------------------------------------------|--|--|--|--| | Financial Statements | | | | | | Statements of Financial Condition 2 | | | | | | Notes to Financial Statements3 | | | | | {4}------------------------------------------------ ![](_page_4_Picture_0.jpeg) ## REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Members of First Tryon Securities, LLC: #### **Opinion on the Financial Statement** We have audited the accompanying statement of financial condition of First Tryon Securities, LLC (the "Company") as of December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statement"). In our opinion, the financial statement presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First Tryon Securities, LLC as of December 31, 2020, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The financial statement of First Tryon Securities, LLC as of December 31, 2019, were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 25, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. #### **Basis for Opinion** The financial statement is the responsibility of First Tryon Securities, LLC's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to First Tryon Securities, LLC in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statement, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statement. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. We have served as First Tryon Securities, LLC's auditors since 2020. Certified Public Accountants February 24, 2021 Charlotte, NC **GreerWalker LLP | GreerWalker Wealth LLC | GreerWalker Corporate Finance LLC \*OHYSV[[L6ɉJL** The Carillon | 227 West Trade St., Suite 1100 | Charlotte, NC 28202 | USA | Tel 704.377.0239 **.YLLU]PSSL6ɉJL** Wells Fargo Center | 15 South Main St., Suite 800 | Greenville, SC 29601 | USA | Tel 864.752.0080 {5}------------------------------------------------ # **Statements of Financial Condition** *December 31, 2020 and 2019* | | 2020 | 2019 | | |----------------------------------------------------|-----------------|---------------|--| | Assets | | | | | Cash and cash equivalents | \$
852,566 | \$
605,127 | | | Cash deposited with clearing broker | 100,000 | 100,000 | | | Marketable securities owned, at market value | 24,384,137 | 17,273,874 | | | Interest receivable | 135,272 | 64,246 | | | Operating lease right-of-use asset,net | 99,622 | 291,511 | | | Property and equipment, net | 118,354 | 160,317 | | | Other assets | 310,459 | 365,915 | | | Total assets | \$ 26,000,410 | \$ 18,860,990 | | | Liabilities and Members' Equity | | | | | Liabilities | | | | | Securities sold not yet purchased, at market value | \$
4,160,940 | \$
856,224 | | | Margin account borrowings | 4,495,363 | 6,068,501 | | | PPP Loan | 585,036 | 0 | | | Accrued compensation | 3,739,415 | 1,863,126 | | | Operating lease liability,current | 108,705 | 106,588 | | | Operating lease liability,noncurrent | 0 | 188,167 | | | Other accrued expenses and liabilities | 291,457 | 319,051 | | | Total liabilities | 13,380,916 | 9,401,657 | | | Members' equity | | | | | Capital | 7,929,447 | 7,929,447 | | | Distributable earnings | 4,690,047 | 1,529,886 | | | Total members' equity | 12,619,494 | 9,459,333 | | | Total liabilities and members' equity | \$ 26,000,410 | \$ 18,860,990 | | {6}------------------------------------------------ # **FIRST TRYON SECURITIES, LLC Notes to Financial Statements** *For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019* ### **Note 1 - Nature of operations** First Tryon Securities, LLC (the "Company") is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"). The Company's purposes of operation are to i) engage as a broker-dealer on a fully disclosed basis in the purchase and sale of fixed income securities primarily with other brokers, dealers and financial institutions, and ii) provide advisory services to cities, counties, school districts, utility systems, colleges/universities, hospitals and other not-for-profit entities. The advisory services are offered primarily in connection with debt issuances and long-range capital planning. The Company was approved by the National Association of Securities Dealers to initiate trading operations on October 21, 1996. The Company is a North Carolina limited liability company, organized on September 1, 1996 and currently operating under the Operating Agreement of First Tryon Securities, LLC effective May 3, 2011 ("Operating Agreement"). The Company shall continue in existence until it is terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Operating Agreement. Members are not ultimately liable for any debts, liabilities or obligations of the Company, losses of capital or losses of profits solely for acting as an equity owner and not beyond the respective capital contributions of each member. Withdrawing members' ownership interests are transferable, with no management rights, upon the lapse of the term for the Company's option to purchase the same ownership interests. Ownership interests are transferable in accordance with the terms of the Operating Agreement. #### **Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies** #### *Cash equivalents* For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. ### *Marketable securities owned* Marketable securities consist of fixed income securities and are valued at quoted market values. If a quoted market value is not available, market value is determined using quoted market prices for similar investment securities. Security transactions and any related gains or losses are recognized on the trade date. Cost is determined by the average cost method for the