# ESL INVESTMENT SERVICES, LLC X-17A-5 (2022-02-22) — Broker-dealer annual report - Company: ESL INVESTMENT SERVICES, LLC - Form: X-17A-5 - Filed: 2022-02-22 - Period: 2021-12-31 - Accession: 0001347881-22-000002 - CIK: 1347881 - File #: 8-67195 - Type: Broker-dealer - Material weakness: No - Auditor: Moss Adams - Auditor location: San Diego, CA - Contact: Pascal Roche - Phone: 2127514422 - Signed by: Leo Iacobelli (President and COO) Original filing: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1347881/000134788122000002/ISLLCAudited_2021m.pdf --- {0}------------------------------------------------ | | | 0MB APPROVAL | | |------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--| | | | 0MB Number:
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REPORT | | | | | FORM
X-17A-S | | SEC FILE NUMBER | | | PART
Ill | | 8-67195 | | | FACING PAGE | | | | | | | | | | 01/01/2021 AND ENDING | 12/31/2021 | | | | MM/DD/VY | | MM/DD/VY | | | A. REGISTRANT | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (No. and Street) | | | | | NY | | 14604-2424 | | | (State) | | (Zip Code) | | | | | | | | | | 212-751-4422 | | | (Area Code-Telephone Number) | | IEmall Address) | | | B. ACCOUNTANT | | | | | whose opinion is contained in this | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 97205 | | | (City) | (State) | (Zip Code) | | | | | 659 | | | | | (PCAOB Registration Number, if applicable) | | | | | | | | FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | | | | | | | | | | | UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
Washington, D.C. 20549
ANNUAL
Information Required Pursuant to Rules 17a-5, 17a-12, and
REPORT FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING
Services, LLC
all applicable boxes):
Security-based swap dealer
D Check here if respondent is also an OTC derivatives dealer
OF BUSINESS: (Do not
use P.O. Box No.)
REGARD TO THIS FILING
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
Portland | COMMISSION
18a-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
IDENTIFICATION
Major security-based swap participant
IDENTIFICATION
Report*
(Name- if individual, state last, first, middle name)
OR | | supported by a statement offacts and circumstances relied on as the basis of the exemption. See 17 CFR 240.17a-S(e)(l)(ii), if applicable. **Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid 0MB control number.** {1}------------------------------------------------ #### **OATH OR AFFIRMATION** I, Leo Lacobelli, swear (or affirm) that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the financial report pertaining to the firm of ESL Investment Services, LLC, as of December 31, 2021, is true and correct. I further swear (or affirm) that neither the company nor any partner, officer, director, or equivalent person, as the case may be, has any proprietary interest in any account classified solely as that of a customer. C *c2-c2* President & COO ' JOELLE L. DONAHOE Notary Public, State of New York No. 01D06081047 Qualified in Mani oa County ·ssion = pi res September 30, 20~ #### **This filing\*\* contains (check all applicable boxes):** - 181 (a) Statement of financial condition. - □ (b) Notes to consolidated statement of financial condition. - 181(c) Statement of income (loss) or, if there is other comprehensive income in the period(s) presented, a statement of comprehensive income (as defined in§ 210.1-02 of Regulation S-X). - 181 (d) Statement of cash flows. - ~(e) Statement of changes in stockholders' or partners' or sole proprietor's equity. - □ (f) Statement of changes in liabilities subordinated to claims of creditors. - 181 (g) Notes to consolidated financial statements. - 181(h) Computation of net capital under 17 CFR 240.15c3-1 or 17 CFR 240.18a-1, as applicable. - □ (i) Computation of tangible net worth under 17 CFR 240.18a-2. - □ (j) Computation for determination of customer reserve requirements pursuant to Exhibit A to 17 CFR 240.15c3-3. - □ (k) Computation for determination of security-based swap reserve requirements pursuant to Exhibit B to 17 CFR 240.15c3-3 or Exhibit A to 17 CFR 240.18a-4, as applicable. - □ (I) Computation for Determination of PAB Requirements under Exhibit A to§ 240.15c3-3. - □ (m) Information relating to possession or control requirements for customers under 17 CFR 240.15c3-3. - □ (n) Information relating to possession or control requirements for security-based swap customers under 17 CFR 240.15c3- 3(p)(2) or 17 CFR 240.18a-4, as applicable. - 181(o) Reconciliations, including appropriate explanations, of the FOCUS Report with computation of net capital or tangible net worth under 17 CFR 240.15c3-l, 17 CFR 240.18a-1, or 17 CFR 240.18a-2, as applicable, and the reserve requirements under 17 CFR 240.15c3-3 or 17 CFR 240.18a-4, as applicable, if material differences exist, or a statement that no material differences exist. - □ (p) Summary of financial data for subsidiaries not consolidated in the statement of financial condition. - 181(q) Oath or affirmation in accordance with 17 CFR 240.17a-5, 17 CFR 240.17a-12, or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable. - □ (r) Compliance report in accordance with 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable. - IZI (s) Exemption report in accordance with 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable. - □ (t) Independent public accountant's report based on an examination of the statement of financial condition. - 181(u) Independent public accountant's report based on an examination of the financial report or financial statements under 17 CFR 240.17a-5, 17 CFR 240.18a-7, or 17 CFR 240.17a-12, as applicable. - □ (v) Independent public accountant's report based on an examination of certain statements in the compliance report under 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable. - 181(w) Independent public accountant's report based on a review of the exemption report under 17 CFR 240.17a-5 or 17 CFR 240.18a-7, as applicable. - 181(x) Supplemental reports on applying agreed-upon procedures, in accordance with 17 CFR 240.15c3-le or 17 CFR 240.17a-12, as applicable. - □ (y) Report describing any material inadequacies found to exist or found to have existed since the date of the previous audit, or a statement that no material inadequacies exist, under 17 CFR 240.17a-12(k). - □ (z) Other: \*\*To request confidential treatment of certain portions of this filing, see 17 CFR 240.17a-S(e)(3) or 17 CFR 240.18a-7(d)(2), as applicable. {2}------------------------------------------------ ### ESL INVESTMENT SERVICES, LLC (A Wholly-Owned **Subsidiary** of ESL Federal Credit Union) Financial Statements and Supplemental Information As of December 31, 2021 Together with Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm {3}------------------------------------------------ # **Table of Contents** | | PAGE | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------| | Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm | 1-2 | | Financial Statements | | | Consolidated Statement of
