# BREAN CAPITAL, LLC X-17A-5 (2025-03-03) — Broker-dealer annual report - Company: BREAN CAPITAL, LLC - Form: X-17A-5 - Filed: 2025-03-03 - Period: 2024-12-31 - Accession: 0000845194-25-000002 - CIK: 845194 - File #: 8-40742 - Type: Broker-dealer - Material weakness: No - Auditor: kamler, lewis and noreman, LLP - Auditor location: Melville, NY - Contact: ARNOLD SARABELLA - Phone: 2127026625 - Email: asarabella@breancapital.com - Website: breancapital.com - Signed by: arnold sarabella (CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER) Original filing: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/845194/000084519425000002/public1.pdf --- {0}------------------------------------------------ | | UNITED STATES | OMB APPROVAL | | | | | |----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|--|--|--|--| | | SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | | | | | | | | Expires: Nov. 30, 2026
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12 | | | | | | | | SEC FILE NUMBER | | | | | | | | 8-40742 | | | | | | | | PART III | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | FACING PAGE | | | | | | | | Information Required Pursuant to Rules 17a-5, 17a-12, and 18a-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | | | | | | | FILING FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING 01/01/2024 AND ENDING 12/31/2024 | | | | | | | | | MM/DD/YY | MM/DD/YY | | | | | | | A. REGISTRANT IDENTIFICATION | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NAME OF FIRM: Brean Capital, LLC | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | TYPE OF REGISTRANT (check all applicable boxes): | | ا Major security-based swap participant | | | | | | = Broker-dealer
ال Check here if respondent is also an OTC derivatives dealer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: (Do not use a P.O. box no.) | | | | | | | | 505 Fifth Avenue, Floor #5 | | | | | | | | | (No. and Street) | | | | | | | New York | New York | 10017 | | | | | | (City) | (State) | (Zip Code) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | PERSON TO CONTACT WITH REGARD TO THIS FILING | | | | | | | | 212 702 6625
Arnold Sarabella
asarabella@breancapital.com | | | | | | | | (Name) | (Area Code - Telephone Number) | (Email Address) | | | | | | | B. ACCOUNTANT IDENTIFICATION | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT whose reports are contained in this filing* | | | | | | | | Kamler, Lewis & Noreman LLP | | | | | | | | | (Name - if individual, state last, first, and middle name) | | | | | | | 1300 Walt Whitman Road, First Floor | Melville | 11747
New York | | | | | | (Address) | (City) | (State)
(Zip Code) | | | | | | February 18, 2004 | | 1090 | | | | | | (Date of Registration with PCAOB)(if applicable) | | (PCAOB Registration Number, if applicable) | | | | | | | FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | * Claims for exemption from the requirement that the annual reports of an independent public | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | {1}------------------------------------------------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - {2}------------------------------------------------ **Brean Capital, LLC and Subsidiaries (SEC I.D. No. 8-40742)** Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm December 31, 2024 CONFIDENTIAL PURSUANT TO SEC RULE 17a-5(e) (3) {3}------------------------------------------------ ## Brean Capital, LLC and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition Information Required by Rule 17a-5 December 31, 2024 # Table of Contents | Consolidated Financial Statement: | | |------------------------------------------------------------|--| | Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 1 | | | Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition 2 | | | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement 3-17 | | {4}------------------------------------------------ ![](_page_4_Picture_0.jpeg) 1300 Walt Whitman Road, First Floor, Melville, NY 11747 Tel (516) 829-0900 | Fax (516) 829-0906 # **REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM** To the Board of Directors and Members of Brean Capital, LLC #### **Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statement** We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial condition of Brean Capital, LLC and Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") as of December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statement"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statement presents fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Brean Capital, LLC and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. #### **Basis for Opinion** This consolidated financial statement is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated 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 the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") 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 consolidated financial statement is free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statement. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. Kamler, Lewis & Noreman LLP We have served as Brean Capital, LLC's auditor since 2012. Melville, NY 11747 March 3, 2025 {5}------------------------------------------------ | Assets: | | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------| | Cash and cash equivalents | \$
34,724,912 | | Restricted cash | 489,655 | | Receivable from broker-dealers and clearing organizations | 12,545,919 | | Securities owned, at fair value (pledged as collateral with clearing organization) | 2,025,161,482 | | Interest receivable | 5,087,731 | | Interests in reverse mortgage loans | 158,323,62
7 | | Investment in Synergy One Lending, Inc. | 5,256,724 | | Due from others | 42,722,901 | | Due from affiliates | 50,421,096 | | Prepaid expenses and other assets | 2,185,436 | | Furniture and fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements, net | 1,373,403 | | Right of use assets - operating leases | 4,744,870 | | Total Assets | \$
2,343,037,756 | | | | | Liabilities and Members' Equity | | | Liabilities: | | | Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value | \$
154,062,611 | | Securities and reverse mortgage loans sold under repurchase agreements, at fair value | 940,017,629 | | Payable to broker-dealers and clearing organizations | 968,277,248 | | Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 8,096,992 | | Compensation payable | 19,858,870 | | Due to affiliates | 357,297 | | Operating lease liabilities | 5,239,156 | | Subordinated borrowing from related party | 47,085,000 | | Total Liabilities | 2,142,994,803 | | Commitments and Contingencies | | | Members' Equity | 200,042,953 | | Total Liabilities and Members' Equity | \$
