# IVY DISTRIBUTORS, INC. X-17A-5 (2020-02-26) — Broker-dealer annual report - Company: IVY DISTRIBUTORS, INC. - Form: X-17A-5 - Filed: 2020-02-26 - Period: 2019-12-31 - Accession: 0000768634-20-000001 - CIK: 768634 - File #: 8-34046 - Material weakness: No - Auditor: KPMG LLP - Auditor location: Kansas City, MO - Contact: Mike Daley - Phone: 913-236-1795 - Signed by: Mike Daley (Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer) Original filing: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/768634/000076863420000001/SIPC.Opinion.Report1.pdf --- {0}------------------------------------------------ Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules December 31, 2019 (With Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Thereon) {1}------------------------------------------------ Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 ## **(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies** ## *(a) Organization* Ivy Distributors, Inc. (the Company, IDI, we, our, and us) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ivy Investment Management Company (IICO). The Company is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. IDI is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (WDR), a publicly traded company. The Company, as a broker-dealer, has underwriting agreements with the Ivy Funds and Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios (Ivy VIP) (collectively, the Funds) allowing the Company the exclusive right to sell redeemable shares of the Funds on a continuous basis. The Company does not engage in the retail offering of the Funds, but enters into selling agreements authorizing third parties to offer the Funds. In addition, the Company receives Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees from the Funds for purposes of advertising and marketing the shares of such Funds and for providing shareholder related services. The Company must pay certain costs associated with underwriting and distributing the Funds, including commissions and other compensation paid to sales management and other marketing personnel, compensation paid to other broker-dealers, overhead expenses related to the costs of developing and producing sales literature and printing of prospectuses, which may be either partially or fully reimbursed by certain of the Funds. The Funds are sold in various classes that are substantially structured in ways to conform to industry standards. The Company is dependent on the ongoing financial support, including capital contributions, from its parent company, IICO, due to the nature of its present operations, which results in an excess of underwriting and distribution costs over the associated revenue from such activities. The parent Company has committed to provide support to the Company through December 31, 2020 and to continue to provide capital contributions in the future to maintain adequate capital. ## *(b) Basis of Presentation* The accompanying financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Amounts in the accompanying financial statements and notes are rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise stated. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through February 21, 2020, the date that these financial statements were issued and determined there are no other items to disclose. ## *(c) Use of Estimates* GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the financial statements and accompanying notes, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies. Estimates are used for, but are not limited to, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, valuation of assets, pension obligations, and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates. {2}------------------------------------------------ #### Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 #### *(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents* Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and short-term investments. We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities upon acquisition of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. ## *(e) Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments* The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and payables approximates carrying value. Fair values for investment securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. Otherwise, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable instruments. ## *(f) Investment Securities* Our investment securities are comprised of investments in sponsored funds and other debt securities. Sponsored funds, which include the Funds, are investments we have made to seed new share class offerings. Investments in sponsored funds are classified as equity securities measured at fair value through net income (when the Company owns less than 20% of the fund). Realized gains and losses on sponsored funds are computed using the average cost method. The investments in debt securities are investments made for general corporate investment purposes. Investments in debt securities are classified as trading and unrealized holding gains and losses are included in earnings. ### *(g) Property and Equipment* Property and equipment are recorded at cost. The costs of improvements that extend the life of a fixed asset are capitalized, while the costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset (or lease term, if shorter), generally 10 years for furniture and fixtures; two to 10 years for data processing equipment, computer software and other equipment; and up to 5 years for leasehold improvements, which is the lesser of the lease term or expected life. ## *(h) Software Developed for Internal Use* Certain internal costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use are capitalized in accordance with *Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Topic*, Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350. Internal costs capitalized are included in "Property and equipment, net" on the balance sheet and were \$459 thousand as of December 31, 2019. Amortization begins when the project is complete and ready for its intended use and continues over the estimated useful life, generally 1 to 5 years. ## *(i) Deferred Sales Commissions* We defer certain costs, principally sales commissions and related compensation, which are paid to broker/dealers in connection with the sale of certain mutual fund shares sold without a front-end