Financial Condition | 3 | | Consolidated Statements
of Operations and Member's
Equity | 4 | | Consolidated Statement of
Cash Flows | 5 | | Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements | 6-16 | | Supplementary Information | | | Computation of Net Capital
and Aggregated Indebtedness | 17 | | Exemption Report Pursuant to SEA
Rule 17 C.F.R. §240.17a-5(d)(2)
and (4) | 18 | {4}------------------------------------------------ ![](_page_4_Picture_0.jpeg) # **Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm** To the Members and the Oversight Committee ESL Investment Services, LLC #### **Opinion on the Financial Statements** We have audited the accompanying statement of financial condition of ESL Investment Services, LLC (the "Company") as of December 31 , 2021, the related statements of operations and changes in member's equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. #### **Basis for Opinion** These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements 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 tile applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. {5}------------------------------------------------ #### **Opinion on the Supplementary Information** The supplementary information in the Computation of Net Capital and Aggregate Indebtedness has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Company's financial statements. The information in Computation of Net Capital and Aggregate Indebtedness is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our audit procedures include determining whether the information in Computation of Net Capital and Aggregate Indebtedness reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in Computation of Net Capital and Aggregate Indebtedness. In forming our opinion on the information in Computation of Net Capital and Aggregate Indebtedness, we evaluated whether the information in Computation of Net Capital and Aggregate Indebtedness, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with 17 C.F.R. §240.17a-5. In our opinion, the information in Computation of Net Capital and Aggregate Indebtedness is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements as a whole. ~~ *LLP* Portland, Oregon February 18, 2022 We have served as the Company's auditor since 2017. {6}------------------------------------------------ ### ESL Investment Services, LLC (A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of ESL Federal Credit Union) **Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition December 31, 2021** | ASSETS | | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Cash and cash equivalents
Securities owned
Other assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, net
Operating lease - right-of-use asset, net
Property and equipment, net | \$
7,216,137
31,359,690
1,532,969
2,309,223
5,541,211
1,448,254
102,110 | | Total assets | \$
49,509,594 | | LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S EQUITY | | | LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Operating lease - liability | \$
2,009,660
1,482,925 | | Total liabilities | 3,492,585 | | MEMBER'S EQUITY:
Total member's equity | 46,017,009 | | Total liabilities and member's equity | \$
49,509,594 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. {7}------------------------------------------------ ## **ESL Investment Services, LLC** ### **(A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of ESL Federal Credit Union) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Member's Equity Year ended December 31, 2021** | REVENUES: | | |-----------------------------------------------|------------------| | Commission and fee re"1:lnue | \$
11,027,054 | | Advisory income | 5,324,405 | | Trading profits | 5,203,484 | | Other income | 68,319 | | Total re"1:lnues | 21,623,262 | | OPERATING EXPENSES: | | | Salaries, commissions, and benefits | 10,102,021 | | Professional and outside sennces | 1,264,923 | | Origination and senncing | 1,138,916 | | Depreciation and amortization | 588,107 | | General and administrati"1:l | 505,300 | | Occupancy | 405,392 | | Marketing and promotion | 315,885 | | Total operating expenses | 14,320,544 | | INCOME FROM OPERATIONS | 7,302,718 | | BEGINNING MEMBER'S EQUITY,
January 1, 2021 | 38,714,291 | | ENDING MEMBER'S EQUITY, December
31, 2021 | \$
46,017,009 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. {8}------------------------------------------------ ### **ESL Investment Services, LLC (A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of ESL Federal Credit Union) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Year ended December 31, 2021** | CASH FLOWS FROM OPERA
TING ACTIVITIES: | | |-------------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Net income | \$
7,302,718 | | Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash | | | from operating acti"1ties: | | | Net unrealized gain on im,estments | (2,367,917) | | Depreciation expense | 36,447 | | Amortization of acquired intangibles | 551,660 | | Amortization of right-of-use asset | 186,711 | | Net change in assets and liabilities: | | | Increase in securities owned | (2,835,568) | | Increase in other assets | (245,463) | | Decrease in contingent liability | (1,863,000) | | Decrease in lease liability | (173,167) | | Decrease in accrued expenses and other
liabilities | (89,860) | | Net cash from operating acti"1ties | 502,561 | | CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVlllES: | | | Purchase of intangibles | (70,000) | | Net cash from inwsting acti"1ties | (70,000) | | Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 432,561 | | Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of the year | 6,783,576 | | Cash and cash equivalents at end
of the year | \$