purpose of computing realized gains or losses on investment securities. All marketable securities owned by the Company are considered trading securities. Changes in the fair value from one reporting period to the next (unrealized gains and losses) are recorded as trading revenue in the accompanying statements of operations. #### *Property and equipment* Furniture and equipment, software, and leasehold improvements are carried at cost. Depreciation is charged to operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets using principally the declining balance method for furniture and equipment and the straight-line method for software and leasehold improvements. The costs of maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the respective asset are expensed as incurred. The cost and accumulated depreciation and amortization of property are eliminated from the accounts upon disposal, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the determination of net income. #### *Net trading revenue* The Company's trading revenue is comprised of gains and losses resulting from the sale of investment securities. These gains and losses are recorded on a trade date basis. Accordingly, all related performance obligations related to the sale transaction are considered completed at settlement date. In addition to the revenue generated at the {7}------------------------------------------------ **Notes to Financial Statements** *For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019* ### **Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)** transaction level, net trading revenue also includes the write up or write down of the market value of the securities in inventory at the financial statement date. #### *Financial advisory income* The Company's financial advisory income is comprised of fees earned from advisory services provided to cities, counties, school districts, utility systems, colleges/universities, hospitals and other not-for-profit entities. The advisory services are offered primarily in connection with debt issuances and long-range capital planning. The Company recognizes advisory fees as earned in accordance with the terms of the individual engagements. #### *Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements* The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. #### *Income taxes* Limited liability corporations are essentially taxed as partnerships, with the net income or loss flowing through to the members' individual income tax returns. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes is reflected on the Company's financial statements. Management has evaluated the tax positions of the Company and it is the opinion of management that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would be material to these financial statements. #### *Allocations and distributions to members* Allocation of income, losses and distributions of cash are made to the members in accordance with terms of the Operating Agreement and amendments entered into by the members. The allocations are based on the members' ownership interests. #### *Recently issued accounting pronouncements* Accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. #### **Note 3 - Clearing broker and related payable** The Company currently has a clearing agreement with Pershing, LLC. ("Pershing") to clear all trade transactions. The Company was required to maintain a cash deposit of \$100,000 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, with Pershing in accordance with the terms of the clearing agreement. The accounts maintained with Pershing are composed of funds to settle securities traded, not yet settled and proceeds from all trade transactions. The funds in these accounts are available for the daily trading transactions initiated by the Company that are cleared through Pershing. The accounts are also used by the Company to transfer funds to bank accounts for the administrative operations of the Company. {8}------------------------------------------------ **Notes to Financial Statements** *For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019* ### **Note 3 - Clearing broker and related payable (continued)** The Company has a margin account with its clearing broker and has a net payable of \$4,495,363 and \$6,068,501 in this account as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Securities owned by the Company are pledged as collateral for any outstanding payables, which accrue interest at a variable rate determined as described in the clearing agreement. Interest expense on the margin accounts for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was \$90,413 and \$105,958, respectively. The amount of margin available to the Company is based on the requirements of Pershing. If the fair value of margin securities decreases to the extent the amount of margin available is less than the amount of margin securities available, a margin call would occur. As a result, the Company would be required to either pay cash or liquidate securities to the extent needed to be compliant with contractual parameters. The amount of unused margin as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was \$9,334,504 and \$4,366,924, respectively. ### **Note 4 - Marketable securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased** The Company applies "Fair Value Measurements," which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company records marketable securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value but does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company believes