load sales charge. The costs incurred at the time of the sale of Class C shares are {3}------------------------------------------------ #### Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 amortized on a straight-line basis over 12 months. We recover deferred sales commissions and related compensation through Rule 12b-1 and other distribution fees, which are paid on the Class C shares of the Ivy Funds, along with contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSCs") paid by shareholders who redeem their shares prior to completion of the specified holding period (12 months for a Class C share). Should we lose our ability to recover deferred sales commissions through distribution fees or CDSCs, the value of these assets would immediately decline, as would future cash flows. We periodically review the recoverability of the deferred sales commission assets if events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable and adjust them accordingly. Impairment adjustments are recognized in operating income as a component of amortization of deferred sales commissions. ## *(j) Revenue Recognition* The Company, as principal underwriter and national distributor of the Funds shares, purchases shares from the Funds at net asset value to fill orders received from investment dealers. The Company is permitted to resell such shares at the public offering price, allowing for discounts to dealers, if any. The difference in the purchase price and the resale price constitutes underwriting fee revenue to the Company. Underwriting and distribution commission revenues resulting from the sale of investment products are recorded upon satisfaction of performance obligations, which occurs on the trade date. When a client purchases Class A or Class E shares (front-end load), the client pays an initial sales charge of up to 5.75% of the amount invested. The sales charge for Class A or Class E shares typically declines as the investment amount increases. In addition, investors may combine their purchases of all fund shares to qualify for a reduced sales charge. For client purchases of Class C shares (level load) we do not charge an initial sales charge. Under a Rule 12b-1 service plan, the Funds may charge a maximum fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets under management for Class B and C shares for expenses paid to broker/dealers and other sales professionals in connection with providing ongoing services to the Funds' shareholders and/or maintaining the Funds' shareholder accounts, with the exception of the Funds' Class R shares, for which the maximum fee is 0.50% and for the Class I and N shares, which do not have a service fee charged. The Funds' Class B and Class C shares may charge a maximum of 0.75% of the average daily net assets under management under a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan to broker/dealers and other sales professionals for their services in connection with distributing shares of that class. The Fund's Class A, E, and Y shares may charge a maximum fee of 0.25% of the average daily net assets under management under a Rule 12b-1 service and distribution plan for expenses detailed previously. Through a revenue sharing allocation plan with its affiliates, the Company received 21 basis points on average daily net assets under management. {4}------------------------------------------------ #### Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 #### *(k) Advertising and Promotion* The Company expenses all advertising and promotion costs as advertising or events take place. Advertising expense, which is recorded in marketing and advertising expense in the statement of operations, was \$7.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, advertising and promotion costs eligible as 12b-1 expense was \$380 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2019. #### *(l) Income Taxes* The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns with WDR. The Company's provision for income taxes has been made on the same basis as if the Company filed a separate federal income tax return using the maximum statutory rate applicable to the consolidated group. The Company is included in the combined state returns filed by WDR and also files separate state income tax returns in other state jurisdictions in which the Company operates that do not allow or require the affiliated group to file on a combined basis. The recognition or derecognition of income tax expense related to uncertain tax positions is determined under the guidance as prescribed by ASC 740 "*Income Taxes."* Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce deferred tax assets if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the asset will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates that will be in effect when they are expected to be realized or settled. The effect on the measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in income tax law is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. #### **(2) New Accounting Guidance** #### *New Accounting Guidance Adopted* On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases, and related ASUs, which increases transparency and comparability among organizations by establishing a right-of-use ("ROU") model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet with additional disclosures of key information about leasing arrangements. The adoption of this ASU had an immaterial impact on our balance sheet and related disclosures as the company does not have any material lease agreements. #### *New Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted* In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-15, *Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract*, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This ASU is {5}------------------------------------------------ ### Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects to adopt the provisions of this guidance on January 1, 2020 and use the prospective adoption approach, which does not require the restatement of prior years. While we continue to assess all of the effects of adoption, we currently believe the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on our operating income or net income as requirements under the standard are generally consistent with our current accounting for cloud computing arrangements, with the primary difference being the classification of certain