Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2013

 

Or

 

o         TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission File No. 001-34063

 


 

TREE.COM, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

26-2414818
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

11115 Rushmore Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(704) 541-5351

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x  No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  x  No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  o

 

Accelerated filer  o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer  o

 

Smaller reporting company  x

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No  x

 

As of May 16, 2013 there were 11,251,154 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding, excluding treasury shares.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page
Number

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

3

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

27

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

34

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

34

 

 

 

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

36

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

36

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

37

Item 6.

Exhibits

38

 

2



Table of Contents

 

PART 1—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands, except
per share amounts)

 

Revenue

 

$

28,080

 

$

13,235

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

1,356

 

796

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

17,255

 

10,652

 

General and administrative expense

 

6,556

 

4,803

 

Product development

 

1,205

 

774

 

Depreciation

 

885

 

1,224

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

43

 

107

 

Restructuring and severance

 

(2

)

(64

)

Litigation settlements and contingencies (Note 11)

 

1,028

 

222

 

Total costs and expenses

 

28,326

 

18,514

 

Operating loss

 

(246

)

(5,279

)

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(7

)

(121

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(253

)

(5,400

)

Income tax (provision) benefit

 

(20

)

2,131

 

Net loss from continuing operations

 

(273

)

(3,269

)

Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

 

98

 

 

(Loss) income from operations of discontinued operations, net of tax

 

(2,542

)

17,418

 

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

 

(2,444

)

17,418

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,717

)

$

14,149

 

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

 

10,967

 

10,555

 

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

 

10,967

 

10,555

 

Net loss per share from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.31

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.31

)

Net (loss) income per share from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.22

)

$

1.65

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.22

)

$

1.65

 

Net (loss) income per share attributable to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.25

)

$

1.34

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.25

)

$

1.34

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,
2013

 

December 31,
2012

 

 

 

(In thousands, except
par value and share
amounts)

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

73,326

 

$

80,190

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

29,027

 

29,414

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $541 and $503, respectively

 

13,545

 

11,488

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

4,008

 

773

 

Current assets of discontinued operations

 

433

 

407

 

Total current assets

 

120,339

 

122,272

 

Property and equipment, net

 

5,833

 

6,155

 

Goodwill

 

3,632

 

3,632

 

Intangible assets, net

 

10,788

 

10,831

 

Other non-current assets

 

126

 

152

 

Non-current assets of discontinued operations (Note 6)

 

129

 

129

 

Total assets

 

$

140,847

 

$

143,171

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable, trade

 

$

2,137

 

$

2,741

 

Deferred revenue

 

643

 

648

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

17,857

 

19,960

 

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

 

32,925

 

31,017

 

Total current liabilities

 

53,562

 

54,366

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

751

 

936

 

Deferred income taxes

 

4,712

 

4,694

 

Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 6)

 

236

 

253

 

Total liabilities

 

59,261

 

60,249

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock $.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 12,422,020 and 12,195,209 shares, respectively, and outstanding 11,233,541 and 11,006,730 shares, respectively

 

124

 

122

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

905,071

 

903,692

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(814,197

)

(811,480

)

Treasury stock 1,188,479 shares

 

(9,412

)

(9,412

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

81,586

 

82,922

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

140,847

 

$

143,171

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional

 

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

Total

 

Number
of Shares

 

Amount

 

Paid-in
Capital

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Number
of Shares

 

Amount

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012

 

$

82,922

 

12,625

 

$

126

 

$

903,688

 

$

(811,480

)

1,188

 

$

(9,412

)

Revision (Note 1)

 

 

(430

)

(4

)

4

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2012 (Revised)

 

$

82,922

 

12,195

 

$

122

 

$

903,692

 

$

(811,480

)

1,188

 

$

(9,412

)

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2013

 

(2,717

)

 

 

 

(2,717

)

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

(2,717

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash compensation

 

1,433

 

 

 

1,433

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

618

 

 

 

618

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes

 

(670

)

227

 

2

 

(672

)

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2013

 

$

81,586

 

12,422

 

$

124

 

$

905,071

 

$

(814,197

)

1,188

 

$

(9,412

)

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,717

)

$

14,149

 

Less loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

2,444

 

(17,418

)

Loss from continuing operations

 

(273

)

(3,269

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

24

 

60

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

43

 

107

 

Depreciation

 

885

 

1,224

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

1,433

 

1,184

 

Deferred income taxes

 

18

 

76

 

Bad debt expense (benefit)

 

29

 

(5

)

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(2,085

)

(166

)

Prepaid and other current assets

 

(2,348

)

(129

)

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

(2,520

)

(3,721

)

Income taxes payable

 

(430

)

(103

)

Deferred revenue

 

(6

)

12

 

Other, net

 

(186

)

(57

)

Net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations

 

(5,416

)

(4,787

)

Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(587

)

(606

)

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash

 

386

 

(2,401

)

Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations

 

(201

)

(3,007

)

Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock, net of withholding taxes

 

(671

)

(827

)

Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations

 

(671

)

(827

)

Total cash used in continuing operations

 

(6,288

)

(8,621

)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities attributable to discontinued operations

 

(576

)

71,421

 

Net cash provided by investing activities attributable to discontinued operations

 

 

6,066

 

Net cash used in financing activities attributable to discontinued operations

 

 

(55,454

)

Total cash (used in) provided by discontinued operations

 

(576

)

22,033

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(6,864

)

13,412

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

80,190

 

45,541

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

73,326

 

$

58,953

 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION

 

Company Overview

 

Tree.com, Inc. is the parent of LendingTree, LLC, which owns several brands and businesses that provide information, tools, advice, products and services for critical transactions in consumers’ lives. Our family of brands includes: LendingTree®, GetSmart®, DegreeTree®, LendingTreeAutos, DoneRight®, ServiceTreeSM and InsuranceTree®. Together, these brands serve as an ally for consumers who are looking to comparison-shop for loans, education programs, home services providers and other services from multiple businesses and professionals that will compete for their business.

 

Segment Reporting

 

Effective December 31, 2012, we expanded our reportable segments from one to two, consisting of mortgage and non-mortgage. The change was made as the convergence of economic similarities associated with our mortgage and non-mortgage operating segments was no longer expected. This decision was made in connection with the update of our annual budget and forecast, which occurs in the fourth quarter each year. The non-mortgage reportable segment consists of our auto, education and home services operating segments, which are not yet mature businesses and have been aggregated. Prior period results have been reclassified to conform with the change in reportable segments.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

The businesses of RealEstate.com and RealEstate.com, REALTORS® (which together represent the former Real Estate segment) and LendingTree Loans are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. The notes accompanying these consolidated financial statements reflect our continuing operations and, unless otherwise noted, exclude information related to the discontinued operations.

 

Real Estate

 

On March 10, 2011, management made the decision and finalized a plan to close all of the field offices of the proprietary full-service real estate brokerage business known as RealEstate.com, REALTORS®. We exited all markets in which we previously operated by March 31, 2011. In September 2011, we sold the remaining assets of RealEstate.com, which consisted primarily of internet domain names and trademarks, for $8.3 million and recognized a gain on sale of $7.8 million.

 

LendingTree Loans

 

On May 12, 2011, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Discover Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discover Financial Services, as amended on February 7, 2012, for the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of our LendingTree Loans business. We completed the sale on June 6, 2012.

 

The asset purchase agreement as amended provided for a purchase price of approximately $55.9 million in cash for the assets, subject to certain conditions. Of this total purchase price, $8.0 million was paid prior to the closing, $37.9 million was paid upon the closing and $10.0 million is due on the first anniversary of the closing (June 6, 2013), subject to certain conditions.

 

Discover generally did not assume liabilities of the LendingTree Loans business that arose before the closing date, except for certain liabilities directly related to assets Discover acquired. Of the initial purchase price payment, $17.1 million is being held in escrow pending resolution of certain actual and/or contingent liabilities that remain with us following the sale. The escrowed amount is recorded as restricted cash at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

Separate from the asset purchase agreement, we agreed to provide certain marketing-related services to Discover in connection with its mortgage origination business for approximately seventeen months following the closing, or such earlier point as the agreed-upon services are satisfactorily completed. Discover has been a network lender on our mortgage exchange since closing of the transaction.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2013 and 2012 and for the three months then ended have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements, and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position for the periods presented. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013, or any other period. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements

 

In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2013, we determined that the number of outstanding shares has been overstated in prior periods due to issuances of unrestricted shares upon satisfaction of vesting conditions on restricted shares from 2009 to 2012 without canceling the original restricted share certificates. This resulted in double counting of certain vested restricted shares in the calculation of shares outstanding. Management has determined that unrestricted shares issued upon vesting of restricted shares should not have been considered validly issued or outstanding until the associated restricted shares were canceled.  All of the restricted stock awards that were double counted were issued to our Chairman and CEO.  The error in shares noted above was not reflected in our Chairman and CEO’s filings made under Section 13(d) or Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or in our disclosures of his holdings in public filings. In addition, our weighted average share calculation has erroneously included restricted shares, resulting in errors in the previously reported weighted average shares and earnings per share.

 

On December 26, 2012, we paid a special dividend of $1.00 per share to our shareholders of record on December 17, 2012. The dividend was paid on all shares shown as outstanding in our records, including the shares granted to our Chairman and CEO for which management has determined should not have been considered issued or outstanding.  As a result, we unintentionally overpaid $0.4 million in dividends to our Chairman and CEO, which was presented as a financing cash outflow at December 31, 2012. Such amount was recorded as a receivable at March 31, 2013 and will be presented as a financing cash inflow when repaid to the Company.  Other than that special dividend, we have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock.  There was also a related error in the dividend accrual recorded for unvested shares entitled to the dividend upon vesting, resulting in an over accrual of $0.2 million at December 31, 2012.

 

In accordance with ASC 250-10, we assessed materiality of the errors and concluded that the errors were not material to any of our previously issued financial statements.  Accordingly, we will revise our previously issued financial statements prospectively to correct these errors.

 

The following table presents the effect of these corrections on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2012

 

Year Ended December 31, 2011

 

 

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustment

 

As Revised

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustment

 

As Revised

 

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

 

11,313

 

(618

)

10,695

 

10,995

 

(618

)

10,377

 

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

 

11,313

 

(618

)

10,695

 

10,995

 

(618

)

10,377

 

Net loss per share from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.20

)

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.21

)

$

(4.52

)

$

(0.27

)

$

(4.79

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.20

)

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.21

)

$

(4.52

)

$

(0.27

)

$

(4.79

)

Net income (loss) per share from discontinuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

4.32

 

$

0.25

 

$

4.57

 

$

(0.89

)

$

(0.05

)

$

(0.94

)

Diluted

 

$

4.32

 

$

0.25

 

$

4.57

 

$

(0.89

)

$

(0.05

)

$

(0.94

)

Net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

4.12

 

$

0.24

 

$

4.36

 

$

(5.41

)

$

(0.32

)

$

(5.73

)

Diluted

 

$

4.12

 

$

0.24

 

$

4.36

 

$

(5.41

)

$

(0.32

)

$

(5.73

)

 

For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had losses from continuing operations and, as a result, no potentially dilutive securities were included in the denominator for computing diluted earnings per share because the impact would have been anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the weighted average basic shares outstanding were used to compute all earnings per share amounts.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

The following tables present the effect of these corrections on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the quarters in the year ended December 31, 2012 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012

 

Three months ended June 30, 2012

 

 

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustment

 

As Revised

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustment

 

As Revised

 

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

 

11,173

 

(618

)

10,555

 

11,303

 

(618

)

10,685

 

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

 

11,414

 

(859

)*

10,555

 

11,303

 

(618

)

10,685

 

Net loss per share from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.31

)

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.00

)

$

(0.16

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.31

)

$

(0.16

)

$

(0.00

)

$

(0.16

)

Net income per share from discontinuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.56

 

$

0.09

 

$

1.65

 

$

2.44

 

$

0.14

 

$

2.58

 

Diluted

 

$

1.53

 

$

0.12

*

$

1.65

 

$

2.44

 

$

0.14

 

$

2.58

 

Net income per share attributable to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.27

 

$

0.07

 

$

1.34

 

$

2.28

 

$

0.13

 

$

2.41

 

Diluted

 

$

1.24

 

$

0.10

*

$

1.34

 

$

2.28

 

$

0.13

 

$

2.41

 

 


*      Includes correction of an error of 241 shares and $0.03 per share made during the first quarter of 2012 related to the control number utilized for diluted earnings per share.