2,343,037,756 | {6}------------------------------------------------ ## **1. Organization and Basis of Presentation** Brean Capital, LLC (the "Company") is a broker-dealer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and a member of both the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), and the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations ("NASDAQ") exchange. The Company operates as an introducing broker and has an agreement with a clearing broker to clear transactions, carry customers' accounts on a fully-disclosed basis and perform recordkeeping functions and, consequently, operates under the exemptive provisions of SEC Rule 15c3-3 (k)(2)(ii). The Company engages in several classes of services including trading of U.S. government and federal agencies, federal agency mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt, municipals and other fixed income instruments. The Company operates out of its New York headquarters along with 13 branch offices throughout the United States. Its investment banking and syndicate underwriting business are primarily based in New York. The Company has two special purpose entities, Nexus Reverse Investment Certificates LLC ("Nexus"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Brean Asset Backed Securities, LLC ("BABS"), a whollyowned subsidiary of Nexus, to serve as a depositor of purchased collateral associated with reverse mortgage loans from various originators and held with a participation agent trust that issues participation certificates to BABS which are then financed by a financial institution until securitization. ## **2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies** ## *Basis of Presentation* The Company prepares its consolidated financial statement in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") in addition to the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 940, "*Financial Services – Brokers and Dealers"*, which provides authoritative guidance and reporting standards specific to brokers and dealers, as well as with reporting requirements issued by the SEC. Certain amounts in the prior period consolidated financial statement have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. #### *Use of Estimates* The preparation of the consolidated financial statement in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statement, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. #### *Principles of Consolidation* The consolidated financial statement includes the activity of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Nexus and BABS. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company has investments or interests in other entities which management must evaluate whether to consolidate by determining whether the Company has a controlling interest or is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is defined as the entity that has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, that maintains control and receives benefits or will absorb losses that are not pro rata with its ownership interests. {7}------------------------------------------------ ## **2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)** ## *Principles of Consolidation (Continued)* Variable interest entities ("VIEs") are entities that lack sufficient equity to finance its activities or have equity holders that do not have defined power to direct the activities of an entity normally associated with an equity investment. The determination as to whether an entity is a VIE is based on the structure and nature of the entity. Management also considers other characteristics, such as the ability to influence the decision-making relative to the entity's activities and how the entity is financed. FASB ASC Topic 810, "Consolidation" generally states that a controlling financial interest in an entity is present when an enterprise has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, that have both the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the rights to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. Management determines whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by first performing a qualitative analysis of the VIE's control structure, expected benefits and losses and expected residual returns. This analysis includes a review of, among other factors, the VIE's capital structure, contractual terms, which interests create or absorb benefits or losses, variability, related party relationships, and the design of the VIE. Where a qualitative analysis is not conclusive, a quantitative analysis is also performed. The evaluation of whether an entity is a VIE is reassessed by management when certain reconsideration events occur. The determination of whether the Company is a primary beneficiary of a VIE is reassessed by management on an ongoing basis based on current facts and circumstances. ## *Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash* The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2024, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of \$35,214,567 were held at one financial institution which is \$34,714,148 in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") limit of \$250,000 per depositor. Restricted cash is comprised of \$489,655 of cash held in lieu of security deposits for its New York City and Boston offices. The Company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash balances by category with the consolidated statement of financial condition are as follows: | Cash and cash equivalents | \$
34,724,912 | |---------------------------|------------------| | Restricted cash | 489,655 | | | \$
35,214,567 | #### *Securities Owned* Securities transactions in regular-way trades are recorded on trade date, as if they had settled. Amounts receivable and payable for securities transactions that have not reached their contractual settlement date are recorded net in receivable from broker-dealers and clearing organizations on the consolidated statement of financial condition. The Company's securities inventory is primarily financed by third party clearing organizations and through repurchase agreements. The amount due to the clearing firm at December 31, 2024 is included in payable to broker-dealers and clearing organizations whereas the amount financed through repurchase agreements is included in securities and reverse mortgage loans sold under repurchase agreements in the consolidated statement of financial condition. {8}------------------------------------------------ ## **2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)** ## *Allowance for Credit Losses* Loans receivable, credit note agreements and similar assets