7,216,137 | {9}------------------------------------------------ #### **Note 1 - The Organization** ESL Investment Services, LLC (the "Company") is a limited-purpose securities broker-dealer, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ESL Federal Credit Union (the "Credit Union"). The Company was originally incorporated in 1996 with operations beginning on January 1, 1997. The Company was established by the Credit Union to provide investment management, financial planning, and insurance solutions primarily to Credit Union members in the Rochester, New York area. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiary Cooper/Haims Advisors, LLC ("CHA"), a registered investment advisor located in Victor, New York providing investment advisory, financial planning, and tax services to high net worth clients. The Company does not claim an exemption under paragraph (k) of 17 C. F. R. §240.15c3-3 and is filing the exemption report relying on Footnote 74 of the SEC Release No. 34-70073 adopting amendments to 17 C.F.R. §240.17a-5 (Footnote 74). The Company limits it business activities to receiving transaction-based referral fees and trades securities for its own account. The Company does not accept customer funds and will not have possession of any customer funds or securities in connection with our activities and therefore the Company is not required to prepare the determination of reserve requirements for brokers or dealers. #### **Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies** #### **Basis of Accounting** The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). #### **Basis of Consolidation** The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and its whollyowned subsidiary, CHA. All the intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. #### **Cash and Cash Equivalents** Cash and cash equivalents include deposits with the Credit Union, and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than three months, that are not held for sale in the ordinary course of business. Balances with these financial institutions exceeded federally insured limits on December 31, 2021. The Company has not experienced any losses related to cash and cash equivalents, and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk with respect to these balances. #### **Securities Owned** The Company has classified its investments as trading securities. Trading securities are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method. {10}------------------------------------------------ ### **Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)** #### **Investment Risk** The Company invests in various types of investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit risk. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such change could affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements. #### **Fair Value Measurement** U.S. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs, as follows: - **Level 1 Inputs** Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date. - **Level 2 Inputs** Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means. - **Level 3 Inputs** Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities. 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 markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. 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. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. {11}------------------------------------------------ #### **Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)** #### **Property and Equipment** Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated over useful lives ranging from three to ten years using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the period of the lease or the estimated life of the property, whichever is shorter. #### **Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets** Goodwill represents the cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired (including identifiable intangibles) in transactions accounted for as business combinations. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and more frequently if circumstances exist that indicate it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value is below the carrying value. The annual impairment test is based on various assumptions and internal projections of future cash flows and operating plans. Other intangible assets include premium paid for acquisition of customer list and other intangibles. Intangibles other than goodwill, which are determined to have finite lives, are amortized based on the estimated economic benefits received. #### **Revenue Recognition** Revenues are recognized when control of the promised services is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. #### **Commission and Fee Revenue** Commission revenue relates primarily to the sale of mutual funds, annuities, life insurance, and other security products. These products are offered to customers through LPL Financial ("LPL"), an unaffiliated entity and a registered clearing broker-dealer, which compensates the Company for each sale based upon a contractual commission schedule. Fee revenue is earned in the form of management fees assessed on managed accounts offered through LPL's advisory platform. Commission revenue from the sale of mutual funds, annuities, life insurance, and other security products is accrued monthly to properly record the revenues in the month they are earned. The fee revenue assessed on managed accounts is earned in the form of management fees and is recorded in the month in which the service is being performed. The economic conditions which affect the Company's revenue are related to overall trends in the economy and its impact on financial markets. Commissions and fees arise from transactions between a consumer that the Company has referred to a third-party broker and that third-party securities broker. The Company has satisfied its performance obligation as the referral is made, however the revenue is subject to variable constraints until a transaction occurs. As transactions between those two parties occur, the Company receives a portion of the revenues generated by the third-party securities broker as the variable constraint has been lifted. {12}------------------------------------------------ #### **Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)** #### **Advisory Fees** The Company provides investment advisory services on an ongoing basis. The Company believes the performance obligation for providing advisory services is satisfied over time because the customer is receiving and consuming the benefits as they are provided. Fee arrangements are based on a percentage applied to the customer's assets under management. Fees are received quarterly and are recognized as revenue at that point in time as they relate specifically to the services provided in that period, which are distinct from the services provided in other periods. #### **Trading Profits** Trading profits include investment income, realized gains and losses from trading activities and unrealized gains and losses on securities owned by the Company. #### **Income Taxes** The Company elected to be taxed as a Limited Liability Corporation ("LLC"), which provides that the LLC passes on all income and expenses to its sole member, the Credit Union, to be taxed at the member level. The Credit Union is a federally chartered credit union with the National