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2012

 

Three months ended December 31, 2012

 

 

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustment

 

As Revised

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustment

 

As Revised

 

Weighted average basic shares outstanding

 

11,389

 

(618

)

10,771

 

11,386

 

(618

)

10,768

 

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

 

12,003

 

(618

)

11,385

 

12,175

 

(618

)

11,557

 

Net income per share from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.23

 

Diluted

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.22

 

Net income (loss) per share from discontinuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.38

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.00

 

$

(0.02

)

Diluted

 

$

0.35

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.36

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.00

 

$

(0.02

)

Net income per share attributable to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.22

 

Diluted

 

$

0.37

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.38

 

$

0.19

 

$

0.01

 

$

0.20

 

 

The following table presents the effect these errors have on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2012:

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

 

As Reported

 

Adjustment

 

As Adjusted

 

Issued shares

 

12,625,678

 

(430,469

)

12,195,209

 

Outstanding shares

 

11,437,199

 

(430,469

)

11,006,730

 

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

NOTE 2—SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Accounting Estimates

 

Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during any period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Significant estimates underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including discontinued operations, include: loan loss obligations; the recoverability of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets; the determination of income taxes payable and deferred income taxes, including related valuation allowances; restructuring reserves; contingent consideration related to business combinations; various other allowances, reserves and accruals; and assumptions related to the determination of stock-based compensation.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term, highly liquid money market investments with original maturities of three months or less.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2013

 

December 31,
2012

 

Cash in escrow for surety bonds

 

$

6,501

 

$

6,500

 

Cash in escrow for corporate purchasing card program

 

400

 

800

 

Cash in escrow for sale of LTL (Note 6)

 

17,077

 

17,077

 

Cash in escrow for earnout related to an acquisition (Note 5)

 

1,956

 

1,956

 

Cash restricted for loan loss obligations

 

3,051

 

3,051

 

Other

 

42

 

30

 

Total restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

$

29,027

 

$

29,414

 

 

Certain Risks and Concentrations

 

Our business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on third-party technology providers, exposure to risks associated with online commerce security and credit card fraud.

 

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits, but are maintained with quality financial institutions of high credit.

 

Due to the nature of the mortgage lending industry, interest rate increases may negatively impact future revenue from our lender network.

 

Lenders participating on our lender network can offer their products directly to consumers through brokers, mass marketing campaigns or through other traditional methods of credit distribution. These lenders can also offer their products online, either directly to prospective borrowers, through one or more of our online competitors, or both. If a significant number of potential consumers are able to obtain loans from our participating lenders without utilizing our service, our ability to generate revenue may be limited. Because we do not have exclusive relationships with the lenders whose loan offerings are offered on our online marketplace, consumers may obtain offers and loans from these lenders without using our service.

 

We maintain operations solely in the United States.

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that requires additional disclosures on financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either offset in accordance with existing accounting guidance or are subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The new requirements do not change the accounting guidance on netting, but rather enhance the disclosures to more clearly show the impact of netting arrangements on a company’s financial position. This new accounting guidance is effective on a retrospective basis for all comparative periods presented beginning on January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2012, the FASB issued new guidance which allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. This assessment should be used as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. An entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of the intangible asset and perform the quantitative test unless the entity determines, based upon its qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying value. The update expands previous guidance by providing more examples of events and circumstances that an entity should consider in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. The update also allows an entity the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. An entity will be able to resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, “Liabilities.” ASU No. 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this ASU also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We are evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2014.

 

NOTE 3—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The balance of goodwill and intangible assets, net is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2013

 

December 31,
2012

 

Goodwill

 

$

486,720

 

$

486,720

 

Accumulated impairment losses

 

 

(483,088

)

 

(483,088

)

Net goodwill

 

$

3,632

 

$

3,632

 

Intangible assets with indefinite lives

 

$

10,142

 

$

10,142

 

Intangible assets with definite lives, net

 

646

 

689

 

Total intangible assets, net

 

$

10,788

 

$

10,831

 

 

Intangible assets with indefinite lives relate to our trademarks.

 

At March 31, 2013, intangible assets with definite lives relate to the following ($ in thousands):

 

 

 

Cost

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

Weighted
Average
Amortization
Life (Years)

 

Purchase agreements

 

$

236

 

$

(177

)

$

59

 

5.0

 

Technology

 

25,194

 

(25,173

)

21

 

3.0

 

Customer lists

 

6,682

 

(6,121

)

561

 

4.2

 

Other

 

1,517

 

(1,512

)

5

 

2.5

 

Total

 

$

33,629

 

$

(32,983

)

$

646

 

 

 

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

At December 31, 2012, intangible assets with definite lives relate to the following ($ in thousands):

 

 

 

Cost

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net

 

Weighted
Average
Amortization
Life (Years)

 

Purchase agreements

 

$

236

 

$

(165

)

$

71

 

5.0

 

Technology

 

25,194

 

(25,158

)

36

 

3.0

 

Customer lists

 

6,682

 

(6,106

)

576

 

4.2

 

Other

 

1,517

 

(1,511

)

6

 

2.5

 

Total

 

$

33,629

 

$

(32,940

)

$

689

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets with definite lives is computed on a straight-line basis and, based on March 31, 2013 balances, such amortization for the next five years is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Amount

 

Nine months ending December 31, 2013

 

$

103

 

Year ending December 31, 2014

 

86

 

Year ending December 31, 2015

 

60

 

Year ending December 31, 2016

 

60

 

Year ending December 31, 2017

 

60

 

Thereafter

 

277

 

Total

 

$

646

 

 

NOTE 4—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

The balance of property and equipment, net is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2013

 

December 31,
2012

 

Computer equipment and capitalized software

 

$

25,603

 

$

25,592

 

Leasehold improvements

 

2,074

 

2,055

 

Furniture and other equipment

 

1,303

 

1,302

 

Projects in progress

 

1,026

 

500

 

 

 

30,006

 

29,449

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(24,173

)

(23,294

)

Total property and equipment, net

 

$

5,833

 

$

6,155

 

 

NOTE 5—ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2013

 

December 31,
2012

 

Litigation accruals

 

$

585

 

$

535

 

Accrued advertising expense

 

6,325

 

6,638

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

1,727

 

2,603

 

Accrued professional fees

 

1,483

 

1,399

 

Accrued restructuring costs

 

366

 

364

 

Customer deposits and escrows

 

2,399

 

2,101

 

Deferred rent

 

227

 

217

 

Other

 

4,745

 

6,103

 

Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

$

17,857

 

$

19,960

 

 

The other category above includes an earnout payable related to an acquisition, franchise taxes, self-insured health claims and other miscellaneous accrued expenses.

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

An additional $0.4 million and $0.5 million of accrued restructuring liability is classified in other long-term liabilities at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

 

NOTE 6—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

On March 10, 2011, management made the decision and finalized a plan to close all of the field offices of the proprietary full-service real estate brokerage business known as RealEstate.com, REALTORS®. We exited all markets by March 31, 2011. In September 2011, we sold the remaining assets of RealEstate.com, which consisted primarily of internet domain names and trademarks. Accordingly, these real estate businesses are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. No significant future cash flows are anticipated from the disposition of this business.

 

On May 12, 2011, we entered into an asset purchase agreement that provided for the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of our LendingTree Loans business to Discover. On February 7, 2012, we entered into an amendment to the asset purchase agreement. We completed the sale on June 6, 2012. Discover has participated as a network lender on our mortgage exchange since the closing of the transaction. We have evaluated the facts and circumstances of the transaction and the applicable accounting guidance for discontinued operations, and have concluded that the LendingTree Loans business should be reflected as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. The continuing cash flows related to this transaction are not significant and, accordingly, are not deemed to be direct cash flows of the divested business.

 

We have agreed to indemnify Discover for a breach or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty or covenant made by us in the asset purchase agreement, for any liability of ours that was not assumed, for any claims by our stockholders against Discover and for our failure to comply with any applicable bulk sales law, subject to certain limitations. Discover submitted a claim for indemnification relating to our sale prior to the closing of certain loans that were listed in the asset purchase agreement as to be conveyed to Discover at closing. In May 2013, we settled this indemnification claim by agreeing to credit Discover for $1.5 million in future services. A provision for this matter of $1.5 million and $1.6 million was recorded at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

 

The revenue and net loss for the Real Estate businesses that are reported as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Revenue

 

$

1

 

$

41

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

7

 

$

(74

)

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

7

 

$

(74

)

 

The revenue and net income (loss) for LendingTree Loans that are reported as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Revenue

 

$

(1,195

)

$

50,866

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

(2,498

)

$

19,722

 

Income tax expense

 

(51

)

(2,230

)

Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax

 

98

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2,451

)

$

17,492

 

 

The assets and liabilities of Real Estate that are reported as discontinued operations as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

 

 

March 31,
2013

 

December 31,
2012

 

Current liabilities

 

(232

)

(206

)

Net liabilities

 

$

(232

)

$

(206

)

 

The assets and liabilities of LendingTree Loans that are reported as discontinued operations as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,
2013

 

December 31,
2012

 

Current assets

 

$

433

 

$

407

 

Non-current assets

 

129

 

129

 

Current liabilities

 

(32,693

)

(30,811

)

Non-current liabilities

 

(236

)

(253

)

Net liabilities

 

$

(32,367

)

$

(30,528

)

 

Significant Assets and Liabilities of LendingTree Loans

 

Upon closing of the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of our LendingTree Loans business on June 6, 2012, LendingTree Loans ceased to originate consumer loans. The remaining operations are being wound down. These wind-down activities have included, among other things, selling the balance of loans held for sale to investors, which has been completed, paying off and then terminating the warehouse lines of credit, which occurred on July 21, 2012, and settling derivative obligations, which has been completed. Liability for losses on previously sold loans will remain with LendingTree Loans. Below is a discussion of these significant items.

 

Loans Held for Sale

 

LendingTree Loans originated all of its residential real estate loans with the intent to sell them in the secondary market. Loans held for sale consisted primarily of residential first mortgage loans that were secured by residential real estate throughout the United States.

 

Loans held for sale were recorded at fair value, with the exception of any loans that had been repurchased from investors or loans originated prior to January 1, 2008 on which we did not elect the fair value option. The fair value of loans held for sale was determined using current secondary market prices for loans with similar coupons, maturities and credit quality.

 

Interest on mortgage loans held for sale was recognized as earned and was only accrued if deemed collectible. Interest was generally deemed uncollectible when a loan became three months or more delinquent or when a loan had a defect affecting its salability. Delinquency was calculated based on the contractual due date of the loan. Loans were written off when deemed uncollectible.