are evaluated to estimate any allowance for credit losses over the remaining life of the financial instrument, which is determined by considering contractual terms and expected prepayments, among other factors. The estimation of any allowance for credit losses is based on qualitative factors such as historical experience (adjusted for current risk characteristics and economic conditions) as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts. Depending upon the results of this analysis, a provision (or benefit) is included with other expenses in the amount necessary to arrive at the estimated allowance. Credit losses are charged-off against the allowance when it is believed the uncollectibility of the financial asset is confirmed. There was no allowance considered necessary, nor was there any provision, benefit or charge-off recorded during the year. ## *Furniture and Fixtures, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements* Furniture and fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives ranging between three to seven years. The cost of leasehold improvements is amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the lease. ## *Long-Lived Assets and Asset Impairment* ASC Topic 360-10, "Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" provides guidance for impairments of assets that are held for use, held for sale and to be disposed of by other means. ASC Topic 360-10 requires the use of fair value measurements for impairment of assets that are unique and not widely traded. A long-lived asset (group) that is held and used should be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset (group) might not be recoverable, (i.e., information indicates that impairment might exist). As a result, entities are not required to perform an impairment analysis (i.e., test the asset (group) for recoverability and potentially measure an impairment loss) if indicators of impairment are not present. Instead, entities would assess the need for an impairment write-down only if an indicator of impairment (e.g., a significant decrease in the market value of a long-lived asset (group) is present. Entities are responsible for routinely assessing whether impairment indicators are present and should have systems or processes to assist in the identification of potential impairment indicators. During the year, the Company determined that no assets held for use were impaired. ## *Derivatives* Derivatives entered into by the Company include purchase and sale agreements of to-be-announced securities ("TBAs"), which are forward mortgage-backed securities for which collateral remains "to be announced" until just prior to the trade settlement, along with futures and options. Options and futures are recorded at fair value whereas TBA financial instruments are recorded at the change in fair value in the consolidated statement of financial condition and are included within both securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased. When a forward contract exists for securities purchased and sold on a when-issued basis ("when-issued securities"), such as a TBA security that provides a choice of settlement dates and delivery is made in the second nearest month or later, the TBA forward contract is accounted for as a derivative. The settlement of these transactions is not expected to have a material effect upon the Company's consolidated financial statement. Derivatives involve varying degrees of off-balance sheet risk, whereby changes in the level or volatility of interest rates or market values of the underlying financial instruments may result in changes in the value of a particular financial instrument in excess of its carrying amount. In addition, in order to mitigate exposure to market risk, the Company enters into various options and futures contracts, as well as credit default index swaps. {9}------------------------------------------------ ## **2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)** ## *State Filing Fees, Local Income Taxes and Other* The Company is a limited liability company subject to partnership tax laws. Accordingly, there is no provision for federal income taxes. The taxable income or loss of the Company, on the Federal and State levels, are included on the income tax returns of its members. The Company is subject to New York City Unincorporated Business Tax ("UBT") which is four percent of net income excluding a provision for state filing fees and local income taxes after adjusting for non-deductible compensation to members and certain exclusions. In addition, the Company is subject to various states' partnership income taxes where it conducts business. The Company is required to disclose unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities resulting from uncertain tax positions. At December 31, 2024, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits or liabilities. The Company is no longer subject to such tax examinations by taxing authorities for years prior to the three-year statute of limitations. #### *Leases* In accordance with ASC Topic 842, "*Leases"*, the Company has included on its consolidated statement of financial condition a right of use asset and liability (lease obligation) arising from leases. The Company has established policies and procedures to assist in determining whether a contract contains a lease. The Company separates non-lease components from lease components in lease contracts and accounts for non-lease components based on other GAAP. Lease components in lease contracts are accounted for following the guidance in ASC Topic 842 for the capitalization of long-term leases. The amount of the lease liability was calculated as the present value of remaining lease payments discounted using the current funding rate charged by the Company's clearing organization that finances the Company's inventory. The amount of the right of use asset also reflects the present value of unpaid lease payments, but may also reflect any initial direct costs, prepaid lease payments, straight-line adjustments and lease incentives. Consequently, the amount of the lease asset may not equal the amount of lease liability. For leases with a maximum possible term (including any options to extend) of 12 months or less, the Company recognizes the lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. The Company records a single monthly lease expense, combining the unwinding of the discount on the lease liability with the amortization of the right of use asset, on a straight-line basis. #### *Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncement* Management has evaluated recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe that any of those pronouncements will have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statement and related disclosures as of December 31, 2024. #### **3. Receivable From/Payable to Broker-Dealers and Clearing Organizations** The Company maintains master netting clearing agreements that settles its trading receivables and payables on a net basis. Amounts receivable from and payable to broker-dealers and clearing organizations at December 31, 2024 consist of the following: | | Receivable | Payable | | | |-------------------------------------|------------------|---------|-------------|--| | Clearing and margin deposits - cash | \$