Credit Union Administration, and as such, is not subject to taxes under state or federal laws. #### **Contract Balances** The Company's timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of customer payments. When there is an unconditional right to payment, according to the terms of the contract, the Company records a receivable. For contracts with unsatisfied performance obligations, the Company records deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied. Contracts with no outstanding performance obligations, are recognized as revenue. The Company had receivables related to contracts from customers of \$1,302,294 and \$1,159,787 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company includes such balances in other assets in the Statement of Financial Condition. The Company has deferred revenue related to unrecognized engagement fees where the performance obligations have not yet been satisfied. #### **Allowance for credit losses** The allowance for credit losses is based on the Company's expectation of the collectibility of revenue from contracts with customers, including fees receivable utilizing the current expected credit loss framework. The Company considers factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of balances, and current and future economic conditions that may affect the Company's expectation of the collectibility in determining the allowance for credit losses. The Company's expectation is that the credit risk associated with fees receivable is not significant until they are 90 days past due on the contractual arrangement and expectation of collection in accordance with industry standards. Management does not believe that an allowance is required as of December 31, 2021 . {13}------------------------------------------------ ### **Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)** #### **Leases** Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recorded at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments to be made over the lease term using an estimated incremental borrowing rate. The Company expenses rent monthly on a straight-line basis, as a reduction to the rightof-use asset. Rent expense is included in occupancy expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and member's equity (Note 5). #### **Statement of Cash Flows** For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company has defined cash equivalents as highly liquid investments, with original maturities of less than three months, that are not held-for-sale in the ordinary course of business. #### **Estimates** The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. #### **Advertising Costs** Advertising costs are expensed as incurred by the Company. The Company's advertising expense totaled \$315,885 in 2021 and is included in the marketing and promotion expense in the accompanying statement of income. #### **Note 3 - Property and Equipment** Property and equipment as of December 31, 2021, consisted of the following: | Leasehold improvements | \$
164,907 | |--------------------------------|---------------| | Computer equipment | 188,222 | | Software | 36,942 | | | 390,071 | | | | | Less: Accumulated depreciation | (287,961) | | | | | | \$
102,110 | Depreciation expense totaled \$36,447 for the year ended December 31, 2021 . {14}------------------------------------------------ ### **Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets** The goodwill of \$2,309,223 represents the future economic benefit expected to be recognized from combining the operations of the Company and CHA, including expected synergies and operating efficiencies. Additionally, the goodwill represents the incremental cash flows that the Company will achieve as an exempt organization vis-a-vis market participant (for fair value purposes, assumed to be tax-paying entities) over the course of its ownership of CHA. Intangible assets as of December 31, 2021, consisted of the following: | Customer list in place | \$
5,708,900 | |--------------------------------|-----------------| | Trademarks | 424,400 | | Non-compete agreements | 575,500 | | Purchase agreements | 70,000 | | | 6,778,800 | | Less: Accumulated amortization | (1,237,589) | | | \$
5,541,211 | Amortization expense totaled \$551,660 for the year ended December 31, 2021 . Estimated amortization expense for the years ended December 31, are as follows: | 2022 | \$
583,744 | |------|---------------| | 2023 | 580,827 | | 2024 | 519,968 | | 2025 | 433,643 | | 2026 | 433,643 | {15}------------------------------------------------ #### **Note 5 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities** #### **Leases** The Company leases office space under noncancelable leases. The leases are all classified as operating primarily due to the amount of time such spaces are occupied relative to the underlying asset's useful lives. Additional space for the Company's activities is obtained from the Credit Union (see Note 7). The thirdparty operating leases contain renewal options and provisions requiring the Company to pay property taxes and operating expenses over base period amounts, most of which are not included in the measurement of the right-of-use assets as they are not considered reasonably certain of estimable value. The third-party leases also contain escalation clauses calling for rental payments to be adjusted for increases in price indices. The Company's operating lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2021, totaled \$220,356. Future minimum rental commitments under the noncancelable operating leases are as follows for each of the years ending December 31: | 2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Thereafter
Total lease payments | \$ | 211,906
209,177
203,475
207,545
211,696
566,455
1,610,254 | | | | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|--|--|--| | Less: present value discount at December 31 ,
2021 | | 127,329 | | | | | Total present value of lease liability at December
31, 2021 | \$ | 1,482,925 | | | | | Lease term and discount rate as of December
31, 2021 , are as follows: | | | | | | | Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)
Weighted-average discount rate | | 7.48
2.20% | | | | | Cash flow supplemental information for
the year ended December 31, 2021, is as follows: | | | | | | | Cash paid for amounts included in the
measurement of lease liability
Operating cash flows paid for operating