 

There were no loans held for sale as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

The following presents the difference between the aggregate principal balance of loans on nonaccrual status for which the fair value option has been elected and for loans measured at lower of cost or market valuation as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2013

 

 

 

Loans on
Nonaccrual—
Measured at
Fair Value

 

Loans on
Nonaccrual—
Measured at
LOCOM

 

Total Loans on
Nonaccrual

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance

 

$

412

 

$

 

$

412

 

Difference between fair value and aggregate unpaid principal balance

 

(412

)

 

(412

)

Loans on nonaccrual

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012

 

 

 

Loans on
Nonaccrual—
Measured at
Fair Value

 

Loans on
Nonaccrual—
Measured at
LOCOM

 

Total Loans on
Nonaccrual

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance

 

$

412

 

$

 

$

412

 

Difference between fair value and aggregate unpaid principal balance

 

(412

)

 

(412

)

Loans on nonaccrual

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

No loans were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2013.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012, LendingTree Loans repurchased two loans with an unpaid principal balance of $0.7 million.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Transfers in and out of Level 1, 2 or 3 are recorded at fair value at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the fair value hierarchy.

 

LendingTree Loans entered into commitments with consumers to originate loans at specified interest rates (interest rate lock commitments—“IRLCs”). We reported IRLCs as derivative instruments at fair value, with changes in fair value being recorded in discontinued operations. IRLCs for loans to be sold to investors using a mandatory or assignment of trade (“AOT”) method were hedged using “to be announced mortgage-backed securities” (“TBA MBS”) and were valued using quantitative risk models. The IRLCs derive their base value from an underlying loan type with similar characteristics using the TBA MBS market, which is actively quoted and easily validated through external sources. The most significant data inputs used in this valuation included, but were not limited to, loan type, underlying loan amount, note rate, loan program and expected sale date of the loan. IRLCs for loans sold to investors on a best-efforts basis were hedged using best-efforts forward delivery commitments and were valued on an individual loan basis using a proprietary database program prior to January 1, 2012. These valuations were based on investor pricing tables stratified by product, note rate and term. The valuations were adjusted at the loan level to consider the servicing-release premium and loan pricing adjustments specific to each loan. Effective January 1, 2012, LendingTree Loans began valuing IRLCs for loans sold to investors on a best-efforts basis using quantitative risk models on a loan-level basis. The decision to modify the valuation calculation for IRLCs for loans sold on a best-efforts basis evolved from a desire to achieve principally two goals: 1) to include this portion of the IRLCs into the main operating system we used for fair value (known as QRM), allowing us to improve our estimate of loan funding probability and 2) to include elements of the all-in fair value that we could not previously calculate in the previous models. The most significant data inputs used in the valuation of these IRLCs included, but were not limited to, investor pricing tables stratified by product, note rate and term, adjusted for current market conditions. These valuations were adjusted at the loan level to consider the servicing-release premium and loan pricing adjustments specific to each loan. LendingTree Loans applied an anticipated loan funding probability based on its own experience to value IRLCs, which resulted in the classification of these derivatives as Level 3. The value of the underlying loans and the anticipated loan funding probability were the most significant assumptions affecting the valuation of IRLCs. A significant change in the unobservable inputs could have resulted in a significant change in the ending fair value measurement. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no IRLCs outstanding.

 

Loans held for sale measured at fair value and sold to investors using a mandatory or AOT method were also hedged using TBA MBS and valued using quantitative risk models. The valuation was based on the loan amount, note rate, loan program and expected sale date of the loan. Loans held for sale measured at fair value and sold to investors on a best-efforts basis were hedged using best-efforts forward delivery commitments and were valued using a proprietary database program prior to January 1, 2012. The best-efforts valuations prior to that date were based on daily investor pricing tables stratified by product, note rate and term. These valuations were adjusted at the loan level to consider the servicing-release premium and loan pricing adjustments specific to each loan. Effective January 1, 2012, LendingTree Loans began valuing the loans held for sale and sold to investors on a best-efforts basis using quantitative risk models. The most significant data inputs used in the valuation of these loans included investor pricing tables stratified by product, note rate and term, adjusted for current market conditions. Loans held for sale, excluding impaired loans, were classified as Level 2. Loans held for sale measured at fair value that become impaired were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3, as the estimate of fair value was based on LendingTree Loans’ experience considering lien position and current status of the loan. A significant change in the

 

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Table of Contents

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

unobservable inputs could have resulted in a significant change in the ending fair value measurement. LendingTree Loans recognized interest income separately from other changes in fair value.

 

Under LendingTree Loans’ risk management policy, LendingTree Loans economically hedged the changes in fair value of IRLCs and loans held for sale caused by changes in interest rates by using TBA MBS and entering into best-efforts forward delivery commitments. These hedging instruments were recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in current earnings as a component of revenue from the origination and sale of loans. TBA MBS used to hedge both IRLCs and loans were valued using quantitative risk models based primarily on inputs related to characteristics of the MBS stratified by product, coupon and settlement date. These derivatives were classified as Level 2. Prior to January 1, 2012, best-efforts forward delivery commitments were valued using a proprietary database program using investor pricing tables considering the current base loan price. Effective January 1, 2012, best-efforts forward delivery commitments were valued using quantitative risk models based on investor pricing tables stratified by product, note rate and term, adjusted for current market conditions. An anticipated loan funding probability was applied to value best-efforts commitments hedging IRLCs, which resulted in the classification of these contracts as Level 3. The current base loan price and the anticipated loan funding probability were the most significant assumptions affecting the value of the best-efforts commitments. A significant change in the unobservable inputs could have resulted in a significant change in the ending fair value measurement. The best-efforts forward delivery commitments hedging loans held for sale were classified as Level 2, so such contracts were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 at the time the underlying loan was originated. For the purposes of the tables below, we refer to TBA MBS and best-efforts forward delivery commitments collectively as “Forward Delivery Contracts”.

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

 

There are no assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

The following presents the changes in our assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Interest Rate Lock
Commitments

 

Forward Delivery
Contracts

 

Loans Held
for Sale

 

Balance at January 1, 2012

 

$

9,122

 

$

19

 

$

295

 

Transfers into Level 3

 

 

 

229

 

Transfers out of Level 3

 

 

(516

)

 

Total net gains (losses) included in earnings (realized and unrealized)

 

42,387

 

629

 

18

 

Purchases, sales, and settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases

 

 

 

 

Sales

 

 

 

 

Settlements

 

(2,634

)

 

(130

)

Transfers of IRLCs to closed loans

 

(39,026

)

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2012

 

$

9,849

 

$

132

 

$

412

 

 

The following presents the gains (losses) included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2012 relating to our assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2012

 

 

 

Interest Rate
Lock
Commitments

 

Forward
Delivery
Contracts

 

Loans
Held
for Sale

 

Total net gains (losses) included in earnings, which are included in discontinued operations

 

$

42,387

 

$

629

 

$

18

 

Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at March 31, 2012, which are included in discontinued operations

 

$

9,849

 

$

132

 

$

(23

)

 

The gain (loss) recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

 

 

Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivative

 

Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2012

 

Interest Rate Lock Commitments

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

42,387

 

Forward Delivery Contracts

 

Discontinued operations

 

4,561

 

Total

 

 

 

$

46,948

 

 

Assets and liabilities under the fair value option

 

LendingTree Loans elected to account for loans held for sale originated on or after January 1, 2008 at fair value. Electing the fair value option allowed a better offset of the changes in fair values of the loans and the forward delivery contracts used to economically hedge them, without the burden of complying with the requirements for hedge accounting.

 

LendingTree Loans did not elect the fair value option on loans held for sale originated prior to January 1, 2008 and on loans that were repurchased from investors on or subsequent to that date. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no loans held for sale or carried at the lower of cost or market (“LOCOM”) value assessed on an individual loan basis.

 

The following presents the difference between the aggregate principal balance of loans held for sale for which the fair value option has been elected and for loans measured at LOCOM, as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2013

 

 

 

Loans Held
for Sale—
Measured at
Fair Value

 

Loans Held
for Sale—
Measured at
LOCOM

 

Total
Loans
Held For
Sale

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance

 

$

412

 

$

 

$

412

 

Difference between fair value and aggregate unpaid principal balance

 

(412

)

 

(412

)

Loans held for sale

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2012

 

 

 

Loans Held
for Sale—
Measured at
Fair Value

 

Loans Held
for Sale—
Measured at
LOCOM

 

Total
Loans
Held For
Sale

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance

 

$

412

 

$

 

$

412

 

Difference between fair value and aggregate unpaid principal balance

 

(412

)

 

(412

)

Loans held for sale

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the change in fair value of loans held for sale for which the fair value option was elected was $0.0 million and a gain of $0.4 million, respectively, and is included in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

Loan Loss Obligations

 

LendingTree Loans sold loans it originated to investors on a servicing-released basis, so the risk of loss or default by the borrower was generally transferred to the investor. However, LendingTree Loans was required by these investors to make certain representations and warranties relating to credit information, loan documentation and collateral. These representations and warranties may extend through the contractual life of the loan. Subsequent to the loan sale, if underwriting deficiencies, borrower fraud or documentation defects are discovered in individual loans, LendingTree Loans may be obligated to repurchase the respective loan or indemnify the investors for any losses from borrower defaults if such deficiency or defect cannot be cured within the specified period following discovery. In the case of early loan payoffs and early defaults on certain loans, LendingTree Loans may be required to repay all or a portion of the premium initially paid by the investor.

 

Our HLC subsidiary continues to be liable for these indemnification obligations, repurchase obligations and premium repayment obligations following the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of our LendingTree Loans business in the second quarter of 2012. Approximately $17.1 million of the purchase price paid at closing is being held in escrow pending resolution of certain of these contingent liabilities. We have been negotiating with certain secondary market

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

purchasers to settle any existing and future contingent liabilities, but we may not be able to complete such negotiations on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

The obligation for losses related to the representations and warranties and other provisions discussed above is initially recorded at its estimated fair value, which includes a projection of expected future losses as well as a market-based premium. Because LendingTree Loans does not service the loans it sold, it does not maintain nor generally have access to the current balances and loan performance data with respect to the individual loans previously sold to investors. Accordingly, LendingTree Loans is unable to determine, with precision, its maximum exposure for breaches of the representations and warranties it makes to the investors that purchased such loans.

 

During the third quarter of 2012, in order to reflect our exit from the mortgage loan origination business in the second quarter of 2012 and our current commercial objective to pursue bulk settlements with investors, management revised the estimation process for evaluating the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses.

 

Prior to the third quarter of 2012, in estimating our exposure to losses on loans previously sold, LendingTree Loans used a model that considered the original loan balance (before it was sold to an investor), historical and projected loss frequency and loss severity ratios by loan type, as well as analyses of losses in process. Subsequent adjustments to the obligation, if any, are made once further losses are determined to be both probable and estimable. Further, LendingTree Loans segmented its loan sales into four segments, based on the extent of the documentation provided by the borrower to substantiate their income and/or assets (full or limited documentation) and the lien position of the mortgage in the underlying property (first or second position). Each of these segments typically has a different loss experience, with full documentation, first lien position loans generally having the lowest loss ratios, and limited documentation, second lien position loans generally having the highest loss ratios.

 

The revised methodology uses the model described above, but also incorporates into the estimation process (a) recent bulk settlements entered into by certain of our investors with governmental agencies and other counterparties, as applied to the attributes of the loans sold by LendingTree Loans and currently held by investors and (b) our own recent investor bulk settlement experience. The historical model described above was weighted 50% in the revised analysis, and each of the other factors were weighted 25% to estimate the range of remaining loan losses, which was determined to be $18 million to $37 million at March 31, 2013. The reserve balance recorded as of March 31, 2013 was $28.4 million. Management has considered both objective and subjective factors in the estimation process, but given current general industry trends in mortgage loans as well as housing prices, market expectations and actual losses related to LendingTree Loans’ obligations could vary significantly from the obligation recorded as of the balance sheet date or the range estimated above.