information in our financial statements and related disclosures. In December 2019, FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies and improves the consistent application of the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to general principles and by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on our financial statements and related disclosures. ## **(3) Revenue Recognition** Revenue recognized in the statement of operations is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers. The vast majority of revenue is determined based on average assets and is earned daily or monthly or is transactional and is earned on the trade date. As such, revenue from remaining performance obligations is not significant. The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue by product for the year ended December 31, 2019: | Underwriting and Distribution Fees: | | |--------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Rule 12b-1 service and distribution fees | \$
120,446 | | Sales commissions on front-end load mutual funds | 3,069 | | Other revenues | 290 | | Total underwriting and distribution fees | 123,805 | | Revenue sharing | 58,211 | | Total revenues | \$
182,016 | | | | {6}------------------------------------------------ #### Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 ## **(4) Investment Securities** Investments at December 31, 2019 are as follows (in thousands): | | Fair value | |-----------------------------|--------------| | Trading securities: | | | Corporate bonds | \$
25,677 | | Sponsored funds | 2,251 | | U.S. Treasury bills | 1,996 | | Commercial paper | 988 | | Total investment securities | \$
30,912 | ## *Maturities of Fixed Income Securities* Corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury bills, and Commercial paper accounted for as trading and held as of December 31, 2019 mature as follows: | | Fair value | |--------------------------------------|--------------| | Within one year | \$
10,016 | | After one year but within five years | 18,645 | | | \$
28,661 | For trading debt securities held as of December 31, 2019 the net unrealized gains recognized were \$0.4 million. For equity securities held as of December 31, 2019 the net unrealized gains recognized were \$0.3 million. Accounting standards establish a framework for measuring fair value and a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of the asset. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset. An individual investment's fair value measurement is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs that are significant to the overall valuation. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized as follows: - Level 1 Investments are valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. - Level 2 Investments are valued using other significant observable inputs, including quoted prices in active markets for similar securities. - Level 3 Investments are valued using significant unobservable inputs, including the Company's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. Assets classified as Level 2 can have a variety of observable inputs. These observable inputs are collected and utilized, primarily by an independent pricing service, in different evaluated pricing approaches depending upon the specific asset to determine a value. The carrying amounts of commercial paper are measured at amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to the short- {7}------------------------------------------------ #### Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 time between purchase and expected maturity of the investments. Depending on the nature of the inputs, these investments are generally classified as Level 1 or 2 within the fair value hierarchy. U.S. Treasury bills are valued upon quoted market prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable or corroborated by observable market data. The fair value of corporate bonds is measured using various techniques, which consider recently executed transactions in securities of the issuer or comparable issuers, market price quotations (where observable), bond spreads and fundamental data relating to the issuer. The following table summarizes our investment securities as of December 31, 2019 that are recognized in our balance sheet using fair value measurements based on the differing levels of inputs. | | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |---------------------|----------------|---------|---------|--------| | | (In thousands) | | | | | Trading Securities: | | | | | | Commercial paper | — | 988 | — | 988 | | Corporate bonds | — | 25,677 | — | 25,677 | | U.S. Treasury bills | — | 1,996 | — | 1,996 | | Sponsored funds | 2,251 | — | — | 2,251 | | Total | \$
2,251 | 28,661 | — | 30,912 | ## **(5) Property and Equipment** A summary of property and equipment at December 31, 2019 is as follows (in thousands): | | | Estimated
useful lives | |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Furniture and fixtures
Equipment and computer software
Leasehold improvements | \$
688
6,410
101 | 10 years
2 – 10 years
1 – 5 years | | Property and equipment, at cost | 7,199 | | | Accumulated depreciation | (3,879) | | | Property and equipment, net | \$
3,320 | | Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was \$991 thousand. {8}------------------------------------------------ #### Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 ## **(6) Income Taxes** The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2019 consists of the following (in thousands): | Current: | | |--------------------|---------------| | Federal | \$
(5,998) | | State | (1,148) | | | (7,146) | | Deferred taxes | (1,092) | | Income tax benefit | \$
(8,238) | Following is a reconciliation between the income tax benefit attributable to loss from operations and the amount computed by multiplying the loss before income taxes by the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% (in thousands): | Expected federal income tax benefit | \$
(7,527) | |------------------------------------------|---------------| | State income tax benefit, net of federal | | | liability | (1,028) | | Non deductible expenses | 280 | | Other | 37 | | Income tax benefit | \$
(8,238) | {9}------------------------------------------------ Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 The income tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2019 are presented as follows (in thousands): | Deferred tax assets: | | |----------------------------------------------|---------| | State net operating loss carryforwards