leases | \$ | 206,929 | | | | {16}------------------------------------------------ #### **Note 6 - Employee Benefits** #### **Defined-Benefit Retirement Plan** The Credit Union has a noncontributory defined-benefit retirement plan ("Plan") covering substantially all of its and the Company's employees. The benefits are based on years of service and average compensation prior to retirement. The Credit Union will make future contributions to the Plan, as necessary, based on the recommendations of its actuaries and within the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The Credit Union allocates a portion of the annual expense to the Company based on headcount. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized pension costs of \$88,728. #### **Defined Contribution Retirement Plan** The Credit Union also sponsors a defined contribution plan that covers substantially all of its and the Company's employees who meet certain age requirements. The Credit Union matches 100% of the first 1 % and 50% of the next 5% of participant contributions. The Credit Union allocates a portion of the annual expense to the Company based on relative compensation levels. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized defined contribution plan costs of \$240,816. #### **Post-Retirement Insurance Benefit Plan** The Company provides certain medical and healthcare benefits to qualifying retirees under the Credit Union benefit plan. The Credit Union allocates a portion of the annual expense of the plan to the Company based on headcount. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the company recognized insurance income of \$4,296, in conjunction with this plan. The expense related to these benefits is included in salaries, commissions, and benefits on the statement of income. #### **Note 7 - Related-Party Transactions** The Company's investment portfolio is managed by ESL Trust Services, LLC ("Trust") another whollyowned subsidiary of the Credit Union. Under this arrangement, Trust executes transactions in compliance with its standard policies and procedures. Trust managed investments for the Company that, as of December 31, 2021, had a fair market value of \$31,359,690. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized investment management expense of \$70,208 from this relationship. Pursuant to agreements between the parties, the Company is charged for certain expense allocations, including professional and administrative services provided by the Credit Union. During the year ended December 31, 2021, related-party costs consisted of the following: | Professional and administratiw | \$
961,704 | |--------------------------------|-----------------| | Marketing and promotion | 309,000 | | Office and branch space | 146,160 | | | \$
1,416,864 | {17}------------------------------------------------ ### **Note 7 - Related-Party Transactions (continued)** The Company's qualifying personnel are covered under defined contribution, defined-benefit, other benefits, medical, dental, disability, and workers' compensation insurance plans sponsored by the Credit Union. The Credit Union allocates a portion of expense under these plans to the Company based on headcount and compensation. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company was allocated costs of \$799,730. At December 31, 2021, the Company had cash balances with the Credit Union in the amount of \$5,838,253. #### **Note 8 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments** #### **Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis** The Company's securities owned are measured at fair value on a recurring basis utilizing the following input levels at December 31, 2021 : | | Level 1 | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | | |-----------------------|---------------|---------|--|---------|--|---------------|--| | Mutual Funds and ETFs | | | | | | | | | Equity | | | | | | | | | Domestic | \$ 14,752,681 | \$ | | \$ | | \$ 14,752,681 | | | International | 8,071,309 | | | | | 8,071,309 | | | Fixed income | | | | | | | | | Domestic | 2,337,510 | | | | | 2,337,510 | | | International | | | | | | | | | Other | 6,198,190 | | | | | 6,198,190 | | | | \$ 31,359,690 | \$ | | \$ | | \$ 31,359,690 | | Fair values for securities owned are based on quoted market prices. #### **Note 9 - Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Concentration of Credit Risk** As discussed in Note 2, the Company's customers' securities transactions are executed by LPL. This other broker-dealer carries all of the accounts of the customers of the Company and is responsible for execution, collection of and payment of funds, and receipt and delivery of securities relative to customer transactions. {18}------------------------------------------------ ### **Note 10- Net Capital Requirements** The Company is subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3- 1 ), which requires the maintenance of a minimum amount of net capital and requires that the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital, both as defined, shall not exceed 15 to 1. Rule 15c3-1 also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn or cash dividends paid if the resulting net ratio would exceed 1 0 to 1. At December 31, 2021, the Company had net capital of \$964,776 which was \$864,776 in excess of its required net capital of \$100,000. Required net capital is computed as the greater of \$100,000 or 6 2/3% of aggregate indebtedness. The Company's ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital ratio was 1.35 to 1. #### **Note 11 -Segment** ESL Investment Services, LLC's two reportable segments are Limited-Purpose Broker Dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. The Company structures the operating segments according to its clients and the services provided to those clients. The Limited-Purpose Broker Dealer segment provides investment management, financial planning, and insurance solutions primarily to Credit Union members in Rochester, New York area. The Registered Investment Advisor segment provides investment advisory, financial planning, and tax services to high net worth clients. Revenues and expenses are attributed to the two segments based on which segment services the client. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2. Management evaluates the performance of the segments on a U.S. GAAP basis. Segment assets and liabilities are not used for evaluating segment performance. There are no revenues from transactions between the segments. Financial information for the segments is presented in the following table: | | Broker Dealer | | ln\estment Ad\tisor | | Total | | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------|------------|---------------------|------------|-------|------------| | REVENUES | \$ | 16,441,196 | \$ | 5,182,066 | \$ | 21,623,262 | | OPERATING EXPENSES | | 9,826,771 | | 4,493,773 | | 14,320,544 | | INCOME FROM OPERATIONS | | 6,614,425 | | 688,293 | | 7,302,718 | | BEGINNING MEMBER'S EQUllY,
January 1, 2021 | | 29,038,353 | | 9,675,938 | | 38,714,291 | | ENDING MEMBER'S EQUllY,