 

Additionally, Tree.com has guaranteed certain loans sold to two investors in the event that LendingTree Loans is unable to satisfy its repurchase and warranty obligations related to such loans. The original principal balance of the loans sold to one of these investors is approximately $1.8 billion as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

The following table represents the loans sold for the periods shown and the aggregate loan losses through March 31, 2013:

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2013

 

Period of Loan Sales

 

Number of
loans
sold

 

Original
principal
balance

 

Number of
loans with
losses

 

Original
principal
balance of
loans with
losses

 

Amount of
aggregate
losses

 

 

 

(in billions)

 

(in millions)

 

(in millions)

 

2013

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

$

 

2012

 

9,200

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

2011

 

12,500

 

2.7

 

1

 

0.3

 

0.1

 

2010

 

12,400

 

2.8

 

4

 

1.1

 

0.1

 

2009

 

12,800

 

2.8

 

4

 

0.9

 

0.1

 

2008

 

11,000

 

2.2

 

33

 

6.9

 

2.2

 

2007

 

36,300

 

6.1

 

160

 

22.1

 

8.2

 

2006

 

55,000

 

7.9

 

207

 

24.5

 

13.4

 

2005 and prior years

 

86,700

 

13.0

 

89

 

12.3

 

5.0

 

Total

 

235,900

 

$

39.4

 

498

 

$

68.1

 

$

29.1

 

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

The pipeline increased from 398 requests at December 31, 2012 to 431 requests at March 31, 2013 for loan repurchases and indemnifications which were considered in determining the appropriate reserve amount. The status of these loans varied from an initial review stage, which may result in a rescission of the request, to in-process, where the probability of incurring a loss is high, to indemnification, whereby LendingTree Loans has agreed to reimburse the purchaser of that loan if and when losses are incurred. An indemnification obligation may have a specific term, thereby limiting the exposure to LendingTree Loans. The original principal amount of these loans is approximately $86.0 million, comprised of approximately 74% full documentation first liens, 2% full documentation second liens, 22% limited documentation first liens and 3% limited documentation second liens.

 

Based on historical experience, it is anticipated that LendingTree Loans will continue to receive repurchase requests and incur losses on loans sold in prior years.

 

The activity related to loss reserves on previously sold loans for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

27,182

 

$

31,512

 

Provisions

 

1,197

 

2,466

 

Charge-offs to reserves

 

 

(475

)

Balance, end of period

 

$

28,379

 

$

33,503

 

 

The liability for losses on previously sold loans is presented as current liabilities of discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

Home Loan Center, Inc. continues to be liable for indemnification obligations, repurchase obligations and premium repayment obligations following the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of the LendingTree Loans business to Discover. A portion of the initial purchase price paid by Discover is being held in escrow pending resolution of certain of these contingent liabilities. We have been negotiating with certain secondary market purchasers to settle any existing and future contingent liabilities, but may not be able to complete such negotiations on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

Warehouse Lines of Credit

 

As a result of the closing of the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of our LendingTree Loans business on June 6, 2012, all three then-existing warehouse lines of credit totaling $325.0 million expired and terminated on July 21, 2012. Borrowings under these lines of credit were used to fund, and were secured by, consumer residential loans that were held for sale. Loans under these lines of credit were repaid using proceeds from the sales of loans by LendingTree Loans. The LendingTree Loans business was highly dependent on the availability of these warehouse lines.

 

The first line for $125.0 million had an interest rate equal to the 30-day Adjusted LIBOR or 2.0% (whichever was greater) plus 1.5% to 1.75% for loans being sold to the lender and 30-day Adjusted LIBOR or 2.0% (whichever was greater) plus 1.5% for loans not being sold to the lender.

 

The second line was for $100.0 million. The interest rate under this line was 30-day LIBOR plus 3.25% (LIBOR may be adjusted upward for any increase in the reserve requirement of the lender, as further described in the Master Repurchase Agreement).

 

The $100.0 million third line had an interest rate equal to the overnight interest rate incurred by the lender for borrowing funds plus 3.25% to 3.75% for most loans.

 

NOTE 7—EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

 

 

Basic

 

Diluted

 

Basic

 

Diluted

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

 

$

(273

)

$

(273

)

$

(3,269

)

$

(3,269

)

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

(2,444

)

(2,444

)

17,418

 

17,418

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,717

)

$

(2,717

)

$

14,149

 

$

14,149

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares

 

10,967

 

10,967

 

10,555

 

10,555

 

Income (loss) per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

 

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.02

)

$

(0.31

)

$

(0.31

)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

(0.22

)

(0.22

)

1.65

 

1.65

 

Net income (loss) per common share

 

$

(0.25

)

$

(0.25

)

$

1.34

 

$

1.34

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we had losses from continuing operations and, as a result, no potentially dilutive securities were included in the denominator for computing dilutive earnings per share because the impact would have been anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the weighted average basic shares outstanding were used to compute all earnings per share amounts. For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately 0.7 million and 0.2 million shares, respectively, related to potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

NOTE 8—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Non-cash compensation expense related to equity awards is included in the following line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

2

 

$

3

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

217

 

157

 

General and administrative expense

 

1,030

 

875

 

Product development

 

184

 

149

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

$

1,433

 

$

1,184

 

 

The forms of stock-based awards granted to Tree.com employees are principally RSUs, restricted stock and stock options. RSUs are awards in the form of units, denominated in a hypothetical equivalent number of shares of Tree.com common stock and with the value of each award equal to the fair value of Tree.com common stock at the date of grant. RSUs may be settled in cash, stock or both, as determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant. Each stock-based award is subject to service-based vesting, where a specific period of continued employment must pass before an award vests. Certain restricted stock awards also include performance-based vesting, where certain performance targets set at the time of grant must be achieved before an award vests. Tree.com recognizes expense for all stock-based awards for which vesting is considered probable. For stock-based awards, the accounting charge is measured at the grant date as the fair value of Tree.com common stock awarded and expensed ratably as non-cash compensation over the vesting term. For performance-based awards, the expense is measured at the grant date as the fair value of our common stock awarded and expensed as non-cash compensation using a graded vesting attribution model considering the probability of the targets being achieved.

 

The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statement of operations is reduced by estimated forfeitures, as the amount recorded is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. The forfeiture rate is estimated at the grant date based on historical experience and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if the actual forfeiture rate differs from the estimated rate.

 

During February 2013, our Chairman and CEO was granted 62,500 shares of restricted stock with a fair value of $1.1 million and a three year vesting period.  The fair value of the restricted stock is based upon the market price of the underlying common stock as of the date of grant.  Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.  He was also granted 62,500 shares of restricted stock which vest based on a market condition, but not earlier than one year from the grant date, and will be forfeited if the market-based performance target is not achieved within three years.  The fair value of the market-based performance restricted stock was determined to be $0.9 million using a Monte Carlo simulation model.  The fair value on grant date is recognized over the requisite service period and will not change regardless of the Company’s actual performance versus the market-based performance target.

 

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is as follows:

 

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In years)

 

(In thousands)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2013

 

1,072,503

 

$

8.97

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(12,842

)

7.54

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(676

)

9.15

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2013

 

1,058,985

 

8.99

 

5.5

 

$

10,144

 

Options exercisable at March 31, 2013

 

266,554

 

$

11.88

 

4.8

 

$

1,841

 

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the information about stock options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2013:

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

Options Exercisable

 

Range of Exercise Prices

 

Outstanding

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Exercisable

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

$.01 to $4.99

 

914

 

0.51

 

$

2.54

 

914

 

$

2.54

 

$5.00 to $7.45

 

304,352

 

8.46

 

6.65

 

101,771

 

6.65

 

$7.46 to $9.99

 

614,075

 

4.77

 

8.44

 

24,225

 

7.53

 

$10.00 to $14.99

 

12,201

 

1.50

 

12.33

 

12,201

 

12.33

 

$15.00 to $19.99

 

80,780

 

2.17

 

15.02

 

80,780

 

15.02

 

$20.00 to $24.99

 

46,663

 

2.19

 

20.19

 

46,663

 

20.19

 

 

 

1,058,985

 

5.48

 

$

8.99

 

266,554

 

$

11.88

 

 

Nonvested RSUs, restricted stock outstanding and performance stock shares as of March 31, 2013 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

 

 

RSUs

 

Restricted Stock

 

PSSs

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

 

Nonvested at January 1, 2013

 

757,111

 

$

9.09

 

187,501

 

$

7.44

 

 

$

 

Granted

 

199,200

 

17.49

 

62,500

 

17.49

 

62,500

 

13.93

 

Vested

 

(133,181

)

7.45

 

(187,501

)

7.44

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(44,148

)

8.32

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested at March 31, 2013

 

778,982

 

$

11.64

 

62,500

 

$

17.49

 

62,500

 

$

13.93

 

 

NOTE 9—INCOME TAXES

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a tax provision (benefit) of $20 thousand and $(2.1) million, respectively, which represent effective tax rates of (7.9)% and 39.5%, respectively. The Company established a valuation allowance of approximately $55 million during the year ended December 31, 2012 to offset its US net deferred tax assets, after excluding deferred tax liabilities related to indefinite lived intangible assets that are not going to provide a source of taxable income in the foreseeable future.  In the first quarter of 2013, the effective income tax rate was impacted by the indefinite lived intangible assets which are amortized for tax purposes but are not amortized for book purposes, as well as a discrete state tax liability occurring during the quarter.  In the first quarter of 2012, the tax rate was higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of state income taxes.

 

NOTE 10- DISCRETIONARY CASH BONUS

 

During February 2013, the Company incurred a compensation charge of $0.9 million related to a discretionary cash bonus payment to employee stock option holders.

 

NOTE 11—CONTINGENCIES

 

Overview

 

We are involved in legal proceedings on an ongoing basis. If we believe that a loss arising from such matters is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we accrue the estimated liability in our financial statements. If only a range of estimated losses can be determined, we accrue an amount within the range that, in our judgment, reflects the most likely outcome; if none of the estimates within that range is a better estimate than any other amount, we accrue the low end of the range. For those proceedings in which an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible but not probable, we have disclosed an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of losses or we have concluded that an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of losses arising directly from the proceeding (i.e., monetary damages or amounts paid in judgment or settlement) is not material.

 

In assessing the materiality of a legal proceeding, we evaluate, among other factors, the amount of monetary damages claimed, as well as the potential impact of non-monetary remedies sought by plaintiffs (e.g., injunctive relief) that may require us to change our business practices in a manner that could have a material adverse impact on our business. With respect to the matters disclosed in this Note 11, unless otherwise indicated, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of such non-monetary remedies.