12,545,919 | \$ | - | | | Payable to clearing organizations | - | | 976,877,248 | | | | \$
12,545,919 | \$ | 976,877,248 | | {10}------------------------------------------------ #### **4. Fair Value Measurements** ASC Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurement" defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy. 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, income or cost approach, as specified by Topic ASC 820, are used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities the Company can access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability and rely on management's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The unobservable inputs are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances and may include the Company's own data. The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including for example, the type of security, the liquidity of the markets, the interest rate environment and other characteristics of the security or issuer. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. As a result, the degree of judgment used in determining fair value is greatest for securities categorized as Level 3. When multiple inputs are used in determining fair value, the security is included in the hierarchy based upon the lowest level of input. Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active market for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities consist of U.S. government treasury securities and federal agencies that are highly liquid and are actively traded in OTC markets. Level 1 also includes TBAs which are traded in an actively quoted market. Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted market prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include commercial mortgage-backed securities, corporate asset-backed debt, corporate obligations, US government and federal agencies, federal agency mortgage-backed securities, asset backed securities with recent sales activity, investment grade and asset backed corporate bonds and municipal bonds. Also included are interest rate futures and credit default index swaps. {11}------------------------------------------------ ## **4. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)** Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by limited or no market activity and that are significant to the overall fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments for which the determination of the fair value requires significant management judgement or estimation. The fair value for such assets and liabilities is generally determined using pricing models and other observable inputs including applicable forward interest rate curves that incorporate the assumption a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability. Level 3 assets consist of interests in reverse mortgage loans, non-investment grade corporate obligations and commercial mortgage-backed securities with par values of less than 95, and equity stocks and warrants along with non-marketable municipal bonds. The following table presents the Company's fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2024: | | | | | Balance at | |---------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|---------------------|-------------------|---------------------| | | | | | December 31, | | | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | 2024 | | Securities owned, at fair value | | | | | | Commercial mortgage-backed | \$
- | \$
51,597,860 | \$
279,810 | \$
51,877,670 | | Common stock | - | - | 104,567 | 104,567 | | Corporate asset-backed debt | - | 1,187,569 | 2,787,881 | 3,975,450 | | Corporate obligations | - | 2,850,000 | 10,000 | 2,860,000 | | Federal agency mortgage-backed | - | 222,281,395 | - | 222,281,395 | | Futures contracts | - | 2,186,841 | - | 2,186,841 | | Municipals | - | 14,924,550 | - | 14,924,550 | | Options contracts | - | 5,625 | - | 5,625 | | US Government and federal agencies | 9,727,556 | 1,717,217,828 | - | 1,726,945,384 | | Total securities owned, at fair value | \$
9,727,556 | \$
2,012,251,668 | \$
3,182,258 | \$
2,025,161,482 | | Interests in reverse mortgage loans | | | | | | Interests in reverse mortgage loans | \$
- | \$
- | \$
158,323,627 | \$
158,323,627 | | Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value | | | | | | Credit default index swaps | \$
- | \$
566,783 | \$
- | \$
566,783 | | US Government and federal agencies | 153,495,828 | - | - | 153,495,828 | | Total securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value | \$
153,495,828 | \$
566,783 | \$
- | \$
154,062,611 | #### *Commercial mortgage-backed securities* Commercial mortgage-backed securities are a type of mortgage-backed security that is secured by mortgages on commercial properties, rather than residential real estate. Significant inputs are generally determined based upon recent transaction prices for the same or bonds with comparable underlying characteristics, prepayment speeds and yields of similar bonds. These securities are characterized in Level 2 and Level 3. #### *Corporate asset-backed debt securities* Securities backed by commercial loans and assets which include tranches of varying levels of subordination. Significant inputs are generally determined based upon recent transaction prices for the same or bonds with comparable underlying characteristics, prepayment speeds and yields of similar bonds. These securities are characterized in Level 2. {12}------------------------------------------------ ## **4. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)** #### *Corporate obligations* Securities issued by corporations which are unsecured and are based on the credit worthiness of the issuer. Significant inputs include recent transaction prices for the same or bonds with comparable underlying characteristics, yields of similar bonds, and liquidity of the issue. These securities are characterized in Level 2 and Level 3. ## *Federal agency mortgage-backed* Securities backed by pools of residential mortgages, which are typically called Collateralized Mortgage Obligations ("CMO"), include tranches of varying levels of subordination. The fair value of these securities is generally determined based upon recent transaction prices for the same or bonds with comparable underlying characteristics, prepayment speeds, duration and yields of similar bonds. Principal and interest of these securities are guaranteed by the US government. These securities are characterized in Level 2 and Level 3. ## *Municipals* The fair value of securities issued by states and municipalities is generally determined based upon recently executed transactions, interest rates and credit worthiness of the issuer. These securities are characterized predominantly in Level 2. ## *US Government and federal agencies* The fair value of securities backed by a pool of residential mortgages, U.S. government treasury securities and TBAs is generally determined based upon recent transaction prices for the same bond or bonds with comparable underlying characteristics, prepayment speeds, duration and yields of similar bonds. Principal and interest of these securities are guaranteed by the US government. TBAs are traded in active quoted market and therefore generally classified as Level 1. Guaranteed portions of Small Business Association ("SBA") loans, purchased in the form of guaranteed interest certificates ("GIC's") issued by the Fiscal Transfer Agent authorized to operate within the SBA Secondary Market, are accounted for as beneficial interests in accordance with ASC Topic 860, "Transfers and Servicing". Although not yet securitized, these financial assets are subject to prepayment, and as such, they are measured at fair value similar to other investments in debt securities for trading. The fair value of GIC's held was determined to approximate cost at year-end. All other U.S. government and federal agency bonds, and guaranteed portions of SBA loans, are characterized in Level 2. #### *Interests in Reverse Mortgage Loans* A reverse mortgage is a mortgage loan, usually secured by a residential property, that enables the borrower to access the unencumbered value of the property. Interests in reverse mortgage loans are held at cost plus accretion of interest. These securities are characterized in Level 3. Based on the above criteria, securities owned that are traded on a national stock exchange (or reported on the NASDAQ national market) are generally valued at the last reported sales price on the primary securities exchange on which such security traded on the date of valuation. Securities owned that are offered and sold on the over-the-counter market ("OTCBB") are generally valued at the closing bid price as reported on the OTCBB on the date of valuation. In cases where such over the counter securities have limited trading volume and are considered to be "thinly traded," management may apply a discount to the closing bid price to arrive at an estimate of fair value. {13}------------------------------------------------ ## **4. Fair Value Measurements (Continued)** The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the year ended December 31, 2024. There were no transfers of securities in or out of Level 3 during the current year. | | Balance,
January 1, 2024 | Purchases, Sales,
Issuances, and
Settlements | Net gains or
(losses)
(realized and
unrealized) | Return
of principal | Transfers
in(out), net | Balance,
December 31,
2024 | |-------------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------| | Commercial mortgage-backed/ | | | | | | | | corporate asset-backed | \$
3,100,701 | \$
(331,024)
\$ | 377,990 | \$
(79,976)
\$ | - | \$
3,067,691 | | Common stock | 114,607 | - | (10,040) | - | - | 104,567 | | Corporate obligations | 10,000 | - | - | - | - | 10,000 | | Interests in reverse mortgage loans | 70,695,901 | 90,913,464 | (3,285,738) | - | - | 158,323,627 | | | \$
73,921,209 | \$
90,582,440
\$ | (2,917,788) | \$
(79,976)
\$ | - | \$
161,505,885 | Changes in net unrealized losses on Level 3 assets still held at December 31, 2024 amounted to \$2,408. #### **5. Derivatives** The Company utilizes derivatives to meet the needs of customers and for trading and economic hedging strategies to actively manage its market and liquidity exposures. The Company records derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, "Derivatives and Hedging", including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar contractual agreement. ## *Quantitative Disclosure for Derivative Financial Instruments Used for Trading Purposes* In accordance with ASC Sub-Topic 210-20-50, the following table presents, as of December 31, 2024, the gross and net derivatives receivables and payables by contract and settlement type under GAAP. Derivative receivables and payables have been netted on the consolidated statement of financial condition against derivative payables and receivables, respectively, to the same counterparty with respect to derivative contracts for which the Company has obtained a master netting agreement. The fair value of derivative financial instruments is included in securities owned and securities sold, not yet purchased in the consolidated statement of financial condition at December 31, 2024. The table also presents average fair values and duration of such contracts throughout 2024: | | Number of
Contracts | Notional
(in 000s) | Gross
Fair Value
(in 000s) | Amount Netted
Statement of Financial
Condition (in 000s) | Net Amount Reflected on
Statement of Financial
Condition (in 000s) | Less Than
1 Year
(in 000s) | 5 Years
(in 000s) | Average Fair
Values
(in 000s) | |---------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------------| | Purchase Contracts | | | | | | | | | | Interest rate futures contracts | 275 | \$
27,500 | \$
(57) | \$
2,243 | \$
2,186 | \$
2,186 | - \$ | \$
(112) | | Interest rate option contracts | 30 | 30 | 6 | - | 6 | 6 | - | 1 | | Credit default swaps | 1 | 25 | (567) | - | (567) | - | (567) | (95) | | TBA agreements | 2 | 4,898 | (34) | - | (34) | (34) | - | 59 | | When issued securities | 19 | 34,477 | (100) | (7) | (107) | (107) | - | (672) | | | 327 | \$
66,930 | \$
(752) | \$
2,236 | \$
1,484 | \$
2,051 | \$
(567) | \$
(819) | | Sale Contracts | | | | | | | | | | Interest rate futures contracts | 3,197 | \$
323,300 | \$
2,243 | \$
(2,243) | \$
- | - \$ | - \$ | 368 \$ | | TBA agreements | 55 | 577,650 | 2,156 | 7 | 2,163 | 2,163 | - | 1,190 | | | 3,252 | \$
900,950 | \$
4,399 | \$
(2,236) | \$
2,163 | \$