that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. The Company requires fair value measurements be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. For assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, it is the Company's policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the adopted fair value hierarchy. Fair value measurements for which there exists limited or no observable market data requires assets and liabilities be based primarily upon estimates. These estimates are often calculated based on the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset or liability and other factors. Therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. Additionally, there may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future values. The Company utilizes fair value measurements to determine fair value disclosures. All marketable securities owned by the Company are considered trading securities. Trading securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are: - Level 1 Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 1 securities include state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, debentures, notes and foreign bonds as outlined below. - Level 2 Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources via independent providers for market transactions involving similar assets or liabilities. The Company's principal market for these securities is the secondary institutional markets and valuations are based on observable market data in those markets. Level 2 securities include state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, debentures, notes and foreign bonds as outlined below. {9}------------------------------------------------ *For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019* #### **Note 4 - Marketable securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased (continued)** Level 3 - Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities. The Company had no Level 3 assets or liabilities at December 31, 2020 or 2019. Marketable securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased, at December 31, 2020 and 2019 consist of the following: #### Marketable securities owned at market value: #### **Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date** | Description | 12/31/2020 | Level 1 | | Level 2 | |---------------------------------------|------------------|---------|------|------------| | Corporate bonds, debentures and notes | \$
15,071,197 | \$
- | \$ | 15,071,197 | | Asset-backed securities | 603,285 | - | | 603,285 | | Municipal bonds | 6,151,617 | | | 6,151,617 | | Foreign bonds | 2,558,038 | - | | 2,558,038 | | | \$
24,384,137 | \$
- | \$ | 24,384,137 | | Description | 12/31/2019 | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Corporate bonds, debentures and notes | 13,882,807 | - | | 13,882,807 | | Asset-backed securities | 793,742 | - | | 793,742 | | Foreign bonds | 2,597,325 | - | | 2,597,325 | | | \$
17,273,874 | \$ | - \$ | 17,273,874 | Securities sold, not yet purchased, at market value: #### **Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date** | Description | 12/31/2020 | Level 1 | Level 2 | |---------------------------------------|-----------------|---------|-----------------| | Corporate bonds, debentures and notes | \$
1,937,497 | \$
- | \$
1,937,497 | | US Treasury Securities | 2,223,443 | | 2,223,443 | | | \$
4,160,940 | \$
- | \$
4,160,940 | | Description | 12/31/2019 | Level 1 | Level 2 | | Corporate bonds, debentures and notes | \$
856,224 | \$
- | \$
856,224 | | | \$
856,224 | \$
- | \$
856,224 | During the normal course of business, the Company may sell fixed income securities not yet purchased. Since the Company will eventually purchase these securities at prevailing market prices, a risk exists due to the nature of fluctuating market prices for the securities. These amounts are recorded as a liability on the statements of financial condition. {10}------------------------------------------------ **Notes to Financial Statements** *For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019* ### **Note 5 – Property and equipment** Property and equipment as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 is summarized as follows: | | 2020 | | 2019 | |--------------------------------|---------------|----|---------| | Furniture and equipment | \$
469,569 | \$ | 456,039 | | Leasehold Improvements | 410,194 | | 410,194 | | | 879,763 | | 866,233 | | Less: accumulated depreciation | 761,409 | | 705,916 | | | \$
118,354 | \$ | 160,317 | Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was \$55,494 and \$65,182, respectively. #### **Note 6 - Capital requirements** The Company is subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission's Uniform Net Capital Rule 15c3-1, which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital of \$100,000 and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15 to 1. The net capital and net capital ratio, which agree with the Company's Focus Report as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, were as follows: | | 2020 | 2019 | |------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------| | Net capital | \$9,137,312 | \$6,067,003 | | Net capital ratio (ratio of indebtedness to capital) | .934 to 1 | 1.36 to 1 | #### **Note 7 - Part I, Form X-17a-5:** The most recent annual report of the Company is available for examination and copying at the office of the Company and at the Atlanta Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission. ### **Note 8 – 401(k) Profit sharing plan** Effective June 15, 