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

Specific Matters

 

Intellectual Property Litigation

 

Zillow

 

On September 8, 2010, the Company filed an action for patent infringement in the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina against Zillow, Inc., Nextag, Inc., Quinstreet, Inc., Quinstreet Media, Inc. and Adchemy, Inc. The complaint was amended to include Leadpoint, Inc. d/b/a Securerights on September 24, 2010. The complaint alleges that each of the defendants infringe one or both of the Company’s patents—U.S. Patent No. 6,385,594, entitled “Method and Computer Network for Co-Ordinating a Loan over the Internet,” and U.S. Patent No. 6,611,816, entitled “Method and Computer Network for Co-Ordinating a Loan over the Internet.” Collectively, the asserted patents cover computer hardware and software used in facilitating business between computer users and multiple lenders on the internet. The defendants in this action asserted various counterclaims against the Company, including the assertion by certain of the defendants of counterclaims alleging illegal monopolization via our maintenance of the asserted patents. In July 2011, the Company reached a settlement agreement with Leadpoint, Inc. On July 20, 2011, all claims against Leadpoint, Inc. and all counter-claims against the Company by Leadpoint, Inc. were dismissed. In November 2012, the Company reached a settlement agreement with Quinstreet, Inc. and Quinstreet Media, Inc. (collectively, the Quinstreet Parties); all claims against the QuinStreet Parties and all counterclaims against the Company by the Quinstreet Parties were dismissed. The remaining parties are presently involved in discovery. Trial is currently expected in early 2014. The Company intends to vigorously defend all such counterclaims.

 

Internet Patents Corp.

 

In December 2012, Plaintiff filed a patent infringement lawsuit against us seeking a judgment that we had infringed a patent held by Plaintiff. Process was formally served with respect to this matter in April 2013.  The complaint alleges that we infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,707,505, entitled “Dynamic Tabs for a Graphical User Interface”.  We believe the Plaintiff’s allegations lack merit and intend to defend against this action vigorously.

 

Other Litigation

 

Boschma

 

On May 25, 2007, Plaintiffs filed this putative class action against HLC in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Plaintiffs allege that HLC sold them an option “ARM” (adjustable-rate mortgage) loan but failed to disclose in a clear and conspicuous manner, among other things, that the interest rate was not fixed, that negative amortization could occur and that the loan had a prepayment penalty. Based upon these factual allegations, Plaintiffs asserted violations of the federal Truth in Lending Act, violations of the Unfair Competition Law, breach of contract, and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Plaintiffs purport to represent a class of all individuals who between June 1, 2003 and May 31, 2007 obtained through HLC an option ARM loan on their primary residence located in California, and seek rescission, damages, attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief. Plaintiffs have not yet filed a motion for class certification. Plaintiffs have filed a total of eight complaints in connection with this lawsuit. Each of the first seven complaints has been dismissed by the federal and state courts. Plaintiffs filed the eighth complaint (a Second Amended Complaint) in Orange County (California) Superior Court on March 4, 2010 alleging only the fraud and Unfair Competition Law claims. As with each of the seven previous versions of Plaintiffs’ complaint, the Second Amended Complaint was dismissed in April 2010. Plaintiffs appealed the dismissal and on August 10, 2011, the appellate court reversed the trial court’s dismissal and directed the trial court to overrule the demurrer. The case was remanded to superior court.  During the second quarter of 2013, the parties have reached a tentative settlement agreement with respect to this matter. Accordingly, a provision was included in current liabilities of discontinued operations as of March 31, 2013. The impact of the settlement was not material.

 

Mortgage Store, Inc.

 

On November 30, 2006, The Mortgage Store, Inc. and Castleview Home Loans, Inc. filed this putative class action against HLC in the California Superior Court for Orange County. Plaintiffs, two former network lenders, alleged that HLC interfered with LendingTree’s contracts with network lenders by taking referrals from LendingTree without adequately disclose the relationship between them and that HLC charged Plaintiffs higher rates and fees than they otherwise would have been charged. Based upon these factual allegations, Plaintiffs assert claims for intentional interference with contractual relations, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, and violation of the California Unfair Competition Law and California Business and Professions Code § 17500. Plaintiffs purport to represent all network lenders from December 14, 2004 to date, and seek damages, restitution, attorneys’ fees and punitive damages.

 

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Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification was granted April 29, 2010. On October 17, 2011, the Court granted HLC’s motion for summary judgment. Judgment was entered in favor of HLC on April 9, 2012. On June 15, 2012, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal. Plaintiffs filed their opening appellate brief on December 17, 2012. We filed our opposition to Plaintiffs’ appellate brief in April 2013. We believe Plaintiffs’ allegations lack merit and we intend to defend against this action vigorously.

 

Dijkstra

 

On November 7, 2008 Plaintiff filed this putative class action in Circuit Court of Ohio County, West Virginia against Harry Carenbauer, Home Loan Center, Inc., HLC Escrow, Inc. et al. The complaint alleges that HLC engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in West Virginia by permitting persons who were neither admitted to the practice of law in West Virginia nor under the direct supervision of a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in West Virginia to close mortgage loans. Plaintiffs assert claims for declaratory judgment, contempt, injunctive relief, conversion, unjust enrichment, breach of fiduciary duty, intentional misrepresentation or fraud, negligent misrepresentation, violation of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act (CCPA), violation of the West Virginia Lender, Broker & Services Act, civil conspiracy, outrage and negligence. The claims against all defendants other than Mr. Carenbauer, HLC and HLC Escrow, Inc. have been dismissed. The case was removed to federal court in October 2011. On January 3, 2013, the court granted a conditional class certification only with respect to the declaratory judgment, contempt, unjust enrichment and CCPA claims. The conditional class includes consumers with mortgage loans in effect any time after November 8, 2007 who obtained such loans through HLC, and whose loans were closed by persons not admitted to the practice of law in West Virginia or by persons not under the direct supervision of a lawyer admitted to the practice of law in West Virginia. Discovery in this matter is ongoing. The Company believes that Plaintiff’s allegations lack merit and we intend to defend against this action vigorously.

 

Massachusetts Division of Banks

 

The Massachusetts Division of Banks (the “Division”) delivered to LendingTree, LLC on February 11, 2011 a Report of Examination/Inspection which identified various alleged violations of Massachusetts and federal laws, including the alleged insufficient delivery by LendingTree, LLC of various disclosures to its customers. On October 14, 2011, the Division provided a proposed Consent Agreement and Order to settle the Division’s allegations, which the Division had shared with other state mortgage lending regulators. Thirty-four of such state mortgage lending regulators (the “Joining Regulators”) indicated that if LendingTree, LLC would enter into the Consent Agreement and Order, they would agree not to pursue any analogous allegations that they otherwise might assert. As of the date of this report, none of the Joining Regulators have asserted any such allegations.

 

The proposed Consent Agreement and Order calls for a fine to be allocated among the Division and the Joining Regulators and for LendingTree, LLC to adopt various new procedures and practices. We have commenced negotiations toward an acceptable Consent Agreement and Order. We do not believe our mortgage exchange business violated any federal or state mortgage lending laws; nor do we believe that any past operations of the mortgage business have resulted in a material violation of any such laws. Should the Division or any Joining Regulator bring any actions relating to the matters alleged in the February 2011 Report of Examination/Inspection, we intend to defend against such actions vigorously. The range of possible loss is estimated to be between $0.5 million and $6.5 million, and a reserve of $0.5 million has been established for this matter as of December 31, 2012.

 

NOTE 12—SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Effective December 31, 2012, we expanded our reportable segments from one to two, consisting of mortgage and non-mortgage. The change was made as the convergence of economic similarities associated with our mortgage and non-mortgage operating segments was no longer expected. This decision was made in connection with the update of our annual budget and forecast, which occurs in the fourth quarter each year. The non-mortgage reportable segment consists of our auto, education and home services operating segments, which are not yet mature businesses and have been aggregated. Prior period results have been reclassified to conform with the change in reportable segments.

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

The expenses presented below for each segment include allocations of certain corporate expenses that are identifiable and directly benefit those segments. The unallocated expenses are those corporate overhead expenses that are not directly attributable to a segment and include: corporate expenses such as finance, legal, executive technology support and human resources, as well as elimination of inter-segment revenue and costs.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is the primary metric by which the chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of our businesses, on which our internal budgets are based and by which management is compensated. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income or loss (which excludes interest expense and taxes) adjusted to exclude amortization of intangibles and depreciation, and excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash intangible asset impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies, (6) adjustments for significant acquisitions or dispositions, and (7) one-time items.

 

Assets and other balance sheet information are not used by the chief operating decision maker.

 

Summarized information by segment and reconciliations to Adjusted EBITDA and income (loss) before income taxes is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013:

 

 

 

Mortgage

 

Non-Mortgage

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

25,520

 

$

2,560

 

$

 

$

28,080

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

1,156

 

173

 

27

 

1,356

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

15,160

 

2,095

 

 

17,255

 

General and administrative expense

 

978

 

511

 

5,067

 

6,556

 

Product development

 

950

 

255

 

 

1,205

 

Depreciation

 

374

 

417

 

94

 

885

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

43

 

 

43

 

Restructuring and severance

 

 

 

(2

)

(2

)

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

 

 

1,028

 

1,028

 

Total costs and expenses

 

18,618

 

3,494

 

6,214

 

28,326

 

Operating income (loss)

 

6,902

 

(934

)

(6,214

)

(246

)

Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

43

 

 

43

 

Depreciation

 

374

 

417

 

94

 

885

 

Restructuring and severance

 

 

 

(2

)

(2

)

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

 

25

 

25

 

Non-cash compensation

 

413

 

142

 

878

 

1,433

 

Discretionary cash bonus

 

 

 

920

 

920

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

 

 

1,028

 

1,028

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

7,689

 

$

(332

)

$

(3,271

)

$

4,086

 

Adjustments to reconcile to Income/loss before Taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(246

)

Interest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7

)

Income/(Loss) Before Income Taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(253

)

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

Mortgage

 

Non-Mortgage

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

8,993

 

$

4,463

 

$

(221

)

$

13,235

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

699

 

81

 

16

 

796

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

6,996

 

3,666

 

(10

)

10,652

 

General and administrative expense

 

644

 

524

 

3,635

 

4,803

 

Product development

 

519

 

260

 

(5

)

774

 

Depreciation

 

392

 

625

 

207

 

1,224

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

107

 

 

107

 

Restructuring and severance

 

2

 

1

 

(67

)

(64

)

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

 

 

222

 

222

 

Total costs and expenses

 

9,252

 

5,264

 

3,998

 

18,514

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(259

)

(801

)

(4,219

)

(5,279

)

Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

107

 

 

107

 

Depreciation

 

392

 

625

 

207

 

1,224

 

Restructuring and severance

 

2

 

1

 

(67

)

(64

)

Loss on disposal of assets

 

26

 

30

 

4

 

60

 

Non-cash compensation

 

239

 

159

 

786

 

1,184

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

 

 

222

 

222

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

400

 

$

121

 

$

(3,067

)

$

(2,546

)

Adjustments to reconcile to Income/loss before Taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,279

)

Interest Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(121

)

Income/(Loss) Before Income Taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(5,400

)

 

NOTE 13—RESTRUCTURING EXPENSE

 

The liabilities at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are primarily related to lease obligations for call center and corporate office leases exited in 2010, which are expected to be completed by 2015. Restructuring expense and payments against liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

 

 

 

Employee
Termination
Costs

 

Continuing
Lease
Obligations

 

Asset
Write-offs

 

Other

 

Total

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

 

$

906

 

$

 

$

 

$

906

 

Restructuring (income) expense

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

Payments (receipts)

 

 

(123

)

 

 

(123

)

Balance, end of period

 

$

 

$

782

 

$

 

$

 

$

782

 

 

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TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 

At March 31, 2013, restructuring liabilities of $0.4 million are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.4 million are included in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2012, restructuring liabilities of $0.4 million are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $0.5 million are included in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. We do not expect to incur significant additional costs related to the restructurings noted above.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements also include statements related to our anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategy; anticipated trends and prospects in the various industries in which our businesses operate; new products, services and related strategies; and other similar matters. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions about future events, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans” and “believes,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements.