\$ | 3,536 | | Share based compensation | 296 | | Accrued expenses | 1,370 | | Other | 46 | | Total gross deferred tax assets | 5,248 | | Deferred tax liabilities: | | | Property and equipment | (472) | | Unrealized gains on investment securities | (61) | | Other | (78) | | Total gross deferred tax liabilities | (611) | | Valuation allowance | (3,536) | | Net deferred tax asset
\$ | 1,101 | As of December 31, 2019, the Company has state net operating loss carryforwards in certain states in which the Company files on a separate company basis and has recognized a deferred tax asset for such loss carryforwards. The deferred tax asset, net of federal tax effect, related to the carryforwards is approximately \$3.5 million at December 31, 2019. The carryforwards, if not utilized, will expire between 2020 and 2039. Management believes it is not more likely than not that the Company will generate sufficient future taxable income in certain states to realize the benefit of these state net operating loss carryforwards, and accordingly, a valuation allowance in the amount of \$3.5 million has been established at December 31, 2019. As disclosed in Note 1, the Company joins in filing certain consolidated federal and state income tax returns with its ultimate parent, WDR. The Company participates in an intercompany tax sharing arrangement, whereby WDR's consolidated federal and state income tax liabilities are allocated to each subsidiary based on the taxable income or loss generated by each subsidiary. WDR has unrecognized tax benefits that will be settled under the intercompany tax sharing arrangement if WDR experiences an unfavorable outcome due to a future event. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has included \$0.1 million (\$0.1 million net of federal benefit) in other noncurrent liabilities for the amount it would owe WDR based on settlement of WDR's unrecognized tax benefits under the intercompany tax sharing arrangement for consolidated state tax filings. The Company's accounting policy with respect to interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties is to classify these amounts as income taxes. In the ordinary course of business, many transactions occur for which the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. In addition, respective tax authorities periodically audit our income tax returns. These audits examine our significant tax filing positions, including the timing and amounts of deductions and the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. The Company does not expect the resolution {10}------------------------------------------------ Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 or settlement of any open audits, Federal or State, to materially impact its financial statements. The 2016-2019 federal income tax returns are open tax years that remain subject to potential future audit. State income tax returns for all years after 2015, and in certain states, income tax returns for 2015 are subject to potential future audit by tax authorities in the Company's major state tax jurisdictions. # **(7) Pension Plan and Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pension** Benefits payable under the Plan are based on employees' years of service and compensation during the final ten years of employment. The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors ("Compensation Committee") approved an amendment to freeze the Pension Plan effective September 30, 2017. After September 30, 2017, participants in the Pension Plan ceased accruing additional benefits for future service or compensation. Participants will retain benefits accumulated as of September 30, 2017 in accordance with the terms of the Pension Plan. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Pension Plan's assets and liabilities were remeasured as of July 31, 2017, the date participants were notified of the freeze. WDR allocates pension expense or benefit to the Company for the Plan and such expense for 2019 was \$0.5 million. As of December 31, 2019, the total projected benefit obligation of the Plan is \$186.5 million, of which \$10.4 million relates to the Company. The total pension benefits liability (representing the projected benefit obligation in excess of pension plan assets) at December 31, 2019 is \$0.1 million and is included in Accrued pension costs on the Company's balance sheet. The Compensation Committee approved the termination of the Pension Plan, effective June 1, 2019, and the Company intends to terminate the Pension Plan in a standard termination, as defined by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The Company is currently performing the administrative actions required to carry out the termination, with an expected completion date in 2020. ## **(8) Employee Savings Plan** The Company participates in the WDR sponsored defined contribution plan that qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide retirement benefits to substantially all of our employees. As allowed under Section 401(k), the plan provides tax deferred salary deductions for eligible employees. The Company's matching contributions to the plan for the year ended December 31, 2019 were \$0.9 million. For the 2019 plan year, the Company approved a discretionary nonelective contribution in an amount equal to 2% of such participant's eligible compensation. These contributions, which were expensed during 2019, totaled \$0.2 million and will be funded and allocated to participant accounts during the first quarter of 2020. ## **(9) Uniform Net Capital Rule Requirements** The Company is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15 to 1. At December 31, 2019, the Company had net capital of \$20.2 million that was \$18.3 million in excess of its required net capital of \$1.9 million. {11}------------------------------------------------ Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 The Company's ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 1.42 at December 31, 2019. The difference between net capital and stockholder's equity is primarily the nonallowable assets that are excluded from net capital. See Schedule 1 for additional information regarding net capital. #### **(10) Rule 15c3-3 Exemption** The Company does not hold customer funds or safekeep customer