2,163 | - \$ | 1,558 \$ | # **5. Derivatives (Continued)** {14}------------------------------------------------ ## **5. Derivatives (Continued)** During 2024, the Company had between 3,264 to 4,312 futures and options contracts open at any one time with notional amounts ranging from approximately \$340,000,000 to \$435,000,000. In addition, the Company had between 3 to 22 when issued securities and TBA purchase agreements with notional amounts ranging from approximately \$4,900,000 to \$232,000,000 and 1 to 57 when issued securities and TBA sales agreements with notional amounts ranging from \$20,000,000 to \$652,000,000. ## **6. Interests in Reverse Mortgage Loans** During the year, BABS purchased approximately \$420,000,000 of reverse mortgage loans for the sole purpose of securitization for ultimate underwriting of such loans to institutional clients. All of the reverse mortgage loans were financed through a repurchase agreement with a financial institution. The reverse mortgage loans are held at cost with accretion of interest and hedged with U.S. treasuries on the consolidated statement of financial condition as interests in reverse mortgage loans. During the year, the Company sold approximately \$329,000,000 of loans for securitization. At December 31, 2024, the Company had approximately \$1,100,000 of accrued expenses included on the consolidated statement of financial condition for expenses on previous underwriting deals that have yet to be billed. As of December 31, 2024, the amount of reverse mortgage loans financed through repurchase agreements aggregated \$148,775,436 and are included in securities and reverse mortgage loans sold under repurchase agreements on the consolidated statement of financial condition. #### **7. Investment in Synergy One Lending, Inc.** The Company has a 17.913% equity investment in Synergy One Lending, Inc. ("S1L"), a private company that provides access to home financing products and services through the use of computer or smartphone. The Company is using the equity method of accounting with respect to its investment in S1L in accordance with ASC Topic 321, "Investments – Equity Securities", where the Company initially records its investment at historical cost which is subsequently adjusted for changes in the Company's share of the investee's net assets. The Company is on the board of directors of S1L representing a certain degree of influence in the operating and financial policies, participation in policy making processes and would be able to exercise its voting right to the direction of S1L. In addition, the amount of contributed capital to S1L by the Company has been deemed to be a majority investment in relation to the total amount of capital. The Company is using the nature of the distribution method in accounting for distributions. Distributions will be classified on the basis of the nature of the activity of the investee that generated the distribution as either a return on investment (classified as operating cash inflow) or a return of investment (classified as investment cash inflow) when such information is available. Dividend payouts from S1L will reduce the carrying amount of the investment. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment when operating losses or other factors may indicate a decrease in value which is considered other than temporary, and considers a variety of factors including economic conditions, declines in business prospects, deterioration of earnings, increasing of costs of operations and other relevant factors specific to the investee. There was no impairment recognized in connection with the Company's equity method investment for the year ended December 31, 2024. {15}------------------------------------------------ # **7. Investment in Synergy One Lending, Inc.** (Continued) The Company's initial investment in S1L exceeded the underlying value of its equity ownership by \$2,788,102. This difference is being amortized over ten years as a reduction to its equity. # **8. Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets** Prepaid expenses and other assets at December 31, 2024 consist of the following: | Prepaid expenses | \$
1,757,469 | |------------------------------|-----------------| | Receivables and other assets | 204,535 | | Employee loans and advances | 125,833 | | Security deposits | 97,599 | | | \$
2,185,436 | # *Credit Note Agreement* In December 2017, the Company entered into a credit note agreement with Applied Residential, Inc. ("ARI") and Trio Capital LLC ("Trio"), up to the principal amount of \$500,000 plus accrued interest at 8% per annum. The note provides that the parties may enter into definitive agreements to convert the note into an ownership interest in a newly formed limited liability company as part of a joint venture between the Company, Trio and certain of their affiliates. The payment and performance of the note is secured by the eligible assets including proprietary and non-proprietary lease arrangements in connection with mortgage-backed securities for single family homes, condominiums and townhomes and other securitized products that have been acquired and managed by ARI and Trio. The agreement provides ARI to require the originator of the aforementioned eligible assets the option for the Company to purchase such assets at a price equal to the "bid" side of the TBA market. The Company did not renew the credit note agreement with Applied Residential during the current year and received the remaining balance of \$250,000 on the line of credit. # **9. Furniture and Fixtures, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements** Furniture and fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of depreciation and amortization, at December 31, 2024 consisted of the following: | | Estimated Useful Lives | Amount | |-------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|-----------------| | Furniture and fixtures | 7 Years | \$
594,890 | | Computer equipment | 3-5 Years | 3,982,738 | | Leasehold improvements | Term of Lease | 2,995,562 | | Total, at cost | | 7,573,190 | | Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | | 6,199,787 | | Total furniture and fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements, net | | \$
1,373,403 | {16}------------------------------------------------ ## **10. Securities and Reverse Mortgage Loans Sold Under Repurchase Agreements** The Company enters repurchase agreements to finance certain inventory. Transactions involving sales of securities under agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements") are presented on a net-bycounterparty basis when a legal right of offset exists and are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and recorded at their contracted amounts plus accrued interest. The Company is required to provide securities to counterparties in order to collateralize repurchase agreements. The Company's agreements with counterparties generally contain contractual provisions allowing for additional collateral to be provided, or excess collateral returned, when necessary. The Company values the collateral daily and retrieves or returns excess collateral from/to counterparties, when appropriate. The following table provides detail on the composition of the outstanding repurchase agreements at December 31, 2024: | | 2024