 

Actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those matters discussed in Part II, Item 1A—Risk Factors.

 

Other unknown or unpredictable factors that could also adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations may arise from time to time. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking statements discussed in this report may not prove to be accurate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only reflect the views of Tree.com management as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results or expectations, except as required by law.

 

Management Overview

 

Tree.com is the parent of LendingTree, LLC which owns several brands and businesses that provide information, tools, advice, products and services for critical transactions in consumers’ lives. Our family of brands includes: LendingTree®, GetSmart®, DegreeTree®, LendingTreeAutos, DoneRight®, ServiceTreeSM and InsuranceTree®. Together, these brands serve as an ally for consumers who are looking to comparison-shop for loans and other services from multiple businesses and professionals that will compete for their business.

 

The businesses of RealEstate.com and RealEstate.com, REALTORS® and LendingTree Loans are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for all periods presented. The analysis within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reflects our continuing operations.

 

Recent Mortgage Interest Rate Trends

 

Interest rate and market risks can be substantial in the mortgage lead generation business. Fluctuations in interest rates affect consumer demand for new mortgages and the level of refinancing activity, which in turn affects lender demand for mortgage leads. Typically, a decline in mortgage interest rates will lead to reduced lender demand for leads from third-party sources, as there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking refinancings and, accordingly, lenders receive more organic lead volume. Conversely, an increase in mortgage interest rates will typically lead to an increase in lender demand for leads, as there are fewer consumers in the marketplace and the overall supply of mortgage leads decreases.

 

According to Freddie Mac, the year 2012 began at what were then record low mortgage interest rates of approximately 3.9% and continued to decline throughout the year to new lows, reaching an average 3.35% in December. In 2013, rates increased slightly to an average of 3.57% by the end of March, but still remained lower than the same time period of 2012. As a result, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data, mortgage originations are estimated to have increased by 29% in the first quarter of 2013, as compared with the first quarter of 2012. However, stringent qualification guidelines on the part of lenders and governmental agencies have made it difficult for many consumers seeking mortgage financings to obtain them, notwithstanding the favorable interest rate environment.

 

Real Estate Market

 

In the first three months of 2013, the average seasonally adjusted annual rate nationwide of sales of existing homes increased by 9.8% over the same period in 2012, according to the National Association of Realtors, with sale prices increasing year-over-year for thirteen consecutive months, through March 2013. The demand for homes remains higher than

 

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the supply in the current market, with inventory at the end of March 2013 representing a 17% decline compared with the same point a year prior. However, notwithstanding recent improvements, average home prices are still down substantially from the market’s peak in the summer of 2006 and, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, are currently similar to levels last seen in Fall 2003. While distressed homes continue to account for a significant portion of overall home sales, accounting for 21% of sales in March 2013, this is down from 29% in the same period in 2012.

 

Sale of Assets of LendingTree Loans

 

On May 12, 2011, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Discover Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discover Financial Services, which was amended on February 7, 2012, for the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of our LendingTree Loans business. We completed the sale on June 6, 2012.

 

The asset purchase agreement, as amended, provided for a purchase price of approximately $55.9 million in cash for the assets, subject to certain conditions. Of this total purchase price, $8.0 million was paid prior to the closing, $37.9 million was paid at the closing and $10.0 million is due on the first anniversary of the closing, subject to certain conditions.

 

Discover generally did not assume liabilities of the LendingTree Loans business that arose before the closing date, except for certain liabilities directly related to assets Discover acquired. Of the initial purchase price payment, $17.1 million is being held in escrow pending resolution of certain actual and/or contingent liabilities that remain with us following the sale. The escrowed amount is recorded as restricted cash at March 31, 2013.

 

We also agreed to provide certain services to Discover over a term ending approximately seventeen months following the closing, or such earlier point as the agreed-upon services are satisfactorily completed. Discover has participated as a network lender on our mortgage exchange since closing of the transaction.

 

Segment Reporting

 

Effective December 31, 2012, we expanded our reportable segments from one to two, consisting of mortgage and non-mortgage. The change was made as the convergence of economic similarities associated with our mortgage and non-mortgage operating segments was no longer expected. This decision was made in connection with the update of our annual budget and forecast, which occurs in the fourth quarter each year. The non-mortgage reportable segment consists of our auto, education and home services operating segments, which are not yet mature businesses and have been aggregated. Prior period results have been reclassified to conform with the change in reportable segments.

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

Revenue

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

2012

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Mortgage

 

$

25,520

 

$

16,527

 

184

%

$

8,993

 

Non-mortgage

 

2,560

 

(1,903

)

(43

)%

4,463

 

Corporate

 

 

221

 

100

%

(221

)

Total revenue

 

$

28,080

 

$

14,845

 

112

%

$

13,235

 

 

Following the closing of the sale on June 6, 2012, of our LendingTree Loans business to Discover, leads that would previously have been provided to LendingTree Loans became available for sale on our mortgage exchange and such leads, therefore, added to revenue in our mortgage exchange business, with an associated increase in selling and marketing expense. Prior to the sale of our LendingTree Loans business, we did not record revenue in our mortgage exchange business for leads provided to LendingTree Loans. Instead, we used a cost-sharing approach for marketing expenses, whereby the mortgage exchange business and LendingTree Loans shared marketing expenses on a pro rata basis, based on the quantity of leads provided to network lenders versus matched with LendingTree Loans.

 

Revenue in our mortgage segment increased in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the first quarter of 2012.

 

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Consumers matched on our mortgage exchange increased by 87% in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012. Additionally, our average revenue earned from network lenders per matched consumer increased by 54% in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the first quarter of 2012. The increase in both the number of consumers matched and the revenue per matched consumer in our mortgage segment are primarily attributable to selling leads at market prices on our mortgage exchange that would formerly have been provided to Lending Tree Loans.  Leads that previously were provided exclusively to Lending Tree Loans are now matched to mortgage lenders on the mortgage exchange.

 

Revenue from our non-mortgage segment, which includes our auto, education and home services businesses, decreased in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the first quarter of 2012. Consumers matched on our non-mortgage exchanges decreased by 18% in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the first quarter of 2012, while the average revenue earned per matched consumer in our non-mortgage exchanges decreased by 39%. The decrease in match revenue in our non-mortgage segment and the number of matches completed is primarily due to a decrease in revenue in our education business, which was partially offset by an increase in revenue in our home services business. Our education business was impacted by the increased regulation affecting clients engaged in for-profit post-secondary education services which, in turn, affected their marketing practices. The increase in home services match revenue was the result of a higher volume of matched leads resulting from added lead buyers and the ability to digitally post leads to certain customers. The revenue impact of declines in matches completed and in average revenue per matched consumer was lessened by a 46% increase in auto closing revenues.

 

Cost of revenue

 

Cost of revenue consists primarily of costs associated with compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) relating to internally-operated customer call centers, third-party customer call center fees, credit scoring fees, credit card fees and website network hosting and server fees.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

2012

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Mortgage

 

$

1,156

 

$

457

 

65

%

$

699

 

Non-mortgage

 

173

 

92

 

114

%

81

 

Corporate

 

27

 

11

 

69

%

16

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

1,356

 

$

560

 

70

%

$

796

 

As a percentage of total revenue

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

6

%

 

Mortgage cost of revenue increased in the first quarter of 2013 from the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to increases of $0.2 million in third-party customer service fees, $0.1 million in credit card fees and $0.1 million in compensation and other employee-related costs relating to our internally-operated customer call center. However, the increased cost of revenue was spread over proportionately greater revenue in the first quarter of 2013, compared with the prior period, due to our sale of leads on the mortgage exchange that were previously provided to LendingTree Loans without recognition of revenue, resulting in a slight improvement in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue.

 

Non-mortgage cost of revenue increased in the first quarter of 2013 from the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to increases in compensation and other employee-related costs, lead verification service fees and server fees.

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

Selling and marketing expense consists primarily of advertising and promotional expenditures, fees paid to lead sources and compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in sales or marketing functions. Advertising and promotional expenditures primarily include online marketing, as well as television, print and radio spending. Advertising production costs are expensed in the period the related ad is first run.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

2012

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Mortgage

 

$

15,160

 

$

8,164

 

117

%

$

6,996

 

Non-mortgage

 

2,095

 

(1,571

)

(43

)%

3,666

 

Corporate

 

 

10

 

100

%

(10

)

Selling and marketing expense

 

$

17,255

 

$

6,603

 

62

%

$

10,652

 

As a percentage of total revenue

 

61

%

 

 

 

 

80

%

 

Mortgage selling and marketing expense increased immediately following the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of our LendingTree Loans business on June 6, 2012, due to our no longer allocating portions of such expenses to LendingTree Loans.  In the first quarter of 2012, $4.0 million of selling and marketing expense was allocated to LendingTree Loans.  Headcount within selling and marketing also increased throughout 2012, causing an increase in employee-related costs when compared to the first quarter of 2013.  Notwithstanding this absolute increase, mortgage selling and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue decreased in the first quarter of 2013, compared with the prior period, due to enhanced marketing efficiencies as well as the comparatively favorable interest rate environment.

 

Non-mortgage selling and marketing expense decreased in the first quarter of 2013 from the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to a reduction in online advertising in our education business.

 

Advertising expense is the largest component of selling and marketing expense, and is comprised of the following:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

$
Change

 

%
Change

 

2012

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Online

 

$

12,688

 

$

5,870

 

86

%

$

6,818

 

Broadcast

 

503

 

(945

)

(65

)%

1,448

 

Other

 

1,429

 

874

 

157

%

555

 

Total advertising expense

 

$

14,620

 

$

5,799

 

66

%

$

8,821

 

 

We recognized increased advertising expense in the first quarter of 2013, as compared with the prior quarter, in part due to the greater number of leads available to our mortgage exchange that were previously provided to LendingTree Loans.  In particular, $4.0 million of advertising expense was allocated to LendingTreeLoans in the first quarter of 2012. However, the 66% increase in advertising expense corresponds to an 87% increase in consumers matched with network lenders, reflecting both greater efficiency in our marketing expenditures as well as increased lender demand for our leads.

 

Selling and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue declined to 61% in the first quarter of 2013 from 80% in the first quarter of 2012.

 

We will continue to adjust selling and marketing expenditures dynamically in relation to revenue producing opportunities.

 

General and administrative expense

 

General and administrative expense consists primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in finance, legal, tax, corporate information technology, human resources and executive management functions, as well as facilities and infrastructure costs and fees for professional services.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

2012

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Mortgage

 

$

978

 

$

334

 

52

%

$

644

 

Non-mortgage

 

511

 

(13

)

(2

)%

524

 

Corporate

 

5,067

 

1,432

 

39

%

3,635

 

General and administrative expense

 

$

6,556

 

$

1,753

 

36

%

$

4,803

 

As a percentage of total revenue

 

23

%

 

 

 

 

36

%

 

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Mortgage and corporate general and administrative expense increased in the first quarter of 2013 from the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to an increase in compensation and other employee-related costs. Headcount increased during this time, as we have positioned the business for growth following the completion of the HLC transaction.  In addition, during the first quarter of 2013, we incurred a compensation charge of $0.9 million related to a discretionary cash bonus payment to employee stock option holders. However, the increased general and administrative expense in the first quarter of 2013 was spread over proportionately greater revenue during the period, resulting in an improvement in selling and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue.