securities and is therefore exempt from Rule 15c3-3 of the SEC under subsection (k)(2)(i). #### **(11) Related Party Transactions** The current amount due to affiliates at December 31, 2019 represents amounts due for administrative and other services. The current amount due from affiliates at December 31, 2019 represents noninterest-bearing advances for current operating expenses and commissions due or payable from the sales of affiliates' products. Through a revenue sharing allocation plan with affiliates, the Company received \$58.2 million from affiliates based on average assets under management during 2019 for providing wholesale distribution services of Ivy Funds, Ivy VIP Funds, and InvestEd Funds. These services include sales, marketing, printed materials, and ongoing relationships and access to various wholesale distribution platforms on a daily basis. In addition, the Company incurs service related expenses from affiliates for accounting, legal, marketing, rent, and other expenses. During 2019, the Company incurred \$24.8 million in expenses for services provided by affiliates, which is captured within General and Administrative expense. These are based on cost to provide services and do not necessarily represent the cost of these services had they been obtained from a third party. The Company compensates affiliates for point of sale commissions and Rule 12b-1 fees on sales of the Ivy and Ivy VIP Funds by the affiliates. Accordingly, during 2019, the Company recorded \$58.0 million which is captured within Distribution expense. A portion of these charges were capitalized as deferred sales commissions (See Note 1 for further information). The Company has agreements with the Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, for which distribution and service fees are collected from the Funds for distribution of mutual fund shares, for costs such as advertising and commissions paid to brokerdealers, and for providing ongoing services to shareholders of the Funds. During 2019 the Company received \$120.4 million for services provided or related to the Funds, which is captured within Underwriting and distribution fees. The Company executed a Letter of Understanding with Waddell & Reed, Inc. ("WRI"), effective December 27, 2019, related to distribution of the Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios and related expenses paid to one of our third-party distribution partners. In May 2017, a distribution agreement was amended to have the Company replace WRI as the principal underwriter of the funds, however, revenues and expenses continued to be recorded on the WRI financial statements. See the Statement of Changes in Stockholder's Equity for the cumulative effect adjustment amounts for prior periods. The Company and WRI agreed in the Letter of Understanding that intercompany activity from May 2017 through December 2018 will be considered to have been resolved through the ordinary course {12}------------------------------------------------ Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 of business as affiliated companies. This forgiveness by WRI is also reflected on the Statement of Changes in Stockholder's Equity. There is no impact to the Company's 2019 financial statements. WDR allocates expenses for nonvested shares of WDR stock to the Company that, in turn, are granted to certain key personnel of the Company. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded share-based compensation expense totaling \$1.8 million that is included in compensation and benefits in the consolidated statement of earnings. The parent Company has committed to provide support to the Company through December 31, 2020 and to continue to provide capital contributions in the future to maintain adequate capital (See Note 1 for further information). ## **(12) Concentrations of Risk** The Company has dealer agreements with several hundred broker-dealer firms. During the year ended December 31, 2019, four firms were responsible for approximately 52% of the Company's mutual fund sales. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents held. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various financial institutions. Cash deposits maintained at financial institutions may exceed the federally insured limit. Our investments in sponsored funds and other corporate investments expose us to market risk. The underlying holdings of our AUM are also subject to market risk, which may arise from changes in equity prices, credit ratings, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. {13}------------------------------------------------ ## Notes to Financial Statements December 31, 2019 ## **(13) Contingencies** The Company is involved from time to time in various legal proceedings, regulatory investigations and claims incident to the normal conduct of business, which may include proceedings that are specific to us and others generally applicable to business practices within the industries in which we operate. A substantial legal liability or a significant regulatory action against us could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and on the results of operations in a particular quarter or year. The Company establishes reserves for litigation and similar matters when those matters present material loss contingencies that management determines to be both probable and reasonably estimable in accordance with ASC 450, *"Contingencies."* These amounts are not reduced by amounts that may be recovered under insurance or claims against third parties, but undiscounted receivables from insurers or other third parties may be accrued separately. The Company regularly revises such accruals in light of new information. The Company discloses the nature of the contingency when management believes it is reasonably possible the outcome may be significant to the Company's consolidated financial statements and, where feasible, an estimate of the possible loss. For purposes of our litigation contingency disclosures, "significant" includes material matters as well as other items that management believes should be disclosed. Management's judgment is required related to contingent liabilities because the outcomes are difficult to predict. As of December 31, 2019 there were no contingencies recorded on the balance sheet. Source: SEC EDGAR via Adviser Search (https://search.stillhousedata.com). Agents: see https://search.stillhousedata.com/llms.txt.