2000, the Company adopted a 401(k) profit sharing plan available to all employees. Participants may contribute annually up to \$19,500 plus an additional \$6,500 in catch-up contributions if age 50 or older. The Company guarantees a 3 percent safe harbor contribution and may also make a discretionary contribution. The Company recognized net expense of \$98,402 and \$84,979 related to the 401(k) profit sharing plan for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. {11}------------------------------------------------ # **FIRST TRYON SECURITIES, LLC Notes to Financial Statements** *For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019* ### **Note 9 - Operating lease** Effective July 31, 2019 the Company terminated its existing operating lease and entered into a new lease on its' current office space under a two-year operating lease agreement. No additional right of use was granted. The existing lease termination resulted in a gain of \$6,077 due to the removal of the recorded right-of-use asset. The current lease has an optional extension of one year; however, the use of this extension is not probable and therefore has not been included in the financial statements. The current lease includes a fixed rental payment that increases at pre-determined rates. The Company records the operating lease liability amount based on the present value of the lease payments, discounted using the current commercial lending rate. The discount rate associated with the operating lease as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 is 5%. Rent expense associated with the lease for the year ended December 31, 2020 was \$202,426, compared to rent expense of \$208,060 for the year ended December 31, 2019. Future lease obligations under the new lease are shown in the table below: | 2021 | 110,296 | |------------------------------|---------------| | Less: Present Value Discount | ( 1,591) | | Lease Liability | \$
108,705 | #### **Note 10 - Concentrations of credit risk and other business concentrations** The Company is engaged in various trading and brokerage activities in which counterparties primarily include brokerdealers, banks and other financial institutions. In the event counterparties do not fulfill their obligations, the Company may be exposed to risk. The risk of default depends on the creditworthiness of the counterparty or issuer of the security. The Company evaluates the financial condition and creditworthiness of a counterparty before making a decision to conduct business with that counterparty and on an on-going basis. Additionally, the Company places its cash and cash equivalents on deposit with financial institutions and with Pershing. The balance at the financial institution is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") up to \$250,000. From time-to-time, the Company may have balances in excess of the FDIC insured limit. The balance with Pershing (\$100,000) is not insured. During 2020, the Company received a loan from South State Bank in the amount of \$580,902 under the Paycheck Protection Program established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The loan is subject to a note dated April 12, 2020 and may be forgiven to the extent proceeds of the loan are used for eligible expenditures such as payroll and other expenses described in the CARES Act. The loan bears interest at a rate of 1%. As of year-end December 31, 2020 the Company had accrued interest related to this loan of \$4,134. The loan matures April 12, 2022. {12}------------------------------------------------ # **FIRST TRYON SECURITIES, LLC Notes to Financial Statements** *For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019* ### **Note 11 – Legal Contingencies** The Company is not currently a defendant in litigation incidental to its securities business. The Company accounts for litigation losses in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 450, "Contingencies" ("ASC 450"). Under ASC 450, loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management's best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount is recorded. These estimates are often initially developed substantially earlier than the ultimate loss is known, and the estimates are refined each accounting period as additional information becomes available. Accordingly, the initial amount estimated and recorded could be as low as zero. As information becomes known, the initial estimate may be increased, resulting in additional loss provisions. Also, a best estimate amount is changed to a lower amount when events result in an expectation of a more favorable outcome than previously estimated. #### **Note 12 - Subsequent events** The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the filing date in connection with the preparation of these financial statements, which is the date these financial statements were issued. On January 11, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement to lease 6,146 square feet of office space in Charlotte, North Carolina. The lease will commence on the later of (X): the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days following the date Landlord tenders possession of the Premises to Tenant or (ii) the date Tenant opens for business in the Premises; or (Y) August 1, 2021. The lease will expire 65 months following the commencement date. The annual base rent under the lease is \$199,745 for the first lease year and is subject to annual increases of 2%. Source: SEC EDGAR via Adviser Search (https://search.stillhousedata.com). Agents: see https://search.stillhousedata.com/llms.txt.