 

Product development

 

Product development expense consists primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) that are not capitalized, for personnel engaged in the design, development, testing and enhancement of technology.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

2012

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Mortgage

 

$

950

 

$

431

 

83

%

$

519

 

Non-mortgage

 

255

 

(5

)

(2

)%

260

 

Corporate

 

 

5

 

100

%

(5

)

Product development

 

$

1,205

 

$

431

 

56

%

$

774

 

As a percentage of total revenue

 

4

%

 

 

 

 

6

%

 

Product development expense increased in the first quarter of 2013 from the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to an increase in compensation and other employee-related costs.

 

Depreciation

 

Depreciation expense decreased $0.3 million, to $0.9 million in 2013, from $1.2 million in 2012. This decrease is primarily due to certain fixed assets that fully depreciated in 2012.

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

During the first quarter of 2013 and 2012, provisions for litigation of $1.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively, were recorded for litigation settlements and contingencies. The expense in 2013 was due primarily to legal fees incurred in connection with various patent litigations we are currently pursuing.

 

Operating loss

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

2012

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Mortgage

 

$

6,903

 

$

7,162

 

NM

 

$

(259

)

Non-mortgage

 

(933

)

(132

)

(16

)%

(801

)

Corporate

 

(6,216

)

(1,997

)

(47

)%

(4,219

)

Operating loss

 

$

(246

)

$

5,033

 

95

%

$

(5,279

)

As a percentage of total revenue

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

(40

)%

 

Operating loss decreased significantly in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to the increase in revenue of $14.8 million, partially offset by increases in cost of revenue of $0.6 million, selling and marketing expense of $6.6 million, general and administrative expense of $1.8 million and litigation settlements and contingencies of $0.8 million.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

 

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”) is a non-GAAP measure and is defined in “Tree.com’s Principles of Financial Reporting” below. The following table is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) for continuing operations by segment.

 

Three months ended March 31, 2013:

 

 

 

Mortgage

 

Non-Mortgage

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Adjusted EBITDA by segment

 

$

7,689

 

$

(332

)

$

(3,271

)

$

4,086

 

Adjustments to reconcile to net loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

(43

)

 

 

(43

)

Depreciation

 

(374

)

(417

)

(94

)

(885

)

Restructuring and severance

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

2

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

 

 

 

(25

)

(25

)

Non-cash compensation

 

(413

)

(142

)

(878

)

(1,433

)

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

 

 

(1,028

)

(1,028

)

Discretionary cash bonus

 

 

 

 

 

(920

)

(920

)

Other expense, net

 

 

 

(7

)

(7

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

(20

)

(20

)

Net loss from continuing operations

 

$

6,902

 

$

(934

)

$

(6,241

)

$

(273

)

 

Three months ended March 31, 2012:

 

 

 

Mortgage

 

Non-Mortgage

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Adjusted EBITDA by segment

 

$

400

 

$

121

 

$

(3,067

)

$

(2,546

)

Adjustments to reconcile to net loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

(107

)

 

(107

)

Depreciation

 

(392

)

(625

)

(207

)

(1,224

)

Restructuring and severance

 

(2

)

(1

)

67

 

64

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

(26

)

(30

)

(4

)

(60

)

Non-cash compensation

 

(239

)

(159

)

(786

)

(1,184

)

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

(222

)

(222

)

Other expense, net

 

 

 

(121

)

(121

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

2,131

 

2,131

 

Net loss from continuing operations

 

$

(259

)

$

(801

)

$

(2,209

)

$

(3,269

)

 

Income tax provision

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, we recorded a tax provision (benefit) of $20 thousand and $(2.1) million, respectively, which represent effective tax rates of (7.9)% and 39.5%, respectively. The Company established a valuation allowance of approximately $55 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, to offset its US net deferred tax assets after excluding deferred tax liabilities related to indefinite lived intangible assets that are not going to provide a source of taxable income in the foreseeable future.  In the first quarter of 2013, the effective income tax rate was impacted by the indefinite lived intangible assets, which are amortized for tax purposes but are not amortized for book purposes, as well as a discrete state tax liability occurring during the quarter.  In the first quarter of 2012, the tax rate was higher than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of state income taxes.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

The loss from discontinued operations of $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2013 and the income from discontinued operations of $17.4 million in the first quarter of 2012 are primarily due to the LendingTree Loans business. We completed the sale of the Lending Tree Loans business on June 6, 2012.

 

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FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

General

 

We expect our cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations to be sufficient to fund our operating needs for the next twelve months and beyond.

 

As of March 31, 2013, we had $73.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and $29.0 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, compared to $80.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and $29.4 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2012.

 

Cash Flows from Continuing Operations

 

Our cash flows attributable to continuing operations are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2013

 

March 31,
2012

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(5,416

)

$

(4,787

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(201

)

(3,007

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(671

)

(827

)

 

Net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations in the first quarter of 2013 was $5.4 million and consisted primarily of losses from continuing operations of $0.3 million, positive adjustments for non-cash items of $2.4 million and negative adjustments for increases in accounts receivable of $2.1 million and prepaid, other current accounts of $2.3 million, and a decrease in current liabilities of $2.5 million. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $1.4 million non-cash compensation expense and $0.9 million of depreciation.

 

Net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations in the first quarter of 2012 was $4.8 million and consisted primarily of losses from continuing operations of $3.3 million, positive adjustments for non-cash items of $2.6 million, and a negative adjustment for increase in current liabilities of $3.7 million. Adjustments for non-cash items primarily consisted of $1.2 million each of depreciation and non-cash compensation expense.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in the first quarter of 2013 of $0.2 million consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $0.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in restricted cash of $0.4 million. Net cash used in investing activities in the first quarter of 2012 of $3.0 million consisted primarily of an increase in restricted cash of $2.4 million.

 

Net cash used in financing activities in the first quarters of 2013 and 2012 of $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, consisted primarily of the vesting and issuance of stock to employees (less withholding taxes).

 

Warehouse Lines of Credit for LendingTree Loans

 

As a result of the closing of the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of our LendingTree Loans business on June 6, 2012, all three then-existing warehouse lines of credit expired and terminated on July 21, 2012. Borrowings under these lines of credit were used to fund, and were secured by, consumer residential loans that were held for sale. Loans under these lines of credit were repaid using proceeds from the sales of loans by LendingTree Loans.

 

Seasonality

 

Revenue is subject to the cyclical and seasonal trends of the U.S. housing and mortgage markets. Home sales typically rise during the spring and summer months and decline during the fall and winter months, while refinancing and home equity activity is principally driven by mortgage interest rates as well as real estate values. However, in recent periods additional factors affecting the mortgage and real estate markets have impacted customary seasonal trends.

 

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Table of Contents

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements.

 

TREE.COM’S PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

We report Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, adjusted for certain items discussed below (Adjusted EBITDA), as a supplemental measure to GAAP. This measure is one of the primary metrics by which we evaluate the performance of our businesses, on which our internal budgets are based and by which management is compensated. We believe that investors should have access to the same set of tools that we use in analyzing our results. This non-GAAP measure should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. We provide and encourage investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measure discussed below.

 

Definition of Adjusted EBITDA

 

We report Adjusted EBITDA as operating income or loss (which excludes interest expense and taxes) adjusted to exclude amortization of intangibles and depreciation, and excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash intangible asset impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring and severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies, (6) pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions or dispositions, and (7) one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact to our statement of operations of certain expenses, including depreciation, non-cash compensation and acquisition-related accounting. We endeavor to compensate for the limitations of the non-GAAP measure presented by also providing the comparable GAAP measure with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measure. This non-GAAP measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

 

One-Time Items

 

Adjusted EBITDA is adjusted for one-time items, if applicable. Items are considered one-time in nature if they are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual, and have not occurred in the past two years or are not expected to recur in the next two years, in accordance with SEC rules. For the periods presented in this report, there are no adjustments for one-time items except for a compensation charge of $0.9 million related to a discretionary cash bonus payment to employee stock option holders.

 

Non-Cash Expenses That Are Excluded From Adjusted EBITDA

 

Non-cash compensation expense consists principally of expense associated with grants of restricted stock units and stock options. These expenses are not paid in cash, and we include the related shares in our calculations of fully diluted shares outstanding. Upon settlement of restricted stock units, exercise of certain stock options or vesting of restricted stock awards, the awards may be settled, on a net basis, with us remitting the required tax withholding amount from our current funds.

 

Amortization and impairment of intangibles are non-cash expenses relating primarily to intangible assets acquired through acquisitions. At the time of an acquisition, the intangible assets of the acquired company, such as purchase agreements, technology and customer relationships, are valued and amortized over their estimated lives.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Under the rules and regulations of the SEC, as a smaller reporting company we are not required to provide the information required by this item.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), management, with the participation of our principal executive officer (our Chief Executive Officer) and principal financial officer (our Chief Financial Officer), evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief

 

34



Table of Contents

 

Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that due to the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting that is described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2013. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

With respect to our controls over the application and monitoring of our accounting for income taxes, we did not have controls designed and in place to ensure effective oversight of the work performed by, and the accuracy of, financial information provided by third-party tax advisors. This material weakness was identified in connection with our assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, and was determined not to have been remediated as of March 31, 2013.

 

Notwithstanding the identified material weakness described above, management believes that the financial statements and other financial information included in this report present fairly in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows at and for the periods presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

With the oversight of our management and the audit committee of our board of directors, we have taken steps and plan to take additional measures to remediate the underlying causes of the material weakness described above. We have undertaken an evaluation of our available resources to provide effective oversight of the work performed by our third-party tax advisors and are in the process of identifying necessary changes to our processes as required. Additionally, we are evaluating the resources available and provided to us by the third-party tax advisors and identifying changes as required.

 

While we believe that these steps and measures will remediate the material weakness, there is a risk that these steps and measures will not be adequate to remediate the material weakness. Until we can provide reasonable assurance that the material weakness has been remediated, the material weakness could result in a misstatement in tax related accounts that could result in a material misstatement to our interim or annual consolidated financial statements and disclosures that may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In addition, we may be unable to meet our reporting obligations or comply with SEC rules and regulations, which could result in delisting actions by the NASDAQ Stock Market and investigation and sanctions by regulatory authorities. See the risk factor in our 2012 Form 10-K contained in Part I, Item 1A under the heading “Risk Factors—We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and we may be unable to develop, implement and maintain appropriate controls in future periods. If the material weakness is not remediated, then it could result in a material misstatement to the financial statements.”

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our first fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

 

In the ordinary course of business, we are party to litigation involving property, contract, intellectual property and a variety of other claims. The amounts that may be recovered in such matters may be subject to insurance coverage. We included a discussion of certain legal proceedings in Part I, Item 3, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, there were no material developments to the legal proceedings disclosed in the 2012 Form 10-K and no new material proceedings except as set forth below.

 

Intellectual Property Litigation

 

Internet Patents Corporation f/k/a InsWeb v. Tree.com, Inc., No. C-12-6505 (U.S. Dist. Ct., N.D. Cal.).  In December 2012, Plaintiff filed a patent infringement lawsuit against us seeking a judgment that we had infringed a patent held by Plaintiff. Process was formally served with respect to this matter in April 2013.  The complaint alleges that we infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,707,505, entitled “Dynamic Tabs for a Graphical User Interface”.  We believe the Plaintiff’s allegations lack merit and intend to defend against this action vigorously.