December 31, 2021 | \$ | 35,652,778 | \$ | 10,364,231 | \$ | 46,017,009 | {19}------------------------------------------------ #### **Note 12-Risk and Uncertainties** During the 2020 calendar year, the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak of the coronavirus ("COVID-19") to constitute a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern". This pandemic has disrupted economic markets and the economic impact, duration, and spread of the COVID-19 virus is uncertain at this time. The financial performance of the Company is subject to future developments related to the COVID-19 outbreak and possible government advisories and restrictions placed on the financial markets and business activities. The impact on financial markets and the overall economy, all of which are highly uncertain, cannot be predicted. If the financial markets and/or the overall economy are impacted for an extended period the Company's results may be materially affected. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. #### **Note 13-Subsequent Events** Subsequent events have been evaluated through February 18, 2022. No events have been identified that require disclosure. {20}------------------------------------------------ Supplementary Information {21}------------------------------------------------ ### **ESL Investment Services, LLC (A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of ESL Federal Credit Union) Computation of Net Capital and Aggregate Indebtedness Pursuant to Rule 15c3-1 December 31, 2021** | Total member's equity from statement of
financial condition | \$
46,017,009 | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------| | Other allowable credits | | | Liabilities of subsidiary, net | 766,415 | | | | | Less non-allowable assets, including
those of consolidated subsidiary:
Cash held at parent, net of routine | | | expenses
Securities owned | 4,973,445 | | Other assets | 31,359,690
1,532,969 | | Goodwill | 2,309,223 | | Other intangible assets, net | 5,541,211 | | Property and equipment, net | 102,110 | | | | | Total non-allowable assets | 45,818,648 | | | | | Net capital | \$
964,776 | | Aggregate indebtedness (excludes balances
from consolidated subsidiary) | | | Accounts payable and accrued expenses | \$
1,303,023 | | Computation of basic net capital requirements
Minimum net capital (greater of \$100,000
or 6 2/3% of | | | aggregate indebtedness) | \$
100,000 | | Net capital in excess of minimum requirements | \$
864,776 | | Ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net
capital | 1.35 to 1 | There are no material differences between the preceding computation and the Company's corresponding unaudited Part II of Form X-17A-5 as of December 31, 2021. {22}------------------------------------------------ ![](_page_22_Picture_0.jpeg) # **Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm** To the Members and the Oversight Committee ESL Investment Services, LLC We have reviewed management's statements, included in the accompanying ESL Investment Services, LLC's Exemption Report (the "exemption report"), in which: - 1) ESL Investment Services, LLC does not claim an exemption under paragraph (k) of 17 C.F.R. §240.15c3-3; and - 2) ESL Investment Services, LLC states ESL Investment Services, LLC is filing the exemption report relying on Footnote 7 4 of the SEC Release No. 34-70073 adopting amendments to 17 C.F.R. §240.17a-5 (Footnote 74) because, throughout the most recent fiscal year, without exception: - ESL Investment Services, LLC limits its business activities exclusively to (1) referring securities transactions to another broker-dealer; and (2) proprietary trading of securities for its own account, and - ESL Investment Services, LLC (1) did not directly or indirectly receive, hold, or otherwise owe funds or securities for or to customers, other than money or other consideration received and promptly transmitted in compliance with paragraph (a) or (b )(2) of Rule 15c2-4 and/or funds received and promptly transmitted for effecting transactions via subscriptions on a subscription way basis where the funds are payable to the issuer or its agent and not to ESL Investment Services, LLC; (2) did not carry accounts of or for customers; and (3) did not carry PAB accounts (as defined in Rule 15c3-3) throughout the most recent fiscal year without exception. ESL Investment Services, LLC's management is responsible for compliance with the provisions of Footnote 7 4 and its statements. Our review was conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and, accordingly, included inquiries and other required procedures to obtain evidence about ESL Investment Services, LLC's compliance with the provisions of Footnote 74. A review is substantially less in scope than an examination, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion on management's statements. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. {23}------------------------------------------------ Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to management's statements referred to above for them to be fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the provisions of Footnote 74 of SEC Release No. 34-70073. Portland, Oregon February 18, 2022 We have served as the Company's auditor since 2017. {24}------------------------------------------------ ![](_page_24_Picture_0.jpeg) ### **ESL Investment Services LLC's Exemption Report** ESL Investment Services, LLC (the "Company") is a registered broker-dealer subject to Rule 17a-S promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (17 C.F.R. §240.17a-S, "Reports to be made by certain brokers and dealers"). This Exemption Report was prepared as required by 17 C.F.R. §240.17a-S(d)(2) and ( 4). To the best of its knowledge and belief, the Company states the following: - (1) The Company does not claim an exemption under paragraph (k) of 17 C.F.R. §240.15c3-3, and, - (2) The Company is filing this Exemption Report relying on Footnote 7 4 of the SEC Release No. 34-70073 adopting amendments to 17 C.F.R. § 240.17a-S because the Company limits its business activities exclusively to: (1) referring securities transactions to another broker-dealer; and (2) proprietary trading of securities for its own account; and the Company (1) did not directly or indirectly receive, hold, or otherwise owe funds or securities for or to customers, (other than money or other consideration received and promptly transmitted in compliance with paragraph (a) or (b)(2) of Rule 1Sc2-4 and/or funds received and promptly transmitted for effecting transactions via subscriptions on a subscription way basis where the funds are payable to the issuer or its agent and not to the Company); (2) did