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|---------------|------|---------------|------|--------------|----|-------------|----|-------------|----|-------------|--|--| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Repurchase agreements and | | Overnight and | | | | Greater than | | | | On | | | | | | Repurchase-to-maturity transactions | | Continuous | | Up to 30 days | | 30-90 days | | 90 days | | Demand | | Total | | | | U.S. Treasury and federal agency securities | | - \$ | - \$ | | - \$ | | \$ | - | \$ | 791,242,193 | \$ | 791,242,193 | | | | Reverse mortgage loans | | - | - | | - | | | 148,775,436 | | - | | 148,775,436 | | | | Total borrowings | | - \$ | - \$ | | - \$ | | \$ | 148,775,436 | \$ | 791,242,193 | \$ | 940,017,629 | | | At December 31, 2024 the fair value of financial instruments received as collateral by the Company that it was permitted to deliver or repledge was approximately \$982MM # **11. Related Party Transactions** The Company entered into various service and cost sharing agreements with some of its affiliates to perform various administrative, regulatory reporting and compliance services, as well as to provide access to the use of certain facilities and equipment. Additionally, the Company has a management service agreement with one of its equity members who provides the Company with management services. The Company has a receivable from an affiliate, Brean Holdings, LLC ("Holdings") in the amount of \$32,954,879 which is primarily made up of the purchase and funding of one of Holdings' subsidiaries, as well as the purchase of an investment. During 2024, the Company purchased \$141,457,611 of reverse mortgage loans from a subsidiary of Holdings. The Company has a receivable from an affiliate, Brean Hedging Services, LLC ("BHS"), a subsidiary of BHC, in the amount of \$2,020,056 related to the initial funding of operations. The Company has a receivable from an affiliate, HSF Capital Holdings, LLC ("HSF"), a subsidiary of BHC, in the amount of \$14,507 related to the funding of payroll expenses. The Company also receives market data analytical services from one of its affiliates, Brean Strategic Advisors, LLC ("BSA"). At December 31, 2024, the Company owed \$357,297 to BSA, which is included in due to affiliates on the consolidated statement of financial condition. The Company has a receivable from an affiliate, Brean Asset Management, LLC ("BAM"), in the amount of \$14,931,654 in relation to the funding of operating and payroll expenses, as well as amounts relating to the service and cost sharing agreement noted above. {17}------------------------------------------------ ## **11. Related Party Transactions (Continued)** The Company has a receivable from an affiliate, Brean Originator Fee Gestation, LLC ("Brofigi"), a subsidiary of BAM, in the amount of \$500,000 related to the initial funding of operations. During 2024, Brofigi purchased and sold interest-only investments, known as Certificates of Originator Fees ("COOFs"), from the Company in the amounts of approximately \$175,000,000 and \$155,000,000, respectively. For the entities noted above that were determined to be VIEs, management has concluded that the Company is not the primary beneficiary, and therefore not required to consolidate these entities. The risk of loss associated with these VIE's is limited to the Company's investments in, advances to, and/or receivables due from these VIEs. ## **12. Subordinated Borrowings** In August 2021, the Company entered into a five year, 5.75% per annum subordinated loan agreement with Brean Capital Holdings, LLC ("BCH"), in the amount of \$47,085,000 maturing August 18, 2026. In July of 2022, the parties to the subordinated loan agreement amended the interest rate from 5.75% to 6.75% and higher depending on market conditions. BCH became a member of the Company at that time in order to receive beneficial regulatory capital treatment. The funding of the subordinated loan to BCH was sourced by an outside party in the amount of \$50,000,000, whereas the Company has provided a guarantee for the repayment of such loan. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company paid interest of \$3,178,238 to BCH in relation to the loan. #### **13. Net Capital Requirement** As a broker-dealer, the Company is subject to the net capital provisions of Rule 15c3-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act (the "Net Capital Rule"), which requires the maintenance of a minimum net capital and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital shall not exceed 15 to 1. Rule 15c3-1 also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash distributions paid if the resulting net capital ratio would exceed 10 to 1. At December 31, 2024, the Company had net capital of \$70,691,086, which was \$65,648,497 in excess of its required minimum net capital of \$5,042,589. The Company's percentage of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 107.00%. ## **14. Commitments and Contingencies** #### *Lease Commitments* The Company has obligations as a lessee for the office space located in New York and various other locations and other office equipment with initial noncancelable terms in excess of one year. The Company classifies these leases as operating leases. The Company's leases do not include termination options for either party to the lease or restrictive financial or other covenants. Payments due under the lease contracts include fixed payments plus, for many of the Company's leases, variable payments. The Company's office space leases require it to make variable payments for the Company's proportionate share of the building's property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance. These variable lease payments are not included in the lease payments used to determine the lease liability and are recognized as variable costs when incurred. {18}------------------------------------------------ #### **14. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)** The components of lease expense were as follows: The components of lease expense were as follows: | Lease cost: | | |-------------------------------------------|-----------| | Amortization of right-of-use-assets
\$ | 1,610,508 | | Interest on leases | 133,313 | | Total lease cost
\$ | 1,743,821 | Consolidated balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: | Operating Leases | | |----------------------------------------|-----------------| | Right-of-use assets - operating leases | \$