 

Other Litigation

 

Boschma v. Home Loan Center, Inc., No. SACV07-613 (U.S. Dist. Ct., C.D. Cal.).  On May 25, 2007, Plaintiffs filed this putative class action against HLC in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Plaintiffs allege that HLC sold them an option “ARM” (adjustable-rate mortgage) loan but failed to disclose in a clear and conspicuous manner, among other things, that the interest rate was not fixed, that negative amortization could occur and that the loan had a prepayment penalty. Based upon these factual allegations, Plaintiffs asserted violations of the federal Truth in Lending Act, violations of the Unfair Competition Law, breach of contract, and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Plaintiffs purport to represent a class of all individuals who between June 1, 2003 and May 31, 2007 obtained through HLC an option ARM loan on their primary residence located in California, and seek rescission, damages, attorneys’ fees and injunctive relief. Plaintiffs have not yet filed a motion for class certification. Plaintiffs have filed a total of eight complaints in connection with this lawsuit. Each of the first seven complaints has been dismissed by the federal and state courts. Plaintiffs filed the eighth complaint (a Second Amended Complaint) in Orange County (California) Superior Court on March 4, 2010 alleging only the fraud and Unfair Competition Law claims. As with each of the seven previous versions of Plaintiffs’ complaint, the Second Amended Complaint was dismissed in April 2010. Plaintiffs appealed the dismissal and on August 10, 2011, the appellate court reversed the trial court’s dismissal and directed the trial court to overrule the demurrer. The case was remanded to superior court.  During the second quarter of 2013, the parties reached a tentative settlement agreement with respect to this matter. Accordingly, a reserve was included in current liabilities of discontinued operations as of March 31, 2013. The impact of the settlement was not material.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors included in Part I, Item 1A, of the 2012 Form 10-K.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table provides information about the Company’s purchases of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

 

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased(1)

 

Average Price
Paid per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs(2)

 

Maximum
Number/Approximate
Dollar Value of Shares
that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
(in thousands)

 

01/01/13 - 01/31/13

 

5,622

 

$

 

 

$

3,395

 

02/01/13 - 02/28/13

 

40,515

 

$

 

 

$

3,395

 

03/01/13 - 03/31/13

 

516

 

$

 

 

$

3,395

 

Total

 

46,653

 

$

 

 

$

3,395

 

 


(1)                                 During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, 46,653 shares of our common stock were delivered by employees to satisfy federal and state withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock awards granted to those individuals under the Tree.com Second Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Award Incentive Plan. The withholding of those shares does not affect the dollar amount or number of shares that may be purchased under the publicly announced plans or programs described below.

 

(2)                                 On January 11, 2010, we announced that our board of directors approved a stock repurchase program for an amount up to $10 million. The program authorizes repurchases of common shares in the open market or through privately-negotiated transactions. We began this program in February 2010 and expect to use available cash to finance these repurchases. We will determine the timing and amount of such repurchases based on our evaluation of market conditions, applicable SEC guidelines and regulations, and other factors. This program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the discretion of our board of directors.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

Exhibit

 

Description

 

Location

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

Letter Agreement dated as of April 20, 2011 by and between Tree.com, Inc. and Gabriel Dalporto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Severance Letter dated as of September 9, 2012 from Tree.com, Inc. to Gabriel Dalporto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

††

 

 

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

††

 

 

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

†††

 

 

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

†††

 

 

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

†††

 

 

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

†††

 

 

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

†††

 

 

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

†††

 


Filed herewith.

 

††

This certification is being furnished solely to accompany this report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

†††

Furnished herewith. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: May 20, 2013

 

 

TREE.COM, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Alexander Mandel

 

 

Alexander Mandel

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(principal financial officer and

 

 

duly authorized officer)

 

39


Exhibit 10.1

 

 

REVISED

 

April 11,2011

 

Gabriel Dalporto

 

Dear Gabe,

 

It is with great pleasure that I extend to you an offer of employment for the position of Senior Vice President, Interactive Marketing, with Tree.com, Inc. (“Company”), located in Charlotte, NC.

 

You will report directly to Doug Lebda, Chairman and CEO, and you will work remotely with periodic travel to the Company’s Corporate office in Charlotte, North Carolina. You will begin work on April 18, 2010 at 9:00A.M. Highlights of your offer of employment are outlined below:

 

Base Pay: You will be paid on an exempt basis at a bi-weekly rate of $11,538.46 ($300,000 annualized).

 

Sign-on Bonus: You will receive a sign-on bonus in the amount of $75,000, payable in three equal installments.  Dates of payments will be: July 2011, October 2011and January 2012. In the event you voluntarily leave the Company less than one (1) year from your date of hire, you agree to reimburse the Company for the amount of this sign-on bonus on a prorated basis, based on the length of time actually worked.  Please note that all applicable deductions will be made from bonus checks, such as 401k contributions (if any), Federal and State taxes, etc. You will be asked to sign a promissory note to this effect upon commencement of employment.

 

Annual Bonus: Beginning in 2012,you will be eligible to receive an annual incentive bonus with a target of 45% of your W-2 salary. Payouts are discretionary but are based on Company, department and individual performance.  Bonuses may not be awarded each year. Please note that all applicable deductions will be made from bonus checks (401k contributions (if any), Federal and State taxes, etc.).

 

Equity:  Subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee  of the Board of Directors of Tree.com, Inc., you will be eligible to receive an award of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) valued at $200,000 under the Second Amended and Restated Tree.com, Inc. 2008 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). If your award is approved by the Compensation Committee, you will receive an award notice providing the details of your grant, including the Terms and Conditions, and an account will be established for you at Smith Barney, the Plan administrator. On the Smith Barney website, you can find detailed information on your award, as well as the Terms and Conditions and the Plan. Your grant will be governed by the award notice, the Terms and Conditions and the Plan. Please review all of this documentation carefully for a more complete description of your grant, and note that you will be required to acknowledge and accept the Terms and Conditions. Your failure to do so may result in the nullification of your award.

 

Additional Employment Terms: Should your employment be terminated for reasons other than cause or poor performance in the 12 months following your date of hire, the company will pay you severance of six (6) months base pay (once you sign the legal release that would be provided to you around the time of termination). This severance would be paid on regularly scheduled pay dates and would be discontinued at the point you find other employment.

 

Benefits:  You will be eligible to participate  in the Company’s benefits plans, including medical, dental, vision, group life insurance, disability and other benefits, effective the 31” day of your employment.

 



 

Paid Time Off:  You will accrue Paid Time Off (PTO) benefits at the rate of three (3) weeks per year during your first five (5) years of service. Upon completion of your fifth  (5’h) year, you will begin to accrue PTO at the rate of four (4) weeks per year, and you will accrue five (5) weeks’ PTO after 11years. PTO is to be used for vacation, sick and other personal time off needs. You must obtain your manager’s approval in advance of taking PTO or other time off.

 

Retirement: You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan (a 401(k) plan) on your date of hire.  The Company will match fifty  percent (50%) of the first six percent (6%) of pre-tax contributions you make. The Company’s contribution vests 100 percent (100%) three (3) years from your date of hire. You may contribute between one percent (1%) and 50 percent (50%} of pay on a pre-tax basis and between one percent (1%) and 10 percent (10%) on an after-tax basis. As a convenience, approximately 90 days after your date of hire, you will be automatically enrolled in the Plan with a pre-tax deferral rate of three percent (3%} of your eligible earnings, contributed via payroll deductions. You may opt out at any time, even before the first deduction is taken, by contacting the Company’s Benefits Department.

 

The Company reserves the right to modify its compensation and benefits programs at any time.

 

The Company is an at-will employer, and it reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to termination, demotion, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, duties and location of work.  Neither this offer letter nor any other written or verbal communications are intended to create a contract of employment or a promise of long-term employment.  All employment with the Company is at will.

 

This offer of employment is contingent upon:

 

·                  Full compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (19) which requires new employees to provide documentation/identification to establish both identity and work authorization within 3 days of their hire.

·                  Successful completion of criminal background check, credit check, references, employment/ education verifications.

·                  Your acknowledgement that your services to the Company consist of senior managerial duties, with an intimate knowledge of and day-to-day dealings with the Company’s customers, distributors, suppliers and the key employees of the Company, as well as an intimate knowledge of the plans and strategies of the Company for present and future businesses and extensions thereof are of an exceptional character, which gives them a unique value to the Company. Therefore you agree that you will not, while employed by the Company and for one (1) year thereafter, provide services or otherwise work for (as an employee, consultant or independent contractor)  a Competitor of the Company. For the purposes of this restriction, “Competitor” shall mean the following entities:  Experian/LMB, Adchemy, Zillow, LeadPoint, NexTag, Freedom Financial Network/Bills.com and QuinStreet. You shall also not own* greater than five percent (5%) of shares in a publicly traded company or entity that competes with the Company.

 


*Ownership of less than five percent (5%) of shares in a publicly traded company does not violate this provision.

·                  Your agreement that you will not, while employed by the Company and for one (1) year thereafter:

a.              Solicit customers with whom you have direct business dealing with as part of your work for the Company to be customers of services that are competitive with the services of the Company.

b.              Attempt  to persuade other Company employees who you supervise or have direct contact with to leave the Company.

 

The above restrictions are intended to protect important legitimate business interests of the Company and are not meant to prevent you from obtaining future work or earning a living. You understand that if you do not adhere to these restrictions, the Company will have the right to seek enforcement and remedy.

 



 

If you choose to accept this offer of employment pursuant to the terms set forth above, please sign below and fax a copy to Talent Acquisition at 949-932-9204.  Return the original, signed letter to Talent Acquisition on or before your first day of employment.

 

We are excited to have you as a member of our team and know you will find your new role challenging and rewarding.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

/s/ Claudette Hampton

 

 

 

Claudette Hampton

 

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

 

 

Agreed and accepted:

 

/s/ Gabriel Dalporto

 

April 20, 2011

Gabriel Dalporto

Date

 



 

Mr. Dalporto’s base pay was increased from $300,000 per year to $350,000 per year effective on February 12, 2013.

 


Exhibit 10.2

 

September  9, 2012

 

Gabe Dalporto

Tree.com

 

Dear Gabe,

 

This letter confirms our understanding that in the event your employment with Tree.com, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is terminated by the Company for a reason other than (i) Cause (as defined below) or (ii) unacceptable performance (as such may be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, provided that such performance shall be reasonably documented by the Company), the Company will pay you severance pay in an amount equal to the sum of six (6) months of your annual base salary upon your executing a waiver & release document provided by the Company.  This severance will be paid on regularly scheduled pay dates for six (6) months following the effective date of the waiver & release and will be discontinued should you find other employment.

 

Cause” shall mean gross negligence in carrying out your duties for the Company or any breach of fiduciary duties to the Company, conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest to any felony, any act of fraud or embezzlement, material violation of a Company policy or any unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or its affiliates, or failure to cooperate in any Company investigation.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

/s/ Claudette Hampton

 

 

 

Claudette Hampton

 

Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Administration

 

 


Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Douglas R. Lebda, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013 of Tree.com, Inc.;

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 20, 2013

 

 

/s/ Douglas R. Lebda

 

Douglas R. Lebda

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

(principal executive officer)

 


Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Alexander Mandel, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013 of Tree.com, Inc.;

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

 

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

 

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

 

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

 

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 20, 2013

 

 

/s/ Alexander Mandel

 

Alexander Mandel

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

(principal financial officer)

 


Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Douglas R. Lebda, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1)

the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 of Tree.com, Inc. (the “Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

 

(2)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Tree.com, Inc.

 

Date: May 20, 2013

 

/s/ Douglas R. Lebda

 

 

Douglas R. Lebda

 

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(principal executive officer)

 


Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Alexander Mandel, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1)

the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 of Tree.com, Inc. (the “Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

 

(2)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Tree.com, Inc.

 

Date: May 20, 2013

 

/s/ Alexander Mandel

 

 

Alexander Mandel

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(principal financial officer)