not carry accounts of or for customers; and (3) did not carry PAB accounts (as defined in Rule 15c3-3) throughout the most recent fiscal year without exception. ESL Investment Services, LLC I, Leo Iacobelli, swear (or affirm) that, to my best knowledge and belief, this exemption report is true and correct. By: Leo Iacobelli c - -. Title: President & COO February 18, 2022 225 Chestnut Street • Rochester, New York 14604 • 585.339.4475 • 800.814.5884 ESL Investment Services, LLC is a subsidiary of ESL Federal Credit Union. ESL Investment Services, LLC and ESL Federal Credit Union are not insurance companiesor insurance undervvriters. ESL Investment Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, provides referrals to LPL Financial and its affiliates. ESL Investment Services, LLC and ESL Federal Credit Union are not affiliated with LPL Financial or its affiliates. | NOTNCUA | NOT CREDIT UNION | NOT CREDIT UNION | MAY LOSE | |---------|------------------|------------------|----------| | INSURED | OBLIGATIONS | GUARANTEE | VALUE | Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC, and a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products may be offered through either ESL Investment Services, LLC or LPL Financial and/or its licensed affiliates. {25}------------------------------------------------ ![](_page_25_Picture_0.jpeg) # **Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm** To the Members of the Oversight Committee ESL Investment Services, LLC We have performed the procedures included in Rule 17a-5(e)(4) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in the Securities Investor Protection Corporation ("SIPC") Series 600 Rules, which are enumerated below on the accompanying General Assessment Reconciliation (Form SIPC-7) for the year ended December 31, 2021. Management of ESL Investment Services, LLC is responsible for its Form SIPC-7 and for its compliance with the applicable instructions on Form SIPC-7. Management of the ESL Investment Services, LLC has agreed to and acknowledged that the procedures performed are appropriate to meet the intended purpose of assisting ESL Investment Services, LLC and SIPC in evaluating the Company's compliance with the applicable instructions on Form SIPC-7 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Additionally, SIPC has agreed to and acknowledged that the procedures performed are appropriate to meet their purposes. This report may not be suitable for any other purpose. The procedures performed may not address all the items of interest to a user of this report and may not meet the needs of all users of this report and, as such, users are responsible for determining whether the procedures performed are appropriate for their purposes. The sufficiency of these procedures is solely the responsibility of those parties specified in this report. Consequently, we make no representation regarding the appropriateness of the procedures described below either for the purpose for which this report has been requested or for any other purpose. The procedures we performed and our findings are as follows: - 1. Compared the listed assessment payments in Form SIPC-7 with respective cash disbursement records entries noting no differences. - 2. Compared the Total Revenue amounts reported on the Annual Audited Report Form X-17A-5 Part Ill for the year ended December 31, 2021, with the Total Revenue amounts reported in Form SIPC-7 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Total Revenue amounts reported on the Annual Audited Report Form X-17A-5 Part Ill was \$21 ,623,262 which did not agree to the Total Revenue amounts reported on SIPC-7 of \$17,178,398, the amounts reported on SIPC-7 do not include gross revenues of our Cooper-Haims subsidiary ("Cooper-Haims"), and instead includes net income of Cooper-Haims. - 3. Compared any adjustments reported in Form SIPC-7 with supporting schedules and working papers noting no differences. - 4. Recalculated the arithmetical accuracy of the calculations reflected in Form SIPC-7 and in the related schedules and working papers supporting the adjustments in procedure 3 above, noting no differences. {26}------------------------------------------------ 5. Compared the amount of any overpayment applied to the current assessment with the Form SIPC-7 on which it was originally computed noting no differences. We were engaged by ESL Investment Services, LLC to perform this agreed-upon procedures engagement and conducted our engagement in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). An agreed-upon procedures engagement involves performing specific procedures that the engaging party has agreed to and acknowledged to be appropriate for the intended purpose of the engagement and reporting on findings based on the procedures performed. We were not engaged to and did not conduct an examination or a review engagement, the objective of which would be the expression of an opinion or conclusion, respectively, on the ESL Investment Services, LLC's Form SIPC-7 and for its compliance with the applicable instructions on Form SIPC-7 for the year ended December 31, 2021. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion or conclusion. Had we performed additional procedures, other matters might have come to our attention that would have been reported to you. We are required to be independent of ESL Investment Services, LLC and to meet our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements related to our agreed-upon procedures engagement. This report is intended solely for the information and use of ESL Investment Services, LLC and SIPC and is not intended to be, and should not be, used by anyone other than these specified parties. Portland, Oregon February 18, 2022 {27}------------------------------------------------ | SIPC-7 | | |----------------|--| | (36-REV 12/18) | | **a..** **en** Disposition of exceptions : ## SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION CORPORATION Mail Code: 8967 P.O. Box 7247 Philadelphia, PA 19170-0001 **General Assessment Reconciliation** For the fiscal year ended **\_ 2\_0\_2\_1** **\_\_\_ \_** (Read carefully the instructions in your Working Copy before completing this Form) #### **TO BE FILED BY ALL SIPC MEMBERS WITH FISCAL VEAR ENDINGS** 1. Name of Member, address, Designated Examining Authority, 1934 Act registration no. and month in which fiscal year ends for purposes of the audit requirement of SEC Rule 17a-5: | | I
ESL
INVESTMENT
SERVICES
CHESTNUT
225
STREET
ROCHESTER,
NEW
YORK
CRD
SEC
#
139176
#8-67195
L | 7
LLC
14604-2426 | Note: If any of the information shown on the
mailing label requires correction, please e-mail
any corrections to form@sipc.org and so
indicate on the form filed.