4,744,870 | | | | | Operating lease liabilities | \$
5,239,156 | Other information related to leases as of December 31, 2024 was as follows: | Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term: | | |----------------------------------------|-----------| | Operating leases | 3.3 years | | | | - **Weighted Average Discount Rate:** - Operating leases 2.09% - Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows: | | Operating | |-----------------------------------|-----------------| | Years Ending December 31, | Leases | | 2025 | \$
1,810,842 | | 2026 | 1,718,337 | | 2027 | 1,358,101 | | 2028 | 300,845 | | 2029 | 187,634 | | 2030 and Thereafter | 110,859 | | Total undiscounted lease payments | \$
5,486,618 | | Less: interest | 247,462 | | Total lease liabilities | \$
5,239,156 | | | | {19}------------------------------------------------ ## **14. Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)** # *Litigation, Indemnifications and Other Contingencies* In the normal course of business, the Company may be involved in litigation matters. These include litigations, arbitration and other proceedings initiated by private parties and arising from underwriting, financial advisory, securities trading or other transactional activities for client accounts, and employment matters. The Company does not believe that any current litigation, proceeding or other matter which it is a party to or otherwise involved with will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position. The Company indemnifies and guarantees certain service providers, such as clearing and custody agents, against specified potential future losses in connection with their acting as an agent of, or providing services to, the Company or its affiliates in the normal course of business. Such specified potential future losses, if they ever occur, cannot be estimated. However, the Company believes that it is unlikely it will have to make any material payments under these arrangements and has not recorded any contingent liability in the consolidated financial statement for these indemnifications. #### **15. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk** The Company enters into various transactions involving derivatives and other off-balance sheet financial instruments. These financial instruments include TBAs and when-issued securities. These derivative financial instruments are used to meet the needs of customers, conduct trading activities, and manage market risks and are, therefore, subject to varying degrees of market and credit risk. Derivative transactions, including interest rate options and futures, are entered into for trading purposes or to economically hedge other positions or transactions. TBAs and when-issued securities provide for the delayed delivery of the underlying instrument. The contractual or notional amounts related to these financial instruments reflect the volume and activity and do not reflect the amounts at risk. The credit risk for TBAs and when-issued securities is limited to the unrealized fair valuation gains and losses recorded in the consolidated statement of financial condition. Market risk is substantially dependent upon the value of the underlying financial instruments and is affected by market forces such as volatility and changes in interest and foreign exchange rates. In addition, the Company has sold securities that it does not currently own and will therefore be obligated to purchase such securities at a future date. The Company has recorded these obligations in the consolidated financial statement at December 31, 2024 at fair values of the related securities and will incur a loss if the fair value of the securities increases subsequent to December 31, 2024. In the normal course of business, the Company's customer activities involve the execution, settlement and financing of various securities transactions. These activities may expose the Company to offbalance sheet risk in the event the customer or other broker is unable to fulfill its contracted obligations and the Company has to purchase or sell the underlying financial instrument at a loss. The Company's customer securities activities are transacted on either a cash or margin basis. In margin transactions, the Company's clearing broker extends credit to the customer, subject to various regulatory and internal margin requirements, collateralized by cash and/or securities in the customer's account. As a result of guaranteeing customer margin balances carried by the clearing broker, the Company may be exposed to off-balance sheet risk in the event margin requirements are not sufficient to fully cover losses which the customer may incur. There are no other margin accounts guaranteed by the Company other than just described at December 31, 2024. {20}------------------------------------------------ ## **15. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk (Continued)** Additionally, the Company is exposed to off-balance sheet risk of loss on transactions during the period from the trade date to the settlement date, which is generally two business days. If the customer fails to satisfy its contractual obligations to the clearing broker, the Company may have to purchase or sell financial instruments at prevailing market prices in order to fulfill the customer's obligations. Settlement of these transactions did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position. The Company seeks to control the risks associated with its customer activities by requiring customers to maintain margin collateral in compliance with various regulatory and clearing broker guidelines. The Company's clearing organization monitors required margin levels daily and pursuant to such guidelines, require the customers to deposit additional collateral or to reduce positions, when necessary. #### **16. Concentrations of Credit Risk** The Company is engaged in various trading and brokerage activities in which the counterparties primarily include broker-dealers, 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 instrument. It is the Company's policy to review, as necessary, the credit standing of each counterparty. #### **17. Subsequent Events** The Company evaluated the possibility of subsequent events that may impact the consolidated financial statement through March 3, 2025, the date the consolidated financial statement was available to be issued. The Company has determined that there are no material events that would require adjustments to or disclosure in its consolidated financial statement. Source: SEC EDGAR via Adviser Search (https://search.stillhousedata.com). Agents: see https://search.stillhousedata.com/llms.txt.