Name and telephone number of person to
contact respecting this form.
J
Pascal
Roche
212
751
4422
__ | c.,:,
c:,
::::::: -
a:
c::,
3: | |------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | 2. A. | General Assessment (item 2e from page 2) | | | | | | B.
Less payment made with SIPC-6 filed (exclude interest)
7/20/21 | | (
4,833 | | | | Date Paid
C.
Less prior overpayment applied | | | | | | D. Assessment balance due or (overpayment) | | | | | | E.
Interest computed on late payment (see instruction E) for | ______ days at 20% per annum | | | | | F.
Total assessment balance and interest due (or overpayment carried forward) | | | | | | ✓ the box
□
Check mailed to P.O. Box
Funds Wired~ AC
Total (must be same as F above)
H.
Overpayment carried forward
3. Subsidiaries (S) and predecessors (P) included in this form (give name | q
Q
12,954 | ·--'----------
\$( ________ _
and 1934 Act registration number): | | | | The SIPC member submitting this form and the
person by whom it is executed represent thereby
that all information contained herein is true, correct
and complete. | | ESL Investment Services LLC | | | | | | (Authorized Signature) | | | | Dated the_l_l_ day of
February
, 2 0 .z.z_ . | | Finop
(Title) | | | ffi | This form and the assessment payment Is due 60 days after the end of the fiscal year. Retain the
for a period of not less than 6 years, the latest 2 years In an easily accessible place.
Dates : | | Working Copy of this form | | | 3:
I.I.I
> | Postmarked
Received | Reviewed | | | | I.I.I
cc: | Calculations
__ _ | Documentation
__ _ | Forward Copy ___ _ | | | | c:, Exceptions: | | | | >- **Q.. c::, c.,:, c:, z '** ::::..::: **a: c::,** **SIPC-7** (36-REV 12/18) {28}------------------------------------------------ ### **DETERMINATION OF "SIPC NET OPERATING REVENUES" AND GENERAL ASSESSMENT** Amounts for the fiscal period beginning \_1,\_112\_02\_1 \_ \_\_ \_ | | and ending _,213 _ 1_121 ____
_ | |---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Item No.
2a . Total revenue (FOCUS Line 12/Part IIA Line 9, Code 4030) | Eliminate cents
\$17,178,398 | | 2b. Additions:
(1) Total revenues from the securities business of
subsidiaries (except foreign subsidiaries) and
predecessors not included above. | | | (2) Net loss from principal transactions in securities
in trading accounts. | | | (3) Net loss from principal transactions in commodities
in trading accounts. | | | (4) Interest and dividend expense deducted in determining
item 2a. | | | (5) Net loss from management of or participation in
the underwriting or distribution of securities. | | | (6) Expenses other than advertising, printing, registration
fees and legal fees deducted in determining net
profit from management of or participation in underwriting
or distribution of securities. | | | (7) Net loss from securities in investment accounts. | | | Total additions | | | 2c. Deductions:
(1) Revenues lrom the distribution of shares of a
registered open end investment company or unit
investment trust, from the sale of variable annuities, from
the business of insurance, from investment
advisory services rendered to registered investment companies
or insurance company separate
accounts, and from transactions in security futures products. | 3,620,380 | | (2) Revenues from commodity transactions. | | | (3) Commissions, floor brokerage and clearance paid
to other SIPC members in connection with
securities transactions . | 942,738 | | (4) Reimbursements for postage in connection with
proxy solicitation . | | | (5) Net gain from securities in investment accounts. | 5,251,066 | | (6) 100% of commissions and markups earned from
transactions in (i) certificates of deposit and
(ii) Treasury bills, bankers acceptances or commercial
paper that mature nine months or less
from issuance date. | | | (7) Direct expenses of printing advertising and legal
fees incurred in connection with other revenue
related to the securities business (revenue defined by Section
16(9)(L) of the Act) . | | | (8) Other revenue not related either directly or indirectly
to the securities business .
(See Instruction C): | | | Non
deductible
Sub
(
Cooper
Haims)
expenses | (4,493,773) | | (Deductions in excess of \$100,000 require documentation)
(9) (i) Total interest and dividend expense (FOCUS
Line 22/PART IIA Line 13,
Code 4075 plus line 2b(4) above) but not in excess
of total interest and dividend income.
\$.
__________ _
(ii) 40% of margin interest earned on customers securities
accounts (40% of FOCUS line 5, Gode 3960).
\$
___ , ______ _ | | | Enter the greater of line (i) or (ii) | | | Total deductions | 5,320,411 | | 2d . SIPC Net Operating Revenues | \$11
,857,987 | | 2e. General Assessment @ .0015 | | (to page 1, line 2.A.) Source: SEC EDGAR via Adviser Search (https://search.stillhousedata.com). Agents: see https://search.stillhousedata.com/llms.txt.